genesis
04-07-2006, 10:16 AM
1. Active Electronic Filters (electrically charged filters).
2. Carbon Filters.
3. Electric Field Devices.
4. Electrostatic Precipitators.
5. High Efficiency (HEPA, ULPA) Filters.
6. Ionizers.
7. Ozone (activated oxygen) Generators.
8. Passive Electronic Filters (washable filters).
9. Pleated Pre-Filters.
10. Poly-Pad and Fiberglass Pad Filters.
11. Potassium Permangenate Filters.
12. Titanium Dioxide Catalyst Package
13. UV Light Sterilization Systems.
14. Water Filters.
15. Zeolite.
Active Electronic Filters (electrically charged filters). These filters are composed of
a loosely woven mat of fibers that can hold an electric charge. When they are actively
charged, they attract airborne particles to them. This dramatically increases their
capture efficiency. They have 95% efficiency at capturing particles as small as 0.3
microns in diameter. The filters are inexpensive. But, the initial cost for the filter
housing is significant. These filters are only mildly effective at removing odors. They
remove mold spores and bacteria from the air. They do not remove viruses from the
air.
Carbon Filters. These filters ‘adsorb’ odors by trapping odor molecules in their very
rough surfaces. Carbon filters are better at removing some odors than others. They do
Genesis Air, Inc Page 2
not destroy the odors. They are very efficient odor removers until saturation is reached.
Then, these filters release odors back into the air. Carbon filters are the standard for
odor removal at present. They do not remove particles, mold spores, bacteria, or
viruses from the air.
Electric Field Devices. These devices place a strong and sometimes oscillating
electric field upstream of the air filters in an air handler. They claim to cause particles
that move through the field to be displaced and to collide with each other. This causes
small particles to stick to big particles and make them even bigger. An air filter
captures the bigger particles. These systems do not work because the particles do not
remain in the electric field long enough to collide with one another. Furthermore, the
high voltage that is required to maintain the electric field can be dangerous to service
personnel. These systems do not remove odors, mold spores, bacteria, or viruses from
the air.
Electrostatic Precipitators. These systems contain negatively charged wires
upstream of positively charged plates. Particles that pass near the wires acquire a
negative charge. Then, as they pass between the positively charged plates, the
particles are attracted to the plates. Airborne particles are very efficiently removed by
electrostatic precipitators, until the plates become dirty. The dirt on the plates insulates
them. This renders the system ineffective. In a home environment, this process takes
about 7-days. In a commercial setting the insulating process is even faster. Therefore,
the plates need to be cleaned at least once per week to remain effective. Cleaning is
seldom done this often, leaving the system totally ineffective most of the time.
High Efficiency (HEPA, ULPA) Filters. These filters are very efficient at removing
both small and large particles from the air. HEPA and ULPA filters efficiently remove
mold spores and bacteria from the air. They do not capture viruses. They are very
resistant to airflow across them and are quite expensive. HEPA and ULPA filters are
Genesis Air, Inc Page 3
the current standard for removing small particles from the air. They do not remove
odors from the air.
Ionizers. Ionizers contain a thin cylindrical metal rod with a pointed tip. They
produce tens of thousands of negative ions that jump off the pointed tip and into the air.
These negative ions become attached to the particles passing nearby. The negatively
charged particles are attracted to nearby surfaces. These surfaces include the air
filters, the inside of the air handler, the inside of the air ducts, the walls in a room, the
floor in a room, the ceiling in a room, and the plenum above the ceiling. Within a short
period of time, the air handler, the ducts, the occupied spaces, and the plenum become
coated with dust. The dust particles are removed from the air. But, they are captured
in undesirable locations, creating a maintenance problem, a fire hazard, and aesthetic
issues.
Ozone (activated oxygen) Generators. Ozone generators produce the gas Ozone
and release it into the air. Ozone is an oxidizing agent. When an Ozone molecule
contacts an odor molecule it chemically reacts with it, producing a new compound.
Repeated oxidation events like this eventually produce Carbon Dioxide and water
vapor. Ozone is only effective as an odor-removing agent when it is at concentrations
greater than about 300 parts-per-billion in the air. Inside occupied spaces it is
regulated to stay below 30 parts-per-billion. Therefore, Ozone is not an effective odorremoving
agent in occupied spaces. Ozone is effective at removing odors in
unoccupied spaces where high concentrations can be maintained. Ozone does not
remove particles from the air or destroy biologically active particles in occupied spaces.
Passive Electronic Filters (washable filters). Passive electronic filters develop a
static charge on the filter media as air passes through it. This charge attracts particles
to the media and they cling to it. As the fibers of filter media become insulated with
particles, the electric effect diminishes and stops. Therefore, these filters require
frequent washing. They can remove large particles from the air. But, they aren’t
efficient at removing small particles. These filters do not remove odors, mold, bacteria,
or viruses from the air.
Pleated Pre-Filters. These filters remove large particles and some small particles
from the air. They come in a variety of efficiencies. Those with the highest efficiencies
remove the greatest percentage of particles from the air. However, with higher
efficiency comes greater air resistance and higher cost. These filters do not remove
odors from the air. Pleated pre-filters are the prevailing standard for particle removal in
commercial air handling systems.
Poly-Pad and Fiberglass Pad Filters. These filters are composed of a woven mesh
of Polyester or Fiberglass fibers in a cardboard or wire frame. They are an inexpensive
alternative to Pleated Pre-Filters for particle filtration. Pad filters have a lower air
resistance than Pleated Pre-Filters. But, they offer only low efficiency air filtration. Pad
filters do not remove odors, mold spores, bacteria, or viruses from the air.
Potassium Permangenate Filters. These filters destroy odors by chemically reacting
with them. They are most often used to remove Ammonia from the air. The Potassium
Permangenate in these filters is sometimes combined with Carbon or Zeolite to yield a
more broadly effective odor remover. They do not remove particles, mold spores,
bacteria, or viruses from the air.
Genesis Air, Inc Page 4
Titanium Dioxide Catalysts. These filters contain a Titanium Dioxide catalyst
imbedded in a mesh and surrounded by a frame. The catalyst is activated by heat or
light and destroys odors in the air via a chemical reaction. The catalyst does not
require replacement for many years. When combined with a germicidal light to activate
the catalyst, these filters are effective at removing odors from the air and killing mold
spores, bacteria, and viruses. When a high efficiency filter is also used, the resulting air
cleaning package removes small particles, large particles, odors, mold spores, bacteria,
and viruses from the air. This technology has only recently been introduced to the
marketplace.
UV Light Sterilization Systems. Ultraviolet Light has a germicidal (killing) effect that
is maximized at certain wavelengths. People tan or burn when exposed to Ultraviolet
light. Mold spores, bacteria, and viruses are either killed or sterilized when exposed to
germicidal Ultraviolet light. This technology can be designed to have a 100% kill rate.
Germicidal Ultraviolet light does not, by itself, remove small particles, large particles, or
odors from the air. But, it can be combined with other air cleaning technologies to
remove these contaminants.
Water Filters. Moving water or sprayed water is an excellent air filter. Small
particles, large particles, odor molecules, mold spores, bacteria, and viruses collide with
and are absorbed by the water droplets. The water quickly becomes contaminated and
requires either cleaning or removal and replacement. The water reservoir supports
bacterial growth and can become a source for biological contamination. Furthermore,
water droplets evaporate in the air, cooling it and raising its relative humidity. These
are often undesirable side effects. For these reasons, water filters are not often seen in
commercial buildings.
Zeolite Filters. These filters ‘adsorb’ odors by trapping odor molecules in their very
rough surfaces. Zeolite is better at removing some odors than others. It does not
destroy the odors. It is an efficient odor remover until saturation is reached. Then, the
filters release odors back into the air. Some claim that placing the Zeolite outdoors in
the sun can regenerate it. At best, only a partial regeneration should be expected.
No single technology solves all problems. However, combining several proven
technologies can create a very effective air cleaning solution to meet most
requirements. Except in very temperate climates (e.g. Seattle, WA, San Francisco,
CA), air cleaning is a more cost-effective solution for removing indoor pollution than
dilution with outside air.
[Edited by genesis on 04-07-2006 at 10:42 AM]
2. Carbon Filters.
3. Electric Field Devices.
4. Electrostatic Precipitators.
5. High Efficiency (HEPA, ULPA) Filters.
6. Ionizers.
7. Ozone (activated oxygen) Generators.
8. Passive Electronic Filters (washable filters).
9. Pleated Pre-Filters.
10. Poly-Pad and Fiberglass Pad Filters.
11. Potassium Permangenate Filters.
12. Titanium Dioxide Catalyst Package
13. UV Light Sterilization Systems.
14. Water Filters.
15. Zeolite.
Active Electronic Filters (electrically charged filters). These filters are composed of
a loosely woven mat of fibers that can hold an electric charge. When they are actively
charged, they attract airborne particles to them. This dramatically increases their
capture efficiency. They have 95% efficiency at capturing particles as small as 0.3
microns in diameter. The filters are inexpensive. But, the initial cost for the filter
housing is significant. These filters are only mildly effective at removing odors. They
remove mold spores and bacteria from the air. They do not remove viruses from the
air.
Carbon Filters. These filters ‘adsorb’ odors by trapping odor molecules in their very
rough surfaces. Carbon filters are better at removing some odors than others. They do
Genesis Air, Inc Page 2
not destroy the odors. They are very efficient odor removers until saturation is reached.
Then, these filters release odors back into the air. Carbon filters are the standard for
odor removal at present. They do not remove particles, mold spores, bacteria, or
viruses from the air.
Electric Field Devices. These devices place a strong and sometimes oscillating
electric field upstream of the air filters in an air handler. They claim to cause particles
that move through the field to be displaced and to collide with each other. This causes
small particles to stick to big particles and make them even bigger. An air filter
captures the bigger particles. These systems do not work because the particles do not
remain in the electric field long enough to collide with one another. Furthermore, the
high voltage that is required to maintain the electric field can be dangerous to service
personnel. These systems do not remove odors, mold spores, bacteria, or viruses from
the air.
Electrostatic Precipitators. These systems contain negatively charged wires
upstream of positively charged plates. Particles that pass near the wires acquire a
negative charge. Then, as they pass between the positively charged plates, the
particles are attracted to the plates. Airborne particles are very efficiently removed by
electrostatic precipitators, until the plates become dirty. The dirt on the plates insulates
them. This renders the system ineffective. In a home environment, this process takes
about 7-days. In a commercial setting the insulating process is even faster. Therefore,
the plates need to be cleaned at least once per week to remain effective. Cleaning is
seldom done this often, leaving the system totally ineffective most of the time.
High Efficiency (HEPA, ULPA) Filters. These filters are very efficient at removing
both small and large particles from the air. HEPA and ULPA filters efficiently remove
mold spores and bacteria from the air. They do not capture viruses. They are very
resistant to airflow across them and are quite expensive. HEPA and ULPA filters are
Genesis Air, Inc Page 3
the current standard for removing small particles from the air. They do not remove
odors from the air.
Ionizers. Ionizers contain a thin cylindrical metal rod with a pointed tip. They
produce tens of thousands of negative ions that jump off the pointed tip and into the air.
These negative ions become attached to the particles passing nearby. The negatively
charged particles are attracted to nearby surfaces. These surfaces include the air
filters, the inside of the air handler, the inside of the air ducts, the walls in a room, the
floor in a room, the ceiling in a room, and the plenum above the ceiling. Within a short
period of time, the air handler, the ducts, the occupied spaces, and the plenum become
coated with dust. The dust particles are removed from the air. But, they are captured
in undesirable locations, creating a maintenance problem, a fire hazard, and aesthetic
issues.
Ozone (activated oxygen) Generators. Ozone generators produce the gas Ozone
and release it into the air. Ozone is an oxidizing agent. When an Ozone molecule
contacts an odor molecule it chemically reacts with it, producing a new compound.
Repeated oxidation events like this eventually produce Carbon Dioxide and water
vapor. Ozone is only effective as an odor-removing agent when it is at concentrations
greater than about 300 parts-per-billion in the air. Inside occupied spaces it is
regulated to stay below 30 parts-per-billion. Therefore, Ozone is not an effective odorremoving
agent in occupied spaces. Ozone is effective at removing odors in
unoccupied spaces where high concentrations can be maintained. Ozone does not
remove particles from the air or destroy biologically active particles in occupied spaces.
Passive Electronic Filters (washable filters). Passive electronic filters develop a
static charge on the filter media as air passes through it. This charge attracts particles
to the media and they cling to it. As the fibers of filter media become insulated with
particles, the electric effect diminishes and stops. Therefore, these filters require
frequent washing. They can remove large particles from the air. But, they aren’t
efficient at removing small particles. These filters do not remove odors, mold, bacteria,
or viruses from the air.
Pleated Pre-Filters. These filters remove large particles and some small particles
from the air. They come in a variety of efficiencies. Those with the highest efficiencies
remove the greatest percentage of particles from the air. However, with higher
efficiency comes greater air resistance and higher cost. These filters do not remove
odors from the air. Pleated pre-filters are the prevailing standard for particle removal in
commercial air handling systems.
Poly-Pad and Fiberglass Pad Filters. These filters are composed of a woven mesh
of Polyester or Fiberglass fibers in a cardboard or wire frame. They are an inexpensive
alternative to Pleated Pre-Filters for particle filtration. Pad filters have a lower air
resistance than Pleated Pre-Filters. But, they offer only low efficiency air filtration. Pad
filters do not remove odors, mold spores, bacteria, or viruses from the air.
Potassium Permangenate Filters. These filters destroy odors by chemically reacting
with them. They are most often used to remove Ammonia from the air. The Potassium
Permangenate in these filters is sometimes combined with Carbon or Zeolite to yield a
more broadly effective odor remover. They do not remove particles, mold spores,
bacteria, or viruses from the air.
Genesis Air, Inc Page 4
Titanium Dioxide Catalysts. These filters contain a Titanium Dioxide catalyst
imbedded in a mesh and surrounded by a frame. The catalyst is activated by heat or
light and destroys odors in the air via a chemical reaction. The catalyst does not
require replacement for many years. When combined with a germicidal light to activate
the catalyst, these filters are effective at removing odors from the air and killing mold
spores, bacteria, and viruses. When a high efficiency filter is also used, the resulting air
cleaning package removes small particles, large particles, odors, mold spores, bacteria,
and viruses from the air. This technology has only recently been introduced to the
marketplace.
UV Light Sterilization Systems. Ultraviolet Light has a germicidal (killing) effect that
is maximized at certain wavelengths. People tan or burn when exposed to Ultraviolet
light. Mold spores, bacteria, and viruses are either killed or sterilized when exposed to
germicidal Ultraviolet light. This technology can be designed to have a 100% kill rate.
Germicidal Ultraviolet light does not, by itself, remove small particles, large particles, or
odors from the air. But, it can be combined with other air cleaning technologies to
remove these contaminants.
Water Filters. Moving water or sprayed water is an excellent air filter. Small
particles, large particles, odor molecules, mold spores, bacteria, and viruses collide with
and are absorbed by the water droplets. The water quickly becomes contaminated and
requires either cleaning or removal and replacement. The water reservoir supports
bacterial growth and can become a source for biological contamination. Furthermore,
water droplets evaporate in the air, cooling it and raising its relative humidity. These
are often undesirable side effects. For these reasons, water filters are not often seen in
commercial buildings.
Zeolite Filters. These filters ‘adsorb’ odors by trapping odor molecules in their very
rough surfaces. Zeolite is better at removing some odors than others. It does not
destroy the odors. It is an efficient odor remover until saturation is reached. Then, the
filters release odors back into the air. Some claim that placing the Zeolite outdoors in
the sun can regenerate it. At best, only a partial regeneration should be expected.
No single technology solves all problems. However, combining several proven
technologies can create a very effective air cleaning solution to meet most
requirements. Except in very temperate climates (e.g. Seattle, WA, San Francisco,
CA), air cleaning is a more cost-effective solution for removing indoor pollution than
dilution with outside air.
[Edited by genesis on 04-07-2006 at 10:42 AM]