Bi-Polar Ionization
The Swiss IAQ Specialists
The History of Bi-Polar Ionization
The Olympic Academy
Conrad Habicht
Maurice Slovine
Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein’s sister contracted TB
and was sent to a hospital in the
Swiss Alps -- a “healthier climate”.
She recovered and Einstein became
curious.
This led to the theory of conductivity
& the theory of light absorption.
Conrad Habicht & Einstein invented a
device to replicate the air’s natural
conductivity.
This is what we now know as bi-
polar air ions.
Ions and Air Quality
In the most pristine environments there are naturally
higher ion levels.
Air ions are nature’s air cleaning method.
These levels fall as we enter more populated and
polluted environments.
Bi-Polar ion systems increase ions to a higher level –
improving IAQ.
How Bi-Polar Ionization Technology Works
Air carries oxygen molecules over the
dielectric barrier (bi-polar ion tube).
The bi-polar ion tube produces positively
and negatively charge air ions.
Negatively and positively charged air ions
are attracted to and bond with oppositely
charged airborne pollutants. Interactions
occur reducing contaminant levels and
producing cleaner air.
Beneficial Effects of Bi-Polar Ionization
Particle Reduction
The bi-polar process causes oppositely charged ions to attract to each other.
This causes “agglomeration” & larger particles drop out of the breathing range.
The particles that get to the HVAC filters will still do so, but the filter will operate
more efficiently since it will trap these now larger particles.
The particles that reach the floor ultimately decay and stay out of the breathing
range.
VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) Control
VOC’s are made up of complex chains of hydrocarbons.
VOC’s are from many sources including, building materials,
furnishings, people, combustion sources, chemical storage, etc.
Excessive VOC and CO2 levels are the reason outside air is
required to be introduced into buildings, to remove these
elements by dilution.
VOC’s commonly cause undesirable odors and irritations.
Bi-polar ionization interacts with the hydrocarbon chains and
breaks down their structure, turning something complex and
irritating or toxic into simple and benign elements like CO2 and
H2O.
Micro-Organisms (Bacteria, Viruses, Molds)
Living organisms that are detrimental to health.
They need food, water and seek to reproduce and spread.
Bi-Polar ions interact with oppositely charged elements and strip hydrogen
molecules from micro-organisms.
This makes the cell unable to split and divide and reproduce.
This will reduce bacteria colony forming units and reduce mold spore counts.
The effect can be both preventative and curative.
Mold
Spores are displaced from the breathing range. These are the elements
that cause allergic reactions.
The DNA of the spore is effected by ionization the spore loses it’s ability
to reproduce.
The mildew odor is a class of VOC. It is broken down by ionization.
Bi-Polar ionization can both help an active mold situation as well as
prevent mold problems from occurring.
Energy Conservation
Systems use little energy, power draw for most units is less than 50 watts.
Bi-polar systems do not restrict airflow or cause meaningful static
pressure drop in a duct system.
Allows for cost effective use of the ASHRAE 62.1 IAQ procedure for
engineered systems where O/A can go below the prescriptive rate method
if contaminants are addressed and an air purification strategy is
implemented. IMC recognizes this method as well as many local
mechanical codes.
Not only will lowering outside air effect operating costs but tonnage load
as well, when designing a new system.
Less outside air also mean less introduction of particles, spores and
odorous elements.
International Mechanical Code
