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What
They Are & How They Work
Sarah
If you use an air purification system, or are
shopping for one, you may be familiar with activated carbon filters.
With so many air purifier filters to choose
from, you may wonder how an activated carbon filter works or what the benefits
of using one are.
Don’t let their small stature fool you; these
clever filters are major combaters of everything from allergens and harsh
pollutants to unpleasant tastes and odors.
They rely on the process of adsorption to
remove and capture impurities, so that all you’re left with is fresh,
breathable air.
Here is a closer look at how these small
filters can make a big improvement in your overall air quality.
What is an Activated Carbon Filter?
Activated carbon filters are small pieces of
carbon, typically in granular or powdered block form, that have been treated to
be extremely porous.
It is so cavernous, in fact, that just one
gram of activated carbon can easily have a surface area of 500m2 or higher.
Vast surface area enables these carbon
filters to adsorb exponentially more contaminants and allergens than
traditional carbon.
Adsorption is a distinct process where
organic compounds in the air or water react chemically with the activated
carbon, which causes them to stick to the filter.
The more porous the activated carbon is, the
more contaminants it will capture.
These filters are most notably used to remove
hazardous compounds in home air purification systems.
How Would I Benefit From an Activated Carbon
Filter?
There are many benefits associated with using
activated carbon filters.
These purifiers can be used to rid your air
of unwanted or harmful contaminants that can pose a hazard to your health.
In air purification systems, activated carbon
filters can be used in conjunction with HEPA filters to trap known allergens
and impurities like:
o Dust
o Lint
o Mold spores
o Smoke
o Pet hair
o Common household
chemicals
o Benzene and other
VOCs
Carbon filters also help eliminate unpleasant
odors so your indoor air remains fresh.
Used together, activated carbon and HEPA
filters can trap 99.97% of small particles 0.3 microns and higher as well as
most larger particles, especially spores.
Activated carbon filters can particularly
benefit people who suffer allergies or aggravation from impure air, including
second hand smoke.
If you are or live with a smoker, using an
activated carbon filter in your home air purification system can provide
unparalleled benefits to your respiratory health.
How do Activated Carbon Filters Work?
Although a filtration system that uses
chemical reactions to decontaminate air may sound complicated, it is actually
rather simple.
Activated carbon is typically sold in thick
or thin packets for air filtration. It is then inserted into the main purifying
device, such as an air purifier or HEPA air filter.
Contaminated air enters the filtration
system, passes through the active carbon, undergoes adsorption, and leaves the
filter purified.
If used in conjunction with a HEPA filter,
the activated carbon works to prevent larger particles like dust and lint from
reaching it, enabling the HEPA filter to perform better and last longer.
Are all Activated Carbon Filters the Same?
All activated carbon filters remove a
significantly higher amount of air pollutants than regular carbon filters,
however there are some distinctions.
Some filters contain more activated carbon
than others, and this can affect the capacity for impurity removal.
Additionally, high levels of activated carbon
increase a filter’s lifetime.
It will require fewer replacements and keep
emitting fresh air longer. Another factor that influences filtering rate is the
size of activated carbon particles.
Typically, smaller particles yield faster
adsorption rates.
The most advanced activated carbon filters,
like those found in Blueair air purifiers, are infused with other compounds
like magnesium dioxide and copper oxide to remove even more hazardous
pollutants from the air, such as carbon monoxide, ethylene oxide, and ozone.
Some modern activated carbon filters are also
more adept at preventing a buildup of bacteria that can occur naturally over
time.
Activated carbon filters are an important
addition to any air purification system.
They can be used alone or in conjunction with
other filters to significantly reduce the amount of impurities in your home or
office.
Whether you choose a basic or advanced model,
you can breathe easy using an activated carbon filter.
Sarah
is a savvy urbanite with small town roots. As a foodie, wine lover &
adventurer, she loves the bustling city and the great outdoors equally. Her
motto is that you don’t have to sacrifice comfort, convenience, or fresh air
for small-scale urban living.
https://learn.allergyandair.com/activated-carbon-filters/
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