UV-LEDs Based Photocatalytic Cabin IAQ System to Eliminate Viruses Encountered in a Conditioned Space

Gursaran Mathur

doi:10.4271/2022-01-0196

The author has been conducting research on UV based photocatalytic air purifier systems for the past 5 years to eliminate living organic germs, bacteria, pathogens, etc. from the cabin air. An HVAC system has been developed by using a filter impregnated by titanium di-oxide (TiO₂) with UV lights to improve and maintain cabin air quality. The designed system can be used for conventional vehicles, EVs, ride sharing and for autonomous vehicles.

The author has designed and constructed a 3^rd generation HVAC unit for cabin air purification for automobiles that is based on UV photocatalytic process by using UV-C LEDs to eliminate viruses that typically exist in conditioned space. The author has conducted tests with the following viruses and bacteria that are typically encountered in a conditioned environment:

(i)
Staph Epidermititus: Infections in wounds (Anthrax)
(ii)
Erwinia Herbicola: Bacteria (Infection in soil and water)
(iii)
MS2: RNA, COVID-19
(iv)
Phi-174: DNA, Herpes and HIV
(v)
Bacillus Globigii: Virus - influenza
(vi)
Aspergillus Niger: Mold spore (Black mold)

Percentage destruction rates for the above viruses and bacteria at 15, 30, 45 and 60 minute intervals are presented in this paper. The developed system is able to reduce the viruses by almost 99.99% (log 4 reductions) in first 15 minutes of unit operation. Aspergillus Niger destruction rates were lower - approx. 90.3% in 15 minutes (log 1 reduction). The developed system out performs the industry standard of log 4 reductions in 60 minutes! Using a UV-C and UV-A LED light sources with titanium dioxide filter makes this a unique application for automobile HVAC systems.

Additional tests have been planned in 2022 to ensure the developed system is able to eliminate Omicron, a variant of COVID-19.

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UV-LEDs Based Photocatalytic Cabin IAQ System to Eliminate Viruses Encountered in a Conditioned Space 2022-01-0196

SAE MOBILUS