The recirculated air on-board aircraft, which accounts for approximately 50% of the air supply, can contain high concentrations of dust, skin flakes, viruses, and other microorganisms whilst common occurrences like coughing and sneezing, combined with ultra-low humidity can promote the spread of bacteria and viruses.
The remaining 50% of the cabin air is provided by the engine bleed air. This air can contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that create unpleasant odors and, in some cases, become harmful. Odors, although not harmful, can also be created in the cabin and contribute to an unpleasant overall cabin environment.
To avoid maintenance burdens and reduce costly delays or cancellations associated with these types of contamination events, Pall Aerospace created the PUREcabin solution. A technology suite that ensures filtration of all air – bleed and recirculated – and offers real-time system contamination analytics for improved operational efficiency, enabling aircraft operators around the globe to offer the highest standard of cabin air quality.
High-Efficiency Particulate Air or HEPA filters are high-quality, high-intensity, medical-grade filters that replace the air we breathe onboard aircraft every 2-3 minutes. For reference, the air in hospitals is fully renewed every 10minutes and on average the air in office buildings is renewed every 20 minutes.
✈ Almost every passenger aircraft flying in the world today is fitted with a HEPA filter.
A History of Industry Firsts
1980s
Pall provides first cabin air assembly for Airbus 300
1994
Pall provides first single-piece element for Boeing 747 A/C (replacing 2-stage system)
1996
Pall introduces the first 99.99% HEPA filters
1998
Pall introduces the microbially-tested HEPA filters
1999
Pall introduces the combined HEBA/odour removal filters
2004
Pall assists with writing the first European pre-standard on Aircraft Cabin Air Quality, preEN4618
2005
Pall presents at BALPA the first Air Safety and Cabin Air Quality International Aero Industry Conference
2008
Pall assists with writing the first International standard on Aircraft Cabin Air Quality, ASHARAE SPC161
2012
Pall Introduces the world's first Fresh Air Filtration for Boeing 757 cockpit
2017
Pall presents PUREcabin, the complete Cabin Air Filtration solution, during the GCAQE Cabin Air Quality Conference