Polarized filtration

As tiny sub-micron particles and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) pass through the central heating and cooling system, they become polarized. The polarized particles get larger as they join together with other polarized particles and collect on a disposable low-static polarized media pad with an activated charcoal center screen.

Air Cleaners remove difficult odors and provide an efficiency of 97% for particles down to .3 microns in size. 1” panels fit directly into integrated filter grilles in both the na20 and na30 models.  When we combine it with our patent-pending PCO technology, it removes particles down to .0001 microns.

How it works

The filters in nautic air use an active electrostatic field to polarize both the fibers of a media pad and the particles to be removed. The polarized particles are drawn to the polarized media fibers and to each other.

• Passive mechanisms - because there is a media, there is passive collection.
• Polarization and electrostatic attraction - polarized fibers collect polarized and charged particles charged center screen collects polarized and charged particles.
• Agglomeration - Natural process (Brownian Motion) greatly accelerated by the field inside the air cleaner. Polarized particles attract each other and charged particles to form bigger clusters that are more easily captured.

Polarized-media air cleaners do an excellent job of removing sub-micron (less than 1 micron in size) particles and without the efficiency loss associated with precipitating electronic air cleaners. The carbon center screens that are used in nautic air air cleaners also trap odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). By the nature of polarization technology, the air cleaner’s effectiveness is best measured by assessing particle levels in the home or building over time. Part of the reason for this is a process called agglomeration. Trapped particles become polarized, as do any particles that pass through the air cleaner. Through agglomeration, the polarized particles bond with other polarized particles as they collide in the air. As they increase in size, they are collected. This enables the air cleaner to capture even the very smallest sub-micron particles that tend to suspend in the air rather than move in the air stream.

Any air cleaning system’s effectiveness will be, in part, determined by the air change rates, airflow patterns, and contaminant generation rates.  Typically in a house we see particle reductions of 70-90%, but because of the low air change rates in a home, it may take a few days. In a casino, on the other hand, even though the contaminant level and generation rates are much higher, the air change rates are over ten times higher than in a house, so significant reductions in both particles and VOCs are almost immediate.

Laser particle counters confirm this phenomenon. Over a time period of several days you will first see a reduction in particles under .3 microns in size. At the same time there is a spike in the number of larger particles as the smaller particles form larger particles, and then the total particle count drops off significantly.

Testing and Performance

Since passive filters are the most widely used technology, passive filter tests tend to dominate the test standards. MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) is the most commonly used measurement for filters. MERV is based on a single pass and is used for measuring passive mechanical filters. This is the biggest challenge for manufacturers of polarized-media air cleaners as there is no widely-accepted test protocol today that demonstrates the effectiveness of polarized-media.  Single-pass measurements don’t account for loading which is the trade-off for efficiency. For mechanical filters, loading is detrimental because it increases static pressure. And although static pressure is not an issue for electronic precipitating air cleaners, they lose efficiency as plates and wires get dirty. So ratings like MERV do not provide a universal indication of performance under real-world conditions.

Filter Pressure Drop vs Dust Load
SAE Fine Dust

Filters with an applied electric field, such as a polarized-media electronic air cleaners, have a lower pressure drop than the filter without an electrical charge giving it a longer service life than standard filters.  Upfront costs may be greater, but savings will be seen in system efficiency as well us less frequent replacement.

Benefits of Polarized-Media Air Cleaners

Performance aside, within the residential segment, air cleaner size is the biggest benefit. Polarized-media air cleaners represent the only high-performance air cleaner option that can be installed with minimal labor and no ductwork modifications. This makes it a candidate for sale on any service call, repair call or maintenance call. This is a big exception to the traditional thinking that implies that the logical time to sell an air cleaner is when the indoor unit is changed out.

Commercially, again with efficiency aside, the biggest benefit is the payback based on energy and operational cost savings. There are many costs associated with commercial filters. The lower static pressure of polarized-media air cleaners means lower energy consumption. There are also costs associated with shipping, storing and replacing large, bulky filters. Polarized-media load more efficiently which translates to longer maintenance intervals which save time and labor. The combined effect results in operational costs that can be a fraction of traditional alternatives. Casinos were early adopters because of the products effectiveness at removing tobacco smoke and odors, and casinos ability to correlate air quality to revenue.   Other recent high-profile projects include the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Churchill Downs.

The technology has been an important part of indoor air quality programs for contractors and engineers that are responding to the heightened consumer awareness about IAQ. We believe it is not ONLY about the value - first and foremost, it is about healthy air.  But nautic air provides both - clean, safe air and a good value.