The main physiological need for a quality human life is clean air in a living space. Unfortunately, in a modern city it is difficult to find an environmentally friendly place to live. Polluted air significantly reduces a person's performance, contributes to lethargy and fatigue, and also provokes the development of various diseases.
Even constant wet cleaning or ventilation of the living room does not help to solve the problem of creating the necessary balance of the air environment. For these purposes, the most effective solution would be to install special filters for air purification. Therefore, it is necessary to clearly understand what classification of filters exists, their design and scope in a particular situation.
Types of air pollutants
According to GOST, the classification of filters is carried out depending on the type of pollutants that are present to varying degrees in the composition of the air. Therefore, it is very important to familiarize yourself with the main types of air pollutants before purchasing a filter device.
To the main pollutantsinclude:
- various types of dust and cloth particles;
- dandruff or pet hair, as well as plant pollen;
- soot and other tiny particles deposited on various objects under the influence of gravity;
- organic pollutants (bacteria, viruses, dust mites and mold);
- gaseous substances (chemicals, odors, cigarette smoke).
The presence of these impurities in the composition of the air have a harmful effect on human he alth. Therefore, the classification of filters for their removal is of great importance, since the appropriate device acts most effectively on certain types of pollutants.
Basic Device Selection Options
Classification of filters for air purification is primarily carried out depending on the place of their installation in the apartment. Indoor air purification devices can be built into the ventilation system, as well as located indoors.
Regardless of where they are installed, air filters are classified according to the following parameters:
- indicator of the degree of effective air purification;
- device design features;
- characteristic principle of operation of the device;
- material used for filter element.
All these parameters are of great importance when choosing both a domestic filter and an industrial device.
Filters by degree of air purification
Any filtering device is designed to clean the air space of the room fromcertain types of pollutants. So, according to GOST, the classification of filters for air purification is carried out according to the effective filtering capacity into the following classes:
- Class III filters are coarse cleaning devices that can remove particles with a size of 0.6-1 mm (wool, sand, dust);
- Class II devices are considered fine filters, remove contaminants 0.1-0.6 mm in size (soot, dust, aerosols);
- Class I devices almost completely capture the smallest particles that cannot be detected with the naked eye.
Filter devices in ventilation systems usually consist of several stages of purification, since installing only first-class devices will quickly render them unusable. To capture large particles, a fine mesh is installed at the ventilation inlet, which effectively copes with large pollutants.
The classification of air filters for industrial premises can be supplemented with ultra-high purification devices that effectively capture especially small particles. At home, these filters do not apply.
Classification of devices according to the principle of operation
Household filters are not much different from home fans, which move the air in the room by rotating the blades. Special filtering devices are additionally installed in the air purification filters, which, by passing air from the fan, purify it.
According to the principle of action, the classification of filters is as follows:
- mechanical;
- coal;
- HEPA filters;
- electrostatic;
- water.
Modern household air purifiers can be equipped with additional features to improve cleaning efficiency.
The classification of filters with additional functions is as follows:
- aromatization - filling the air space of the room with pleasant aromas;
- ionization - saturation of the air with positively or negatively charged ions;
- humidification - adding water vapor to the airspace.
These additional filter options should be considered when choosing a device, depending on the need for their application.
Mechanical filters
Such filters are the simplest devices that are used to clean the air from large pollutants and pet hair. Most often, mechanical filters are used as elements of preliminary purification of incoming air. By effectively removing large particles, filters not only protect people's he alth, but also prevent premature wear of after-filter elements and instrument parts.
Structurally, the filter elements are a fine mesh or other fibrous material. In a roll mechanical filter, the material is installed in coils at the top of the device and, as it gets dirty, is rewound down. Reusable filters are washed from contamination or blown with compressed air.air.
Charcoal filters
This type of filter can absorb high molecular weight gaseous substances. Activated carbon effectively protects the air space from volatile compounds of organic origin. A qualitative indicator of coal is the presence of absorbing pores in the material. More of them provide the most efficient operation of the filter and increase its life.
Also, increasing the area of contact of coal with air greatly improves filter performance. That is why the pleated shape of the filter element is the most effective.
The disadvantage of carbon devices is the inefficient operation of filters in damp rooms, since air transmission deteriorates in a humid environment. Particular attention should be paid to the cleanliness of the filter element, due to the fact that with the accumulation of toxins, the filter becomes a source of contamination. It is recommended to change the carbon element in a modern city every six months of operation of the device.
HEPA filter devices
To date, the most effective air purification devices are HEPA filters, which are used both in industrial and domestic environments. They trap the most harmful to human he alth small particles, up to 0.3 microns in size, while the efficiency reaches 99%.
The highest quality materialThe filter element is thin paper impregnated with a special chemical solution to protect against bacteria. Some synthetic materials are sometimes used. The main thing is that the filter plates do not touch each other, as this impairs the movement of the air flow.
To ensure long-term and high-quality operation of the filter element, it is necessary to apply preliminary air purification, as large particles can damage it. The life of the element is 1-3 years.
Classification and labeling of HEPA air purification filters is divided into the following classes:
- H14;
- H13;
- H12;
- H11;
- H10.
A larger numerical value indicates a better filtering quality.
Electrostatic filters
Structurally, filters of this type consist of two chambers. Dust particles entering the first (ionization) chamber are charged when they collide with air ions. Then, in the second chamber, charged dust particles are attracted and deposited on special plate electrodes.
Electrostatic filters effectively remove soot and fine dust from the air, but do not remove toxic pollutants.
The main advantage of such filters is the ease of operation and cleaning of the electrodes. To remove sediment, simply rinse or wipe the electrode plates. But the disadvantages of the design include its low productivity,because the airflow must be slow to clean effectively.
Water filters
The simplest water-type filter has a special fan for air intake, as well as a rotary impeller, which is equipped with specially shaped blades.
The operation principle of the water filter is as follows:
- Dirty air is sucked into the device with the help of a fan.
- Inside the appliance, the air interacts with the water flow created by the impeller blades.
- As a result of such contact, the air is purified, and impurities settle in the receiving tank.
- After cleaning, air enters the outlets.
To increase the efficiency of the water filters can be equipped with the function of ionization and ultraviolet air irradiation. These additional features can be enabled as needed. The water filter not only cleans the air in the room, but also increases its humidity.
The selection of an effective cleaning device is made according to the classification of filters and the amount of pollutants in the air. For the right choice of cleaning system, it is recommended to consult with specialists, because the presence of air pollution adversely affects human he alth.
