PHOTOCATALYTIC AIR DISINFECTION

摘要

A method for disinfecting an air stream containing microorganisms including the steps of providing an air stream containing microorganisms having a relative humidity greater than about 40 %; and contacting the air stream with a photocatalyst having a predetermined band gap energy coated on the upstream surface of a filter medium (28) capable of trapping bioaerosols in the presence of a source of photons (24) having a wavelength corresponding to the band gap energy of the photocatalyst, so that at least a portion of the microorganisms in the air stream are destroyed by photocatalytic oxidation. Devices embodying the method of the invention are disclosed, such as stand-alone devices (80) and devices incorporated into the HVAC systems of buildings, including the air supply registers (210). Photocatalyst-coated filter media (28) capable of trapping bioaerosols are also disclosed.