Comparison between UV, Merv Filters, Phi Ideas, and Air Scrubbers. A point of view.

There is no doubt that the quality of the air we breathe has a direct impact on our health. The growing concerns about the air in the buildings during the covid pandemic cannot be understated. The virus that causes covid spreads through respiratory droplets, which means good ventilation is essential to preventing its spread. The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has made us all more aware of the importance of robust indoor air quality.

Facility managers are responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment for occupants while protecting the building and its systems. With the onset of the pandemic, facility management companies have increased their focus on HVAC systems and air filtration while effectively providing better protection from the spread of viruses and bacteria.

This article offers a viewpoint and?a comparison of the most popular filters, UV, Merv, Photohydroionization (PHI), and air scrubbers.

1. UV Light:

Ultraviolet (UV) lights are devices that emit UV radiation.? UV Light radiation can be used in HVAC systems to disinfect air and surfaces. The UV light breaks down the DNA of microorganisms, rendering them unable to reproduce and causing them to die. UV lights can reduce or eliminate airborne pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and mold spores.

Features?

o??The main types of UV lights are low-pressure mercury vapor lamps and high-pressure mercury vapor lamps.?

o??Low-pressure mercury vapor lamps produce lower levels of UV radiation than high-pressure mercury vapor lamps, which makes them less effective in disinfecting air and surfaces.?

o??UV light installation is an in-duct?(AHU)?UV system. In-duct UV system processes the air as it cycles through return ducts, killing microbes by maximizing UV-C in all directions with the reflective surface of that section of the tubing.?

Benefits?

o??Coil sterilization targets and fights microbial growth on tougher-to-reach areas, including grooves, fins, and seams, with the robust power of UV-C lighting.

o??UV filters also reduce odors and VOCs (volatile organic compounds).

o??Kills and eliminates germs, viruses and bacteria, mold, mildew, other allergens, and foul odors.

o??Improves HVAC efficiency and reduces HVAC maintenance.

o??Lowers energy consumption.?

Challenges

o??Higher installation costs occur with mostly a limited lifespan of one to three years.?

o??It is not a Fool-Proof / 100% Effective solution.

o??Unable to target gases, fumes, and cigarette smoke.

o??Only certain UV lights work in air purification.

o??Direct exposure is hazardous to the skin and eyes considerably.?

o??If not installed properly in the HVAC system, it can be ineffective, leading to hazards or material decomposition putting occupants at risk.?

2. Merv Filters:

Minimum-Efficiency Reporting Value measures the efficiency with which filters remove particles of specific sizes by trapping airborne particles in a network of fibers. Merv filters are available in a range of efficiency ratings, from 1 to 16. The higher rating help filters remove the particles efficiently. They can reduce or eliminate airborne allergens, dust particles, mold spores, and bacteria.?

Features

o??MERV 1 to 4 controls large particles such as dust, spray paint dust, lint, and carpet fibers and is applicable for window air conditioning units in homes.?

o??MERV 5 to 8 controls mold spores, hair spray, and dust. It is mainly used in commercial buildings, residences, and industrial workplaces since it offers 90 percent efficiency on particles 3 to 10 micrometers in size.

o??MERV 9 to 12, primarily used in residences, hospitals, and commercial buildings, helps to control humidifier dust, lead dust, vehicle emissions, and welding fumes.?

o??MERV 13 to 16 is applicable in general surgery suites, smoking lounges, and commercial buildings with superior HVAC systems that control airborne bacteria, most tobacco smoke, and pollutants released through sneezing.

o??High-quality, thick pleats filters trap and block as much as 98 percent of particles as small as 0.3 microns.

Benefits

o??It provides clean, healthy air with a higher filter efficiency and can capture smaller particles.

o??Protects HVAC equipment from small dust particles.

o??The higher MERV filters have higher resistance and are capable of fine filtering.

o??Improves the lifespan of your HVAC system.

Challenges

o??High static pressure makes the heating and cooling system inefficient or pleats so close together that the filter faces loads and needs to be changed much more frequently.

o??Increase the pressure in the duct system.?

o??Higher capacity filters may need a complete overhaul of the design during the retrofit of legacy HVAC systems.

o??Increase the energy use of the system leading to higher energy consumption.

o??Reduces the air flow causing comfort problems.

o??Possibility of freezing the air conditioner coil and potential damages to the compressor.?

3. Photohydroionization (PHI):?

Photohydroionization (PHI), a relatively new technology, uses a natural way of air purification by combining ultraviolet (UV) light with ionized hydrogen peroxide air purifiers. Phi purifies the air in correlation with UV rays from the sunlight and water vapor in the form of moisture. When the system reacts to ambient moisture, it creates Hydroperoxides, which are then ionized to make PHI even more effective.

Features

o??Using the fine mist of hydrogen peroxide cleans the indoor air by changing the chemical properties of the particles in the air.?

o??It treats indoor air, outdoor air, and contaminated water, often seen in commercial and industrial settings and homes.

o??It uses ionic oxidation to generate ionized hydrogen peroxide and superoxides.

o??UV lamps in PHI air purification are covered with proprietary quad-metallic and hydrophilic coating only to generate ions.?

o??Easily mountable into the air conditioning and heating systems air ducts and mostly compatible with all HVAC systems.?

Benefits

o??All ions produced are friendly, reverting to oxygen and water.

o??It reduces air pollutants such as gaseous contamination (odors and VOCs), bacteria, mold, and viruses.?

o??Popularly used in multiple countries globally.?

o??PHI technology neutralizes the virus on the surface and air.

o??It can be scaled to accommodate the various air flow rates of different HVAC systems.

Challenges

o??More studies are required in detail to understand long-term impacts.

o??Little effect on airborne particulates.

o??It offers a minimal improvement over mechanical filtration.

o??The viral effectiveness improvement diminishes as the filtration efficiency increases.

4. Air scrubbers:?

An emission control system purifies process air streams primarily in commercial and industrial applications. The two types are wet and dry air scrubbers, distributing negative ions bonding with airborne dust particles on any surface. A wet air scrubber uses the liquid solution, or air forces through a pool of water to pollutants. A dry scrubber uses a component to trap and dissolve unwanted contaminants. Many air scrubbers use filters to clean air that passes through any appliance or equipment.

Features

o??Adding additional filters offers higher efficiency levels.?

o??Add Pre-filters before the gas reaches the scrubbers to collect large particles.?

Benefits

o??Promote workplace safety and healthy atmospheric conditions within enclosed spaces.

o??Air scrubbers remove particles, gasses, or chemicals from an air source using one of two types of scrubbers and eliminating harmful chemicals from an air source.

o??Cost-effective air pollution control system and catches more than just airborne particles.

o??Tailored to specific contaminants.

o??Extended HVAC life and runs the system at peak efficiency levels.?

Challenges

o??If not maintained in good condition, air scrubbers can leave harmful VOCs and HOCs in the atmosphere.?

o??Costs are higher than regular air purifiers.?

o??Some heavy particles or pollutants may stick to the surfaces

o??Air scrubbers work best when doors and windows are closed.

In conclusion, the outbreak of the novel coronavirus has led to a renewed focus on the importance of indoor air quality. Each filter has its pros and cons, but when paired with suitable filters, air filtration can prevent microbes from circulating throughout the HVAC system, and all three are effective at helping improve indoor air quality. Combining the suitable methodology and maintenance techniques can offer a building and its occupants a healthier environment.

To know more about Denali Assets holistic approach to asset management to reduce the total cost of ownership of the assets, write to us at?[email protected]?or visit us at?www.denaliassets.co.in