AiroCide^® Air Purifying Technology

The AiroCide® Air Purifying Technology was proven to kill 99.999987% of Bacillus thuringiensis, a close cousin to the anthrax bacteria, in a single pass through its reactor

The technology is based on revolutionary research from NASA, University of Wisconsin (UW), and Wisconsin Center for Space Automation and Robotics (WCSAR), developed originally for the NASA space program.

AiroCide Air Purifying systems use a patented technology that kills more than 99.99% of airborne pathogens that pass through its processor. This NASA-developed technology is the only air treatment system that after killing the microorganism it comes in contact with completely mineralizes (destroys) them, converting them to carbon dioxide and water vapor.

Photocatalytic Oxidation (PCO)

The technology used in AiroCide Air Purifiers combines two known pathogen-killing techniques, Photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) and ultraviolet light to destroy harmful airborne microbes.

Among other bacteria, fungi and viruses, photocatalytic oxidation technology kills airborne Lactobacillus, which can be a problem in wine, beer and other beverage and food processing facilities.

The oxidant used in PCO is the oxygen that makes up 20% of our air. Because the concentration of oxygen in air is so much larger than the (total) concentration of gaseous indoor air pollutants, it is not necessary to employ additional oxidants such as ozone (O3) or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The systems produce no ozone and are not filtering systems.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is the photocatalyst used. A unique process is used to create the patented TiO2 formula that coats the catalyst material. When this material is irradiated with the ultraviolet photons from the lamps inside, hydroxyl radicals and super-oxide ions are formed. These elements will oxidize (reduce to trace elements of carbon dioxide and water) volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) adsorbed on the catalyst surface. They will also kill and decompose airborne pathogens. Because the organic material is completely oxidized by this process, the photocatalytic reactor is self-cleaning relative to organic material on the catalyst surface.


The History of PCO

PCO has gained attention in recent years as an approach to treat gaseous pollutants and microbes. Over the past quarter century, construction practices have favored the design of tight buildings to reduce energy costs of conditioning the indoor air. However, without sufficient ventilation, the concentration of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can be increased. Indoor air contamination by undesired VOCs is a possible causative agent of the sick building syndrome

The Photocatalytic Oxidation process

The first published report of photoreactivity (the precursor to PCO) was made in 1921. However, photocatalysis studies only began in in 1971. These studies provided the early vision for numerous potential applications of PCO. Studies involving gas phase PCO are relatively few in number compared with the published studies of the photocatalytic treatment of compounds in aqueous media. However, there is increasing interest in gas-solid PCO because of the potential application to contaminant control in indoor environments including residences, office buildings, factories, aircraft, and spacecraft.

The AiroCide Difference

AiroCide air purifiers provide healthy air 24 hours a day.

Numerous air "filtering" products claim to clean your air. Some of these filtering products are partially effective, but all are limited when compared to the AiroCide air purifying technology. According to the May 2005 issue of Consumer Reports, most of traditional air cleaners not only don't clean the air, they also expose you to potentially harmful ozone levels. Filtration technologies, even HEPAs, are old technology and only address a small part of the problem. In fact, 99% of harmful airborne bio-particles are not filterable.

The system works in conjunction with your existing HVAC system. Most HEPA filter systems capture some airborne particles, but they are noisy and consume lots of energy. AiroCide is not a filtering system. Its air purification process works through a unique combination of ultraviolet light and photocatalysis to destroy almost all bacteria, viruses, mold, fungi, spores, dust mites, and VOCs that pass through the unit.

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