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Here is an example of how two companies are collaborating during this COVID-19 crisis to bring their respective expertise to a potential solution for sustaining life in our increasingly complex world.
Germicidal UV light has the potential to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and prevent future pandemics if successfully tested and integrated into HVAC duct systems.
Germicidal UV Light OVERVIEW: To prevent the future spread of viruses such as COVID-19 at hospitals, schools, offices, and other commercial facilities, ultraviolet (UV) light has the proven capability to kill airborne pathogens. Purge Virus focuses on the integration of UV light into HVAC ducts to sterilize the air and create safer environments for Americans as well as people around the world. The market challenge to date has been the upfront expense of the equipment and the ongoing labor and equipment costs to maintain the systems.
Purge Virus is a collaboration started by two Pennsylvania companies that each bring expertise to solve the pressing issue of life safety in a pandemic landscape, following the outbreak of COVID-19. The key for the R&D is to determine the most appropriate form factor and the UV density levels needed to secure virus free environments based on different type of air handling and duct systems. Successful deployments will involve a combination of HVAC air flow and analytics services at each location as well as the UV hardware and software to monitor air quality and the impact of germicidal UV light.
Independence LED Lighting (https://independenceled.com/) is a leading US manufacturer of light-emitting diode (LED) technology with ten years of experience in producing the industry leading 10 year warranty technology. Independence will adapt and scale its proven linear module system to incorporate germicidal UV light diodes and reduce costs for facility owners and managers relative to other technology that is currently on the market.
OptikW (https://energyintelligencecenter.com/optikw/) is the software platform of the Energy Intelligence Center, which specializes in HVAC system optimization. The OptikW team will play a key role in the design process as well as the ongoing services and training of installation channel partners for each implementation of the germicidal UV light systems. Since OptikW provides performance-based energy savings on HVAC systems, property owners and managers can choose to bundle solutions with $0 or low upfront cost options to benefit from energy savings and safety.
Where to Start: Purge Virus expects to begin by focusing on the education market, because it is particularly vulnerable for the spread of disease such as COVID-19, given the proximity of students to each other at the K-12 level and at colleges and universities. K-12 students can also carry infections home to infect parents as well as grandparents. Purge irus also expects to expand the benefits of germicidal UV light by engaging with collaboration partners that have expertise in servicing market verticals such as education, healthcare, hospitality, office, retail, multi-family, industrial, government facilities and others in the US and around the world.
FORM FACTOR Consideration – HVAC Duct Integration for Germicidal UV Light
These are samples of Purge Virus form factors for schools and commercial properties to integrate germicidal UV light via linear modules into duct systems for maximum benefit to kill pathogens such as COVID-19. The R&D will determine the length of modules needed based on the cubic feet per minute of air circulating through the ducts and the configuration of ducts and return/supply air systems at different facility types and HVAC configurations.
Germicidal UV Light RESEARCH
Sample research on UV Lights for HVAC Integration
Ultraviolet lights were shown to kill mold, viruses and bacteria more than 100 years ago. In 1903, Niels Finsen was given the Noble Prize in Medicine for using UV to effectively treat patients with skin infections.
Today, UV lights are used for germicidal use in hospitals, restaurants and grocery stores. Germicidal UV light has been shown effective in killing sterilizing an HVAC system. Here are two examples:
1). Germicidal UV light study: In 2012, a study at Duke University Medical Center showed that UV lights killed 97% of bacteria that were resistant to antibiotics, the so-called superbug bacteria that are the toughest to kill.
2). Germicidal UV light study: The Journal of Applied and Environmental Biology reported in 2001 that germicidal UV radiation significantly reduces airborne fungi in air handling units.
See more research on Germicidal UV light.
