Portable HEPA Filter With Variable Speed Motor

Founded in 1985, Pure Air Systems has been manufacturing commercial grade, fan powered, HEPA filtration systems with a wide range of performance. Beginning with their 600HS Plus, PAS has been adding variable speed motors to their line up since 1999 and now offers a new variable speed motor for their HPS 250 portable unit. This unit. first introduced in 2000, used a four speed EBM motor/blower unit and offered air flows from 50 CFM to 250 CFM and immediately became a major addition to the product line. 

The new variable speed motor now offers the same advantages it provides in the models, 600HS, 1200HS and 2000HS units. The ability to have finite control over the air flow to exactly match the needed performance of the unit depending upon the application. Since the portable unit is most often used in a smaller environment such as a laboratory, clinic, semi-clean room or medical facility, the control of speed also allows for control of the noise level. In addition, using the new motor allowed PAS to use a fan blade design that has better air flow and performance over the range of the life of the HEPA filter as well as minimizing fan noise. And like the variable speed motors used in the other systems, this one can be programmed to automatically ramp up and maintain the same speed even as the HEPA filter loads up and the static pressure increases.

This new unit will be available soon. For more information on this updated unit and the complete line of HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems please go to our website at:  http://pureairsystems.com    or call us on our toll-free number at: 800-869-8025. 

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Bacteria vs Viruses. Size Does Matter

In past blogs we discussed the fact that you can only see down to about 20 microns in size with the naked eye.  For comparison, your hair is about 100 microns in diameter. Dust particles that you see floating in the air are around 100 microns and larger. The larger particles are too heavy to stay airborne so they tend to fall on the floor or other surfaces. 

Airborne allergens such as pollen, ragweed and grasses can also be airborne and they can be smaller than 20 microns in size and stay airborne for a period of time. Allergy sufferers know this all too well. Bacteria can be as large as 10 microns and smaller than 0.3 microns. Bacteria can be on any surface and stay airborne for long periods of time. Viruses, on the other hand, are extremely tiny, as small as .005 microns or 1/1000th of an inch. They can stay alive and airborne for hours both indoors and outside. Covid -19 is a virus.

Removal of airborne particles (both organic and inorganic ) is done best using media style air filters ( think furnace style filter ) that can capture these particles and remove them from the air. For larger dust particles the furnace filters or Merv 7-9 rated filters, are adequate in capturing 90% of the larger dust particles. But less than 10% effective in capturing bacteria or viruses.

Removing these tiny particles requires a HEPA filter. These High Efficiency Particulate Air filters are designed for the commercial, medical and institutional markets and now also used in the residential markets. A standard, true, HEPA filter is rated at 99.99% efficiency for particles 0.3 microns or larger and is over 95% effective at removing particles particles less than 0.005 microns in diameter. Some HEPA filters use a more dense media and are called ULPA  ( Ultra Low Particulate Air) or SULPA ( Super Low Particulate Air ) filters. These are designed for applications like the CDC and micro chip manufacturers.

For more information on HEPA filters and their capabilities 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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High Performance HEPA Portable By Pure Air Systems

Pure Air Systems has been making commercial grade, fan powered HEPA air filtration systems since 1985. They are one of three companies in the world that provide this type of filtration systems. PAS makes a number of models of HEPA systems that range from 600 CFM to 2000 CFM all using variable speed drive motors. Their portable system, the HPS series was introduced around 1992 and has since gone through a number of refinements. It was the only HEPA unit in the line-up that did not use a variable speed drive motor. In stead, it used a 4 speed motor from EBM. 

Coming this year, PAS will be fitting the popular portable HPS unit wiith it’s own variable speed drive motor. This will allow for a CFM range from 25 CFM up to 250 CFM in 1% increments. In addition, the new motor will be designed to maintain the same speed/cfm rating even as the pressure drop increses across the HEPA filter.And likes the original version, the new HPS unit will have a prefilter,carbon filter and a true 99.99% scanned HEPA fitler as standard equipment.

The portable HEPA unit has a wide range of applications and is very well suited fror the laboratory environment as well as small confined areas requiring HEPA filtraiton in both a positive or negative room application. The all metal housing and rugged construction make this one of the best portable HEPA systems on the global market. 

For more information on this system and the complete line of HEPA 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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Carbon Filters For Removal of Odors and Gaseous Pollutants

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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The Best HEPA Filtration System Line-Up In The Market Today

Founded in 1985, Pure Air Systems offers one of the most complete line-up of HEPA air filtration systems anywhere. In fact, there are now only three companies in the world, including Pure Air Systems, that offer fan-powered, high-performance true HEPA filtration systems in the world. 

PAS currently uses variable speed drive motors in all of its filtration systems and that now includes the HPS series portable units. Unlike the older style induction motors, the variable speed drive motors can be programmed to run at any speed and are capable of ramping up if the pressure drop across the HEPA filters increases. This allows for a constant flow of air ( measured in CFM ) through the filtration systems over the life of the HEPA filter.

The all-metal housing units also include a prefilter and carbon filter along with the scanned HEPA filters. There are three base units, the 600HS, 1200HS and 2000HS units along with the HPS portable series. The housings for the base units are split into two sections, with one section containing the blower/motor and the other section containing the filters. By modifying the sections we can offer straight through units, or left or rignt 90 degree angles and also change the type of filters that are put into the units. This design technique allows us to offer a unti to fit any configuration whether the units are installed as along with existing duct work or as stand alone systems.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA 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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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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Making Central Air Filtration Part of Your New Home Construction

For many years people would add central vacuum systems to their new home construction process as this was both less expensive and more efficient than trying to add it after the home was constructed. While there are fewer central vaccum systems being installed today ( use of robots and less carpeting ) the advantage of a using a central system is still very effective.

Today, it is possible to add a central, whole-house HEPA air filtration system to your home both during and after construction. Pure Air Systems has been selling their 600HS PLUS, fan powered, commercial grade HEPA filtration system for homes, offices, hospitals, commercial buildings and industrial applications since 1985. This uint can be attached to any ducted, forced air HVAC unit with some minor ducting modificatioins and simple wiring. 

The system is designed to run anytime the HVAC unit runs and is really well suited to working with the newer variable speed drive HVAC units. The 600HS comes with a prefilter, carbon media filter and a true, certified HEPA filter. The advantages in having this type of medical grade air filtratoin system are many and, in this day of Covid-19, this type of system can be extremely beneficial in reducing the levels of airborne viruses in your home along with other allergens and contaminants.

For more information on this system 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 Face Masks Can Capture Sub-Micron Particulate

Okay. So there is enough printed material and comments on social media about Masks to choke a very large horse or Blue Whale ( the largest animal on earth ). Does this mean that much of the information is not correct? No. Masks, of various types, styles and materials, have been used for over 100 years to minimize the inhalation of airborne particulate of all sizes. They are used daily in surgery rooms where any form of bacteria or virus can contaminate an open wound and cause serious infections. If, for example, you were wheeled into a surgery room and the Doctors and Nurses were chewing gum and had Twizzlers sticking out of their mouths and not wearing any face coverings, you would be somewhat concerned because they were not wearing MASKS….

Face coverings, masks, gators, face shields, are synonymous with Hospitals, clinics and any type of medical facility where the art of medicine is practiced. Yet, when asked to where a mask to minimize the potential transmission of a highly contagious virus we react with indignation. This virus, Covid-19, is very unique in its ability to enter the body and not show up on very accurate testing on that day. It may be four days later that it responds to the test. This is what makes this virus so sinister. And, it does affect and has killed people of all ages and all walks of life. Not just seniors and those that have underlying medical conditions. Plus, long term affects of getting this virus are still not known. 

Viruses are very tiny and are only captured by very high end HEPA based air filters. The masks are not Hepa filters and even the N90 masks have some limitations. However, there are tiny dust particles in the air that are also trapped in your face covering when you breathe in and these particles can actually assist in minimizing the amount of the virus you inhale. And the quantity of exposure over time is a big deal. So by not wearing a mask you can inhale a large quantity over a short period of time. The mask significantly reduces that high percentage of oral contact. It can be the difference between living or dying.

For more information on filters, masks and other air filtration devices 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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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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Air Filtration For Pot Growers

The use of Marijuana for both medical purposes and recreational use is growing across the U.S. There are now only 15 states where it is fully illegal.  In 12 states you can legally smoke pot and many other states allow it for medical use. Not to be punish, but the growth of pot as a sustainable business is exploding and the states that have made it legal are reaping the rewards in the form on increase tax dollars going into their coffers. 

Back in the early 1990’s Pure Air Systems, a company that makes high end HEPA  and Carbon based, fan powered air filtration systems, was asked to provide an all carbon filled 2000 CFM unit to a Florida police station to help remove the odor from the Marijuana stored in their evidence room. The odor was very strong and filled the entire police station. The system worked very well and to this day that Police station continues to order replacement carbon media for that unit.

Massachusettes, one of the states that has made pot legal, has a number of new pot growing operations now being built in that state with some at large as 1 million square feet. The goal of these operations is to produce a very high grade marijuana product so that their yield per acre is better than their competition. The better the grade the less weed you need to obtain the desired effect.

In order to accomplish this goal, these pot growers are ordering a large number of Pure Air Systems largest model ( 2000 HS ) to both filter the air coming into the building and the air exiting the building. On the inlet side, they are using the 2000 HS units with HEPA filters to significantly reduce the amount of airborne contaminants from entering the grow space that could inhibit the growth and purity of the pot strain. On the exit side, they are using the 2000 HS but without any HEPA filter. These units are usually desingated as 2000 OA units as they contain only Carbon media. These significantly reduce the odor being produced by the grow house operation. Almost identical to the application of these systems in the early 90’s at the Florida Police station.

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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