What is a hydroxyl radical?
The most powerful advanced oxidation systems are based on the generation of hydroxyl radicals. The hydroxyl radical is an extremely powerful oxidation agent, second only to Fluorine in power (2.23 in Relative Oxidizing Power).  They are four times stronger than 100% chlorine in its oxidative power (Its ability to break up organic molecules).  It is 1 and ½ times more powerful than ozone – without the harmful off-gassing from ozone.  These hydroxyl radicals generated in the photo catalytic process act like Pac-men – to actively and continuously attack and break up any and all organic molecules in proximity.   The process happens in billionths of a second and continues to happen as long as light, water vapor, and TiO2 are present.  The TiO2 is never used up – it just serves as the catalyst for the reaction. 

How does PCO technology work?
Photo-catalytic oxidation (PCO) is an efficient means of eliminating airborne gas-phase contaminants. PCO technology utilizes ultraviolet light to promote electrons from the valence band into the conduction band of a titanium dioxide semiconductor. Destruction of organic compounds takes place through reactions with molecular oxygen or through reactions with hydroxyl radicals and super-oxide ions. Photo-catalysis does not require extreme temperatures to be effective, and the titanium dioxide material used in many PCO reactors can be incorporated into existing HVAC systems without adversely impacting the system static pressure.

What keeps hydroxyl radicals from harming “good” cells (like us)?
First, hydroxyl radicals do not free float through the air.  They occur very close to the surface that is coated with TiO2.  The air must touch them.  Second - although extremely powerful, they only have a half-life a less of than a billionth of a second.  They do their job, then are gone.  They never have the opportunity to leave our PolarClear™ chamber. 

Is all PCO technology the same?
Absolutely not.  While simple in the process, the effectiveness of Photo catalytic, or PCO, varies significantly with:

• type of catalyst used.  The most effective catalyst is Titanium Dioxide (TiO2). 
• quality of catalyst – there are many grades of TiO2 on the market and available online.  The purity and the form are crucial to PCO success.  We use the best TiO2 – from Bio Shield, Inc. 
• form of TiO2
• how the TiO2 is applied
• spectrum of light
• time of exposure
• proximity of light source and catalyst (TiO2)
• type of primer used
• air movement

Nautic air uses a propriety combination of all the above to achieve our high kill rate and effectiveness against so many harmful containments. Our most recent tests showed a 99.7% reduction against the highly resistant, spore-forming organism, Bacillus subtilis.  Because we tested against one of the toughest organisms known and succeeded, the testing lab (Hygiene Assurance Group) determined that nautic air’s PolarClear™ technology will also eliminate more than 99% of all less resistant bacteria (like MRSA, Salmonella, E.Coli, and S.Aureus).  The same would be true for the entire family of Influenza (including H1N1) and rhinoviruses.  The president of the testing lab was so impressed with our results that he has joined nautic air’s advisory board.

What’s a micron?
Particle size is usually measured in microns, a metric unit of measure. A micron is 1/25,000 of an inch. There are over 20 million particles in the average cubic foot of indoor air.

Approximately 98% of all particles (by count) are in the size range of 5 microns or less. Visible particles represent only a small fraction of particles found in indoor air.

What is Agglomeration?

Any particles that pass through the air cleaner become polarized.  As they come in contact with other particles, they too become polarized and “stick” together.  Though agglomeration, the polarized particles bond with other polarized particles as they collide in the air and form larger masses of particles. As they increase in size, they are collected in the filter media. This enables the air cleaner to capture even the very smallest sub-micron particles that tend to suspend in the air rather than move in the air stream. 

What’s MERV?
MERV, or Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, is a number from 1 to 16 that is relative to air filter efficiency. The higher the MERV value, the more efficient the air filter is at removing particles. At the lower end of the efficiency spectrum a fiberglass panel filter may achieve MERV 4 or 5. At the higher end, filters that achieve MERV 13 or 14 are typically used in hospitals and clean rooms. High MERV filters are capable of removing higher quantities of extremely small contaminant (particles as small as 1/300 the diameter of a human hair). Higher MERV ratings can create problems with greater airflow resistance. This is also referred to as static pressure. With most filters the filter media becomes denser, and static pressure increase, as the filter efficiency increases. Increased static pressure forces the system fan motor to work harder as it pushes air through the filter. This also increases energy consumption. So for optimum performance, consumers should select the highest efficiency filter with the lowest static pressure.   Nautic air units boast a MERV rating of 14 and qualify for LEED points

Is all Ultraviolet light the same?
No.  There are 3 types of UV light – each covering different ends of the light spectrum:

• UV-A is the least harmful and most commonly found type of UV light, because it has the least energy. UV-A light is often called black light, and is used for its relative harmlessness and its ability to cause fluorescent materials to emit visible light - thus appearing to glow in the dark. Most phototherapy and tanning booths use UV-A lamps.   nautic air uses a UV-A bulbs.  They are also less expensive making annual replacement much more affordable.
• UV-B is typically the most destructive form of UV light, because it has enough energy to damage biological tissues, yet not quite enough to be completely absorbed by the atmosphere. UV-B is known to cause skin cancer. Most extraterrestrial UV-B light rays are blocked by the earth’s atmosphere.
• Short wavelength UV-C is almost completely absorbed in air within a few hundred meters. Ozone can be produced at certain ranges when UV-C photons collide with oxygen atoms. UV-C is almost never observed in nature, since it is absorbed so quickly. Germicidal UV-C lamps are often used to purify air and water, because of their ability to kill bacteria.  But extreme caution must be used when handling UV-C bulbs – eye damage can occur with minimal exposure and the creation of ozone can lead to lung damage and asthma inflammation. Additional information on potential harmful effects of ozone is available on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency website www.epa.gov.

What are the differences in filter types?

• Passive filters use a fibrous filtering material. They can range from very inefficient to highly efficient HEPA filters. Generally, the cheaper they are and the less air resistance they have, the less effective they are. The higher the air resistance, the more energy is required to overcome the airflow resistance, contributing to higher energy costs to operate. If a passive filter is too restrictive, it can cause damage to mechanical equipment.  These are the type of filters in most homes and commercial buildings.
• Electronic, corona discharge filters electrically charge particles passing through them, then attract the particles to a series of grounded collector plates where the dirt accumulates. The collector is then removed for cleaning. Unlike passive filters that become more efficient as they load, corona discharge devices tend to become less efficient as they load, especially if the cleaning regimen is not maintained properly. When they become dirty, arcing may occur which can cause the production of ozone, which the EPA has identified as being harmful to health.
• Active electronic, polarized media filters, like the ones we use in nautic air, represent the third major group of air filtration devices. This newer technology uses an electrical charge (safe, 24 volt current)to establish a polarized field. Airborne particles pass through the field and adhere to the media. Like a passive filter, polarized media filters increase in efficiency as they load. Designed for use primarily in recirculating systems, polarized media filters can provide very high efficiency with a static pressure drop much lower than passive filters claiming a similar efficiency. This may lead to a decrease in energy consumption. Unlike corona discharge devices, the nautic air units cannot produce ozone, and maintenance is easy with periodic replacement of a disposable media.

still have questions?  That’s ok - this is pretty advanced science.  Please call us at 410.604.2801 or send us an email - we’ll be happy to explain our technology in greater detail or answer any other questions.  Check back frequently as we are constantly updating and expanding our site to include more of our testing data and research.