How to improve ventilation in the room with a window fan while filtering pollen from a nearby tree

air-conditioningair-filterfanshealth-and-safetyventilation

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This is a campus building in Aalto University where you have a tree about 10 cm away from the window. The Espoo city does not allow the student organisation AYY to cut down the tree. There is a poor air-conditioning in the room so the fan is essential to speed up the airflow. Without the fan, the window becomes smoky and the room very hot.

I need to find filter to the window so I can keep the fan on also during times of heavy pollen times (15x100cm for the above window). The filter must be sturdy because birds get into the room.

I tested a novel idea of using computer fans with polycarbonate plastic thing for a smaller window but the computer fans provide very small airflow in comparison to the large fan.

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Which kind of filters should I use in windows like above? Is it enough to have a cloth pinned to the sides of the window? Or do I need carbon filter? Can I use filters meant for computer fans like the above?

Best Answer

I have not seen conclusive data about carbon stopping pollen.Carbon is very good at catching odour within in air and excellent at absorbing chemicals in water (ie chlorine)

I would strongly suggest you use a 5 micron sponge pre filter. This will stop bigger bits of pollen and other larger particles.

Then after the pre filter use a HEPA filter. You can find cheap ones on eBay - The more expensive ones are used to for micro biology or strict particle sanitization - Like in hospitals, data recovery centres and bio chem labs.

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HEPA filters are used in cars for intake cleaning, cabin air, vacuum cleaners and ventilation systems. The prices depend on the brand but essentially are the same as any other HEPA filter. You can build a box with inlet pipe that goes outside. In the box you can put pre filter material like 5 micron, sponges or cotton. Then slot in the hepa filters somehow. They must be air tight to work properly. an extractor fan running the other way (taking air form outside pumping into the box) will do a decent job.

I my self have very bad hay fever and pollen allergies. I use ionisers in my house and my vacuum has HEPA filters on the exhaust. It works really good for me.

This brand might be clear enough proof that carbon on its own wont remove all the particles.

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This site can help you start with DIY solutions for HEPA filters

And this one too

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