Since there are no currently active contests, we have switched Climate CoLab to read-only mode.
Learn more at https://climatecolab.org/page/readonly.
Skip navigation
5comments
Share conversation: Share via:

Ralf Lippold

Aug 14, 2017
05:15

Catalyst


1 |
Share via:

Dear Saadithya,

Your proposal sounds thrilling and offering quite a bit of impact. Especially in tropical and sub-tropical regions, there must be lots of HVAC in use, so the proposal can be scaled. 

Bringing an invention to innovation, and wide use can be quite a challenge.

  • What business models, partnering schemes could be beneficial for a successful implementation and scaling?
  • What other solutions are in place already (if at all) and what are their shortcomings?


Keep up the great work. 

Best, Ralf 

 


Aadhithya Sujith

Aug 26, 2017
08:24

Catalyst


2 |
Share via:
Proposal
contributor

Thanks Ralf for your feedback.

  • What business models, partnering schemes could be beneficial for a successful implementation and scaling?

Partnership with HVAC manufacturers will be useful, if the product once developed can be sold with the HVAC units and it can be integrated in new models of HVAC. The Consortium Advanced UV for Life along with MIT media lab is a good partner for research & development.

  • What other solutions are in place already (if at all) and what are their shortcomings?

U.V  LEDS have been used for various purpose but not used as mentioned in the proposed idea in HVAC. Currently there is no way to stop spore & fungal growth in HVAC units this will lead to blockade of HVAC units and is responsible for airborne diseases, also it affects the efficiency of HVAC units.

Thanks again for your support.

Thanks & regards

Aadhithya 


Teerth Brahmbhatt

Aug 27, 2017
05:12

Catalyst


3 |
Share via:

Dear Aadhithya, 

 

This is a great proposal, it provides a simple yet elegant solution to a problem that I have otherwise experience to be quite difficult to deal with first hand. 

  • Some questions in terms of position the UV light source or sticker, what is the extent of UV light needed to reduce contamination or eliminate it from the sources you mentioned prior? 
    • What is the energy consumption caused by this per HVAC unit assuming it is running 24/7? 
  • In addition, have you considered how this would be implemented in such a way to maximize the safety of residents?, what are the long terms health effects of the amount of exposure to UV radiation one might experience with either solution implemented in a traditional HVAC system. Would this approval be done by the FDA or another agency? 
    • I only ask because I have worked with a product recently that is light scattering based lab instrument and it had to go through such an approval by regulatory agencies, something much closer to everyday residents would possibly face even more scrutiny. 

 

Thank you so much for your participation! Keep up the great work. 

 

Best Regards, 

 

Teerth


Aadhithya Sujith

Sep 10, 2017
01:57

Catalyst


4 |
Share via:
Proposal
contributor

Hi Teerth Brahmbhatt,

Thanks for your feedback & support I really appreciate it.

  • Some questions in terms of position the UV light source or sticker, what is the extent of UV light needed to reduce contamination or eliminate it from the sources you mentioned prior? 

Dosages for a 90% kill of most bacteria and viruses range from 2,000 to 8,000 µW·s/cm2. Larger parasites such as cryptosporidium require a lower dose for inactivation.

  • What is the energy consumption caused by this per HVAC unit assuming it is running 24/7? 

We can assume 24* 7 operation but in reality it can be scheduled with a timer. It will also depend on number of U.V LEDs used & type of U.V LIght used. I propose U.V LED lights. Say I use TopTech UV light then 26.4 Watts * 24 hours/day * 10.5 cents kWh = $24.28 per year ($2.00 per month).

However I propose U.V LED lights which consume much lesser energy compared to TopTech UV light.

  • In addition, have you considered how this would be implemented in such a way to maximize the safety of residents?, what are the long terms health effects of the amount of exposure to UV radiation one might experience with either solution implemented in a traditional HVAC system. Would this approval be done by the FDA or another agency? 

I only ask because I have worked with a product recently that is light scattering based lab instrument and it had to go through such an approval by regulatory agencies, something much closer to everyday residents would possibly face even more scrutiny. 

Yes you are correct, U.V LED light is dangerous to humans but it can be used safely without direct exposure to skin from water filters to hospital sterlizers. Here in the proposed application, U.V LED is used inside the HVAC and it is no way causing direct exposure to human skin so it is safe for this application. Also U.V LEDs do not have good penetration capabilities so the disinfection of HVAC can happen in a closed environment.

Thanks & regards

Aadhithya


Chet Ramphal

Mar 4, 2020
01:07

Member


5 |
Share via:

hello AADITHYA:

How is your project doing now? Is it being implemented in the industry?

Chet