The removal of airborne odors and gaseous pollutants is a totally different technology than the removal of airborne particulate. To capture gaseous odors and pollutants requires some form of material or compound that can capture the gaesous molecules and hold them in place. The most commen type of material used for this type of process is carbon which is activated charcoal placed in a web-like enclosure. This material is created under high tempertures and has a very high surface area with lots of openings that can capture gaseous pollutants up to ten times its own weight. 

The term used for capturing gases and odors with carbon and other materials is the “adsorbtive process” This is different than the term “absorb” which is used with sponge-like materials. Carbon has a great affinity to capture and hold the majority of organic and inorganic gases and will hold them until the carbon becomes saturated at which time the carbon needs to bed replaced. Frequency of change is dependent upon the amount of odor producing gas and the volume of air ( in CFM ) that you are cleaning. 

Granular carbon media can be packaged in many ways. For water filtration the carbon media is placed in a porous bag or fine screen enclosure. For use in airborne processes it can be placed in a cardboard frame with fine screening material or infused in a  filter media type substrate an placed accordian style in a frame sized to fit into any opening. These carbon filters can be placed in the return air of HVAC ductwork and used in conjunction with air filters.

Pure Air Systems manufactures a complete line of fan-powered air filtration systems that can include HEPA and Carbon media filters or all Carbon media for applications where just gases and odors need to be removed. In all cases a prefiter is always placed in front of the carbon or HEPA filter fo keep the secondary filters clean.

For more information on the complete line of air filtration systems please go to our website at:  https://www.pureairsystems.com   or call us on our toll-free number at:  800-869-8025.




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About the Author: Don Musilli

My name is Don Musilli. I started Pure Air Systems in 1985 and then sold it in 2006. I continue to consult for PAS and write their blog and control their Twitter account. I also, on occasion, make changes to the website. The company is now almost 26 years old and has been a major player in offering commercial grade, high performance HEPA and Carbon based filtration systems for the commercial, institutional, industrial and residential markets.

I currently reside in Englewood, Florida where I write blogs and do social media marketing for a number of clients.


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