74-23 AWK
Evaluation of a.Filtron Urethane Foam
          Air Filter Element
             February 1974
      Test and Evaluation Branch
    Emission Control Technology Division
      Environmental Protection Agency

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Background

The Filtron Products Company of Van Nuys, California,
contacted the-* Off ice of Air and Water Programs to request
a laboratory and engineering evaluation of a urethane
foam air filtration element. Supplied with the request
was a test report prepared by Scott Research Laboratories
of San Bernardino, California, indicating significant
reduction of exhaust emissions. A confirmatory test
program was conducted by the Test and Evaluation Branch
of the Emission Control Technology Division.

Device Description

The device is a urethane foam air filter element designed
as a replacement for an OEM paper filter element. The cost
of the element is apparently about twice the cost of an
OEM paper element.

Test Program

A 1971 Ford Galaxie 500, 351 CID, from the EPA fleet was
used for the test. Four tests were conducted, two with a
new OEM air filter and two with the Filtron urethane foam
filter. All testing was performed in accordance with the
1975 Federal Test Procedure as outlined in the November 15,
1972, Federal Register.

All tests were conducted using the standard dynamometer
inertia loading of 4500 pounds and Indolene Clear as the
test fuel.

Test Results

The test results are presented in the Appendix of this
report. These results are summarized below:

               Summary of Emission Results
                 % Change from Baseline

                                   Filtron Filter

              HC                   5% decrease
              CO                   2% decrease
              C02                  0  change
              NOx                  5% increase
              Fuel Economy         1% improvement

Conclusions

The Filtron air filter did not cause either a significant
reduction in exhaust emissions or a marked improvement in
fuel economy.

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                        APPENDIX



         Filtron Filter Test Program - 1975 FTP

Baseline-OEM Filter                                Fuel
                                                   Econ,
Test No.     HC_       CO       C02       NOx       MPG

16-1097      2.44     10.6     686.6     3.46      12.3

16-1100      2.42     14.7     677.4     3.69      12.3


Average      2.43     12.7     682.0     3.57      12.3



Filtron Filter

16-1106      2.33     12.1     682.2     3.77      12.4

16-1112      2.26     12.8     676.9     3.89      12.5



Average      2.30     12.5     679.6     3.83      12.4

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