The CleanEffects™ air cleaner manufactured by Trane®, a leading global provider of indoor comfort solutions and a brand of Ingersoll Rand, has been announced as the first product of its type to be certified by the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) following extensive research and testing at airmid healthgroup.
Central forced air systems have the potential to transport biological particulates such as viruses and moulds, as well as allergens such as those derived from house dust mites, animal dander and pollen, from one indoor space to another. As a consequence, effective filtration for the air being moved throughout the system is of fundamental importance to the maintenance of a healthy indoor environment.
A series of studies were conducted at airmid healthgroup’s facilities to determine the ability of the product to reduce airborne contaminants and particulate levels. The CleanEffects™ air cleaner was installed into our modified Ashrae 52.2 test duct which is connected to a room sized environmental testing chamber. This unique test system is designed to simulate a central forced air system in a building. Contaminants were serially introduced into the chamber, and air was circulated through the test duct and chamber. Room disturbances were also carried out to keep particles airborne in the chamber. The CleanEffects™ air cleaner was found to have a significant impact on airborne allergens and particulates in both the duct and chamber in comparison to natural decay. Furthermore, the operation of the air cleaner was demonstrated to be effective at reducing airborne levels of Aspergillus niger spores by greater than 99% and 99.9% % of airborne Influenza A virus in the chamber within 35 minutes.
Electrostatic air cleaners provide filtration by first charging particles and then capturing the charged particles onto downstream collecting plates. The collecting plates of electrostatic air cleaners, unlike media-based filters, are not disposable and do not require frequent replacement. However regular cleaning of the plates is required because they can lose efficiency over time as they load with dust. airmid healthgroup assessed the impact of cleaning on the CleanEffects™ device using an accelerated loading process to simulate the build-up of dust over time. The device was then cleaned and reassessed post-cleaning. This process showed that the cleaning procedure was effective at restoring the performance efficiency of the device.
Related testing
https://www.airmidhealthgroup.com/airmid-facilities/test-chambers.html
https://www.airmidhealthgroup.com/airmid-facilities/allergen-lab.html
https://www.airmidhealthgroup.com/airmid-facilities/microbiology-lab.html
About airmid healthgroup
airmid healthgroup helps clients with products and services related to the built environment to differentiate their customer offerings through health relevant marketing claims. Clients include Dyson, LG, Proctor & Gamble, Shaw Floors, 3M, Stanley Steemer, Fellowes, Samsung, Tarkett and Philips. We create value for clients through a number of collaborative strategies, including field research projects, environmental test chamber studies and licensing our own intellectual property. We specialise in studying the relationship between allergens, viruses, bacteria, molds or other ultra-fine particles in the air and on surfaces to the spread of illness and disease in buildings. As a leading authority on biomedical and aerobiology research, we use this knowledge to improve products and services to make the indoor environment as healthy as possible.
About Ingersoll Rand and Trane
Ingersoll Rand (NYSE:IR) advances the quality of life by creating comfortable, sustainable and efficient environments. Our people and our family of brands — including Club Car®, Ingersoll Rand®, Thermo King® and Trane® — work together to enhance the quality and comfort of air in homes and buildings; transport and protect food and perishables; and increase industrial productivity and efficiency. We are a $13 billion global business committed to a world of sustainable progress and enduring results. Trane solutions optimize indoor environments with a broad portfolio of energy efficient heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems, building and contracting services, parts support and advanced control. For more information, visit www.ingersollrand.com or www.trane.com