Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation

Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) systems use 254 nm UVC radiation to inactivate microorganisms in the air and on surfaces. In-duct UVGI systems are installed in air-handling units or air distribution systems to inactivate microorganisms “on the fly” and on surfaces.  The literature contains few investigations of the economic performance of UVGI. This study presents a simulation-based life-cycle cost analysis of in-duct UVGI in a hypothetical office building served by VAV systems.

In-duct ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) systems treat moving air streams in heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems to inactivate airborne microorganisms. UVGI system performance depends on air temperature, velocity, cumulative operating time, variations in exposure time and other factors. Annual simulations of UVGI efficiency and space concentration that accounted for these effects were performed for a hypothetical building served by a VAV system.

Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) uses UVC radiation produced by low pressure Hg vapor lampsto control biological air contaminants. Lamp UV output depends on multiple factors, includingaccumulated operating time (age) and the thermal effects of ambient air temperature and velocity.Additionally, the life of some lamp types depends on the frequency of on-off cycles.