Coupled UVC and catalysis module for air purification and pathogen inactivation

Overview

This solution addresses indoor air quality challenges by combining high-efficiency UVC irradiation with room-temperature catalysis in a single tandem module. The pre-positioned UVC unit inactivates airborne pathogens, while the post-positioned catalytic unit removes volatile organic compounds (VOCs), odors, and the excess ozone generated during UV operation. By converting residual ozone into oxygen and water, the system safely achieves both pathogen inactivation and chemical pollutant decomposition without emitting harmful byproducts.

The technology is particularly suited for integration with existing HEPA filtration systems, offering a compact and cost-effective approach to comprehensive indoor air purification in commercial, healthcare, and residential environments.

Technical specifications

Core design:

• Tandem configuration with UVC unit positioned before the catalytic unit to sequentially treat incoming air
• Room-temperature catalysts developed for ozone decomposition and formaldehyde removal, eliminating the need for heating elements
• Ozone utilization strategy that leverages ozone's strong oxidation capacity at the catalyst stage to decompose VOCs while preventing excess ozone emission

Key performance data:

• Formaldehyde decomposition ratio of 80% at a concentration of 15 ppm under 50% relative humidity
• Catalyst loading optimized for enhanced decomposition efficiency and long-term stability
• Compatibility designed for standard HEPA filter components and inlet gas flow rates

Development focus areas:

• Catalyst optimization for improved efficiency and durability
• Systematic matching of catalysis and UVC units into a unified module
• Integration with HEPA filter systems, adapting component design and flow characteristics

Technology readiness level

The technology is currently at an early-to-mid stage of development. Preliminary experiments have validated formaldehyde decomposition performance under room-temperature conditions, and the underlying catalyst materials have demonstrated superior capability and low cost for indoor air quality improvement.

Future validation will proceed in two phases over an estimated 10-12 months: module design completion within the first six months, followed by four to six months of system-level integration and matching with HEPA filtration. The research team is positioned to advance the technology toward a deployable module suitable for pilot testing and commercial evaluation.