New PM control technologies for indoor PM control

Kasper De Mulder

Outline
What is PM?
Definition Sources Consequences

How to control indoor PM?

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Introduction Study on air cleaning technologies Mechanical filtration Electrostatic precipitation Bipolar air ionization Performance measurement Combined technologies

What is PM?

What is PM? definition

Airborne particulate matter (PM) = small solid

particles and liquid droplets dispersed in our environment

Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) or Total Suspended

Particles (TSP) : da < 100m Inhalable Particles (namely PM10) : da < 10m Fine Particles (namely PM2.5) : da < 2.5m

Source: Yao Q., Li S.-Q., Xu H.-W., Zhuo J.-K., Song Q. (26-09-2010). Reprint of: Studies on formation and control of combustion particulate matter in China: A review

What is PM? definition

Size distribution [m]

of PM Various types of airborne particles

Source: Jisaac9 (30-09-2010). "Airborne particles are commonly either biological contaminants, particulate contaminants, gaseous contaminants, or dust.". (25-10-2013) https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/47/Airborne-particulate-size-chart.jpg

What is PM? sources

Outdoor polluted air goes inside Indoor pollution sources
E.g. Candle burning, onion frying, incense stick burning,

smoking, hair spraying, hair drying, vacuuming & boiling

Mean values
Source: Glytsos T., Ondrcek J., Dzumbov L., Kopanakis I., Lazaridis M. (11-01-2010). "Characterization of particulate matter concentrations during controlled indoor activities"

What is PM? sources

Measured size distributions with model results.

Source: Glytsos T., Ondrcek J., Dzumbov L., Kopanakis I., Lazaridis M. (11-01-2010). "Characterization of particulate matter concentrations during controlled indoor activities

What is PM? consequences

Impact on human health, visibility, local meteorology,

climate change, (cf. previous presentations) Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) due to bad indoor air quality Typical for PM pollution: respiratory symptoms such as wheezing and coughing Control of indoor PM is important in order to prevent/reduce these consequences

How to control indoor PM?

How to control indoor PM? introduction

Source control: eliminate source or reduce emission

Most effective strategy Ventilation: exchange air between inside and outside
General ventilation: by way of infiltration, natural or

mechanical ventilation Localized ventilation: by way of exhaust fans Should be evaluated carefully where there may be outdoor sources of pollutants
Air cleaning: several technologies available

Widest applied technique for particle removal.

Should be combined by either method, no substitute!
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Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency (August 2009). "Residential Air Cleaners 2nd edition"

How to control indoor PM? introduction

Source control

E.g. smoke outside, adjust combustion appliances, Ventilation

General ventilation

Localized ventilation

E.g. new homes can be equipped with HVAC system

to bring outdoor air into the home,
Air cleaning

E.g. local air purifiers, integrated in a HVAC system,

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Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency (August 2009). "Residential Air Cleaners 2nd edition"

How to control indoor PM? Study on air cleaning technologies

Study: >250 peer-reviewed papers, conference papers &

technical reports on modern air cleaning methods Result: several kinds of classification of air cleaning technologies
Functional principle: physical, physicochemical- & electronic

processes (+variations thereof) Contaminant(s) being treated: filtration (PMx & microbial), electrostatic precipitation (PMx & microbial), reaction with charged species (PMx & VOCs*), sorption onto solid sorbents (VOCs) & reaction with oxygen species (VOCs) Local or central
* Volatile organic compounds Source: Kadribegovic R., Ekberg L., Fahln P. (22-08-2008). "Air cleaning technologies Function requirements and energy efficiency"

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How to control indoor PM? Study on air cleaning technologies

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Source: Kadribegovic R., Ekberg L., Fahln P. (22-08-2008). "Air cleaning technologies Function requirements and energy efficiency"

How to control indoor PM? Study on air cleaning technologies

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Source: Kadribegovic R., Ekberg L., Fahln P. (22-08-2008). "Air cleaning technologies Function requirements and energy efficiency"

How to control indoor PM? mechanical filtration

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Source: Kadribegovic R., Ekberg L., Fahln P. (22-08-2008). "Air cleaning technologies Function requirements and energy efficiency

How to control indoor PM? mechanical filtration

Most common and most mature

technology for PM control Both central (HVAC) systems and stand-alone fan-filter units Particles collected due to sticking or electrostatic charge Higher efficiency implies higher pressure drop higher energy cost for fans Replace filters frequently due to lowered air quality & increased pressure drop

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Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency (August 2009). "Residential Air Cleaners 2nd edition"

How to control indoor PM? mechanical filtration

Two major types:
Flat or Panel filters: e.g. glass fibers, animal hair, synthetic fibers,

wool, electret, Pleated or extended surface filter: generally more efficient, increased surface area, reduced air velocity & smaller fibers. E.g. fiber mats, bonded glass fibers, synthetic fibers,
High efficiency particulate air

(HEPA) filters are a type of extended surface filter:

Removes 99.97% of particles

with da 0.4m (of passing air) Three mechanisms: interception, impact & diffusion
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Source: LadyofHats (13-08-2008). "Diagram showing the main parts of a HEPA filter on the large diagram". (25-08-2013) https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b1/HEPA_Filter_diagram_en.svg

How to control indoor PM? electrostatic precipitation

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Source: Kadribegovic R., Ekberg L., Fahln P. (22-08-2008). "Air cleaning technologies Function requirements and energy efficiency"

How to control indoor PM? electrostatic precipitation

Most common electric air cleaner Both central (HVAC) systems and

stand-alone fan-filter units Two major types:

One-stage (top figure): less

expensive but also less effective Two-stage (lower figure): separate ionization section and collecting plate section. Minimizes ozone production
Charged particles supplied to indoor

air are potential health risk Cleaning the collector plates is essential to maintaining adequate performance.
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Sources: 1. Air Clean Co. "Single stage air clean ESP". (25-10-2013) http://www.aircleancompany.com/Air_Clean_ESP_files/image015.jpg 2. Mason E. (18-07-2012). "The electrostatic precipitator". (25-08-2013) https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/52/Electrostatic_precipitator.svg

How to control indoor PM? bipolar air ionization

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Source: Kadribegovic R., Ekberg L., Fahln P. (22-08-2008). "Air cleaning technologies Function requirements and energy efficiency

How to control indoor PM? bipolar air ionization

Simplest electric air cleaner Mostly stand-alone fan-filter units

in the form of tabletop, portable and ceiling mounted units Like ESPs risk of ozone generation. No proof of effect on SBS Ionized particles hold to nearby surfaces e.g. walls, furniture, or combine with other particles and settle on room surfaces

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Source: Gorczyca J., Jacobs M., Kowalski N., Rodrigo R.D. (31-08-2004). "Foraminous filter for use in air ionizer". (25-10-2013) http://www.freepatentsonline.com/6785114-0-large.jpg

How to control indoor PM? Performance measurement

Portable air cleaners: CADR*

ratings developed by AHAM**

CADR is a measurement that

symbolizes the amount of polluted air that would be replaced by the same amount of clean air each minute It allows you to compare different kinds of devices/brands AHAM provides a complete listing of all certified cleaners with their CADR values at www.cadr.org
* Clean air delivery rate

** Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers . Recognised by Environmental Protection Agency as an official certification body

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Source: AHAM (2005). AHAM verifide. (25-10-2013) http://ahamverifide.org/search-for-products/room-air-cleaners/

How to control indoor PM? Performance measurement

Mechanical air filter: MERV* ratings (ranging from 1 to 20)

developed by ASHRAE**
Flat or penal air filter: MERV of 1 to 4 mostly used to protect

HVAC equipment Pleated or extended surface filters: medium efficiency filters with MERV of 5 to 13, high efficiency filters with MERV of 14 to 16 and HEPA filters with MERV of 17 to 20 Filters with a MERV between 7 and 13 are likely to be nearly as effective as true HEPA filters
Electric air cleaners: no standard measurement.
May remove small particles, but may be ineffective in removing

large particles. Electronic air cleaners can produce ozonea lung irritant
* Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value

**American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers Sources: United States Environmental Protection Agency (August 2009). "Residential Air Cleaners 2nd edition Kadribegovic R., Ekberg L., Fahln P. (22-08-2008). "Air cleaning technologies Function requirements and energy efficiency

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How to control indoor PM? combined technologies

Improved air cleaning due to

combination of different technologies:

Pre-filter: largest particles HEPA filter: dust, allergens and

other solid particles (including bacteria) Carbon filter: odors, VOCs and chemicals that other filters cannot filter Photocatalytic Oxidation Filter: chemical molecules, bacteria and odor-causing compounds UV Lamp: micro-organisms, such as germs, viruses, fungi (such as mold) and bacteria Ionizer: floating pollutants such as dust, bacteria, etc

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Source: Carol A. James (18-08-2012). "How the Surround S5000 Works". (25-10-2013) http://www.inspiredliving.com/surroundair-ionizers/images/s5000-how-it-works.jpg

Questions?

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