Technology

Paper Session 28: Presentation 2: Polymeric Bioactive Filtration for HVAC Systems (OR-25-C125)
Tuesday, February 11 11:20 AM – 11:40 AM EST

Hilton Orlando, LL, Orange G
Polymeric Bioactive Filtration for HVAC Systems (OR-25-C125)
Presenting Author: Thomas Kennedy, Mr., Industrial Polymers and Chemicals, Inc., Shrewsbury, MA, USA

Abstract for 2025 ASHRAE Winter Conference

February 8-12, 2025

“Polymeric Bioactive Filtration for HVAC Systems”

Thomas J. Kennedy III, Ralph G. Dacey Jr., Robert Roth

Air filters for HVAC systems provide filtration of varying-sized particles. Depending upon the filter rating (MERV), particle sizes from PM10, PM2.5, and PM1.0 may be filtered out of the air. While very fine particle filters, such as HEPA filters, offer trapping of allergens and other PM1.0 materials, such as fine dust and microbes, specifically viruses and bacteria, HEPA filters cause a high-pressure drop across the filter, resulting in poor airflow and, therefore, not a viable option for residential and most commercial HVAC systems. The CDC and EPA recommended MERV 13-rated filters or higher during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce infections from SARS-CoV-2 aerosolized virus. However, here again, most home HVAC units fail to maintain airflow at high-pressure drop levels associated with MERV 13 or higher-rated air filters. A newly developed technology applied to standard HVAC filters comprises a specialty polymer containing bioactive properties that will inactivate pathogens such as viruses and bacteria while maintaining minimal pressure drop across the filter and high airflow when placed in an HVAC system. See Figure 1, SEM-EDS micrograph, and Figure 2, SEM micrograph. The specialty polymer has ablative characteristics wherein the surface of the polymer will wear down with time and provide continuous bioactive filtration. The specialty ablative polymer is, in one form, an emulsion polymer comprised of a polyvinyl acetate and acrylate backbone where the outer surface of the polymer exposes a biocidal agent that inactivates aerosolized pathogens.

Learning Objectives:
• Learn of a new technology for bioactive air filtration
• Learn of a new pathogen inactivating, low pressure drop air filter