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How to make an indoor carbon dioxide filter

Carbon dioxide in an indoor environment is one of the air pollutants. It is necessary for people and the air-conditioning industry to take appropriate measures to minimize the emission and prevent an unacceptable indoor air quality. Carbon dioxide is a colorless, odorless gas. 

This gas can be harmful to living organisms like us, because we exhale carbon dioxide, but inhale oxygen, and if the concentration of carbon dioxide increases, then we will not be able to breathe properly. If you are indoor, and the concentration of carbon dioxide is more than oxygen, then you will feel suffocated and will not be able to breathe in properly.

Well, the best thing to ensure that this does not happen, you can install a carbon dioxide filter for indoor air quality, which will make sure that you can breathe properly. Also, if you are using any kind of air purifier, then you may be familiar with activated carbon filters. They work on the process of adsorption to remove and capture impurities so that all we are left with is fresh and breathable air. 

What is Indoor Carbon Dioxide Filter?

Indoor carbon dioxide filters or Activated Carbon filters are the small pieces of carbon particles in granular or powdered form, that have been treated to be extremely porous. A large surface area enables these carbon filters to absorb more contaminants and allergens than traditional carbon. Absorption is the process where organic compounds in the air react chemically with the activated carbon, which causes them to stick to the filter. These filters are mostly used to remove hazardous compounds in the home air purifier systems.  

What are the benefits of Indoor Carbon dioxide filters?

There are many benefits of using these carbon dioxide filters. These purifiers can be used to rid of unwanted contaminants that can be hazardous to your health. However, these activated carbon filters can be used in conjunction with High-Efficiency Particulate Air(HEPA) filters to trap known allergens and impurities. Carbon filters are primarily beneficial for the impurities like:

  • Dust
  • Lint
  • Mold Spores
  • Smoke
  • Pet hair
  • Common household chemicals
  • Benzene and other VOCs

If used together, activated carbon and HEPA filters can trap 99.97% of small particles and higher as well as most large particles. Carbon filters also help eliminate unpleasant odors. Additionally activated carbon filters can particularly benefit people who suffer allergies or aggravation from polluted air. High levels of activated carbon increase a filter’s lifetime. Also, there are carbon dioxide filter for plants. 

How are Indoor Carbon dioxide filters made?

If you purchase a carbon dioxide purifier, then it may cost a bit more for buying a high-quality one, but if you look at the materialistic cost of these filters, it will not cost you at all. So, if you can find and make the following parts of the carbon dioxide filter, it will cost you nothing.

Air carbon dioxide filter machine comprises of four parts-

The Pre-filter

Pre-filter is the breathable, semi-translucent medium around the carbon filter body. To allow the air to pass through it, the air resistance is kept as low as possible. Its primary objective is to prevent the dust, particles, and debris from perforating into the carbon.   

The Body

The outer mesh is an activated charcoal while the inner mesh is what is considered the ‘body’. The air is able to pass through the body while being dust-free owing to the pre-filter. At the end, an odour-free air is let out into the air passage and is directed towards the flanges.

The Activated Carbon

This is the most essential part of the entire procedure. Activated charcoal, with its huge number of pores extracts the odor chemicals, and provides a clean and odorless air supply. 1050+ Australian Virgin Charcoal is regarded as the most effective activated carbon for growing diy carbon dioxide filter.

The Air Passage

The cylindrical passage between the outlet and the inlet of the filter is the air passage. Its size can vary from 4” to 8” depending on the kind of duct system used.

It is essential for the flanges to be of the exact radius as the ducting and inline fan. Without it, the carbon filter will be of no use.

What are the disadvantages of indoor carbon dioxide filters?

Regardless of its many benefits, a CO2 filter for home has some downsides as well. 

Filter Replacement

Carbon filters are continuously absorbing chemicals and at a certain point, filters will become saturated. When this happens, filters need to be replaced which is an expensive and inconvenient process. Plus, there is no possible way to know when the filters are saturated and you have to approximate when to change the filters based on the manufacturer’s suggestions.

Cannot remove particle pollution

A CO2 filter for indoor is capable of making the air cleaner but it cannot remove all the particulate matter from it. Particulate matter typically comprises pollen, smoke, ash etc. all of which are harmful for the health.

Should you use carbon dioxide air filters?

Probably, a carbon dioxide filter for indoor is a great option for a short term, when all you would like to do is to remove odours during a wildfire or home renovation. Even using carbon filters to remove the volatile compounds that are released by everyday gadgets is a smart choice.

Although, in terms of maintenance cost, this is not the most ideal choice in the long run. First, you have to purchase the entire carbon air filter, regularly monitoring it to check for saturation and change the filters when it has been used to its full potential. Plus, these filters can eliminate only a part of indoor air pollutants and hence, it is not providing a fulfilling solution. Consequently, this is not the best option for all. There are also other solutions like using a filter with carbon filters and mechanical filters.

Conclusion

Carbon dioxide (CO2) correlates with human metabolic activity and can be present in an unsafe quantity if one does not monitor and filter CO2A from air on time. Carbon dioxide at quantity more than normal will lead to several health conditions like drowsiness, headaches, or lower energy levels. Generally, 350–450 ppm is a healthy level of CO2 for outdoors while for indoors it can be up to 1000 ppm. Inside the house, its residents and up to a certain level, some devices are the primary resource of CO2. Aslo, indoor CO2 levels determine the efficiency of outdoor air ventilation with respect to the occupant density and metabolic activity inside the building.

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