Active Pure Technology OverviewUnovus provides unique, state of the art environmental products to solve many
of the biological, chemical and particulate problems faced in the indoor environment. We call
our unique method of air purification Active Pure, in recognition of the technologies ability to
reach out and purify the entire environment, not just the air flowing through our device. We
often use the analogy of taking the “Solution to the Pollution, verses the more traditional
technologies such as filtration and UVGI which require the “Pollution to come to the Solution”.
Active Pure technologies include our unique Photocatalytic Oxidation (PCO) process based upon
technology used by NASA to purify the air in space, as well as two types of ionization.
Certified Space Technology
Unovus Environmental is proud to be recognized by the Space Foundation and their partners at
NASA for using technology developed for space and adapting it for residential and commercial
applications. Unovus Radiant Catalytic Ionization Technology has far reaching implications for
health and safety. The technology consists of a proprietary Photocatalytic system using a
combination of high-intensity UV light and Titanium plus three additional rare metals bound in a
hydrophilic base material. The result is a very effective system to purify the air and reduce
microbial contamination on surfaces. The basis of this unique technology was developed at the
University of Wisconsin and funded by NASA and the Center for Indoor Air Research (CIAR).
NASA’s interest stemmed from a challenge with plant growth experiments. Plants give off
ethylene gas, which builds up in the enclosed environment of the Space Station. Just like
humans giving off carbon dioxide which is harmful to human life at elevated levels, so is
ethylene gas harmful to plants at elevated levels. The technology, a UV/Titanium Photocatalytic
reactor, helped plants successfully grow to maturity on the Space Station. Unovus has
transformed NASA's efforts into a commercial VOC gas and airborne/surface pathogen removal
system which also extends the life of perishable products. The Space Foundation’s Certified
Space Technology program is a cooperative effort to help increase public awareness of, and
support for, the civil, commercial and national security use of space technology.
This Photocatalytic system powered by ultraviolet light of three different wavelengths takes
oxygen and the natural humidity found in air enhanced to create a host of “Friendly Oxidizers”.
These are oxidizers that are based on oxygen and hydrogen and revert back to harmless carbon
dioxide and water after they oxidize. No chemicals are involved and therefore no chemical
residue remains.
The main oxidizers created directly be the cell are:
- Hydroxyl Radicals (OH)
- Vapor Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2)
- Super Oxides (O2-)
- Low Level Ozone (O3)
In addition, the system creates a non-thermal plasma which permeate throughout the ventilated
space, creating additional advanced oxidation products in the environment.
This state of the art technology may be as significant an advance in infection control as the
development of antibiotics. Radiant Catalytic Ionization™ (RCI) Infection and Mold Control
Technology makes new infection control strategies possible, cost-effective, and efficient for
government, businesses, medical facilities, educational institutions, mass transportation, and the
hospitality industry.
So far RCI has demonstrated the ability to safely disinfect each virus, bacteria, mold, and fungus
against which it has been applied. Also, independent studies conducted by Kansas State
University and the University of Cincinnati have proven this advanced oxidation process to be
effective against the H5N8 Avian virus, Methycillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA),
Streptococcus, E-Coli, Listeria, Candida, Pseudomonas, Bacillus Subtilis, and Stachybotrys
Chartarum (Black Mold). These University tests have shown that RCI technology can disinfect
at least 96.4% and as much as 99.99% of surface-contaminating and airborne viruses and
bacteria within the first 24 hours after installation.
Further, Dr. Marsden of Kansas State University had this to say based on his research: “After
the first 24 hrs exposure, any new microbe reduction is virtually instantaneous.” Complete
university test results are available and can be viewed at http://www.unovus.com/lang-en/yanadaj/novus-air-test-results-are-in “We’ve used the technology at many sites damaged by Hurricane Rita to remove extensive Black
Mold contamination,” said Alton Holt, President of Hi-Tech Air & Water Purification, an
environmental remediation company using RCI technology. “It’s amazing to watch the
technology turn a quarter inch deep colony of black mold into powder, or to see it kill mold
inside insulation.”
Hydrogen PeroxideOne of the main oxidizers created by the RCI Infection and Mold Control Technology is
Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2), effective against microbes both in the air and on surfaces. RCI
creates 0.02 parts per million (ppm) of hydrogen peroxide gas from the oxygen and humidity
already in the air. The hydrogen peroxide gas is then supplied to the protected area where it
diffuses everywhere air goes, disinfecting microbes in places that other technologies can’t even
reach. The hydrogen peroxide molecules have both localized positive and negative charges; they
are literally drawn to viruses and bacteria by electro-static attraction. Microbes don’t have much
of a chance against RCI systems.
The hydrogen peroxide gas is odorless and safe to use in occupied areas. According to OSHA, 1
part per million of hydrogen peroxide gas is safe throughout the workday. RCI uses one fiftieth
of that amount. It has also shown that it can reduce ozone concentrations in incoming air.
Hydrogen peroxide gas reacts with ozone to produce oxygen and water vapor.
Since most people have used hydrogen peroxide at one time or another to disinfect a cut or
scrape, they should feel comfortable knowing that they can be protected by minute amounts of
hydrogen peroxide gas in the air – just one hydrogen peroxide molecule for every ten million
oxygen molecules.
Hydroxyl RadicalAnother key oxidizer created by Radiant Catalytic Oxidation is Hydroxyl Radicals. The
hydroxyl radical (OH) is an extremely aggressive oxidizer that neutralizes airborne contaminants
and biological and chemical odors within milliseconds, converting them to harmless carbon
dioxide and water vapor.
This hydroxyl radical is catalytically formed when broad-spectrum ultraviolet light with
wavelengths of 185 nanometers, 254 nanometers and 375 nanometers in the presence of oxygen
and water vapor combine with a titanium catalyst. Oxygen molecules are broken up into
individual oxygen atoms that recombine with the hydrogen in the water molecules to form OHº.
The OHº attacks carbon and hydrogen based contaminants converting them to carbon dioxide or
water.
OzoneOzone has been around since the late 1800’s and has been used extensively in Europe as a
disinfectant. It is also widely being used in the United States for municipal potable water
treatment, swimming pools and spas, odor and bacteria control, and many other airborne
disinfecting functions. Ozone is widely used in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
industry for duct cleaning and disinfection, where it is very effective against mold, mildew,
odors, bacteria and Legionnaire’s Disease. Municipal sewage plants use ozone to destroy sewer
gases and odor control. The hotel industry has recognized its benefits as a room sanitizer, and its
ability to permanently remove smoke odors. The food industry also utilizes ozone for mold,
mildew, fungi and bacteria control on food products. All of the above uses of ozone have one
thing in common, they are all commercial uses requiring operator training and caution on
excessive dosages of ozone.
Ozone has been successfully used in residences for many years by professional cleaning services,
duct cleaning and disaster restoration companies. These professionals utilize relatively high
dosages of ozone to disinfect a sick house, destroy mold, mildew, fungi or smoke from fire
damage. Dosages in the 1 to 5 ppm range are typically used for this purpose; however, with
dosages this high, the house has to be evacuated. For many years, it was believed that ozone
levels had to be over 1 ppm to be effective. Recent research by Dr. James Marsden of Kansas
State University has found that while it is true that the level of 1 ppm to 5 ppm is necessary for
sick buildings or professional disinfection, and at these levels the rooms must be evacuated, it is
also true that low level, or passive ozonation, when combined with Photo Catalytic Oxidation
indoor air can drastically reduce airborne contaminants such as bacteria, fungi and mold in
addition to odor control. Let’s digress and discuss the basics of ozone:
- Ozone, first discovered in 1840, received its name from the Greek work "Ozein", which means to smell.
- Ozone is produced when oxygen molecules (O2) are split into two oxygen atoms (O1) while in the presence of other oxygen molecules. These oxygen atoms (O1) then combine with molecular oxygen (O2) to yield ozone (O3). Ozone is always present in the Earth’s atmosphere.
- Ozone is generated naturally by short-wave solar ultraviolet radiation, and appears in our upper atmosphere (ozonosphere) in the form of a gas. Ozone also may be produced naturally by passing an electrical discharge such as lightning through oxygen.
- Ozone’s third atom, the loosely held or "unstable" atom, has a strong tendency to break away and attach itself to other substances. While the original ozone molecule reverts back to O2, the loose molecule attaches itself to a new host substance and oxidizes it.
- Ozone has been, perhaps, the most misunderstood "tool" available to both the scientist and HVAC contractor. Partly due to the abuse of both the technology and the marketing,
- Ozone in the United States has not been properly deployed.
- OSHA and the FDA have established limits or at least "levels" that are not only safe, but through extensive investigation, proven effective in the reduction of over 90% of airborne and surface molds, bacteria, fungus and pathogens.
The Photo Catalytic Oxidation (PCO) process provides safe organic oxidation without elevated
ozone levels. A soft ozone is created. The PCO process even has the ability to reduce ozone
levels up to 50% while creating hydroxyl radicals and super oxide ions as shown in the equation
below.
H2O + O3 + UVC = OHO
In addition, the photolysis of ozone (O3) in the 200-280 nm region (UVC) leading to the
generation of Hydroxyl Radicals, the formation of Hydrogen Peroxide also occurs*:
O3 + h → O2 + O(1D)
O(1D) + H2O → [HO•…•OH] → H2O2
H2O2 + h → 2 •OH
where the square brackets in the second reaction represent a solvent cage in which almost all the
hydroxyl radical pairs combine to form H2O2 within the cage. The UV/O3 process has been used
commercially, particularly in the treatment of clear ground waters.
* Courtesy of Bolton Photosciences Inc.
To summarize this section on ozone:
• Ozone is deemed safe at levels below .05ppm per the US EPA & OSHA
• RCI PCO technology generates a very low-level of ozone when properly deployed, below
.04 ppm and typically under .02 ppm
• The PCO process actually breaks down the ozone molecule and forms two very powerful
oxidizers, Hydroxyl Radicals and Hydrogen Peroxide, reducing the ozone level by as
much as 50%
Ultraviolet Germicidal InactivationIn addition to the profound sterilizing effects of the hydroxyl radical and vaporous hydrogen
peroxide, it should be noted that there is also a benefit provided by the ultraviolet light source
which powers the Photocatalytic reaction. Many studies have been done illustrating the
sterilizing effects of 254-nanometer ultraviolet light. Food processing plants and hospitals have
used UV light for many years to control environmental contamination. Also, UV light has been
shown to control airborne tuberculosis, which recently has been making a comeback. We are also
harnessing the beneficial effects of UV light by circulating the air to be treated by the UV light
source.
UVc germicidal light as been used for decades in the medical and food industries to kill bacteria.
While UVc light successfully kills bacteria, it only does so when it is in direct contact with the
light rays, and UVc has little or no effect on odors. The combination of UVc light rays and the
ozone which it creates, along with moisture and a Photo Catalyst creates a hydroxyl radical,
which is even more powerful and many times faster than ozone as an oxidizer as well as vapor
hydrogen peroxide. Extensive media investigations have shown that responsible deployment of
ozone/hydroxyl radicals/Vapor Hydrogen Peroxide in occupied space (human and animal) will
reduce the circulation and distribution of dangerous airborne contaminates.
Combination of UVc Light Rays and a Photo Catalyst to create Ozone, Hydroxyl Radicals, & Vapor Hydrogen PeroxideOzone/Hydroxyl Radical/Vapor Hydrogen Peroxide injection is relatively simple.
In addition to the creation of Hydroxyl Radicals, Hydrogen Peroxide and
low level Ozone, ions are emitted to aid in dust and ultra-fine particle
removal. This process is known as "catalytic oxidation". The free electrons
emitted from the catalytic surface combine with oxygen and other molecules to create ions that
attract and conglomerate particles.
Unovus in conjunction with our Technology Partners developed the RCI system
over a four-year period, testing it on numerous locations to assure the system will not generate
ozone levels exceeding .04 ppm, with typical installations under .02 ppm.
RCI based In-Duct units install in a matter of minutes. The first thing a duct-mounted unit does
is sanitize the air ducts, which are often the source of disease and allergies in a facility because
they are contaminated with viruses, bacteria, mold, and other fungi. RCI systems are also more
economical than competing technologies. A duct-mounted unit designed to protect up to 40,000
cubic feet draws less than 25 watts (1/4 amp) of electricity and requires maintenance only once
every 24 months.
RCI Technology is also fully scalable. More than half a dozen different configurations are
already in production, from systems compact enough to protect a small room, or install in a selfcontained heating and cooling unit, to those designed to protect up to 80,000 cubic feet.
Indoor air pollution is now ranked as the nation’s number one environmental health problem by
the EPA and Congress. Sick building stories are commonplace, and asthma cases are increasing
at an alarming rate. The need for safe, responsible indoor air purification technologies is real.
Using soft ozone/hydroxyl radicals responsibly is one of the preferred technologies.
SummaryThe use of Radiant Catalytic Ionization systems in occupied areas offers us the following
benefits:
- Elimination of household odors.
- Less colds and flu’s, which are usually caught by indoor air transfer of germs and viruses.
- Lower incidents of food poisoning or food spoilage.
- Longer shelf life of foods.
- Reduction of mold & bacteria from the air and surfaces.
- Lower particle counts, including ultra-fine particles which are typically unaffected by filtration.
- Reduction of indoor air pollution for better quality of air.
We breathe in approximately 23,000 times a day and intake 435 cubic feet of air per day.
Wouldn’t it be nice if it was clean air!
Yanadaj Sirinukoonchorn presents
Air Purifier: 07/2009 posted at
Air Purifier.