Carbon For Odor Control

For many years carbon media or expanded carbon, has been used for the reduction and removal of organic and inorganic gaseous pollutants. Expanded carbon or charcoal is produced using heat under high pressure that creates a surface area that has thousands of tiny openings that are capable of adsorbing gaseous molecules much higher in weight than the carbon itself. 

While carbon granules are often used in liquid filtration, the most common use is in air filtration whether in a stand alone filter or fan powered air filtration system. Carbon media filters have a fair amount of resistance and are therefore more often used in conjunction with a fan powered unit. 

Even though the expanded carbon has a high adsorption rate to weight of the carbon media, it will, over time, load up and stop adsorbing the odors or gases. Replacement cycles can be as long as once every 6 months to once every 6 weeks depending upon the severity of the gaseous pollutant.

For more information on carbon media filters and the complete line of 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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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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Willie Make It…Betty Won’t

“Play on words” has been a popular tool of writers and journalists since newspapers were in print. The title of this blog, for example, is taken from some family get together’s when I was a young man. It seems there were a lot of what I call “goofy” phrases used in the early 50’s. This title is one of them. Maybe you have seen it before ….or heard it used. In either case use of this type of phrasing is a great way to get attention from readers.

In today’s world the vast majority of people get all their information, books, classes and social interaction online. The ability to capture your attention has never been more demanding. Getting someone to read something  for more than 8 seconds is now considered a real coup…and if you can get them to read your entire article, blog or product description you are in rare company.

Telling stories and providing helpful, insightful information seems to be one way to get people to view your material. It is for this reason that many companies now incorporate blogs into their websites, like this one, to provide updated and topical data to the market.

Pure Air Systems has published over 150 blogs in the past two years. Over time the number of people reading the blogs has increased dramatically. But most importantly the blogs provide topical information as well as directing potential customers to our website. This is important as all of the technical and operational information about our HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems are found there. Whether you are a contractor, end user or engineer, the data you need is located on the website.

In addition to the blogs, a special section on our website is designed to provide general information on all aspects of air filtration, indoor air quality, heating/cooling systems and ventilation. We call it “Pure Air University.”  We believe it is important to offer some basic knowledge on all things IAQ so that the public has the ability to make an informed decision when selecting an air filtration system. The information provided through this section is not designed to sell but rather designed to tell.

After being in business for over 25 years, you learn a lot about what information is important to potential customers. They have seen the hyped marketing materials from many of the companies that sell air filtration or air purifier systems. Many of those companies that sold “gimmick” based technology are no longer in business. It seems no matter what you say or how you say it…performance is the only viable marketing tool. We know this and that is why we are still here. Our systems perform as promised…period. No play on words needed.

For more information on our complete product line please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com.  Or call us at: 800-869-8025.

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Dead Skunk In The Middle of The Road

Some of us still remember the lyrics to this somewhat iconic song and while it is humorous, many of us have had the misfortune to drive or walk by a dead skunk or other “road kill” in the heat of the summer. It is an odor unlike any other. The interesting thing about odors is the memories they trigger. You walk into a building, house, restaurant or medical facility and you detect an odor that reminds you of something in your past life….even if it was when you were a child. There are three types of odors; the good, the bad and the ugly. My apologies to Clint Eastwood.

Good odors are not a problem. Odors that are bad or ugly, however, are difficult to be around as our tolerance for bad smells is very limited.  When we detect an unusual or pungent odor in our homes we immediately seek out the source and remove it. If we are at work or in a place of business and the odors or smells are very distracting then we either remove ourselves from the environment or if we are at work, tell someone that the odor issue needs to be resolved.

If an odor is produced by a manufacturing or some other commercial process and is a normal part of that process then it will be necessary to utilize some form of reduction or removal system to control the odors and gases being generated by that process.

Pure Air Systems, has been manufacturing HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems since 1985 and produces some of the most powerful and effective environmental control systems on the market today. All of the systems manufactured by PAS can incorporate a HEPA, prefilter and carbon media. They are also all designed to have only a prefilter and all carbon media or blended carbon medias for odor and gas removal problems.

The OA or Odor Adsorption versions of the PAS systems can incorporate, depending upon the model, up 60 lbs of adsorptive media and move as much as 2000 CFM (cubic feet per minute ) with the smaller units having air flow volumes as low as 50 CFM. In either case, these systems can be used to significantly remove or reduce the specific odor or gas.

Depending upon the source of the odor the PAS units can either be attached to an existing heating/cooling ventilation system for help in removing odors that are generated in a large area by a series of products or processes or it can be used as a stand-alone unit and be placed directly at the source.

Often times the activated carbon used in these systems can be blended with other adsorptive or reactive medias such as potassium permangenate or specially treated carbons for removal or reduction of gases that are difficult to remove with just carbon alone.

For more information on the complete line of OA units and other systems available from Pure Air Systems, please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com.

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How To Turn Three Negatives Into A Positive!

You always hear about the eternal optimist that says you can always turn a negative into a positive if you just rethink the problem. All too often we have something happen in our lives that creates a negative feeling or puts us in a negative mood. But these negative thoughts are a waste of energy. Instead of dwelling on what could go wrong or did go wrong, look at all the positive things in you life and don’t waste energy worrying about the negative aspects of the issue.

The title of this blog relates to turning two negatives into a positive and while your life  maybe filled with multiple negative thoughts the two negatives I am referring to relate to negative pressure of the physics kind.

Pure Air Systems has been making HEPA and Carbon based, fan powered, commercial grade air filtration systems since 1985. The use of certified, commercial grade HEPA filters creates a design issue in how you incorporate the motor/blower assembly and HEPA filter to obtain maximum performance with minimal noise and air turbulence.

HEPA filters, by their nature, have a relatively high resistance to air flow due to the extremely dense HEPA paper that is used in the fabrication of the filter. When moving air through a fan/motor assembly with a HEPA filter in line you have two options. You can put the fan in front of the HEPA and blow air through the HEPA filter keeping the fan/motor assembly in the dirty air stream or place the HEPA in front of the fan/motor assembly.

Since the resistance to moving air across the HEPA is so high ( over 1.0 inches as measured in water column) pushing the air through the HEPA filter creates an air buffeting affect and requires more horsepower to push the air through the filter. By placing the fan/motor assembly on the clean air side or “negative” side of the HEPA you get a very smooth flow of air, little or no buffeting and a reduction in horsepower requirements.

The HEPA systems manufactured by Pure Air Systems also incorporate a carbon media filter and a polyester, dual layer ring panel roughing filter. All of these filters are placed ahead of the fan/motor assembly. So they are all on the negative side of the blower and offer the same benefit of having a smooth, non-buffeting air flow across their surface areas and keep the blower and motor clean. So in essence, you are turning three negatives into a positive.

Many other companies that utilize HEPA filters in their systems place their blower/motor assembly ahead of the HEPA and this creates more noise fills up the HEPA filter faster as it tends to push the dirt into the HEPA paper rather than pull the dirt through, which is a more efficient way of using the HEPA filter.

For more information on this aspect of the HEPA systems made by Pure Air Systems please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com

 

 

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Petroleum Products Personified!

As this Blog is being written millions of gallons of oil are being pumped into the Gulf of Mexico contaminating the Gulf states shore lines. Petroleum products are the life blood of an industrial world, but in this case the patient is dying.

Petroleum or oil in its natural form is composed of a number of chemicals including alkanes, cyclokanes, aromatic hydrocarbons, nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur. It also contains a small amount of copper, nickel and vanadium. If these chemicals are ingested or inhaled even in small quantities the health issues are severe.

This is evident when you are filling up your car with gasoline, a by-product of petroleum. When you get too close to the nozzle as it delivers the gas to your tank, you automatically stop breathing when you get a whiff of the odor from the gas. Your body is telling you not to breathe these fumes.

Aside from the strong “take your breath away” odor, most petroleum products are highly flammable. This in one of the reasons why the labels on these petroleum products packaging always tells you to keep it away from any open flame. Yet, many people store petroleum based products in their basement or garage next to the Heating/Cooling unit.  Aside from the potential fire hazard any fumes leaking from the cans or containers will be pulled into the air handler of the heating/cooling system and distributed throughout the house.

Even small amounts of these chemicals inhaled over time can cause severe health issues for individuals. Children are even more susceptible to being affected by the vapors from these products. Their lungs are not fully developed and therefore can be more quickly affected by even small exposures only a few times.

Keeping the petroleum products, solvents, paint thinners, paint, etc. in a cool, dry, out of the way storage area is the best solution to eliminating these problems.  It is essential that you always wear a mask or respirator when handling any petroleum product for long periods of time and make sure the area in which you are using it is well ventillated.

Pure Air Systems has been manufacturing HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems since 1985 and has a vast amount of experience in reducing and removing odors and gases from petroleum based products. For more information on the complete line of carbon based products please go to our website at:  www.pureairsystems.com

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Chemical Sensitivities and Your Environment

For many of us dealing with the the typical spring and fall allergy seasons is a given. We know that mother nature can be both beautiful and nasty in the spring when the flowers are blooming and the grass is growing. There are many new medications that help in minimizing the allergic reactions and even allow us to venture outdoors on days when the pollen and ragweed levels are high.

However, for people who are chemically sensitive, the physical affects are not that easily relieved. Chemical sensitivities is somewhat of a grey area. Many chemically sensitive people don’t have a challenge with pollen or ragweed but can react to common household chemicals like bleach or even scented candles. And unlike the common symptoms of pollen and ragweed sufferers, the chemically sensitive individuals may have more severe reactions that include inability to breathe, skin rashes, metal tastes in their mouth, headaches, muscle aches, blurred vision and spatial disorientation.

For people who have these chemical sensitivities their lives are literally dictated by how well they can control the environment in which they live, work and play. The elimination or reduction of items in the home is relatively easy for the chemically sensitive individual.  Trial and error is the best guide. But, once they venture outside their chemically controlled environment they are at the mercy of the outside world of chemical soup.

To the chemically sensitive individual, the term fresh outside air is a misnomer. Their outside consists of automobile and truck exhaust fumes, chemical odors from manufacturing and processing operations and the spraying of fertilizers and pesticides in residential, farming and commercial areas.

When they go to work, they are subjected to a wide variety of chemical odors and gases. Their co-workers after shave or cologne. The chemical odor from clothes that are dry cleaned. The gases given off by copiers, printers and office supplies. The list goes on and on.

Being inside any gym, or work out facility presents similar challenges as does attending indoor sporting events where even the odors and gases coming from the concession stands can be significant issues. To the chemically sensitive individual home is usually their only safe haven.

Unlike the pollen or ragweed sufferer who can take one of the many over the counter medications that minimize or eliminate the “hay fever” type symptoms, the chemically sensitive individual has no such magic bullet. They simply need to totally eliminate from their environment those chemicals to which they are sensitive.

Since 1985 Pure Air Systems has been making HEPA and Carbon based air filtration systems for the residential, commercial, institutional and industrial markets. PAS was one of the first companies to offer Carbon adsorption systems for people with chemical sensitivities. Some of these carbon products were specially treated to remove specific gaseous compounds and most we designed to be benign to the customer.

For more information on the complete line of HEPA and Carbon systems and detailed information on the removal or reduction of various airborne chemical gases please go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com

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Getting Rid Of Household Odors

The colder weather is here and your home is now closed up all the time. You come home after work or after being out of the house for a while and you notice an odor that wasn’t there before or you didn’t notice until now.

Some odors come and go and often they are related to issues such as cooking,  paint or new carpet odors. These often dissipate within a few hours or sometimes days in the case of new carpeting.  But some odors linger and some stay around all the time.

Some of the most common, constant odors are generated by pets, musty basements, and odors generated from outside the home.

Pet odors are probably the most common and the most difficult to remove, reduce or cover up. Cats, for example, tend to spray and the odors are very difficult to remove. Dogs typically have a general doggy smell and this can get worse as the dog gets older.

Musty basements, especially in older homes, can be a significant problem and often this odor carries up into the first floor of the home. The musty odor is actually caused by mold in the basement ( often associated with damp basements) and when the mold spores it generates an odor, this odor is the musty smell.

Outside odors are often generated from farming processes or industrial manufacturing. Close proximity to major highways and heavily traveled roads can also be an issue. Wood burning fireplaces can be a significant problem especially in the winter months.

Removing or reducing any of these odors in the home is very challenging. Burning candles or spraying air fresheners is only slightly effective and is short lived. These remedies only mask the problem. The real issue is that these odors are constantly being generated and distributed throughout the house by the heating/cooling system. So an odor in the basement becomes an odor on the second floor.

Pure Air Systems has been providing a wide range of Carbon adsorption products since 1985. Carbon is the most affective and commonly used material for the removal and reduction of both organic and inorganic odors for the residential, commercial and institutional markets.

Pure Air Systems has a number of large carbon capacity filtration systems that are fan powered and can be attached to the existing HVAC system to remove the odor from the air as it passes through the HVAC unit. These units are also capable of introducing small amounts of outside air to help pressurize the home to minimize the entry of odors produced by outside sources.

For a very effective but less expensive remedy, Pure Air Systems has recently introduced a line of Odor Guard filters that replace that are used in place of the furnace filter. These polyester ring panel filters have a Merv 8 filter media on one side and commercial grade carbon media on the other side. They fit tightly and will last up to three months before they have to be replaced.

The use of carbon at the HVAC unit has proven to be the most effective method of removing odors and gases that are present in the home. For  more information on the carbon products available from Pure Air Systems go to our website at: www.pureairsystems.com.

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