Environmentally Friendly HVAC Filter

Project Goal: Develop a process to manufacture a recyclable heating, ventilation and air conditioning filter capable of filtering out dust and allergens with a stretch goal of filtering out the COVID-19-causing coronavirus and other viruses.

An HVAC filter is the first line of defense against dust and other allergens that enter a home. Modern HVAC filters are disposable, and millions end up in landfills then take decades to decompose.

This environmentally friendly filter design uses a decomposable biopolymer, poly butyric acid instead of a synthetic polymer as the main component in the fibers of an HVAC filter. The fibers are thermoplastic polymers molded and set with a melt blower, a non-woven technology. The polymer is then delivered to a conveyor belt at an extremely high velocity, which collects the polymer and prepares it for use in an HVAC system.

In developing the process, the team accounted for manufacturing differences between a biopolymer and synthetic polymer. The use of biodegradable HVAC filters reduces plastic buildup in landfills.