How does HEPASilent™ technology achieve such high levels of filtration?
Most HEPA filter systems use only mechanical filtration, which as a standard, remove 99.97% of particles at 0.3 micron. Blueair's patented HEPASilent™ filter technology combines mechanical and active electrostatic filtration methods, in order to achieve higher efficiency and capture smaller particles than either mechanical or electrostatic filtration alone.
Mechanical filtration essentially strains out or intercepts mid-range particles (0.3 to 0.9 micron) in much the same way as a colander strains pasta. And just as tiny bits of pasta escape through the holes in a colander, the tiniest particles can float past the filter media and escape an air purification system.
Particles that mechanical filtration alone might miss are captured by the electrostatic component of Blueair's HEPASilent™ system. HEPASilent technology filters out 99.97% of particles at 0.1 micron, when operating at its lowest speed.
Our system moves all particles through a sealed ion chamber, where they collide with negative ions and pick up a very slight electrical charge. As they exit the ion chamber, particles are attracted to the positively charged pleats of the HEPASilent™ filter media. Rather than floating past the filter media, particles are captured and removed from your indoor air.
Most electrostatic systems charge the fibers of the filter media itself, rather than the particles. The charge naturally dissipates over time and renders the filter media less efficient. By constantly charging incoming particles, instead of the filter fibers, HEPASilent™ technology keeps on working effectively and reliably.
Ionization does produce trace amounts of ozone, a gas known to irritate compromised lung tissue. Blueair systems use a very low electrical current to minimize ozone production and a sealed steel housing surrounding the ionization chamber to keep ozone contained. For more protection, our activated carbon filter adsorbs any ozone particles that may escape from the encapsulated ionization chamber.
In fact, testing shows that the ozone concentration in our system's output air is actually lower than in the incoming air. Blueair's electrostatic system is no threat to health, even for those with respiratory illness.
|
