Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Self-Regenerating Filters for Decontamination of Chemical and Biological Agents in Building Ventilation Systems
EPA Contract Number: EPD04028Title: Self-Regenerating Filters for Decontamination of Chemical and Biological Agents in Building Ventilation Systems
Investigators: Burns, Michael L.
Small Business: Science, Math & Engineering Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: March 1, 2004 through August 31, 2004
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2004) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Hazardous Waste/Remediation , SBIR - Homeland Security , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Description:
The goal of this research project was to develop a self-cleaning heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) filter suited for commercial and residential markets that has a cost comparable to existing filters, maintains the existing HVAC pressure environment, and exceeds normal filtration efficiency through a combination of ultraviolet photocatalysis and tailored filter depth.
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
Degradation rates of acetone in a laboratory batch reactor showed decomposition rates to exceed, conservatively by an order of magnitude, rates that Lennox, a Phase II commercialization partner, considered to be excellent. The Science, Math & Engineering, Inc. (SME) design for self-regenerating filters is technically achievable and commercially viable.
Conclusions:
A path to the open market for self-regenerating filters is technically feasible and commercially viable. Support for the SME technology by Lennox and Clarcor provides a unique window of opportunity to technically complete the filter and transition it to the market with the assistance of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s SBIR Program.
Supplemental Keywords:
self-regenerating filter, decontamination, biological agent, mold, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, HVAC, ultraviolet photocatalysis, SBIR,, RFA, Scientific Discipline, Air, TREATMENT/CONTROL, Ecosystem Protection/Environmental Exposure & Risk, RESEARCH, Treatment Technologies, Environmental Chemistry, Monitoring/Modeling, Monitoring, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Atmospheric Sciences, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, environmental monitoring, homeland security, decontamination, environmental measurement, pathogenic microbes, chemical treatment, biological warfare agents, bioterrorism, bacteria monitoring, biological treatment, biomonitoring, environmental engineering, microbial contaminants, filters, contaminant detectionThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.