Viledon hydroMaxx performs under extreme conditions during winter storm Fern
Freudenberg’s coalescer prefilter ensures reliable power plant operation
in severe snow and freezing conditions
Hopkinsville (KY), February 9, 2026. Winter storm Fern put large areas of the United States on edge. Extreme weather followed by widespread power outages disrupted daily life and industrial production. At many natural gas power plants, snow-clogged air intake systems proved to be a critical vulnerability. During the storm, gas turbines equipped with the Viledon hydroMaxx coalescer prefilter continued operating despite heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures.
At the end of January, emergency declarations were issued in more than 20 states as some regions reported more than 20 inches of snowfall within 24 hours. Freezing temperatures combined with strong wind gusts created difficult conditions for infrastructure and energy supply. Natural gas power plants were particularly affected, as snow accumulated in air intake systems, causing pressure drop spikes and therefore airflow reductions. As a result, numerous facilities experienced reduced power output or even shutdowns. Power outages affected industrial production and a large number of customers.
Power plants continue operating with Viledon hydroMaxx
For plant operators, the performance of air intake prefiltration systems became a decisive factor during the storm. One operator reported that Viledon hydroMaxx allowed operations to continue after the plant received fresh snow and throughout subsequent snowfall. The operator added that if a z-pleat product had been installed, the team would have spent the night cleaning it out, which could have led to a forced shutdown of the gas turbines.
Many power plants rely on cardboard-framed prefilters with zig-zag-shaped pleats. Under heavy snowfall, these filters tend to retain powdery snow, leading to rapid blockage. The resulting increase in pressure drop can severely limit the amount of air reaching the gas turbines. To avoid damage, operators often must reduce load or suspend operation until the filters are manually cleared – an effort that can be both time-consuming and challenging under winter storm conditions.
Partially snow-covered but functional – the filters maintained steady airflow and were easy to clear
Design features ensure drainage and airflow
During winter storm Fern, the Viledon hydroMaxx prefilter showed different behavior: Its water-repellent filter medium reduced snow adhesion, while the reverse-media design – with filter pockets facing the airflow – supported effective drainage of snow and meltwater. This helped maintain airflow and limit the pressure drop increase during extended periods of snowfall.
“We had to clear the snow from around 1,000 filters from the snowstorm. Our Viledon hydroMaxx filters worked great and were quick to knock the snow off,” said a New Jersey-based plant operator. According to operators, the vertically aligned pockets and hydrophobic media reduced snow accumulation and simplified manual removal.
As wind, snow, and freezing temperatures intensified, grid reliability declined in several regions. This posed risks for critical infrastructure such as hospitals, emergency services, and communication networks. Under these conditions, the ability of natural gas power plants to maintain operation played an important role. “During the storm, most of our turbines had to shut down due to extremely low airflow caused by snow blockage and frozen intakes, except for the ones with Viledon hydroMaxx,” a North Carolina-based plant operator stated.
The Viledon hydroMaxx reverse-media pockets face the airflow, allowing snow and water to drain while maintaining steady flow
Increasing relevance of winter-ready air intake systems
With extreme weather events becoming more frequent and severe, the performance of air intake systems under winter conditions is gaining importance. Prefiltration solutions that combine low pressure drop, effective drainage, and reduced maintenance requirements can contribute to improved resilience of gas turbine operation during severe weather events.
For more information on the Viledon hydroMaxx solution, visit our page Continuous Operation in Snowy Conditions.
