With the increasing importance residents attach to breathing healthy air, the air purifier market has ushered in new challenges and development opportunities. To standardize air filtration products in the market, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has officially released the IEC 63086-2-1:2024 standard for air purifier particulate matter removal performance.
This standard encompasses the test items required by the AHAM AC-1 standard for cigarettes, dust, and pollen, with an added focus on Ultrafine particulates. It not only enhances the testing of saline aerosol particles but also specifically mandates the testing of particles with diameters less than 0.1 µm, posing a higher challenge for product testing in related enterprises.
The standard specifies that KCL particles of 0.1 µm and below must be generated solely using a generator, with the number concentration of these particles falling within the range of 80,000 to 120,000 P/cm3.
Palas® has been developing aerosol technology for 40 years and offers instruments for the generation, treatment, measurement and analysis of aerosol particles. In response to new industry standard, Palas® core products, the Condensation Particle Counter (CPC) and the UGF 2000 Aerosol Particle Generator, can be used with different Palas® products to provide customized solutions for different needs.
Palas®: An Integrated Solution for the New IEC Standard
For the CADR testing requirements of Ultrafine particulates in this standard, Palas® can present a comprehensive solution.
KCL Aerosol Generator
· Product Model: UGF 2000
· Order Number: 418
· Suitable for generating KCL particles with diameters below 0.1 µm, meeting the IEC standard’s requirements for testing ultrafine particulates.
Aerosol Nanoparticle Dryer
· Product Model: Nafion Aerosol Dryer
· Order Number: 2045
· Ensures the dryness of aerosols, providing a solid foundation for precise testing.
Condensed nucleus particle counters
· Product Model: UF-CPC 100
· Order Number: 3253
· Designed specifically for measuring nanoparticulate matter, this counter has an upper concentration limit of 100,000 P/cm3 in single-particle counting mode.
Conductive Rubber Hose (1 meter)
· Product Model: Conductive Tubing
· Order Number: 721
· Prevents particle loss due to electrostatic adsorption during aerosol transport.
Palas® CPC: Precise Measurement of Nanoscale Ultrafine Particulates
The release of the new IEC standard has put forward higher requirements for the testing of the CADR value of air purifiers. Since the measured object is ultrafine particulate matter (less than 0.1 μm), measurement equipment based on the principle of single-particle light scattering cannot be directly used due to the particle size measurement range.
Therefore, the Palas® CPC condensation particle counter demonstrates its excellent nanoparticle measurement performance. This is a particle counting device specifically used for detection starting from the nanometer particle size. It not only has a 7-inch touch screen for a more intuitive view of the user interface and data analysis, but also can accurately measure the number concentration. The upper limit of the concentration in the single-particle counting mode of different models of CPC ranges from a minimum of 10,000 P/cm3 to a maximum of 2,000,000 P/cm3.
For CADR performance validation of air purifiers, Palas® recommends the use of UF-CPC 100. With a single-particle counting mode concentration limit of 100,000 P/cm3, this model is undoubtedly a powerful tool for tackling the measurement challenges of nanoscale ultrafine particles. It is widely applied in various fields such as aerosol research, workplace exposure and occupational safety studies, environmental monitoring, inhalation and health impact studies, process control, and printer emission research. It also finds extensive use in testing high-efficiency and ultra-high-efficiency filters, filter materials, and air purifiers.
Palas® Condensation Particle Counter (CPC)
UGF 2000: A Reliable Assistant for KCL Pollutant Testing
The testing requirements for saline aerosol particles in the new standard prompt enterprises to pay attention to the performance of their products in a broader pollutant environment. However, CPC only solves the problem of measuring the Number Concentration (or Cn) of particulate matter, and does not accurately reflect the actual particle size information of the particulate matter. Therefore, it is required that the particle size distribution of the KCL generator used in the testing process should be basically below 0.1 μm. Otherwise, the particulate matter measured by the CPC will contain a large number of particulate matter above 0.1 μm.
Palas® UGF 2000 Aerosol Generator
The Palas® UGF 2000 Aerosol Generator plays a crucial role in reflecting the actual particle size information. As the generator for the Palas® MFP Nano Plus series of high-efficiency and ultra-high-efficiency filter material filtration performance testing systems, it produces NaCl salt particles with a particle size distribution as shown below. The particle size distribution of KCL is not significantly different from that of NaCl.
Collaborate with Palas® to Create a New Future for the Air Purification Industry
With the official implementation of the IEC 63086-2-1 standard, competition in the air purifier market will intensify. Leveraging its robust technical expertise and diverse product lineup, Palas® provides efficient and precise solutions to the industry. Whether facing the measurement challenges of nanoscale ultrafine particles or testing for cigarette pollutants, Palas® stands ready to support you. Let’s work together to promote the healthy development of the air purification industry and create a fresher, healthier breathing environment for the public.
Palas® SMPS scanning electric mobility particle size spectrometer
Advantages:
· Particle size distribution from 4 nm to 1,200 nm
· Continuous and fast scanning measurement principle
· High resolution, up to 128 channels / 10 times particle size
· Suitable for concentrations up to 108 particles / cm3
· Connectable to other manufacturers’ CPC
· Graphic display of measured values
· Intuitive operation with 7-inch touch screen and GUI
· Integrated data logger
· Supports multiple interfaces and remote access
· Low maintenance to reduce your operating costs
· Reliable functionality
Applications:
· Aerosol Research
· Climate Research
· Emission sources looking to locate
· Workplace Measurements
· Filtration Testing
· Exhaust monitoring
(Part of the graphics and text materials are sourced from the IEC 63086-2-1:2024 test requirement specifications for air purifiers.)
Palas® regularly conducts webinars on a variety of topics to pass on its expertise in aerosol measurement technology, which are presented in detail online by Palas® technical experts and industry scholars from around the world. Register for the webinar and get the information as soon as possible!
Topic: Solution of Filtration Performance Testing by Palas® Instruments
Date: Friday, September 27, 2024, 15:00-16:00
Presenter: Mr. Linus Wang / Sales Manager Industry and Science at Palas® China