Why should indoor air quality be of concern?

Environmental Protection Agency studies have shown that the air inside our homes and workplaces is often 10-100 times more polluted than outside air. Harmful airborne pollutants such as dust, pollen, mold, viruses, bacteria, pet dander, carpet fibers, and second-hand smoke are constantly being recirculated and inhaled while indoors. According to the EPA, a person breathes in 2 teaspoons of these pollutants each day. This can result in harmful health conditions such as allergies, asthma and other respiratory problems.

Why use an industrial or commercial air cleaner?

Polluted air, an undesirable byproduct of progress, can be caused by the most simple or the most complex process. In office buildings, dust is created by footsteps on the carpet. In machine shops, oil mist is created when metals are shaped and formed. Welding shops create fume and smoke. The extrusion of plastics, the molding of plastics and rubber, the processing of tobacco, and the operations in spinning and weaving mills, all create contamination.

Many times these contaminants cannot be prevented and they must be efficiently and economically removed. Trion's quality-built products are designed to meet these basic needs of business and industry, with a worthwhile and long-term solution.

How does an electrostatic air cleaner work?

Air is drawn into the unit to capture particles. The airborne particles pass through an electrostatic field and receive an ionized charge. The charged particles move into a collector section where each alternate plate is charged with the same polarity as the particles. This drives the particles to the second set of plates of an opposite charge to attract and collect the particles. The remaining air, cleaned up to 95% of its impurities, is then returned to the plant or building. Electrostatic systems contain permanent cells and are available with a manual or automatic wash system.

Industry Definitions:
24.8 ASHRAE Systems & Equipment 1996 - "Electronic air cleaners can be highly efficient filters using electrostatic precipitation to remove and collect particulate contaminates such as dusts, smoke, and pollen. The designation electronic air cleaner denotes a precipitator for HVAC air filtration…..This type of air cleaner can remove and collect contaminates with an average efficiencies up to 98% …when tested in accordance with ASHRAE Standard 52.1."

4.3.1 INDUSTRIAL VENTILATION A Manual of Recommended Practice 24th Edition - "The Penny or two-stage precipitator which uses DC voltages from 11,000-15,000VDC for ionization. It is the most practical collection technique for the many hydrocarbon applications where an initially clear exhaust stack turns into a visible emission as vapor condenses. Some applications include plasticizer ovens, forge presses, die-casting machines, and various welding operations…. The pressure drop of an electrostatic precipitator is extremely low, usually less than 1"wg, therefore, the energy requirement is significantly less than for other (filtration) techniques.

How does a media air cleaner work?

Media air cleaners draw pollutants from the air through a first stage pre-filter to capture large particulate. This extends the life of the primary media filter, which uses a combination of technologies including: straining, impaction, interception, and diffusion to strip submicron particles from the air. After adsorption filters may also be incorporated to eliminate or reduce odors.

How does a cartridge air cleaner work?

Contaminated air is drawn through high-efficiency cartridge filters, where the particulate is collected on the outside of the media. Filtered air is pulled through the system and exhausted. The filtered air then passes through the clean air plenum and is exhausted. The venturi pulse or patented Injection Self-Cleaning System (ICS) blows compressed air through the filter in the reverse direction, thus dislodging smoke and dust from the filter. The solid pollutants are then collected in a dust drawer or barrel for periodic disposal. This method allows for multiple loadings and unloadings on the filter media.

How to choose the right industrial or commercial air cleaner?

To ensure the best possible efficiency and operation, you will need to consider the following steps to properly size and select the type of air cleaner best suited for your application.

1. Determine the physical nature of your particulate (dry, wet or sticky) in order to determine whether the media, cartridge or electrostatic type air cleaner is recommended.

2. Determine how the particulate will be entrained and moved to the air cleaner:

A. Source Capture will entrain the particulate directly at the point of origination and not allow it to migrate into the workplace environment. Capture hoods serve as the point of entry for the particulate. Ducting is then used to connect the hood to a local air cleaner. Your final hood and duct design will determine the air volume (CFM) needed to effectively entrain and transport particulate to the air cleaner. Design and fabrication of the hood and duct system can be performed by qualified local contractors or contact your local Trion representative for assistance.

B. Central System utilizes the ductwork and fan in the general HVAC equipment to entrain fugitive airborne particulate within the recirculating air. The size of air cleaner is generally based on the HVAC system fan.

C. Ambient Capture is the strategic placement of air cleaners which create effective air patterns to move the particulate to the air cleaner - the discharge air of one air cleaner blows the particulate toward the intake of another. This method is effective when good airflow patterns can be developed and the volume of air in the workplace environment can be turned over or recirculated through the air cleaners at a frequent enough rate. This frequency, called Air Exchange Rate, is expressed in air changes per hour and depending on your airborne particulate concentrations, an AER is selected and total air volume is determined by the following formula:

(V x R) ÷T = CFM

Where:
V = Volume of the workplace (room) in cubic feet
R = Rate of air changes per hour (generally 4-15)
T = Time (60 minutes)

Note: 1 CFM = 0.0283 m³

3. Determine the estimated amount of particulate being produced (for industrial applications).

4. Select the appropriate Trion equipment of electrostatic, media or cartridge systems. Based on the information provided in our Applications section, you can determine the best method to clean your air. Trion factory representatives should be consulted for a final determination of your specific needs.

How can I order replacement filters for my residential air cleaner or evaporative pads for my residential humidifier?

Simple! Contact your local representative to find the nearest distributor or call us directly at 1-800-227-3917, option #2 within the USA and +44 (0) 1962 840465 within Europe and Asia.