US20240318845A1

US20240318845A1 - Systems and methods for feedback control of disinfection

Info

Publication number: US20240318845A1
Application number: US18/610,929
Authority: US
Inventors: Jonathan D. Douglas; Brennan H. Fentzlaff; Bernard P. Clement
Original assignee: Tyco Fire and Security GmbH
Current assignee: Tyco Fire and Security GmbH
Priority date: 2023-03-21
Filing date: 2024-03-20
Publication date: 2024-09-26

Abstract

A disinfection system for controlling an indoor environment of a building. The disinfection system includes a disinfection device configured to detect pathogens in the indoor environment and performing disinfection procedures on the air and surfaces. The disinfection system further includes a controller configured to receive, from a treated space in the indoor environment, sensor data from the disinfection device or a sensor indicating an amount of a deactivated pathogen. The controller further configured to determine the amount of the deactivated pathogen corresponds to a deactivation ratio or deactivation percentage of active to deactivated pathogens in the treated space. The controller further configured to adjust the one or more disinfection procedures based on the deactivation ratio or the deactivation percentage of the amount of the deactivated pathogen and a pathogen type, wherein adjusting the one or more disinfection procedures comprises adjusting an operational parameter of the disinfection device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/453,640, filed Mar. 21, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to building systems. The present disclosure relates more particularly to the disinfection of particles from the air or surface of a building. In building environments, the particles in the air can be monitored and addressed, and the particles can include pathogens.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments relate to a disinfection system for controlling an indoor environment of a building, including a disinfection device configured to detect pathogens in the indoor environment and perform one or more disinfection procedures on the air and surfaces. The disinfection system can also include a controller configured to receive, from a treated space in the indoor environment, sensor data from the disinfection device or a sensor indicating an amount of an active pathogen. The controller can also be configured to determine at least one of (1) an effectiveness of the one or more disinfection procedures based on comparing the amount of the deactivated pathogen to an amount of an active pathogen, or (2) an amount of the active pathogen corresponding to a deactivation ratio or deactivation percentage of active to deactivated pathogens in the treated space. The controller can also be configured to adjust the one or more disinfection procedures based on the a measurement of the effectiveness, the deactivation ratio, or the deactivation percentage of the amount of the active pathogen, and a pathogen type, wherein adjusting the one or more disinfection procedures includes adjusting an operational parameter of the disinfection device.
In some embodiments, the operational parameter includes an intensity of the disinfection device, an airflow rate through the disinfection device, or a duration of the one or more disinfection procedures.
In some embodiments, the disinfection device is installed in the treated space of the building, and wherein the sensor is installed in a non-treated space of the building, wherein the adjustment of the one or more disinfection procedures is further based on a differential pathogen load corresponding to a percentage decrease or increase in deactivated pathogen concentrations between the treated space and the non-treated space.
In some embodiments, the one or more disinfection procedures are adjusted in real-time based on the measurement of the effectiveness, and wherein the pathogen type of the active pathogen is the pathogen type of the deactivated pathogen, and wherein the controller is further configured to adjust the one or more disinfection procedures based on prioritizing the pathogen type of the active pathogen over another detected amount of a second pathogen type based on a risk or prevalence of the pathogen type compared to the second pathogen type.
In some embodiments, the disinfection device includes at least one of a UV-C lighting system configured to activate ultraviolet radiation lighting, a spray system configured to dispense disinfectant solution, or a filtration system configured to capture and deactivate the detected pathogens.
In some embodiments, the controller is configured to adjust the intensity and duration of the one or more disinfection procedures based on the effectiveness of the one or more disinfection procedures, wherein modifying the intensity and duration includes increasing or decreasing a power output of the UV-C lighting system, modifying a volume or frequency of the disinfectant solution dispensed by the spray system, or modifying an air flow rate through the filtration system, wherein the disinfectant solution is a disinfectant spray or an electrostatic disinfectant spray.
In some embodiments, the controller further includes a predictive maintenance system configured to forecast maintenance or replacement of one or more system components of the disinfection device based on at least one of a usage pattern, performance data, or historical maintenance records.
In some embodiments, the adjusting the one or more disinfection procedures includes utilizing an adaptive modulation model, and wherein the adaptive modulation model includes adjusting one or more operational parameters of the disinfection device, and wherein adjusting one or more operation parameters includes modifying at least one of UV-C irradiance levels of the UV-C lighting system, disinfectant spray dosing of the spray system, and filtration airflow of the filtration system, based on continuous feedback from the disinfection device or the sensor, wherein adjusting includes optimizing disinfection efficacy and energy efficiency.
In some embodiments, the controller is configured to activate the disinfection device based on a detection of active pathogens in the indoor environment, wherein the activation of the disinfection device includes determining additional disinfection procedures based on a prioritization of one active pathogen type compared to another pathogen type, responsive to an amount of active pathogens corresponding with the one active pathogen type declining below a predetermined threshold, deactivate the disinfection device or modulate the disinfection device's operation.
In some embodiments, the controller is configured to generate a report or dashboard indicating compliance of the one or more disinfection procedures with one or more industry standards, determine a current operating mode of an HVAC system operating on the treated space of the building, the current operating mode corresponding to a current energy output of the HVAC system meeting one or more control standards, generate a new operating mode in the treated space meeting the one or more control standards based on adjusting the one or more disinfection procedures and reducing the current energy output of the HVAC system, operate the HVAC system on the treated space operating the new operating mode to meet the one or more control standards, wherein updating the operating mode includes reducing the current energy output and adjusting the one or more disinfection procedures.
In some embodiments, the controller is configured to adjust a deployment of a plurality of disinfection devices based on historical prevalence data, community prevalence data, and a concentration of chemical substances in the air, to optimize the one or more disinfection procedures and minimize potential health risks corresponding with the chemical substances.
In some embodiments, the controller is further configured to receive additional sensor data from the sensor indicating a different amount of the active pathogen and further adjust the one or more disinfection procedures based on the different amount of the active pathogen.
In some embodiments, the controller is configured to calculate a reduction in viability of the pathogens, wherein the reduction in viability is based on one or more predetermined values corresponding to the pathogen type and the one or more disinfection procedures.
Some embodiments relate to a method, including receiving, by one or more processing circuits from a treated space in an indoor environment, sensor data from a disinfection device or a sensor indicating an amount of an active pathogen. The method further includes determining, by the one or more processing circuits, at least one of (1) an effectiveness of the one or more disinfection procedures based on comparing the amount of the deactivated pathogen to an amount of an active pathogen, or (2) an amount of the active pathogen corresponding to a deactivation ratio or deactivation percentage of active to deactivated pathogens in the treated space. The method further includes adjusting, by the one or more processing circuits, one or more disinfection procedures based on the a measurement of the effectiveness, the deactivation ratio, or the deactivation percentage of the amount of the active pathogen, and a pathogen type, wherein adjusting the one or more disinfection procedures includes adjusting an operational parameter of the disinfection device.
In some embodiments, the operational parameter includes an intensity of the disinfection device, an airflow rate through the disinfection device, or a duration of the one or more disinfection procedures, wherein the method further includes detecting, by the one or more processing circuits, pathogens in the indoor environment and performing, by the one or more processing circuits using the disinfection device, the one or more disinfection procedures on the air and surfaces.
In some embodiments, the disinfection device is installed in the treated space of the building, and wherein the sensor is installed in an non-treated space of the building, wherein the adjustment of the one or more disinfection procedures is further based on a differential pathogen load corresponding to a percentage decrease or increase in deactivated pathogen concentrations between the treated space and the non-treated space.
In some embodiments, the one or more disinfection procedures are adjusted in real-time based on the measurement of the effectiveness, and wherein the pathogen type of the active pathogen is the pathogen type of the deactivated pathogen, and wherein the one or more processing circuits adjust the one or more disinfection procedures based on prioritizing the pathogen type of the active pathogen over another detected amount of a second pathogen type based on a risk or prevalence of the pathogen type compared to the second pathogen type.
In some embodiments, the disinfection device includes at least one of a UV-C lighting system configured to activate ultraviolet radiation lighting, a spray system configured to dispense disinfectant solution, or a filtration system configured to capture and deactivate detected pathogens.
In some embodiments, the method further includes determining, by the one or more processing circuits, a current operating mode of an HVAC system operating on the treated space of the building, the current operating mode corresponding to a current energy output of the HVAC system meeting one or more control standards, generating, by the one or more processing circuits, a new operating mode in the treated space meeting the one or more control standards based on adjusting or initiating the one or more disinfection procedures and reducing the current energy output of the HVAC system, and operating, by the one or more processing circuits, the HVAC system on the treated space in the new operating mode to meet the one or more control standards, wherein operating the HVAC system in the new operating mode includes adjusting one or more operating parameters reducing the current energy output and adjusting or initiating the one or more disinfection procedures on the disinfection device.
Some embodiments relate to a disinfection system for controlling an indoor environment of a building, including a disinfection device configured to detect pathogens in the indoor environment and perform one or more disinfection procedures on the air and surfaces and a controller. The controller can be configured to determine a current operating mode of an HVAC system operating on a treated space of the building, the current operating mode corresponding to a current energy output of the HVAC system meeting one or more control standards. The controller can be further configured to generate a new operating mode in the treated space meeting the one or more control standards based on adjusting or initiating the one or more disinfection procedures and reducing the current energy output of the HVAC system. The controller can be configured to operate the HVAC system on the treated space in the new operating mode to meet the one or more control standards, wherein operating the HVAC system in the new operating mode includes adjusting one or more operating parameters reducing the current energy output and adjusting or initiating the one or more disinfection procedures on the disinfection device.
In some embodiments, the disinfection device includes a UV-C lighting system configured to provide an equivalent or greater reduction in active pathogens compared to additional air-changes per hour (ACH) based on deactivating the detected pathogens, and wherein the controller is further configured to adjust the one or more operating parameters of the HVAC system to operate with a reduced amount of outdoor air intake by compensating with the UV-C lighting system to maintain indoor air quality meeting the one or more control standards.
Some embodiments relate to one or more non-transitory computer readable mediums storing instructions thereon that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations including receiving, from a treated space in an indoor environment, sensor data from a disinfection device or a sensor indicating an amount of a deactivated pathogen. The one or more processors can further perform operations including determining the amount of the deactivated pathogen corresponds to a deactivation ratio or deactivation percentage of active to deactivated pathogens in the treated space. The one or more processors can further perform operations including adjusting one or more disinfection procedures based on the deactivation ratio or the deactivation percentage of the amount of the deactivated pathogen and a pathogen type, wherein adjusting the one or more disinfection procedures includes adjusting an operational parameter of the disinfection device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a drawing of a building equipped with a HVAC system, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an airside system which can be implemented in the building of FIG. 1 , according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a disinfection system including a controller configured to operate disinfection device(s) and/or an air-handling unit (AHU) of the HVAC system of FIG. 1 , according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a disinfection system including a controller configured to operate disinfection device(s) and/or an air-handling unit (AHU) of the HVAC system of FIG. 1 , according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for a method for controlling an indoor environment of a building, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for a method for controlling an indoor environment of a building, according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview

Referring generally to the FIGS., various example systems and methods are shown and described relating to the optimization of indoor disinfection procedures through the integration of processing circuits, sensor feedback, and adaptive control, improving building indoor environments, public health safety, environmental quality. A goal of building management is to improve health outcomes for occupants in a building. Traditionally this has been accomplished using a combination of approaches, such as HVAC air circulation, air filtration, and air treatment. Some approaches use UV spectrum light and/or other disinfection systems to treat air, resulting in pathogen inactivation.

Building and HVAC System

Referring now to FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a building 10 is shown. Building 10 can be served by a building management system (BMS). A BMS is, in general, a system of devices configured to control, monitor, and manage equipment in or around a building or building area. A BMS can include, for example, a HVAC system, a security system, a lighting system, a fire alerting system, a disinfection system, any other system that is capable of managing building functions or devices, or any combination thereof. An example of a BMS which can be used to monitor and control building 10 is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/717,593 filed May 20, 2015, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
The BMS that serves building 10 may include a HVAC system 100. HVAC system 100 can include a plurality of HVAC devices (e.g., heaters, chillers, air handling units, pumps, fans, thermal energy storage, etc.) configured to provide heating, cooling, ventilation, or other services for building 10. For example, HVAC system 100 is shown to include a waterside system 120 and an airside system 130. Waterside system 120 may provide a heated or chilled fluid to an air handling unit of airside system 130. Airside system 130 may use the heated or chilled fluid to heat or cool an airflow provided to building 10. In some embodiments, waterside system 120 can be replaced with or supplemented by a central plant or central energy facility (described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 2 ). An example of an airside system which can be used in HVAC system 100 is described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 2 .
HVAC system 100 is shown to include a chiller 102, a boiler 104, and a rooftop air handling unit (AHU) 106. Waterside system 120 may use boiler 104 and chiller 102 to heat or cool a working fluid (e.g., water, glycol, etc.) and may circulate the working fluid to AHU 106. In various embodiments, the HVAC devices of waterside system 120 can be located in or around building 10 (as shown in FIG. 1 ) or at an offsite location such as a central plant (e.g., a chiller plant, a steam plant, a heat plant, etc.). The working fluid can be heated in boiler 104 or cooled in chiller 102, depending on whether heating or cooling is required in building 10. Boiler 104 may add heat to the circulated fluid, for example, by burning a combustible material (e.g., natural gas) or using an electric heating element. Chiller 102 may place the circulated fluid in a heat exchange relationship with another fluid (e.g., a refrigerant) in a heat exchanger (e.g., an evaporator) to absorb heat from the circulated fluid. The working fluid from chiller 102 and/or boiler 104 can be transported to AHU 106 via piping 108.
AHU 106 may place the working fluid in a heat exchange relationship with an airflow passing through AHU 106 (e.g., via one or more stages of cooling coils and/or heating coils). The airflow can be, for example, outside air, return air from within building 10, or a combination of both. AHU 106 may transfer heat between the airflow and the working fluid to provide heating or cooling for the airflow. For example, AHU 106 can include one or more fans or blowers configured to pass the airflow over or through a heat exchanger containing the working fluid. The working fluid may then return to chiller 102 or boiler 104 via piping 110.
Airside system 130 may deliver the airflow supplied by AHU 106 (i.e., the supply airflow) to building 10 via air supply ducts 112 and may provide return air from building 10 to AHU 106 via air return ducts 114. In some embodiments, airside system 130 includes multiple variable air volume (VAV) units 116. For example, airside system 130 is shown to include a separate VAV unit 116 on each floor or zone of building 10. VAV units 116 can include dampers or other flow control elements that can be operated to control an amount of the supply airflow provided to individual zones of building 10. In other embodiments, airside system 130 delivers the supply airflow into one or more zones of building 10 (e.g., via supply ducts 112) without using intermediate VAV units 116 or other flow control elements. AHU 106 can include various sensors (e.g., temperature sensors, pressure sensors, etc.) configured to measure attributes of the supply airflow. AHU 106 may receive input from sensors located within AHU 106 and/or within the building zone and may adjust the flow rate, temperature, or other attributes of the supply airflow through AHU 106 to achieve setpoint conditions for the building zone.

Airside System

Referring now to FIG. 2 , a block diagram of an airside system 200 is shown, according to some embodiments. In various embodiments, airside system 200 may supplement or replace airside system 130 in HVAC system 100 or can be implemented separate from HVAC system 100. When implemented in HVAC system 100, airside system 200 can include a subset of the HVAC devices in HVAC system 100 (e.g., AHU 106, VAV units 116, ducts 112-114, fans, dampers, etc.) and can be located in or around building 10. Airside system 200 may operate to heat, cool, humidify, dehumidify, filter, and/or disinfect an airflow provided to building 10 in some embodiments.
Airside system 200 is shown to include an economizer-type air handling unit (AHU) 202. Economizer-type AHUs vary the amount of outside air and return air used by the air handling unit for heating or cooling. For example, AHU 202 may receive return air 204 from building zone 206 via return air duct 208 and may deliver supply air 210 to building zone 206 via supply air duct 212. In some embodiments, AHU 202 is a rooftop unit located on the roof of building 10 (e.g., AHU 106 as shown in FIG. 1 ) or otherwise positioned to receive both return air 204 and outside air 214. AHU 202 can be configured to operate exhaust air damper 216, mixing damper 218, and outside air damper 220 to control an amount of outside air 214 and return air 204 that combine to form supply air 210. Any return air 204 that does not pass through mixing damper 218 can be exhausted from AHU 202 through exhaust damper 216 as exhaust air 222.
Each of dampers 216-220 can be operated by an actuator. For example, exhaust air damper 216 can be operated by actuator 224, mixing damper 218 can be operated by actuator 226, and outside air damper 220 can be operated by actuator 228. Actuators 224-228 may communicate with an AHU controller 230 via a communications link 232. Actuators 224-228 may receive control signals from AHU controller 230 and may provide feedback signals to AHU controller 230. Feedback signals can include, for example, an indication of a current actuator or damper position, an amount of torque or force exerted by the actuator, diagnostic information (e.g., results of diagnostic tests performed by actuators 224-228), status information, commissioning information, configuration settings, calibration data, and/or other types of information or data that can be collected, stored, or used by actuators 224-228. AHU controller 230 can be an economizer controller configured to use one or more control algorithms (e.g., state-based algorithms, extremum seeking control (ESC) algorithms, proportional-integral (PI) control algorithms, proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control algorithms, model predictive control (MPC) algorithms, feedback control algorithms, etc.) to control actuators 224-228.
Still referring to FIG. 2 , AHU 202 is shown to include a cooling coil 234, a heating coil 236, and a fan 238 positioned within supply air duct 212. Fan 238 can be configured to force supply air 210 through cooling coil 234 and/or heating coil 236 and provide supply air 210 to building zone 206. AHU controller 230 may communicate with fan 238 via communications link 240 to control a flow rate of supply air 210. In some embodiments, AHU controller 230 controls an amount of heating or cooling applied to supply air 210 by modulating a speed of fan 238. In some embodiments, AHU 202 includes one or more air filters (e.g., filter 308) as described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 3 . AHU controller 230 can be configured to control the disinfection device(s) 306 in different building zones 206 and route the airflow through the air filters to disinfect the airflow as described in greater detail below.
Cooling coil 234 may receive a chilled fluid from central plant 200 (e.g., from cold water loop 216) via piping 242 and may return the chilled fluid to central plant 200 via piping 244. Valve 246 can be positioned along piping 242 or piping 244 to control a flow rate of the chilled fluid through cooling coil 234. In some embodiments, cooling coil 234 includes multiple stages of cooling coils that can be independently activated and deactivated (e.g., by AHU controller 230, by BMS controller 266, etc.) to modulate an amount of cooling applied to supply air 210.
Heating coil 236 may receive a heated fluid from central plant 200 (e.g., from hot water loop 214) via piping 248 and may return the heated fluid to central plant 200 via piping 250. Valve 252 can be positioned along piping 248 or piping 250 to control a flow rate of the heated fluid through heating coil 236. In some embodiments, heating coil 236 includes multiple stages of heating coils that can be independently activated and deactivated (e.g., by AHU controller 230, by BMS controller 266, etc.) to modulate an amount of heating applied to supply air 210.
Each of valves 246 and 252 can be controlled by an actuator. For example, valve 246 can be controlled by actuator 254 and valve 252 can be controlled by actuator 256. Actuators 254-256 may communicate with AHU controller 230 via communications links 258-260. Actuators 254-256 may receive control signals from AHU controller 230 and may provide feedback signals to controller 230. In some embodiments, AHU controller 230 receives a measurement of the supply air temperature from a temperature sensor 262 positioned in supply air duct 212 (e.g., downstream of cooling coil 334 and/or heating coil 236). AHU controller 230 may also receive a measurement of the temperature of building zone 206 from a sensor 264 (or another type of sensor configure to take measurements (e.g., of light radiation, humidity, particulate matter, VOCs, other IAQ measurements)) located in building zone 206.
In some embodiments, AHU controller 230 operates valves 246 and 252 via actuators 254-256 to modulate an amount of heating or cooling provided to supply air 210 (e.g., to achieve a setpoint temperature for supply air 210 or to maintain the temperature of supply air 210 within a setpoint temperature range). The positions of valves 246 and 252 affect the amount of heating or cooling provided to supply air 210 by cooling coil 234 or heating coil 236 and may correlate with the amount of energy consumed to achieve a desired supply air temperature. AHU 230 may control the temperature of supply air 210 and/or building zone 206 by activating or deactivating coils 234-236, adjusting a speed of fan 238, or a combination of both.
Still referring to FIG. 2 , airside system 200 is shown to include a building management system (BMS) controller 266 and a client device 268. BMS controller 266 can include one or more computer systems (e.g., servers, supervisory controllers, subsystem controllers, etc.) that serve as system level controllers, application or data servers, head nodes, or master controllers for airside system 200, central plant 200, HVAC system 100, and/or other controllable systems that serve building 10. BMS controller 266 may communicate with multiple downstream building systems or subsystems (e.g., HVAC system 100, a disinfection system, a security system, a lighting system, central plant 200, etc.) via a communications link 270 according to like or disparate protocols (e.g., LON, BACnet, etc.). In various embodiments, AHU controller 230 and BMS controller 266 can be separate (as shown in FIG. 2 ) or integrated. In an integrated implementation, AHU controller 230 can be a software module configured for execution by a processor of BMS controller 266.
In some embodiments, AHU controller 230 receives information from BMS controller 266 (e.g., commands, setpoints, operating boundaries, etc.) and provides information to BMS controller 266 (e.g., temperature measurements, valve or actuator positions, operating statuses, diagnostics, etc.). For example, AHU controller 230 may provide BMS controller 266 with temperature measurements from sensors 262-264, equipment on/off states, equipment operating capacities, and/or any other information that can be used by BMS controller 266 to monitor or control a variable state or condition within building zone 206.
Client device 268 can include one or more human-machine interfaces or client interfaces (e.g., graphical user interfaces, reporting interfaces, text-based computer interfaces, client-facing web services, web servers that provide pages to web clients, etc.) for controlling, viewing, or otherwise interacting with HVAC system 100, its subsystems, and/or devices. Client device 268 can be a computer workstation, a client terminal, a remote or local interface, or any other type of user interface device. Client device 268 can be a stationary terminal or a mobile device. For example, client device 268 can be a desktop computer, a computer server with a user interface, a laptop computer, a tablet, a smartphone, a PDA, or any other type of mobile or non-mobile device. Client device 268 may communicate with BMS controller 266 and/or AHU controller 230 via communications link 272.

Disinfection System and Methods of Use

Overview

Referring now to FIG. 3 , a block diagram of a disinfection system configured to inactivate pathogens in various zones of a building is shown and described, according to some embodiments. Disinfection systems can include an air handling unit (AHU) 304 (e.g., AHU 230, AHU 202, etc.) that can provide conditioned air (e.g., cooled air, supply air 210, etc.) to various building zones 206. The AHU 304 may draw air from the zones 206 in combination with drawing air from outside (e.g., outside air) to provide conditioned or clean air to zones 206. The disinfection system includes a controller 310 (e.g., AHU controller 230) that is configured to determine a fraction x of outdoor air to recirculated air that the AHU 304 should use to provide a desired amount of disinfection to building zones 206. In some embodiments, controller 310 can generate control signals for various dampers of AHU 304 so that AHU 304 operates to provide the conditioned air to building zones 206 using the fraction x.
The disinfection system can also include disinfection device(s) 306 located in various building zone(s) 206. The disinfection device(s) 306 can include Far UV-C light(s) that are configured to provide disinfection as determined by controller 310 and/or based on user operating preferences. For example, the controller 310 can determine control signals for disinfection devices 306 emitting Far UV-C light in combination with the fraction x of outdoor air to provide a desired amount of disinfection and satisfy an infection probability constraint. Disinfection devices can be optimized, designed, and applied as discussed in detail below.
The disinfection system can also include one or more filters 308 or filtration devices (e.g., air purifiers). In some embodiments, the filters 308 are configured to filter the conditioned air or recirculated air before it is provided to building zones 206 to provide a certain amount of disinfection. In this way, controller 310 can perform an optimization in real-time or as a planning tool to determine control signals for AHU 304 (e.g., the fraction x) and control signals for disinfection devices 306 (e.g., on/off commands or intensity variation commands) to provide disinfection for building zones 206 and reduce a probability of infection of individuals that are occupying building zones 206. Controller 310 can also function as a design tool that is configured to determine suggestions for building managers regarding benefits of installing or using filters 308 or disinfection devices 306, and/or specific benefits that may arise from using or installing a particular type or size of filter. Controller 310 can thereby facilitate informed design decisions to maintain sterilization of air that is provided to building zones 206 and reduce a likelihood of infection or spreading of infectious matter. The disinfection system can include multiple types of controllers, such as a centralized controller, a distributed controller, or an edge controller.

Wells-Riley Airborne Transmission

The systems and methods described herein may use an infection probability constraint in various optimizations (e.g., in on-line or real-time optimizations or in off-line optimizations) to facilitate reducing infection probability among residents or occupants of spaces that the HVAC system and the disinfection system serves. The infection probability constraint can be based on a steady-state Wells-Riley equation for a probability of airborne transmission of an infectious agent given by:
$P := \frac{D}{S} = 1 - \exp (- \frac{Ipqt}{Q})$
where P is a probability that an individual becomes infected (e.g., in a zone, space, room, environment, etc.), D is a number of infected individuals (e.g., in the zone, space, room, environment, etc.), S is a total number of susceptible individuals (e.g., in the zone, space, room, environment, etc.), I is a number of infectious individuals (e.g., in the zone, space, room, environment, etc.), q is a disease quanta generation rate (e.g., with units of 1/sec), p is a volumetric breath rate of one individual (e.g., in m³/sec), t is a total exposure time (e.g., in seconds), and Q is an outdoor ventilation rate (e.g., in m³/sec). For example, Q may be a volumetric flow rate of fresh outdoor air that is provided to the building zones 206 by AHU 304.
When the Wells-Riley equation is implemented by controller 310 as described herein, controller 310 may use the Wells-Riley equation (or a dynamic version of the Wells-Riley equation) to determine an actual or current probability of infection P and operate the HVAC system 200 to maintain the actual probability of infection P below (or drive the actual probability of infection below) a constraint or maximum allowable value. The constraint value (e.g., P_max) may be a constant value, or may be adjustable by a user (e.g., a user-set value). For example, the user may set the constraint value of the probability of infection to a maximum desired probability of infection (e.g., either for on-line implementation of controller 310 to maintain the probability of infection below the maximum desired probability, or for an off-line implementation/simulation performed by controller 310 to determine various design parameters for HVAC system 200 such as filter size), or may select from various predetermined values (e.g., 3-5 different choices of the maximum desired probability of infection).
In some embodiments, the number of infectious individuals I can be determined by controller 310 based on data from the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention or a similar data source such as diagnosis data from a particular building 10 (e.g., a hospital). The value of 1 may be typically set equal to 1 but may vary as a function of occupancy of building zones 206.
The disease quanta generation rate q may be a function of the infectious agent. For example, more infectious diseases may have a higher value of q, while less infectious diseases may have a lower value of q. For example, the value of q for COVID-19 may be 30-300 (e.g., 100).
The value of the volumetric breath rate p may be based on a type of building space 206. For example, the volumetric breath rate p may be higher if the building zone 206 is a gym as opposed to an office setting. In general, an expected level of occupant activity may determine the value of the volumetric breath rate p.
A difference between D (the number of infected individuals) and 1 (the number of infectious individuals) is that D is a number of individuals who are infected (e.g., infected with a disease), while 1 is a number of people that are infected and are actively contagious (e.g., individuals that may spread the disease to other individuals or spread infectious particles when they exhale). The disease quanta generation rate indicates a number of infectious droplets that give a 63.2% chance of infecting an individual (e.g., 1−exp(−1)). For example, if an individual inhales k infectious particles, the probability that the individual becomes infected (P) is given by
$1 - \exp (- \frac{k}{k_{0}})$
where k is the number of infectious particles that the individual has inhaled, and k₀is a quantum of particles for a particular disease (e.g., a predefined value for different diseases). The quanta generation rate q is the rate at which quanta are generated (e.g., K/k₀) where K is the rate of infectious particles exhaled by an infectious individual. It should be noted that values of the disease quanta generation rate q may be back-calculated from epidemiological data or may be tabulated for well-known diseases.
The Wells-Riley equation (shown above) is derived by assuming steady-state concentrations for infectious particles in the air. Assuming a well-mixed space:
$V \frac{d N}{d t} = Iq - N Q$
where V is a total air volume (e.g., in m³), N is a quantum concentration in the air, 1 is the number of infectious individuals, q is the disease quanta generation rate, and Q is the outdoor ventilation rate. The term Iq is quanta production by infectious individuals (e.g., as the individuals breathe out or exhale), and the term NQ is the quanta removal rate due to ventilation (e.g., due to operation of AHU 304).
Assuming steady-state conditions, the steady state quantum concentration in the air is expressed as:
$N_{s s} = \frac{Iq}{Q}$
according to some embodiments.
Therefore, if an individual inhales at an average rate of p (e.g., in m³/sec), over a period of length t the individual inhales a total volume pt or N_ssptk₀infectious particles. Therefore, based on a probability model used to define the quanta, the infectious probability is given by:
$P = 1 - \exp (- \frac{k}{k_{0}}) = 1 - \exp (- N_{SS} p t) = 1 - \exp (- \frac{Iqpt}{Q})$
where P is the probability that an individual becomes infected, k is the number of infectious particles that the individual has inhaled, and k₀is the quantum of particles for the particular disease.

Carbon Dioxide for Infectious Particles Proxy

While the above equations may rely on in-air infectious quanta concentration, measuring in-air infectious quanta concentration may be difficult. However, carbon dioxide (CO2) is a readily-measurable parameter that can be a proxy species, measured by zone sensors which return data to a controller 310. In some embodiments, a concentration of CO2 in the zones 206 may be directly related to a concentration of the infectious quanta.
A quantity ϕ that defines a ratio of an infected particle concentration in the building air to the infected particle concentration in the exhaled breath of an infectious individual is defined:
$ϕ := \frac{p N}{q}$
where p is the volumetric breath rate for an individual, N is the quantum concentration in the air, and q is the disease quanta generation rate. Deriving the above equation with respect to time yields:
$\frac{d ϕ}{d t} = \frac{p}{q} (\frac{d N}{d t}) = \frac{Ip}{V} - ϕ (\frac{Q}{V})$
where p is the volumetric breath rate for the individual, q is disease quanta generation rate, N is the quantum concentration in the air, t is time, 1 is the number of infectious individuals, V is the total air volume, ϕ is the ratio, and Q is the outdoor ventilation rate. Since it can be difficult to measure the ratio ϕ of the air, CO2 can be used as a proxy species.
Humans release CO2 when exhaling, which is ultimately transferred to the ambient sensors 314 via ventilation of an HVAC system. Therefore, the difference between CO2 particles and infectious particles is that all individuals (and not only the infectious population) release CO2 and that the outdoor air CO2 concentration is non-zero. However, it may be assumed that the ambient CO2 concentration is constant with respect to time, which implies that a new quantity C can be defined as the net indoor CO2 concentration (e.g., the indoor concentration minus the outdoor concentration). With this assumption, the following differential equation can be derived:
$V \frac{d C}{d t} = Spc - QC$
where V is the total air volume (e.g. in m³), C is the net indoor CO2 concentration, t is time, S is the total number of susceptible individuals (e.g., in building zone 206, or a modeled space, or all of building zones 206, or building 10), p is the volumetric breath rate for one individual, c is the net concentration of exhaled CO2, and Q is the outdoor ventilation rate. This equation assumes that the only way to remove infectious particles is with fresh air ventilation (e.g., by operating AHU 304 to draw outdoor air and use the outdoor air with recirculated air). A new quantity ψ can be defined that gives the ratio of net CO2 concentration in the building air to net CO2 concentration in the exhaled air:
$ψ = \frac{C}{c}$
where ψ is the ratio, C is the net indoor CO2 concentration, and c is the net concentration of exhaled CO2.
Deriving the ratio w with respect to time yields:
$\frac{d ψ}{d t} = \frac{1}{c} (\frac{d C}{d t}) = \frac{Sp}{V} - ψ (\frac{Q}{V})$
according to some embodiments.
Combining the above equation with the quantity ϕ, it can be derived that:
$\frac{d}{d t} \log (\frac{ϕ}{ψ}) = \frac{1}{ϕ} (\frac{d ϕ}{d t}) - \frac{1}{ψ} (\frac{d ψ}{d t}) = \frac{p}{V} (\frac{1}{ϕ} - \frac{s}{ψ})$
according to some embodiments. Assuming that the initial condition satisfies:
$ϕ (0) = \frac{1}{S} ψ (0)$
it can be determined that the right-hand side of the
$\frac{d}{d t} \log (\frac{ϕ}{ψ})$
equation becomes zero. This implies that the term log (ϕ/ψ) and therefore ϕ/ψ is a constant. Therefore, ϕ/ψ is constant for all times t and not merely initial conditions when t=0.
The
$\frac{d}{d t} \log (\frac{ϕ}{ψ})$
relationship only holds true when fresh outdoor air is used as the only disinfection mechanism. However, in many cases HVAC system 200 may include one or more filters 308, and disinfection devices 306 that can be operated to provide disinfection for building zones 206. If additional infection mitigation strategies are used, the ventilation rate may instead by an effective ventilation rate for infectious quanta that is different than that of the CO2. Additionally, the only way for the initial conditions @(0) and (0) to be in proportion is for both to be zero. This assumption can be reasonable if HVAC system 200 operates over a prolonged time period (such as overnight, when the concentrations have sufficient time to reach equilibrium zero values). However, ventilation is often partially or completely disabled overnight and therefore the two quantities ϕ and ψ are not related. However, CO2 concentration can be measured to determine common model parameters (e.g., for the overall system volume V) without being used to estimate current infectious particle concentrations. If fresh outdoor air ventilation is the only mechanism for disinfection of zones 206, and the HVAC system 200 is run so that the concentrations reach equilibrium, CO2 concentration can be measured and used to estimate current infectious particle concentrations.

Dynamic Extension and Infection Probability Constraints

Referring still to FIG. 3 , it may be desirable to model the infectious quanta concentration N of building zones 206 as a dynamic parameter rather than assuming N is equal to the steady state N_SSvalue. For example, if infectious individuals enter building zones 206, leave building zones 206, etc., the infectious quanta concentration N may change over time. This can also be due to the fact that the effective fresh air ventilation rate (which includes outdoor air intake as well as filtration or Far UV-C disinfection that affects the infectious agent concentration in the supply air that is provided by AHU 304 to zones 206) can vary as HVAC system 200 operates.
Therefore, assuming that the infectious quanta concentration N(t) is a time-varying quantity, for a given time period t∈[0, T], an individual breathes in:
$k_{[0, T]} = \int_{0}^{T} p k_{0} N (t) d t$
where k_[0,T] is the number of infectious particles that an individual inhales over the given time period [0, T], p is the volumetric breath rate of one individual, k₀is the quantum of particles for a particular disease, and N(t) is the time-varying quantum concentration of the infectious particle in the air.
Since
$P = 1 - \exp (- \frac{k}{k_{0}}),$
the above equation can be rearranged and substitution yields:
$- \log (1 - P_{[0, T]}) = \int_{0}^{T} p N (t) d t \approx Δ \sum_{t} p N_{t}$
according to some embodiments.
Assuming an upper boundary P_[0,t] ^maxon acceptable or desirable infection probability, a constraint is defined as:
$\frac{Δ}{T} \sum_{t} N_{t} \leq - \frac{1}{p T} \log (1 - P_{[0, T]})$
according to some embodiments. The constraint can define a fixed upper boundary on an average value of N_tover the given time interval.

Disinfection Devices and Optimization Thereof for a Building Space

The systems and methods disclosed herein may include disinfection device(s) 306. In some implementations, the disinfection device(s) may include one or more disinfectant light sources, such as UV lights (e.g., UV-C lights, Far UV-C lights, etc.). Far UV-C lights, for example, can emit light at one or more wavelengths (e.g., 222 nm, 207 nm, any wavelength inclusively within a range from 200 nm to 232 nm, etc.) or across multiple wavelengths within a range of wavelengths, including for example 200 nm to 232 nm, inclusively. In some implementations, the wavelength(s) emitted by the Far UV-C lights may be within about a 10 nm range above or below a target wavelength, such as 222 nm (e.g., from 212 nm to 232 nm, inclusively). Far UV-C lights can include any variety of bulb or emission source for Far UV-C light. In some embodiments, the amount and intensity of light emitted by the disinfection device 306 and the placement of the device is optimized for disinfection of a building zone 206 through a pathogen identification process and/or through a light simulation process. Pathogen identification can be accomplished using methods well known in the art, such as DNA sequencing or antibody-based detection method, and samples may be taken from surfaces or ambient air using known techniques. Light simulation can be accomplished using any known light simulation technique, such as a technique that allows for system optimization based on expected light coverage and objects that will block light coverage for a given area. In some embodiments, system optimization for a zone 206 will include varying the number of disinfection devices and/or Far UV-C lights, the placement of disinfection devices, and/or the intensity of the light emitted by the disinfection devices. In some embodiments, multiple disinfection devices 306 may be arranged in a building zone 206. In some embodiments, multiple disinfection devices 306 are arranged around light blocking objects, such as bathroom stalls or curtains, to ensure sufficient surface-Far UV-C exposure throughout a building zone 206. Disinfection devices 306 achieve pathogen inactivation by shining Far UV-C light onto said pathogens, whether in the air or on a surface. In some embodiments, disinfection devices 306 are situated in a building zone 206 to shine Far UV-C light at known potential pathogen sources, such as the head of a bed or the bowl of a toilet.
While the above paragraph discusses Far UV-C lighting as an example implementation of disinfection device(s) 306, it should be understood that any, or multiple of, a variety of different types of disinfection systems may be used in various implementations of the present disclosure. Such types of systems that may be used include, but are not limited to, disinfectant lighting such as various types of UV lighting as well as other types of disinfection systems designed to inactivate or kill pathogens, such as chemical treatments and/or other types of air and/or surface treatment systems/devices. All such implementations are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure. In general, it should be understood that throughout the disclosure, unless indicated otherwise, Far UV-C is provided as a non-limiting example of a type of disinfection device that could be used, and the features described with respect to Far UV-C could be used in various embodiments using other types of disinfection devices, and all such implementations are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure.

Disinfection Device Design

The disinfection devices of the present disclosure include independent and integrated designs. Independent designs may be incorporated into a building zone 206 independent of other building components. For example, in some embodiments, independent designs include installation of a disinfection device 306 on a ceiling, wall, or floor as its own fixture. Integrated designs may be incorporated into a building space using another building fixture. For example, in some embodiments, integrated designs include installation of a disinfection device 306 as part of a visible lighting fixture, a carbon monoxide detector, a smoke detector, and/or sensors associated with a fire safety system.
The systems and methods of the present disclosure can be powered through connection to an external source and/or through internal power mechanisms/devices/sources. In some embodiments, a disinfection device 306 is powered through integration with another building component that includes a power source, such as a visible lighting fixture, a carbon monoxide detector, or a smoke detector. In some embodiments, a disinfection device 306 is powered through integration into a building power system or a building Ethernet system (e.g., a power over Ethernet (POE) system). In some embodiments, a disinfection device 306 is powered through a battery. In some embodiments, a disinfection device includes a battery backup power source.
The disinfection devices of the present disclosure may be of a modular design, such that consumable components can be replaced and additional elements can be added without replacing an entire device. For example, a modular design allows for the replacement of a spent Far UV-C light bulb without replacing the entire disinfection device 306. By using a modular design, elements such as sensors can be added to a disinfection device to provide a new functionality or optimize the device for a given building zone 206. For example, additional Far UV-C light sources can be added to a disinfection device 306 to optimize the device for use in a particular building zone 206 which requires greater amounts of Far UV-C light to achieve pathogen inactivation. In order to minimize costs and maximize light lifetime while maintaining disinfection, Far UV-C lighting can be applied to a building zone 206 only when it is occupied. In some embodiments, a disinfection device 306 also includes a carbon dioxide sensor, configured to return data to a controller 310. In some embodiments, the controller 310 activates the disinfection device 306 once carbon dioxide levels rise above a pre-determined threshold value, indicating space occupancy (or occupancy at a certain level) and the potential presence of pathogens emitted by occupants, as described above. In some embodiments, the disinfection device 306 includes an edge controller that activates the disinfection device based on input from sensors in the device. In some embodiments, the disinfection device 306 includes a people counting sensor to determine occupancy (e.g., an occupancy sensor configured to sense how many occupants (e.g., people) are in a space).
In some embodiments, the disinfection device 306 may be controlled (e.g., via the controller 310 and/or a controller of the disinfection device 306) based on one or more of various direct or indirect indications of occupancy and/or presence of pathogens. In some such implementations, the disinfection device 306 may be activated and/or deactivated responsive to a combination of multiple factors. For example, the disinfection device could be activated and/or deactivated based on a combination of carbon dioxide readings and ventilation rate in the space. Carbon dioxide readings are a measure of ventilation per person. Accordingly, low carbon dioxide readings could mean that occupancy in the space is low, or they could mean that the airside system (e.g., air handling unit) is moving air through the space (replacing air in the space with outside, or clean, air) at a high rate. In some such implementations, the disinfection device 306 may be activated and/or deactivated responsive to both carbon dioxide data and ventilation rate data to account for variations in ventilation rate and help ensure that the carbon dioxide readings upon which the disinfection device 306 is controlled are based on occupancy of the space.
Pathogen inactivation upon exposure to Far UV-C lighting is not immediate, and therefore a disinfection device 306 may need to continue to operate after a space is no longer occupied to ensure that disinfection is achieved. In some embodiments, the controller 310 continues to operate a disinfection device 306 for a pre-determined amount of time after a room is no longer occupied, or occupancy drops below a particular level (e.g., responsive to sensed carbon dioxide dropping below a particular predetermined level, which may be the same or different than a level at which the disinfection device 306 is activated). In some embodiments, a light intensity sensor and/or a power consumption sensor can be added to the modular design of the disinfection device 306. In some embodiments, a building management system receives data from the light intensity sensor and uses it to determine whether the space is occupied and controls activation and deactivation of the disinfection device 306 based on the detected occupancy (e.g., deactivating the device when the space is unoccupied, activating the device for a certain amount of time after the space becomes unoccupied and then deactivating the device, etc.). In some embodiments, the building management system may use a power consumption sensor that measures power consumption of devices in the space, such as the lighting in the space, to sense or estimate occupancy and control the disinfection device 306 in a similar fashion. In some embodiments, the building management system can increase or decrease the light intensity from a disinfection device in a given space to maintain and/or change disinfection as conditions, such as occupancy, change. In some embodiments a building control system can use the power consumption sensor to determine power draw by a disinfection device and take one or more actions, such as ensure the disinfection device is functioning, modifying or monitoring functioning of the device to limit energy consumption in different conditions, etc.
In some implementations, the disinfection device 306 may be controlled based in part on characteristics or preferences of a user or occupant of a space. For example, in some implementations (e.g., in a healthcare/hospital setting), the disinfection device 306 may be controlled based in part on a medical status of a patient who is occupying or scheduled to be occupying a space. In some such implementations, for a patient who is immunocompromised and is scheduled to enter a room, the disinfection device 306 may be activated to disinfect the room before the patient enters and disabled while the patient is in the space. In one example, if a patient is in surgery and scheduled to go to room 201 after surgery, the disinfection device 306 in room 201 may be run for two hours prior to occupancy (e.g., regardless of whether there are other occupants during that time) but, optionally, disabled when the patient arrives or is scheduled to arrive after surgery. It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to such an example and encompasses modifying operation of disinfection device 306 responsive to any sort of user/occupant condition, characteristic, and/or preference.
The systems and methods of the present disclosure may include a controller 310 for varying light intensity from a disinfection device 306. In some embodiments, the controller 310 increases light intensity based on pathogen prevalence data. Pathogen prevalence and identification can be accomplished using methods well known in the art, such as DNA sequencing or antibody-based detection methods. Some buildings, such as hospitals or nursing homes, routinely test samples for pathogens, and such data can be used to determine pathogen prevalence in some embodiments. Data on pathogen prevalence from the CDC or other public health organizations can also be used in certain embodiments. Continuous pathogen prevalence data, obtained from a sensor placed in one or more spaces or zones of the building and configured to continuously or semi-continuously (e.g., periodically) monitor for presence of a pathogen, can also be used by the controller in some embodiments. In some embodiments, sensors that measure for presence of pathogens at discrete times or based on certain conditions should be used. It should be understood that the features of the present disclosure could be used in conjunction with any type of sensor or method of sensing or estimating/predicting presence of a pathogen or other substance in a space of a building, and the present disclosure is not limited to any particular sensor/device or method. Pathogen prevalence data is useful for ensuring optimal pathogen inactivation while minimizing associated costs. For example, because viruses require less Far UV-C light to achieve inactivation than bacteria, a controller can decrease light intensity in a space wherein viruses are present but bacterial pathogens are not and/or can decrease an amount of time the Far UV-C light is active (e.g., in embodiments where the Far UV-C lighting system is not capable of varying intensities). In some embodiments, a controller 310 can vary Far UV-C output from a disinfection device 306 based on a diagnosis of a particular disease. For example, if a patient in a room is diagnosed with a virus, the controller can vary light intensity to achieve viral inactivation while minimizing costs. As used herein, it should be understood that varying disinfecting light output can mean varying intensity of one or more disinfecting devices, varying a number of activated disinfecting devices and/or elements of disinfecting devices, varying an on and off time (e.g., via pulse width modulation) of the disinfecting devices, and/or using any other method that increases or decreases an amount of disinfecting light to which the space or a portion thereof is exposed and/or an amount of time during which the space or a portion thereof is exposed.

Disinfection Device Applications and Function Verification

Some embodiments of the systems and methods of the present disclosure can make use of occupant location information to identify risks for cross-contamination between building zones 206, and optimize or otherwise control disinfection accordingly. For example, individuals identification (ID) badges can provide the location of individuals as they move throughout a building 10, and a building management system can identify any individuals who have passed through zones 206 that may have pathogens present in the air or surface. Such individuals can then be notified of the need to enter a zone 206 with Far UV-C application for a pre-determined period of time, thus achieving disinfection. Data such as the aforementioned data may be helpful in determining risk levels associated with different areas of a building (e.g., higher-risk areas where individuals from multiple different areas cross paths and/or interact, and where spread of infectious particles may be more likely). In some implementations, the data discussed herein may be used to help determine where to place disinfection devices (e.g., to place or focus disinfection devices, such as by putting more disinfection devices, in higher-risk locations). In some implementations, the data may additionally or alternatively be used in operation to determine when to turn disinfection devices on or off, an intensity of the output of the disinfection devices, etc. In some such implementations, the system may balance energy usage and infection control by activating more devices, at higher intensity, and/or for more time in higher risk areas and activating less devices, at lower intensity, and/or for less time in lower risk areas.
Some example implementations of the systems and methods of the present disclosure include the creation of a Far UV-C air lock. The air lock is created by surrounding infectious or sensitive areas of a building with volumes of air that are continuously disinfected by the systems and methods of the present disclosure. For example, in some embodiments the air lock is created by placing disinfection devices at every entrance to a building zone 206, such as an infectious disease ward, wherein the disinfection devices are configured to operate in the entrances and are in continuous operation to achieve constant pathogen inactivation in a given volume of air.
Some example implementations of the systems and methods of the present disclosure include light verification methods to ensure sufficient Far UV-C output from disinfection devices 306. Light output from the disinfection devices 306 may be optimized using light simulation models, as discussed previously. To confirm that systems are operating as expected, methods of the present disclosure include light intensity verification. In some embodiments, light intensity verification is achieved via passive or manual systems. In some embodiments, a light intensity sensor is integrated into a space, for example by being mounted on a wall, to constantly provide feedback to a building management system on actual Far UV-C intensity in the building zone 206. In some embodiments, a Far UV-C dose card that changes color over time based on Far UV-C exposure can be placed in a space for a set period of time to verify Far UV-C output. Such a dose card can be placed on a surface of interest, such as a hospital bed or school desk. In some embodiments, dosage card data is recorded manually and entered into a building management system. In other embodiments, a building management system continuously monitors the dosage cards. For example, dosage cards can be monitored by cameras and data on color change over time generated using video analytics can be provided to a building management system. In some embodiments, a light intensity sensor is brought into a space, data is recorded, and that data is then provided to a building management system. In some embodiments, light intensity sensors can be independent devices or can be integrated into an existing device, such as a smart phone, an ID badge, or a shared piece of equipment that regularly moves throughout a building (e.g., an IV cart in a hospital or a movable whiteboard in a school). A light intensity sensor integrated into an ID badge can be a Far UV-C dosage card, and can verify Far UV-C light intensity and exposure for an individual as they move throughout a building. ID badge integration is useful for determining total Far UV-C exposure to individuals, which allows for system modification to prevent overexposure. Light intensity verification can be done continuously or at a regular interval, for example once every three months.
Some example implementations of the systems and methods of the present disclosure include disinfection confirmation testing, which can be performed regularly or on a case by case basis. In some embodiments, disinfection confirmation is achieved by releasing a detection component into a space with a disinfection device, collecting samples form surfaces and air, operating the disinfection device, and then collecting more surface and air samples. The detection component can be a known virus or bacteria that is non-pathogenic, such as, for example, a bacteriophage. In such an embodiment, disinfection confirmation is established by a result showing that the known virus or bacteria was not inactivated before disinfection device operation, but was inactivated after disinfection device operation. Alternatively, the detection component can be a Far UV-C reactive compound. In such an embodiment, disinfection confirmation is established by a result showing that after disinfection device operation the Far UV-C reactive compound was altered by Far UV-C light exposure.

Anticipated Environmental Applications

The systems and methods of the present disclosure are suitable for application in a number of environments. For example, the disclosed systems and methods can be applied in a transportation context, such as on a bus, boat, or plane or in a bus terminal, port, or airport, to minimize the transmission of pathogens on such routes. In other embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods can be used in waiting rooms to minimize the disease risk to employees and customers/patients. In other embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods are applied on military bases, including in communal areas, to minimize the spread of disease and protect against bioweapons. In still other embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods are applied using portable installations, which are suitable for use during travel or at an emergency site, such as a natural disaster. In other embodiments, the disclosed systems and methods are applied to minimize disease risk among children, for example via application at schools or daycares. A person with skill in the art will recognize the many possible environments wherein the systems and methods of the present disclosure would be an appropriate and advantageous means to improve building health in occupied spaces.
Monitoring, Controlling, and Servicing Buildings with a Disinfection Device
Referring now to FIG. 4 , a disinfection system 400 for controlling an indoor environment of a building, according to some embodiments. The systems and methods can be implemented in FIG. 4 using a disinfection system 400 including a controller 410 configured to operate disinfection device(s) and/or an air-handling unit (AHU). FIG. 4 includes similar features and functionalities as described in detail with reference to FIG. 3 . In some embodiments, the controller can include a disinfection device interface system 412, a predictive maintenance system 414, and a tracking system 416. In some embodiments, one or more disinfection devices 406 (hereafter referred to as “disinfection device 406”) can be, but are not limited to, a lighting system (e.g., Far UV-C or any other UV-C device), a spray system (e.g., electrostatic disinfectant sprayer, thermal fogging system), or a filtration system (e.g., HEPA filter system, activated carbon filter system, kill tunnel). The disinfection device 406 can be mounted or installed in occupied spaces without an AHU. In some embodiments, the disinfection device 406 can be used to detect pathogens and quantity disinfection procedures. Additionally, one or more sensors (e.g., sensor 407 a and 407 b) can be used to detect the level of Far UV-C or other UV-C(e.g., 254 nm upper room UVGI) radiation in the air or other disinfection procedures (e.g., an amount of disinfectant spray, an airflow rate, etc.) and a control unit (e.g., controller 410) can be configured to regulate the emission of disinfection procedures.
In some embodiments, the controller 410 can also include a tracking system 416 (e.g., such as a security system) that tracks the movement of individuals in the building and tracking system 416 can then calculate their exposure to various pathogens (e.g., deactivated (or deactive) and active (or activated)). While FIG. 4 illustrates the controller 410 (e.g., disinfection device interface system 412) being communicatively coupled to disinfection device 406, sensors 407 a-b, and AHU 404, it should be understood that, in various embodiments, the controller 410 may be connected to fewer, additional, or different components. In various embodiments, the controller 410 may be communicatively coupled to and configured to control or otherwise communicate with both the AHU 404 and the disinfection device 406, or may be coupled to and/or configured to control or otherwise communicate with only one of the AHU 404 or the disinfection device 406. For example, in some implementations, the controller 410 may be configured to communicate with and control the disinfection device 406, and may not communicate with and/or control the AHU 404, and such implementations are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure and the various embodiments described herein. It should be understood that controller 410 includes similar features and functionalities of controller 310 of FIG. 3 .
It should be understood that a “deactivated pathogen” refers to a organism or agent or agent that cannot produce disease, making it non-viable. This inactivation can occur through exposure to disinfectants, which include the pathogen's cell wall or membrane, or through physical means such as UV-C radiation, causing detrimental alterations to its DNA or RNA. In contrast, an “activated pathogen” maintains its structural integrity and genetic functions, preserving its capacity to reproduce, infect hosts, and potentially resist immune responses. The effectiveness of disinfection procedures rely on the ability of the procedures to transition pathogens from an activated to a deactivated state, thereby mitigating the risk of disease transmission.
Furthermore, testing for activated versus deactivated pathogens can include not just detecting the presence of microorganisms but also assessing their viability. Sensors 407 a-b can be designed for this purpose such that the sensors can differentiate between living (activated) and non-living (deactivated) pathogens. For example, sensors 407 a-b can use fluorescence-based techniques, where live pathogens metabolize specific substrates that fluoresce under certain conditions, indicating viability. In some embodiments, the substrates can be incorporated into the testing environment, and the sensors 407 a-b (or disinfection devices 406) can equipped with fluorescence detection capabilities where they can identify and quantify the proportion of live pathogens based on the fluorescence emitted. In some embodiments, the sensors 407 a-b and disinfection device 406 can include performing molecular techniques, such as quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) or Reverse Transcription-PCR (RT-PCR), configured to detect and quantify the nucleic acids of pathogens. For example, the molecular techniques can be used to distinguish between activated and deactivated pathogens by assessing the integrity of the microbial RNA or DNA, or by detecting specific markers indicative of metabolic activity or replication capability. In some embodiments, the sensors 407 a-b and disinfection device 406 can use biological components to detect the presence of pathogens. By integrating biorecognition elements that can specifically bind to viable pathogen markers, such as intact cell surface proteins or metabolic by-products, the sensors 407 a-b and disinfection device 406 can provide a direct indication of pathogen viability.
In some embodiments, a UV-C disinfection device can include systems that emit ultraviolet light in the wavelength range of 200 nm to 300 nm, specifically targeting the inactivation of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. For example, UV-C disinfection device can be integrated into various setups, including central HVAC air-handlers, standalone troffers, upper-room UVGI fixtures, or as downlights utilizing 222 nm wavelength. In some embodiments, a spray system can include nozzle heads designed for fine misting, pressurized tank reservoirs, and programmable dispersal patterns. For example, spray system can be integrated into various setups such as mobile disinfection carts, automated room misting systems, or direct surface application tools. In some embodiments, a filtration system can include High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, electrostatic precipitators, or kill tunnels designed with germicidal UV-C irradiation zones. For example, a filtration system can be integrated into various setups such as in-duct air sterilization pathways, stand-alone air purification units, or enclosed conveyor systems for object decontamination.
In some embodiments, the disinfection device 406 includes Far UV-C light sources that emits radiation in a wavelength range (e.g., 200 to 230 nanometers). The Far UV-C light source can be installed in the building (e.g., in zones 206) and emits radiation in a predetermined pattern that covers the indoor space. Disinfection device interface system 412 can regulate the emission of Far UV-C radiation from the light source based on the readings from the sensors (e.g., sensor data, collecting zone sensor data from sensors 407 a-b). In some embodiments, the disinfection device interface system 412 can be programmed to maintain a predetermined level of Far UV-C radiation that is effective in killing airborne pathogens. The disinfection device interface system 412 is also capable of adjusting the emission level based on the occupancy of the building, time of day, and other factors.
In some embodiments, the disinfection device 406 includes a spray system that dispenses a disinfectant solution. The spray system can be installed in the building (e.g., in zones) and emits the disinfectant in a predetermined pattern that covers the indoor space (e.g., treat space). Disinfection device interface system 412 can regulate the dispensing of the disinfectant from the spray system based on readings from the sensors (e.g., sensor data, collecting zone sensor data from sensors 407 a-b). In some embodiments, the disinfection device interface system 412 can be programmed to maintain a predetermined level of disinfectant dispersal that is effective in deactivating surface-bound pathogens. The disinfection device interface system 412 is also capable of adjusting the volume and frequency of the disinfectant based on the occupancy of the building, time of day, and other factors.
In some embodiments, the disinfection device 406 includes a filtration system (that incorporates a single stage or multiple stages of air purification and pathogen deactivation, such as HEPA filtration and/or combined with UV-C light within a kill tunnel arrangement. The filtration system can be installed in the building (e.g., in zones) and operates to continuously clean the air passing through it. Disinfection device interface system 412 can regulate the operation of the filtration system based on readings from the sensors (e.g., sensor data, collecting zone sensor data from sensors 407 a-b). In some embodiments, the disinfection device interface system 412 can be programmed to maintain a predetermined level of air cleanliness that is effective in capturing and inactivating airborne pathogens. The disinfection device interface system 412 is also capable of adjusting the air flow rate and the intensity of UV-C irradiation in the kill tunnel based on real-time air quality data, building occupancy, time of day, and other environmental factors.
The tracking system 416 can track the movement of individuals using various sensors (e.g., sensors 407 a-b) such as motion detectors and cameras. The disinfection device interface system 412 can calculate the exposure of each individual to radiation (e.g., UV-C, Far UV-C, etc.), spray, or purified air, based on the spaces they are in (e.g., determined by tracking data from the tracking system) and the level of Far UV-C(or other UV-C) radiation in those spaces. In some embodiments, to determine an effectiveness of the one or more disinfection procedures implemented by the disinfection device 406 can be based on comparing the amount of the deactivated pathogen to an amount of an active pathogen. For example, the one or more disinfection procedures can be adjusted in real-time based on a measurement of the effectiveness. In some examples, the disinfection device interface system 412 can compare the prevalence of pathogens in the building with that outside the building. The disinfection device interface system 412 can also compare the prevalence of pathogens in similar situated buildings and spaces that implement the disinfection procedures with those that do not. The disinfection device interface system 412 can use the tracking system 416 to perform backward detective work to find the common crossover point of infections and calculate, for example, a dose of UV-C radiation that individuals were exposed to during that time.
In some embodiments, the tracking of disinfection procedures can provide information for optimizing the disinfection process in indoor environments, regardless of the type of disinfection procedures being used. An example of tracking UV-C dose is to ensure that an individual does not receive too high of a dose, which can be a concern for Far UV-C lights since they can shine directly on people. By tracking the UV-C dose, the disinfection device interface system 412 can adjust the deployment of Far UV-C lights to reduce the risk of overexposure and potential harm to individuals. Another example of tracking UV-C dose is to estimate the accumulated infection risk of an individual. If a person spends a lot of time in spaces with Far UV-C or upper room UVGI fixtures, they will have a lower “accumulated” infection risk than a person working or living in a space without UV-C lighting. The tracking of UV-C dose can help quantify the effectiveness of the disinfection process and provide information for the disinfection device interface system 412 to make informed decisions about their exposure to UV-C lighting.
Similarly, tracking the amount and concentration of disinfectant solution dispensed by the spray system can ensure that surfaces receive a sufficient dose to deactivate pathogens without causing damage or leaving excessive residues. The disinfection device interface system 412 can adjust the spray system's operations, such as changing the spray pattern or altering the solution's concentration, to optimize surface coverage and minimize waste. For the filtration system, monitoring the air flow rate through areas with varying pathogen concentrations can lead to adjustments in the filtration speed to enhance pathogen capture efficiency. By dynamically modifying the flow rate based on detected pathogen loads and occupancy patterns, the disinfection device interface system 412 can maintain optimal air quality while conserving energy.
In some embodiments, the disinfection device interface system 412 can determine the effectiveness of the UV-C lights or other disinfection device 406 in deactivating pathogens through the use of zone sensor data. The zone sensor data can provide a measurement of the ratio of deactivated and activated pathogens (both contemplated, active-to-deactivated ratio or deactivated-to-active ratio) in a given space or the percentage of deactivated pathogens (or percentage of active pathogens). In some embodiments, the disinfection device interface system 412 receives this data and analyzes it to determine whether the disinfection device 406 are effectively deactivating the pathogens in the space. That is, the disinfection device 406 can be turned on or off as needed based on the analysis of the zone sensor data. The disinfection device interface system 412 can recommend changes to the deployment of the disinfection device 406 (e.g., Far UV-C fixtures) in areas with a high incidence of a particular pathogen. For example, if the analysis of the zone sensor data shows that the disinfection device 406 are not effectively deactivating the pathogen, the disinfection device interface system 412 may recommend adding more lights, keeping the lights on longer, reducing the occupancy, or moving the lights to a different location in the space (e.g., on the wall, different spots of the ceiling, spread out, isolated in a particular location in the space).
Responsive to the analysis of sensor data, quantification might include specific thresholds and adjustments for each system. For the lighting system, if sensor data indicates less than a 90% pathogen deactivation rate, the disinfection device interface system 412 might increase UV-C light intensity by 20% or extend operation time by 30 minutes. For the spray system, if surface tests show a deactivation rate below 85%, the disinfection device interface system 412 could increase the disinfectant concentration by 10% or double the spraying frequency. In the case of the filtration system, should air quality sensors detect a pathogen reduction efficiency under 95%, the disinfection device interface system 412 might increase the air flow rate by 15% or switch to a higher filtration speed setting.
In some embodiments, the disinfection device interface system 412 can determine the number of deactivations of pathogens achieved by the disinfection device 406. This information can be obtained by using the zone sensor data to track the number of pathogens present in the space before and after the disinfection device 406 (e.g., UV lights, such as Far UV-C and/or other UV-C lights, disinfectant solution dispensed, air flow rate) are activated. Additionally, this information can be used to compare zones with and without disinfection device 406, and/or with different disinfection devices and/or configurations/orientations/deployments of disinfection devices. This data can be used to determine the effectiveness of the disinfection device 406 in deactivating pathogens and to make adjustments to the deployment of the disinfection device 406 as needed. By analyzing the zone sensor data (also referred to as “sensor data” or “pathogen data”) and making adjustments to the deployment of the disinfection device 406, the disinfection system 400 described herein can ensure that the indoor space is effectively disinfected while minimizing the risk of harm to humans. This makes the disinfection system 400 useful in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, schools, and public spaces where airborne pathogens can pose a significant risk to human health.
As should be understood, a reduction in the prevalence of a pathogen in a treated space compared to a non-treated space indicates that the disinfection system 400 is working effectively to limit the spread of illnesses. This relationships may be determined by using a pathogen sensor (e.g., sensor 407 a-b), which can detect the presence of a specific pathogen in the air or on surfaces. By comparing the prevalence of the pathogen in the treated space versus the non-treated space, the effectiveness of the disinfection system 400 can be evaluated. In some embodiments, it may not be necessary for the disinfection device interface system 412 to know the active versus inactive ratio of the pathogens, as long as the pathogen sensor can detect the presence of the pathogen. This implementation can be particularly useful for identifying areas of high pathogen concentration, such as hospital rooms or food preparation areas, and for monitoring the effectiveness of the disinfection process over time.
In some embodiments, sensors 407 a-b (collectively referred to as “sensor 407”) is configured to detect a range of environmental and biological factors, transmitting this data to controller 410. Sensor 407 can include processing circuit and memory, allowing on-device data analysis and preprocessing before transmission to controller 410. Sensors 407 a-b can be pathogen detection sensors that utilize fluorescence, PCR, or biosensor technologies to identify viable pathogens, air quality sensors for monitoring particulate matter and chemical pollutants, temperature and humidity sensors for assessing environmental conditions, and occupancy sensors to gauge room usage.
In some embodiments, the disinfection device interface system 412 can control various disinfection devices 406, such as UV-C devices, spray systems, or filtration systems, to ensure that the indoor space is effectively disinfected (e.g., even if pathogens are present, they can be deactivated). Disinfection device interface system 412 can increase the lighting or adjust the deployment of disinfection devices 406 as needed to achieve a better kill rate for pathogens. Data from the pathogen sensor (e.g., sensors 407 a-b) can be used to identify the pathogens present. For example, the disinfection device 406 can be configured to deliver the disinfection dose (e.g., UV-C dose, spray dose, filtration dose) required to deactivate the pathogens present.
Referring to kill rate in more detail, the kill rate can be determined by the dose (e.g., intensity and duration of the Far UV-C light exposure). For example, Far UV-C light can be effective in deactivating a wide range of airborne pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi. The Far UV-C devices can achieve a high kill rate by emitting Far UV-C light in a controlled and consistent manner throughout the indoor space. The disinfection device can detect the type of pathogen and the amount active to determine the effectiveness of the disinfection process. This information can be used by disinfection device interface system 412 to determine an optimal deployment of disinfection devices and achieving the best possible kill rate for pathogens. By using the data obtained from the disinfection device and zone sensors, the disinfection device interface system 412 can determine the effectiveness of the Far UV-C devices (or other disinfection devices) in deactivating pathogens in the indoor environment.
In some embodiments, disinfection device interface system 412 can adjust the one or more disinfection procedures based on prioritizing a particular pathogen type of the active pathogen over another detected amount of a different pathogen type based on a risk or prevalence of the pathogen type compared to the second pathogen type. Additionally, the disinfection device interface system 412 can modulate disinfection intensity or strategy for specific zones identified as higher risk due to pathogen concentration or type. In some embodiments, prioritization could also be based on a comparative risk assessment, where disinfection procedures are selectively intensified for pathogens with higher morbidity rates. In some embodiments, the determination to prioritize one disinfection procedure over another can be based on real-time prevalence data. For example, increased UV-C exposure in areas with detected airborne viruses. Furthermore, adjustments can include changing filtration rates or disinfectant types to more effectively target the prioritized pathogen. For example, if the disinfection device interface system 412 detects a higher prevalence of COVID-19 compared to influenza in a specific zone, it can increase UV-C intensity or extend exposure duration in that area to target the COVID-19 virus more aggressively. In another example, where influenza is identified as the predominant pathogen over measles, the disinfection device interface system 412 still could measles due its higher RO (basic reproduction number), initiating enhanced air filtration and UV-C protocols in affected zones to mitigate the spread of measles particles effectively.
In some embodiments, for the spray system, the kill rate can be determined by assessing the ratio of deactivated to active (or activated) pathogens on surfaces post-disinfection, using methods that differentiate viable from non-viable pathogens to measure the disinfectant's effectiveness. In some embodiments, for the filtration system, the kill rate can be established by measuring the decrease in active pathogens before and after air passes through the system, using methods that identify and quantify live pathogens to evaluate the system's efficiency in air sanitization. Additionally, for the spray system, the kill rate could also be determined by analyzing pre-treatment and post-treatment pathogen levels on surfaces, assessing the effectiveness of the disinfectant's chemical properties and the adequacy of surface coverage. The assessment includes controlled testing environments where specific pathogens are applied to surfaces, treated with the spray, and then re-measured to calculate the percentage reduction. Additionally, for the filtration system, the kill rate could be quantified by comparing the concentration of pathogens in the air before and after it passes through the filtration unit, utilizing air sampling techniques to capture and analyze airborne microorganisms. The efficiency of pathogen removal or inactivation can then be calculated based on the reduction of viable pathogens.
In some embodiments, in addition to using the data from sensors 407 to analyze the effectiveness of the disinfection devices, the disinfection system 400 can also crowdsource data from the building. This can include data on the dimensions of the spaces, the number of people present, and the type of activity taking place in the space. In some embodiments, this information can be used by disinfection device interface system 412 to determine why a particular space is achieving a better kill rate for pathogens compared to other spaces in the building. In some embodiments, the disinfection device interface system 412 can also incorporate community prevalence data, which can provide information on the overall prevalence of pathogens in the community or specific to the building. This data can be obtained from sources such as government bodies (e.g., CDC), other medical data services, wastewater testing, which can provide an early warning system for potential outbreaks of pathogens in the building or community. Accordingly, by combining data from sensors, crowdsource data, and community prevalence data, the disinfection device interface system 412 can provide a comprehensive picture of the IAQ and the effectiveness of the disinfection process (e.g., if pathogens are present and if they are active or deactivated). This information can be used to make adjustments to the disinfection devices, including increasing or decreasing lighting, relocating disinfection devices, or adjusting the deployment of disinfection devices, to achieve the best possible kill rate for pathogens.
In some embodiments, the disinfection device 406 can detect the type of pathogen and the fraction that is disinfected (or deactivated), or the kill rate, to determine the effectiveness of the disinfection process. By back-calculating a K factor for each pathogen, which represents the UV light dose (or spray dose, filtration dose) required to disinfect a particular pathogen, the disinfection device interface system 412 can determine the optimal intensity and duration of the UV light exposure required to achieve the desired kill rate for each pathogen. This information can be used to adjust the intensity of the UV light exposure, such as decreasing the intensity for pathogens that are easily disinfected.
Referring to the K factor in greater detail, the K factor is determined based on the wavelength of the UV light and the sensitivity of the pathogen to that wavelength. Different pathogens have different K factors, and some are more easily disinfected than others. The K factor is expressed as a UV light dose per unit pathogen, such as joules per square centimeter (J/cm2) or millijoules per square centimeter (mJ/cm2). For example, SARS-COV-2 (i.e., COVID-19), has a relatively low K factor and is easily disinfected with Far UV-C light in the wavelength range of 207 to 222 nanometers. Other pathogens, such as bacterial spores or fungal spores, have higher K factors and require a higher UV light dose to achieve disinfection.
In some embodiments, a field measured K factor is a parameter which can be used in determining the optimal deployment of disinfection devices 406 and the intensity and duration of UV light exposure required to achieve the desired kill rate for each pathogen. To calculate the field K factor for a particular pathogen, the disinfection device interface system 412 can expose the pathogen to various doses of UV light and measure the resulting reduction in the pathogen's population (e.g., deactivated vs. active). By calculating the field K factor for each pathogen, the disinfection device interface system 412 can optimize the UV light exposure to achieve the best possible kill rate for each pathogen. For example, if the field measured K factor is lower than the lab measured K factor, this is an indication that the UVGI disinfection system deployment is not optimal. For some reason the pathogens are not “seeing” the full dose of the lighting system if a pathogen has a high K factor, indicating that it is difficult to disinfect, the disinfection device interface system 412 may need to increase the UV light dose or exposure time to achieve the desired reduction in pathogen population. By adjusting the intensity and duration of the UV light exposure based on the K factor, the disinfection device interface system 412 can achieve the desired level of disinfection while minimizing the risk of harm to humans.
For example, Chapter 17 of the ASHRAE Fundamentals Handbook provides additional details about the K term described above:

- 2. UVGI FUNDAMENTALS
- Microbial Dose Response
  - Lamp manufacturers have published design guidance documents for in-duct use (Philips Lighting 1992; Sylvania 1982; Westing-house 1982). Bahnfleth and Kowalski (2004) and Scheir and Fencl (1996) summarized the literature and discussed in-duct applications. These and other recent papers were based on case studies and previously published performance data. The Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology Institute (ARTI) funded a research project to evaluate UV lamps' capability to inactivate microbial aerosols in ventilation equipment, using established bioaerosol control device performance measures (VanOsdell and Foarde 2002). The data indicated that UV-C systems can be used to inactivate a substantial fraction of environmental bioaerosols in a single pass of air through a duct.
  - For constant and uniform irradiance, the disinfection effect of UV-C energy on a single microorganism population can be expressed as follows (Phillips Lighting 1992):

$N_{t} / N_{0} = \exp (- kEff Δ t) = \exp (- k \times Dose)$

- where N₀=initial number of microorganisms
  - N_t=number of microorganisms after any time Δt
  - N₁/N₀=fraction of microorganisms surviving
  - k=microorganism-dependent rate constant, cm²/(μW·s)
- E_ff=effective (germicidal) irradiance received by microorganism, μW/cm²

$Dose = Eff \times Δ t, (μ W \cdot s) / {cm}^{2}$
The units shown are common, but others are used as well, including irradiance in W/m²and dose in J/m²(note: 1 J=1 W·s).
Equation (1) describes an exponential decay in the number of living organisms as a constant level of UV-C exposure continues. The same type of equation is used to describe the effect of disinfectants on a population of microorganisms, with the dose in that case being a concentration-time product. The fractional kill after time t is (1−N_t/N₀). In an air duct, the use of Equation (1) is complicated by the movement of the target microorganisms in the airstream and the fact that the UV-C irradiance is not of constant intensity within the duct. In addition, the physical parameters of the duct, duct airflow, and UV installation have the potential to affect both the irradiance and the microorganisms' response to it. As is the case with upperroom UV installation design, the design parameters for UV-C in in-duct applications are not simple because of some uncertainty in the data available to analyze them, and because of secondary effects.
ASHRAE. 2016. “Chapter 17 Ultraviolet Lamp Systems” in ASHRAE Handbook-HVAC Systems and Equipment. Atlanta, GA: ASHRAE.
In some embodiments, the disinfection device interface system 412 can activate multiple disinfection devices 406, such as using Far UV-C lighting or UV kill tunnels, spray systems, or filtration systems, based on the prevalence of pathogens in the building. For example, if the data shows that the only pathogen present (e.g., active pathogen) in the building is COVID-19, which is easily disinfected with UV light, the disinfection device interface system 412 can decrease the intensity of the UV light exposure or activate only a certain number of disinfection devices. In some embodiments, the kill tunnels can include integrating disinfection devices, such as UV-C light kill tunnels, into the building's HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system. For example, the kills tunnels may be implemented in the ducting of the HVAC system. The kill tunnels can be designed to fit within the ductwork and emit UV-C light to disinfect the air passing through the system. In another example, if the data shows that the multiple pathogens are present in the building, the disinfection device interface system 412 can increase the intensity of the UV light exposure and activate a kill tunnel in one or more ducting of the building.
In some embodiments, the historical and community prevalence data, such as seasonal data and wastewater testing, can also be used to modify and/or optimize the disinfection process. For example, disinfection device interface system 412 can adjust the deployment of disinfection devices, such as activating only five Far UV-C lightings instead of ten, based on the prevalence of pathogens in the community. In some embodiments, by knowing the kill rate, the disinfection device interface system 412 can back-calculate the risk of infection using the Wells Riley model (described above), which determines the probability of infection based on the concentration of pathogens in the indoor environment. This information can be used to optimize the disinfection process, such as determining the optimal level of disinfection required to achieve a specific level of risk reduction.
In another example, if the month of January has historically shown a high incidence of influenza, it may be beneficial to adjust the deployment of disinfection devices in indoor environments during this time. Influenza is a highly contagious virus that can spread through the air, making it a significant risk to public health. The use of UV-C lighting can help reduce the concentration of influenza viruses in indoor spaces, lowering the risk of transmission and infection. By using historical and community prevalence data, the controller can identify the times of the year when the incidence of influenza is high and adjust the disinfection process accordingly. For example, in the month of January, the controller can increase the deployment of disinfection devices, such as activating more UV-C lightings, to target the virus and reduce its concentration in the indoor environment. This can help reduce the risk of transmission and prevent the spread of influenza in the community. Furthermore, this approach can be applied to other types of viruses and bacteria that show seasonal trends. By adjusting the deployment of disinfection devices in response to historical and community prevalence data, it is possible to optimize the disinfection process and reduce the risk of infection for individuals in indoor environments.
In yet another example, if the onset of cold and flu season typically increases the risk of respiratory infections, adjustments in the use of disinfection methods can be made by the controller 410. For the spray system, this might include intensifying the frequency of disinfectant application in high-traffic areas to combat the spread of cold and flu viruses on surfaces. An example would be employing electrostatic sprayers to evenly coat all surfaces with a disinfectant known to be effective against these viruses. Similarly, for the filtration system, enhancing the filtration rate or incorporating additional UV-C germicidal irradiation within the filtration path can be effective during peak respiratory virus seasons. For example, adjusting HEPA filters to operate at higher capacities or activating UV-C kill zones more frequently can significantly lower airborne virus concentrations, addressing the heightened risk of airborne transmission during these periods.
In some embodiments, the disinfection device interface system 412 can be programmed to monitor the performance of the disinfection devices, such as the Far UV-C lighting and UV-C light kill tunnels, and proactively identify when the devices are approaching the minimum viable performance threshold. For example, to maintain the level of disinfection the disinfection device interface system 412 can compare the performance of the disinfection devices across different buildings or spaces. In this example, if one building is performing worse than another building with similar fixtures and spaces, it could indicate that the disinfection devices in the poorly performing building are not being maintained properly. To track the performance of the disinfection devices, the disinfection device interface system 412 can collect data on the kill rate of the devices over time. By analyzing this data, the predictive maintenance system 414 can determine when the disinfection devices are approaching the minimum viable performance threshold, indicating that maintenance is required.
In some embodiments, the minimum viable performance threshold for the disinfection devices 406 could be the point at which the devices are no longer providing effective disinfection. This threshold would be based on the desired kill rate for the specific pathogen and the intensity and duration of the UV light exposure required to achieve that kill rate. For example, if the disinfection system 400 is designed to achieve an 80% reduction in active pathogens of a particular pathogen, the minimum viable performance threshold would be the point at which the disinfection devices are no longer achieving that level of reduction. The intensity and duration of the UV light exposure required to achieve the desired reduction in pathogen population could be used to determine the minimum viable performance threshold. In some embodiments, the predictive maintenance system 414 can look at data across multiple buildings, such as in a large campus or a company with multiple buildings. If the kill rate is much lower in one building than another and the same fixtures are used in similar spaces, the predictive maintenance system 414 may indicate that maintenance is not being performed properly in one of the buildings.
In some embodiments, for the spray and filtration systems, the minimum viable performance threshold could be defined by the effectiveness of these systems in achieving a specific reduction in active pathogens. For the spray system, this could be quantified by the percentage decrease in surface pathogens after application of the disinfectant, aiming for a similar 80% reduction target. For the filtration system, effectiveness could be measured by the decrease in airborne pathogen concentrations, with the threshold set at maintaining or exceeding an equivalent level of air purification. Factors such as the volume of disinfectant dispensed, its distribution pattern, and the air flow rate through the filters could be analyzed. In cases where one system underperforms relative to others within a network of buildings, the predictive maintenance system 414 could signal a deviation from expected maintenance schedules or indicate the need for recalibration of system parameters to ensure consistent disinfection effectiveness across all locations.
In some embodiments, several factors could contribute to a lower kill rate for the disinfection devices and in turn the predictive maintenance system 414 of controller 410 can identify areas of the building not being properly maintained. One factors can include the age of the devices. That is, the disinfection devices, such as the Far UV-C or UV-C light kill tunnels, have a limited lifespan, and their performance can degrade over time. If the devices in the poorly performing building are older than the devices in the better-performing building, it could explain the difference in kill rate. Another factor can include the condition of the bulbs. That is, the bulbs in the disinfection devices can degrade over time and may need to be replaced regularly. If the bulbs in the poorly performing building are not being replaced as frequently as they should be, it could explain the difference in kill rate. Yet another factor could include the maintenance of the devices. That is, regular maintenance of the disinfection devices is important to ensure that they are functioning properly and providing effective disinfection. If the devices in the poorly performing building are not being maintained properly, such as not being cleaned regularly, it could affect their performance. Accordingly, by proactively identifying when the disinfection devices are approaching the minimum viable performance threshold and performing maintenance as needed, the disinfection system 400 can continue to provide effective disinfection and maintain a healthy indoor environment.
In some embodiments, if the disinfection system 400, such as UV-C lighting, is providing effective disinfection, it may not be necessary to use chemical disinfectants, which can have unintended consequences and be harmful to people. Using lighting for disinfection, such as UV-C lighting, can be a safer and more effective alternative to chemical disinfectants. To ensure that the UV-C lighting is working effectively, the disinfection device interface system 412 can receive zone sensor data that measures the ratio of deactivated and active pathogens in a space. This data can be used to infer the effectiveness of the UV-C lighting in disinfecting the air and surfaces in the space. If the UV-C lighting is providing effective disinfection, it may not be necessary to use chemical disinfectants. The disinfection device interface system 412 can be programmed to alert personnel when the UV-C lighting is providing sufficient disinfection and to avoid using chemical disinfectants in those areas. This can be achieved by displaying an indicator or warning message to personnel, indicating that chemical disinfectants are not necessary in the space.
In some embodiments, a controller (e.g., controller 410 or installed in various zones of the building) can be used to measures chemical substances in the air which can provide valuable information for optimizing the disinfection process in indoor environments. The controller 410, equipped with sensors such as a Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC) sensor or a mass spectrometer, can monitor the concentration of pathogens in the air as well as the concentration of various chemicals that may be present. By understanding the health impacts of the measured airborne chemicals, the controller can make informed decisions about how to optimize the disinfection process. For example, the controller can use the TVOC sensor or mass spectrometer to detect the presence of certain chemicals that may have harmful health impacts, such as benzene or formaldehyde. If the concentration of these chemicals is high, the controller can alert personnel to the potential health risks and recommend alternative disinfection methods.
On the other hand, if the concentration of airborne pathogens is high, the controller 410 can prioritize the disinfection process to reduce the risk of infection, even if it means using chemical disinfectants that may have potential health impacts. The controller can make a trade-off between the potential health impact of the chemicals and the health measured disinfection. If the benefits of using the chemical disinfectants outweigh the potential risks, then the controller can recommend their use. In some cases, the controller may determine that the risk is worth the reward, meaning that the use of chemical disinfectants is necessary to reduce the concentration of pathogens, despite the potential health risks. For example, in a hospital setting, the controller may determine that the use of chemical disinfectants is necessary to reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections.
For example, in a factory that produces plastic products, the chemicals used in the manufacturing process may have harmful health impacts, such as generating airborne volatile organic compounds (VOCs). If the concentration of these VOCs is high, they can have a detrimental effect on the indoor air quality (IAQ) and potentially increase the risk of infections among workers. In this scenario, the controller equipped with a TVOC sensor can detect the presence and concentration of these VOCs in the air. If the concentration of VOCs is found to be high, the controller can recommend the use of chemical disinfectants to reduce the concentration of pathogens in the air, despite the potential health risks associated with the chemicals. In this example, the risk of using chemical disinfectants is worth the reward, as reducing the concentration of airborne pathogens is critical for maintaining a safe working environment for the workers. The controller can monitor the concentration of both VOCs and pathogens in the air and make informed decisions to optimize the disinfection process. Overall, the use of a controller that measures chemical substances in the air can provide a valuable tool for identifying and addressing potential health risks in industrial or manufacturing settings. By monitoring the concentration of both chemicals and pathogens in the air, the controller can make informed decisions about how to optimize the disinfection process while minimizing potential health risks.
In some embodiments, to prevent the use of chemical disinfectants in areas where they are not necessary, the tracking system 416 of controller 410 can be programmed to trigger alarms or warnings (e.g., to IoT devices of the building) when chemical disinfectants are detected in areas where UV-C lighting is providing sufficient disinfection. This can be achieved by incorporating chemical sensors into the system that can detect the presence of chemical disinfectants in the air or on surfaces. When the sensors detect the presence of chemical disinfectants, the tracking system 416 can alert personnel and recommend that the use of the disinfectants be avoided in that area. In addition to reducing the risk of harm to people, the use of UV-C lighting can also be more cost-effective and environmentally friendly than using chemical disinfectants. Chemical disinfectants can be expensive to purchase and require significant amounts of energy to manufacture, transport, and dispose of. UV-C lighting, on the other hand, uses less energy and does not require the use of chemicals, making it a more sustainable and cost-effective option.
In addition to disinfecting the air and surfaces, it may also be beneficial to integrate clean air movement as well. This could involve activating air dampers to bring in outside air or recirculate air through the HVAC system, which can help dilute any remaining pathogens (e.g., active pathogens) in the air and maintain a healthy indoor environment. To balance different factors and take different steps based on the combination of kill rate, raw incidence rate, pathogen type, disinfection system vs. AHU/air movement intervention, raising alarm and clearing space, etc., the tracking system 416 can be programmed to make real-time adjustments based on the data it receives from the sensors and Far UV-C lighting devices. For example, if the data indicates a high incidence of a particular active pathogen and a low kill rate for the Far UV-C lighting devices, the tracking system 416 could trigger an alarm and recommend clearing the space or deploying additional Far UV-C lighting devices to address the issue.
The disinfection devices 406 (sometimes in combination with controller 410) can be programmed to detect the number of active and deactivated pathogens in a space and calculate how to reduce their viability. In some embodiments, this can be done in both an open loop and closed loop system. In an open loop system, the disinfection device 406 can calculate how much reduction is expected to happen and if it is below a certain threshold, no additional measure is needed. In a closed loop system, the disinfection device 406 also measures the kill rate using sensors and determines whether further interventions are needed to achieve sufficient disinfection.
If the disinfection device 406 determines that additional measures are needed to achieve sufficient disinfection, the disinfection device interface system 412 can activate various mitigation techniques, such as turning on additional Far UV-C lighting (e.g., disinfection devices 406) or activating a kill tunnel in the HVAC system (e.g., communicating with AHU 404). These techniques can be used to intensify the disinfection process and ensure that the pathogens are effectively killed. In the event that the disinfection system 400 is not providing sufficient disinfection and there is a risk of infection, the tracking system 416 can issue a notification for everyone in the space to leave or to put masks back on.
Referring in greater detail to close and open loop system. In an open loop system, the disinfection device 406 (or controller 410 based on received zone sensor data) can calculate the expected reduction in the viability (i.e., deactivation) of the pathogens using the available data and determines whether the reduction is sufficient. For example, the device may calculate the expected reduction based on the intensity of the UV-C lighting and the exposure time, and determine whether this is sufficient to achieve the desired level of disinfection. In a closed loop system, the disinfection device 406 measures the kill rate of the pathogens using various sensors such as particle counters and activated vs. deactivated pathogens sensors, and adjusts the disinfection process in real-time based on the data it receives. For example, if the sensors detect that the kill rate of the pathogens is lower than expected, the disinfection device interface system 412 can activate additional mitigation techniques.
In general, active (or activated) pathogens are pathogens that are still viable and can cause infection, while deactivated pathogens are pathogens that have been rendered non-viable and can no longer cause infection. In some embodiments, when disinfection device interface system 412 can determine the ratio of active pathogens to deactivated pathogens. This can provide the disinfection device interface system 412 information whether the disinfection system 400 is providing effective disinfection. If the ratio of deactivated to active pathogens is high, it indicates that the disinfection system 400 is effectively killing the pathogens and the space may be safe for people. However, if the ratio is low, it indicates that the disinfection system 400 may not be providing sufficient disinfection and further mitigation techniques may be needed. Without knowing whether the pathogens in the space are active or deactivated, the disinfection device interface system 412 may assume that all the pathogens are active and perform additional mitigation techniques unnecessarily. This can result in unnecessary energy consumption, increased costs, and potentially harmful exposure of people to the mitigation techniques. To avoid this, the controller 410 can use sensors and data analysis to accurately determine the ratio of active to deactivated pathogens in the space. The disinfection device interface system 412 can then use this information to make informed decisions on whether additional mitigation techniques are needed to achieve effective disinfection.
In some embodiments, the disinfection device 406 can be used to ensure that disinfection protocols are implemented properly and that the level of infection is kept at a minimum in specific areas such as surgery rooms. By using the disinfection device 406 to track the performance of the disinfection system 400 in real-time, the disinfection device interface system 412 can monitor the level of infectious pathogens in a particular room and ensure that disinfection protocols are implemented correctly. In some embodiments, the data collected from the disinfection device 406 can be used to generate reports or dashboards for compliance purposes. For example, an OBEM (Operational Benchmarking and Environmental Monitoring) dashboard can be used to provide feedback on whether a hospital has met disinfection levels and to identify areas where further improvements can be made.
In some embodiments, the OBEM dashboard can be used to monitor compliance with industry standards and regulations related to disinfection protocols in hospitals. For example, the dashboard can track the level of infectious pathogens in surgery rooms and other high-risk areas, the performance of the disinfection system 400, and the effectiveness of the disinfection protocols in reducing the spread of infection. The dashboard can also be used to identify areas where disinfection protocols are not being implemented properly and take appropriate actions to rectify the situation. For example, if the data indicates that the Far UV-C lighting is not providing sufficient disinfection in a particular area, the disinfection device interface system 412 can activate additional mitigation techniques such as increasing the intensity of the lighting or activating a kill tunnel in the HVAC system to ensure effective disinfection. In some embodiments, the OBEM dashboard can be customized to meet the specific needs of different hospitals and can be used to track a variety of metrics related to disinfection protocols, such as the number of infections, compliance with disinfection protocols, and the performance of disinfection devices. The dashboard can be accessed by hospital administrators, staff, and other stakeholders, providing them with real-time feedback on the performance of disinfection protocols and allowing them to take appropriate actions to maintain a healthy indoor environment.
In some embodiments, the controller 410 can use the disinfection device 406 data to identify areas where disinfection protocols are not being implemented properly and take appropriate actions to rectify the situation. For example, if the disinfection device 406 data indicates that the UV-C lighting is not providing sufficient disinfection in a particular area, the disinfection device interface system 412 can activate additional mitigation techniques such as increasing the intensity of the lighting or activating a kill tunnel in the HVAC system to ensure effective disinfection.
For example, the controller 410 may determine the air in a surgery room was not properly disinfected. In particular, the controller 410 can use the disinfection device 406 to monitor the level of airborne infectious pathogens (e.g., active) in the room and determine whether disinfection protocols are being implemented properly. If the data indicates that the level of airborne infectious pathogens is high, the controller 410 can take appropriate actions to ensure that the air is properly disinfected, such as activating additional UV-C lighting or adjusting the HVAC system to increase the air exchange rate.
In another example, the controller 410 may determine the air in a surgery room is inadequately ventilated. In particular, the controller 410 can use the disinfection device 406 to monitor the level of airborne infectious pathogens in the room and determine whether the ventilation system is providing adequate ventilation. If the data indicates that the ventilation is inadequate, the controller 410 can take appropriate actions to adjust the HVAC system to increase the air exchange rate or use a portable air purifier to remove airborne particles.
In yet another example, the controller 410 may determine the air in a surgery room is not properly filtered. In particular, the controller 410 can use the disinfection device 406 to monitor the level of airborne infectious pathogens in the room and determine whether the air filters are providing adequate filtration. If the data indicates that the air filtration is inadequate, the controller 410 can take appropriate actions to adjust the HVAC system or replace the air filters with a more effective filtration system.
In a hospital or healthcare setting, it may be important to ensure that all disinfection protocols are properly followed to maintain a healthy indoor environment and minimize the spread of infectious pathogens. The controller 410 can use the disinfection device 406 to monitor and verify that the necessary cleaning and disinfection protocols have been properly implemented and followed. This can be achieved through the use of sensors to detect and monitor the presence of infectious pathogens (e.g., active vs. deactivated) in the environment. For example, the controller 410 can use sensors to monitor the cleanliness of surgeons' hands before surgery. By using a sensor to verify that hands are properly cleaned before surgery, the risk of infection can be minimized, and the patient can be protected from potential infections. Additionally, the controller 410 can use sensors to monitor the level of disinfection in operating rooms and other high-risk areas. Real-time monitoring of the level of disinfection can provide assurance that the room has been properly disinfected before a surgery or other medical procedure. By ensuring that the room has been properly disinfected, the risk of infection can be minimized, and the patient can be protected from potential infections. The disinfection device 406 can also be used to monitor the viability of infectious pathogens in the environment. By detecting whether a pathogen is viable or not, the controller 410 can take appropriate actions to mitigate the risk of infection. For example, if a viable pathogen is detected in the environment, the controller 410 can activate additional disinfection measures, such as increasing the intensity of the UV-C lighting or activating a kill tunnel in the HVAC system.
In some embodiments, additional disinfection measures other than using UV-C lighting or kill tunnels can be implemented. That is, the disinfection device interface system 412 can be configured to perform various actions on the air handling unit 404 or HVAC system generally to implement disinfection procedures such as ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI), hydrogen peroxide vaporization, and ozone treatment. These actions can be timed and executed automatically to ensure that the disinfection procedures are carried out effectively and efficiently. For example, if the disinfection device interface system 412 detects a high level of active infectious pathogens in the environment, it can activate a UVGI system in the HVAC system to disinfect the air as it circulates through the ducts. In this method, UV lamps can be positioned in ductwork in a way that the UV light can reach all areas of the ductwork where pathogens may be present. This may require the installation of multiple UV lamps in different parts of the ductwork, depending on the size and configuration of the HVAC system.
In some embodiments, the controller 410 can also activate a hydrogen peroxide vaporization system to disinfect the surfaces in the room. In this method, hydrogen peroxide vapor can be released into the room and allowed to circulate for a specified period of time. The vapor reacts with the pathogens in the environment, breaking down their cell walls and killing them. In some embodiments, the timing and duration of these actions can be programmed into the controller 410 to ensure that the disinfection procedures are carried out effectively.
Similarly, if the controller 410 detects a high level of pathogens in the environment that are resistant to Far UV-C, kill tunnels, UVGI, and/or hydrogen peroxide vaporization, it can activate an ozone treatment system (e.g., installed in the AHU 404) to disinfect the air and surfaces. In this method, ozone generators can be used to produce ozone gas, which is then released into the room and allowed to circulate for a specified period of time. In some embodiments, the controller 410 can time the activation of the ozone generator to occur when the room is unoccupied to minimize the risk of exposure to humans.
Referring now to FIG. 5 , a flowchart for a method 500 for controlling an indoor environment of a building, according to some embodiments. One or more of the components of the disinfection system 400 described with respect to FIG. 4 may be used to perform the steps of the method 500. For example, controller 410 may perform, all or some, of the one or more of the steps of the method 500.
In broad overview of method 500, block 510 (optionally performed by the processing circuits) includes the processing circuits detecting pathogens in the indoor environment and performing one or more disinfection procedures. Block 520 includes the processing circuits receiving sensor data indicating an amount of a pathogen that is active. Block 530 includes the processing circuits determining the effectiveness of the one or more disinfection procedures or an amount of the pathogen that has been deactivated corresponds to a deactivation ratio or deactivation percentage. Block 540 includes the processing circuits adjusting the one or more disinfection procedures. Additional, fewer, or different operations may be performed depending on the particular arrangement. In some embodiments, some, or all operations of method 500 may be performed by one or more processors executing on one or more computing devices, systems, or servers. In various embodiments, each operation may be re-ordered, added, removed, or repeated.
Referring to method 500 in greater detail, at block 510, the one or more processing circuits can detect pathogens in the indoor environment and perform, using the disinfection device, the one or more disinfection procedures on the air and surfaces. The dotted box of block 510 should be understood that it is an optional step performed by the one or more processing circuits. In some embodiments, the processing circuits can detect the pathogens based on communicating with the disinfection devices and in turn, perform disinfection procedures by providing instructions to the disinfection devices. However, in some embodiments, some or all the functions of detecting pathogens and performing disinfection may not be directly managed by the processing circuits within controller 410, as disinfection device 406 can operate as a distinct and separate component of disinfection system 400. Accordingly, the operational control and execution of disinfection procedures can be designed within the disinfection device 406 itself, allowing for autonomous operation based on built-in algorithms, code, and sensors. Furthermore, this implementation can ensure that the disinfection activities can be maintained even in scenarios where communication with controller 410 is interrupted, enhancing the system's reliability and operational continuity.
In some embodiments, the disinfection device can include, but is not limited to, a Far UV-C lighting system (or UV-C lighting system) configured to activate ultraviolet radiation lighting, a spray system configured to dispense disinfectant solution, or a filtration system configured to capture and deactivate the detected pathogens. For example, activation of the ultraviolet radiation lighting can include varying the intensity and duration. In another example, dispensing disinfectant solution can include adjusting the spray volume and pattern. In yet another example, capture and deactivated the detected pathogens can include enhancing filter throughput and integrating germicidal UV within the filtration system.
At block 520, the processing circuits (e.g., controller 410 and specifically, predictive disinfection device interface system 414) can receive, from a treated space in the indoor environment, sensor data from the disinfection device or a sensor indicating an amount of an active pathogen. In some embodiments, the disinfection device can be installed in the treated space of the building and the sensor can be installed in an non-treated space of the building. For example, sensor data reflecting a higher concentration of active pathogens in the treated space might trigger an increase in the intensity or frequency of disinfection procedures. In some embodiments, the adjustment of the one or more disinfection procedures can be further based on a differential pathogen load corresponding to a percentage decrease or increase in active (or deactivated) pathogen concentrations between the treated space and the non-treated space. For example, if the non-treated space shows a significant active pathogen presence in comparison to the treated space, the processing circuits could escalate the response, potentially activating additional disinfection devices or modifying existing ones to extend their operational parameters.
At block 540, the processing circuits can determine at least one of (1) an effectiveness of the one or more disinfection procedures based on comparing the amount of the deactivated pathogen to an amount of an active pathogen, or (2) an amount of the active pathogen corresponding to a deactivation ratio or deactivation percentage of active to deactivated pathogens in the treated space. For example, a high ratio of deactivated to active pathogens may indicate a high effectiveness, prompting the maintenance of current disinfection settings. Furthermore, the one or more disinfection procedures can be adjusted in real-time based on a measurement of the effectiveness. For example, the pathogen type of the active pathogen is the pathogen type of the deactivated pathogen. Moreover, if the ratio skews towards a higher number of active pathogens, this could signal the need for intensifying the disinfection procedures.
At block 550, the processing circuits can adjust the one or more disinfection procedures based on the measurement of the effectiveness, the deactivation ratio, or the deactivation percentage of the amount of the active pathogen, and a pathogen type, wherein adjusting the one or more disinfection procedures includes adjusting an operational parameter of the disinfection device. In some embodiments, the operational parameter can include, but are not limited to, an intensity of the disinfection device, an amount of disinfectant solution dispensed by the disinfection device, an airflow rate through the disinfection device, or a duration of the one or more disinfection procedures. For example, an increase in the deactivation ratio could trigger a reduction in the UV-C intensity or the amount of disinfectant solution dispensed to conserve resources while maintaining effectiveness. Furthermore, a lower deactivation percentage could prompt an increase in the airflow rate through a filtration device to enhance pathogen removal. In another example, the persistence of a particularly robust pathogen type might necessitate lengthening the duration of the disinfection procedures to ensure thorough deactivation.
In some embodiments, the processing circuits can adjust the intensity and duration of the one or more disinfection procedures based on the effectiveness of the one or more disinfection procedures. For example, modifying the intensity and duration can include increasing or decreasing a power output of the UV-C lighting system. In another example, modifying the intensity and duration can include modifying a volume or frequency of the disinfectant solution dispensed by the spray system. In yet another example, modifying the intensity and duration can include modifying an air flow rate through the filtration system, wherein the disinfectant solution is a disinfectant spray or an electrostatic disinfectant spray. In some embodiments, the processing circuits can identify the pathogen type and adjust the intensity and duration of the one or more disinfection procedures based on a K factor for the identified pathogen. For example, a pathogen with a high K factor, indicating a greater resistance to disinfection methods, could necessitate increased intensity or prolonged duration of the disinfection procedures to achieve the desired reduction in viable pathogen numbers.
In some embodiments, adjusting the one or more disinfection procedures includes utilizing an adaptive modulation model. The adaptive modulation model executed by the processing circuits can adjust one or more operational parameters of the disinfection device. For example, adjusting one or more operation parameters can include modifying at least one of UV-C irradiance levels of the UV-C lighting system, disinfectant spray dosing of the spray system, or filtration airflow of the filtration system. The adaptive modulation model can be implemented to adjust based on continuous feedback from the disinfection device or the sensor, where adjusting includes optimizing disinfection efficacy and energy efficiency.
In some embodiments, the adaptive modulation model can be algorithm-based, using real-time analytics to predict pathogen emergence patterns and resistance profiles. For example, the model may increase UV-C irradiance levels in response to detected surges in pathogen density. For adjusting, the processing circuits executing the adaptive modulation model can iteratively learn from historical data to refine the timing and magnitude of adjustments, optimizing for maximum disinfection with minimal energy use. For example, the models that could be used can include linear regression, support vector machines, decision trees, neural networks, and genetic algorithms. The models can be adaptively trained by continuously incorporating new sensor data to update their parameters. Additionally, generative AI (GAI) models could be employed to generate synthetic datasets that reflect a broad range of pathogen environments. In some embodiments, GAI models can be used to synthesize new data from existing patterns, enabling the processing circuits to learn from a larger range of conditions that it has not been directly exposed to. This could include simulating different levels of pathogen loads, resistance characteristics, and environmental conditions, providing a comprehensive set of training examples. The adaptive modulation model could then use this synthetic data to improve its predictive outputs.
In some embodiments, the processing circuits (e.g., specifically, the predictive maintenance system) can forecast maintenance or replacement of one or more system components of the disinfection device based on at least one of a usage pattern, performance data, or historical maintenance records. For example, if the usage pattern indicates extended operation beyond typical thresholds, the predictive maintenance system may suggest preemptive maintenance checks. In some embodiments, performance data showing a decline in pathogen deactivation efficiency could signal the need for immediate component replacement. For example, historical maintenance records might be used to predict the lifespan of UV-C light bulbs, allowing for their scheduled replacement before efficacy diminishes.
In some embodiments, the processing circuits can activate the disinfection device based on a detection of active (or activated) pathogens in the indoor environment. For example, upon identifying elevated levels of active pathogens, the processing circuits may trigger the UV-C lighting system to initiate a disinfection cycle. Additionally, responsive to an amount of active pathogens declining below a predetermined threshold, deactivate the disinfection device or modulate the disinfection device's operation. With reference to the above example, should the concentration of active pathogens subsequently fall below the set safety threshold, the processing circuits could reduce operations or power down entirely to conserve energy while maintaining a safe environment. In some embodiments, the activation of the disinfection device includes determining additional disinfection procedures based on a prioritization of one active pathogen type compared to another pathogen type. Furthermore, responsive to an amount of active pathogens corresponding with the one active pathogen type declining below a predetermined threshold, deactivate the disinfection device or modulate the disinfection device's operation. For example, upon detecting a reduction in COVID-19 levels below a critical threshold while still prioritizing it over influenza, the processing circuits may adjust to a lower-intensity disinfection mode, maintaining monitoring against COVID-19 resurgence without over-extending resources on influenza. In another example, if COVID-19 is prioritized over influenza and the amount of COVID-19 falls below a predetermined threshold, the processing circuits can selectively decrease UV-C disinfection intensity while maintaining targeted measures against influenza.
In some embodiments, the processing circuits can generate a report or dashboard indicating compliance of the one or more disinfection procedures with one or more industry standards. For example, the report could detail adherence to EPA disinfection guidelines by presenting the frequency and intensity of the procedures applied. In another example, the dashboard could display real-time compliance with CDC recommendations for air quality and surface sanitation, highlighting any deviations and corrective actions taken.
In some embodiments, the processing circuits can adjust a deployment of a plurality of disinfection devices based on historical prevalence data, community prevalence data, and a concentration of chemical substances in the air, to optimize the one or more disinfection procedures and minimize potential health risks corresponding with the chemical substances. For example, if historical data indicates an upcoming flu season peak, the processing circuits can increase the frequency and coverage of UV-C lighting and spray disinfection in high-risk areas. In another example, when community prevalence data shows a rise in a specific pathogen, the processing circuits could intensify filtration and air purification, while also adjusting to maintain safe levels of chemical disinfectants in the air, based on real-time monitoring of air quality.
In some embodiments, the processing circuits can receive additional sensor data from the sensor indicating a different amount of the active pathogen and further adjust the one or more disinfection procedures based on the different amount of the active pathogen. For example, if sensor data reveals an unexpected increase in deactivated pathogens after a disinfection cycle, the processing circuits can adjust to a less frequent or less intense procedure, optimizing for efficiency and safety. In some embodiments, the processing circuits can calculate a reduction in viability of the pathogens, wherein the reduction in viability is based on one or more predetermined values corresponding to the pathogen type and the one or more disinfection procedures. For example, a lower than expected reduction might prompt an increase in the intensity of UV-C exposure for more resistant pathogen types. In another example, should the calculated reduction surpass targets, the processing circuits could reduce the dosage of disinfectant spray used.
In some embodiments, the processing circuits can determine a current operating mode of an HVAC system operating on the treated space of the building. For example, the current operating mode can correspond to a current energy output of the HVAC system meeting one or more control standards. The processing circuit can be further configured to generate a new operating mode in the treated space meeting the one or more control standards based on adjusting or initiating the one or more disinfection procedures and reducing the current energy output of the HVAC system. In some embodiments, the processing circuits can operate the HVAC system on the treated space in the new operating mode to meet the one or more control standards. For example, operating the HVAC system in the new operating mode can include adjusting one or more operating parameters reducing the current energy output and adjusting or initiating the one or more disinfection procedures on the disinfection device.
Referring now to FIG. 6 , a flowchart for a method 600 for controlling an indoor environment of a building, according to some embodiments. One or more of the components of the disinfection system 400 described with respect to FIG. 4 may be used to perform the steps of the method 600. For example, controller 410 may perform, all or some, of the one or more of the steps of the method 600.
In broad overview of method 600, block 610 includes the processing circuits determining a current operating mode of an HVAC system. Block 620 includes the processing circuits generating a new operating mode meeting a control standard based on increasing a disinfection procedure. Block 630 includes the processing circuits operating the HVAC system on the treat space in the new operating mode. Additional, fewer, or different operations may be performed depending on the particular arrangement. In some embodiments, some, or all operations of method 600 may be performed by one or more processors executing on one or more computing devices, systems, or servers. In various embodiments, each operation may be re-ordered, added, removed, or repeated.
Referring to method 600 in greater detail, at block 610, the one or more processing circuits can determine a current operating mode of an HVAC system operating on a treated space of the building, the current operating mode corresponding to a current energy output of the HVAC system meeting one or more control standards. In some embodiments, the processing circuits can determine the efficiency of the current operating mode by comparing the energy consumption rates to established benchmarks for indoor air quality (IAQ) and energy usage. For example, the processing circuits could identify the current operating mode is utilizing an excessive amount of outdoor air intake exceeding ASHRAE 170 standards. In another example, the processing circuits may detect the current operating mode is energy-optimized but is not providing adequate air disinfection according to health standards. In some embodiments, the current operating mode is analyzed to determine its compliance with environmental and health control standards, considering factors such as air changes per hour and the balance between outdoor and recirculated air.
In some embodiments, the one or more processing circuits can assess the current operating mode of HVAC systems. For example, within hospital settings a hospital may have a tendency to exceed one or more standards (e.g., ASHRAE 170) by opting for 100% outdoor air. This conservative approach, aimed at maximizing air quality, significantly elevates energy consumption. By identifying these operational patterns, the processing circuits can determine opportunities for optimization. For example, identifying a hospital operating rooms HVAC system (e.g., treated space) running with 20 air-changes per hour (ACH) of outside air—an example far surpassing the ASHRAE 170 requirement of 4 ACH of outside air and 16 ACH of recirculated filtered air. Thus, alternative disinfection methods could be identified by the processing circuits, such as the integration of U-VC light fixtures (e.g., disinfection devices 406 of FIG. 4 ). The fixtures could be used to effectively supplement air cleaning efforts, allowing for a return to the standard 4 ACH of outside air combined with 16 ACH of recirculated air.
In some embodiments, the processing circuits can communicate with components of the HVAC system, such as the air handling unit (AHU) controller 230. This communication allows the processing circuits to retrieve real-time operating parameters, including air flow rates, temperature settings, humidity levels, and energy usage metrics. By accessing these parameters, the processing circuits can determine the current operating mode of the HVAC system (e.g., in a treated space) including the volume of outside air intake compared to recirculated air, the effectiveness of air filtration systems, and the overall energy efficiency of the HVAC operations.
At block 620, the one or more processing circuits can generate a new operating mode in the treated space meeting the one or more control standards based on adjusting or initiating the one or more disinfection procedures and reducing the current energy output of the HVAC system. In some embodiments, the processing circuits can generate the new operating mode to recalibrate the HVAC system to decrease outdoor air intake and increase the utilization of Far UVC lighting (or another disinfection device) for air and surface disinfection, achieving compliance with air quality standards while optimizing energy use. For example, the new operating mode may reduce the outdoor air changes per hour (ACH) from 20 to the ASHRAE 170 requirement of 4 ACH, supplementing with U-VC irradiation to maintain disinfection efficacy. In another example, the processing circuits could implement a variable air volume (VAV) control strategy to dynamically adjust airflow rates and temperatures based on occupancy and indoor air quality sensors.
In some embodiments, the new operating mode could be generated such that the current energy output would be adjusted by the processing circuits. For example, the circuits might recalibrate the HVAC system to decrease outdoor air intake and increase U-VC irradiance for pathogen deactivation, thereby maintaining air quality with lower energy output. Moreover, in another example, adjustments to the current operating mode may include optimizing the distribution of U-VC light systems throughout the treated space to ensure uniform air and surface disinfection while concurrently minimizing energy use.
For example, in hospital settings where the hospital might include operating HVAC systems with a high volume of outdoor air beyond what a standard mandates-specifically, a scenario where operating rooms are using 20 ACH of 100% outdoor air—the processing circuits can generate a revised strategy. This strategy could include adhering to the standard (e.g., of 4 ACH of outdoor air combined with 16 ACH of recirculated, filtered air), and integrating disinfection devices to offset the reduction in outdoor air. By incorporating disinfection devices to achieve an equivalent level of air cleaning, the new operating mode can maintains air quality standards, reduce energy consumption, and enhance the disinfection process.
In generating a new operating mode at block 620, the processing circuits can generate a set of revised operating parameters to enhance both energy efficiency and air quality. This set of parameters can include, but is not limited to, adjusting air intake rates, optimizing filtration settings, and specific instructions for the deployment of supplemental disinfection devices such as lighting systems, a spray system, or filtration system. For example, the parameters can be derived from an analysis of current HVAC performance, environmental standards, and the specific disinfection needs of the space. Once established, the optimized parameters can then bundled into an operational machine-readable instructions. The instructions can be communicated (e.g., transmitted) to the HVAC system's AHU controller 230, instructing the controller to adjust its operations according to the newly defined mode.
At block 630, the one or more processing circuits can operate the HVAC system on the treated space in the new operating mode to meet the one or more control standards, wherein operating the HVAC system in the new operating mode includes adjusting one or more operating parameters reducing the current energy output and adjusting or initiating the one or more disinfection procedures on the disinfection device. In some embodiments, the disinfection device includes a UV-C lighting system configured to provide an equivalent or greater reduction in active pathogens compared to additional air-changes per hour (ACH) based on deactivating the detected pathogens. Additionally, the processing circuits can adjust the one or more operating parameters of the HVAC system to operate with a reduced amount of outdoor air intake by compensating with the UV-C lighting system to maintain indoor air quality meeting the one or more control standards. Additional information relating to adjusting one or more disinfection procedures is described in greater detail with reference to block 540 of FIG. 5 .
Generally, operating the HVAC system includes dynamically managing air flow, temperature, and humidity levels according to the optimized parameters for energy efficiency and pathogen control. For example, operating the HVAC system can include transmitting the optimized parameters in bundle including operational machine-readable instructions to the AHU controller 230. In another example, the processing circuits can directly operate the HVAC system by modulating fan speeds, adjusting damper positions, and/or regulating heating or cooling outputs in real-time (or near real-time). It should be understood that operating the HVAC system can include continuous monitoring and adjustment to maintain optimal indoor environmental conditions while adhering to the one or more control standards.
In some embodiments, the disinfection devices can provide an equivalent or greater reduction in active pathogens compared to additional air-changes per hour (ACH) based on deactivating the detected pathogens. For example, processing circuits can calibrate the UV-C lighting intensity based on real-time pathogen load data, providing adequate exposure for disinfection without unnecessary energy expenditure. In another example, integration of motion sensors (e.g., sensor 407 a) could allow for dynamic UV-C disinfection, activating the disinfection device in response to occupancy levels. In some embodiments, the HVAC system implementing the new operating mode operates with a reduced amount of outdoor air intake by compensating with the disinfection devices to maintain indoor air quality meeting the one or more control standards.

Configuration of Exemplary Embodiments

Although the embodiments described herein include a specific order of method steps, the order of the steps may differ from what is described. Also, two or more steps can be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Such variation will depend on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, calculation steps, processing steps, comparison steps, and decision steps.
The construction and arrangement of the systems and methods as shown in the various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.). For example, the position of elements can be reversed or otherwise varied and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions can be altered or varied. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure. The order or sequence of any process or method steps can be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions can be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.
As used herein, the terms “circuit” or “controller” may include hardware structured to execute the functions described herein. In some embodiments, each respective “circuit” or “controller” may include machine-readable media for configuring the hardware to execute the functions described herein. The circuit or controller may be embodied as one or more circuitry components including, but not limited to, processing circuitry, network interfaces, peripheral devices, input devices, output devices, sensors, etc. In some embodiments, a circuit or controller may take the form of one or more analog circuits, electronic circuits (e.g., integrated circuits (IC), discrete circuits, system on a chip (SOCs) circuits, etc.), telecommunication circuits, hybrid circuits, and any other type of “circuit.” In this regard, the “circuit” or “controller” may include any type of component for accomplishing or facilitating achievement of the operations described herein. For example, a circuit or controller as described herein may include one or more transistors, logic gates (e.g., NAND, AND, NOR, OR, XOR, NOT, XNOR, etc.), resistors, multiplexers, registers, capacitors, inductors, diodes, wiring, and so on).
The “circuit” or “controller” may also include one or more processors communicably coupled to one or more memory or memory devices. In this regard, the one or more processors may execute instructions stored in the memory or may execute instructions otherwise accessible to the one or more processors. In some embodiments, the one or more processors may be embodied in various ways. The one or more processors may be constructed in a manner sufficient to perform at least the operations described herein. In some embodiments, the one or more processors may be shared by multiple circuits or controllers (e.g., circuit A and circuit B may comprise or otherwise share the same processor which, in some example embodiments, may execute instructions stored, or otherwise accessed, via different areas of memory). Alternatively, or additionally, the one or more processors may be structured to perform or otherwise execute certain operations independent of one or more co-processors. In other example embodiments, two or more processors may be coupled via a bus to enable independent, parallel, pipelined, or multi-threaded instruction execution. Each processor may be implemented as one or more general-purpose processors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), or other suitable electronic data processing components structured to execute instructions provided by memory. The one or more processors may take the form of a single core processor, multi-core processor (e.g., a dual core processor, triple core processor, quad core processor, etc.), microprocessor, etc. In some embodiments, the one or more processors may be external to the apparatus, for example the one or more processors may be a remote processor (e.g., a cloud based processor). Alternatively, or additionally, the one or more processors may be internal and/or local to the apparatus. In this regard, a given circuit, controller, or components thereof may be disposed locally (e.g., as part of a local server, a local computing system, etc.) or remotely (e.g., as part of a remote server such as a cloud based server). To that end, a “circuit” or “controller” as described herein may include components that are distributed across one or more locations.
The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems and program products on any machine-readable media for accomplishing various operations. The embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented using existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computer processor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or another purpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure include program products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A disinfection system for controlling an indoor environment of a building, comprising:

a disinfection device configured to detect pathogens in the indoor environment and perform one or more disinfection procedures on the air and surfaces; and

a controller configured to:

receive, from a treated space in the indoor environment, sensor data from the disinfection device or a sensor indicating an amount of an active pathogen

determine at least one of (1) an effectiveness of the one or more disinfection procedures based on comparing the amount of the deactivated pathogen to an amount of an active pathogen, or (2) an amount of the active pathogen corresponding to a deactivation ratio or deactivation percentage of active to deactivated pathogens in the treated space; and

adjust the one or more disinfection procedures based on the a measurement of the effectiveness, the deactivation ratio, or the deactivation percentage of the amount of the active pathogen, and a pathogen type, wherein adjusting the one or more disinfection procedures comprises adjusting an operational parameter of the disinfection device.

2. The disinfection system of claim 1, wherein operational parameter comprises an intensity of the disinfection device, an airflow rate through the disinfection device, or a duration of the one or more disinfection procedures.

3. The disinfection system of claim 1, wherein the disinfection device is installed in the treated space of the building, and wherein the sensor is installed in a non-treated space of the building, wherein the adjustment of the one or more disinfection procedures is further based on a differential pathogen load corresponding to a percentage decrease or increase in deactivated pathogen concentrations between the treated space and the non-treated space.

4. The disinfection system of claim 1, wherein the one or more disinfection procedures are adjusted in real-time based on the measurement of the effectiveness, and wherein the pathogen type of the active pathogen is the pathogen type of the deactivated pathogen, and wherein the controller is further configured to adjust the one or more disinfection procedures based on prioritizing the pathogen type of the active pathogen over another detected amount of a second pathogen type based on a risk or prevalence of the pathogen type compared to the second pathogen type.

5. The disinfection system of claim 1, wherein the disinfection device comprises at least one of a UV-C lighting system configured to activate ultraviolet radiation lighting, a spray system configured to dispense disinfectant solution, or a filtration system configured to capture and deactivate the detected pathogens.

6. The disinfection system of claim 5, wherein the controller is configured to:

adjust the intensity and duration of the one or more disinfection procedures based on the effectiveness of the one or more disinfection procedures, wherein modifying the intensity and duration comprises increasing or decreasing a power output of the UV-C lighting system, modifying a volume or frequency of the disinfectant solution dispensed by the spray system, or modifying an air flow rate through the filtration system, wherein the disinfectant solution is a disinfectant spray or an electrostatic disinfectant spray.

7. The disinfection system of claim 6, wherein the controller further comprises a predictive maintenance system configured to forecast maintenance or replacement of one or more system components of the disinfection device based on at least one of a usage pattern, performance data, or historical maintenance records.

8. The disinfection system of claim 6, wherein the adjusting the one or more disinfection procedures comprises utilizing an adaptive modulation model, and wherein the adaptive modulation model comprises adjusting one or more operational parameters of the disinfection device, and wherein adjusting one or more operation parameters comprises modifying at least one of UV-C irradiance levels of the UV-C lighting system, disinfectant spray dosing of the spray system, and filtration airflow of the filtration system, based on continuous feedback from the disinfection device or the sensor, wherein adjusting comprises optimizing disinfection efficacy and energy efficiency.

9. The disinfection system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to:

activate the disinfection device based on a detection of active pathogens in the indoor environment, wherein the activation of the disinfection device comprises determining additional disinfection procedures based on a prioritization of one active pathogen type compared to another pathogen type; and

responsive to an amount of active pathogens corresponding with the one active pathogen type declining below a predetermined threshold, deactivate the disinfection device or modulate the disinfection device's operation.

10. The disinfection system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to:

generate a report or dashboard indicating compliance of the one or more disinfection procedures with one or more industry standards;

determine a current operating mode of an HVAC system operating on the treated space of the building, the current operating mode corresponding to a current energy output of the HVAC system meeting one or more control standards;

generate a new operating mode in the treated space meeting the one or more control standards based on adjusting the one or more disinfection procedures and reducing the current energy output of the HVAC system; and

operate the HVAC system on the treated space operating the new operating mode to meet the one or more control standards, wherein updating the operating mode comprises reducing the current energy output and adjusting the one or more disinfection procedures.

11. The disinfection system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to:

adjust a deployment of a plurality of disinfection devices based on historical prevalence data, community prevalence data, and a concentration of chemical substances in the air, to optimize the one or more disinfection procedures and minimize potential health risks corresponding with the chemical substances.

12. The disinfection system of claim 1, the controller is further configured to:

receive additional sensor data from the sensor indicating a different amount of the active pathogen and further adjust the one or more disinfection procedures based on the different amount of the active pathogen.

13. The disinfection system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to:

calculate a reduction in viability of the pathogens, wherein the reduction in viability is based on one or more predetermined values corresponding to the pathogen type and the one or more disinfection procedures.

14. A method, comprising:

receiving, by one or more processing circuits from a treated space in an indoor environment, sensor data from a disinfection device or a sensor indicating an amount of an active pathogen;

determining, by the one or more processing circuits, at least one of (1) an effectiveness of the one or more disinfection procedures based on comparing the amount of the deactivated pathogen to an amount of an active pathogen, or (2) an amount of the active pathogen corresponding to a deactivation ratio or deactivation percentage of active to deactivated pathogens in the treated space; and

adjusting, by the one or more processing circuits, one or more disinfection procedures based on the a measurement of the effectiveness, the deactivation ratio, or the deactivation percentage of the amount of the active pathogen, and a pathogen type, wherein adjusting the one or more disinfection procedures comprises adjusting an operational parameter of the disinfection device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the operational parameter comprises an intensity of the disinfection device, an airflow rate through the disinfection device, or a duration of the one or more disinfection procedures, wherein the method further comprises:

detecting, by the one or more processing circuits, pathogens in the indoor environment; and

performing, by the one or more processing circuits using the disinfection device, the one or more disinfection procedures on the air and surfaces.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the disinfection device is installed in the treated space of the building, and wherein the sensor is installed in an non-treated space of the building, wherein the adjustment of the one or more disinfection procedures is further based on a differential pathogen load corresponding to a percentage decrease or increase in deactivated pathogen concentrations between the treated space and the non-treated space.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the one or more disinfection procedures are adjusted in real-time based on the measurement of the effectiveness, and wherein the pathogen type of the active pathogen is the pathogen type of the deactivated pathogen, and wherein the one or more processing circuits adjust the one or more disinfection procedures based on prioritizing the pathogen type of the active pathogen over another detected amount of a second pathogen type based on a risk or prevalence of the pathogen type compared to the second pathogen type.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the disinfection device comprises at least one of a UV-C lighting system configured to activate ultraviolet radiation lighting, a spray system configured to dispense disinfectant solution, or a filtration system configured to capture and deactivate detected pathogens.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

determining, by the one or more processing circuits, a current operating mode of an HVAC system operating on the treated space of the building, the current operating mode corresponding to a current energy output of the HVAC system meeting one or more control standards;

generating, by the one or more processing circuits, a new operating mode in the treated space meeting the one or more control standards based on adjusting or initiating the one or more disinfection procedures and reducing the current energy output of the HVAC system; and

operating, by the one or more processing circuits, the HVAC system on the treated space in the new operating mode to meet the one or more control standards, wherein operating the HVAC system in the new operating mode comprises adjusting one or more operating parameters reducing the current energy output and adjusting or initiating the one or more disinfection procedures on the disinfection device.

20. A disinfection system for controlling an indoor environment of a building, comprising:

a controller configured to:

determine a current operating mode of an HVAC system operating on a treated space of the building, the current operating mode corresponding to a current energy output of the HVAC system meeting one or more control standards;

generate a new operating mode in the treated space meeting the one or more control standards based on adjusting or initiating the one or more disinfection procedures and reducing the current energy output of the HVAC system; and

operate the HVAC system on the treated space in the new operating mode to meet the one or more control standards, wherein operating the HVAC system in the new operating mode comprises adjusting one or more operating parameters reducing the current energy output and adjusting or initiating the one or more disinfection procedures on the disinfection device.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the disinfection device comprises a UV-C lighting system configured to provide an equivalent or greater reduction in active pathogens compared to additional air-changes per hour (ACH) based on deactivating the detected pathogens, and wherein the controller is further configured to adjust the one or more operating parameters of the HVAC system to operate with a reduced amount of outdoor air intake by compensating with the UV-C lighting system to maintain indoor air quality meeting the one or more control standards.

22. One or more non-transitory computer readable mediums storing instructions thereon that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:

receiving, from a treated space in an indoor environment, sensor data from a disinfection device or a sensor indicating an amount of a deactivated pathogen;

determining the amount of the deactivated pathogen corresponds to a deactivation ratio or deactivation percentage of active to deactivated pathogens in the treated space; and

adjusting one or more disinfection procedures based on the deactivation ratio or the deactivation percentage of the amount of the deactivated pathogen and a pathogen type, wherein adjusting the one or more disinfection procedures comprises adjusting an operational parameter of the disinfection device.