Central Smoke and Dust Purification
Central smoke anddust purification involves collecting airborne contaminants at their source. This reduces the health risks associated with their inhalation.
For example, fine particles (those 10 micrometers in size or smaller) can get deep into your lungs and trigger asthma attacks or heart disease in those with preexisting conditions. This can be especially true after a wildfire.
Air Filtration System
Air filtration systems are often used in commercial facilities to remove smoke and odors, such as in restaurants, hotels, casinos, nightclubs, vape shops and marijuana dispensaries. They work by combining a fan with one or more filters.
These devices draw unclean air into them from the surrounding environment and suck it through their filter medium, which has fine openings. Only particles that are larger than the openings can make it through and be separated from the clean air. They are then captured in the filter or, in some cases, allowed to fall on surfaces, such as a dust collector rod (which requires occasional cleaning) or a collection plate.
Some units, called electrostatic precipitators, are incorporated into ductwork and work by charging air particles with high voltage electricity. The charged particles then stick to oppositely charged collector plates, where they are pulled in by gravity and then released into a separate dust collection bin or container. These units require professional installation.
Other models, such as the Molekule air purifier, use a photocatalytic oxidation process to kill bacteria, viruses and mold in the air. They also reduce volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. These are pollutants that have been linked to health issues, such as asthma and cancer. Some VOCs are found in paint, wood products and certain chemicals, while others are emitted by household appliances such as stoves, dryers and ovens.
Welding Smoke Extraction Units
When welding, grinding or cutting, harmful fumes and dust are generated that can cause health hazards for welders. This includes irritation to the eyes, nose and throat and can even lead to long-term health problems if not properly ventilated. While using central smoke anddust purification a fan or opening a window may work in some cases, a fume extraction system is preferred by experts.
These systems include hoods or extraction arms that capture welding fumes at the source, before they are dispersed throughout the facility. They typically use a motor/blower like those found in a shop vac to create negative static pressure within the filter. This pulls the air into the filter and then recirculates clean air back into the welding area. This helps maintain energy costs and provides a healthier environment for welders.
Fume extractors are available in a range of sizes to fit any operation. Some are small enough to fit in tighter spaces while others can be installed outdoors for large welding centers or indoor plants. Some also have shunt alarms to let welders know the filter needs to be cleaned, which helps avoid the risk of welding through dirty filters that can compromise performance.
Welding fume extraction is essential in any production plant to protect welders from health concerns and ensure a safe working environment. Without one in place, companies could face an enforcement order or fine for not meeting safety standards that safeguard workers’ health and well-being.
Electrostatic Air Cleaners
Unlike disposable filters, which can release their own dust back into the air you breathe, electrostatic air cleaners are washable and reusable. Located in your HVAC system, these filters use static electricity to trap dust and other particles before they can circulate through your home. These filters are usually rated by their Clean Air Delivery Rate, or CADR, which corresponds to small-, medium-, and large-sized particles.
Electrostatic precipitators are designed to remove particulate pollutants, including smoke and dirt. They can be portable or installed as part of your HVAC system. They work by ionizing the air and then collecting its pollutants with metal plates that are electrically charged.
Just like the positive and negative ends of a magnet attract each other, so does the static charge on these plates attract the ionized particles. As the plates collect more particles, they become less effective and need to be washed or replaced.
However, electrostatic precipitators aren’t suitable for all homes and offices. These filters only remove particulate matter and don’t effectively capture harmful gases such as volatile organic compounds, odors, and chemicals. This central smoke anddust purification makes them better suited for industrial environments than homes or offices. Moreover, they produce ozone when they are operating which can be harmful when inhaled.
Air Purifiers
Air purifiers work by drawing the contaminated air through a filter, which captures the pollutants and particles. The clean air is then redirected back into the living space. The filters are typically made from paper, fiberglass or mesh. Some models utilize ionizers that generate negative ions to help attract dust and allergens. The units usually have a rating system for particulate removal that reflects how well they filter the small, mid and large-sized pollutants (these ratings are called clean air delivery rates, or CADR).
Some manufacturers use technologies to kill pathogens in the air or on surfaces using reactive oxygen species. These include the short-lived hydroxyl radical, singlet oxygen and atomic oxygen, as well as long-lived hydrogen peroxide and peroxynitrite. This is also known as ROS technology.
These types of systems can be helpful in removing harmful particulates from indoor air, particularly in areas that have been affected by pollution or natural disasters like wildfires. They should be used in conjunction with fresh-air ventilation and a tight seal on doors and windows, to avoid allowing outdoor pollutants into the home. In addition, some of these devices emit dangerous levels of ozone, so should be avoided in spaces where people are isolating due to COVID-19 infection. Ozone is a lung irritant. Ideally, the unit should be ozone-free and meet state and industry regulations for ozone generation.
