IIT Roorkee Researchers Design Affordable Air Purifier
Air pollution is a major issue in India, with many people suffering from respiratory problems due to the poor air quality. While air purifiers are becoming increasingly common in urban households, the high cost of these devices often makes them inaccessible to people in rural areas. To address this issue, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee have developed a low-cost air purifying device for rural households.
The device, called ‘Prana Vayu’, uses a natural and renewable filter made from activated carbon derived from coconut shells. The filter is placed inside a cardboard box, which is designed to provide maximum air flow through the filter. The device is powered by a low-cost DC motor and can be easily assembled by users.
According to the researchers, the filter is highly effective in removing particulate matter and other harmful pollutants from the air. In lab tests, the filter was found to remove up to 95% of PM2.5 particles and up to 80% of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air.
Low-Cost Air Purifier to Benefit Rural Households
The low cost of the device makes it accessible to rural households, where people are more likely to be exposed to high levels of air pollution due to factors such as indoor cooking and heating. The researchers hope that the device will help to reduce the health impacts of air pollution on rural communities.
The team has already conducted pilot projects in rural areas of Uttarakhand and Bihar, where the device was well received by users. The researchers are now looking to scale up production and distribution of the device in collaboration with local partners.
The development of Prana Vayu is a promising step towards improving air quality in rural areas of India, where access to clean air is often limited. The affordability and effectiveness of the device make it a viable solution for households that may not have had access to air purifiers in the past.
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