ORLANDO, Fla. - Exhibitors of IAQ products at the 2010 AHR Expo have not been idle. They have been improving on existing technologies for increased accuracy and performance, and in some cases, flipping concepts in order get better results. A sampling of new products is provided in this short and snappy roundup.

Dexen Industries (www.dexen.com) showed its IAQ monitor system, which measures oxygen levels rather than carbon monoxide. According to the company, an enclosed area is compromised when oxygen levels decrease at a faster rate than the rate of CO. The system recognizes an unsafe level of CO (less than 18.3 percent) and shuts down fossil fuel-burning appliances. It also triggers increased fresh air from the ventilation system.

The GeneralAire (www.generalaire.com) TERSus provides three technologies in one air purification system. The first stage is an electrostatically enhanced needled media filter that removes up to 96.3 percent of microscopic particles and airborne allergens as small as 0.3 microns. The second stage features 254 nanometer wavelengths of UVC light amplified to 10,000 times the intensity of sunlight to kill viruses and bacteria too small to be filtered out by high-efficiency filter media. In the third stage, UV light combines to create a chemical reaction with a permanent TIO2 Anatase semi-conductor called photocatalytic oxidation (PCO), converting VOCs into harmless carbon and water.

Panasonic Home & Environment Co. (www.panasonic.com) announced the expansion of its WhisperGreen® premium ventilation fan product line with four new models. Designed for 4-inch ducts, the new 80-cfm models (FV-08VKM2 and FV-08VKS2) are quieter than their predecessors at <0.3 sone. For larger bathrooms with 6-inch ducts, the new 130-cfm models (FV-13VKM2 and FV-13VKS2) offer low sone levels of 0.5. The FV-08VKM2 and FV-13VKM2 feature the SmartAction® motion sensor. All models are Energy Star® rated, HVI certified, and ideal for complying with ASHRAE Standard 62.2.

Purafil Inc. (www.purafil.com), a single-source manufacturer of gas-phase air filtration systems, displayed the disinfection Purafil Canister (PC-24), said to be an optimum retrofit solution and is compatible with existing holding frames. It tackles sodium oxides, nitrogen oxides, ozone, VOCs, hydrogen sulfide, dimenthyl sulfides and sulfates, cobalt sulfide, total sulfur, and chlorine at up to 500 fpm. The company recently received the latest International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2008 certification for its quality management systems.

The Rehau (www.na.rehau.com) Ecoair system takes advantage of consistently moderate ground temperatures to precondition incoming fresh air, thus improving indoor air ventilation while reducing heating and cooling costs. Prior to entering the indoor ventilation system, fresh air is prewarmed with ground heat 5 to 7 feet below the earth’s surface in winter, and precooled with cooler ground temperatures in summer. In addition to directly reducing the energy required to heat or cool incoming fresh air, the system can be designed to lower relative humidity during periods of cooling, and eliminate defrost cycles in heat recovery ventilators (HRV), ensuring a continuous supply of fresh ventilation air.

The Triatomic Environmental Inc. (www.freshaireuv.com) APCO™ incorporates an advanced absorptive photocatalytic oxidation (APCO) monolithic cell, which absorbs these contaminates and allows time for complete oxidation of these contaminates. The cell is regenerative, breaking down captured impurities to simple carbon dioxide and water vapor. A shielded UVC lamp provides airborne disinfection and irradiates the coil to eliminate system-clogging biological growth. It also features duct-mounted installation, a lifetime power supply warranty, 18-32 VAC or 110-277 VAC power supply, reversible design when increased airstream bio-kill is desired, and a remote second lamp available for return side coil treatment.

UVDI (www.uvdi.com) unveiled its V-RAY Grid Healthy Building System, which allows for easier installation in most HVAC systems due to its adjustable rack system. It is said to be ideal for coil irradiation and the disinfection of moving airstreams. The company is an ISO 9001:2000 certified manufacturer of UV products used in the treatment of surfaces, air, and water. It currently markets products through the UVDI®, Altru-V® and Sparks Technology™ brands.

Publication date: 02/22/2010