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AtmosAir Bi-Polar Ionization (BPI) Process vs. Other Methods

There are many other technologies on the market that attempt to fix Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) problems.

However, NONE of them are capable of dealing with all of the typical IAQ issues like AtmosAir’s Di-Electric Barrier Discharge (DBD) Bi-Polar Ionization technology.

This chart compares these different methodologies to AtmosAir. For more information, please contact us directly. We’ll be glad to help you.

AtmosAir Bi-Polar Ionization

  • AtmosAir’s Bi-polar Ionization tubes generate a Non-Thermal Plasma (NTP or Cold Plasma) field around the ionization tube.
  • Air carries Oxygen molecules over the tubes producing highly energized (12.07 Electron Volts – “EV”) positively and negatively charged Oxygen ions – these are the bi-polar ions. Only AtmosAir DBD Ionization Tubes have the energy to excite the Oxygen molecules to this level. Other technologies do not produce sufficient energy to do so which is why AtmosAir’s bi-polar ions last up to 8 minutes in the space, while others last for only seconds.
  • Covid-19 and other viruses are spread through aerosol droplets floating in the air that we inhale. AtmosAir Bi-Polar Ions continuously saturate the indoor air in the occupied space, at the level that you actually breathe, and continuously react with the viral particles deactivating them, and then causing them to clump together and drop out of your breathing range.
  • AtmosAir’s technology does not rely on Viruses, Bacteria, Mould Spores, Dust and Smoke particles, VOC’s, Odours, Allergens and other contaminants to be sucked up from the room into the aircon’s return filters and then passed by UV-C lights or other passive technologies to remove them from your air. Our bi-polar ionization process allows for air cleaning to occur within the desired space treating a larger volume of air within the breathing range.
  • AtmosAir is an ACTIVE and CONTINUOUS Disinfection Technology. No other technology decontaminates the air inside your room. AtmosAir treats the source of the contamination.
  • AtmosAir‘s patented BPI technology does not produce harmful chemicals or by-products such as ultraviolet (UV) or Ozone.
  • AtmosAir can be simply installed into existing central HVAC systems or used as stand-alone units. AtmosAir will not restrict airflow when incorporated into central systems.
  • AtmosAir units are energy efficient and require minimal electricity – from 6 to 55 watts per unit.
Needlepoint Ionization
  • Needlepoint ionizers are ionization needles that produce positive and negative ions.
  • Can be incorporated into central HVAC systems or used as stand alone units.
  • Is NOT effective on particulate removal.
  • Is NOT effective on odor removal.
  • No noticeable difference in the space with these systems.
  • Is not effective on many mold spores, bacteria and viruses.
  • Has not tested to reduce contaminants in occupied space.
  • Ions quickly recombine in occupied space.

See Needlepoint Comparison chart

HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) Media Filtration
  • Pleated type filter that has proven 99.97% efficient to trap particles 0.3 microns and larger.
  • Can be incorporated into central HVAC systems or used as stand alone units.
  • Is effective on particulate removal.
  • Cannot treat source of contaminants, can only filter contaminated air from entering an area.
  • Is not effective on many mold spores, bacteria and viruses.
  • Is not effective on VOC’s, gasses and most odors.
  • Will restrict airflow when incorporated into central systems and increase energy costs.
  • Requires several maintenance visits to replace used filters each year
UV (Ultra-Violet light) Purification
  • Disinfects by passing air through ultra-violet light.
  • Can be incorporated into central HVAC systems or used as stand alone units.
  • UV light can only treat contaminants that pass directly through the light field. Ambient air that does not enter through the light field will not be affected.
  • UV is dependant on contaminants being exposed to the light field for a time period long enough for the contaminant to be treated.
  • UV is dangerous when exposed to humans.
  • Some elements (for example Aspergillus Niger) are resistant to UV altogether.
  • In not effective on VOC’s, gasses and odors.
  • Is not effective in reducing particulate levels.
  • Some of these systems produce undesirable ozone levels.
  • Will not restrict airflow when incorporated into central systems.
  • Requires maintenance each year to replace worn bulbs.
Photocatalytic Oxidation (PCO)
  • PCO (Photo Catalytic Oxidation) uses UV light and a catalyst (usually titanium) to produce reactive oxygen species, hydroxyl radicals
  • PCO can be incorporated into an HVAC system or used in standalone unit.
  • PCO can have a germicidal effect on bacteria and virus.
  • PCO has no effect on particles
  • PCO has minimal effect on odors.
  • PCO needs to bring the contaminated air to the unit, since the reactive oxygen species will not survive long last past the catalyst.
  • Some PCO systems emit undesirable levels of ozone.
  • PCO systems use UV light which is dangerous to humans.
  • Chemically manufacture ions using UV radiation shined onto either Titanium Dioxide (Ti02) or other metal.
Carbon Filters
  • Works via a process called adsorption whereby pollutants are trapped in carbon substrate.
  • Does NOT agglomerate particles and make HVAC system more efficient.
  • Passive technology; Highly reliant on airflow in order to be effective as air needs to bring contaminant to the filter.
  • Does NOT sanitize or disrupt the reproductive cycle of mold, bacteria, and specific influenza.
  • Does NOT neutralize static.
  • Maintenance intensive with filtration maintenance occurring as regularly as monthly.
  • Typically heaviest filter section.
  • Energy inefficient.
Electronic Air Cleaners
  • Charges particles by generating single polarity ions to pass through the unit to attract to an oppositely charged collector cell.
  • Uses high energy (up to 25,000 volts) to produce ions.
  • Mostly ineffective against bacteria, spores, odors and VOC compounds.
  • Requires maintenance (sometimes monthly) to clean collector cells or unit’s effectiveness will diminish.
  • Can only treat air which passes through the collector cell.
  • High energy used to generate ions will create ozone.
  • Can be incorporated into central HVAC systems.
"Dust Collectors"
  • Examples of these units are the many “stick style” consumer units.
  • Charges particles by generating single polarity ions to pass through the unit to attract to an oppositely charged collector cell.
  • Units do not produce adequate airflow to effect large spaces.
  • Only effective inches from the unit.
  • High energy used to generate ions will create ozone.
  • Single polarity charge may produce particles clinging to surfaces.
  • Ineffective against bacteria, spores and VOC compounds.
  • Cannot be incorporated into central HVAC systems.
Scent Generators
  • Disperse various chemicals into the air to mask odors.
  • Typically used in casino and hospitality environments to mask odors.
  • Reduces lifespan of HVAC equipment.
  • Coats the inside of HVAC equipment with particles and oil –like substance.
  • Increases overall health risks of property.
  • Not sustainable.