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 standalone 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.