1. What is the
air ionizer purifier ?
The
air ionizer purifier is an air purifier that works by
ionizing the particulates in the air. The
air ionizer
purifier doesn´t have a cloth filter like
air
purifier HEPA filter or produces ozone like
ozone air
purifiers (at least they are not suposed to, in reality even
the best of air ionizers do but this is not what they were designed
for, you have to be careful with this!) also, it doesn't have any
special lamp like
UV air purifiers to sterilize the
micro-organisms that pass through it. This device doesn't use
activated carbon air filters or hydroxyl radicals to purify the
air. It operates in a very unique and interesting way that I’m
going to describe to you here.
2. How does the air ionizer purifier work?
This device works by ionizing the air. What does this mean? Air
ionizers use high voltage to ionize particulates. Using a specific
and efficient method know as "corona discharge", ionic air
purifiers are able to cause particulates to gain a positive or
negative charge, giving particulates an additional electron or
taking an electron of the particulates. This process converts the
particulates into ions.
Inside the ionic air purifier we can find plates, known as
collection plates. These plate have an opposite charge from the
particles in the air. Collection plates work by capturing the
opposite charged particles in the air that are drown to them.
The charged particulates in the air will also be drown to other
particulates that have an opposite charge. As you know, negative
charged particulates attract positive charged particulates. When
this happens, negative charged particulates are drown to positive
charged particulates in the air, they stick together falling out of
the air because they get heavier than the air. These need to be
vacuumed or dusted away.
It's important to have in mind that not all ionic air purifiers are
equal. There are two major subdivisions: the fanless ionizer and
fan-based ionizer. Fanless ionizers are noiseless and use little
power, but are less efficient at air purification. Fan-based
ionizers clean and distribute air much faster. It's always
recommended that you inform yourself on the specific features of
the device you are buying.
3. Resume
Ionic air purifiers work by charging the particulates in the air
converting them into ions.
Ionic air purifiers collect opposite charged particulates that are
electrostatically attracted to a charged collector plate.
Opposite charged particulates attract each other and fall out of
the air, as they get heavier than the air.
4. Advantages
- Effective: This devices are very effective in removing extremely
fine particulates from every anywhere in a room where the machine
is located. Even several feet away from the device, the process
remains effective.
- Silent: Generally, people tend to like fanless ionizers as they
are very quiet compared to other machines like HEPA filter
machines.
- Economic: Fanless Ionizers use little power.
5. Disadvantages
- Ozone: Ionic air purifiers produces trace amounts of ozone and
other oxidants as by-products.
- Odors: These devices are not effective when it comes down to
removing odors.
- Germs: Ionic air purifiers don't kill germs. The way this devices
work removes germs from the household air but doesn't kill
them.
6. Key Concepts
- Size of Particles Removed? - Down to 0.1 micron
- Removes Allergens (Dust, Pollen, Mold Spores)? - YES
- Removes Bacteria? - YES
- Removes Viruses and Germs? - Removes viruses only
- Removes Odors? - NO
- Removes Cigarette Smoke? - NO
- Removes Chemical Fumes? - Removes some chemical fumes
Date Published: Oct 20, 2008 - 8:04 pm