HVAC Filter Using Micro-Electrostatic Precipitation

Innovative and long-lasting HVAC filters which reduce a building's energy consumption.
Climate Change Mitigation Health, Wellbeing and Social Value

Problem Addressed

Existing High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) / MEDIA filters used in HVAC systems are passive and only block viruses and bacteria. Additionally, these filtration methods have a large pressure drop when air is flowing through them resulting in higher energy consumption and maintenance requirements. These filters must also be replaced every 3 months, increasing waste.

Solution Overview

MESP® (Micro-Electrostatic Precipitation) provides an innovative HVAC filtration solution. In the MESP system, airborne particles in propelled air flow are electrically charged before passing into a honeycomb shaped filter. The filter is formed by layers or rows of tubes which contain thin electrode sheets with insulated coatings that generate electrical field. Charged particles including pollutants, bacteria, germs, and viruses, are pulled into the walls of the tubes and firmly stick.

Traditional media filters are made with a non-porous fabric / paper that is very effective in preventing the flow of PM2.5 and various allergens and pollen, however these filters obstruct the flow of air resulting in a pressure drop. This pressure drop forces HVAC motors to operate at a higher speed and results in higher energy consumption. With the MESP filters, there is no need to force air through a matrix of small air passages, so it requires less energy to run. According to research carried out by AirQuality Technologies on a real case study, compared with the use of HEPA filters, the energy consumption of fans using MESP® purifiers is 50% to 60%. This also reduces the maintenance required for the motor.

The MESP® system is highly efficient at removing airborne particles like PM2.5, fungus, dust, pollen, soot, and smoke. These filters also deactivate viruses and bacteria and are permanently washable. The MESP® solution is for AHU, fan coil units, and air ducts.

Benefits:

  • MESP® can efficiently kill 99.99% of viruses and 99.96% of bacteria with its strong electric field.
  • The filter is permanently washable and designed with a 10-year lifespan compared with 3 months for HEPA / MEDIA filters, reducing waste.
  • 80% of the MESP filter tubes is made from metal and aluminium which can be melted and reused at the end of the 10-year shelf life.
  • MESP® filters work with about 1 µA of current at 6-10 kV, which can prevent electric shock and produces almost no ozone or harmful byproducts.
  • The filters can work with extreme changes in humidity (up to 100%) and temperature (-15℃ to 50℃). MESP® also has good flame-retardant properties.
  • Retrofitting the solution is very easy and only requires a 13-amp power source.

Company name

AirQuality

UK availability

Yes

Date added

Aug, 2024

Links

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Case Study

Standard Bank South Africa introduced MESP filters to remove contaminants and improve indoor air quality. The project had 46 Air Handling Units and previously used MERV 7 media filters. After the installation of 650 units of MESP® filters, the following results were delivered:

  • PM2.5’s from approximately 250ppm to lower than 20ppm
  • TVOC’s from approximately 1500ppm to lower than 10ppm

Since this project, the client has extended the product implementation into 5 other buildings. The return on investment for this particular project was anticipated to be 2 years.

Facts and Figures

12 month

expected ROI

10 year

lifespan

99.96 %

of bacteria removed

99.99 %

of viruses removed

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