A new filterless indoor air purifier for particulate matter and bioaerosol based on heterogeneous condensation

• Published in: Environmental research 2023-02, Vol.218, p.115034, Article 115034
• Main Authors: Yan, Shijun, Liu, Chang, Hou, Li-an, Wang, Bo, Zhang, Yumeng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air Filters; Air Pollutants - analysis; Air Pollution; Air Pollution, Indoor - analysis; Air Pollution, Indoor - prevention & control; Bioaerosol disinfection; Condensational growth; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Humans; Indoor air purifier; Particle Size; Particulate matter; Particulate Matter - analysis
• ISSN: 0013-9351; 1096-0953
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.115034

Using an indoor air purifier is an important solution for improving indoor air quality and protecting people from the harmful effects of air pollution on their health. The filter air purifiers can remove particulate matter including bioaerosols, but their filter media can cause secondary pollution. To fulfill this need, a new filterless indoor air purifier, the Cloud-Air-Purifying (CAP) air purifier, is presented in this study. Using heterogeneous condensation and supergravity technology, the CAP air purifier grows and collects fine particles, while rapidly disinfecting bioaerosols with chemical disinfection and ultraviolet (UV) disinfection. Furthermore, the purifying performance of the CAP air purifier was tested in a simulated cabin. The results showed the clean air delivery rate (CADR) of the CAP air purifier was approximately 150 m3/h, and the effective coefficient was 0.93. The CAP air purifier was highly efficient in purifying fine particulate matter, 93% for PM10 and 91% for particle size of 0.5–1 μm in 60 min, which was 13–58 times more than natural decay. The reason for the efficient removal of fine particles is that they can condense and grow in water vapor supersaturated environment and be collected in a supergravity field. Moreover, the CAP air purifier has significant bactericidal effects on bioaerosols. It achieved a disinfection efficiency of 99.99997% by decreasing bioaerosols from 108 CFU/m3 to less than 30 CFU/m3 in only 20 min when particle purification in combination with UV disinfection and disinfectant (ClO2). Furthermore, ClO2 release concentrations, noise, and power consumption were investigated for application purposes, with results showing that they were within acceptable limits. The study presents an innovative idea and design for preventing airborne microorganisms and particulate matter through heterogeneous condensation technology. [Display omitted] •A new filterless indoor air purifier was proposed to remove particle and bioaerosol.•The Cloud-Air-Purifying air purifier was designed using heterogeneous condensation.•The purification efficiency for particulate matter (0.5–1 μm) reached 91%.•Fine particles and bioaerosols effectively grow in size and collected.•The disinfection efficiency of bioaerosols achieved 99.99997% in only 20 min.