ACCELERATING RECOVERY WITH BIPOLAR IONIZATION

Working to develop and support leaders in school business operations

ACCELERATING RECOVERY WITH BIPOLAR IONIZATIONHOW CAN WE PREPARE FOR A POST-COVID-19 WORLD?

Robert H. Weidner, P.E., LEED AP, CxA

Principal Project Manager &

Mechanical Practice Leader

Jim Mooney, P.E., LEED AP

President & CEO

www.pasbo.orgWorking to develop and support leaders in school business operations

About Us

Enginuity is a design build

mechanical contractor with

years of experience designing,

installing and servicing systems

for specialty environments.

For more than 100 years,

Gannett Fleming has been a

leader in global infrastructure

solutions with a focus on

planning, design, technology,

and construction management

services.

Overview

• Crazy times!

• What are we being told about COVID-19?

• How is COVID-19 impacting us?

• Changing and misleading information!?

• What is BPI and how can it help?

• Installing BPI and Monitoring IAQ

• Fake News!

• Technology Comparisons

• Q&A

Overview

3www.pasbo.orgWorking to develop and support leaders in school business operations


Crazy Times…Right?!?

National Pandemic,

8,188,585 COVID-19 cases

and 219,499 lost lives to date*as of 10/21/20

Healthcare Systems

overwhelmed;

Supply chains depleted

~10.2% unemployment

up from an

all-time low of 3%

US economy

still sluggish

Social distancing

is the new normal

Masks, gloves, shields,

disinfectant sprays and

wipes in high demand

Gas prices

significantly reduced

Live sports and entertainment

limited

4

What are we being told?

• COVID-19 is spread in three main ways:

– Person-to-person direct contact

– Person-to-person from respiratory droplets when an infected

person coughs or sneezes…and aerosols through laughing

singing and even normal breathing

– Surface-to-person from contact with surfaces or objects that

hold the virus, followed by an individual touching their own

mouth, nose or eyes.

• 80% of confirmed coronavirus cases are not severe and do not require hospitalization.

• Vulnerable populations (elderly and people with underlying health conditions) are at a greater risk for infection and severity of symptoms.

• A vaccine may not be ready for months!

• We need to keep the US economy moving!



Rethinking

Spaces

• Reduced occupancy levels

• Hybrid learning

• Development of reentry guidelines

• Space plan and physical distance analysis

• Face coverings and focus on expanded cleaning

• New traffic flows & increased wayfinding

• Temperature monitoring

• Phased return to the next normal


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What you may not know!

• Building owners have been told by the CDC and by ASHRAE to take preventative

measures with the HVAC System to reduce the risk of infection and optimize buildings

for the return of the workforce! How?

1. Increase ventilation

2. Maintain optimal humidity (40-60%)

3. Upgrade HVAC system air filters

• These HVAC measures have pros and cons!!!

• So what about Bipolar Ionization (BPI)???


What

is

BPI?

Bipolar Ionization (BPI) is nature's cleansing process! Oxygen molecules are

charged naturally through a high energy exchange of UV solar radiation and

soil radioactivity! This energy exchange makes our mountain air fresh and

enriched…and healthy! Other sources of this high energy exchange occur in

Waterfalls, Lightning Storms and Ocean Waves.



Ions – How do they help?

In the most pristine

environments there are

naturally higher ion levels.

These levels fall as we

enter more populated

and polluted environments.

So, how do we reinvigorate

our indoor air?

Negative IonsPositive Ions

BPI Treated Rooms (1,000-1,500 ions/cm3)

10

Ionization Technology has Been Around the Block


The Bipolar Ionization Process

1. INCOMING

POLLUTED AIR

5. BIPOLAR

IONIZATION

TECHNOLOGY

CLEANS THE AIR

2. IONIZATION

TAKING PLACE

3. BIPOLAR

IONIZATION

4. BIPOLAR IONS

REACT WITH PM,

VOCS, BACTERIA,

VIRUSES, GERMS

Bipolar ionization graphic used with permission from AtmosAir Solutions.



How can BPI help?

13

Third-Party Laboratory Testing

Ultraline Particulate & Mold Spore Reduction Testing

• VOCs, particulate, allergens and asthmagens are potential pollutants that come from

humans, building materials, carpets, finishes, cleaning products, office equipment,

building densification, and outside air.


How does BPI help with COVID-19?

Microorganism TimePercent Reduction vs.

Normalized Numbers Control

S.saprophyticus 15 minutes 99.32%

ATCC 35552 45 minutes 99.9995%

E.coli 15 minutes >99.94%

K12 45 minutes >99.986%

MS2 Bacteriophage 15 minutes 98.13%

ATCC 15597-B1 45 minutes 99.99993%

According to Dr. Tierno, a professor of microbiology and pathology at NYU:

“Coronaviruses are enveloped viruses; they are easier to kill compared to naked viruses like Noroviruses…”

A Coronavirus is a 1 on the scale from 1-10 in terms of ease to kill. 10 would be mad cow disease.”


What’s Special About Oxygen Ions?

Oxygen (O₂) in its natural

state is relatively non-

reactive but it can be made

reactive by the actions

described on the previous

slide. These reactive states

are:

• O₂+ dioxygen cation

• O₂ -- peroxide dianion

• O₂- superoxide

“Only superoxide O2- is the most stable and the least

reactive oxygen species. When reacting with water it

produces hydrated clusters of hydroxyl radicals [OH-] which

are formed on the surface of microbes, are short lived (half-

life 2 seconds) and remove H from microbial cell walls

thereby inactivating microbes. This fact makes hydroxyl

radicals one of the safest processes for disinfection. The point

here is that superoxide is least reactive and most stable and

it forms hydroxyl radicals on surface of microbes removing H

from proteins on surface of microbes. Hydroxyls … do not

remain in the airstream as they are produced de novo on

surfaces of microbes.”

Dr. Philip M. Tierno Jr.

Professor of Microbiology and Pathology

New York University School of Medicine


What does the research tell us? BPI is a Continuous Disinfectant

Mechanism for Inactivating Airborne Fungi

• Ions surround the mold spore.

• Ion break mold spore protein shell.

• Renders them inactive and unable to spread.

Mechanism for Inactivating Airborne Virus

• Ions attach themselves to virus.

• Ions pull hydrogen molecules off the virus to combine

and form water vapor.

• Renders virus inactive and cannot infect even if it

enters the body.

Mechanism for Inactivating Airborne Allergens

• Ions surround the airborne allergen and change into highly

reactive hydroxyl radicals.

• The hydroxyls then deactivate the molecules of

the IgE antibody binding site of the allergen.

• No allergic symptoms occur even if allergens enter the body.

Fungus - Bacteria - Virus

Negative Ion O2

(H2O)m

Negative Ion H+

(H2O)m



Why Superoxide Kills Bacteria and is Safe for Humans

• Bacteria are simple single celled organisms whereas humans are complex multicellular beings.

• Bacteria have a totally different outer cell envelope compared to humans— bacteria have a cell wall whereas humans have NO cell wall

• Bacteria are very primitive Procaryotic cells whereas humans are comprised of advanced Eucaryotic cells.

In fact, these differences are the very reason that antibiotics kill bacterial cells without killing humans.

Dr. Philip M. Tierno Jr.

Professor of Microbiology and Pathology



Conclusion = BPI is Extremely Effective

Dr. Philip M. Tierno Jr., Professor of Microbiology and Pathology


• Mold and pathogen reduction

• Particulate matter decay

• VOC and odor reduction

• Mold spore reduction

• Energy conservation!!!


Incorporating BPI into an HVAC System

OUTSIDE AIR

Outdoor

Air Intake

Outdoor air

Temperature sensor

Return air

grille

Freeze stat

Mixed air stat

Heating coil

Cooling coil

And drip pan

Atmos Air

System

Supply air

diffusers

Exhaust air

Outdoor air damper

Mixing

Chamber

Filter

Damper actuators

Ionized Oxygen Molecules

Superoxide anions (30-60) sec life span

Hydroxyl radicals formed (2 sec life span) -> Powerful disinfection component

20www.pasbo.org

Mounting BPI into Large HVAC systems

Supply Duct Mount

Wall or Rack Mounted in Discharge of AHU/RTU


Mounting BPI into Smaller HVAC Systems

Mounted in Supply or Return of FCU/PTAC/Cassette

DBD BPI in FCU DBD BPI in Small Duct DBD BPI in Cassette/VRF


Real-Time Measurement & Verification

Air quality monitor made for healthy buildings

Know what is in the air, instantly and accurately:

Sensedge offers 24/7, real-time IAQ monitoring

Display Local Outdoor Air Quality

and Indoor Air Quality on Phone,

App, or Monitor


Third-Party Validation: Latest UL-2998 Ozone Testing

Products have passed latest

UL-2998 tests (measurable ozone

compliance for electronic air

cleaners)

• OSHA - 100 parts of ozone per billion

(ppb)

• USGBC – 70 parts of ozone per billion

(ppb)

• BPI Ozone Testing Results:

– Indoor background level: 3-10

PPB

– Outdoor background level: 10-50

PPB


Filter Upgrades and the Consequences to HVAC System Changes

Changing the HVAC system

can have uninformed and

unforeseen consequences.

Filter upgrades have

implications:• MERV 13 significantly impacts

incremental terminal equipment like

fan coils and heat pumps.

• Expensive Installation Upgrades

• Higher maintenance costs with filter

replacement and disposal labor.

• Higher Energy Consumption


ASHRAE 62.1 IAQ Procedure

ASHRAE established Standard 62.1 - Ventilation for Acceptable Air Quality

This standard governs ventilation rates needed in various environments, offices, schools,

casinos, etc.

ASHRAE researches and develops standards with ANSI (American National Standards

Institute). IMC (International Mechanical Code). IMC is the code compliance a project must

conform to.

The IMC section which covers needed ventilation rates is Chapter 4 Section 403.

ASHRAE Offers Two Compliance Paths to Meet Ventilation Requirements:

1. The Ventilation Rate Procedure (aka: VRP method) and

2. The Indoor Air Quality Procedure (aka: IAQ Procedure)


CASE STUDIES: Education, Corporate, Health Care, Transportation


Education Case Studies

ARIZONA STATE

UNIVERSITY

Energy Innovations project –

16 buildings; BPI for demand

control ventilation and

energy efficiency.

UNIVERSITY OF

MARYLAND

VOCs and PM reduced,

ventilation reduced by 50%.

UNIVERSITY OF

COLORADO

Reduction in HVAC by 15%;

Real-time IAQ measurement.

USC UNIVERSITY OF

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Four buildings on campus

installation


University of Southern California Case Study

BPI improved indoor air quality significantly, and the

reduction of particulate matter and TVOC was substantial.

PM10 particles are small enough to be breathed in and

enter the lungs. These particles can cause illness and

discomfort. TVOCs are gaseous elements that can cause

odors and irritations.

• VOC Reductions: 90%

• PM2.5 Reduction: 50%

• PM10 Reduction: 95%

BPI is currently installed in multiple USC Athletic Facility

buildings, including the entire John McKay Center and

Heritage Hall.


Bipolar Ionization (DBD) vs. Competing IAQ Technologies

BIPOLAR IONIZATION (DBD) VS. COMPETING IAQ TECHNOLOGIES

BPI (DBD)****Media

FiltrationUltraviolet (UV)***

Photocatalytic

Oxidation (PCO)

Needlepoint

Ionization

Photohydroionization

(PHI)

Affects Contaminants "In the Space" Yes No No Yes Yes Yes

Reduces Odors Yes No No Yes Yes Yes

Reduces VOCs Yes No No Yes Yes Yes

Reduces Particles (PM) Yes Yes No No Yes No

Effective on Bacteria and Virus and Germs Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes

Significant Ozone Production No (UL 2998 Cert.) No Yes **** Yes **** No (UL 2998 Cert.) Yes****

Low Pressure Drop Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes

Maintenance Every 2 Years Quarterly Yearly Yearly 7-10 Years ** Every 2 years

Reengineering of HVAC system Needed No* Yes No * No * No* No*

New Design and Retrofit Applications Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes

Reduces Energy Cost Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes

No Chemicals or Byproducts Yes Yes No No Yes No

Tested Contaminant Reductions in Occupied Space Yes No No No No No

Published and Peer Reviewed Research Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Not Available to Public

"Smart" System (Integrated with Sensors and Monitors) Yes No No No Yes No



What about other BPI Systems?

BPI has been used for years as a

mechanism to:

Remove particulate matter from the

air in:❑ Dusty factories

❑ Cleanrooms

Reduce static charges in:❑ Sensitive manufacturing

❑ Electronics

❑ Pharmaceuticals

❑ Airplanes and rockets

Just because other technologies

create air ions, doesn’t validate their

effectiveness against pathogens.

31


Needlepoint Ionization (NPI or NP BPI)

BPI can also be accomplished with a process

called Needlepoint Ionization.

NPI is marketed by several companies, but it

has a major shortcoming.

According to the largest NPI manufacturer, NPI

does not create O₂- superoxide

The ions created by NPI systems do not linger

in the air as long as the superoxide ions

making NPI less suitable for longer ducted

HVAC systems and less effective at killing

pathogens.

32


❑ Consists of a titanium dioxide catalyst and UV light to excite it.

❑ Using the moisture in the air, it creates hydroxyl radicals on the surface of the catalyst which have a life expectancy of 2 seconds

❑ Creates superoxides

❑ A recent test indicates good results on airborne pathogen remediation

33

Photocatalytic Oxidation (PCO)


Ultra Violet (UV)

❑ “The average bacterium will be killed in ten seconds at

a distance of six inches from the lamp in an American

Ultraviolet Germicidal Fixture.”

(https://www.americanultraviolet.com/uv-germicidal-

solutions/faq-germicidal.cfml)

❑ The average duct system moves air at 25 feet per

second. To allow the UV light the 10 seconds needed to

kill the bacterium, the light would need to be 250 feet

long (10 seconds x 25 feet/second = 250 feet) before

getting to the first diffuser! Also one duct side would

need to be a maximum of 6” in length, thus making the

duct extremely wide.

Bottom line, UV is great for killing stuff on things that are stationary.34

https://www.americanultraviolet.com/uv-germicidal-solutions/faq-germicidal.cfml


HEPA

❑ In order to install HEPA filters in a

typical office, a filter closet would have

to be created (taking up floor space)

and the ducts rerouted to it.

❑ The fan and its motor would have to be

increased in size or a secondary fan

added to overcome the pressure drop

of the filter.

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www.pasbo.orgWorking to develop and support leaders in school business operations36


Contact us!

Bob Weidner, P.E., LEED AP, CxA

717.497.1762

[email protected]

Jim Mooney, P.E., LEED AP

717.796.9226

[email protected]


Documents

ACCELERATING RECOVERY WITH BIPOLAR IONIZATION