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Air purifier filter cleaning operation guide
Air purifier filter cleaning operation guide
Today I will talk to you about the cleaning of the air purifier filter!
Air purifiers are the handle of the haze removal industry. Among them, the filter type purifier has mature technology and high market share. It is generally composed of a fan + a pre-filter + multiple filters with different functions. The main role of the filter is the filter, but the filter will absorb a lot of dust during use and needs to be cleaned and maintained regularly, otherwise the purification effect of the air purifier will become worse, and even the noise will become louder.
If the filter is not replaced in time, your air purifier will lose its function of purifying the air.
1. How to judge that the filter should be replaced?
2. Can the filter be cleaned? If so, can cleaning the filter prolong its service life?
How to judge it is time to clean up/replace
(1) Judging according to the filter life cycle suggested by the product;
(2) The air volume of the air outlet drops significantly and the noise becomes louder;
(3) The pm2.5 measured at the air outlet is obviously higher;
(4) Obvious smell at the air outlet;
(5) When the color changes, the filter (especially HEPA) should be replaced as soon as possible after the color becomes black.
(After using for a period of time, if there are 2~4 phenomena, you can choose to clean the filter first. If the above problems still exist after cleaning, you must consider replacing it~)
3. Calculation
Refer to the assumed operating conditions of the national standard appendix G of the air purifier: a room of 20 square meters, air exchanges 0.6 times/h, outdoor particulate matter concentration 300μg/m³, indoor pollutants maintained at 35μg/m³, and a total of 67mg particulate matter treated for 12 hours a day.
Calculate with CCM as the lower limit of P4, 12000mg, the filter element service life is estimated to be (12000/67)*12≥2149 hours. The actual values of CCM, room area and start-up time can be converted to estimate the filter replacement time.
How to clean the filter
Although different brands of purifiers, disassembly and assembly of filters and some details will be different, the general steps are still the same.First prepare the following crime tools:
Purifier instructions, masks, gloves, toolbox, vacuum cleaner, wet cloth (wrung out with water), paper towels, etc.
Then the four-step cleaning method will start
Power off → disassemble → clean up → install
Power off
To ensure safety, before preparing for cleaning, first disconnect the power supply.
For FFU products, in addition to referring to the manual and power off when replacing and cleaning the filter, attention should be paid to avoid touching live parts, falling over and other mechanical injuries.
(Note: Some brands will prompt to remove the filter after a certain period of power failure; some purifiers will install a detection chip on the primary filter and be careful to drop it.)
Disassemble
Refer to the instruction manual, open the air purifier filter element compartment door, and take out the filters one by one; for cleaning and dismantling other parts of the fuselage, it is recommended that you take it as soon as you see it, and if you can’t put it back, don’t find me~
Clean up
There are three mainstream filters for filter-type air purifiers: pre-filter, activated carbon filter, and HEPA filter.
Each layer of filter has different functions and cleaning and maintenance methods. Some brands of air purifiers are equipped with composite filters or other special function filters, which can be cleaned according to the instructions in the manual.
Let's talk about the cleaning methods of each filter:
Pre-filter
The pre-filter (also called the pre-filter/primary filter) is the first filter of the air purifier, and it is also the most easily dirty filter.
丨Cleaning steps are: wipe/suction, wash, and dry.
丨Specific operation: Use a rag/vacuum cleaner to remove the dust. If you feel that the cleaning is not thorough enough, you can also rinse with water, remember to use a soft brush.
Tips: The rectangular filter should be placed horizontally as much as possible to avoid deformation.
Activated carbon filter
Activated carbon filter, its main function is to remove the volatile organic compounds formaldehyde, toluene, etc., as well as deodorization, deodorization, etc.
丨Cleaning cycle: For newly-decorated users, the southern rainy season and the northern rainy season, it is recommended to clean and dry at least once a month; other conditions can be adjusted according to the frequency of use, and the cleaning cycle can be adjusted appropriately.
丨Cleaning steps are: wipe/absorb, dry.
丨Specific operation: The dust on the surface of the activated carbon filter can be wiped with a dry cloth or cleaned with a low-grade vacuum cleaner. Due to the specificity of the pore structure and solidity of the activated carbon, it is not recommended to wash it without clear instructions.
Put the cleaned filter in the outdoor sunlight, and expose the front and back for 2-3 hours respectively to make it heat up and "desorb" to achieve the effect of "regeneration" of activated carbon. Although the effect is limited, and after 3-4 exposures, the fate of being replaced eventually cannot be rewritten, but regular cleaning is still necessary to maintain the purification effect of the filter and reduce the risk of secondary pollution~
Tips: When using the vacuum cleaner, pay attention not to stick the suction port on the filter, and keep a certain distance appropriately.
HEPA filter
HEPA (High efficiency particulate air Filter) high efficiency air filter has the characteristics of large wind resistance, large dust holding capacity and high filtration accuracy.
丨Cleaning steps are: sucking/wiping and drying.
丨Specific operation: Since the HEPA filter material is generally paper, it cannot be washed and cleaned if there is no specific label, otherwise it will change the pore structure of the filter or even cause blockage, which directly affects the purification effect.
You can use a vacuum cleaner to clean the dust on the surface of the filter (except for glass fiber HEPA) or wipe it lightly with a dry cloth or paper towel, and dry it properly. If possible, it can also be sterilized by ultraviolet light; but if the original white filter color is found After it has turned black, be sure to replace it as soon as possible, and be careful not to scratch the surface of the filter when cleaning.
If dust is found in the filter compartment and air outlet of the air purifier during the cleaning process, it can be cleaned with a rag or soft brush.
Install
Install the removed parts and filter in the order from the inside to the outside (be careful not to install it backwards). After confirming that it is correct, power on and start the test. Some brands need to reset the filter element if the filter element is replaced.
Filter replacement: In order to ensure the quality, compatibility and tightness of the filter, it is recommended to purchase it through official channels such as the official website.
Q: The filters of each layer can be replaced directly at the time. Is it necessary to clean it?
The pre-filter is in the shape of a wire mesh and can be reused. It mainly intercepts large particles of debris and pollutants such as dust, hair and dander. Failure to clean it in time will affect the air intake and affect the CADR (air purification capability).
As the name implies, the activated carbon filter contains a large amount of activated carbon, and it is also composed of a carbon cloth (the use period is relatively short). The adsorption of substances by activated carbon can be said to be non-selective. Except for some macromolecules cannot enter the pores of the activated carbon, it is resistant to pollutants and odors in the air. , Moisture will be absorbed, which is why the filter will become damp or even smelly after a period of use, especially when the indoor air humidity is high.
The HEPA filter has a limited dust holding capacity. After a period of use, the filtration and adsorption capacity will also decrease. If it is not cleaned or replaced in time, the wind resistance will increase, the noise will increase, and the purification effect will be affected.
Q: Does the activated carbon filter really cause secondary pollution?
The large specific surface area and highly developed pore structure of activated carbon are the basis of its adsorption. Its adsorption methods are divided into physical adsorption and chemical adsorption. When the adsorption capacity of the activated carbon filter reaches a certain level, the adsorption power becomes weak. The pollutants on the activated carbon do have the risk of secondary pollution caused by re-release, so it is recommended to dry it regularly and replace it in time.
Q: Is the higher the filtration efficiency of the HEPA filter, the better?
HEPA filter is the most important way to remove particulate pollutants (PM2.5, etc.). It also has a certain filtering effect on bacteria. It can be said to be the core component of the filter. At present, many air purifiers will choose H13 filter. .
H13 is in accordance with EU standards, and the filtration efficiency for particles with a particle size of 0.3μm or more is higher than 99.97%. This kind of filter will be very expensive, and the filtration efficiency of 1-2 grades lower than its filter can theoretically be more than 99%. ,>95%;
The higher the filtration efficiency of the HEPA filter, the greater the wind resistance generated under the same wind, the corresponding energy consumption and noise will increase, and the air tightness requirements of the air duct will be higher;
At the same time, large wind resistance will directly lead to small air output (decrease in CADR) and reduce the purification capacity. Therefore, comprehensive consideration should be given to the filtering efficiency of the filter not to blindly chase high, but to pay attention to later cleaning and replacement.
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