Commercial Air Filtration | How Does It Work?

The demand for air filtration is increasing because more communities and organizations are acknowledging the problems associated with air pollution. Research shows that 9 out of 10 people are inhaling polluted air. This is a risk factor many have to deal with when they are outdoors like leaving for work, going to school, buying groceries, and running errands. Even walking your dog or having a morning run exposes anyone with polluted air.

Staying outdoors, we all are at risk of falling ill because of dirty air. And doesn’t just end there. Office buildings, production facilities, and many other industries are dealing with poor indoor air quality. This sad reality is proven by the growing demand for commercial air filtration and proper ventilation.

And because we all need clean, breathable air at home and at work, air filters help up achieve this.

Air filters are like medical face masks. They mainly act as a shield that removes particles and contaminants from the air that causes health problems and mechanical issues (in factories). There different types of filters so one kind might work for some but not for other filtering needs. Standard filters work similarly even if the application varies.

With continuous use and while more trapped particles such as dust, mold, and dirt pile up the proper airflow is obstructed. This obstruction will affect the filtration process since this stops the particles from being delivered into the filter to be trapped. As it becomes useless, unfiltered air is circulated back through the vents. The health risks then worsen.

How Air Filters Can Help

The most commonly used in homes and small businesses are HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate AIR) filters which remove 99.9% micron particles. The filter media is usually made of fiberglass or polypropylene.

Trapping dangerous chemical particles often present in industrial and commercial setting require more than a standard air filter can block. Carbon filters are more effective in these situations, especially when dealing with stubborn odors and toxic gases.

Activated carbon has a special property that enables it to absorb volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other gaseous pollutants that HEPA filters can’t do. This is because carbon filters are equipped with a bed of charcoal (activated charcoal) that effectively traps gas molecules. It’s the right fit for metalworking shops and factories that are heavy on weld smoke and solder fumes.

Activated Carbon: The Adsorption Process

HEPA filters absorb or trap particles to clean the air. The particles are trapped but they don’t bond with the filter media at the molecular level, it fills in the gaps between the filter fibers. On the other hand, activated carbon uses the adsorption process wherein the contaminants stick to the carbon surface. This is mainly due to the molecular structure of carbon, a lattice of carbon atoms connected to each other. When activated, odors and toxic gases have more surface area to stick to.

Carbon air filters are perfect for smoke, fumes, and stubborn odors. It is effective in maintaining purified air within any workspace. When it is time to replace it, the strongest indicator is it will start giving off a strange odor.

Is activated carbon the right filter for your facility? If this a question you haven’t answered yet then get a professional opinion. Arrow Industrial Air Filtration is an experienced Mechanical and HVACContractor, our knowledge and expertise in residential, commercial, and industrial filtration and purification have been proven and tested.

Visit our page for more information!

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