Airborne Microorganism Capture and Neutralization through theCombined use of DC Enhanced Filtration and One Atmosphere PlasmaSterilization

摘要

A novel system for capturing and killing airborne microorganisms (bacteria, molds andrnviruses) is described, and its rate of capture and its killing efficacy are quantified. ThernEnhanced Plasma Sterilized Air Filtration System (EPS) is based on the technology of OnernAtmosphere Uniform Glow Discharge Plasma (OAUGDP?), developed in the early 1990’srnat the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN. The system is capable of enhancing capturernof biocontaminants on an actively charged polymer filter, and neutralizing 99.9999 percent ofrnthe trapped contaminants using the active chemistry created by the OAUGDP. The EPSrndesign was based on a two year study for the Environmental Protection Agency, and isrnpresently being field tested for commercialization for indoor air quality applications. Therndescribed system comprises a staggered array of electrodes sandwiching a polymer filterrnmedia, such that an OAUGDP can be energized throughout the filter volume. Chemicalrnspecies generated within the plasma react with and kill captured microorganisms. Inoculatedrnfilter test samples with Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial cells, and bacteriophagernviruses were subjected to a variety of time exposures of plasma products ranging from 10rnseconds to ten minutes. The electrode grids are additionally used to apply a high strength DCrnfield to enhance capture by the filter media, when the plasma is not energized.