The Ultimate HEPA / ULPA Filter Selection Guide by Industry
Created on 01.08
The Ultimate HEPA / ULPA Filter Selection Guide by Industry
HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) and ULPA (Ultra-Low Penetration Air) filters are the core components of modern clean air systems.From semiconductors and pharmaceuticals to laboratories, electronics assembly, battery plants, and healthcare facilities, high-efficiency terminal filtration is essential.
However, selecting the right HEPA or ULPA filter is often confusing:
- Ø H13, H14, U15, U16 — what’s the difference?
- Ø Box type, aluminum frame, separator, mini-pleat?
- Ø Glass fiber, PTFE, nanofiber?
- Ø High airflow or low pressure drop?
Many users struggle to make the right choice.
As a manufacturer specializing in nanofiber composite media, HEPA/ULPA filters, HVAC filters, and industrial filter cartridges, Nanofiltech presents a practical, industry-based selection guide to help you choose correctly the first time.
1. Understanding HEPA / ULPA Efficiency Grades
According to EN1822 standards:
Grade | Efficiency @ PM0.1–0.3 | Typical Applications |
H13 | ≥ 99.97% | Electronics, food plants, general cleanrooms |
H14 | ≥ 99.995% | Semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, laboratories |
U15 | ≥ 99.9995% | Critical zones, biopharma, sterile areas |
U16 | ≥ 99.99995% | BSL labs, oncology drugs, lithography areas |
U17 | ≥ 99.999995% | Ultra-critical, rarely required |
In short:
- l H13 / H14 → mainstream industrial & cleanroom use
- l U15 / U16 → ultra-high cleanliness industries
2. Industry-Based HEPA / ULPA Selection (Most Practical Approach)
1) Semiconductor Industry — Zero Compromise
Recommended grades:H14 (standard), U15 (lithography & critical tools), U16 (advanced memory zones)
Recommended media:PTFE / ePTFE (best), Nanofiber HEPA (lower energy consumption)
Why:
- l Extremely sensitive to metallic particles
- l PM0.3 can cause short circuits and wafer defects
- l Large airflow requires low pressure drop
Nanofiltech advantage:
- l High-airflow, low-resistance H14/U15 filters
- l Compatible with FFU, terminal housings, and box HEPA systems
2) Pharmaceutical Manufacturing — Stability Is Key
Recommended grades:H13 (general cleanrooms), H14 (GMP), U15 (aseptic zones)
Recommended media:Nanofiber HEPA/ULPA, traditional glass fiber HEPA
Why:
- l GMP requires long-term stable efficiency
- l High humidity environments
- l Strict control of bacteria, spores, and drug powders
Nanofiltech advantage:
- l Superior humidity resistance
- l Minimal efficiency decay over service life
3) Biosafety Laboratories (BSL) — ULPA Required
Recommended grades:U15 / U16
Recommended media:PTFE / ePTFE, glass fiber + nanofiber composites
Applications:Supply air, exhaust air, biosafety cabinets
Why:
- l Pathogenic aerosols are often < 0.3 μm
- l Long-term performance consistency is critical
4) Battery & Photovoltaic Manufacturing
Recommended grades:H13 / H14
Recommended media:Antistatic nanofiber HEPA, PTFE composites
Why:
- l Electrostatic sensitivity
- l Extremely fine dust
- l Energy efficiency requirements
Nanofiltech advantage:
- l Antistatic nanofiber HEPA
- l Low pressure drop, high dust holding capacity
5) Food, Beverage & Dairy
Recommended grade:H13
Recommended media:Nanofiber HEPA, moisture-resistant glass fiber
Why：
- l High humidity, oil vapor
- l Electrostatic filters may lose efficiency
- l Nanofiber remains stable under moisture
6) Healthcare Facilities
Recommended grades:H13 / H14
Recommended media:Nanofiber HEPA, PTFE HEPA
Applications:Operating rooms, ICUs, isolation rooms, sterilization areas
7) Electronics Assembly & General Cleanrooms
Recommended grade:H13
Recommended media:Nanofiber HEPA, glass fiber HEPA
Why：
- l Dust impacts yield
- l H13 meets most electronics requirements
3. HEPA Filter Structure Selection
Type | Advantages | Typical Use |
Mini-pleat (separatorless) | Low resistance, lightweight, high airflow | FFU, HVAC, cleanrooms |
Box HEPA | Rigid, moisture-resistant | Industrial & high-humidity areas |
PTFE / ePTFE | Most stable, no efficiency decay | Semiconductor, pharma |
Nanofiber HEPA | Lowest pressure drop, energy-saving | Data centers, battery plants |
4. One-Sentence Selection Summary
- l High-cleanliness industries → PTFE or nanofiber HEPA
- l GMP pharma & hospitals → stable H14
- l Battery & PV → antistatic, low-resistance HEPA
- l Food & beverage → moisture-resistant nanofiber HEPA
- l Large airflow cleanrooms → mini-pleat H13/H14
- l High humidity or temperature → metal box HEPA
5. Nanofiltech HEPA / ULPA Solutions
Nanofiltech offers:
- l Nanofiber HEPA / ULPA filters
- l ePTFE HEPA filters
- l Box HEPA filters
- l Mini-pleat HEPA filters
- l HVAC terminal filters
- l Antistatic, high-temperature, high-humidity solutions
Serving industries including semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, photovoltaics, electronics, food, healthcare, laboratories, and industrial clean zones.
OEM / ODM customization is available based on airflow, pressure drop, and operating conditions.
+86 158 3197 8905
+86 158 3197 8905
sales1@nanofiltech.com
sales1@nanofiltech.com
HQ: Room 907, Tower A, No. 999 Jinzhong Road, Changning, Shanghai, China
Factory Ⅰ：No.7, No.4885 of Pingshan Rd., Pinghu, Jiaxing ,Zhejiang, China
Factory Ⅱ: A06, Tuolingtou Industrial Zone, Yangquan, Shanxi, China
HQ: Room 907, Tower A, No. 999 Jinzhong Road, Changning, Shanghai, China
Factory Ⅰ：No.7, No.4885 of Pingshan Rd., Pinghu, Jiaxing ,Zhejiang, China
Factory Ⅱ: A06, Tuolingtou Industrial Zone, Yangquan, Shanxi, China
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