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Science Behind Our Air Purification Technology

Heather Logan Air Purification

Photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) removes contaminants such as microbes and pollutants from the air using a combination of titanium oxide and UVC light. While high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters and other filtration systems remove fine particles, microbes, and organic compounds from the air through a very fine filter, PCO uses chemical reactions to destroy these contaminants entirely. PCO is an exceptionally rigorous filtration method with the ability to compromise viruses, bacteria, and other contaminants as small as 0.001 microns. By comparison, traditional HEPA filters handle particles down to 0.3 microns.

OSAirPurifierWhat Is Photocatalytic Oxidation (PCO)?

Photocatalytic oxidation uses UVC light and titanium oxide to generate ions that break down chemically active compounds (CACs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and microbes into CO2, water, and harmless by-products. Its exceptional efficacy has earned photocatalytic oxidation FDA approval for use in water and air filtration. In fact, PCO is so effective, NASA has used it to filter air on the International Space Station.

You can use portable purifiers or install specialized PCO technology directly into your HVAC array so that the system purifies all air passing through it before releasing the air into indoor spaces. PCO offers a number of advantages over other filtration systems, including:

  •     Superior air purification. PCO air purifiers significantly improve the quality of indoor air by converting bacteria, chemicals, and other irritating pollutants into harmless materials that do not pose a risk to human or animal health. These purifiers also remove musty odors and can generally cover more square footage than HEPA filters as well.
  •     Organic compound elimination. One of the most valuable characteristics of PCO air purification is its ability to kill microorganisms that cause disease. Titanium dioxide combined with powerful UVC radiation at wavelengths effective for germicidal results can completely destroy the cellular structure of bacteria, viruses, protozoa, mold, mildew, and other undesirable organic compounds.
  •     Environmental friendliness. Instead of using less efficient HEPA filtration, PCO safely eliminates microorganisms by destroying them at a cellular level. The process produces no harmful solvents, unpleasant fumes, or other polluting by-products. There are new versions available that use wavelengths of UV light that do not emit dangerous ozone (most legacy systems do emit ozone) so be sure any device you consider comes with  UL2998 certification as an ozone free device.  

How PCO Air Purifiers Work

PCO air purifiers are some of the most advanced air and surface purification systems on the market today. The Puraclenz  PCO technology that is at the heart of the OgenaShield Air and Surface Purifier incorporates the latest research and development to dramatically reduce harmful contaminants in virtually any indoor space. These state-of-the-art PCO air and surface purification systems utilize titanium dioxide-coated fins and ozone free UV lights to create ions which quickly and efficiently break down unwanted microbial and organic particles on a molecular level.

PCO systems direct air through a chamber that contains a UV light source and titanium dioxide-coated filters. Titanium dioxide acts as a photocatalyst and creates electrons. With exposure to UV light, the electrons on the titanium oxide surface become excited and react with water molecules present in the air, converting them to oxide ions and hydroxyl radicals. These extremely reactive ions quickly interact with contaminant particles, disrupting and separating the chemical bonds of the organic compounds through oxidation.

Unlike some other PCO technologies, our system does not incorporate harmful ozone molecules to generate reactive ions. Also, some purifiers are passive in that they are mechanical filters that only collect particulate matter from the air passing through them.  The patented Puraclenz technology creates an advanced, active PCO air and surface purification system that increases the number of (already present) positive and negative ions to not only address air pollutants, but also pathogens that have settled on exposed surfaces. A striking benefit is that the ions created by the Puraclenz treatment will deactivate contaminants before they would even reach a traditional mechanical air filter system such as Merv or HEPA filters.

Just one of our PCO purifiers covers multiple rooms and up to 3,000 square feet of indoor space. With minimal maintenance, air purification systems by Ogena Solutions provide customers with cleaner, safer air and system efficiency.

Ogena’s Air Purification Solutions

Since 2005, Ogena Solutions has been committed to providing safe, effective, and environmentally friendly air purification and cleaning solutions. As one of North America’s leading biosecurity companies, we have established a reputation for providing innovative systems that are safe for use in offices, schools, restaurants, homes, and more. 

Ogena Solutions is dedicated to safeguarding animals, humans, and the environment. To learn about our best-in-class air purification solutions, contact our experts today.