By using water, the air can be humidified as well as purified. The purifier is also economical to operate, as its filter-free design only requires that the water be replaced. (image: KIMM)
SEOUL, April 29 (Korea Bizwire) – With an increasing number of Koreans suffering from respiratory ailments due to yellow dust from China, a local team of scientists has developed an air-cleaning technology that uses water and static electricity instead of a filter.
The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials announced on April 28 that the Environmental and Energy Systems Research Division led by Hahn Bang-woo developed the “indoor wet air-cleaning technology” which can remove ultra-fine dust by making use of micro carbon fiber discharge electrodes.
The technology features low voltage high discharge electrode efficiency with 5 to 10 micrometer-sized carbon fiber discharge electrodes. The electrodes give captured dust an electric charge, and when the particles mix with water, the dust is collected and sent to water tanks.
By using water, the air can be humidified as well as purified. The purifier is also economical to operate, as its filter-free design only requires that the water be replaced. In addition, it can prevent second hand pollution caused by used filters.
“We will try expanding the technology by applying it to larger sized air-cleaning facilities such as air purifiers in buildings, underground parking lots, underground commercial area and airports,” said Hahn.
By Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
