Everyone wants to breathe clean air. But a city dweller cannot be constantly in the forest or on the sea. Scientists have long been trying to improve indoor air quality. One of the oldest is the so-called "Chizhevsky lamp".
The Chizhevsky lamp (or chandelier) is an air ioniser. Air, as it is called, is composed of many elements: nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, a variety of microorganisms. In addition, it contains ions, which can be positive or negative, depending on the number of electrons.
Ionisation is a transformation of neutral particles into charged particles. It occurs due to the addition or loss of electrons by a neutral molecule (atom). Ionisation is possible due to the absorption of electromagnetic radiation, the impact of an electric field, heating, etc. A clear example for all is the ionisation of air during a thunderstorm.
At the beginning of the 20th century, scientists started to study the ionisation of air. The biophysicist Alexander Chizhevsky, after a series of experiments, came to the conclusion that un-ionised air is harmful to humans. The scientist studied the influence of positively and negatively charged air ions on the development of organisms. The biophysicist referred to the charged ions as aerions generated during the process of aerionisation. The scientist developed ways to increase the concentration of aerions in the air (aerionisation), and treatment with aerions (aerotherapy). For this purpose, Chizhevsky invented a special electrical device. The device increases the density of negative oxygen ions in the air.
As one of the aerion generators, the scientist proposed the construction of a special chandelier. A metal ring (brass or steel) of 1 m diameter was suspended from the ceiling. A fine wire (0.25-0.3 mm) in the form of a grid with a mesh size of about 45-50 mm is stretched over the ring. At the nodes of the resulting mesh, 372 steel pins were welded. The chandelier was connected to the negative pole of the high voltage source, the positive pole was grounded.
But this proposal was not developed further. The modern design of the chandelier was created later, without Chizhevsky. But to commemorate his work, we named it after him.
It should be noted that there is no consensus on the benefits of ionised air in the scientific community. Many note the damage to the body. This should be carefully considered if you are thinking of buying an ioniser.
The design of the chandelier does indeed look like a chandelier. But it does not emit light, it ionises the air. It does this thanks to the main element of the chandelier - the electrode, which under voltage accelerates the production of electrons. The electrons in turn charge the air particles.
The Chizhevsky lamp may look different. But the circuit diagram is the same:
The operating principle is also independent of appearance. It can be simplified as follows: first, a high voltage (20-30 kV) is applied to the electrode. The electrode actually consists of two electrodes. The first, the negative one, is thinner and ends on one side with a needle-like tip. The second, positive one, is the lead wire. When a voltage is applied, electrons fly from the tip of the thin electrode, colliding with oxygen molecules in the air and ionising them. As a result, an O2 aerion with an extra free electron is formed. The person inhales the aerions, which give the red blood cells their charge. And the erythrocytes positively influence the metabolic processes.
The Chizhevsky luster generates a flow of electrons, which fly away from the tip of the electrode. In turn, positive ions from the air are statically attracted to the negatively charged needle of the electrode, collide with it and can move additional electrons. This results in two opposing currents. They synthesise an electrical charge which is called a silent discharge.
The silent discharge is accompanied by a slight glow near the needle of the negative electrode. The glow discharge occurs when some molecules have received insufficient energy from the collision with an electron to ionise. But the energy received is sufficient to move the electrons to higher molecular orbitals. The reverse process occurs immediately: the electrons return to their former orbitals and the excess energy is released as a quantum of light, heat or ultraviolet radiation. As a result, a faint glow can be seen at the end of the negative electrode of the Chizhevsky lamp in total darkness.
The advantages of ionisation are still controversial today. On the one hand, negative oxygen ions destroy bacteria and purify the air. On the other hand, an overabundance of these particles can be harmful to living things. It is difficult to maintain a proper balance.
Chizhevsky himself has found that for some illnesses, the ioniser can actually improve the person's health. These include
When used, it has been noted to:
Negative effects of the Chizhevsky lamp may include:
There is no scientifically proven data on the advantages or disadvantages of the Chizhevsky chandelier. If you suffer from chronic diseases, it is best to consult a doctor before purchasing the chandelier. The Ministry of Health has prescribed a contraindication to its use:
However, even these recommendations are purely theoretical.
Because there is no more or less scientific evidence of the advantages or disadvantages of the Chizhevsky chandelier, let's turn to consumer reviews. On news sites, negative reviews outnumber positive ones. People have noted that the ionizer is effective in removing dust from the air, but it settles on the walls and ceiling, creating a great inconvenience.
However, some people note that the air in the room becomes fresher, as after a good ventilation. As far as the benefits for diseases are concerned, it is more likely that the effect is a placebo.
It should be noted that really useful devices should be large and 20-30 kV. Low voltage Chizhevsky lamps certainly do not generate anything but dust.
The concentration of positive ions in the air is regulated in the range of 400 to 50,000 ions/cm3 and the concentration of negative ions in the air in the range of 600 to 5,000 ions/cm3
The voltage applied to the electrode is also regulated. It should be 20-30 kV. If the voltage is below 20 kV, not enough aions will be produced. Above 30 kV, spark discharges can occur, resulting in harmful compounds such as ozone. Incidentally, micro-spark discharges can occur in chandeliers with a protective cover. You should therefore not use such devices.
Despite the high voltage, the Chizhevsky chandelier is safe for humans, as the current is limited. You should not touch a switched-on device - it causes a static electricity discharge. It is extremely dangerous to touch a running ioniser and a large metal object (e.g. another household appliance) at the same time.
The operating time of the device should be gradually increased from 15 minutes to 3-4 hours per day. There should be no draughts in the room.
If you feel dizzy when using it, it is useful to reduce the time of use. This effect can be observed in people living in large cities with polluted air. The phenomenon is similar to a walk through a clear pine forest - the clean air makes you dizzy.
The ioniser should be placed more than 1.5 m away from electronic devices and heavy metal objects.
Skilled electricians can try to make a Chizhevsky lamp themselves. Without the skills and knowledge of electrical engineering, it is not a good idea to experiment on your own. For a lamp similar to the first development of the scientist himself, you will need:
Coil the hoop and attach the wires in a grid pattern at a distance of 40-50 mm. Attach the needles to the crossing points of the wire. Attach the three wires securely to the hoop with one end and attach the loose ends to each other over the hoop. Connect the generator to the structure
