US20140033926A1 - Filtration System - Google Patents

Abstract

A filtration system is arranged to safely vent a storage room into which a fog mixture is introduced. Venting the storage room reduces and/or prevents a substantial increase in the internal pressure of the storage room. To control the pressure differential between the storage room and the ambient air pressure, a venting manifold with an in-line duct fan is used, for example, to exhaust storage room air into the atmosphere. The exhausted storage room air is filtered to reduce the exfiltration of chemicals and/or other contaminants from the environmentally sealed storage room.

Description

BACKGROUND
• Post-harvest chemicals are applied to fruit in environmentally sealed storage rooms. Air and treatment chemicals are applied in the form of a chemical fog mixture. The fog mixture is introduced into the storage room using a device such as an electro-thermofogger gun. The introduction of the externally supplied air in the fog mixture increases the internal pressure of the environmentally sealed storage rooms.
SUMMARY
• This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
• A system and method is disclosed herein for safely venting a storage room (such as a commodity storage room) into which a fog mixture is introduced. Venting the storage room reduces and/or prevents a substantial increase in the internal pressure of the storage room. To control the pressure differential between the storage room and the ambient air pressure, a venting manifold with an in-line duct fan is used, for example, to exhaust storage room air into the atmosphere. The exhausted storage room air is filtered to reduce the exfiltration of chemicals and/or other contaminants from the environmentally sealed storage room.
• These and other features and advantages will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are explanatory only and are not restrictive. Among other things, the various embodiments described herein may be embodied as methods, devices, or a combination thereof. The disclosure herein is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
• FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 2 is an isometric view illustrating a filter system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 3 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “3M” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 4 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “well-sealed 3M” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 5 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “cheap” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 6 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “reusable” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 7 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “cheap (2_ndtest)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 8 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “reusable filters pretreated with propylene glycol” (PG) filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 9 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “carbon/fiber filter (untreated)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 10 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “carbon/fiber filter (10% PG)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 11 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “3M filter (Second Test)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 12 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “3M filter (washed and dried)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 13 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “two cheap and four 3M filters” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 14 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “two cheap and four 3M filters (reused)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 15 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “20×25 3M filters (new)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 16 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “20×25 3M filters (reused)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 17 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “20×25 3M filters (1900 EcoFOG)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 18 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “20×25 3M filters (1900 Melted DPA)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 19 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “20×25 3M filters (1900 new EcoFOG 100)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 20 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “20×25 3M filters (1900 new EcoFOG 100)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 21 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “six new 3M filters (EcoFOG 160)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure;
• FIG. 22 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “20×25 3M filters (2200 plus two inches of activated carbon EcoFOG 160 2 L)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure; and
• FIG. 23 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency in a second test of a “20×25 3M filters (2200 plus two inches of activated carbon EcoFOG 160 2 L)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Many details of certain embodiments of the disclosure are set forth in the following description and accompanying figures so as to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the appended claims.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Thethermofogging filtration system100 includes an environmentally sealed storage room110 (such as a commodity storage room for storing potatoes) is provided for safely treating items within the environmentally sealedstorage room110. The environmentally sealedstorage room110 is a substantially closed room that is arranged to substantially reduce the introduction of a substantial amount of treatment substances into the surrounding area.
• Access to the chamber of the environmentally sealedstorage room110 can be provided usingaccess port112, which is arranged to allow ingress to and egress from the chamber of the environmentally sealedstorage room110 by, for example, humans and/oritems124 to be treated within the environmentally sealedstorage room110. (In various embodiments, the environmentally sealedstorage room110 is any suitable chamber that need not be large enough to allow a human to enter the environmentally sealedstorage room110.)
• An airstream substance infuser is arranged to infuse treatment substances into an airstream to generate air-borne treatment substances. The airstream substance infuser is arranged to introduce the airstream and the air-borne treatment substances into the volume of air of the substantially closed room to generate dispersed air-borne substances. Thermo-fogging gun120 is an example of an airstream substance infuser that is arranged to infuse treatment substances into an airstream. Thermo-fogging gun120 is coupled to the environmentally sealedstorage room100 viaaccess port112, which is normally sealed during times in whichitems124 within the environmentally sealedstorage room110 are being treated. During treatment, air-bornesubstances122 are introduced into the environmentally sealedstorage room110 by directing the airstream through an exhaust port of the thermo-fogging gun120. The air-bornesubstances122 disperse after being introduced into the environmentally sealedstorage room110 and come in contact with theitems124 that are to be treated.
• In an example application, post-harvest chemicals are applied to fruit (or vegetables, including tubers such as potatoes) in sealed storage rooms using a thermo-fogging application method. Air and treatment chemicals in a form such as fog is introduced into a storage room (and/or container) using an electrically driven thermo-fogging gun. The treatment chemicals are dispersed in the storage room using air currents (such as those caused by the thermo-fogging gun itself and/or circulation fans) and (e.g., naturally occurring) diffusion gradients. (The term “fan” means, for example, a device that causes movement of air.) The operation is can be continued (without, for example, interruption) over a period of hours (more or less).
• However, the introduction of air-bornesubstances122 into the environmentally sealedstorage room110 can increase the air pressure of the environmentally sealedstorage room110. For example, the rise in the air pressure of the environmentally sealedstorage room110 can potentially cause exfiltration of air (and air-borne particles) from the environmentally sealedstorage room110 in accordance with the degree to which the environmentally sealedstorage room110 is, inter alia, airtight. Also, the rise in the air pressure of the environmentally sealedstorage room110 can cause a higher back-pressure to exist relative to the exhaust port of the thermo-fogging gun120, which can cause a reduction in the efficiency of the thermo-fogging gun as well as a reduction in the efficacy of the air-bornesubstances122 treatment process.
• Anexhaust manifold140 is provided to prevent a substantial increase in the air pressure of the environmentally sealed storage room110 (so that, for example, uncontrolled exfiltration is reduced and/or eliminated). In an example embodiment, theexhaust manifold140 is a plastic tube that is arranged in an area of the environmentally sealedstorage room110 that is at an opposite end of and/or away from the area of theaccess port112 such that the air-borne substances traverse a portion of the environmentally sealedstorage room110 that includesitems124 to be treated.
• Vent holes142 are arranged in theexhaust manifold140 to permit the introduction of air (including air-borne particles) into theexhaust manifold140. In an example embodiment, the vent holes142 are three/quarters of an inch in diameter and are spaced on 18 inch centers along a wall of the environmentally sealedstorage room110 that faces the exhaust port of the thermo-fogging gun120. The air pressure developed in the environmentally sealedstorage room110 by the introduction of the air (that conveys the air-borne substances) into the environmentally sealedstorage room110 facilitates the introduction of air (including air-borne particles) into theexhaust manifold140. The distributed arrangement of the vent holes142 along portions of the exhaust manifold140 (placed along the wall that opposes theexhaust port112 through which the air-bornesubstances122 are introduced into the environmentally sealedstorage room110, for example) promotes a more even dispersion of the air-borne substances throughout the chamber of the environmentally sealedstorage room110.
• Theexhaust manifold140 is coupled to afilter150 that is arranged to capture a portion (including a portion containing substantially all) of the concentration of air-borne particles that have been introduced into theexhaust manifold140. Thefilter150 can be located outside of the environmentally sealed storage room so as to permit easy maintenance and monitoring of thefilter150. (Filter150 is further described below with reference toFIG. 2.)
• To reduce the possibility of exfiltration of air-borne particles from filter150 (and/or portions of theexhaust manifold140 that are external to be environmentally sealed storage room110), and in-line duct fan160 is coupled to the exhaust offilter150. In-line duct fan160 is arranged to provide a negative pressure (e.g., suction) to theexhaustive filter150. The applied negative pressure can, for example, be used to reduce the pressure of thefilter150 relative to the ambient air pressure (e.g., the air pressure surrounding the environmentally sealed storage room110).
• The reduced internal pressure offilter150 substantially reduces the potential for the air-borne substances to escape from thefilter150 housing by lessening (and/or even reversing) the pressure gradient between the inside offilter150 and the outside offilter150. (As described below, the housing offilter150 is arranged to be opened to permit maintenance of thefilter150 as well as to permit inspections thereof) The exhaust of in-line duct fan160 can be, for example, optionally coupled to another filter and/or installed in series either before or after thefilter150. The exhaust of in-line duct fan160 can be released as exhaust (through exhaust vent170) to the ambient air (surrounding environmentally sealed storage room110).Exhaust vent170 optionally contains acheck valve172 to, for example, permit portions of the system (as described below) to operate at pressures lower than ambient (e.g., gauge) pressure (which normally reduces the possibility of exfiltration of treatment substances into the ambient air).
• In an embodiment, the thermo-fogger gun120 is arranged to introduce around 30-40 cubic feet per minute (CFM) of an air/chemical mixture into the environmentally sealedstorage room110 in the form of a fog.Controller180 is arranged to determine ambient pressure (via sensor182), chamber pressure (via sensor132), filter intake pressure (via sensor152), filter exhaust pressure (via sensor154), and fan exhaust pressure (via sensor162).
• Controller180 is arranged to control the storage room pressure to a selected value between (for example) −0.15 and +0.15 inches water column (IWC) using a differential pressure reading. The differential pressure reading can be determined by subtracting a reading fromsensor132 with a (nearly contemporaneous) reading fromsensor182.Controller180 is arranged to control the storage room pressure to a selected value used to control a variable speed in-line duct fan.
• Controller180 can also determine a flow rate through thefilter150 by determining a differential pressure in response to readings from sensor152 (at the intake of filter150) and from sensor154 (at the exhaust of filter150). An abnormally high pressure differential can indicate a clogged filter (for example) or indicate that service of the filter is to be performed.Pressure sensor162 can be used in combination other pressure sensors (such as sensor154) to determine the efficiency of in-line duct fan160, a blockage of the exhaust manifold upstream or downstream of thesensor162, and normalization and/or calibration of other sensors.
• In various embodiments,controller180 is optionally arranged to selectively couple one (or more simultaneously) ofintakes182,184, and186 to thegun intake188. Whenintake182 is selected, air from the volume of air (including air-borne treatment substances, if any) from environmentally sealedroom110 can be recirculated for injection of additional air-borne treatment substances into the environmentally sealed room. Recirculation viaintake182, for example, extends the life offilter150, and reduces the possibility that the air-borne substances (not captured by filter150) might be released to the surrounding area.
• Whenintake184 is selected, air exhausted from the filter150 (including air-borne treatment substances, if any) can be recirculated for injection of additional air-borne treatment substances into the environmentally sealed room. Using information from (pressure)sensors132,152,154,162, and182, thecontroller180 can vary the pressure in selected areas. The pressure of the volumes measured bysensors152,154, and162 can be controlled by selectively controlling the relative speeds of an intake fan ofgun120 andfan160.
• When the flow rate of thefan160 is increased over the flow rate of the fan ofgun120, the air pressures in between the exhaust ofgun120 and the intake of fan are lowered. Thus, the pressures at points measured bysensors152,154, and162 can be reduced—even to pressures below ambient pressure (which reduces the possibility of exfiltration of the treatment substances to the ambient air). The pressure of the volumes measured bysensors152,154, and162 can be controlled by selectively controlling the relative speed of one or both of fan ofgun120 andfan160. To help maintain operation of thegun120 andfan160 with normal operational parameters, intake186 (for example) can be selectively opened using a range of settings from a fully open to a fully closed position. (In another exemplary embodiment,check valve172 can be controlled in a similar fashion).
• Recirculation viaintake184 when the flow rate ofgun120 is increased over the flow rate of thefan160 andcheck valve172 is closed (viacontroller180, or relative air pressures, for example), reduces the possibility that the air-borne substances (not captured by filter150) might be released to the surrounding area during a fogging process.
• Whenintake184 is selected, ambient air is used for by thegun120 for injection of additional air-borne treatment substances into the environmentally sealed room. Thefan160 is used to motivate air flow in the exhaust manifold, to draw the air-borne substances throughfilter150, and to exhaust the filtered air throughvent170 as described above.
• Accordingly, the possibility of exfiltration of air-borne substances from the environmentally sealedstorage room110 is reduced, the possibility of exfiltration of air-borne substances from portions of theexhaust manifold140 andfilter150 is reduced, and the dispersion of the air-borne substances in the environmentally sealedstorage room110 is more evenly distributed in accordance with the distribution of vent holes142.
• FIG. 2 is an isometric view illustrating a filter system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Thefilter system200 includes achamber210 having a width W (e.g., 16 inches), a height H (e.g., 25 inches), and a depth D (e.g., 20 inches).Intake port220 is arranged to accept an air current222, which contains air-borne substances that are to be filtered (e.g., removed) byfilter system200. Thus the air current222 is coupled tochamber210 viaintake port220, and after being filtered as described below, is exhausted viaexhaust port250.Fan260 is arranged to motivate the passage of air current222 through filters of thechamber210 by evacuating air (in varying degrees as described above) from thechamber110 and exhausting the evacuated air as air current272.
• Chamber210 has afirst stage filter230 and asecond stage filter240. Thefirst stage filter230 in an embodiment is a bank of six “3M” high particle-rated fiber air filters (such asmodel number 1900 or 2200 and having dimensions of one inch deep by 20 inches wide by 25 inches high) that are arranged in series with respect to the air current flow (such that the air current passes through each fiber air filter in the bank in turn). Thefirst stage filter230 includes, for example, a series (bank) of pleated fiber filters that are arranged to filter out “visible” air-borne particles. The air-borne particles typically include an active ingredient (AI) used for treating, for example, theitems124 in the environmentally sealed storage room. Thefirst stage filter230 can include one or more individual filters arranged in a bank.
• Thesecond stage filter240 in an embodiment is a column activated carbon 12×30 mesh (e.g., 1.68 mm×0.595 mm) filter (having outer dimensions of two inches deep by 20 inches wide by 25 inches high). Thesecond stage filter240 is arranged to capture volatile solvents and odor (“non-visible” air-borne particles) present in the air current222. Thesecond stage filter240 can include one or more individual filters arranged in a bank.
• The efficiency of thefilter system200 can be made by performing measurements on the quality of the intake air as well as performing measurements on the quality of the exhaust (e.g., filtered) air. In an embodiment,inspection ports224 and254 are respectively provided to, for example, to sample the intake air and the exhaust air. Theinspection ports224 and254 are used to provide a substantially airtight aperture that is arranged to accept a sampling probe. For example theinspection ports224 and254 can each include a substantially sealed membrane through which a needle ofsyringes226 and256 is respectively inserted. (The terms “substantially” sealed or airtight are used, for example, to indicate a level at which exfiltration of air-borne substances and/or infiltration of air from the sampling ports would introduce an unacceptable level of error in the measurements.)
• Measurements on the quality of the intake air and exhaust air can be performed by measuring by sampling the concentrations of active ingredient (AI) pre-filter (e.g., via inspection port224) and post-filter (e.g., via inspection port254). Concentration measurements can be performed by taking aerosol samples at intervals starting, for example, around five to 10 minutes after the beginning of the fogging process (which typically includes introducing treatment substances into the environmentally sealedstorage room110 as described above). In an exemplary embodiment, a first 60 ml-syringe is used to draw a 50 ml sample via inspection port224 (pre-filter) and a second 60 ml-syringes is used to draw a 50 ml sample via inspection port254 (post-filter).
• A 50 ml sample can be drawn by insert the needle into an inspection port and the plunger slowly drawn back (e.g., pulled up) to the 60 ml mark. After a 10 second delay, the plunger is depressed (e.g., pushed down) to 50 ml mark. The syringe is extracted from the inspection port and used to draw 5 ml of a solvent (such as analytical grade ethyl acetate) into the syringe. The aerosol sample and the solvent are mixed by, for example, removing the needle, capping the syringe outlet, and vigorously shaking the syringe for around 30 seconds. After a 15 second delay (while keeping the syringe vertically oriented with the outlet still capped), the plunger depressed to expel the liquid content (include solvent and solutes) into sampling vials. The level of the active ingredient content of the liquid content in the sampling vials can be determined using a suitable gas chromatography-(GC-) based method.
• The efficiency of the filter can be determined by comparing the higher concentration of AI in the pre-filter aerosol sample with the (usually lower) concentration (if any) of AI in a corresponding post-filter aerosol sample. For more accurate determinations, the samples are to be drawn contemporaneously (or substantially contemporaneously) compared to the corresponding outlet sample. The determination can be expressed in accordance with:
• 
  Cg=100×CL  (I)
• where Cg is the concentration of AI in the aerosol (expressed in units of mg/m³) and where CL is the concentration of AI in the liquid solution as determined by the gas chromatography measurement (expressed in units of mg/L or ppm).
• Table 1 is a summary of capture efficiencies of various filters tested:

• TABLE 1
  	Al (mg)/	Pyrethrin/	Pyrethrin/	AI reduction	AI reduction	AI reduction	Wgt gain
  Filter Material	m{circumflex over ( )}3 min	m{circumflex over ( )}3 max	m{circumflex over ( )}3 avg	min %	max %	avg %	(g)

  (6) 20″ × 25″ 3M 2200 air filters + 2″ carbon	0	0	0	100	100	100	1074
  (6) 20″ × 25″ 3M 2200 air filters + 2″ carbon	0	0	0	100	100	100	1121
  (6) 20″ × 25″ 3M 1900 rated fiber air filter	0.1	7.7	4	99.7	100	99.85	266
  (6) 20″ × 25″ 3M 1900 rated fiber air filter	1	9	4	99.3	99.8	99.6	497
  (6) 20″ × 25″ 3M 1900 rated fiber air filter *after	3	33	13	90.6	99.4	97
  1 room*
  (6) 3M 1900 rated fiber air filter (“Merv 13”)	55.9	191.2	95.3	94.1	98.2	96.9	1201
  (6) 20″ × 25″ 3M 1900 rated fiber air filter	0	21.8	6.7	63.6	100	93.3	1121
  (2) low cost fiber filter + (4) 3M 1900	40	80	54	82.8	95.8	92.4	784
  (6) 20″ × 25″ 3M 1900 rated fiber air filter *after	5	276	72.7	67.8	98.8	91.5	787
  2nd room*
  (6) 20″ × 25″ 3M 1900 rated fiber air filter	40	60	50	81	98.1	89.2	1021
  (6) re-used 20″ × 25″ 3M 1900 rated fiber air filter	70	160	117.5	83	92.3	86.2	866
  6″ bed Activated coconut carbon-12 × 30 Mesh-	30	920	256	57	96.2	84	748
  Pretreated 10% propylene glycol
  (6) 20″ × 25″ 3M 1900 rated fiber air filter	128	175	143.4	67	86.5	82	397
  (6) 3M 1900 rated fiber air filter (“Merv 13”)	90	230	146	58.3	92.5	81.8	901
  washed and dried
  (6) 3M 1900 rated fiber air filter (“Merv 13”)	40	130	88	50	91.8	80.3	1143
  *2nd test*
  6″ bed activated coconut carbon-12 × 30 Mesh-	40	580	166	24.7	97	79.7	934
  (2) low cost fiber filter + (4) reused 3M 1900	60	510	222	45.7	88.7	78.5	658
  (6) combo carbon/fiber air filters pretreated with	120	1740	670	48.1	74.1	58.3	284
  10% propylene glycol
  (6) Low cost fiber filter-600 particle rating	50	2600	766.7	−18	89.5	56.2	426
  (6) Reusable fiber/sponge filter (“Merv 6”)	190	1840	898	18.9	88.6	52.8	372
  pretreated with 10% propylene glycol
  “BPL” coarse 4 × 6 mesh carbon 6″ bed	90	880	370	3.3	82.5	51	853
  (6) reusable fiber/sponge filter (“Merv 6”)	210	1641	941.7	13.1	59.2	41.78	367
  (6) combination carbon/fiber air filters	150	1730	666	27.8	54.4	40.9	304
  “BPL” coarse 4 × 6 mesh carbon 12″ bed	60	780	285	0	40.6	16	839

• FIG. 3 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “3M” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.Chart300 includes aplot310, which illustrate a percentage of weight gain of each “3M” filter of a filter bank (for example) used in an exemplary thermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog” application time of 45 minutes.
• Table 2 is a summary of the weight gain of the “3M” filters tested (due to air-borne substances being captured by each filter, for example):

• TABLE 2
  Filters Weight (g)

  #	Before	After	Δ m	% W. Gain

  1	275.98	730.5	454.52	164.7
  2	278.19	509.29	231.1	83.1
  3	271.49	415.21	143.72	52.9
  4	271.21	374.49	103.28	38.1
  5	271.16	339.58	68.42	25.2
  6	271.12	306.63	35.51	13.1
  Total	1639.15	2675.7	1036.55	63.2

  
  Table 3 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in a thermo-fogging filtration system using “3M” filters tested:

• TABLE 3
  Aerosol Analysis

  Sampling
  Time	Pre-Filter mg	After-Filter mg	AI Reduction	%
  (min)	Pyr./M3	Pyr./M3	(Times)	Reduction

  5 min	508.83	24.32	21 times	95.2
  25 min	4891.2	452.969	11 times	90.7

• FIG. 4 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “well-sealed 3M” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.Chart400 includes aplot410, which illustrate a percentage of weight gain of each “well-sealed 3M” filter of a filter bank (for example) used in an exemplary thermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog” application time of 135 minutes.
• Table 4 is a summary of the weight gain of the “well-sealed 3M” filters tested (due to air-borne substances being captured by each filter, for example):

• TABLE 4
  Filters Weight (g)

  #	Before	After	Δ m	% W. Gain

  1	274.53	768.15	493.62	179.8
  2	273.94	536.91	262.97	96.0
  3	275.63	454.37	178.74	64.8
  4	275.68	398.83	123.15	44.7
  5	271.67	362.18	90.51	33.3
  6	272.15	324.3	52.15	19.2
  Total	1643.6	2844.74	1201.14	73.1

  
  Table 5 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in a thermo-fogging filtration system using “well-sealed 3M” filters tested:

• TABLE 5
  Aerosol Analysis

  Sampling
  Time	Pre-Filter mg	After-Filter mg	AI Reduction	%
  (min)	Pyr./M3	Pyr./M3	(Times)	Reduction

  5 min	4311.0	113.7	37.9	97.4
  10 min	3610.8	72.6	49.8	98.0
  20 min	4010.0	71.4	56.1	98.2
  35 min	3244.4	191.2	17.0	94.1
  70 min	2521.3	55.9	45.1	97.8
  125 min	1592.1	67.2	23.7	95.8

• FIG. 5 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “cheap” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.Chart500 includes aplot510, which illustrate a percentage of weight gain of each “cheap” filter of a filter bank (for example) used in an exemplary thermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog” application time of 15 minutes.
• Table 6 is a summary of the weight gain of the “cheap” filters tested (due to air-borne substances being captured by each filter, for example):

• TABLE 6
  Filters Weight (g)

  #	Before	After	Δ m	% W. Gain

  1	130.67	131.3	0.63	0.5
  2	131.32	132.39	1.07	0.8
  3	134.52	131.43	0.91	0.7
  4	130.9	131.8	0.9	0.7
  5	130.14	130.64	0.5	0.4
  6	131.09	131.8	0.71	0.5
  Total	784.64	789.36	4.72	0.6

  
  Table 7 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in a thermo-fogging filtration system using “cheap” filters tested:

• TABLE 7
  Aerosol Analysis

  Sampling
  Time	Pre-Filter mg	After-Filter mg	AI Reduction	%
  (min)	Pyr./M3	Pyr./M3	(Times)	Reduction
  5 min	787.7	735.4	1.1	6.6

• FIG. 6 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “reusable” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.Chart600 includes aplot610, which illustrate a percentage of weight gain of each “reusable” filter of a filter bank (for example) used in an exemplary thermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog” application time of 165 minutes.
• Table 8 is a summary of the weight gain of the “reusable” filters tested (due to air-borne substances being captured by each filter, for example):

• TABLE 8
  Filters Weight (g)

  #	Before	After	Δ m	% W. Gain

  1	581.56	749.52	167.96	28.9
  2	584.4	631.4	47	8.0
  3	584.07	623.05	38.98	6.7
  4	579.89	618.92	39.03	6.7
  5	580.45	616.72	36.27	6.2
  6	583.79	622.38	38.59	6.6
  Total	3494.16	3861.99	367.83	10.5

  
  Table 9 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in a thermo-fogging filtration system using “reusable” filters tested:

• TABLE 9
  Aerosol Analysis

  Sampling
  Time	Pre-Filter mg	After-Filter mg	AI Reduction	%
  (min)	Pyr./M3	Pyr./M3	(Times)	Reduction

  5	1889.9	1641.4	1.2	13.1
  20	2989.2	1516.9	2.0	49.3
  50	1985.5	810.4	2.5	59.2
  95	750	530	1.4	29.3
  155	500	210	2.4	58.0

• FIG. 7 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “cheap (2^ndtest)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.Chart700 includes aplot710, which illustrate a percentage of weight gain of each “cheap (2^ndtest)” filter of a filter bank (for example) used in an exemplary thermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog” application time of 152 minutes.
• Table 10 is a summary of the weight gain of the “cheap (2^ndtest)” filters tested (due to air-borne substances being captured by each filter, for example):

• TABLE 10
  Filters Weight (g)

  #	Before	After	Δ m	% W. Gain

  1	126.59	328.27	201.68	159.3
  2	125.07	224.5	99.43	79.5
  3	126.65	170.16	43.51	34.4
  4	125.06	154.4	29.34	23.5
  5	129.27	158.1	28.83	22.3
  6	122.5	145.96	23.46	19.2
  Total	755.14	1181.39	426.25	56.4

  
  Table 11 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in a thermo-fogging filtration system using “cheap (2^ndtest)” filters tested:

• TABLE 11
  Aerosol Analysis

  Sampling
  Time	Pre-Filter mg	After-Filter mg	AI Reduction	%
  (min)	Pyr./M3	Pyr./M3	(Times)	Reduction

  7	2784	2600	1.1	6.6
  27	1332	1570	0.8	−17.9
  47	1715	180	9.5	89.5
  72	1203	130	9.3	89.2
  112	491	70	7.0	85.7
  142	315	50	6.3	84.1

• FIG. 8 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “reusable filters pretreated with propylene glycol” (PG) filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.Chart800 includes aplot810, which illustrate a percentage of weight gain of each “reusable filters pretreated with PG” filter of a filter bank (for example) used in an exemplary thermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog” application time of 165 minutes.
• Table 12 is a summary of the weight gain of the “reusable filters pretreated with PG” filters tested (due to air-borne substances being captured by each filter, for example):

• TABLE 12
  Filters Weight (g)

  #	Before	After	Δ m	PG on fltr	% W. Gain

  1	643.65	800.4	156.75	48.91	19.6
  2	642.81	677.4	34.59	54.78	5.1
  3	619.7	671.75	52.05	34.1	7.7
  4	627.5	655.07	27.57	94.7	4.2
  5	629.3	683.96	54.66	45.7	8.0
  6	643.95	690.3	46.35	58.22	6.7
  Total	3806.91	4178.88	371.97	336.41	8.9

  
  Table 13 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in a thermo-fogging filtration system using “reusable filters pretreated with PG” filters tested:

• TABLE 13
  Aerosol Analysis

  Sampling
  Time	Pre-Filter mg	After-Filter mg	AI Reduction	%
  (min)	Pyr./M3	Pyr./M3	(Times)	Reduction

  5	1220	990	1.2	18.9
  25	2550	1840	1.4	27.8
  45	2330	970	2.4	58.4
  85	1690	50D	3.4	70.4
  145	1660	19D	8.7	88.6

• The efficiency of an “activated carbon six inches” filter used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure is now discussed. Tables 14 and 15 illustrate measurements taken when using an “activated carbon six inches” filter (for example) used in an exemplary thermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog” application time of 125 minutes.
• Table 14 is a summary of the weight gain of the “activated carbon six inches” filters tested (due to air-borne substances being captured by each filter, for example):

• TABLE 14
  Filters Weight (g)

  #	Before	After	Δ m	% W. Gain
  1	20411.7	21346.1	934.4	4.6
  Total	20411.7	21346.1	934.4	4.6

  
  Table 15 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in a thermo-fogging filtration system using “activated carbon six inches” filters tested:

• TABLE 15
  Aerosol Analysis

  Sampling
  Time	Pre-Filter mg	After-Filter mg	AI Reduction	%
  (min)	Pyr./M3	Pyr./M3	(Times)	Reduction

  5	770	580	1.3	24.7
  35	3030	90	33.7	97.0
  65	1940	70	27.7	96.4
  95	770	40	19.3	94.8
  125	350	50	7.0	85.7

• The efficiency of an “activated carbon six inches (pretreated)” filter used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure is now discussed. The activated carbon six inches filter was pretreated with a 10% solution of PG. Tables 16 and 17 illustrate measurements taken when using an “activated carbon six inches (pretreated)” filter (for example) used in an exemplary thermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog” application time of 125 minutes.
• Table 16 is a summary of the weight gain of the “activated carbon six inches (pretreated)” filters tested (due to air-borne substances being captured by each filter, for example):

• TABLE 16
  Filters Weight (g)

  #	Before	After	Δ m	% W. Gain
  1	23586.8	24335.2	748.4	3.2
  Tot	23586.B	24335.2	748.4	3.2

  
  Table 17 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in a thermo-fogging filtration system using “activated carbon six inches (pretreated)” filters tested:

• TABLE 17
  Aerosol Analysis

  Sampling
  Time	Pre-Filter mg	After-Filter mg	AI Reduction	%
  (min)	Pyr./M3	Pyr./M3	(Times)	Reduction

  5	2140	920	2.3	57.0
  35	1830	230	8.0	87.4
  65	1310	50	26.2	96.2
  95	540	50	10.8	90.7
  125	260	30	8.7	88.5

• FIG. 9 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “carbon/fiber filter (untreated)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.Chart900 includes aplot910, which illustrate a percentage of weight gain of each “carbon/fiber filter (untreated)” filter of a filter bank (for example) used in an exemplary thermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog” application time of 125 minutes.
• Table 18 is a summary of the weight gain of the “carbon/fiber filter (untreated)” filters tested (due to air-borne substances being captured by each filter, for example):

• TABLE 18
  Filters Weight (g)

  #	Before	After	Δ m	% W. Gain

  1	239.73	417.67	177.94	74.2
  2	240.6	271.39	30.79	12.8
  3	239.56	265.13	25.57	10.7
  4	244.23	268.52	24.29	9.9
  5	238.55	260.86	22.31	9.4
  6	237.39	260.61	23.22	9.8
  Total	1440.06	1744.18	304.12	21.1

  
  Table 19 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in a thermo-fogging filtration system using “carbon/fiber filter (untreated)” filters tested:

• TABLE 19
  Aerosol Analysis

  Sampling
  Time	Pre-Filter mg	After-Filter mg	AI Reduction	%
  (min)	Pyr./M3	Pyr./M3	(Times)	Reduction

  5	180	130	1.4	27.8
  35	3090	1730	1.8	44.0
  65	2060	940	2.2	54.4
  95	640	380	0.6	40.6
  125	240	150	1.6	37.5

• FIG. 10 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “carbon/fiber filter (10% PG)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.Chart1000 includes aplot1010, which illustrate a percentage of weight gain of each “carbon/fiber filter (10% PG)” filter of a filter bank (for example) used in an exemplary thermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog” application time of 125 minutes.
• Table 20 is a summary of the weight gain of the “carbon/fiber filter (10% PG)” filters tested (due to air-borne substances being captured by each filter, for example):

• TABLE 20
  Filters Weight (g)

  #	Before	After	Δ m	% W. Gain

  1	261.2	421.31	160.11	61.3
  2	263.74	291.9	28.16	10.7
  3	264.44	289.9	25.46	9.6
  4	265.11	288.31	23.2	8.8
  5	264.13	285.17	21.04	8.0
  6	269.35	295.75	26.4	9.8
  Total	1587.97	1872.34	284.37	17.9

  
  Table 21 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in a thermo-fogging filtration system using “carbon/fiber filter (10% PG)” filters tested:

• TABLE 21
  Aerosol Analysis

  Sampling
  Time	Pre-Filter mg	After-Filter mg	AI Reduction	%
  (min)	Pyr./M3	Pyr./M3	(Times)	Reduction

  5	580	150	3.9	74.1
  35	3490	1740	2.0	50.1
  65	2060	940	2.2	54.4
  95	770	400	1.9	48.1
  125	340	120	2.8	64.7

• FIG. 11 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “3M filter (Second Test)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.Chart1100 includes aplot1110, which illustrate a percentage of weight gain of each “3M filter (Second Test)” filter of a filter bank (for example) used in an exemplary thermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog” application time of 140 minutes.
• Table 22 is a summary of the weight gain of the “3M filter (Second Test)” filters tested (due to air-borne substances being captured by each filter, for example):

• TABLE 22
  Filters Weight (g)

  #	Before	After	Δ m	% W. Gain

  1	273.13	722.62	449.49	164.6
  2	271.97	522.04	250.07	91.9
  3	274.07	452.04	177.97	64.9
  4	2737	409.77	136.07	49.7
  5	271.01	355.75	84.74	31.3
  6	271.08	315.8	44.72	16.5
  Total	1634.96	2778.02	1143.06	69.9

  
  Table 23 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in a thermo-fogging filtration system using “3M filter (Second Test)” filters tested:

• TABLE 23
  Aerosol Analysis

  Sampling
  Time	Pre-Filter mg	After-Filter mg	AI Reduction	%
  (min)	Pyr./M3	Pyr./M3	(Times)	Reduction

  5	970	80	12.1	91.8
  35	1530	130	11.8	91.5
  65	1120	90	12.4	92.0
  95	340	110	3.1	67.6
  125	160	80	2.0	50.0
  135	360	40	9.0	88.9

• FIG. 12 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “3M filter (washed and dried)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.Chart1100 includes aplot1110, which illustrate a percentage of weight gain of each “3M filter (washed and dried)” filter of a filter bank (for example) used in an exemplary thermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog” application time of 125 minutes.
• Table 24 is a summary of the weight gain of the “3M filter (washed and dried)” filters tested (due to air-borne substances being captured by each filter, for example):

• TABLE 24
  Filters Weight (g)

  #	Before	After	Δ m	% W. Gain

  1	276.45	701.69	425.24	153.8
  2	290.66	466.66	176	60.6
  3	295	417.88	122.86	41.7
  4	299.72	384.53	84.81	28.3
  5	313.3	375.82	62.52	20.0
  6	375.2	404.6	29.4	7.8
  Total	1850.33	2751.18	900.85	48.7

  
  Table 25 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in a thermo-fogging filtration system using “3M filter (washed and dried)” filters tested:

• TABLE 25
  Aerosol Analysis

  Sampling
  Time	Pre-Filter mg	After-Filter mg	AI Reduction	%
  (min)	Pyr./M3	Pyr./M3	(Times)	Reduction

  5	520	90	5.8	82.7
  35	2200	230	9.6	89.5
  65	1870	140	13.4	92.5
  95	860	120	7.2	86.0
  125	360	150	2.4	58.3

• FIG. 13 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “two cheap and four 3M filters” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.Chart1300 includes aplot1310, which illustrate a percentage of weight gain of each “two cheap and four 3M filters” filter of a filter bank (for example) used in an exemplary thermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog” application time of 125 minutes.
• Table 26 is a summary of the weight gain of the “two cheap and four 3M filters” filters tested (due to air-borne substances being captured by each filter, for example):

• TABLE 26
  Filters Weight (g)

  #	Before	After	Δ m	% W. Gain

  1	126.42	311.21	184.79	146.2
  2	123.35	290.91	167.56	135.8
  3	274.17	447.07	172.9	63.1
  4	275.67	402.02	126.35	45.8
  5	276.46	360.24	83.78	30.3
  6	276.33	324.74	48.41	17.5
  Total	1352.4	2136.19	783.79	58.0

  
  Table 27 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in a thermo-fogging filtration system using “two cheap and four 3M filters” filters tested:

• TABLE 27
  Aerosol Analysis

  Sampling
  Time	Pre-Filter mg	After-Filter mg	AI Reduction	%
  (min)	Pyr./M3	Pyr./M3	(Times)	Reduction

  5	1790	80	22.4	95.5
  35	1330	60	22.2	95.5
  65	950	40	23.8	95.8
  95	290	50	5.8	82.8
  125	540	40	13.5	92.6

• FIG. 14 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “two cheap and four 3M filters (reused)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.Chart1400 includes aplot1410, which illustrate a percentage of weight gain of each “two cheap and four 3M filters (reused)” filter of a filter bank (for example) used in an exemplary thermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog” application time of 125 minutes.
• Table 28 is a summary of the weight gain of the “two cheap and four 3M filters (reused)” filters tested (due to air-borne substances being captured by each filter, for example):

• TABLE 28
  Filters Weight (g)

  #	Before	After	Δ m	% W. Gain

  1	123.26	316.59	193.33	156.8
  2	130.54	274.26	143.72	110.1
  3	324.74	468.45	143.71	44.3
  4	360.24	449.26	89.02	24.7
  5	402.02	453.92	51.9	12.9
  6	447.07	483.53	36.46	8.2
  Total	1787.87	2446.01	658.14	36.8

  
  Table 29 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in a thermo-fogging filtration system using “two cheap and four 3M filters (reused)” filters tested:

• TABLE 29
  Aerosol Analysis

  Sampling
  Time	Pre-Filter mg	After-Filter mg	AI Reduction	%
  (min)	Pyr./M3	Pyr./M3	(Times)	Reduction

  5	940	510	1.8	45.7
  35	2740	390	7.0	85.8
  65	640	80	8.0	87.5
  95	620	70	8.9	88.7
  125	400	60	6.7	85.0

• FIG. 15 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “20×25 3M filters (new)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.Chart1500 includes aplot1510, which illustrate a percentage of weight gain of each “20×25 3M filters (new)” filter of a filter bank (for example) used in an exemplary thermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog” application time of 125 minutes.
• Table 30 is a summary of the weight gain of the “20×25 3M filters (new)” filters tested (due to air-borne substances being captured by each filter, for example):

• TABLE 30
  Filters Weight (g)

  #	Before	After	Δ m	% W. Gain

  1	302.25	751	448.75	148.5
  2	301.82	556.5	254.68	84.4
  3	339.90	532.35	192.54	56.6
  4	301.25	385.84	84.59	28.1
  5	303.84	332.1	28.26	9.3
  6	302.92	315.63	12.71	4.2
  Total	1851.98	2873.42	1021.44	55.2

  
  Table 31 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in a thermo-fogging filtration system using “20×25 3M filters (new)” filters tested:

• TABLE 31
  Aerosol Analysis

  Sampling
  Time	Pre-Filter mg	After-Filter mg	AI Reduction	%
  (min)	Pyr./M3	Pyr./M3	(Times)	Reduction

  5	960	50	19.2	94.8
  35	2100	40	52.5	98.1
  65	480	60	8.0	87.5
  95	390	60	6.5	84.6
  125	210	40	5.3	81.0

• FIG. 16 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “20×25 3M filters (reused)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.Chart1600 includes aplot1610, which illustrate a percentage of weight gain of each “20×25 3M filters (reused)” filter of a filter bank (for example) used in an exemplary thermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog” application time of 100 minutes.
• Table 32 is a summary of the weight gain of the “20×25 3M filters (reused)” filters tested (due to air-borne substances being captured by each filter, for example):

• TABLE 32
  Filters Weight (g)

  #	Before	After	Δ m	% W. Gain

  1	315.63	759.3	443.67	140.6
  2	332.1	575.72	243.62	73.4
  3	385.84	592.72	206.88	53.6
  4	532.35	501.64	−30.71	−5.8
  5	556.5	559.66	3.16	0.6
  6	751	750.17	−0.83	−0.1
  Total	2873.42	3739.21	865.79	30.1

• Table 33 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in a thermo-fogging filtration system using “20×25 3M filters (reused)” filters tested:

• TABLE 33
  Aerosol Analysis

  Sampling
  Time	Pre-Filter mg	After-Filter mg	AI Reduction	%
  (min)	Pyr./M3	Pyr./M3	(Times)	Reduction

  5	500	70	7.1	86.0
  35	2090	160	13.1	92.3
  65	880	150	5.9	83.0
  95	540	90	6.0	83.3

• The efficiency of an “activated carbon (large granules) 20×20×6” filter used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure is now discussed. Tables 34 and 35 illustrate measurements taken when using an “activated carbon (large granules) 20×20×6” filter (for example) used in an exemplary thermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog” application time of 125 minutes.
• Table 34 is a summary of the weight gain of the “activated carbon (large granules) 20×20×6” filters tested (due to air-borne substances being captured by each filter, for example):

• TABLE 34
  Filters Weight (g)

  #	Before	After	Δ m	% W. Gain

  1	17345.37	18198.1	852.8	4.9
  Total	17345.4	18198.1	852.8	4.9

  
  Table 35 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in a thermo-fogging filtration system using “activated carbon (large granules) 20×20×6” filters tested:

• TABLE 35
  Aerosol Analysis

  Sampling
  Time	Pre-Filter mg	After-Filter mg	AI Reduction	%
  (min)	Pyr./M3	Pyr./M3	(Times)	Reduction

  5	910	880	1.0	3.3
  35	2110	400	5.3	81.0
  65	1370	240	5.7	82.5
  95	430	240	1.8	44.2
  125	160	90	1.8	43.8

• The efficiency of an “activated carbon (large granules) 20×20×12” filter used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure is now discussed. Tables 36 and 37 illustrate measurements taken when using an “activated carbon (large granules) 20×20×12” filter (for example) used in an exemplary thermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog” application time of 205 minutes.
• Table 36 is a summary of the weight gain of the “activated carbon (large granules) 20×20×12” filters tested (due to air-borne substances being captured by each filter, for example):

• TABLE 36
  Filters Weight (g)

  #	Before	After	Δ m	% W. Gain

  1	55905.26	56744.4	839.1	1.5
  Total	55905.3	56744.4	839.1	1.5

  
  Table 37 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in a thermo-fogging filtration system using “activated carbon (large granules) 20×20×12” filters tested:

• TABLE 37
  Aerosol Analysis

  Sampling
  Time	Pre-Filter mg	After-Filter mg	AI Reduction	%
  (min)	Pyr./M3	Pyr./M3	(Times)	Reduction

  5	1080	780	1.4	27.8
  45	520	460	1.1	11.5
  85	320	190	1.7	40.6
  125	130	120	1.1	7.7
  165	110	100	1.1	9.1
  205	60	60	1.0	0.0

• FIG. 17 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “20×25 3M filters (1900 EcoFOG 11)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.Chart1700 includes aplot1710, which illustrate a percentage of weight gain of each “20×25 3M filters (1900 EcoFOG 11)” filter of a filter bank (for example) used in an exemplary thermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog” application time of 125 minutes.
• Table 38 is a summary of the weight gain of the “20×25 3M filters (1900 EcoFOG 11)” filters tested (due to air-borne substances being captured by each filter, for example):

• TABLE 38
  Filters Weight (g)

  #	Before	After	Δ m	% W. Gain

  1	338.35	971.6	633.25	187.2
  2	313.66	577.78	264.12	84.2
  3	311.55	444.85	133.3	42.8
  4	311.76	367.11	55.35	17.8
  5	298.76	316.28	17.52	5.9
  6	302.62	320.26	17.64	5.8
  Total	1876.7	2997.88	1121.18	59.7

  
  Table 39 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in a thermo-fogging filtration system using “20×25 3M filters (1900 EcoFOG 11)” filters tested:

• TABLE 39
  Aerosol Analysis

  Sampling
  Time	Pre-Filter mg	After-Filter mg	AI Reduction	%
  (min)	Pyr./M3	Pyr./M3	(Times)	Reduction

  5	734.40	0	734.0	100.0
  35	3369.0	21.8	154.9	99.4
  65	938.0	5.0	188.0	99.5
  95	173.5	4.4	39.0	97.4
  125	125.3	0.0	125.3	100.0
  155	24.31	8.8	2.7	63.6

• FIG. 18 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “20×25 3M filters (1900 Melted DPA)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.Chart1800 includes aplot1810, which illustrate a percentage of weight gain of each “20×25 3M filters (1900 Melted DPA)” filter of a filter bank (for example) used in an exemplary thermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog” application time of 125 minutes.
• Table 40 is a summary of the weight gain of the “20×25 3M filters (1900 Melted DPA)” filters tested (due to air-borne substances being captured by each filter, for example):

• TABLE 40
  Filters Weight (g)

  #	Before	After	Δ m	% W. Gain

  1	308.43	494.29	185.86	60.3
  2	307.78	365.9	58.12	18.9
  3	303.5	321.56	18.06	6.0
  4	305.73	308.84	3.11	1.0
  5	308.2	308.98	0.78	0.3
  6	307.2	307.61	0.41	0.1
  Total	1840.84	2107.18	266.34	14.5

  
  Table 41 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in a thermo-fogging filtration system using “20×25 3M filters (1900 Melted DPA)” filters tested:

• TABLE 41
  Aerosol Analysis

  Sampling
  Time	Pre-Filter mg	After-Filter mg	AI Reduction	%
  (min)	Pyr./M3	Pyr./M3	(Times)	Reduction

  5	850	1.85	459.5	99.8
  35	3740	10	374.0	99.7
  65	3120	7.74	403.1	99.8
  95	1950	0.1	19500.0	100.0
  125	760	0.1	7600.0	100.0

• FIG. 19 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “20×25 3M filters (1900 new EcoFOG 100)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.Chart1900 includes aplot1910, which illustrate a percentage of weight gain of each “20×25 3M filters (1900 new EcoFOG 100)” filter of a filter bank (for example) used in an exemplary thermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog” application time of 119 minutes.
• Table 42 is a summary of the weight gain of the “20×25 3M filters (1900 new EcoFOG 100)” filters tested (due to substances being captured by each filter, for example):

• TABLE 42
  Filters Weight (g)

  #	Before	After	Δ m	% W. Gain

  1	306.6	446.2	139.6	45.5
  2	306.1	422.4	116.3	38.0
  3	304	386.1	82.1	27.0
  4	306.2	346.5	40.3	13.2
  5	304.4	318.1	13.7	4.5
  6	305	3100	5	4.6
  Total	1832.3	2229.3	397	21.7

  
  Table 43 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in a thermo-fogging filtration system using “20×25 3M filters (1900 new EcoFOG 100)” filters tested:

• TABLE 43
  Aerosol Analysis

  Sampling
  Time	Pre-Filter mg	After-Filter mg	AI Reduction	%
  (min)	Pyr./M3	Pyr./M3	(Times)	Reduction

  5	531.0	175.0	3.0	67.0
  30	935.0	128.0	7.3	86.3
  60	1023.0	138.0	7.4	86.5
  90	903.0	139.0	6.5	84.6
  119	946.0	137.0	6.9	85.5

• FIG. 20 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “20×25 3M filters (1900 new EcoFOG 100)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.Chart2000 includes aplot2010, which illustrate a percentage of weight gain of each “20×25 3M filters (1900 new EcoFOG 100)” filter of a filter bank (for example) used in an exemplary thermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog” application time of 65 minutes in a first room and 80 in a second room.
• Table 42 is a summary of the weight gain of the “20×25 3M filters (1900 new EcoFOG 100)” filters after being used for filtering both rooms (sequentially):

• TABLE 42
  Filters Weight (g)

  #	Before	After	Δ m	% W. Gain

  1	308.58	530	221.42	71.8
  2	309.97	499.6	189.63	61.2
  3	309.74	460.1	150.36	48.5
  4	310.56	424.4	113.84	36.7
  5	307.53	380.3	72.77	23.7
  6	309.12	347.7	38.58	12.5
  Total	1855.5	2642.1	786.6	42.4

  
  Table 43 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in a thermo-fogging filtration system using “20×25 3M filters (1900 new EcoFOG 100)” filters tested in the first room:

• TABLE 43
  Aerosol Analysis

  Sampling
  Time	Pre-Filter mg	After-Filter mg	AI Reduction	%
  (min)	Pyr./M3	Pyr./M3	(Times)	Reduction

  5	351.0	33.0	10.5	90.6
  20	830.0	6.0	138.3	99.3
  35	517.0	3.0	172.3	99.4
  50	868.0	6.0	1447	99.3
  65	534.0	17.0	31.4	96.8

  
  Table 44 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in a thermo-fogging filtration system using “20×25 3M filters (1900 new EcoFOG 100)” filters tested in the second room:

• TABLE 44
  Aerosol Analysis

  Sampling
  Time	Pre-Filter mg	After-Filter mg	AI Reduction	%
  (min)	Pyr./M3	Pyr./M3	(Times)	Reduction

  5	249.0	5.0	49.8	98.0
  20	1188.0	14.0	84.9	98.8
  35	731.0	53.0	13.8	92.7
  50	1108.0	38.0	29.2	96.6
  65	949.0	50.0	19.0	94.7
  80	858.0	276.0	3.1	67.8

• FIG. 21 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “six new 3M filters (EcoFOG 160)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.Chart2100 includes aplot2110, which illustrate a percentage of weight gain of each “six new 3M filters (EcoFOG 160)” filter of a filter bank (for example) used in an exemplary thermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog” application time of 118 minutes.
• Table 45 is a summary of the weight gain of the “six new 3M filters (EcoFOG 160)” filters tested (due to substances being captured by each filter, for example):

• TABLE 45
  Filters Weight (g)

  #	Before	After	Δ m	% W. Gain

  1	310.6	501.8	191.2	61.6
  2	308.8	452.9	144.1	46.7
  3	309.8	403.4	93.6	30.2
  4	311.6	359.8	48.2	15.5
  5	308.7	323.3	14.6	4.7
  6	309.1	313.9	4.8	1.6
  Total	1858.6	2355.1	496.5	26.7

  
  Table 46 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in a thermo-fogging filtration system using “six new 3M filters (EcoFOG 160)” filters tested:

• TABLE 46
  Aerosol Analysis

  Sampling
  Time	Pre-Filter mg	After-Filter mg	AI Reduction	%
  (min)	Pyr./M3	Pyr./M3	(Times)	Reduction

  6	413.0	1.0	413.0	99.8
  60	289.0	2.0	144.5	99.3
  118	4734.0	9.0	526.0	99.8

• FIG. 22 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency of a “20×25 3M filters (2200 plus two inches of activatedcarbon EcoFOG 160 2 L)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.Chart2200 includes aplot2210, which illustrate a percentage of weight gain of each “20×25 3M filters (2200 plus two inches of activatedcarbon EcoFOG 160 2 L)” filter of a filter bank (for example) used in an exemplary thermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog” application time of 125 minutes.
• Table 47 is a summary of the weight gain of the “20×25 3M filters (2200 plus two inches of activatedcarbon EcoFOG 160 2 L)” filters tested:

• TABLE 47
  Filters Weight (g)

  #	Before	After	Δ m	% W. Gain

  1	313.04	833.24	520.2	166.2
  2	312	577.42	265.42	85.1
  3	312.8	477.33	164.53	52.6
  4	310.76	393.93	83.17	26.8
  5	312.25	388.6	26.35	8.4
  6	314.65	328.98	14.33	4.6
  Total	1875.5	2949.5	1074	57.3

• FIG. 23 is a plot diagram that illustrates the efficiency in a second test of a “20×25 3M filters (2200 plus two inches of activatedcarbon EcoFOG 160 2 L)” filter bank used in a thermo-fogging filtration system in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.Chart2300 includes aplot2310, which illustrate a percentage of weight gain of each “20×25 3M filters (2200 plus two inches of activatedcarbon EcoFOG 160 2 L)” filter of a filter bank (for example) used in an exemplary thermo-fogger filtration system having a total “fog” application time of 125 minutes.
• Table 48 is a summary of the weight gain of the “20×25 3M filters (2200 plus two inches of activatedcarbon EcoFOG 160 2 L)” filters tested (due to substances being captured by each filter, for example):

• TABLE 48
  Filters Weight (g)

  #	Before	After	Δ m	% W. Gain

  1	312.98	817.35	504.37	161.2
  2	312.36	591.01	278.65	89.2
  3	310.89	488.75	177.86	57.2
  4	311.74	411.82	100.08	32.1
  5	313.38	352.06	38.68	12.3
  6	313.24	334.61	21.37	6.8
  Total	1874.59	2995.6	1121.01	59.8

  
  Table 49 is a summary of an analysis of the aerosol reduction in a thermo-fogging filtration system using “20×25 3M filters (2200 plus two inches of activatedcarbon EcoFOG 160 2 L)” filters tested:

• TABLE 49
  Aerosol Analysis

  	Pre-Filter	After-Fiber Filter	After-Carbon Filter
  Sampling	EtOAC Relative	EtOAC Relative	EtOAC Relative	%	%	%
  Time	Concentration	Concentration	Concentration	Reduction	Reduction	Reduction
  (min)	(No m.u.)	(No m.u.)	(No m.u.)	Fiber	Carbon	Total

  35	567607	407245	38926	28.252294	90.44163	93.14209
  65	235369	235103	30088	0.113014	87.2022	87.21667
  95	169475	170857	68086	−0.81546	60.1503	59.82534
  125	144186	371199	35583	−157.4446	90.41404	75.32146

• The various exemplary embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the claims attached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes that could be made without following the example exemplary embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the following claims

Claims (27)

What is claimed is:

1. A filtration system, comprising:

a substantially closed room that is arranged to hold items for treatment in a volume of air;

an airstream substance infuser that is arranged to infuse treatment substances into an airstream to generate air-borne treatment substances and that is arranged to introduce the airstream and the air-borne treatment substances into the volume of air of the substantially closed room to generate dispersed air-borne substances; and

a first filter coupled between an exhaust port of the substantially closed room and an exhaust vent that is arranged to receive an exhaust air current that flows from the substantially closed room, wherein the exhaust air current includes a received portion of the air-borne substances, and wherein the first filter is arranged to capture a portion of the received portion of the air-borne substances coupled from the substantially closed room.

2. The system ofclaim 1, comprising a fan that is coupled in series with the first filter between the exhaust port of the substantially closed room and the exhaust vent, wherein the fan is arranged to induce flow of the exhaust air current from the substantially closed room to the exhaust vent.

3. The system ofclaim 2, wherein the fan is coupled in series between the first filter and the exhaust vent.

4. The system ofclaim 2, further comprising a second filter that is coupled between the first filter and the fan.

5. The system ofclaim 4, wherein the filter includes a first filter bank that is arranged to capture an active ingredient of the air-borne substances.

6. The system ofclaim 5, wherein the filter includes a second filter bank that is arranged to capture organic solvents of the air-borne substances.

7. The system ofclaim 6, wherein the filter is arranged to remove around 95 percent of aerosols during continued operation over a period of around 360 minutes.

8. The system ofclaim 5, wherein the intake and outlet pressures of the filter are maintained at pressures below ambient pressure.

9. The system ofclaim 8, wherein fan is arranged to lower the pressure of the inlet of the filter to below ambient pressure.

10. The system ofclaim 8, wherein the substantially closed room is maintained at a pressure that is not substantially higher than ambient pressure.

11. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the substantially closed room is maintained at a pressure that is lower than ambient pressure.

12. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the substantially closed room is maintained at a pressure that is higher than ambient pressure.

13. The system ofclaim 1, comprising an exhaust manifold that is arranged to receive the dispersed air-borne substances in the volume of air of the substantially closed room.

14. The system ofclaim 1, comprising an exhaust manifold that is arranged to receive the dispersed air-borne substances in the volume of air of the substantially closed room and to couple the exhaust air current to a fan that is coupled in series with the first filter between the exhaust port of the substantially closed room and the exhaust vent.

15. The system ofclaim 1, comprising an exhaust manifold that is arranged to receive the dispersed air-borne substances in the volume of air of the substantially closed room, wherein the inlet of the exhaust manifold is arranged having the items for treatment interposed between the inlet of the exhaust manifold and the airstream substance infuser.

16. The system ofclaim 1, comprising an exhaust manifold that is arranged to receive the dispersed air-borne substances in the volume of air of the substantially closed room, wherein the inlet of the exhaust manifold includes multiple vent holes spaced on centers that are arranged to aid dispersion of the air-borne treatment substances.

17. A filtration system, comprising:

a substantially closed room that is arranged to hold items for treatment in a volume of air;

an airstream substance infuser that is arranged to infuse treatment substances into an airstream to generate air-borne treatment substances and that is arranged to introduce the airstream and the air-borne treatment substances into the volume of air of the substantially closed room to generate dispersed air-borne substances;

a first filter coupled in series between an exhaust port of the substantially closed room and an exhaust vent, that is arranged to receive an exhaust air current that flows from the substantially closed room, wherein the exhaust air current includes a received portion of the air-borne substances, and wherein the first filter is arranged to capture a portion of the received portion of the air-borne substances coupled from the substantially closed room; and

a controller that is arranged to control the pressure of the substantially closed room.

18. The system ofclaim 17, comprising a fan that is coupled in series with the first filter between the exhaust port of the substantially closed room and the exhaust vent, wherein the fan is arranged to induce flow of the exhaust air current from the substantially closed room to the exhaust vent.

19. The system ofclaim 17, comprising an exhaust manifold that is arranged to receive the dispersed air-borne substances in the volume of air of the substantially closed room.

20. The system ofclaim 17, comprising an exhaust manifold that is arranged to receive the dispersed air-borne substances in the volume of air of the substantially closed room and to couple the exhaust air current to a first fan that is coupled in series with the first filter between the exhaust port of the substantially closed room and the exhaust vent.

21. The system ofclaim 20, comprising selecting unfiltered air from the exhaust manifold as input to the airstream substance infuser.

22. The system ofclaim 20, comprising selecting filtered air from the exhaust manifold as input to the airstream substance infuser.

23. The system ofclaim 22, wherein the controller is adapted to control the pressure of the substantially closed room by selectively varying the relative speeds of a fan of the airstream substance infuser and the speed of the first fan.

24. The system ofclaim 23, wherein the controller is arranged to select from using unfiltered air from the exhaust manifold as input to the airstream substance infuser, to select from using filtered air from the exhaust manifold as input to the airstream substance infuser, and to select from using ambient air.

25. A method for filtration, comprising:

arranging items to be treated in a substantially closed room having a volume of air;

infusing treatment substances into an airstream to generate air-borne treatment substances;

introducing the airstream and the air-borne treatment substances into the volume of air of the substantially closed room to generate dispersed air-borne substances;

inducing an exhaust air current that flows from the substantially closed room into an exhaust port of the substantially closed room, wherein the exhaust air current includes a received portion of the air-borne substances; and

capturing a portion of the received portion of the air-borne substances coupled from the exhaust port.

26. The method ofclaim 25, comprising selecting from using unfiltered air from the exhaust port as input to an airstream substance infuser that is arranged to infuse the treatment substances into the airstream, using filtered air from the exhaust port as input to the airstream substance infuser, and from using ambient air.

27. The method ofclaim 26, comprising controlling the pressure of the substantially closed room by selectively varying the relative speeds of a fan of the airstream substance infuser and the speed of a fan used to induce the exhaust air current through a filter used to capture the captured portion of air-borne substances.

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