Aluminum Pre-Filter – Washable Metal Mesh Filter for HVAC and Industrial Intake

Celrith Aluminum Pre-Filter is a washable metal mesh filter built to capture coarse dust, lint, fibres and oil smoke before they reach coils, fans and downstream filters. It is made with a multi-layer corrugated aluminium or stainless steel mesh in an aluminium, stainless steel or ABS frame. It suits commercial HVAC, industrial ventilation, cleanroom pre-filtration and oil smoke exhaust systems, and is available in standard 1-inch (21 mm) and 2-inch (46 mm) depths with custom sizes.

The Contaminant Problem

Air handling systems pull in more than air. In urban and industrial settings, intake air carries coarse dust, pollen, insects, leaves and fibrous debris. In kitchens and manufacturing plants, oil smoke and sticky aerosols add a greasy film that bonds to surfaces. These contaminants are abrasive, adhesive and often moist. When they settle on heat exchange coils, they insulate the fins and reduce heat transfer. When they coat fan blades, they unbalance rotating parts. When they reach secondary filters, they shorten the service life of finer media.

The problem is not only the contaminant itself but the load it places on everything behind it. A pre-filter that clogs quickly or cannot be cleaned becomes a maintenance burden. A pre-filter that collapses in humid or high-temperature exhaust adds risk. Celrith addresses these conditions with a 100% metal construction that resists corrosion and high temperatures, can be washed repeatedly, and holds a large amount of dust before pressure drop becomes excessive.

Load on Equipment and Systems

Coarse particulate and oil mist create three measurable loads. First, airflow resistance rises as debris accumulates, forcing fans to work harder or reducing delivered air volume. Second, heat transfer efficiency falls when coils are fouled, increasing energy consumption. Third, downstream filters load faster, which raises replacement frequency and cost. In high-humidity or high-temperature exhaust streams, disposable cardboard or synthetic pre-filters can soften, swell or lose shape, allowing bypass and adding to the maintenance cycle.

For facility teams, the operational load is just as real: frequent filter changes, disposal costs and downtime. A washable metal pre-filter changes that equation by intercepting contaminants early and allowing routine cleaning instead of constant replacement.

How Celrith Handles It

Celrith Aluminum Pre-Filter uses a multi-layer corrugated expanded aluminium mesh or stainless steel mesh, with the number of layers customisable to match the contaminant load. The frame is available in aluminium profile, stainless steel or ABS plastic. This all-metal core is fire retardant, resistant to acid and alkali, and suitable for repeated water washing. The pleated mesh structure creates a large dust-holding surface while keeping initial resistance low.

The result is a clear contrast with disposable pre-filters: instead of replacing the filter when it loads, maintenance staff can rinse or wash the mesh and return it to service. That reduces consumable cost and waste, and it keeps the air path open between scheduled maintenance intervals. For oil smoke applications, the metal mesh can be cleaned with appropriate degreasers, helping to maintain capture efficiency over time.

Key Specifications

Who Uses It

Celrith Aluminum Pre-Filter is used across commercial and industrial sectors where coarse contamination and washability matter. Typical users include:

• Commercial HVAC and ventilation: central air handling units, fresh air units and cooling towers, where the filter protects coils and extends the life of secondary filters.
• Pharmaceutical and food processing: pre-filtration in cleanroom HVAC systems, where metal construction supports hygiene and repeated cleaning.
• Automotive and machinery manufacturing: intake filtration for paint booths, engine test cells and general ventilation.
• Energy and metal smelting: high-temperature exhaust and ventilation lines that require fire-retardant, corrosion-resistant media.
• Energy storage and data centres: cooling air intake protection for sensitive electronics.
• Semiconductor and microelectronics: pre-filters in cleanroom air handling to protect HEPA stages.
• Medical and cleanroom facilities: washable pre-filtration for controlled environments.
• Commercial kitchens and oil smoke exhaust: grease and oil mist capture before ductwork and fans.

Supply Assurance and Credentials

Celrith products are manufactured in a 50,000 m² facility in Zhongshan, Guangdong, China, which includes six cleanrooms totalling 20,000 m². The company holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certifications, and added IATF 16949 automotive quality management certification in 2024. Products comply with REACH and RoHS environmental regulations, and compliance documents are available on request.

Quality control runs from incoming material inspection (IQC) through in-process checks (IPQC) to outgoing inspection (OQC). The on-site laboratory is CNAS-accredited and can issue test reports for filtration efficiency, dust holding capacity and resistance. With more than 20 years of filtration experience and exports to Europe, the US, Japan and South Korea, Celrith supports OEM/ODM projects with custom dimensions, structures, media grades, frame materials, logos and packaging. Multiple automated production lines provide monthly capacity in the millions of pieces.

Talk to Us

To receive a quotation or discuss a custom specification, please share the following details with our team:

• Device or vehicle model, or the installation location
• Required size or a drawing
• Airflow or water flow rate (as applicable)
• Operating conditions (temperature, humidity, contaminant type)
• Estimated quantity

Send your requirements through our contact page and we will respond promptly with the next steps.