EPA Test Program Verifies Performance of GORE® Filter Laminate

Elkton, MD (October 2006) - The EPA’s Environmental Test Verification (ETV) program has verified the performance of Gore’s membrane and fiberglass laminate as providing the lowest filter outlet concentrations for both PM2.5 and total mass concentration, and the lowest pressure drop. In addition, the material exhibited the longest filtration cycle times (lowest number of cleaning pulses) over the course of the performance test. These parameters are considered key performance indicators by EPA and Industry experts for air pollution control and product collection applications.

The ETV program provides industry with objective, credible, performance data and standardized testing and reporting methods. Sixteen baghouse filtration products have been tested since the inception of testing in 2000.The laminate material tested, a GORE™ expanded PTFE membrane on 22oz. fiberglass fabric, is the only membrane laminate with a current verification certificate.  

Results released in July verified Gore’s fiberglass laminate PM2.5 concentration and filter outlet total mass concentration levels as below the detection limit of the equipment (< 0.00002 g/dscm, 0.000007 gr/dscf), for  both PM2.5 and total particulates. These are the lowest emissions levels of all materials tested under either initial or updated testing procedures and translates into nearly zero emissions. Similarly, residual pressure drop data confirmed the GORE™ expanded PTFE membrane on 22oz. fiberglass fabric achieved the lowest pressure drop levels of all tested materials.

Filtration cycle times and resulting cleaning cycle measurements used in the test protocols provide an indication of potential energy savings and bag life performance in use.  In this parameter Gore’s 22 oz fiberglass laminate had the longest times between cleaning cycles which would suggest less material fatigue and higher reliability over the filter life.

Verifications are valid for only 3 years. In the first of its kind, a recent law passed by the California South Coast Air Quality Management District states the use of an ETV verified material extends compliance testing from annually to every five years. The materials verified in the test program are used in GORE® High Durability Filter Bags Fiberglass Fabric coated with Polytetrafluoroethylene, (746 g/m2, 22 oz/yd2) available directly from GORE.

For more information, contact W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. at 800-542-2484 (phone), industrialfilters@wlgore.com (email) , or visit their Web site at www.gore.com/filtration.
For more information on the EPA Environmental Testing Program visit their website
at http://www.epa.gov/etv/vt-apc.html

W. L. Gore & Associates pioneered the use of membrane filtration with expanded PTFE in 1973.  The company is a worldwide leader in providing high technology solutions for demanding industrial, electronic, medical, and fabric applications.  Headquartered in Newark, Delaware, Gore is an international company with 45 plants around the world.

Please send inquiries to: industrialfilters@wlgore.com
        - or -
Technical Marketing Support
W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
101 Lewisville Road
Elkton, MD  21922
(800) 638-5300
GORE, RASTEX and Design are trademarks of W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
Copyright © 2006 by W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.  

Background
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has created the Environmental Technology
Verification (ETV) Program to facilitate the deployment of innovative or improved environmental
technologies through performance verification and dissemination of information. The goal of the ETV Program is to further environmental protection by accelerating the acceptance and use of improved and cost-effective technologies. ETV seeks to achieve this goal by providing high-quality, peer-reviewed data on technology performance to those involved in the design, distribution, financing, permitting, purchase, and use of environmental technologies.

ETV works in partnership with recognized standards and testing organizations; stakeholder groups, which consist of buyers, vendor organizations, permitters, and other interested parties; and with the full participation of individual technology developers. The program evaluates the performance of innovative technologies by developing test plans that are responsive to the needs of stakeholders, conducting field or laboratory tests (as appropriate), collecting and analyzing data, and preparing peer-reviewed reports. All evaluations are conducted in accordance with rigorous quality assurance protocols to ensure that data of known and adequate quality are generated and that the results are defensible.

The Air Pollution Control Technology (APCT) Verification Center is operated by RTI International (RTI), in cooperation with EPA’s National Risk Management Research Laboratory. The APCT Verification Center evaluates the performance of baghouse filtration products (BFPs) used primarily to control PM2.5 emissions (particles 2.5 μm and smaller in aerodynamic diameter).

CONTACT
Bob Rodriguez
W.L. Gore & Associates
(410) 506-3214