These air filters employ the help of activated carbon to purify your air

These vent filters are lined with a carbon bed that is made of activated carbon. The filtering process facilitated by activated carbon is called adsorption. Adsorption is not to be confused with absorption. During absorption, one substance “takes in” or permeates another substance, such as when water is soaked up by a towel. Adsorption, on the other hand, happens when a particle sticks to a surface. This particle could be gas, liquid, solid atom, molecule, or iron, and the adsorbent particle could be either liquid or solid. Wondering how your soap or detergent is able to keep surfaces nice and clean? This is due to adsorption: the dirt adsorbs to the adsorbent.

Activated carbon is an excellent adsorbent. Compared to regular carbon, activated carbon has gone through a process that improves its function as a molecule-trapping agent. It is injected with hot air, carbon dioxide, or steam, and this creates tiny pores in the carbon. By “opening up” the carbon, more molecules will stick to its surface. Activated carbon can also be used as a water filter.

Dual filtration system takes out substances and particles of all sizes

In an air filter, when air passes through the carbon bed, harmful particles adhere to the activated carbon, and when air is circulated out of the filter and back into the room, the air is then purified; no more foul odor or toxic substances.

While the presence of activated carbon itself can already reduce the amount of harmful substances in your air, it cannot remove fine particles like dust or pollen.

Fortunately, quality carbon air filters have a dual filtration system where air passes through two kinds of filtrating media: dust filtration and carbon bed. The air first passes through the dust filtration media to filter out fine particles, and then through the carbon bed to adsorb harmful microscopic substances. These are also known as Volatile Organic Compounds or VOCs that harmful gaseous substances, like a dust filter, cannot touch. Some examples are:

• Acetone (found in nail polish)
• Benzene (found in paint, glue, carpeting, and smoke emissions)
• Butanal (found in emissions from barbecues, candles, stoves, cigarettes)
• Dichlorobenzene (found in mothballs and deodorizers)
• Ethanol (found in cleaning agents and detergents)
• Terpenes (found in fragrant products like soap)
• Toluene (found in paint)
• Xylene (found in smoke emissions)

It does not require a lot of maintenance

You do need to change your carbon bed once in a while or vacuum your filter, typically in between two to four weeks. Most are washable and reusable, so make sure to double-check on user instructions for the necessary steps.

Recirculation achieves the best results

When you install a vent filter in your space, it will be circulating air constantly. The more it circulates air, the more purified the air becomes, and it gets filtered and re-filtered every time it passes through the carbon filter. This makes carbon air filters ideal for application in spaces that bustle with activity round the clock, such as hospitals, museums, airports, or office buildings. Operations in these spaces naturally produce impure air, but with a reliable carbon filter in place, you’re guaranteed that the air circulating around the place is of optimum quality. Of course, a carbon filter can also be installed in your homes’ air circulation appliances; this is a great investment in your family’s safety and health.