Development of a self-cleaning cleanroom pre-filter system by combining an electrostatic filter and a plasma filter, incorporating physical separation effects and a customized, flow-optimized design

Project background

Cleanrooms require continuous removal of airborne particles, but multi-stage filtration systems are associated with high pressure drops, high energy consumption, and significant maintenance and material costs. The PlasmaRein project addresses these challenges by developing a novel cleanroom pre-filter system.

Project objective

The project aims to develop an energy-efficient, low-maintenance, and self-cleaning pre-filter system for cleanroom ventilation systems. The goal is to significantly reduce pressure drop and energy consumption while maintaining high filtration efficiency in accordance with the requirements of ISO 16890. In addition, filter changes and the use of consumables are to be minimized.

Project procedure

Development involves the design and fabrication of a small-scale functional model as well as the construction of a modular test bench. At the same time, CFD-DEM models are being created to describe airflow and particle separation. The numerical models are validated using experimental data and enhanced with physics-informed neural networks to accelerate simulation. Based on this, the flow guidance, separation mechanisms, cleaning system, and sensor technology are iteratively optimized and ultimately integrated into a prototype system.

Innovation

The innovative core of the project lies in the synergistic combination of various separation processes. In addition, simulation-based flow optimization enables a targeted design of the filter system. If successfully implemented, cleanroom technology, microelectronics, medical technology, and other industries where cleanliness is critical will benefit from reduced operating costs, lower maintenance requirements, and more resource-efficient air filtration.