Comparison between Electrostatic, Activated Carbon, and UV Purifiers- Ventto Manufacturer

In the catering and industrial fields, fume and exhaust gas treatment is a crucial environmental protection link. Electrostatic fumes, activated carbon, and UV purifiers are three standard purification equipment. They have their characteristics in working principles, advantages and disadvantages, application sites, purchase points, and maintenance skills.

I. The difference between the three purifiers

1. Different working principles

(1) Electrostatic fume purifier

Use a high-voltage electrostatic field to charge fume particles. The charged particles move to the plate under the action of the electric field force and are collected, thereby achieving the purpose of purifying fumes.

(2) Activated carbon purifier

Relying on the physical adsorption and chemical adsorption properties of activated carbon, pollutants in the air are adsorbed on the surface of activated carbon, thereby removing odors and harmful substances.

(3) UV purifier

The malodorous gas is irradiated with a special high-energy UV ultraviolet beam to change its molecular chain structure, degrading it into low molecular weight compounds, water, and carbon dioxide while producing ozone to oxidize organic matter.

2. Different treatment effects

(1) Electrostatic fume purifier

It has high purification efficiency for fumes and can effectively remove particulate matter in fumes, but its treatment effect on odor is relatively weak.

(2) Activated carbon purifier

It has a strong adsorption capacity for odor and harmful gases, but its treatment effect on fumes is limited, and the activated carbon needs to be replaced after saturation.

(3) UV purifier

It can efficiently decompose fumes and harmful gases, especially for organic matter that is difficult to degrade. The treated gas is relatively clean.

3. Different maintenance costs

(1) Electrostatic fume purifier

It needs to clean the electric field and the plate regularly, and the maintenance is relatively complicated, but the equipment itself is relatively durable, and the maintenance cost is moderate.

(2) Activated carbon purifier

The activated carbon needs to be replaced regularly, which increases the maintenance cost, but the equipment structure is simple, and the replacement operation is relatively convenient.

(3) UV purifier

The main maintenance work is to regularly replace the UV lamp and clean the inside of the equipment, and the maintenance cost is relatively low.

4. Different application scenarios

(1) Electrostatic fume purifier

Applicable to places with significant fume emissions and high requirements for fume purification, such as large catering companies, hotels, canteens, etc.

(2) Activated carbon purifier

Applicable to places with low concentrations of fumes and harmful gases, such as small restaurants, family kitchens, etc., and can also be used in industrial paint shops, electronics factories, etc.

(3) UV purifier

Applicable to places with high concentrations of fumes and harmful gases and high requirements for treatment effects, such as large catering companies, fast food chains, etc.

II. Working principle

1. Electrostatic fume purifier

The fume is sucked into the electrostatic fume purifier by the fan, and some larger oil mist droplets and oil particles are captured on the flow equalizer due to mechanical collision and retention. When the airflow enters the high-voltage electrostatic field, under the action of the high-voltage electric field, the fume gas is ionized, the oil mist is charged, and most of it is degraded and carbonized.

A small number of tiny oil particles move toward the positive and negative plates of the electric field under the action of the electric field force and airflow, are collected on the plates, flow to the oil collection tray under the action of their gravity, and are discharged through the oil discharge channel. The remaining micron-sized oil mist is degraded into carbon dioxide and water by the electric field and finally discharged into the clean air.

2. Activated carbon purifier

Activated carbon has a developed pore structure and an enormous specific surface area, which can effectively adsorb and remove pollutants in the air. When the air containing pollutants passes through the activated carbon layer, the pollutant molecules are adsorbed on the surface of the activated carbon, thereby achieving the purpose of purifying the air.

3. UV purifier

Use a special high-energy UV ultraviolet light beam to irradiate the odorous gas, change its molecular chain structure, and degrade it into low molecular weight compounds, water, and carbon dioxide. At the same time, the UV beam decomposes the oxygen molecules in the air to produce ozone. Ozone has substantial oxidizing properties and performs synergistic photolysis and oxidation on organic waste gas and odorous gas, further improving the purification effect.

III. Advantages and disadvantages

1. Electrostatic Oil Fume Purifier

(1) Advantages

Ø High purification efficiency can effectively remove particulate matter in oil fumes.

(2) Disadvantages

Ø The equipment has a complex structure and requires professional personnel for installation and maintenance.

2. Activated carbon purifier

(1) Advantages

Ø It has strong adsorption capacity and can effectively remove odors and harmful substances in the air.

(2) Disadvantages

Ø The treatment effect on oil fumes is limited, and particulate matter cannot be effectively removed.

3. UV purifier

(1) Advantages

Ø It can efficiently decompose oil fumes and harmful gases, especially for organic matter that is difficult to degrade.

(2) Disadvantages

Ø UV lamps have a limited service life and need to be replaced regularly, increasing maintenance costs.

IV. Application sites

1. Electrostatic fume purifier

Applicable to kitchen fume purification and treatment in hotels, restaurants, bars, schools, institutions, factories, and other places; food frying and cooking processing industries; oil splash heat treatment workshops, oil mist lubrication workshops, workpiece welding workshops,  and industrial areas such as olefin oil boiler emissions.

2. Activated carbon purifier

Applicable to small restaurants, family kitchens, and other places with low concentrations of fumes and harmful gases, it is also suitable for industrial spray painting workshops, electronic factories, etc., to remove volatile organic compounds and odors in the air.

3. UV purifier

Applicable to large catering companies, fast food chains, and other places with high concentrations of fumes and harmful gases and high requirements for treatment effects.

V. Key points for purchase

1. Electrostatic fume purifier

(1) Processing capacity

Select equipment with appropriate air volume and processing capacity according to the actual fume emissions in the place of use.

(2) Equipment quality

Select equipment with reliable quality, corrosion resistance, and long service life.

(3) Energy consumption

Consider the energy consumption of the equipment and choose energy-saving products.

(4) Safety

Ensure that the equipment has safety features such as automatic power-off protection.

2. Activated carbon purifier

(1) Activated carbon quality

Select activated carbon with good adsorption performance and reliable quality.

(2) Equipment structure

The equipment structure should be reasonable to facilitate the installation and replacement of activated carbon.

(3) Wind resistance

Select equipment with small wind resistance to reduce energy consumption.

(4) Applicability

Select the appropriate activated carbon type and equipment specifications according to the type and concentration of pollutants in the place of use.

3. UV purifier

(1) UV lamp quality

Select UV lamps with high energy efficiency and long life.

(2) Equipment power

Select the appropriate equipment power according to the processing air volume and pollutant concentration.

(3) Equipment material

The equipment should be made of corrosion-resistant and easy-to-clean materials.

(4) Safety

Ensure that the equipment has protection functions such as overload and overvoltage.

VI. Maintenance skills

1. Electrostatic fume purifier

(1) Regular cleaning

Clean the electric field and plates regularly according to the usage to keep the equipment clean.

(2) Check the fan

Check the fan's operating condition regularly to ensure that the air volume is normal.

(3) Maintain the power supply

Check the power supply equipment regularly to ensure that it is working correctly.

(4) Safe operation

When maintaining and cleaning the equipment, be sure to cut off the power supply to ensure safe operation.

2. Activated carbon purifier

(1) Replace activated carbon regularly

Replace activated carbon regularly according to usage and pollutant concentration. The general replacement cycle is 3-6 months.

(2) Clean the primary filter

Clean the primary filter regularly to extend the service life of the activated carbon.

(3) Avoid moisture

Activated carbon should be stored in a dry place to avoid moisture that affects the adsorption performance.

(4) Check the sealing of the equipment

Ensure that the equipment is well sealed to prevent leakage of unpurified air.

3. UV purifier

(1) Replace UV lamps regularly

Replace UV lamps in time according to the service life of the lamps to ensure the treatment effect of the equipment.

(2) Clean the inside of the equipment

Clean the inside of the equipment regularly to remove accumulated dust and oil.

(3) Check the electrical connection

Regularly check the electrical connection of the equipment to ensure that it is safe and reliable.

(4) Maintain the filtration system

If the equipment is equipped with a pre-filtration system, clean or replace the filter material regularly.

Conclusion

Through the above comprehensive analysis of electrostatic fume purifiers, activated carbon purifiers, and UV purifiers, you can choose the appropriate purification equipment according to your actual needs and usage scenarios and extend the service life of the equipment through proper maintenance to ensure that it is always in good operating condition.