Thousands of saliva droplets in varying size are expelled into the air while talking or sneezing. Large droplets – which cough and sneeze guards, visors and mouth-nose masks are meant to protect against in times of the coronavirus. But even the smallest microparticles too, the so-called aerosols. These aerosols are now being researched intensively in the laboratories of the TU Berlin, in order to be able to better estimate the risk of infection with coronavirus. Together with doctors and virologists, the engineers at Trotec are also working on technical solutions aimed at filtering infectious aerosols out of the air in rooms. As soon as the first cases of infection were announced in Heinsberg, work commenced on a high-frequency air purifier with special HEPA filtration, in order to be able to keep, in particular, open-plan offices, restaurants or comparable extensive areas permanently free of infectious aerosols. This is because a mobile solution with sufficiently high air purification rate has so far not been available to remove viral-laden aerosols from the entire room air via the filter specially developed for this in as short a time as possible. After just 5 months development time, the new TAC V+ air purifier is now available in various versions and ready for use in numerous applications.
Aerosols – an invisible danger of infection in the air
Epidemiologists and virologists are of one mind: The questions is no longer “whether” the virus is spread via aerosols in the air but instead “how” these tiny particles disperse in the room. And how long these airborne pathogens remain infectious. “As part of various projects, we’re investigating the length of time pathogens remain in the air under different conditions,” declares Prof. Dr. Martin Kriegel, Director of the Hermann-Rietschel Institute at the TU Berlin. Together with his “Contamination Control” team here, he is researching the extent to which the spread of the virus depends on the composition and size distribution of the particles within the exhaled air. In the case of droplet infection, the virus-laden saliva droplet lands directly on the mucous membrane of another person. In the case of airborne transfer, the viruses – bound in minute liquid particles – enter the respiratory tract. “Larger particles sink faster to the floor. Smaller particles follow the airflow and can remain in the air for a long time,” explains the Research Director.
TAC V+ filters aerosols out of the room air – before they get inhaled
There are numerous air purifiers on the market. Yet none of these compact appliances achieve anything like the high air and filter capacity of the mobile TAC V+.
In graphic terms: If an infected person expels pathogenic aerosols into the room while on the phone right at the back of a room, the air purifier must be able to suck in these aerosols close to the floor and filter them out rapidly even over a larger distance. What is more, aerosol clouds occurring spontaneously at head height must be diluted immediately with very large volumes of room air so as to reduce the viral load and hence infection risk significantly! And achieving both together – effective virus filtration plus immediate dilution of spontaneously occurring aerosol clouds – is something only the TAC-V+ air purifier from Trotec can successfully do at present. The mobile TAC V+ purifies air in closed rooms just as effectively as purifiers used in hygiene-sensitive clean room environments and hospital operating rooms. This is enabled by the very high air capacity of 1,600 m³/hour in conjunction with a new type of H14 HEPA thermal decontamination. Consequently even large office spaces, waiting areas or meeting rooms can be kept more or less free or viruses and germs on a permanent basis.
What sounds very technical in theory, proves to be extremely uncomplicated in practice. The air in the communally used rooms is sucked in near the floor, freed from bacteria and viruses by the HEPA filter and returned to the room as germ-free clean air. No installation or complicated connections necessary. Simply plug in and immediately ensure maximum possible protection against infection!
Why high air exchange rates and high intake capacity are so important for protection in the office
The team headed by Prof. Kriegel simulated particle dispersion in various tests in an office with four employees. “This shows how small particles less than 50 μm in particular spread far and wide and linger for a long time in the room without mechanical ventilation,” adds Kriegel to sum up the results.
Another experiment[2] by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) reveals how rapidly the coronavirus can disperse in an open-plan office. Within a short time, 98 of the 811 employees became infected with the virus – without all these persons having any personal contact with one another. According to the research results, the virus spread via the room air inside the office.
The TAC V+ air purifier provides a solution for the actual infection risk
Social distancing rules, face masks plus more intensive cleaning and disinfection measures – viewed in isolation – are a sensible course of action! But they do not offer any protection against infectious aerosols, as these rise up to several metres into the air like smoke and only after hours do they slowly and widely sink to the ground. Even behind allegedly safe cough and sneeze barriers. The risk of staff becoming infected with the coronavirus through room air if all safety and hygiene measures are observed is reduced to almost zero by using a TAC V+ air purifier with virus filter!
You can’t ask for more to protect your staff, and shouldn’t demand less:
- Compliance with all requirements and hygiene regulations (social distancing, compulsory masks, cough and sneeze barriers, disinfection measures etc.)
- Air purification to reduce the airborne risk of infection
Interesting facts about the H14-HEPA high performance filter with a transmittance of ≤ 0.005%
The H14 virus filters developed by Trotec are distinguished by their outstanding filter efficiency and innovative performance characteristics. With their transmission level of just 0.005% and separation level of 99.995%, they offer 10 times the separation efficiency compared to conventional H13 filters. Thanks to these first-class properties, H14 high-performance filters are even used to produce clean air in operating theatres and in other comparably hygiene-sensitive areas.
All the H14 high-performance filters offered by Trotec meet the highest quality requirements which are obligatory for filtering bacteria and viruses:
- Each H14 high-performance filter is individually tested and given its own serial number.
- The test report is enclosed with each H14 filter in duplicate as a certificate.
- The original test certificate can be filed away and a copy attached to the air purification appliance when required.
- H14 HEPA high performance filters are tested according to EN 1822 and EN 60335-2-69.
The TAC V+, available for purchase or rental, was developed and tested in a Heinsberg-based study. The appliance comes in several colours at a price of £ 3,797.04 in the Trotec Shop.
Trotec air purification expert Jochem Weingartz will be pleased to answer any questions regarding the use, appliance dimensions or all other technical matters:
Trotec GmbH
Mr Jochem Weingartz
Telephone: +49 2452 962-137
jochem.weingartz@trotec.com
