Prediction Model for the Filtration of Smoke Aerosol Particles by Cellulose Acetate Filters

Exploring the filtration characteristics of smoke aerosol particles in cellulose acetate filters and developing a prediction model are vital for designing cigarettes with low “tar” and harmful components. This study employed solanesol as a marker for smoke aerosol particles to investigate its filtration performance in cellulose acetate filters. The effects of length, pressure drop, tow specifications, and flow velocity on the filtration of smoke aerosol particles by cellulose acetate filters were analyzed using an HPLC-DAD method. The results indicated that the filtration of smoke aerosol particles by cellulose acetate filters conformed to the first-order kinetic filtration equation. For filters with the same circumference, the filtration coefficient of smoke aerosol particles was linearly proportional to the pressure drop per unit filter length. Moreover, the tow specifications had no significant effect on the filtration of smoke aerosol particles. The filtration coefficient of smoke aerosol particles decreased with increasing flow velocity. Based on these characteristics, a prediction model for the filtration of smoke aerosol particles by cellulose acetate filters was established, incorporating flow velocity, pressure drop per unit filter length, and circumference. This model was employed to predict the filtration coefficients of smoke aerosol particles in different filters, achieving prediction deviations of less than 5%. Applying the model to predict the filtration efficiencies of “tar” in different filters, the prediction deviations were below 15%. The model can accurately predict the filtration efficiencies of particulate matter in cellulose acetate filters, which provides technical support for cigarette harm reduction, and also offers valuable references for aerosol particles filtration in the atmospheric and industrial fields.