CEN/TC 195/WG 5 - Gas phase filters

ISO 10121-1:2014 aims to provide an objective laboratory test method, a suggested apparatus, normative test sections and normative tests for evaluation of three different solid gas-phase air cleaning media (GPACM) or GPACM configurations for use in gas-phase air cleaning devices intended for general filtration applications. ISO 10121-1:2014 is specifically intended for challenge testing and not for general material evaluation or pore system characterization. The three different types of GPACM identified in ISO 10121-1:2014 are GPACM-LF (particles of different shape and size intended for e.g. Loose Fill applications), GPACM-FL (FLat sheet fabric intended for e.g. flat one layer, pleated or bag type devices) and GPACM-TS (three dimensional structures that are many times thicker than flat sheet and e.g. used as finished elements in a device). The tests are conducted in an air stream and the GPACM configurations are challenged with test gases under steady-state conditions. Since elevated gas challenge concentrations (relative to general ventilation applications) are used, test data should be used to compare GPACM within the same configuration and not for the purpose of predicting performance in a real situation. It is also not implied that different GPACM configurations can be directly compared. The primary intention is to be able to compare like GPACM configurations to like, not between GPACM configurations. Testing of complete devices is described in ISO 10121‑2.
To ensure objectivity for test equipment suppliers, no specific design of the test apparatus is defined: an example is illustrated in an annex. Instead normative demands for media sample holder design, apparatus properties and validation tests are specified.

ISO 10121-2:2013 aims to provide an objective test method to estimate the performance of any full size gas filtration device (GPACD) for general filtration regardless of media or technique used in the device. In fact, the goal of this part of ISO 10121 is to avoid relating the test data to internal parameters altogether. The benefit with this approach is that customers of GPACDs will be able to concentrate on price/performance and suppliers will have access to a normative and objective test standard that will not require the release of proprietary information or reverse engineering of the product.
To ensure objectivity for test equipment suppliers, no specific design of the test apparatus is specified. Instead requirements of apparatus properties and validation tests are specified. However, different design examples in present use are outlined. ISO 10121-2:2013 can also be used with technologies such as scrubbers, absorbers, non-sorptive devices or packed columns as long as they fit into the test apparatus, can be meaningfully judged by the test method and are intended for general ventilation applications, both residential and non residential. Nuclear and military applications are specifically excluded.