Abstract: The present disclosure generally provides systems and methods for easily replaceable, high efficiency particulate air or HEPA-quality filtration for vacuum systems in an effective, efficient, and cost-sensitive manner. As an example, the HEPA filter cartridge could include a minimizer and connecting structures associated with an exhaust of such a HEPA filter cartridge. The surface area of the minimizer or the connecting structures could be increased or decreased to control, restrict, or otherwise maintain a predetermined, preferable, or allowable amount of backpressure subjected to the HEPA filter cartridge or other suitable performance characteristic.

Abstract: A system for sanitizing and filtering air includes a chamber through which air passes, the chamber containing an ultraviolet light source. A sanitizing filter is removably mounted in the chamber, the filter containing a mechanical filtration media and a photocatalytic agent. The ultraviolet light illuminates the photocatalytic agent, and air passing through the chamber is purified by the photocatalytic agent and filtered by the mechanical filtration media. The system may also ionize the air, thereby polarizing particles in the air. When the polarized particles are caught in the filter they polarize the filter media, causing it to electrostatically attract other polarized particles in the air, thereby improving its filtration efficiency.