Plasma-enhanced air treatment for VOC, odor, and pathogen abatement

Overview

This technology combines non-thermal plasma with activated carbon catalysts to achieve high-efficiency air treatment at elevated gas flow rates. The approach addresses a critical challenge in air purification: maintaining high abatement performance while processing large volumes of air. By integrating plasma with activated carbon, the system leverages plasma-generated reactive oxygen species to extend carbon filter lifetime and enhance odor removal efficacy.

The technology targets three key application areas: volatile organic compound (VOC) decomposition, odor abatement in industrial exhaust streams, and inactivation of airborne pathogens including aerosolized viruses. Potential applications span industrial kitchen exhaust systems, HVAC systems in commercial and healthcare settings, and industrial ventilation where chemical or biological contaminants must be removed.

Technical specifications

Plasma-catalyst synergy:

• Non-thermal plasma generates reactive oxygen species capable of oxidizing chemical compounds and inactivating pathogens
• Activated carbon serves as both a filter medium and a catalyst, with ozone produced by the plasma removed through the carbon bed
• Plasma-generated oxidants help regenerate the activated carbon by removing accumulated deposits, extending filter service life
• Combined plasma-carbon configuration achieves enhanced abatement performance compared to either technology alone

Validated performance:

• Aerosolized virus inactivation demonstrated at greater than 3 log reduction in a wind tunnel simulating HVAC conditions
• Gas residence time in plasma zone approximately 15 milliseconds
• Prior industrial collaboration showed significantly prolonged odor control effectiveness and activated carbon filter lifetime in kitchen exhaust applications

Planned testing capabilities:

• Custom testing system combining plasma source with post-plasma activated carbon filter
• Assessment of abatement for model compounds relevant to sponsor-specific applications
• Reaction product analysis and identification
• Energy cost evaluation and scale-up trend assessment

Technology readiness level

The technology has demonstrated proof-of-concept validation in two distinct application areas. Virus inactivation capability has been confirmed through wind tunnel testing under HVAC-simulated conditions, achieving at least 3 log reduction of aerosolized virus. A prior industry collaboration validated the plasma-activated carbon combination for industrial kitchen exhaust odor control, with reported significant improvements in both odor removal efficacy and carbon filter longevity.

Current development focuses on building an integrated testing system that combines the validated plasma source with activated carbon filtration to systematically evaluate chemical and odor abatement performance. Future validation work will include testing under controlled conditions relevant to specific implementation scenarios, enabling optimization of the plasma source design and assessment of energy requirements and scalability for commercial deployment.