Croft Filters have developed a metal porous filter product range that can deliver filtration at the few micron range. This filter type is employed in industry to remove small particulates from fluid in production processes to prevent damage to processes and product contamination. Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology is used to manufacture the metal AM porous filters. The filter is built layer by layer and by using different build settings the porosity of the filter can be increased or decreased. The shape and size of the filter can be customised to suit individual end-user applications. AM manufacture does not require tooling and metallic powder can be recycled thus reducing material waste. Metal sintered filters, which deliver filtration at a low micron level, future market share will reach $2.7bn by 2030, however a limitation in this market growth is in the customisation of production lines, including tooling, which delays manufacturing. AM porous filters are produced without tooling and this allows rapid customisation and production enabling entry to this market. However, Croft are unable to supply customers with the filter specification. Conventional filters, made from woven wire mesh, have a known aperture size that is the filtration level. Determination of this filtration level has been sought using X-Ray Computer Topography, mercury testing and high powdered microscopy, but no providers have been able to accurately determine the pore size and thus the filtration level. NPL in a preliminary study provided indicative evidence that particle assays could be able to provide a route to filtration specification of the Croft porous AM filters. In this sturdy NPL will investigate particle analysis to determine the pore size in metal porous filters made with different densities, determine if the filter shape affects the filtration level with a same porosity and validate more cost effective measurement solutions and techniques which can be employed by Croft directly on their own premises. Solving this problem will enable Croft filters to provide filter specification to customers, supporting sales and will support market penetration resulting in increased revenue and market share.

Croft was approached by Titan Electricity to investigate potential commercialisation of the Geo-Engine. Geo-Engines generate power from wasted energy. This technology fits with Croft's own ethos for a more sustainable future, driven by the creation of IP and technology to promote CO2 reduction. To date, Titan has been unsuccessful in sourcing any suitable off the shelf product or method to protect the very expensive Geo-Engine core from damage. Due to its integral nature and high cost, this part requires an extended life to protect the core from catastrophic damage. Filtration is the first and last line of defence for Geo-Engines, with high flow rate, pressure and temperature, compounded by high levels of corrosion. This represents a significant technological problem. Croft has long been an Industry leading company in the filtration sector, boasting an extensive back catalogue of IP and techniques to achieve this. Croft is confident that given sufficient funding, they will overcome any material or technological obstacles that may be encountered.

Croft Filter Limited has developed an innovative design of filters and nozzles using the advantages of additive manufacturing techniques. In this project they will be working in collaboration with university of Leicester to test and quantify the performance of the nozzles and filters.This would help Croft to utilise state of art technology available at the university and establish a benchmark to manufacture high standards products in the future.Croft aims to be self-dependent in conducting test on the products we manufacture in the future.