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How an Ionizer & Air Purifier Works

Air purifiers are a necessity in most homes today. Faced with the growing pollution levels, even the air inside our homes may be harmful. The air purification system is required mostly by people suffering from various respiratory complications such as asthma and bronchitis disorders as well as allergies from dust, mold and other airborne particles. An air purifier filters the air to produce dust-free air while ionizer charges the nearby air to help in filtration.

  1. Air Purifier Concepts

    • Air purifiers work on the basis of various technologies, employing different approaches to air purification. Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) is used for sanitizing purposes in eliminating airborne microbes by passing air through a section of UV light. Filter technologies such as HEPA force the air through a filter that physically catches the larger particles. Activated carbon filters can capture volatile chemicals, but they are ineffective for particles of large size. Photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) is a new technology available with heating and cooling systems.

    Ionizer Purifier Concept

    • Ionizer purifiers electrically charge the air to produce the desired effect of air purification through static electricity. This is the same principle that works when a comb brushed against your fur jacket attracts small bits of paper. The comb collects static charges that are then transferred to the paper through an attractive force. In a similar manner, the ionized air attracts impure particles to stick to them and this air is later collected by the air purifier filter.

    Working of Gaseous Ionizer

    • A gaseous ionizer works in two stages. The first stage involves the ionization of air and the second stage deals with the flush-out mechanism of impure air. As soon as the switch is turned on, the ionizer gets charged and, in turn, charges its needles to generate charges in the air, known as gaseous ions. Most ionizers produce a negative charge in the nearby air, thus producing negative ions, called anions. These anions then attract particles toward them and trap them until they lose their charge.

    Working of Liquid Ionizer

    • Liquid ionizers use a duct or capillary to conduct liquid into an ionization space so as to create liquid ions. These liquid ions gather enough charge to freely float in the air. The liquid ions go about collecting the airborne impurities. Since the liquid, and not the air, is charged, the purification system is much more balanced. Moreover, liquid ionizers are more eco-friendly as they do not produce by-products like ozone.

    Filtration Process

    • The final step is filtration. This is achieved by using both HEPA filters and activated carbon. The gas or liquid anions along with air are forced through a double filter mesh that separates the large particles and the volatile compounds. The filter end of the purifier is generally positively charged so as to selectively attract anions for filtration. After the air is filtered, it is deionized and let out. The resulting effect is an intake of impure ionized air and clean nonionized air on the other side.

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