Description

Constructed using sheets of metal mesh, these filters are ideal for trapping/removing oil and grease from exhausted air. Air passing through the mesh changes direction, causing oils and grease to condense on the metal surface. This removes most of the oil and grease particles from the air before it passes through the exhaust system.

Type of control

Physical filtration.

When you would use this

Metal mesh filters are most commonly used in cooking exhausts to remove oils and grease from the air prior to further treatment in an odour control system. They can also be used as a pre-filter for odour control systems to remove larger particles that could clog an exhaust system, or within heating/cooling systems.

Suitable for: oil and grease filtration, other moisture removal, heating and cooling systems, pre-filtering.

Industries that would use this: many businesses or sites could benefit from the implementation of a metal mesh filter, such as those with big coolers, the food and beverage industry, industrial machine shops, and mechanics. It should be noted that metal mesh filters can be advantageous to even the smallest sites for their heating and cooling.

Details and considerations

Metal mesh filters can be extremely helpful for many odour control systems; however, some considerations need to be kept in mind:

• Metal mesh filters do not treat the odour itself, but rather act to pre-treat odourous air, commonly to remove grease and oil to protect other systems from becoming clogged.
• Metal mesh filters need to be installed to meet strict specifications to ensure they work correctly and to avoid captured greases and oils dripping off the surfaces, this could require consultation with a suitable qualified person. For assistance in choosing a suitably qualified person please see EPA’s guide to engaging a consultant.
• A good maintenance routine will ensure you optimise particle removal performance of your metal mesh filter. Metal mesh filters require regular cleaning to ensure they continue to work correctly, and to avoid a build-up of captured greases and oils. It is important to set up, and adhere to a routine cleaning schedule for your filters.

Metal mesh filters are constructed by layering several sheets of metal mesh on top of one another to create miniature air tunnels that force the air to change direction. This results in airborne oil/grease particles sticking to the filter and condensing, removing it from the air, allowing the air to move through to other odour treatments without risk of damaging the equipment, or be dispersed outside.

Read more

Carbon filters guidance sheet

Metal sintered filters guidance sheet

Odour guidance for businesses

Odour controls

 

This page was copied from EPA's old website. It was last updated on 4 June 2019.