High fidelity simulation of ultrafine PM filtration by multiscale fibrous media characterized by a combination of X-ray CT and FIB-SEM

Air filtration mechanisms in the composite filter media used practical applications are important and challenging to understand because component fibers could have various size scales morphologies. In this work, a three-dimensional digital model of nanofiber-based was reconstructed for first time based on X-ray tomography data cellulose substrate Focused Ion Beam-Scanning Electron Microscope (FIB-SEM) image analysis several micrometers thick (3.82–7.90 ?m) electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofiber membrane. Besides high-resolution where details fibrous structures were fully resolved, another low-resolution with approximated unresolved also established. Filtration simulations utilizing these models conducted considering drag force, Brownian diffusion aerodynamic slip. The simulated efficiencies agreed well experiments particles 70–400 nm, including most penetrating particle (MPPS, 100–200 nm). Moreover, structure-resolved had higher accuracy but computational costs, while saved much running over-predicted efficiency, especially smaller (<100 Our study presents comprehensive strategy investigating multiscale complex using combination advanced characterization technologies modular simulation models.