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. If you have other questions please call us and speak with one of our consultants.
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-11 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 no 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. 7/11