The Technology of Air Purifiers
There are a large number of technologies that are used to address the need for
clean indoor air. There are only a few however that are actually effective
in treating the air without harming the individual. These are HEPA,
Electrostatic, UV, Activated Carbon, and some other adsorption materials like
Zeolite Clay. We have written several articles about these technologies
and they are included here:
-
HEPA
- probably the best known and most effective for air purifiers. These are also found in cleanrooms
and other industrial applications.
- Activated Carbon
- used initially to filter water this is a great media for
absorbing chemical pollutants.
-
Electronic - an overview and background about this technology.
-
UV - ultraviolet light kills microorganisms such as
viruses and bacteria.
- Cleanrooms
- this is a brief overview of the HEPA technology used in an
industrial application.
-
Negative Ion - a questionable technology with some health
implications.
- Ionic Breeze
- This is a technology shown not to work.
- Ozone
- This technology works well in industrial applications but is dangerous to humans.
There are many different technologies and mediums that are used
in air purifiers so they can deliver clean and safe air to users.
The different types of technologies that are used include HEPA, electronic,
UV, ionic breeze and chemical
adsorption mediums. Some of the technologies used are proven to be more effective than others
and some may be
harmful to users. Each type of technology that is used in an air
purifier is designed to clean the air of specific particles and
odors. The effectiveness and efficiency of each technology is
measured in different ways. Choosing the best air purifier with the
most efficient technology can be easy with some research and
comparison.
High Efficiency Particulate Air filter, or HEPA, technology is one
of the most popular technologies used in air purifiers. An air
purifier that is equipped with a HEPA filter is able to absorb 99.7%
of all particles that are 0.03 microns and larger in size. Most
harmful particles that are found in the air are measured to be about
0.03 microns or larger. The HEPA filter is able to absorb most
particles and make the air fresher and cleaner to breathe in.
Chemical fumes, bacteria, dust particles and pollen are absorbed by
the filter and the air that is produced by the air purifier after
being filtered is free of these contaminants. Once the air enters
the air purifier and flows through the HEPA filter, it is released
into the room to circulate. 99.7% of all particles that were in the
air and passed through the filter that were 0.00001182 inches and
smaller in size were absorbed. HEPA technology has been around since
the 1940's and is still being improved upon and advanced. Many air
purifiers are so efficient due to the use of these filters.
Another type of technology that can be found is
electronic technology. Air purifiers that use electronic technology
are very effective in cleaning the air of particles, dust and fumes.
Electronic technology uses an electronic charge to attract particles
to collection plates and eliminates them from the air. Electronic
air purifiers are proven to be 95% efficient and can absorb most
particles from the air. Electronic air purifiers can be compared to
magnets. They use static electricity to charge particles in the air.
The opposite charge can be found in the air purifier and the two
charges are attracted to each other, trapping the particles inside
the air purifier. Electronic air purifiers are low maintenance and
only require cleaning of the collection plates for optimal
efficiency. The effectiveness of electronic air purifiers has become
apparent due to the high percentage of efficiency.
Ionic breeze air purifiers are a technology used whose efficiency is
yet to be proven. The ionic breeze air purifier is supposed to catch
the particles on metal blades inside the purifier that carry an
electric charge. The blades move the air through the unit by causing
a flow of air. The negative ions and positive ions are supposed to
attract and make the particles and fumes in the air stick to the
blades. However, the ionic breeze purifiers are found to only be
able to absorb about 30% of the particles in the air. The air
purifier that used ionic breeze technology was also found to not
take in all the air in an enclosed room. It was measured to have
left about 5% of the contaminated air in the room to circulate
without it ever being absorbed by the purifier. Consumer Reports
gave ionic breeze purifiers a “poor” rating. Although they are
readily available, consumers who research air purifying technologies
before making a purchase are sure to avoid ionic breeze air
purifiers.
One type of medium that is added to some air purifiers in order to
eliminate odors or certain types of fumes is called chemical
adsorption technology. Chemicals such as activated carbon, Zeolite
or potassium permanganate are added to some air purifiers. They are
able to add more efficiency to the filtering system that is used in
the air purifier. These chemicals can work to absorb smoke or
chemicals that may be present in the air. They specialize in
neutralizing odors and absorbing chemicals. An effective filtering
system that is also equipped with chemical adsorption materials can
produce cleaner and fresher-smelling air.
There are many different types of technologies and mediums that are
used in these air purifiers. Some of these technologies are
more efficient and effective than others. The effectiveness of these
technologies are measured and explained and can be found with a
little research. When a consumer is choosing the most effective air
purifier, the technology used in air purifiers is the most
important factor he or she should consider. |