Hong Kong, 24 March 2015….. Sino Green and ARUP unveil a research project on a city air purification system that can clean air in the open space through filtration. The preliminary results of the study show significant improvement in air quality through the system.
Jointly developed by Sino Green and ARUP, the prototype of the patent-pending air purification system, fabricated in the format of a bus stop, has been set up in Queen’s Road East, one of the busiest streets in the city, for data collection for two weeks. Under the prototype, air is drawn into the system from the inlet located at bottom of the prototype, the air current then passes through a bag filter, which is effective in removing fine suspended particles (PM10 and PM2.5) before coming out through the louvre overhead. The system has been specially designed with fluid mechanic consideration and equipment specifications so that it can build up positive pressure with the prototype area with the air curtain acting as a barrier against pollutants. Empirical data show an average reduction of 40% in the concentration of air pollutants.
The prototype includes a sensor and a device to collect data real-time, it is connected to the air quality health index website, enabling hourly comparisons of air quality data.
‘We are glad that the empirical data show encouraging results with significant improvement in concentration of pollutants. Street Canyon Effect attributes to the accumulation of air pollutants on the street; meanwhile, the air purification system allows simultaneous production of air currents in between buildings and roads which generate wind channels to improve roadside ventilation in addition to purify air through filtration. Empirical data collected from the study form a good base for the next phase of research,’ notes Dr Jimmy Tong of ARUP.
The air purification system has wide ramifications and applications. Hong Kong has a well-established public transport network, the system can be adopted for bus stops, tram stations, train stations or other applications to improve air quality.
Mr David Ng, Executive Assistant to Chairman, Sino Group, remarks, ‘It is very encouraging to see our conception brought to life. We hope this green invention brings real benefits to our society, and also inspires more people to contribute to a greener future.’
Mr Daryl Ng, Executive Director of Sino Group, adds, ‘We are delighted to collaborate with ARUP on another novel green initiative. Hong Kong is a densely populated city with busy road traffic, and poor roadside air quality poses a threat to public health. The technology is a welcome development, which has wide applications, including existing canopy structures of buildings in addition to transport network. We also hope that the technology can be adopted in China as we work together to tackle air pollution and improve air quality. This is our contribution to building a greener, cleaner community in our small, humble way.’
The prototype will be relocated to other locations in town for data collection. Further enhancements are being planned for subsequent phases, including installation of smart-controllers to control operating hours, solar panels to harvest solar energy, energy tiles for generating energy through stepping onto the tiles and a mist cooling system for cooling in hot weather.
