Air purification and decontamination

Decontamination means the removal of microorganisms from the air. Decontamination efficiency is defined as the ratio between the number of living microorganisms at the unit outlet to the number of microorganisms at the unit inlet (Eff_decont = (1 – C_out/С_in)*100%). However, air decontamination can be performed by direct bactericidal action, as well as by trapping microorganisms on filters. Inactivation, on the other hand, reflects the destruction of microorganisms captured on filters. Inactivation efficiency is defined as the speed of microorganism death (destruction, loss of propagation ability) on the filters. It is defined  as the ratio of the number of living microorganisms on the filter before bactericidal action to the number of living microorganisms after bactericidal action, over a specified time span (Eff_inact = (1 – С_end/С_start)*100%

Due to active HEPA filtering, Tion equipment achieves a high filtration class (H11 – H14); however Tion filters have a lower pressure drop, feature higher dust-capturing capacity, better mechanical robustness, and a much cheaper than regular fabric or paper HEPA filters. Additionally, the Tion active filtering process not only removes particles and microorganisms, but also inactivates, that is destroys, microorganisms captured on the filters. Thus, Tion replacement elements always stay sterile and do not require special disposal. Passive (regular) HEPA filters do not inactivate the microorganisms, which means they accumulate on the filters during use, thus impairing the ventilation system’s general biocontainment. Tion active HEPA filtering also removes harmful gases and smells, which sets the Tion active filters apart from regular HEPA filters.

The main problem of recirculation units and ducted UV decontamination units is the lack of microorganism filtration (capture).The lack of filtration significantly reduces the decontamination efficiency of such devices, since the microorganism passes the UV lamp within a second, and the radiation exposure is often insufficient for its inactivation (especially when taking into account the difference in lethal UV dosage required for different microorganisms). Additionally, UV lamps contain mercury, which enters the room if the lamp is damaged, and poisons patients and staff; UV lamps require a special and expensive disposal procedure, routine account logging, as well as regular cleaning and calibration. Tion active HEPA filtering technology is free of all these disadvantages, which makes it more effective, simple and cost-efficient.

It is true that a photocatalytic unit can inactivate microorganisms captured on the catalyst’s surface. However, in reality, existing photocatalytic units have a low rate of capturing (filtering) microorganisms, and a significant number of microorganisms pass through this unit. Hence, it has a low decontamination rate. Many manufacturers avoid this problem by installing devices that have a high capture (filtration) class before the photocatalytic units. But in this case it should be understood that the majority of microorganisms will settle on the filters and remain active, thus not entering the photocatalytic unit and not being inactivated. Thus, existing photocatalytic units either lack inactivation on the filters, which is contrary to SanPiN requirements, or have a low filtration (and air decontamination) efficiency. Additionally, photocatalytic units always contain UV lamps, and this significantly increases power consumption and maintenance service costs. The Tion active HEPA filtering technology is free of these disadvantages, since they always provide high-efficiency filtration in accordance with the regulations, and also inactivate microorganisms on the filters. At the same time, Tion units do not contain UV lamps, which significantly reduces equipment maintenance costs.

The presence of an electrostatic aerosol charging module in Tion units, means that high filtration classes are achieved using a cheap, highly porous, nonwoven polypropylene-based material, instead of an expensive, dense fiberglass material, used in regular fabric and paper HEPA filters. These filters are our company secret and are produced with our own equipment. Ultimately, the Tion replacement filters feature a lower pressure drop, higher dust capacity, and lower operation expenses than standard passive HEPA filters.

A significant volume of air supply is needed (up to 10 000 m3/h for each room). If these volumes of air are fed directly from the outside, it requires significant motor power consumption for heating all this air volume in the winter and cooling it in the summer. This is why air recirculation within one room is allowed, providing that the minimum outdoor air volume is supplied according sanitation standards. The rest of the air can be recirculated (taken directly from the room in use) and processed using high efficiency filters (H11-H14). Thus, a ventilation system’s efficiency can be improved by using air recirculation, with decontamination and purification.

«Aeroservice» LLC, Tion Group
Address: 20 Inzhenernaya Street, Novosibirsk, Russia, 630090.

If you want to become an authorized dealer for Tion medical equipment, please call ✆ +7 (495) 221-53-79 or leave a Message.