Dust in the house contains bacteria, fungi, allergic particles, mist, and environmental contaminants like perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), carbon dioxide, nitrous and sulfur oxides. Environmental contaminant concentration increases drastically in cities and metros due to automobiles. A vacuum cleaner is one of the solutions to get a clean environment in the house. It helps in reducing the allergic environment in the house. Microfiltration bags used in the modern vacuum cleaner can capture 99% of the dust particles of size up to 0.3 microns.
Working principle of the vacuum cleaner
Materials flow from one location to another when a pressure difference is created between two locations. This phenomenon is the basic working principle of an ideal vacuum cleaner. When a centrifugal fan rotates it makes the air flow by adding external kinetic energy. Air is sucked from behind and pushed forward with pressure and so negative pressure is created behind the fan. An ideal vacuum cleaner has a centrifugal fan in it connected to a motor. This unit has suction and discharge connections, on the suction side filter bag is fitted before the hose connection. The discharge has another air purifier filter and is opened to the atmosphere. When the electric power is given the motor rotates and so the centrifugal fan. Air from the suction side is sucked into the unit, and along with the air, all air-born particles, cat allergen, mist, dirt, and small solid particles are carried to the suction filter. They are trapped in the filter and dirt-free air is pushed out from the discharge opening.
Types of vacuum cleaners
Domestic- Robotic vacuum cleaners:
These are the best human caretakers and help in maintaining the room clean. Due to their fuzzy navigation system, they automatically identify and remove the dirt and dust on the floor. Motion sensors provide the robotic vacuum cleaner with the ability to pass between objects in-house without any obstruction.
Engineering design of vacuum cleaner
The motor, centrifugal fan, and filter are three important design items to take care of to improve the performance of the vacuum cleaner. Friction, noise, power consumption, and suction pressure are the design variables that govern the aerodynamics and mechanical design factors. The nozzle and narrow compartment geometry play an important role in maintaining the pressure and airflow pattern.
Selection of vacuum cleaners
Specifications to be known before buying a vacuum cleaner:
- Collection Bag pore size in microns
- Outlet filter life and pore size in microns
- Motor capacity
- The weight of the equipment
- Movability and easy handling facility
- Self-cleaning feature
- Accessories like painter tool, adsorbent, cord spring
- Less noise generation during cleaning
Maintenance of vacuum cleaner
Periodic cleaning of the filter bag maintains the cleaning performance for a longer time and power consumption can be maintained consistently.