Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Thermal Systems, Ltd. (MHI Thermal Systems), the parent company of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Air-Conditioning Europe, has confirmed that its air purification technology can effectively remove and inactivate the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). This technology also suppresses pollen and other allergens collected in the filter utilizing the power of enzymes and urea. MHI Thermal Systems had previously verified that a liquid enzyme-urea formulation had the capability to remove and inactivate SARS-CoV-2 (announced in February this year) and has now completed tests that verify the effectiveness of its air filter technology.
To confirm claims, Japan Textile Products Quality and Technology Center (Q-TEC) conducted a demonstration test (Note 1). The tests included filtering media in MHI Thermal Systems’ air purification filters with an injection of a viral fluid containing SARS-CoV-2; then leaving it to rest in an incubator at 35℃ for one hour. The stirred material was then collected and the viral titer determined through plaque assay (Note2) (plaque-forming units (PFU)). The tests revealed when left for one hour in the air purification filter, the viral fluid containing SARS-CoV-2 had an inactivation rate of 99.998%.
Research to remove or inactivate viruses in areas where indoor air-conditioning systems contributes to efforts to counter viruses in indoor spaces and is a pressing social issue. In the future, MHI Thermal Systems will continue to conduct research in this field to develop antibacterial and antiviral technologies.