Do any filters get better with use / fill ?

[gjbuilder]

I would like to learn more about filters ...

It is my understanding that a drinking water filter needs to be changed because it collects pathogens and the more water you pass through the pathogens, the more it can pick up toxins which pass into your water.

So, as far as I understand, drinking water filters don't get "better" as they "fill up".

But what about air filters ? I understand that the flow rate will continue to drop as the air filter gets more and more clogged, but what about the actual filtering - does it get better ? The more you clog it up the smaller the spaces that remain available for air ...

So with a vacuum, for instance - the longer I go without changing the filter, the harder the compressor has to work to vacuum the air (and the worse the suction is) - but does the air filtration get better ? worse ? same ?

Do any filters have better filtration as they fill up ? Do all of them ? None of them ?

Thanks.

 

[rlitman]

Particulate filters generally flow worse, but filter finer as they get buildup.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

I would like to learn more about filters ...

It is my understanding that a drinking water filter needs to be changed because it collects pathogens and the more water you pass through the pathogens, the more it can pick up toxins which pass into your water.

So, as far as I understand, drinking water filters don't get "better" as they "fill up".

But what about air filters ? I understand that the flow rate will continue to drop as the air filter gets more and more clogged, but what about the actual filtering - does it get better ? The more you clog it up the smaller the spaces that remain available for air ...

So with a vacuum, for instance - the longer I go without changing the filter, the harder the compressor has to work to vacuum the air (and the worse the suction is) - but does the air filtration get better ? worse ? same ?

Do any filters have better filtration as they fill up ? Do all of them ? None of them ?

Thanks.

There are some fluidized bed filters used in aquariums which become more efficient over time. These are biological filters though and use bacteria to remove the organic matter that gets filtered.

 

[Radix2]

Yes, air filters usually are rated based on some amount of seasoning/conditioning to acheive their stated micron rating.

So in general they filter better with loading until the pressure drop becomes too high and they require cleaning or replacement.

Here is a discussion about filter testing, rating and the loading process vs filtering efficiency

https://wynnenv.com/woodworking-filters/filter-efficiency/

 

[Nowater]

There is a water purification plant near by here where one of the final filters includes activated carbon. The plant is well aware that bacteria inhabit the carbon, and add to the filtration ability by absorbing nutrients while not adding any toxins. I have been there!