Photocatalytic Cabin IAQ System to Eliminate Viruses Encountered in a Conditioned Space
2022-01-0221
03/29/2022
- Content
- In a photocatalytic air purifier system, the catalyst that cleans the air is typically titanium dioxide and it is energized by ultraviolet (UV) light. When UV light shines on the titanium dioxide, electrons (negatively charged particles inside atoms) are released at its surface. The electrons interact with water molecules (H2O) in the air, breaking them up into hydroxyl radicals (OH·), which are highly reactive, short-lived, uncharged forms of hydroxide ions (OH−). These small, agile hydroxyl radicals then attack bigger organic (carbon-based like virus) pollutant molecules, breaking apart their chemical bonds and turning them into harmless substances such as carbon dioxide and water. The author has been conducting research in these systems for the past 4 years to eliminate living organic germs, bacteria; pathogen, etc. from the cabin air. An HVAC system has been developed by using a filter impregnated by titanium di-oxide (TiO2) with UV lights to improve and maintain cabin air quality. The designed system can be used for conventional vehicles, EVs, ride sharing and for autonomous vehicles. The author has designed and constructed a 3rd generation HVAC unit for cabin air purification for automobiles that is based on UV photocatalytic process by using UV-C LEDs to eliminate viruses that typically exist in conditioned space. The author has conducted tests with multiple viruses and bacteria (i) Bacillus Globigii: Virus - influenza; (ii) Phi-174: DNA, Herpes and HIV; (iii) Aspergillus Niger: Mold spore (Black mold); (iv) Staph Epidermititus: Infections in wounds (Anthrax); (v) Erwinia Herbicola: Bacteria (Infection in soil and water). Percentage destruction rates for the above viruses and bacteria at 15, 30, 45 and 60 minute intervals are presented in this paper.
- Citation
- Mathur, G., "Photocatalytic Cabin IAQ System to Eliminate Viruses Encountered in a Conditioned Space," SAE Technical Paper 2022-01-0221, 2022, .