Glass fiber filtration media with at least two different fiber diameters

Abstract

A method of forming filtration media, and the media so formed. The media has glass fibers of at least two substantially different diameters, such as 18 microns and 21 microns. Each of the glass fibers is continuous throughout the media and is substantially the same diameter along its entire length. The fibers can be made using a bushing plate in the Modigliani process in which the plate has orifices of at least two different sizes. The fibers made thereby have two different sizes, thereby resulting in a filtration media superior to conventional media, despite having a similar amount of glass and no more weight.

1 . A method of making a filtration media, the method comprising: 
 (a) forcing molten glass through a plurality of orifices formed in a body to form a plurality of glass fibers, wherein each of said glass fibers extends from a corresponding one of said orifices and each of said orifices has one of at least two substantially different orifice diameters, thereby causing each of said glass fibers to have one of at least two substantially different diameter;    (b) wrapping said glass fibers around a rotating drawing drum to form a condensed mat;    (c) removing the condensed mat from the drawing drum;    (d) expanding the mat's exterior dimensions, thereby forming filtration media.    
     
     
         2 . The method in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising the step of directing a flow of gas through the filtration media for removing particulate from the gas.  
     
     
         3 . A product produced according to the process of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         4 . A filtration media made of a plurality of continuous glass fibers, each of said fibers having one of at least two substantially different diameters, and wherein each fiber's diameter is substantially the same throughout the filtration media.  
     
     
         5 . The filtration media in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein said at least two substantially different diameters further comprise first and second diameters in a range between about 17 microns and about 26 microns.  
     
     
         6 . The filtration media in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the first diameter is about 18 microns and the second diameter is about 21 microns.  
     
     
         7 . The filtration media in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the filtration media is mounted in a gas flow path for removing particulate from gas flowing through the filtration media.  
     
     
         8 . The filtration media in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein the thickness of the filtration media is about one inch.  
     
     
         9 . A method of making filtration media, the method comprising 
 (a) disposing a container of molten glass above a rotating drawing drum;    (b) forcing molten glass through a plurality of orifices formed in a body beneath the container to form a plurality of glass fibers, wherein each of said glass fibers extends from a corresponding one of said orifices and each of said orifices has one of at least two substantially different orifice diameters thereby causing each of said glass fibers to have one of at least two substantially different diameters;    (c) reciprocating the container while wrapping said glass fibers around the rotating drawing-drum to form a condensed mat;    (d) removing the condensed mat from the drawing drum;    (e) applying a tensile force to at least one edge of the mat for expanding the mat's exterior dimensions.