Four Benefits of GPS NPBI Technology

Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization (NPBI) technology works to safely clean the air inside commercial and residential buildings. NPBI is the artificial generation of both positive and negative ions that occur naturally in nature, without the production of ozone or by-products. NPBI is a tubeless product, is environmentally friendly, and requires little to no maintenance, unlike the tube-type products that have been around for years.  This patented technology has been used for particle reduction, odor control, energy savings, and static electricity control for a variety of applications for more than 10 years.

Here are four things design engineers and facilities teams should know about NPBI technology:

1. Particle reduction
   GPS technology can reduce particles that are less than 0.3 microns in diameter.  Particles this small can include mold, pet dander, pollen and other organic contaminants. The positive and negative ions generated by NPBI technology travel into the airflow of a room and cause some of the contaminant particles to become positively charged and some to become negatively charged.  Because opposites attract, all of these particles will become attracted to each other and form an agglomeration.  Then, as the particles group together, they become large enough that the existing airflow will push the larger surface area of the combined particles to the filter, where they can be captured and removed from the room. 

2. Odor control
   The ions produced by the patented NPBI technology break down gases with electron volt potential numbers below 12.  The harmful gases are then reduced to normally occurring compounds or molecules already present in the atmosphere like oxygen, nitrogen, water vapor and carbon dioxide.  For example, body odor is actually an ammonia compound.  NPBI can break down ammonia into nitrogen and water vapor, eliminating the smell of body odor from a space.

3. Pathogen control
   Ions from NPBI technology are attracted to pathogens.  They combine on the surface of the pathogen to rob it of the hydrogen it requires for survival, eventually completely eliminating hydrogen completely from the pathogen to make it non-viable.  The technology has some control over pathogens like tuberculosis, norovirus, staph, legionella, e coli and more.  UPDATE:  In June of 2020, the aviation industry conducted independent testing of the technology under laboratory conditions designed to mimic that of a commercial aircraft's fuselage using the SARS-CoV-2 pathogen.  In 30 minutes in the testing chamber, the pathogen was reduced by 99.4%.

4. Energy savings via outside air reduction
   Using the ASHRAE 62 Indoor Air Quality Procedure (IAQP) combined with NPBI technology, outside air may be reduced up to 75% in non-healthcare applications (subject to building pressure).  IAQP allows air purification for the air within the building while  the NBPI technology controls or destroys the contaminants.  According to the white paper below by Global Plasma Solutions, the NPBI technology has been installed in more than 1,000 projects with the ventilation rates reduced to 5 CFM per person or less.  Typical first-cost savings in a 100,000 sq ft school are $500,000 with annual energy savings from $0.25 to $0.40 per square foot.

These benefits point to GPS’ NBPI technology as something to consider for every building application where air purification, odor reduction and energy savings are a concern.  Please click below for more detailed information on NPBI technology or contact your local manufacturer’s rep today to find out more about this patented technology for your next building project.  Of course, this technology is not meant as a substitute for other reasonable precautions (i.e., social distancing, hand washing and cough etiquette) against COVID-19 or other pathogens.

Blog content and image source:  Global Plasma Solutions