Air purification/filtration systems can be very useful in eliminating airborne pathogens. Clean indoor air can reduce the amount of time and money spent on doctor office visits. Air purification/filtration systems come in many sizes and shapes and vary greatly in cost and effectiveness. The questions below hopefully are some you may have and hopefully provide you with answers about ZAND-AIR™ air purification /filtration systems.
1. How does your system really work?
ZAND-AIR™ air purification/filtration systems use Photocatalytic Oxidation. In these air purification/filtration systems, Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) is a semiconductor photocatalyst with a band gap energy of 3.2 eV. When the material is irradiated with photons (UV) at less than 385 nm, the band gap energy is exceeded and an electron is promoted from the valence band to the conduction band. This creates molecular holes and instability of the molecule evidenced by hydroxyl radicals (OH). This instability promotes the molecule to find stability which includes attacking with these free radicals organic compounds including micro-organisms. This molecular phenomenon permanently destroys microbes. The term we use is Hydroxyl radicals or superoxide ions.
2. How fast does this occur with moving air?
In the ZAND-AIR™ air purification/filtration systems, the actual molecular chemical reaction happens in a few femtoseconds. (A femtosecond is to a second, what a second is to about 31.7 years) Immediately!
However, remember that the process does not clear the air in one pass. As the validation charts show it takes repeated passes through the system to significantly reduce the VOC’s and all aerobiological microbes.
3. How much air volume does the typical ZAND-AIR PCOC™3?
One ZAND-AIR PCOC™3 air purification/filtration systems unit can handle between 200 cfm and 2,000 cfm. If the total demand is higher than 2,000 cfm additional units can be mounted in a parallel setting.
4. What is the static pressure drop of the unit?
The open structure of the honeycomb grid creates less than ¼ inch water column. This can be improved further if the MERV-13 filter need not to be used due to prior filtration present in the airstream.
5. We have all been taught in filtration. How does the ZAND-AIR™ PCO interact with HEPA, ULPA, and MERV rated filters?
Filters of all types and designs will always be required. The problem with filters is that they do not filter out VOCs. The VOC molecules are too small. Molds, spores and most bacteria are held within the filter, however having said this you all know the risk and difficulty of replacing loaded filters. We have seen HEPA filters that have bacterial and mold growing on the surface of these filters. Filters are used to protect the units and absorb chemically active compounds.
6. How do molds get into buildings?
Molds enter buildings often by outside air. When mold spores are in the right environment they grow and flourish. Darkness and dampness inside HVAC units can be a great place to grow them. Often they are spread by air passing through these units and blowing spores out vents only to land on surfaces and grow yet more mold, mildew and fungus as well as being inhaled by employees, patients, and customers. Inhaling mold spores and fungi can result in allergies and illness; the term “sick building syndrome” can result. Symptoms may include irritated eyes, nose, and throat and in more severe cases damage to or impaired functions of nerve tissue, skin irritations, and other nonspecific hypersensitivity reactions.
What are volatile organic compounds? Wikipedia states, “Organic compounds are any member of a large class of gaseous, liquid, or solid chemical compounds whose molecules contain carbon” Volatile organic compounds are those that can affect where you live and your health. Most of our time is spent indoors and therefore this definition will apply to indoor volatile organic compounds. Most often the indoor environment has higher concentrations of bacteria, viruses, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) than outdoors. Volatile organic compounds are not often toxic but can cause many serious ill affects to human and animal health.
Man made volatile organic compounds (anthropogenic) sources, like solvents, in particular paints and protective coatings are among the most common volatile organic compounds due to the fact over 12 billion liters are produced each year.
Some other examples of volatile organic compounds are wax, cleaning products, cosmetics, varnishes, fuels, acetones, disinfectants, pesticides, glues, and adhesives. Office machinery like printers and copiers use chemicals that release volatile organic compounds and can cause a myriad of ill symptoms for those trapped indoors in close proximity to the of
Volatile organic compounds can cause respiratory problems like runny nose, sneezing, asthma, itchy watery eyes, headache, fatigue and nausea. More serious side effects can include liver and kidney damage, problems with the nervous system, or even cancer. These are just some of the possible problems with poor quality indoor ambient air.fice machinery. After new offices are built or buildings are remodeled volatile organic compounds come from carpets, new furniture, and other building materials. Sick building syndrome can result from these highly concentrated volatile organic compounds.
It is essential that proper ventilation as well as air purification and filtration are part of the air conditioning system in these buildings to prevent ill side effects and other human or animal health hazards. The indoor ambient air should be safe for employees, employers, patients, animals, and visitors.
Using photocatalytic oxidation in air purification is one way to significantly reduce volatile organic compounds as well as malignant microbes in the indoor ambient air.
We at ZandairTM use this technology in our air purification and filtration systems. Look through our website and learn more about photocatalytic oxidation and how it can help you have cleaner indoor ambient air. 