Guide to Types of Industrial Air Filters

Air quality control is crucial in industrial environments, where even minor contamination can compromise product quality, disrupt equipment, or pose safety risks. Industrial air filters provide the first line of defense by removing either particles or gases, with each filter type designed to target specific contaminants.

This guide explains what industrial air filters are, outlines the main types, and shows where each is best applied. By understanding how different filters work, you can select the right combination for your facility’s needs.

 

 

 

What Are Industrial Air Filters?

Industrial air filters are engineered devices designed to remove contaminants from air streams in manufacturing plants, laboratories, cleanrooms, and other controlled environments. Their role is to safeguard three critical areas: people who may be exposed to harmful particulates or gases, processes that rely on contamination-free conditions, and equipment that can suffer from fouling, corrosion, or premature failure when exposed to airborne pollutants.

 

 

 

Types of Industrial Air Filters

Industrial air filters are typically divided into two main categories, each designed to address a different type of airborne contaminants.

 

• Particulate Filters

 

Particulate filters capture solid particles suspended in the air—ranging from dust and fibers to pollen, smoke, and even microorganisms. Think of them as fine nets that trap both visible dust and invisible ultrafine particles.

 

In industrial or controlled environments, filtration is often staged:

 

• Pre-filters remove coarse dust and larger debris.

• Medium filters capture smaller particles.

• HEPA and ULPA filters target the smallest contaminants, such as aerosols and bacteria, where the highest levels of cleanliness are required.

 

• Gas-Phase Filters

 

While particulate filters handle solids, gas-phase filters are designed to remove chemical vapors and odors that particle filters cannot capture. These include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), corrosive gases, and other fumes that may harm equipment or pose health risks.

 

Rather than acting like a net, gas-phase filters function more like a sponge or magnet for gases. Activated carbon, for example, absorbs odors, while specialized filter media neutralize hazardous chemicals.

 

• A Layered Approach

 

In most industrial applications, both filter types are used in combination. Particulate filters first remove dust and fine particles, followed by gas-phase filters that eliminate harmful gases. This multi-stage system ensures cleaner air, safeguards sensitive equipment, and promotes safer working conditions.

 

 

 

Introducing Particulate Filters

Particulate filters are the foundation of industrial air cleaning, designed to remove solid contaminants from coarse dust to ultrafine particles. Because no single filter can handle every size efficiently, they are applied in stages. Pre-filters capture larger debris, bag and medium-efficiency filters manage fine dust and spores, and HEPA or ULPA filters remove the smallest particles in critical environments. This step-by-step approach balances performance, cost, and energy use while ensuring cleaner, safer air.

 

• Pre-Filters

https://www.ge-tek.com/pre-filter

Pre-filters serve as the first line of defense. They capture larger debris such as lint, hair, and coarse dust in the roughly 3–10 μm range. Typical efficiency sits around 30–45%. The point is not surgical removal; the point is to prevent heavy loading of downstream media. When sized correctly, a pre-filter stabilizes airflow, reduces energy spikes caused by early clogging, and cuts change-out frequency on higher-cost filters. See Getek’s solution here.

 

• Bag Filters

https://www.ge-tek.com/secondary-filter

Bag filters, also known as pocket filters, are designed to capture fine particles in the 0.3–10 μm range, including dust, pollen, and some mold spores. Their deep-pocket structure increases the surface area of the filter media, allowing them to hold a larger amount of dust without a sharp rise in pressure drop. Efficiency levels vary widely, from 30% to 95%, covering both coarse and medium filtration classes. Because of their high capacity and stable performance, bag filters are widely used in commercial building HVAC systems and large air handling units as an intermediate stage before high-efficiency filters. Learn more about our offering: Bag/Medium Efficiency Filters.

 

• Medium-Efficiency Filters

https://www.ge-tek.com/secondary-filter

Medium-efficiency filters bridge the gap between bag filters and HEPA. They focus on the 1–3 μm band and typically deliver 60–85% efficiency, which addresses fine dust and some bacteria. In healthcare, electronics assembly, and other light clean processes, this stage prepares air for final filtration or may serve as the final stage for non-critical zones. Selecting a medium filter with a realistic initial and final pressure-drop profile helps avoid surprises in energy use and fan sizing. View our options: Bag/Medium Efficiency Filters.

 

• HEPA and ULPA Filters

https://www.ge-tek.com/high-efficiency-filter

HEPA and ULPA filters are the final stage for controlled environments. They target ultrafine particles and aerosols in the most penetrating particle size range, generally around 0.12–0.3 μm. Typical performance values are well known: HEPA is commonly specified at 99.97% at 0.3 μm, while ULPA grades reach up to about 99.9995%, per EN 1822 and ISO 29463 classes. These filters support yields in semiconductor manufacturing, sterility in pharmaceutical production, and safety in operating rooms. They are not designed to remove gases. Pair them with gas-phase media when molecules such as acids, bases, and VOCs threaten corrosion, residue, or odor. View our product details: HEPA & ULPA Filters.

 

 

 

Introducing Gas-Phase Filters

Gas-phase filtration targets molecules rather than particles. Media are engineered to adsorb or react with contaminants on contact. Actual removal depends on the gas species, concentration, residence time, airflow, and environmental factors such as temperature and humidity. In facilities where corrosion risk, product contamination, or odor must be controlled, you will typically install gas-phase filtration either in recirculating air handlers or dedicated scrubber housings.

 

• Pleated Chemical Filters

https://www.ge-tek.com/chemsorb-p

Pleated chemical filters are designed to remove gas molecules smaller than 1 nanometer with removal efficiencies up to 99.9%. The pleated construction increases adsorbent surface area while keeping pressure drop low, which makes them effective at higher airflow rates. They are particularly effective against acidic gases such as HF, SO₂, and HCl, basic gases such as NH₃, as well as VOCs and ozone. These filters are widely used in semiconductor manufacturing, data centers, and large HVAC systems. More information is available here.

 

• Eco-Friendly Chemical Filters

https://www.ge-tek.com/chemsorb-e

Eco-friendly chemical filters also capture sub-nanometer gases with efficiencies up to 99.9 %, but are built with replaceable media and reusable frames. This design reduces operating costs and supports sustainability goals such as ESG compliance. Their thin structure and flexible installation options make them suitable for equipment with limited space. They are commonly used to remove VOCs, odor molecules, and low-concentration AMCs in precision manufacturing and electronics assembly. Learn more about our Chemsorb-E Eco-Friendly Chemical Filter.

 

• Refillable Chemical Filters

https://www.ge-tek.com/chemsorb-r

Refillable chemical filters achieve up to 99.9% removal efficiency for gases smaller than 1 nanometer and use refillable granular adsorbents within corrosion-resistant housings. Both the housing and frame are reusable, helping lower lifecycle costs while minimizing waste. These filters are engineered for high concentrations of AMCs, mixed acid and base gases, and solvent vapors. They are especially effective in demanding environments such as industrial exhaust systems and laboratories where frequent media replacement may be necessary. More details can be found here.

 

• Sponge Chemical Filters

https://www.ge-tek.com/chemsorb-s

Sponge chemical filters combine a lightweight foam substrate with chemical adsorbents to capture gases smaller than 1 nanometer with efficiencies up to 99.9%. They target ammonia, formaldehyde, sulfides, and low boiling point. The foam structure keeps resistance low and makes the filter easy to handle and install. Because of their low weight and flexible design, sponge filters can be installed in limited spaces easily. View full details here.

 

 

 

How to Choose the Right Industrial Air Filter

Start with contaminants and performance targets, then map them to staged filtration. For particles, pair a pre-filter with a medium-efficiency stage and finish with HEPA or ULPA where required. For gases, use pleated media for broad, low-resistance removal and refillable beds for high or mixed loads; eco-friendly pleated options help when space or ESG goals matter, and sponge media suit light loads with tight pressure budgets. Verify airflow and pressure drop at initial and final conditions, confirm fit and environmental limits (temperature, humidity, corrosion), set maintenance triggers (differential pressure and breakthrough), and write specs against ISO 16890/ASHRAE 52.2 and EN 1822/ISO 29463 with clear acceptance tests.

 

Partnering with an experienced industry expert like Getek reduces risk, shortens commissioning, optimizes energy and total cost of ownership, and ensures compliance—turning a complex selection into a validated, right-sized solution.

 

 

 

Conclusion

Effective air filtration depends on selecting the right combination of particulate and gas-phase filters to address the specific contaminants in your facility. Pre-filters, medium-efficiency filters, and HEPA or ULPA stages form the backbone of particle control, while chemical filters remove gases and airborne molecular contaminants that can damage equipment or compromise processes. By aligning filter choices with performance requirements, airflow constraints, and maintenance goals, you ensure cleaner air, stable operations, and long-term cost control.

 

For tailored recommendations based on your application and operating environment, contact our team of specialists at Getek for a system assessment and customized filter plan.