Virologists and scientists are in agreement: Aerosols (tiny respiratory droplets) that linger in the air are one of the key reasons behind the rapid spread of coronavirus. Only about 10 per cent of coronavirus infections are transmitted via direct contact or smear infections. Half of all infections can be attributed to the inhalation of infectious aerosols that float invisibly in the air in closed rooms. This is the reason restaurants are often touted as potential hotspots, as places where large groups of people gather in a small amount of space. In order to prevent infection, a minimum distance of 2 metres needs to be maintained or tables kept empty.
Perhaps there’s another solution – air filtration systems in aeroplanes protect against infection
When room air is constantly filtered, the risk of infection from aerosols released by speaking or coughing sinks to almost zero. Constant filtering also means there is no need to keep a minimum distance of 1.5 to 2 metres, as the germs in the recirculated air are destroyed through the use of a special HEPA filter. This air filtration technology has long been used in the air industry, e.g. in Lufthansa planes. Air-conditioning systems equipped with a particulate HEPA filter are designed to filter the cabin air as effectively as is otherwise only the case in hospitals. Furthermore, vertical ventilation, which runs from the ceiling to the floor, further reduces the risk of infection. There is accordingly no need for airlines and their advocate IATA (International Air Transport Association) to leave the middle seat empty in aeroplanes.
A technically similar solution for restaurants is the mobile TAC V+ from Trotec
If the situation in an aeroplane is compared to that in a restaurant, the question arises as to whether the air filtration principle successfully used in aviation could also be used in stationary areas to effectively protect against airborne infection. The answer was discovered in Heinsberg, one of the first corona hotspots in Germany. With the new TAC V+ air purifier, Trotec, a leading company in the production of air filtration technology has developed a mobile air purifier that produces a volume of clean air per person several times higher than the air filtration systems used in aviation. The TAC V+ circulates and cleans the air in closed rooms just as effectively as would otherwise only be possible in hygiene-sensitive clean room environments and operating rooms. This is facilitated by the high air output of the air purifier, which is required to remove floating aerosols from the room air and areas near the ground as quickly as possible. Furthermore, a new type of HEPA high-performance H14 filter with 99.995% filter efficiency ensures that airborne germs do not re-enter the room air in the course of air exchanges.
What sounds very technical in theory, proves to be extremely uncomplicated in practice. The room air is sucked in near the ground like in an aeroplane, cleaned of bacteria and viruses by the special H14 HEPA filter and then released into the room as sterile clean air without any draughts. Thanks to its mobile design, the TAC V+ can be set up almost anywhere. No installation or complicated connections necessary. Simply plug it in and the air purifier instantly provides the maximum possible protection against infection.
Is the air filtration technology used in aviation comparable to a mobile air purifier?
“The answer is yes. The technology may be different, but the results are comparable!”, according to Joachim Ludwig, Technical Managing Director of Trotec GmbH. “The performance data of our TAC V+ even surpasses the clean air performance per person and area of air filtration systems used in aeroplanes and it provides increased protection for employees and guests in restaurants, canteens and hotels, for example.”
Effective protection against airborne viruses is contingent on three decisive factors:
- A high air exchange rate. The air exchange rate refers to the number of times the air gets replaced in each room every hour. Or to put it another way: How quickly infectious viruses are filtered from the air before they are inhaled by someone. Aeroplanes typically filter cabin air with an air exchange rate of 20 times per hour. This means cabin air is circulated and cleaned once every 3 The TAC V+ air purifier produces a similar air exchange rate, however with a notably higher volume of clean air per person than in an aeroplane.
- The volume of clean air per person is the second decisive factor: Effective filtering of air throughout an entire room is not the only important process. Aerosol clouds that often form spontaneously need to be diluted within a matter or seconds, as a key factor behind infections is the viral load inhaled by humans when breathing. No filtration system is capable of filtering virus clouds as soon as they occur. Even in aeroplanes. The “first-aid” response in this instance is diluting the infectious aerosol clouds as quickly as possible through a high volume of clean air. If possible, immediately after exhalation. The high volume of clean air produced by TAC V+ enables quick dilution of aerosol clouds and complete filtration within minutes. The perfect combination of air exchange rate and a high volume of clean air helps to significantly reduce the risk of infection in heavily frequented areas.
- Maximum filter efficiency: The H14 HEPA filter used in TAC V+ filters 10 times better than conventional H13 filters. This enables the permanent removal of 99.995% of all airborne bacteria and viruses from room air. The germs are separated in the HEPA filter and the device automatically decontaminates itself after a preset time. This technology, developed and trademarked by Trotec, is currently the only technology of the sort in the world.
Virus-free air at every table in a restaurant – without the need for minimum distances
Social distancing, face masks and stricter cleaning and disinfection procedures are all sensible measures in isolation. But they do not offer any protection against infectious aerosols in restaurants, as these sometimes rise up to several metres into the air like smoke and only after hours do they slowly sink to the ground over a wide area. Even behind supposedly safe virus barrier screens. The distancing rules in restaurants correspondingly provide no “real” protection. And there aren’t any virus barrier screens in aeroplanes!
Full protection is only provided by regular air filtration, which also minimises the risk of aerogenic infection. The only current solution in the required performance class is the mobile TAC V+. Regardless of the size of the restaurant or whether there are 10 or 100 guests, the TAC V+ air purifier doesn’t simply transfer the level of protection against infections from aeroplanes to gastronomy: It offers even better protection!
What does this mean for gastronomy?
The industry association IATA is an advocate with a broad outreach that successfully represents the interests of international airlines. The hospitality industry also has strong associations and lobbyists. These are now required. The coronavirus has led to a range of corresponding hygiene concepts and the TAC V+ now also provides additional protection against the risk of aerogenic infection. There is no reason why restaurants should only be able to partially re-open if they implement a safety concept including the TAC V+, which more than fulfils all of the measures required by governments and has already been successfully implemented in other areas of the economy.
You cannot ask for more protection, and you shouldn’t settle for any less for your employees and guests:
- Compliance with all requirements and hygiene regulations (minimum distance, compulsory masks, virus barrier screens, disinfection measures etc.)
- Air filtration to reduce the risk of aerogenic infection
Interesting facts about the H14-HEPA high performance filter with a transmittance of ≤ 0.005%
Thanks to their first-class filter efficiency and innovative performance characteristics, the H14 virus filters specially developed by Trotec for the TAC V+ and TES 200 air purifiers are quite impressive. With a transmission level of only 0.005% and a separation efficiency of 99.995%, they offer 10 times the separation efficiency of conventional H13 filters. Thanks to these first-class properties, H14 high-performance filters are even used in operating theatres for clean air production and in comparably hygiene-sensitive areas. In other words, the greatest possible security to protect employees in the parcel and logistics industry from the risk of infection
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 device when required.
- H14-HEPA high performance filters are tested according to EN 1822 and EN 60335-2-69.
Trotec has set up a special advice centre for interested businesses and industry associations to answer all questions related to infection protection:
Trotec GmbH
Jochem Weingartz
Telephone: +49 2452 962-137
