Thermo King has launched a new air purification solution that is designed to continuously purify the air in public transit buses.

Thermo King’s Air Purification Solution has been independently tested and reportedly proven to be 98% effective in deactivating certain viruses, like COVID-19, within 20 minutes of turning on the device.

“Our public transit customers understand that riders may feel apprehensive about getting back into their normal routines and taking public transportation,” said Karin De Bondt, president of Thermo King Americas. “We offer a proven solution, tested and validated by third party experts, that provides safer, healthier air quality for drivers and passengers while in transit.”

Thermo King’s Air Purification Solution is integrated in the bus heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit. The solution leverages a filter, paired with an innovative cleaning technology, to capture and deactivate certain viruses, bacteria, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as the air is exchanged.

The solution was tested at air flow rates that simulate the air changes per hour common in transit buses. Testing was conducted by an independent laboratory following guidelines of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While not tested against COVID-19 specifically, the lab used MS2 Bacteriophage, a common surrogate used for the SARS-CoV-2 virus known to cause COVID-19.

Additional features of the solution include:

• Leverages an innovative graphene-enhanced photocatalytic oxidation (GPCO) device coupled with a pre-filter.

• The pre-filter collects particulate matter while the GPCO device produces oxidants that deactivate various pathogens as the air passes through.

• The solution allows operation while passengers are present and does not emit harmful byproducts such as ozone and removes harmful VOC’s such as formaldehyde.

Learn more about Thermo King’s Air Purification Solution.