Air purification technologies can be integrated with HVAC systems and clean the air in your house, improving health. Learn about these systems and their benefits.
In the air at home there can be many allergens, viruses and pollutants harmful to the health of its inhabitants. Purifying the air at home to ensure good indoor air quality is essential if we want to ensure our health in the place where we spend most of our time every day.
Natural ventilation, opening the windows, is the most common gesture, but not the most efficient. In this article we will review with an infographic what technologies exist today that, combined with air conditioning and air conditioning equipment, allow us to purify the air at home without losing thermal comfort.
Lamps with UVC radiation
Because of its ability to neutralize potentially harmful pathogens quickly and effectively, UVC (shortwave) light has been in use for more than a century. These purification systems target airborne, surface-borne and liquid-borne microorganisms to improve indoor air quality.
UVC radiation alters the molecular structure of pathogens. They damage the DNA of germs and allow them to be inactivated.
Photocatalysis
Photocatalysis consists of the acceleration of a photoreaction in the presence of a catalyst, in which oxidation and reduction processes occur. Thanks to the combined action of UV rays, humidity in the air and some noble metals present, it generates radicals (hydroxyl ions and hydrogen peroxide molecules) capable of destroying most pollutants (bacteria, viruses and molds) with a natural active ingredient. H2O2
This type of system is 99% effective against microbial load. In addition, they eliminate odors and molds and reduce the concentration of contaminants.
Photoplasma technology
Photoplasma is generated by air molecules such as oxygen and water vapor when exposed to a specialized UV spectrum. This generates reactive oxygen species, free radicals, electrons, etc., which capture various air pollutants and rapidly destroy their structures through a chain of reactions.
This way, the pollutants are broken down and converted into harmless components such as carbon dioxide and water, without any chemicals in the air.
Electron generator
These systems generate electrons to trigger chemical reactions. The electrons collide and combine with four types of elements: Nitrogen, Oxygen, Hydroxyl radical and Oxygen radical and thus decompose allergens such as pollen or spores, thus also eliminating annoying odors.
Plasma ion generator
This is a disinfection system based on the emission of positive and negative ions that surround and neutralize the DNA of harmful particles. Ion generation can sterilize more than 99% of bacteria in the environment in 60 minutes.
There are plasma active filter devices that can be attached to any air conditioning unit, whether wall, duct or cassette, without the need to have the unit prepared for it.
Nano-droplet technology with hydroxyl radicals
Nanodroplet technology encapsulating hydroxyl radicals for ionizing air purification. It consists of an inactivation system, using hydroxyl radicals encapsulated in water droplets, which extends the “life” of the hydroxyl radical, surviving up to 10 minutes in the air and covering the entire room, even viruses or bacteria on surfaces.
When it reaches the virus, the radicals strip the hydrogen from its envelope protein and the virus is inhibited. This converts the hydroxyl into a stable water molecule. The generation of hydroxyl (OH) particles takes place from the water molecules contained in the humidity of the environment.
Electrostatic filtration
The principle of this technology is based on the application of a high potential difference between discharge electrodes and collector electrodes to create a strong magnetic field that traps contaminating particles on the collector electrodes. The new technologies applied to electrostatic filters achieve high filtration efficiency, very low pressure drop and simple, cost-effective and sustainable maintenance.
All the technologies presented in this report can be implemented together, as is the case of photocatalysis with UVC radiation systems or particle ionization together with electrostatic filters. Synergies between technologies can ensure greater disinfection effectiveness to purify the air in the home more efficiently, achieving 99.9% disinfection of bacteria and viruses.
Home air purification systems are deployed in addition to the various air conditioning filters that have been in use for years, and have also proven their efficiency in eliminating viruses and bacteria and capturing harmful particles.
