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Sanuvox extends commercial warranty to 15 years for ballasts and 2 years for UV lamps

Sanuvox Technologies Inc. a provider of UV air sterilization systems for air and coil applications has extended the warranty of their commercial UV BioWall and UV IL-CoilClean commercial systems from a 5-year to a 15-year ballast warranty and the high-intensity UV lamp warranty has been extended to 2 years.

In 1995, the very first Sanuvox commercial UV air sterilization system was installed, 16 years later that same purification system is still in operation. For the past 16 years, Sanuvox has provided thousands of commercial UV air purifiers and coil cleaners showing exceptional reliability in many diverse environmental conditions around the world.

According to Normand Brais PhD., Founder and VP Engineering of Sanuvox Technologies,”We have always listened to our customers, to provide features and systems that address their needs. UV system reliability is of course one of the most important aspects of a UV installation and Sanuvox is very proud to stand behind our exceptional track-record by offering an industry first 15-year ballast and 2-year UV lamp warranty.” Dr. Brais goes onto saying, “At the heart of a Sanuvox UV system is a lamp and a ballast. If we can provide extended protection to the end-user at no-cost, that is one less thing they do not have to worry about and go on to enjoy the benefits of a well-designed UV system without worrying about the costs associated with a system failure.”

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The Myth of HEPA Filtration

High-Efficiency Particulate Air filters (HEPA) are commonly used to achieve a significant dust and particulate control. Hospitals and companies operating clean room fabrication labs use these types of filters to reduce the particulate contamination to acceptable levels. Properly installed and maintained HEPA filters undoubtedly reduce airborne contaminants. But this fact has spawned the myth that environments serviced by HEPA filters are free from contamination.

Like all filters, HEPA filters have an efficiency curve with a minimum in the range of 0.1- 0.3 μm. The particle removal efficiency for 0.3 μm particulate is 99.99%. However, reports1,2,3 show that as many as 50% of installed HEPA filters operate well below their theoretical efficiency due to:

  • incorrect installation resulting in air bypassing the filter bank
  • damage during the installation or service of the air handler, especially in settings where maintenance staff lack the specific training needed to maintain HEPA filters.
  • trapped viable organic matter (e.g. fungi, bacteria, mold) that has grown through the filters In many cases a combination of the above factors compromises the efficiency level of HEPA filters.

Another way to look at HEPA filter protection is to determine the particulate allowed to pass through the filter because of its inherent 0.01% inefficiency. Assume that conservatively the HEPA will be challenged with 10,000 particles in the size range of 0.1-0.3 micron per cubic foot of air every minute (cfm) and that this HEPA filter is rated at 1,000 cfm. This HEPA will allow 10,000 particles to pass through every minute or 14,400,000 every 24 hours of operation.

While it is possible to reduce or eliminate damage during filter installation with the implementation of training and good operational procedures, it is more difficult to deal with the problems presented by viable organic contamination. With the exception of high end cleanroom fabrication labs, many facilities using HEPA filters are not staffed with technicians who have the knowledge necessary to maintain the environment that HEPA filtration is designed to provide.

Air handlers equipped with HEPA filtration usually have both pre-filters and secondary filters upstream to protect the HEPA filters. This minimizes the load and improves the life of the more expensive HEPA filters. With this design larger particles entering the air handler are therefore removed before they reach the HEPA filter.

This filtration scenario works well until viable organic matter starts the growth process within the HVAC system. Conditioning coils, particularly the cooling coils, are ideal for culturing microorganisms. The constant temperatures, moisture and an abundant food source equate to laboratory conditions for growing and sustaining a multi-species microbial population4. Eventually these organisms will travel downstream and become entrapped by the HEPA filter.

Filters treated with an antibacterial preservative typically show less tendency to develop microbial growth5. Under ideal conditions for microbial growth the treatment will, at the best, delay the process.

It is one thing to stop a small inorganic dust particle but a completely different thing to stop a small living organism. The situation becomes even more cumbersome if moisture is finding its way to the filter. This establishes conditions on the filter media that are similarly ideal to the ones on the coil. Again, studies show that when filters are loaded with microbial growth and moisture, it is very likely that the same organisms can be found on the supply side of the filters7.

The picture shows a typical final filter located downstream from the cooling coil at a hospital. The organic growth on the upstream side of the filter is clearly visible as white and dark areas (see arrows). Condensation water coming off the coil virtually saturated the filter. Besides creating an ideal environment for organism growth, the water also increased the delta pressure across the filter adding 1″ (W.G.). It is quite clear that this filter has lost much of its protective properties and instead assumed a roll as an incubator of contamination. Unfortunately this situation is not rare and can be found in many air handlers varied environmental settings.

Severe contamination of the cooling coil and drain pans are the root cause of this condition. The contamination causes water and organisms to come off the coil surface and travel down to the final filter. Fouled and clogged drain pans act as a secondary reservoir for microbial growth.

Contaminated air handlers not only yield reduced filtration efficiency, they also may increase indoor air pollution. Studies of office buildings suggest that once filters are colonized with fungi, they produce Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that are offgassed, adding to indoor air quality problems6,7, especially for building occupants that are immune compromised or suffer from allergies.

Building owners who install VIGILAIR® Air Handler Protection Systems experience clean coils and drain pans. Coils are returned to their ‘as designed’ efficiency and drain pans work as intended instead of exacerbating the problem. Filters remain dry and free from viable organisms. Microorganisms captured by the dry filter will find it difficult to survive and reproduce.

In summation, the HEPA filter is the highest efficiency filter available for HVAC systems. Like all filters there exists a determinable inefficiency that belies the myth of the HEPA as an ‘absolute’ solution to airborne contamination removal. The presence of microbial matter within HVAC systems raises the bar for contamination control of conditioned environments.

VIGILAIR® is a proven, highly effective system that provides an uncontaminated air handler environment. High efficiency Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) ensures that cooling coils are completely free from organic growth. VIGILAIR® UVGI compatible filters allow UVGI exposure of the filter surfaces which ensures inactivation of any organisms trapped on the filter surface.

References

  1. Michele R. Evans, David K. Henderson, Infection Control in the Healthcare industry in the 21stCentury, Hospital Engineering & Facilities Management 2005, Issue 2 pp. 58-62
  2. Colin Perllman, Are Hospitals Getting Left Behind?, Cleanroom Technology, October 17, 2005
  3. Andrew Streifel, Control Factors in Hospital Building Maintenance and Operations, Hospital Engineering & Facilities Management 2005, Issue 1 pp. 55- 58
  4. R.B. Simmons, D.L. Price, J.A. Noble, S.A. Crow, D.G. Ahearn, Fungal Colonization of Air Filters from Hospitals, AIHA Journal (58) December 1997
  5. D.L. Price, R.S. Simmons, S.A. Crow, D.G. Ahearn, Mold Colonization during Use of Preservative-Treated and Untreated Air Filters, Including HEPA Filters from Hospitals and Common Locations over an 8-year Period(1996-2003), Journal of Industrial Microbiology Vol. 32: 319-321
  6. M. Möritz, H. Peters, B. Nipko, H. Rüden, Capability of Air Filters to Retain Airborne Bacteria and Molds in Heating, Ventilating and Air-conditionng (HVAC) Systems, Int. J. Hyg. Environ. Health 203, 401-409 (2001)
  7. D.G. Ahearn, S.A. Crow, R.B. Simmons, D.L. Price, S.K. Mishra, D.I. Pierson, Fungal Colonization of Air Filters and Insulation in a Multi-Story Office Building: Production of Volatile Organics, Current Microbiology, Vol. 35 (1997)
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Purifying Air and Destroying Airborne Bio-Contaminants

It is not uncommon for outside contaminants, including odors and allergens, to find their way migrating into a building. Restaurant odors, manufacturing off-gassing, diesel fumes from idling trucks, and even jet fuel from helipads can be pulled into the make-up air and distributed throughout the HVAC system and building.

Sanuvox Technologies line of in-duct UV air purification systems are the ideal solution for these often troublesome issues. Sanuvox offers exceptionally cost-effective systems that can address IAQ issues that filters and absorption media cannot. The proprietary system eradicates biological contaminants such as mold, bacteria, viruses, germs and allergens; reduces chemicals, VOCs and biological odors. Installed PARALLEL to the air-stream results in greater « dwell time » between the air and the UV lamps.

THE EQUIPMENT

The duct-mounted units are installed in the return or supply side of the HVAC system parallel to the airflow, and are supplied with multiple germicidal UV-C lamps, each with a section of oxidizing UV-V that can be adjusted (covered or removed) depending on the concentration of odors.

Typical installation on the HVAC return side:

OPERATING THE EQUIPMENT

The UV lamps disinfect the recirculating air in two ways:
1. The oxidizing UV-V section of the lamp reduces the chemical components in the air through photo-oxidation. The selected units are designed to be “dosed” on site according to the need.
2. The germicidal UV-C section destroys airborne biological contaminants (viruses, bacteria, mold).

PROCESS ON BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL CONTAMINANTS

1- ACTIVATION PHASE:   H2O + O* –> OH* +OH*
The ultraviolet photon energy (170-220nm) is emitted from a high-intensity source to decompose (break-down) oxygen molecules into activated monoatomic oxygen. The rate of production or effectiveness of this process depends on the wavelength and intensity of its source.

2- REACTION PHASE:    OH*+ P –> POH
The activated oxygen atoms (O*) are then mixed in the airstream; the process will react with any compound containing carbon-hydrogen or sulfur, reducing them by successive oxidation to odorless and harmless by-products. If airborne contaminants are outnumbered by the activated oxygen atoms, then there will be formation of residual ozone (O3), which will occur following the oxidation of normal oxygen molecules (02).

3- NEUTRALISATION PHASE: (also germicidal)  O3+UV(C) –> O2+O*: O+O –> O2

CHEMICAL DECOMPOSITION

Formaldehyde CH2O + OH* –> CO2 + H2O

Ammonia NH3 + OH* –> N2 + H2O

Styrene C8H8 + OH* –> CO2 + H2O

Mercaptans H2S + OH* –> SO2+ H2O

WHERE TO INSTALL

Many buildings and facilities can be equipped with these in-duct units, like buildings near airports and helipads, buildings with adjoining warehouse (diesel), printing shops, restaurants, mechanical workshops, and crematoriums.

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Disinfecting Locker Rooms and Bathroom Odors

Lockers room odors are the result of perspiration which is excreted by the sweat glands in our skin. Sweat itself is not the source of the odor, but rather the off-gassing of the bacteria which feeds on sweat. The source of this unpleasant off-gassing can be found on occupants, clothes, towels and equipment as well as other soft materials.

The Sanuvair® S300 air purification system with HEPA filter is the ideal solution to reduce and elimitate unpleasant odors, such as in locker room and bathrooms. The proprietary Sanuvox process sterilizes and oxidizes bacteria, viruses, chemicals and odors, dramatically improving the air quality.

THE EQUIPMENT
As stand-alone units, the P900 is equipped with a blower of 80 cfm, the Sanuvair®S300 with a blower of 300 cfm, and the Sanuvair® S1000 with a blower of 1000 cfm. Filters (except on the P900) capture particulates (pet hair, etc.) while the dual zone UV-C/UV-V “adjustable” lamp disinfects the air.

The Sanuvair® S300 unit can be used as a stand-alone with optional intake and exhaust louvers or ducted using an 8-inch flexible duct with optional collars.

OPERATING THE EQUIPMENT

Untreated air is drawn into the inlet of the unit, purified with the germicidal / oxidation UV lamp, filtered and then exhausted. Recirculating the air in the room continuously reduces bacteria and odors, improving overall air quality.

WALL INSTALLATION, Sanuvair® S300:

SIZING THE EQUIPMENT
Approximately 6 to 8 air changes per hour are required.

A P900 unit (80 cfm) with a dual zone UV-C/UV-V lamp will be required for a 1,200 cu.ft. room (15’ X 10’ X 8’).

A Sanuvair® S300 unit (300 cfm) with a dual zone UV-C/UV-V lamp will be required for a 4,500 cu.ft. room (25’ X 20’ X 10’). Collars can be ordered to duct the unit using an 8-inch diameter duct, or an intake and exhaust louver grill(s), if the unit will be used as a stand-alone system.

A Sanuvair® S1000 unit (1000 cfm) with a dual zone UV-C/UV-V lamp will be required for a 15,000 cu.ft. room (50’ X 20’ X 15’). The system uses 2 x 8 inch inlets and 2 x 8 inch exhaust outlets (collars).

The unit should be positioned near the center of the room to be as effective as possible. Excluding the P900 unit, the two other units can be installed in the plenum above the ceiling or in an adjoining room and ducted with 8-inch round duct.

THE CHARACTERISTICS
All Sanuvox air purification systems are equipped with a dual zone “J” UV-C/UV-V lamp. All dual zone lamps have a maximum oxidizing UV-V section in order to minimize residual ozone. In situations where odors are more concentrated, it is possible to outfit the units (except in the P900 unit) with special lamps incorporating a larger section of oxidation, with the installer making the final odor adjustments on site.

WHERE TO INSTALL
Many buildings and facilities can be equipped with one of the stand-alone units, like team sport locker rooms, dressing rooms, fitness centers, laundry rooms and storage, or basements.

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Sterilizing Air in Facilities

New buildings are built tighter to save energy, while older buildings are implementing new measures to reduce heating and cooling loss. Reduced fresh air also prevents dilution of contaminated air resulting in an increase of contaminants as they are now trapped inside and are continually recirculated throughout the space.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) applications in hospitals, schools, commercial buildings and offices vary. From Hospital Acquired Infection (HAls), sick building syndrome, absenteeism and work place productivity, Indoor Air Quality influences these facilities in many differents ways.

When the objective is to eliminate up to 99.9999% of airborne bio-contaminants, including viruses and bacteria that circulate through the ventilation system without increasing the pressure drop resulting from high efficiency filtration, Sanuvox offers the right solution with its high efficiency patented air purification system.

THE EQUIPMENT

The BioWall air purification unit is installed in the ventilation duct parallel to the airflow, allowing sufficient contact time that is required for airborne sterilization. The UV-C intensity of each lamp can be measured in “realtime” with an optional UV-C sensor, ensuring the required inactivation intensity will be delivered to the contaminant.

OPERATING THE EQUIPMENT

To create the sterilization chamber in the existing duct (up to 5 feet deep per unit), the walls are covered with an aluminum reflective material. The proprietary sterilization sizing calculations take into account: air velocity, dimensions of the duct, the UV lethal dose needed to sterilize the microorganism for the desired inactivation rate. The sizing calculations will determine the number and length of the BioWall unit(s) required. The optional UV-C sensor will guarantee that the UV-C emitted from the lamp will exceed the amount of UV-C that is required at all times.

UVC GERMICIDAL PRINCIPLE

The 254nm UV-C germicidal wavelength has been used for decades for sterilization and its effect on microorganisms is well documented. UV germicidal process inactivates microorganisms by damaging their DNA structure, making it incapable of reproducing. The germicidal efficiency can deliver virtually a 100% disinfection rate. The system can achieve exceptionally high disinfection rates as a result of the BioWall unit being mounted parallel to the airflow and the desired intensity is sized for each particular application.

WHERE TO INSTALL

Many buildings and facilities can be equipped with the BioWall unit, like hospitals, private clinics, veterinary clinics, as well as fertility centers. It can also be installed in schools, universities, offices towers and commercial buildings.

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Coil Cleaning in Museums and Archives

Air quality can severely impact and deteriorate irreplaceable paintings, documents, drawings, books and journals within a vault, storage area, library and exposition hall. Preserving these fine treasures from the ravages of mold, spores and bacteria are a priority for libraries, archives, museums and collectors. UV systems are designed to destroy airborne mold spores and their associated odors, as well as bacteria that can very well destroy treasures from the past.

Sanuvox UV IL-CoilClean systems are designed to destroy mold and other bio-contaminants on the evaporator coil, which results in spores as well as off-gassing being « blown-off » the evaporator coil and distributed through the facility.

Sanuvox in-duct UV BioWall systems effectively destroy thousands of airborne bio-contaminants, such as mold, bacteria, viruses, chemicals, VOCs and odors.

THE EQUIPMENT

The Sanuvox IL-Coil Clean system for HVAC coils utilizes a patented technology to focus the maximum UV energy on any surface. The patented anodized aluminum parabolic reflector serves two purposes:
1. Redirects the maximum amount of UV energy produced by the lamp onto the coil surface, requiring less or shorter lamps and fixtures.
2. Protects the UV lamp from fouling.

OPERATING THE EQUIPMENT

Prolonged exposure to UV radiation will keep the air conditioning coil clean and free of bio-contaminants, including viruses, fungi, bacteria and bio-film that may grow on the coil. Maintaining a coil free of microbial growth will maximize the efficiency of coil heat transfer and reduce the hours of operation of the compressors, resulting in lower energy costs.

UV-C GERMICIDAL PRINCIPLE

The UV-C wavelength is well documented for its germicidal properties. The effects of ultraviolet radiation on biological contaminants have also been included in the latest ASHRAE Handbooks. Generally, this relationship is similar to the absorption curve of nucleic acid (DNA) the basis of all living organisms. The germicidal destruction rate for any specified bio-contaminant can be greater than 99.9% as the maximum UV intensity produced by the UV lamp is directed onto the coil and each application is sized according to its requirements.

WHERE TO INSTALL

Many buildings and facilities can be installed with either the IL-CoilClean or the BioWall, like libraroes, museums, archives, record rooms, evidence rooms, private collections, or galleries.

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Purifying Air in Kennels and Veterinarian Centers

Illness among animals especially dogs can be significantly higher when many of them are boarded within close proximity, or kept within the same room or building. Airborne illnesses can easily be transmitted from one animal to another. Odors may cause issues when they migrate to other areas and affect staff and visitors.

Sanuvox UV systems are the ideal solution for destroying airborne viruses and bacteria, as well as reducing the concentration of unpleasant odors, such as ammonia produced by animals in kennels, shelters, pet stores and veterinarian clinics. Its proprietary system eradicates biological contaminants (bacteria, viruses, germs and allergens), and destroys chemicals and biological odors.

THE EQUIPMENT

Multiple application UV systems can be used for both stand-alone and duct-mount installations.

As stand-alone units, the P900 is equipped with an 80 cfm blower, the Sanuvair® S300 with a 300 cfm blower, and the Sanuvair® S1000 with a 1000 cfm blower. Sanuvair® S300 and S1000 also come with filters to capture particulates (pet hair, etc.). A dual zone UV-C/UV-V lamp is standard. An “adjustable” oxidizing lamp is available.

As an in-duct unit, the Quattro is installed parallel to the airflow and includes four UV-C/UV-V lamps, each with a one-inch section of oxidizing UV-V. Two of the lamp’s oxidizing sections are covered with removable foil, allowing for increased oxidation if necessary.

Typical installations:

OPERATING THE EQUIPMENT

Each unit treats the air through recirculation in two ways:
1. The Germicidal UV-C lamp portion destroys airborne biological contaminants (viruses, mold,
bacteria.)
2. The Oxidizing UV-V lamp portion reduces airborne chemical contaminants and VOCs through
photo-oxidation.

PROCESS ON BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL CONTAMINANTS

1-ACTIVATION PHASE:  H2O + O* –> OH* +OH*
Ultraviolet photon energy (170-220nm) is emitted from a high-intensity source to decompose (break down) oxygen molecules into activated monoatomic oxygen. The rate of production or effectiveness of this process depends on the wavelength and intensity of its source.

2-REACTION PHASE: OH*+P –> POH
The activated oxygen atoms (O*) are then mixed in the airstream; the process will react with any compound containing carbon-hydrogen or sulfur, reducing them by successive oxidation to odorless and harmless by-products. If airborne contaminants are outnumbered by the activated oxygen atoms, then there will be formation of residual ozone (O3) which will occur following the oxidation of normal oxygen molecules (02).

3- NEUTRALISATION PHASE: (also germicidal)  O3+UV(C) –> O2+O*: O+O –> O2

CHEMICAL DECOMPOSITION:
Ammonia NH3+OH* –> N2 + H2O

WHERE TO INSTALL

Many buildings and facilities can be equipped with either the stand-alone disinfection units or the in-duct unit, like kennels, pet boarding and animal shelters, laboratories, veterinarian centers, and zoos and pet stores.

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Extending Shelf-life and Delivering Exceptional Quality

Mold and bacteria can severely impact the delicate payload on its way to storage facilities and retail stores. Ethylene off-gassing causes fruits and vegetables to prematurely ripen and age dramatically, shortening their shelf-life.

Sanuvox technologies offers an exceptional cost-effective mobile air treatment solution that easily incorporates into any truck or tailer designed to destroy airborne bio-chemical contaminants including bacteria, mold and ethylene off-gassing.

With its high efficiency patented air disinfection systems, Sanuvox offers the right solution when the objective is to destroy airborne contaminants, such as bacteria, viruses and mold that may affect the integrity of produce in transit. It also destroy ethylene, which causes produce to ripen faster.

THE EQUIPMENT

The 12V VP900 Interceptor is a small mobile air disinfection unit that can can be mounted in any location within the trailer or truck to sterilize airborne contamination and destroy ethylene gas. The UV system runs continuously bringing down contamination levels on an ongoing basis.

VP900 Interceptor:

OPERATING THE EQUIPMENT

The Interceptor recirculates the air, where:
1. The UV-C germicidal section of the UV lamp destroys airborne biological contaminants (viruses, mold, bacteria and spores).
2. The UV-V oxidizing section of the UV lamp reduces ethylene, slowing down the ripening process of vegetables and fruits.

SLOWING DOWN THE CONTAMINATION SPREAD WITH UV-C
Produce will degrade due to the rotting process. Rotting is caused by parasitic fungi and mold. Food deterioration begins with the breakdown of the cellular tissue by enzymatic action that allows the growth of microbes. Germicidal UV (UV-C) is extremely effective at preventing the reproduction of bio-contaminants. UV-C destroys airborne fungi, molds and their spores, limiting the contamination spread from one fruit to another. Meat, fish and chicken are especially vulnerable to airborne biocontamination. UV-C sterilizes the air, destroying contaminants as they circulate within the cold room.

RETARDING THE RIPENING PROCESS WITH UV-V
Photo-oxidation with UV-V can be used to reduce chemicals that trigger the ripening of fruits and vegetables. The life stages of a plant are influenced by plant hormones. An organic compound involved with ripening is ethylene, a gas created by plants from the amino acid, methionine. Ethylene increases the intracellular levels of certain enzymes in fruit and fresh-cut products, which include:

  • Amylase, which hydrolyzes starch to produce simple sugars.
  • Pectinase, which hydrolyzes pectin, a substance that keeps fruit hard.

UV-V oxidizes and thus neutralizes the ethylene molecules released by the ripening process, slowing down the spread of ripening to the surrounding produce.
This oxidation process breaks down ethylene into carbon dioxide and water vapor.
Ethylene C2H4 C2H4 + O* CO2 +H2O

WHERE TO INSTALL

The VP900 Interceptor can be installed in many places, like trucks transporting fruits and vegetables, cold storage rooms, groceries, fruit and vegetable retailers, or warehousing.

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Removing Ground Level Odors

Processing activities, as well as maintenance operations, can produce troublesome odors that may affect those working and visiting a site or facility. It may even cause problems for those living in the underline community. These applications include sewage treatment facilities, sump pump operations, excavation, pumping stations, arena ice pits, grease traps, etc.

Sanuvox UV disinfection systems may be outfitted with special oxidation UV Lamp (185nm) that produce high levels of ozone (O3) to effectively combat odors emanating from these various types of applications. The self-contained systems can be located very close to the source of the odor alleviating the issue where it is most concentrated.

When the objective is to to substantially reduce odors generated by a sump pit, such as sewage ditch, sewer pumping stations, residual from ice scraping equipment (Zamboni), or grease traps, Sanuvox offers the right solution with its high efficiency patented air disinfection system.

THE EQUIPMENT

Stand-alone units that will either process air through recirculation in a room or inject a small quantity of ozone directly into the specific containment device to reduce odors.

An ozone controller can be used to limit the residual ozone outside of the containment area to a concentration level lower than the ASHRAE limit (0.05ppm).

Typical Sanuvair® S1000 OZD INSTALLATION:

OPERATING THE EQUIPMENT

The unit purifies the air through recirculation in two ways:
1. The UV lamp germicidal section destroys biological contaminants (viruses, fungi, bacteria) moving through air.
2. The UV lamp oxidizing section reduces the chemical components in the air through photo-oxidation.

PROCESS ON BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL CONTAMINANTS
1-ACTIVATION PHASE: H2O+ O* –> OH* +OH*
Ultraviolet photon energy (170-220nm) is emitted from a high-intensity source to decompose (break-down) oxygen molecules into activated monoatomic oxygen. The rate of production or effectiveness of this process depends on the wavelength and intensity of its source.

2-REACTION PHASE: OH*+P –> POH
The activated oxygen atoms (O*) are then mixed in the airstream; the process will react with any compound containing carbon-hydrogen or sulfur, reducing them by successive oxidation to odorless and harmless by-products. If the activated oxygen atoms outnumber airborne contaminants, there will be the formation of ozone (O3) which will occur following the oxidation of normal oxygen molecules (02).

3- NEUTRALISATION PHASE: (also germicidal) O3+UV(C) –> O2+O*: O+O –> O2

SIZING
The stand-alone units will include an extra oxidizing (UV-V) lamp. In the absence of an ozone controller, a warning label must be provided to the user. Certain conditions may require up to four UV-V lamps in one unit.

WHERE TO INSTALL

Many buildings and facilities can be equipped with the S1000, like municipal sewage treatment plants, municipal pumping stations, ice-snow containment (pit) areas, hotels grease pits, and grey water treatment.

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Fighting Tobacco Smoke

Designated smoking areas, althrough typically spared from working and living spaces, often cause problems with air that may very well circulate in and out of these areas. The smoking area itself may be overwhelmed with cigarette smoke, causing smokers to seek alternative places to smoke.

Sanuvox Technologies offers two units that are effective at removing tobacco smoke from the air and reducing cigarette odors, as well as nicotine and smoke that are so problematic. Unlike conventional technologies, Sanuvox UV systems do not use costly carbon for absorption nor rely solely on filters, which easily become coated with tar and nicotine The proprietory process changes the molecular structure of the tobacco smoke into a fine powder, which is then captured on the filter media. It is recommended that the UV systems be sized to provide a recirculation rate of 6 to 8 air changes per hour.

THE EQUIPMENT

Stand-alone Sanuvair® 300 VOC or Sanuvair® 1000 VOC UV air purifiers that include germicidal and oxidizing ultraviolet lamps, prefilters and a main filter to capture nicotine and smoke. An optional VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) detector can be used with multiple lamps when the number of occupants increases.

Typical installation:

OPERATING THE EQUIPMENT

Sanuvox dual zone UV lamp will reduce odors, nicotine and smoke in the room through recirculation. With the optional UV-V lamp(s) and VOC detector, if the smoke level increases (because there are more smokers), the VOC detector will trigger the additional oxidizing lamp(s), then shut them off when the level decreases. The cycle is repeated, lowering the odor, nicotine and smoke levels, until the maximum reduction is reached.

UNDERSTANDING THE CHEMISTRY
Cigarette smoke is composed mainly of:

  • White ash
  • Nicotine molecules
  • Chemical by-products

Ash will be trapped by the pre-filters. Nicotine will be transformed into a type of yellow powder that will be captured by the prefilters and the main filter. The chemical by-products will be oxidized by the UV process: high frequency UV-V energy activates the organic molecules and accelerates the chemical reaction, resulting in the air being oxidized. Odors are oxidized by the process of photolysis that initiates the breaking of chemical bonds by the action of the ultraviolet light. The oxidation process will reduce odors and chemical contaminants by changing the complex molecular contaminants into CO2 and H2O

SIZING THE EQUIPMENT

Approximately 6 to 8 air changes per hour are required. This reduces the standard of fresh air required by two thirds.

An Sanuvair® S300 VOC unit (300 cfm) will be sufficient for a 1,920 cu.ft. room (12’ X 20’ X 8’) with 9.3 changes per hour.

An Sanuvair® S1000 VOC unit (1000 cfm) will be sufficient for a 9,600 cu.ft. room (20’ X 40’ X 10’) with 7.5 changes per hour.

WHERE TO INSTALL

Many buildings and facilities can be equipped with one of these stand-alone units, like eldercare homes, private homes, poker rooms and casinos, bingo halls, cigar bar, or smoking rooms.