Clarifier Air Purifiers: Multi-Stage Filtration Technology Explained

How Clarifier Purifiers Clean Indoor Air

Clarifier air purifiers employ a multi-stage filtration cascade to address particulate, gaseous, and biological pollutants. Each stage targets specific contaminant classes.

Filtration Stages

Stage	Technology	Targets	Mechanism
1. Pre-Filter	Washable mesh/foam	Large dust, hair, lint, pet fur	Mechanical sieving; extends main filter life
2. True HEPA (H13/H14)	≥99.97% @ 0.3 µm	PM2.5, pollen, mold spores, bacteria, viral carriers, dander	Diffusion, interception, impaction; not simple sieving
3. Activated Carbon (Pelletized/Impregnated)	High surface area, chemisorption	VOCs (formaldehyde, benzene), odors, smoke, ozone, radon	Adsorption + catalytic oxidation (some models)
4. UV-C Germicidal (254 nm)	Low-pressure mercury or LED	Bacteria, viruses, mold spores on filter surface	DNA/RNA thymine dimerization; requires sufficient dwell time & intensity
5. Optional: Ionizer / PCO	Needlepoint bipolar / TiO₂	Agglomeration of ultrafine particles; VOC breakdown	Charge particles → settle; hydroxyl radicals oxidize organics

Performance Metrics to Verify

• CADR (Clean Air Delivery Rate): AHAM verified for smoke, dust, pollen (cfm). Match to room size (CADR ≥ 2/3 room area in sq ft).
• ACH (Air Changes/Hour): Target ≥4–5 for bedrooms, ≥6 for high-risk.
• Ozone Emission: Must be <0.05 ppm (CARB certified). UV/ionizers can generate ozone.
• Filter Life & Cost: HEPA 6–12 mo; Carbon 6–12 mo. Factor replacement cost.

Limitations

No purifier removes CO₂, radon gas (requires sub-slab mitigation), or replaces ventilation. Source control (no smoking, low-VOC products, exhaust fans) is primary.

Clarifier's multi-stage approach addresses the full pollutant spectrum—when maintained per schedule.