Do fine chemical air filters actually work, and if so, by what mechanisms?
I live in an extraordinarily polluted environment, and right now, the cost of breaking my lease and problems associated w/ relocating now would exceed the cost of this very expensive air purifier.
http://www.airpurifiers.com/products/iqair/gc-chemisorber.htm
If it works, it’s worth the money (esp. since I have chem sensitivities & allergies, so I’d probably find use for it anywhere), but if it doesn’t, it’s a huge waste for a glorified hepa filter (which is what it’d amount to if the chemical filtration didn’t work).
So my question is, how exactly does it filter out
Sulfur dioxide
Formaldehyde
Carbon dioxide
etc.
I’d be particularly interested to know how it can seriously filter Carbon dioxide, since that’s so prevalent in the air, I’d think that any filter for it’d be worn out within a day. That one in particular makes me question the validity of the product.
The sulfur dioxide, formaldehyde, and particulates from deisel are all very important to me, since these are some of the worst problems in this place, wedged between a factory w/ high sulfur dioxide emissions and an expressway, in a building full of gas stoves and heat, aside from fireplace smoke wafting in from the neighbors on some days.
Can someone with some knowledge of how these advanced air purifiers work please explain this to me? Would I be throwing my money away? (Please note that this is not a small purchase for me, especially looking at the cost and frequency of replacing the filters)
Gases such as formaldehyde are removed from the air through adsorption (with a d). The most popular material used is the ubiquitous activate carbon ("activated charcoal"). The gas will cling to the material as it passes through. Activate alumina is another adsorption material that works better, but is more expensive. The other drawback is that these filters stop working quite quickly, especially in areas where they’re doing a lot of filtration, and may have to be replaced as often as every few days, which is obviously quite costly.
Sulfur dioxide is removed from the plumes of coal plants through chemical "scrubbers" which use limestone as the chemically reactive substance (there are two methods, wet and dry, but pretty much the same thing). The limestone is the adsorbant, with the SO2 reacting with the limestone and "sticking." However, this chemical system is coupled with a physical screen to actually complete the process. It’s not overly effective.
However, I don’t think that anything you’ll buy will remove CO2 — CO2 is often considered to be the "safe" end product of converting some other pollutant into something clean and breathable.
I’d move.
I seriously challenge the ability to remove carbon dioxide and also the need in anything but a submarine. I would contact the company since carbon monoxide would be far more important to remove and is not listed. You also have a perfect right to ask them for a reference on how the chemical filters work, it shouldn’t be a secret, just something new at the home level. I have no specific idea.
The material near the bottom states that the chemical removal cartridges take out 18-25 pounds which, considering the low absolute concentration of chemical irritants is a huge amount and supports the 3 year estimate for the most expensive replacement
I notice a relatively high power usage 195 watts when not in standby. This adds to the cost especially if you run it while you are out to reduce the irritants when you return, over 4 kwh per day. I assume you have already done what you can to seal your place to reduce infiltration under doors, etc.
References :
Gases such as formaldehyde are removed from the air through adsorption (with a d). The most popular material used is the ubiquitous activate carbon ("activated charcoal"). The gas will cling to the material as it passes through. Activate alumina is another adsorption material that works better, but is more expensive. The other drawback is that these filters stop working quite quickly, especially in areas where they’re doing a lot of filtration, and may have to be replaced as often as every few days, which is obviously quite costly.
Sulfur dioxide is removed from the plumes of coal plants through chemical "scrubbers" which use limestone as the chemically reactive substance (there are two methods, wet and dry, but pretty much the same thing). The limestone is the adsorbant, with the SO2 reacting with the limestone and "sticking." However, this chemical system is coupled with a physical screen to actually complete the process. It’s not overly effective.
However, I don’t think that anything you’ll buy will remove CO2 — CO2 is often considered to be the "safe" end product of converting some other pollutant into something clean and breathable.
I’d move.
References :
Geologist who thankfully lives in an area of very clean air
http://www.healthyhouseinstitute.com/a_847-Air_Filters
http://www.ehow.com/how-does_5118580_do-coal-scrubbers-work.html
http://www.airpurifiergalore.com/carbon-air-purifier.html
Have you actually had the air in your apartment analyzed?
I doubt that I would purchase and use such a purifier unless I was sure that there were a lot of the pollutants listed as removable in actually in the air. There must be a lab in your area that could actually run a test on an air sample for you.
Since we generate a lot of CO2 every time we exhale, I doubt very much that removing it via a filter located across the room will save you from inhaling a goodly amount anyway.
References :
Before you spend the burdensome amount of money to purchase this air purifier, not to mention that the cost of maintenance is as much as purchasing a new unit every two years, please take a look at the only other air purifier that is designed to handle gases and VOC’s at http://www.allergy-relief-air-purifier.com/best-home-air-purifier.html Not only will you save money, but you will have better performance from the Sun Pure SP-20C. This is the same unit used in hospital labs for its efficiency and effectiveness. I found this video on YouTube of this unit in an IVF lab http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDDX_XWAcRY Take a look at the information on the website and see the test reports and the customer referrals. Good luck!!
References :
http://www.allergy-relief-air-purifier.com/best-home-air-purifier.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDDX_XWAcRY
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