Ionizers are devices that use negative ions to remove certain particles from the air. The purpose of an air ionizer is to help air particles settle and accumulate outside the air, thus improving indoor air quality. Ionizers work by using high voltage to ionize (electrically charge) air molecules. Negative ions, or anions, are particles with one or more additional electrons, which confer a net negative charge to the particle.
Cations are positive ions that lack one or more electrons, resulting in a net positive charge. Commercial air purifiers are designed to generate negative ions, while electrostatic discharge (ESD) ionizers (balanced ion generators) are used to neutralize static charge. Air ionizers are used in many different applications, from purifying air from particles, pollutants and allergens to controlling electrostatic discharge (ESD) in work environments. Ionizers use electrostatically charged plates that produce negatively charged ions. These ions attach to tiny particles in the air, such as cigarette smoke and other toxins, as they move through the air. Ionizers fire negative ions that cause particles to stick to surfaces.
However, they are not effective purifiers because they produce harmful ozone and PM2.5 (cause particles to adhere to, rather than remove, surfaces in your home). Production Automation offers a wide variety of Simco air ionizers, including room systems, benchtop and top blowers, point-of-use blowers, air guns, nozzles and specialty ionizers for nitrogen, CDA, high temperature, and tight limit applications. So what does an ionizer actually do? How do you remove particles from the air or improve odor in a room? And do they really improve indoor air quality? We will examine what ionizing air purifiers do and their possible negative effects.
