Few of us know that our impact on street and ocean trash is limited, as is our impact on the air in our cities. We all live in a polluted environment. Transportation, solid waste, industrial and household discharges, and atmospheric pollutants all contribute to pollution. They all hurt the environment and our health. In such cases, air purifiers come in handy, but selecting the finest air purifier for your requirements may be challenging. This post will look at several types of air purifiers and help us choose the ideal one for our requirements.
How do air purifiers work?
All air purifiers work on the same principle: they suck in impure air, and after filtering out the impurities from it, they release pure air. The only difference you would notice is in the filtration system, which varies from company to company. The most advanced and widely used air purifiers are the HEPA filters, which can remove the smallest particles of size 0.01 microns. HEPA filters remove smaller allergens like dust, smoke, chemicals, asbestos, pollen, and pet dander. The more times the air passes through the HEPA filter, the cleaner it becomes. The HEPA air purifier’s room capacity will determine whether the air cleaner can handle your air purification needs.
Different air purifiers by technology and filter
HEPA Purifiers
HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Arresting) air purifying filters offer highly effective removal of impurity particles. HEPA filters are a common feature in air cleaning equipment and are frequently the best filtering component. Clinics and other locations with higher air purity standards initially created HEPA filters for their ventilation systems. Public areas, factories, and living rooms widely use this technique. Billy Parker, CEO and founder of Gift Delivery, says, “HEPA filters operate on the fundamental principle of removing dust fractions by moving air through the filter with the assistance of a fan. The HEPA filter effectively traps more than 99% of 0.3 µm (micron) fractions, including pollen, fungal spores, animal hair and dander, and house dust mite allergens, promoting overall health. Therefore, allergy sufferers recommend both vacuum cleaners and air purifiers that use HEPA filters. However, because the surface of filters can serve as a breeding ground for germs, manufacturers also impregnate them with a specific chemical mixture, which prevents bacteria from performing their function. It is important to confirm whether the filter you have chosen offers this impregnation.”
Cleaning and replacing the HEPA filter is necessary when it becomes dirty. Its lifespan is usually 6 months to 5 years, depending on the degree of air pollution.
Adsorbent models
Adsorbent air filters are made to clean the air in specialized and commercial buildings that have to meet stricter standards. They are used by electronic component manufacturing facilities and wastewater treatment plants to eliminate contaminants and odours. The cleaning equipment is supplied in the form of modules filled with special-class chemicals that provide filtration efficiency throughout the service life. Buy adsorption air filters with a different composition of modules, a wide range in the degree and type of contamination, and the characteristics of the technological procedure. The modular arrangement and reliable fixing greatly simplify and facilitate the installation process, eliminating the need for gaskets and sealants.
Darren Gurr, managing partner of rnr wellness says, “Pollutants and odours that may be present in your home are captured by adsorbent models, which are often made from activated carbon. Different environmental remediation procedures commonly use adsorbents due to their ability to act as sponges for harmful compounds. Instead of relying on mechanical operation, adsorption scrubbers use substances known as adsorbents that physically or chemically attract impurities to their surface.”
Nonpolar substances adhere to nonpolar adsorbents via electrostatic interactions between molecules. Polar substances, such as water, adhere to polar adsorbents. All components chemically bind to the adsorbent during chemical adsorption (chemisorption). Often, chemical adsorption cannot be reversed, but physical adsorption can. The porous layer of the adsorbent agent absorbs unwanted gases as air passes through the device, creating fresh air free of hazardous gaseous contaminants.
UV Purifiers
UV air purifiers allow for the removal of dust, wool, epidermis fragments, dust mites, and many allergens from the air, as well as bactericidal treatment using an ultraviolet lamp. This radiation disinfects the air as it circulates through the chamber. Bacteria, viruses, and fungi are destroyed. This type of germicidal air purifier is usually in demand in clinics. People often purchase these models for home air disinfection to safeguard against viral infections. This was a special trend during the coronavirus pandemic.
To start the procedure, the air first passes through UV purifiers. The air is then subjected to a UV lamp, which, in UV devices, typically emits UV-C radiation. By destroying the chemical bonds that DNA molecules have formed, UVGI (ultraviolet germicidal irradiation) inactivates viruses and destroys bacteria and fungi.
Ionic purifiers
The basis of the operation of ionic air purifiers is the ion-creating power of the air in the electrical discharge zone. These ions adhere to the air fractions and recharge them. Additionally, the device’s strong electrostatic field attracts these particles to the electrode, which is oppositely charged. Any of these devices are known as ionizers—devices that gain the consolidation of negative oxygen ions in space. It is believed that air ionization has a beneficial effect on human well-being. There are two types of ionic devices: ionizers and electrostatic precipitators (ESP). Ionizers generate ions, which are charged fractions that can be positive or negative. Many ionizers employ the corona discharge technique to produce negative ions, contributing to the residual fractions in the purifier. Once the ionized units have accumulated on surfaces throughout the home, users can quickly clean them. Electrostatic precipitators (ESP) operate on similar principles, but deposit fractions inside the purifier on positively charged plates first rather than on the exterior surfaces. Since it is easier to manage fractions by cleaning the panels rather than the entire room, ESPs are used more frequently than ionizers.
Ozone generators
The ozonator’s design nearly eliminates harmful microorganisms. Special-use rooms, such as medical rooms, most frequently use the equipment to sterilize the environment. Ozone acts quickly, many times faster than other cleaning methods. It eliminates harmful metals like iron and manganese, which are commonly found in large quantities in water. Ozone purification provides complete sterilization of water, destroying all bacteria by 100% (there are no bacteria in nature that are resistant to ozone). Ozone generators (also known as ozone air cleaners or ozone air purifiers) split oxygen molecules into two oxygen atoms using corona discharge or UV light, which are then recombined into the three oxygen molecules we refer to as ozone. Ozone is extremely reactive.
It frequently alters the chemical composition of molecules in its vicinity, giving up an oxygen atom in the process. Ozonators require more careful use and attention to compliance with safety precautions. Once ozonation is completed, it is necessary to ventilate the premises for at least 40 minutes until the ozone has completely decomposed. After that, the air in the apartment or house becomes entirely safe for humans and pets.
Conclusion:
We have listed the various filter types for evaluation according to their individual needs. The more advanced they are, the greater their air purification capacity. However, the effectiveness of air purifiers all over the world is dependent on the number and types of filters an air purifier uses. By carefully evaluating your needs and priorities and conducting thorough research on available options, you can confidently select an air purifier that meets your requirements and provides you with cleaner, healthier air for years.