Filter media with improved conductivity

Abstract

Filter media are provided having improved conductivity to enhance filtration efficiency and/or dissipate static charge, and methods for making the same. In one exemplary embodiment, the filter media can include a filtration substrate, and at least one conductive coating disposed on at least a portion of the filtration substrate. In use, the conductive coating is coupled to an energy source and it is effective to emit ions when energy is delivered thereto to increase the efficiency of the filtration substrate and/or to dissipate or eliminate static charge generated during filtration.

1 . A filter media, comprising:
 a filtration substrate comprising fibers; and   at least one conductive coating disposed on at least a portion of the filtration substrate.   
     
     
         2 . A method, comprising:
 passing a fluid stream through a filter media comprising:   a filtration substrate comprising fibers; and   at least one conductive coating disposed on at least a portion of the filtration substrate.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the fluid stream comprises a liquid. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the fluid stream comprises air. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , comprising emitting ions from the filter media and charging particles in the fluid stream. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , comprising generating an electric field from the filter media. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the filter media has a surface resistivity in the range of about 1×10 12  ohms per square. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the filter media has surface resistivity of less than about 1×10 7  ohms per square. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the filtration substrate is formed from multiple filtration layers. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the filtration substrate comprises natural fibers, organic fibers, and/or inorganic fibers. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the filtration substrate comprises glass fibers, ceramic fibers, polymer fibers, cotton fibers, hemp fibers, metal fibers and/or carbon fibers. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the filtration substrate comprises metal fibers, and wherein the metal fibers are formed from a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, silver, copper, nickel, gold, lead, tin, zinc, steel, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the filtration substrate comprises a wet-laid fiber web, a meltblown fiber web, and/or a dry laid fiber web. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the filtration substrate comprises a bonding agent bonding the conductive coating to the filtration substrate. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the filtration substrate comprises a conductive metal. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the filtration substrate is formed from glass fibers. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the filter media is pleated. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 2 , comprising dissipating static charge during the step of passing the fluid stream through the filter media. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the conductive coating comprises conductive particles.