The main physiological need for a quality human life is clean air in a living room. Unfortunately, in a modern city it is difficult to find an environmentally friendly place to stay. Polluted air significantly reduces a person’s working capacity, contributes to the appearance of lethargy and fatigue, and also provokes the development of various diseases.
Even constant wet cleaning or airing of a living room does not help to solve the problem of creating the necessary balance of the air. For these purposes, the installation of special filters for air purification will be the most effective solution . Therefore, it is necessary to clearly understand what classification of filters exists, their device 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 substances that pollute the air before purchasing a filter device.
The main pollutants include:
- various types of dust and tissue particles;
- dandruff or hair of domestic animals, as well as plant pollen;
- soot and other tiny particles settling on various objects under the action of gravity;
- organic pollutants (bacteria, viruses, dust mites and molds);
- gaseous substances (chemicals, odors, cigarette smoke).
The presence of these impurities in the air has a harmful effect on human health. Therefore, the classification of filters for their removal is of great importance, since the corresponding device most effectively acts on certain types of pollutants.
Basic device selection options
The classification of filters for air purification is primarily carried out depending on the place of their installation in the apartment. Devices for air purification in the room 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:
- an indicator of the degree of effective air purification;
- design features of devices;
- the characteristic principle of the device;
- material used for the filter element.
All these parameters are of great importance when choosing both a household filter and industrial devices.
Air purification filters
Any filter device is designed to clean the air space of a room from certain types of pollutants. So, according to GOST, the classification of filters for air purification is carried out according to the effective filtering ability into the following classes:
- Class III filters are coarse cleaning devices that can remove particles 0.6-1 mm in size (wool, sand, dust);
- Class II devices are considered fine filters, remove impurities of 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.
Filtering devices of ventilation systems usually consist of several stages of cleaning, since the installation of only first-class devices will quickly render them unusable. To capture large particles, a fine mesh is installed at the inlet to the ventilation, which effectively copes with large pollutants.
The classification of air filters for industrial premises can also be supplemented with ultra-high purification devices that effectively trap very fine particles. At home, such filters are not used.
Classification of devices according to the principle of operation
Household filters are not much different from home fans, which carry out the movement of air in the room due to the rotation of the blades. In the air purification filters, special filtering devices are additionally installed, which, passing air from the fan, clean it.
According to the principle of operation, the classification of filters is as follows:
- mechanical;
- coal;
- HEPA filters
- electrostatic;
- water.
Modern household filtering devices for air purification can be equipped with additional features that increase the cleaning efficiency.
The classification of filters with additional functions is as follows:
- aromatization - filling the airspace of the room with pleasant aromas;
- ionization - saturation of air with positive or negatively charged ions;
- humidification - adding water vapor to the airspace.
These additional filter capabilities 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 air from large pollutants and pet hair. Most often, mechanical filters are used as pre-filters for incoming air. By effectively removing large particles, the filters not only protect people's health, but also prevent premature wear of the elements of the subsequent filtration and parts of the device.
Structurally, the filter elements are a fine mesh or other fibrous material. In a roll-type mechanical filter, the material is installed in the coils at the top of the device and rewinds down as it becomes dirty. Reusable filters are washed out from pollution or purged with compressed air.
Carbon filters
This type of filter can absorb high molecular weight gaseous substances. Activated carbon effectively protects the airspace from volatile compounds of organic origin. A qualitative indicator of coal is the presence of absorbing pores of the material. A larger number of them ensures the most efficient operation of the filter and extends its life.
Also, increasing the area of contact of coal with air greatly improves the filter. That is why the corrugated shape of the filter element is the most effective.
A disadvantage of coal devices is considered to be the inefficient operation of filters in damp rooms, since in a humid environment air transmission is impaired. 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 pollution. It is recommended to change the carbon element in a modern city every six months after the operation of the device.
HEPA filtering devices
To date, the most effective air purification devices are HEPA filters, which are used in both industrial and domestic conditions. They trap the most harmful to human health small particles up to 0.3 microns in size, while the efficiency reaches 99%.
The highest quality filter element material is thin paper, impregnated with a special chemical solution, to protect against bacteria. Sometimes some synthetic materials are also used. The main thing is that the filter plates do not touch each other, as this affects 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, since large particles can damage it. The service life of the element is 1-3 years.
The classification and labeling of HEPA air filters is divided into the following classes:
A larger numerical value indicates better filtering quality.
Electrostatic filters
Structurally, filters of this kind consist of two chambers. Dust particles falling into the first (ionization) chamber are charged in a collision with air ions. Then, in the second chamber, charged dust particles are attracted and deposited on special plate electrodes.
Electrostatic filters effectively clean the air of soot and fine dust, 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, since for effective cleaning, the air flow must have a low speed.
Water filters
The simplest water-type filter has a special fan for suctioning air, as well as a rotor impeller, which is equipped with specially shaped blades.
The principle of operation of the water filter is as follows:
- Contaminated air is drawn into the device using a fan.
- Inside the device, air interacts with the water flow generated by the impeller blades.
- As a result of such contact, the air is cleaned, and impurities settle in the receiving tank.
- After cleaning, air enters the outlet.
To increase operating efficiency, water filters can be equipped with the function of ionization and ultraviolet irradiation of air. These additional features can be connected if necessary. The water filter not only purifies the air in the room, but also increases its humidity.
The choice 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 a cleaning system, it is recommended to consult with specialists, because the presence of air pollution adversely affects human health.