I ran into a problem: I run my lasercutters fume exhaust through a cleaning unit that consists of a active carbon filter, a HEPA filter and on top of those few filter more to take out the rougher fumes. Today I ran alot of cellulose acetate (material that's used on eyeglass frames) on my machine and the burning fumes clogged my HEPA filter and the filters on top of it. Fortunately it didn't get the active carbon. I've clogged a few HEPA filters by now, the earlier were because of a stupid mistake I myself made, but this newest one broke the camels back. The smoke coming from the acetate seems to be quite greasy since the filters can't be cleaned with compressed air blowers.
Now to the questions: How do you pre-filter your laser exhausts before the smoke hits the more expensive filters? Do you clean your filters regularly and how you do it? Today I had a crazy idea: Use a steam cleaner to clean my old HEPA filters. There isn't anything to lose anymore since they are all ready done for. Any comments on the steam cleaner idea? A doomed idea from the beginning or perhaps something that might actually work? I'll probably have to find a warm place to dry the filter as quick as possible.
I had to come up with a few very bizzarre ideas of pre-filtering the sticky smoke and one thing that came in to my mind was installing a sort of self made pre-filter that consists of rock/wood rubble. Something loose enough to catch most of the sticky smoke and save my HEPA etc. filters. The wood might be a bad idea since a spark from the laser could travel through the exhaust tube and set the wood on fire.
So heres just something that's been on my mind and just wanted to share a few ideas I got in a desperate situation. Hope this sparks off some kind of a conversation! All ideas and comments are quite welcome.
Sincerely, Henri from Finland