Effects of Weave Pattern on Filtration Performance of Woven Filter Cloths by Computational Fluid Dynamic Modeling

Abstract

Outdoor physical activities are essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but they can also expose individuals to harmful air pollutants such as particulate matter. Particulate matter, especially those with a diameter of less than 10 µm (PM₁₀), can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause adverse health effects such as respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and even premature deaths. Consequently, masks are essential while outside with high PM pollution. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has made it necessary for people to wear masks as a protective measure against the virus while engaging in outdoor activities. However, not all masks provide adequate protection against both the virus and particulate matters. This study aimed to investigate the effect of weave patterns on the filtration performance of woven filter cloths using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. A laminar-flow model was applied due to low Reynolds number of the face velocity. Specifically, the study focused on PM₁₀. The filtration process was examined in a relation to three weave patterns: plain weave, twill weave, and satin weave, using the CFD model. The Discrete Phase Model (DPM) was used for simulating the particulate matter trajectories. The numerical model was validated with the data from Konda et al (2020) [19]. The results showed that the twill and satin weaves had higher filtration efficiencies than the plain weave. Finally, the findings of this study will be used to guide the manufacturing of masks that are suitable for protecting individuals from the dust and viruses while exercising.