Air Purification Solutions

Competitive Air Purification Technologies Discussion. There are many different types of air purification technologies and methodologies to clean air. In evaluating all of the different technologies, we looked at what technology or multiple technologies could be deployed to provide the best solution to accomplish: A. Neutralizing VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) B. Reduce and Capture Particulates C. Neutralize Viruses & Bacteria AP: The hummingbird™ AP air purification technology combines the power and effectiveness of Photocatalytic oxidation with a 5 stage filtration process including a high performance pre-filter, three chambers of photocatalytic oxidation and a post filter of Potassium Permanganate or other filter options such as Carbon, depending on the application. Here is a basic overview of the top deployed technologies. Photocatalytic Oxidation is the best technology for killing viruses and bacteria as well as neutralizing VOC’s and it achieves this without producing Ozone. There are ample studies proving the efficacy of the technology UV and Ti02 as the substrate. The technology is so effective that it has been used in fertility labs IVF for years due to their incredibly stringent air standards. A study was conducted in Japan photocatalysis by Ti02 covering a wide variety viruses and bacteria. “We have demonstrated broad-spectrum biocide efficacy of photocatalysis against both bacteria (GPC and GNR, including drug-resistant bacteria) and viruses (enveloped and non-enveloped virus). Photocatalysis has broad-spectrum microbicidal activity … TiO2 is a potential, environmentally friendly microbicidal agent. Furthermore, because of the high level and broad-spectrum biocide efficacy of photocatalysis, it is considered a valuable biocide method for use in various areas, e.g., sewage disposal treatment systems and air purification systems [54].” 1 Ionization based systems have been around since the late 1800’s. They were later named Plasma tubes. They are also marketed as corona discharge tubes (CDT), ionization systems, bipolar ionization systems, dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) systems or Cold Plasma. Whatever their type, the philosophy is aimed at charging ions in the air which will adhere to other molecules and affect them one way or another. What is known about these based systems is they produce ozone which is extremely harmful and toxic to humans. It causes headaches, throat dryness and damage to mucous membranes at levels as low as 0.1 – 1 ppm and can be life - threatening at levels higher than this (Mills et al. 2003). The California Air Resources Board maintains a list of over 40 different such products that produce Ozone. “Indoor "air purifiers" or air cleaners that intentionally emit ozone are often called “ozone generators." Manufacturers sometimes inappropriately refer to ozone as “activated oxygen,” “super oxygenated” or “energized oxygen,” which implies that ozone is a healthy kind of oxygen. Because ozone reacts with some other molecules, manufacturers claim that the ozone produced by these devices can purify the air and remove airborne particles, chemicals, mold, viruses, bacteria, and odors. However, ozone is only partially effective at cleaning the air when it is used at extremely high, unsafe levels that pose a serious health risk.” 1 Another aspect of ionization systems is the ions only last 60 seconds. This means they have very little time to treat the entirety of air in a building from individual rooms to the duct system. There is no central control point to ensure that particulates can be captured. This is why they will often use a general term about particulate reduction without actual measurement data or any discussion about Air Changes per Hour (ACH) and how many times it might take to completely clean the air. Ultra-Violet Light Only Ultra-violet light is known to be effective against viruses and bacteria, but the challenges are deploying the technology without the light exposing humans which can be detrimental. Also, the technology by itself, does not take care of particulates, VOC’s or CO. When deployed within a duct based system, fast moving air flow means that the technology has little time to affect the air requiring many more air exchanges to effectively treat the air.