A Robust and Low-cost Technology for Risk Mitigation of Pathogenic Infection in HVAC Systems

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This project develops an innovative technology to entrap and destroy pathogens suspended in the air in ventilated buildings. Several infectious germs, such as coronavirus and influenza, may travel in the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system while encapsulated in minute droplets. The HVAC ducts can serve as conduits for the circulation and spread of infectious diseases in the building. Further, all HVAC filters entrap and accumulate microbes to the extent that depends on the filter specification and filter replacement frequency. Accumulation of microbes in the filter can turn the filter into a breeding ground for fungi and bacteria, making the filter a biologically hazardous object. Hence, the filter disposal may become hazardous unless a safe disposal protocol is followed to minimize the risks. Also, any change or disturbance in the airflow may release some of the microbes into the environment. In the past, Ultraviolet (UV) light has been employed to reduce biological contaminants in the air. However, the installation of existing technology in the HVAC system is not easily possible and is limited by the HVAC system's design. For more conventional HVAC systems such as duct-based systems, installing such units is often costly and labour-intensive. Hence, such units are seldom used in HVAC systems outside the healthcare buildings. This project develops a compact and economical device that works based on entrapping microbes by the HVAC filters and inactivating them by heating. The aim is to conduct proof of concept tests, build the prototype, develop efficient, optimal and cost-effective units, and advance guidelines for the geometries/configurations, materials, operations, and specifications. All ventilated buildings such as hospitals/clinics, high-rises, and care facilities can benefit from this technology. The technology can eliminate the microbes effectively and can easily be installed in existing and new HVAC systems. Calculations indicate more efficient microbial inactivation than existing UV technologies at a fraction of the cost. The technology is expected to be commercialized by the industrial partner.