How do activated carbon air filters remove odors?
Activated carbon air filters have the ability to capture gas molecules and hold them. The air filter surface is made up of millions of tiny pores, the gas and odors fall into these pores and are trapped there until the pad is disposed of. Other methods to get rid of odors such as sprays, only fool your sense of smell - the odors still exist.
How are activated carbon air filters made?
Most activated carbon, as used for gas or vapor trapping, is made from coconut shells. The shells are heated to over 2,000°C under high pressure, which causes fissures on the surface of the activated carbon, creating a high quality, small pore activated carbon. The fissure system is extensive, creating a very large surface area in a small package, and it is in these fissures that other gases and particles are trapped. A single activated carbon filter has a flattened surface area of a football field.
What is the difference between activated charcoal air filters and activated carbon air filters?Activated charcoal air filters and activated carbon air filters are basically the same. Both use a special kind of carbon. This carbon is treated to create tiny pores, increasing the area for trapping pollutants and chemicals.
Activated carbon air filters, similar to activated charcoal air filters, have a range of applications due to their ability to adsorb pollutants and odors.
Here's a list of some common uses for activated carbon air filters:
- Odor Neutralization: They are highly effective in removing odors from indoor environments, including kitchen smells, pet odors, and tobacco smoke.
- Improving Indoor Air Quality: These filters can capture airborne pollutants such as dust, pollen, and other particulates, enhancing the air quality inside homes and offices.
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Removal: Activated carbon is excellent at absorbing VOCs emitted from household cleaning products, paints, and building materials, reducing health risks.
- Mold and Mildew Control: By adsorbing mold spores from the air, these filters can help reduce the presence of mold and mildew, especially in damp areas.
- Allergen Filtration: They help in trapping common allergens like pet dander, dust mites, and pollen, providing relief for allergy sufferers.
- Chemical Fume Filtration: In industrial and laboratory settings, activated carbon filters are used to remove harmful chemical fumes and gases from the air.
- Automotive Cabin Air Filtration: These filters are used in car cabin air filters to purify the air, removing external pollutants and unpleasant odors.
- HVAC System Use: Incorporated into heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, activated carbon filters improve the air circulated throughout a building.
- Smoke and Fire Damage Restoration: After fire incidents, these filters can be used to clean the air from smoke and related odors.
Activated carbon air filters are versatile and highly effective in various environments, from residential and commercial buildings to vehicles and industrial settings, making them invaluable in maintaining air quality. |
