Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization and

How to Apply it to ASHRAE 62.1

Indoor Air Quality Procedure

Presented by
Charlie Waddell
President – Global Plasma Solutions
Member ASHRAE & ICC
TC 4.3 (62.1) & TC 2.3 (Gas Phase Filtration)
Former – Secretary 8.12 (Desiccant Dehum)
 Commercial Applications

OA Reduction Critical Environment

• Education • Patient Waiting Areas
• Hospitality • Hospital
• Worship • TB Isolation
• Veterinary • CBR
• Sports Arenas
• Restaurants
 ASHRAE 62 METHODS
Ventilation Rate Procedure (Section 6.1.1)
Requirements
a. CFM Per Person
b. CFM Per Square Foot
c. Ventilation Effectiveness
d.System Type – i.e., single zone, multi-zone, etc.
e. Outside Air Quality Investigation
(Prerequisite – Section 4.1 to 4.3)
Outside Air Quality Investigation
 ASHRAE 62 METHODS
Indoor Air Quality Procedure (Section 6.3)
Requirements
a. Contaminant Source Analysis
b. Contaminant Concentration Limit
c. Cognizant Authority for Contaminant Limit
d. Three Methods of Design:
1. Mass Balance Analysis (Section 6.3.4.1)
2. Subjective Evaluation (Section 6.3.4.2)
3. Similar Zone (Section 6.3.4.3)
USA Today Website
OA Does Not Control IAQ Alone

Source:
National Institute of
Standards & Technology
Contaminants of Concern
 C02 vs VOC’s

ASHRAE 62 VRP
Must maintain 700
PPM above outdoors

ASHRAE 62 IAQP
Allows up to 5,000
PPM in accordance
with OSHA &
NIOSH
PPM
NAVY SUBMARINE STUDY

According to the National Research

Council, C02< 8,000 PPM has no
affect on humans

CONCLUSION FROM REPORT:

Table D-1
Filtration Placement Consideration
TYPICAL IAQ SPREADSHEET AVAILABLE FOR ANALYSIS
 TECHNOLGY MUST BE UTILIZED TO
CONTROL GAS PHASE CONTAMINANTS
PASSIVE
•CARBON / ACTIVATED CARBON
•KMN04 (Potassium Permanganate – Highly Corrosive)

ACTIVE
•NEEDLEPOINT BI-POLAR IONIZATION (Cold Plasma)
 Application of Air Ionization
PASSIVE GAS PHASE MEDIA OPTIONS

Carbon must be “tuned” to odor

Deep Bed
Carbon Composite
Filter Media System

• Substantial Volume
• Limited amount of media
• 35 - 45 lb./1000 cfm
• 5 - 10 lb./1000 cfm
• Capacity consistent with mass
• Limited capacity
• Frequent replacement, 1-3 months • Replacement every 6 months to 1 year
• Rapid decline of efficiency • Marginal decline with use
• Poor response to RH • Tolerates Medium & low RH
• Inexpensive first cost • Expensive over life
• 0.25” to 1.00”WC PD • High static pressure .75” – 2”WC PD
 TECHNOLGY THAT WILL NOT
CONTROL GAS CONTAMINANTS
UV Lights (Unless a catalyst such as Ti02 is used with UV*)

Particle Filters, Including HEPA Filters

Powered Particle Filters

Electrostatic Precipitators

*Refer to recent ASHRAE Position paper on PCO

& RP-1457, Byproducts of PCO
 ICC / IMC
• IMC 2006 & later includes a provision for
engineered ventilation systems, i.e., (62.1 IAQP)
– Section 403.2 – Exception
 Application of Air Ionization
Some artificially produced plasma's

Fusion energy
Ion thrusters
Plasma displays Rocket exhaust

Area in front of
Semi conductor
a space craft
fabrication Plasma torch
heat shield
 Applications for
Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization
Item 1 Tremendous Energy and Cost Savings Via
Outside Air Reduction Using ASHRAE Standard 62, IAQP

Item 2 Particle Control

Item 3 Odor Control

Item 4 Pathogen Control

Item 5 Clean Old Cooling Coils & Keep New Coils Clean
 History of Air Ionization
Plasma was first identified in a Crooks tube, and
so described by Sir William Crookes in 1879 (he
called it "radiant matter"). The nature of the
Crookes tube “cathode ray” matter was
subsequently identified by British physicist Sir
J.J. Thomson in 1897. The term "plasma" was
coined by Irving Langmuir in 1928, perhaps
because the glowing discharge molds itself to the
shape of the Crooks tube ( a thing moulded or
formed).

Sir William Crookes, OM, FRS was a British chemist and physicist who attended the
Royal College of Chemistry, London, and worked on spectroscopy.
 What is Plasma?
In physics and chemistry, plasma
is a state of matter similar to gas
in which a certain portion of the
particles is ionized. Heating a gas
may ionize its molecules or
atoms (reduce or increase the
number of electrons in them),
thus turning it into a plasma,
which contains charged particles:
positive electrons/ions and
negative electrons/ions.

Most matter in the universe is “ionized”. By contrast, most matter

on earth (and in its atmosphere) is un-ionized.
 IONS ARE NATURALLY OCCURRING
Ions are present naturally in the air and
are found in the highest concentrations
where the ocean meets the shore and
high elevation in the mountains.

The plasma process will artificially

create the ions found in these desirable
locations and supply them into the
building, enhancing the indoor air
quality.

Units of Measure = Ions/cc

Waterfalls/Elevation – 5,000
City – 200
Inside Buildings - <100
 Ion Deficiency Issues

Few human activities lead to an

increase in ions. Most activities
cause a depletion.

According to research conducted by

Columbia University, Ion depletion
can cause sleepiness, attention
deficit, discomfort and headaches

These effects can be controlled by

artificially increasing ion levels
using needlepoint bipolar ionization,
No research has reported any adverse effects on people from even
which has been reported to reverse high concentrations of balanced or monopolar ionization
the issues.
 HOW PARTICLES ARE CREATED
• A person sitting or stopped generates about 100,000 particles per cubic ft.
• Sitting down or standing up generates about 2,500,000 particles cubic ft.
• Walking generates about 10,000,000 particles per cubic ft.
• Horseplay generates about 30,000,000 particles per cubic ft.
• Grinding, sweeping, welding adds billions of particles per cubic ft.
• Two surfaces rubbing generate billions of particles per cubic ft.

There are over 18 Million particles in 1 cubic ft of air

Courtesy:
Steven Andrews, CIH
 Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization for
TVOC CONTROL
What Are VOCs?
Volatile: Vapor at Room Temperature
Organic: Contains Hydrogen & Carbon
Compounds: More than one gas

• Natural & Man-Made

• We Come in Contact w/100’s Each Day
• Human & Non-Human Sources
 Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization for
Allergy and Asthma Triggers
Healthcare Considers VOCs/Particles a Key Trigger For:
• Asthma

• Allergies

• Bronchitis

• Emphysema
 Plasma Breaks Down Gases To Less Objectionable Forms

H+

H N+
N

H
H+
Ammonia Molecule
H+

Plasma Field
The Objectionable Gases Regroup To Form Safe & Desirable
Gases Already Prevalent in Our Atmosphere!
O
O
O N
O
H
H O
N
H
O N Nitrogen H

N O
O
O O
O
Oxygen O H

H O

Water Vapor
Chemical Compounds Ionization Can Easily Control
CHEMICAL FORMULA Electron Volt
Xylene* C8H10 7.89
Styrene* C 8H 8 8.46
Methyl Ethyl Ketone* C 3H 8O 9.52
Ammonia* NH3 10.07
Acetaldehyde* CH3CHO 10.23
Ethyl Alcohol* C2H5OH 10.48
Formaldehyde* CH2O 10.88
Oxygen O2 12.07

* Typical contaminants of concern as contained within ASHRAE 62.1

• Electron Volt Energy greater than 12Ev, creates ozone (O3)
July, 2010 Issue of
HVAC Insider Magazine

Article Author:
Bruce Longino, P.E., LEED AP

Topic: Reduction of Outside Air

Using ASHRAE 62 IAQ Procedure
and Needlepoint Bi-Polar Ionization
August 2012 Issue of
HVAC Insider Magazine

Article Author:
Bruce Longino, P.E., LEED AP

Topic: Why Use UVC Lamps when

Needlepoint Bi-Polar Ionization is
Better?
 Mold, Virus & Bacteria Control
The Positive and Negative Ions Attack DNA/RNA Cell
Structure of Single Cell Organisms & Removes Hydrogen

+ +

Plasma
Contaminant
Source +

+ +

Like Purell for the air and surfaces

Independent Testing by CDC Affiliate EMSL Labs & ATS Labs
10’ x 10’ x 10’ cube at 6 Air Changes Per Hour

Pathogen Time Exposed Kill Rate

E.coli 15 minutes 99.68%
MRSA 30 minutes 96.24%
TB 60 minutes 69.01%
Noro Virus 30 minutes 93.50%
Feline Calicivirus 30 minutes 93.50%
 Application of Air Ionization

WET SIDE

Hazardous Disposal Req’d No Yes

Note: Cleans entire coil depth, not just “line of sight”. DRY SIDE
Mold Test (with & without NBPI)
 Vallencia College
Independent
Testing Results:
0 Bacteria
0 Fungi
Throughout
GPS-IBAR
Entire Depth
Of Cooling Coil

Indoor VOC’s < OA VOC’s!

 Ionization Products
Sizes and capacity vary based on the manufacturer

Request Ion Density Output (Ions per Cubic

Centimeter) at a given distance, ~ 1” or 2” away

Confirm products have passed the UL 867-2007 ozone

chamber test – NOTE: a loop hole in UL 867 does
NOT require ozone testing if products are duct
mounted – only if they are space mounted
 Maintenance / Life

1. NBPI products require little maintenance

2. NBPI products require no replacement parts
3. NBPI products are usually designed to last the life
of the associated air handling system. Life
expectancy is greater than 10 years
 Ion Sensing Solutions
Hand Held Air Ion Counters

Duct Mount Ion Detectors

Wall & Duct Mount Air Ion Counters

TVOC Sensors
 Biofilm Reduces Heat Transfer
Amount of Scale....................% Heat Transfer Reduction
0.006”...............................16%
0.012”...............................20%
0.024”...............................27%
0.036”...............................33%

“Equipment operating with dirty coils may use as

much as 37% more energy than equipment with clean
coils.”
Source: Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration News
 Classroom Dirty Coil Analysis
3 System Tons

Scale Thickness % Loss Added Tons Added Annual Cost

0.006 16% 0.48 $86.40
0.012 20% 0.6 $108.00
0.024 27% 0.81 $145.80
0.036 33% 0.99 $178.20

Annual Hours 2000

$/KWh $0.100
KW per Ton 0.9

Notes:
1. Savings only applies to cooling hours unless it is a heatpump coil
 Fan Power Savings
CFM = 1,000
Increased Static PD Due to Dirty Coil = 1.0” WC
$ / KW = $0.10
Operational Hours = 2000 (typical school annual hours)
Total Savings = $37.28 Per 1,000 CFM @ 1” Static

Dirty Coil Surfaces Affect Heat

Transfer By Imposing More
Load on System
Ventilation Rate Procedure w/o ERU

Typical Classroom w/30 People

IAQ Procedure without Energy Recovery

Wall Unit Typical Classroom w/30 People

w/Air
Purification
Ventilation Rate Procedure with ERU

Typical Classroom w/30 People

 IAQ Procedure with Energy Recovery

Wall Unit Typical Classroom w/30 People

w/Air
Purification
Design Summary Comparison

450 CFM OA – 3.1 tons

450 CFM OA w/ERW – 1.0 ton
150 CFM OA wo/ERW- 1.0 ton
150 CFM OA w/ERW – 0.33 tons

ERW + IAQP = 10% of original load!

 The Big Picture with IAQP
School with 100K ft2
• Typical First Cost Savings = $300k to $400k
or $2.50/ft²*

• Typical Annual Energy Savings = $48,000

or $0.40/ft²**

*First cost savings analysis provided by Spurlock Consulting, ATL, GA

**Energy savings provided by Gwinnett County Schools
 Houston Methodist Hospital
Field Study Results
Needlepoint Bi-Polar Air Ionization for VOC Remediation
 TAMPA BAY ARENA CASE STUDY

Year Built: 1996

Year Renovated: 2011
Size: 670,000 square feet
Occupancy: 21,500 Occupants
OA Reduction: 94,274 CFM
Capacity Saved: 700 Tons
Equipment: 12 – 40,000 AHU’s with Needlepoint Equip.
Renovation $ Saved: > $1 million
Annual Energy $: >$115,000
C02 Reduction: > 1.25 millions pounds C02 annually
Environment Impact: Equivalent to planting > 3,000 trees
Engineer: Smith Seckman & Reid (SSR Nashville)
Contractor: Tappouni Mechanical, Tampa, FL
 Building Rating Programs
Providing compliance path for IAQP

• LEED – Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design

(Alternate Compliance Path)

• ENERGY STAR

• GREEN GLOBES
 Wrap Up
• ASHRAE 62 IAQ Procedure is a Great Way to Save
First Cost, Operating Costs & Energy, i.e.:
• lower life cycle costs (LCC)
• lower total cost of ownership (TCO)

• IAQ Procedure May Be Used With The VRP to

Control Contaminants

• Provide Acceptable IAQ While Saving Energy