Using Carbon For Gaseous Pollutants

Removing odors and gaseous pollutants from any environment is much difficult than removing airborne particulate. There are a number of air filter types that can easily remove airborne dust, but the removal of airborne odors and gases requires some very specific materials that can effectively adsorb these organic or inorganic molecules.

The most common material used to remove odors is activated carbon ( charcoal) which comes in a number of sizes. The most common is cocoanut shell carbon that is usually around 1/4″ in size and is often enclosed in a mesh type material or sometimes in a fine opening screen container. Carbon can be used in both air and water for the extraction of gaseous pollutants, making it one of the more popular materials on the market.

When cocoanut shells are placed in a high temperature oven under pressure it expands the surface area of the material and then makes it into a carbon material. The expansion to the shell gives the material a very high surface area and the ability to adsorb up to 100 times its own weight in gaseous pollutants. This means that a small amount of carbon material can remove a large amount of the odors and last a long period of time. 

Pure Air Systems has been manufacturing HEPA and Carbon based, fan powered, commercial grade air filter systems since 1985. The various systems available from PAS include carbon media as a standard part of the filtration unit along with a prefilter an HEPA filter. In cases where a customer only has an odor or gaseous pollutant issue, Pure Air Systems can remove the HEPA filter and replace it with an all carbon bed of material. Depending upon the odor challenge, the systems can hold from as little as 8 lbs of carbon up to 60 lbs of carbon material. And the air flow capacity of the systems range from 50 CFM to 2000 CFM.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon air filter systems please go to our website at: http://www.pureairsystems.com or call us on our toll-free number at:  8-869-8025.

Model 2000 HS with HEPA and Carbon

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Exploring Carbon For Odor Control

Standard Carbon Filter for 600HS/600HS Plus Series
Standard Carbon Filter for 600HS/600HS Plus Series

Carbon that is used for odor control if often made from expanded cocoanut shell carbon. This type of carbon has a high surface area and very high ratio of molecular adsorption to weight of carbon. This makes this material suitable for both adsorption of organic and inorganic odors and gaseous pollutants in both air and water applications.

For general odors found in most homes; typically pet, cooking and carpet odors, carbon filters placed in the HVAC system will be capable of removing about 50% of those odors with a replacement cycle of once every two months.

For commercial and industrial applications, it may be necessary to use large carbon beds, 10 – 20lb pads of carbon, to significantly reduce the the gaseous pollutants. And, in some cases, a catalytic material like zeolite may be required to enhance the adsorption of the gaseous pollutants. Depending upon the amount of pollutant being released it may be necessary to replace these carbon pads as often as once a week. 

Odors such those produced by cigarettes are some of the most difficult to remove as the nicotine smoke produces a sticky residue with adheres to almost any surface and releases that odor for long periods of time. Carbon can help in these cases but replacement of the carbon can be up to once a day.

For more information on carbon and other filtration processes please go to our website at: http://www.pureairsystems.com  or call us on our toll free number at:  800-869-8025.

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Pet Dander Is Not Removed By Furnace Filters

One of the strongest allergens is pet dander, especially cat dander and their reactions can be from mild irritation to full-blown respiratory distress. Dander is basically skin flakes that are shed by any animal, including humans. 

These skin flakes can be airborne for short periods of time but usually too heavy to be carried by the air currents in any home or building environment for any period of time. If a cat or dog is running through the house and runs by someone who is allergic to dander, there may be enough dander in the air to cause a reaction. If that person comes in contact with the animal then the dander can attach itself to their clothing or is discarded on the furniture from where they may lay. Once the person inhales the skin flakes their specific allergic reaction will begin and may last for a number of hours or all day. 

Because the dander is not always airborne, the air filters in your return air intake will not see much of that airborne particulate. It is often better to use a portable air filter such as a HEPA filter that uses a fan to pull the air through the room. These can be placed in a bedroom or family room, preferably where the animals do not often track. This will keep that area cleaner and a more significantly reduced level of animal dander.

Pure Air Systems offers a small, powerful, adjustable speed HEPA filter unit that is only 21 inches long and 13 inches square. It can move up to 500 CFM and has a variable speed motor for infinite air flow adjustment. It is easy to carry and can be placed on a table or even the floor if necessary. Putting a filtration device in a area that is considered a safe zone for humans offers the best option for keeping animal dander to a minimum.

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

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UV Lights and Ozone Generators Do Not Filter The Air

Covid-19 has reignited the air filtration market with new ( old technology ) being offered to the public as the panacea for removing viruses from the air. Unfortunately, these old technologies are being regurgitated as the panacea for keeping you safe from airborne viruses such as Covid-19, et al.  UV lights are good for illuminating finger prints on glass if you are a forensic scientist searching for a perpetrator but this light does very little to destroy airborne bacteria and viruses. For UV light to have any affect on airborne contaminants, the particles need to be exposed for a long period of time ( from 1 to 10 minutes). Since most UV lights are installed in HVAC systems the speed of the air passing by the UV light somewhat defeats the purpose of using the light in the first place.

Ozone Generators have been around for more than 40 years and were used originally to reduce odors in commercial applications. Ozone is made up of 3 Oxygen molecules and will easily give up one of its molecules when it comes in contact with another gaseous molecule and changes the chemical nature of that molecule. This is how it reduces odors by simply changing the chemical nature of the odor producing molecule. Ozone also attacks carbon based objects and humans are basically carbon based forms. For airborne particulate, Ozone is not effective as it does not have any capture mechanisms to reduce the level of the particulate. Again, particulte would have to be in contact with the Ozone for long periods of time to have any affect at all.

Mechanical air filters, which include all media air filters including HEPA filters, are the only mechanism available to remove and capture airborne bacteria and viruses. This is why all Hospitals, clinics, laboratories and other medical facilities use HEPA or HEPA type filters to protect the occupants from viruses such as Covid-19. Even the lesser efficient air filters that are used in homes and offices that  have some minimal effect on removing viruses are better that using UV lights and Ozone generators. 

For more information on these types of air purifiers and air filters, please go to our website at:   https://www.pureairsystems.com    or callus on our toll-free number at: 800-869-8025. 

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Do UV Lights Really Kill Covid 19 ?

Ultra Violet lights (germicidal lamps) or UV systems come in both a hot (8,000 hours life) and cold plasma (rate 36,000 hours life) lamp systems. They produce a specific wavelength of 253 nanometers and produce UV C. This wavelength has the ability to affect microbiological contaminants like mold and bacteria. The UV C light can destroy the DNA of the microbiological and keep it from replicating. UV C has no effect on solid particles and it does NOT remove anything from the air stream. UV C lights are normally placed in the return air stream, although the speed of the air past the lights can minimize the effectiveness of the UV lights. We suggest that placing a UV light at or near the cooling coils works better as the light can irradiate this moist area all the time and help in minimizing the growth of mold or bacteria. UV lights are an ancillary piece of equipment and should always be used in conjunction with an air filter or air filtration system.

The Use of UV lights to reduce or kill Covid 19 viruses is somewhat limited to the distance to and the duration of time it sees the virus. That is why UV lights are more effective placed in the return air duct of the HVAC system and the fan has to be running all the time. Further more, you need really good filtration in front of the UV lights otherwise they will become coated with dirt and dust and thus significantly reduce their effectiveness.

If you look at the miriad of photos and TV footage of Hospital wards treating Covid 19 patients, you never see any UV lights in and around the patient beds. Sterilaztion with chemicals and the use of PPE are much more effective in that area of the hospital. The real danger in using UV lights is the thought that this technology is a primary method of eliminating the Covid virus when in truth it is  only a terciary device at best.

Pure Air Systems has been making HEPA based air filtration systems for over 35 years and today the use of HEPA filters has become the primary method of maintaining surgery room cleanliness in Hosptials, Clinics and laboratories all working with Covid. 19. 

For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon based 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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Why China Is Buying Our Filtration Systems

I remember back in 2004 when my Father and I traveled to China. My Father liked to travel and asked me to tag along and I did. We landed at the then, new airport and took a bus to Beijing. Coming into downtown Beijing at night was like driving into Manhattan except all the signs were in Chinese. Otherwise it was strikingly similar with the exception of one thing, the smell of unburned hydrocarbons created by the massive use of coal for heating, cooking and manufacturing.  Along with the smell you could see a light haze in the air that was more transparent that opaque. The Chinese had a very bad pollution problem.

Fast forward to today and this issue of significant air pollution in China is now affecting other parts of the world as well. The massive clouds of dust, dirt and soot climb into the upper atmosphere and are carried thousands of miles by the prevailing winds. This soot then falls to earth in countries far removed from mainland China. In addition, the pollution creates significant health issues for the Chinese to the point where many people wear masks when they are outside.

A year ago, in March of 2013, an import/export company contacted Pure Air Systems, located in Indianapolis, IN, to discuss the possibility of exporting their portable HPS series units to China for by some of the wealthier individuals to remove the smoke and odor from their homes. The increase in the Chinese economy has created a large number of wealthy people who are willing to pay higher prices for products from the U.S. It seems that the Chinese don’t like things that are made in China either. While there is some significant technology development on-going in parts of China, most general duty products are poorly made with minimal repair options available.

A number of the portable units have been shipped to China for testing. One of the things that the Chinese people want to see on the units is the “Made in the USA” labels on the equipment and know that they are real. They also want to see the specifications on the components and know that 90% of them are fabricated anywhere but in China. One of the major hurdles with this venture is getting the units past customs and approved as an import item. The Chinese are very protective of their businesses and only allow certain items to be imported. Somewhat ironic.

Sometime in the next few months Pure Air Systems will have some definitive feedback from the exporter as to whether or not PAS will be successful in getting some product sold in China. Stay tuned for the results.

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

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Pressurization As A Means Of Air Filtration

The reduction/removal of airborne particulate is usually accomplished by the use of air filters or filtration systems. The filters may be installed in a ducted heating/cooling systems return air grill or as a stand alone unit that circulates the air in a specific room or building. These types of filter systems are the most effective as they allow for circulation of the air within the room and while keeping the room temperature and humidity levels constant.

On the other side of the equation is the use of pressurization to reduce particle levels and/or maintain a higher degree of fresh air in a room, building or environment. To pressurize any room or space you simply need to draw in or pull in enough air from an outside source to change the pressure gradient in the room from either negative or static to a positive pressure room. We can all identify with positive or negative pressure as seen when we enter a large building or office and when opening the door the air blows out into your face ( positive pressure) or you have some difficulty opening the door ( as it seems to be pulled away from you) and overcoming negative pressure.  Another way to identify positive or negative pressure in a room is to open the main door about 1″ and take some smoke or a piece of tissue paper and place it at the door opening. If the smoke or paper moves toward the opening the room is negative, if it moves out toward you the room is positive.

The use of positive pressure as a means of filtration or “room cleaning,” has some major drawbacks. First, the air you bring into the room would probably be from an outside source. Although in a large building you could pull air from any space in the building and pressurize the room but that air may be just as dirty as the air in the room you are attempting to clean. Therefore, using an outside air source for pressurization is usually better but is comes with some costs.

Unless you live in a part of the country or world where the daily average temperature is around 70 degrees fahrenheit  and the humidity is 40% or less, bringing in outside air to pressurize a room will substantially alter the temperature and humidity in the pressurized environment.  In order to use pressurization effectively you would need to introduce at least 30% outside air as it relates to the amount of air being heated or cooled in the room.  For example is you have a room that circulates and conditions 600 CFM through its heating/cooling system you would need to introduce at least 180 CFM of outside air to remove some of the  airborne particulates or contaminants.

This process is often used in smoking areas in bars and lounges and in locations where odors, gases or fumes are being generated and dilution by introduction of outside air is the least expensive alternate. The amount of air introduced from the outside would vary depending upon the type of contaminant as just mentioned. It may be that up to 50% dilution is required to effectively reduce the levels of contaminants, however, this large amount of air will displace half the air in the room so some form of vent is needed to allow the fresher air to come into the room and push the contaminated air out of the room. It will also significantly impact the heating/cooling/humidity levels in the room or space.

For more information on pressurization, filtration and alternate methods of contaminant reduction please contact Pure Air Systems at: https://www.pureairsystems.com. You can also contact them directly at: 800-869-8025.

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Chrysis

Aside from writing blogs I am also a fan of new technologies like Nanotechnology and OLED technology. In fact a blog/novella I am writing incorporates these two scientific advances.  In addition, I am also a closet XBox game player…mostly of the first shooter variety. I have played and completed the entire Halo series of games and now have embarked on a new journey with the popular franchise game “Chrysis.”  The Chrysis character has a Nano suit that allows him to create certain defensive postures. He can make himself invisible by turning on the “Cloaking” device or repel bullets and other weapons by switching to “Nano Armor.” With the advances in Nanotechnology today the reality of wearing this type of suit is much more science faction than science fiction. Since we will have to wait a while before this type of protective clothing is available we continue to rely on best practices to avoid the elements of life that can do us harm.

We live and breathe in an environmental soup of sorts. Inside homes, buildings, schools, hospitals, libraries, etc. ,etc, we have hundreds of airborne contaminants floating across our noses and mouths as we take in that next breath of life-giving air. Unfortunately that breath of air can contain thousands of sub-micron organisms and particulates that, over time, can create some significant health issues. Out doors in the towns and cities we have a wide range of airborne contaminants to deal with such as; carbon monoxide and nitrous oxide from car exhausts, particulate effluents from factories and other industrial sources. And, we have our sun. The sun gives us light, heat, warmth, vitamin D and the preceding letter in the alphabet,  C, as in Cancer. Yes, a Nano suit would be a nice option.

Pure Air Systems has  been manufacturing commercial grade HEPA air filtration systems since 1985. HEPA filters are the most effective mechanical devices for removal and/or reduction of the small, sub-micron particles that can be harmful to the human body. In addition, the PAS systems also incorporate Carbon media filters to adsorb harmful odors and gaesous pollutants that can create severe respiratory health issues. These systems come in a variety of capacities ( CFM ) and configurations designed to fit any commercial, industrial, institutional, medical or residential need.

When properly used and configured, the PAS HEPA systems can provide for a near-clean room environment. This feature provides for better, safer and healthier work and living environments and is as close to a Nano suit that you can currently purchase. And, while the PAS systems can’t protect you from the outdoor environment, they can at least give you 8 to 12 hours of protection in the comfort of your home.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon based filtration systems from Pure Air Systems please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com, follow us on Twitter @pureairsystems or call us anytime on our toll-free number at: 800-869-8025.

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