DIY: a HEPA filter rig in the office

[runcyclexcski]

Just wanted to share a schematic of my HEPA rig in my office. With the HEPA on, the average particle counts are reduced 10-fold in the office compared to the outside (with the office door closed). The counts are reduced 100+ fold in the air flow that is directed onto my desk. My employer has kindly replaced carpets with linoleum floors, so that helps, too.

[eleanordigby]

brilliant- is it one of Rowland Emmett’s early designs 🤣

[runcyclexcski in reply to eleanordigby]

Eleanor -- you are too kind! I know nothing about art, this part of my brain is entirely missing

[Oldandgray]

my HEPA filter is 12” tall and cost, less I’m sure, than your invention. My filter manages to clean the air in my bedroom.

I do really think that my HEPA filters, two downstairs and one in my bedroom has really improved my Asthma.

[runcyclexcski in reply to Oldandgray]

I did not say I invented HEPA filtration, just like folks who choose to build their own bicycles do not invent bicycles. I made smaller units too, for this one the size did not matter.

These are the reasons why, after owning 5 HEPA commercial boxes, I started making my own rigs:

-- Quality control. I have had consumer-grade HEPAs that did not meet the specs when I tested them;

-- Repair with generic parts. If my motor fails, I replace the cheap generic motor, not the whole HEPA box.

-- Metal parts. Consumer HEPAs use off-gassing plastics. I am sensitive to the odor.

-- My rigs fit almost any HEPA filter (gaskets are easy to make). Commercial units only fit their own HEPAs which is an issue if they go out of business, have supply issues, or switch to a sub-par manufacturer.

-- Positive pressure. This is how semiconductor cleanrooms work.