Koala sub Koala nano-technology applied to submarines

To clean up the air of submarines

• Air is an essential element for human life.

• Every day a person inhales 14 to 16 Kg of air(approx. 6 tons per year).

• This huge quantity of air inhaled every daycomes into contact with approx. 80 m2 of pul-monary membrane.

• The trend of atmospheric pollution over time isrepresented by a curve with growing exponentialtrend.

• Indoor air pollution (in confined spaces), whichis obtained by adding up atmospheric (external)pollution to all polluting agents generated by theconcerned environment, is the sum of 250 sub-stances, 100 of which are gaseous and 150chemical and biological.

• A human being itself is a source of pollution.

• Among solid polluting agents in the air, dust (big-ger than 2.5 microns) represents 3%, while parti-cles (smaller than 2.5 microns) approx. 97%.

• Airborne particles smaller than 2.5 microns arethe most dangerous ones for humans since theself-defence and self-purification systems in ourbody are not able to filter them and prevent themfrom settling on the pulmonary membrane.

• In the atmosphere of submarines the pres-ence of chemicals with well-known harmful ef-fects on human health and performances hasbeen ascertained and determined.

• The operation of Snorkelling often causes atemporary increase in the levels of pollutingagents in submarine atmosphere.

• Sometimes, these polluting agents reach highconcentration peaks that, if prolonged overtime, might be potentially harmful for crewmembers.

• Polluting agents inside a submarine are dan-gerous in a special way because the humansense of smell is able to perceive the increaseof their level only at the beginning, but toler-ance occurs in a few minutes.

Keeping air quality and atmospheric compositionunder certain conditions is one of the most criticalproblems in a submarine.

In recent years a growing interest has risen to-wards air quality research and even more towardsthe research on the risk factors for exposed sub-jects inside submarines. In particular, the presencein the atmosphere of submarines of chemicals withwell-known harmful effects on human health andperformances has been ascertained and determined:

• Gases (volatile organic compounds, carbonmonoxide)• Particles (fine dust)• Micro-organisms• Electromagnetic waves

Besides, it is necessary to consider other sourcesof polluting agents, often non-dangerous if a suf-ficient ventilation is guaranteed.Airborne metabolic products are mostly charac-terised by:

• Air emission from breathing• Production of dandruff from human skindesquamation• Sweating and intestinal gases.

The healing of microbiological pollution in verydensely populated spaces is as much as complex,as in the case being observed.

A further aspect to be analysed is the high densityof positive ions in the air (cations), which maycause headaches, nausea, burning eyes, quick lossof concentration, sleepiness and, in prone subjects,worsening of heart, respiratory or circulatory dis-order symptoms.

“ In the long run, all these substances are likely to cause allergies or veritable pathologies, in the respiratoryor immune system ”

Since we said that polluting agentsinside a submarine are different innature and physical status, we needa system working on all aforesaidtypes and statuses.

• Depolluting is the action of re-moving polluting agents in the fourphysical statuses they take in naturefrom the air of a confined space:dust and particles, toxic gases, micro-organisms and electrical.

• Depolluting is different frompurifying: the action of purifi-cation is limited to the action ofonly removing dust bigger thantwo microns.

Most mechanical filters used in airconditioning and ventilation systemshave a limited efficiency equal toparticle-sizes of 5 microns. All conventional submarines have anair regenerating system, which isable to restore a suitable oxygenpercentage inside the confined at-mosphere of the boat. This systemhas no "depolluting" effect.In conventional air filter and purifi-cation systems, electrostatic filters,absolute filters (HEPA) and/orionisers have limits in efficiency,maintenability and safety, if appliedto the centralised air treatmentsystem (1).

(1) For a comparison with other technologies, seethe publication “Submarine Air purification andmonitoring, presented at Southern Region Subma-rine Commanders Conference NATO”, Emden, 2003available on the website www.datech-srl.com inReferences and Certifications.

Features and operation

Koala® is an air sanitisation system and is the bestsolution to the effects on the human body of pol-luted air in civil confined spaces. Its unique techno-logical performance makes it possible to obtainoptimal results in indoor air quality, yet respectingthe concepts of environmental friendliness and highenergy saving design conformity*, with no side ef-fects on occupants.

Koala® is the only device which is able, by applyingnano-technology to air filtration, to stop pollutingparticles of all sizes up to 10 nanometres.The heart of this device is represented by a peculiarmultiple filtration system (parts of which are pro-tected by an international patent) acting on the var-ious polluting agents depending on their physicalstatus (solid, gaseous, microbiological and electri-cal), consisting of the following parts:• A mechanical filter to remove macro-agglomerates• An activated carbon filter specifically catalysed toabsorb specific gas types• An electronic molecular filter which is able tocapture particles < 0.01 µm• All particles are collected by a metal plate, wherean ozone-free germicidal lamp sterilises and removesall biological organisms.All these parts together are controlled by an elec-tronic control unit, the functions of which are, in allor in part, automatically controlled.• Koala® applies the concept of differential flows toair purification; it generates a veritable pure airbubble inside the environment acting slowly andprogressively by virtue of the special motion appliedto the particles in the environment: each air volumeunit is treated over and over again, becomingcleaner after each new cycle. • The active presence of Koala® makes it possible toobtain similar results with air ventilation now recom-mended for confined spaces by the regulations inforce, thus reducing the need for ventilation by 75%.

Koala® is the only indoor air depolluting system. Koala® is the only nano-technology for indoor airdepollution.

*Pursuant to the Regulation UNI/10339 Aeraulic systems well-being/com-fort/welfare - 1995. Standard ASHRAE 62/’89 – Ventilation rateprocedure/Indoor air quality procedure

• The installation of the Koala-Sub depollutermeans such a significant increase in effective airventilation, as to restore the limits of acceptabilityeven in polluted environments (without the need forfurther thermal air treatments required when theventilation with external air increases), with aparticle filtration effect and a rapid reduction ofairborne Total Bacterial load.

• The Koala-Sub system shows a consistent 99.9%reduction of the bacteriological count in outgoingair flow. The average reduction of the bacteriologi-cal count in the confined space of a submarine is55.9% (3).

(2);(3) Submarine Air purification and monitoring, presented at Southern

Region Submarine Commanders Conference NATO Emden, 2003

A specialised apparatus embodying theKoala® innovating nano-technology wasdesigned to drastically reduce the amountof polluting substances in the atmosphereof submarines: Koala-Sub.Today, the anti-pollution Koala-Sub systemis installed as Standard for air quality onItalian Sauro class submarines. The measurements taken concerning theconcentration of organic compounds (totalVOC, chemical substances with an S-Obond, nitrogen compounds, carbonmonoxide, carbon dioxide and variousorganic solvents) present in the air insidesubmarines during routine navigation andsimilar samples taken using the activepurification system have shown that theKoala-Sub system is able to purify theatmosphere inside a submarine evenduring Snorkelling operations (the periodi-cal operation of ventilation with fresh airoften causing a temporary increase in thelevel of polluting agents in the atmosphereof submarines) (2).

1 - Polluted air2 - Mechanical filter3 - Special actived

carbon filter4 - Ionic filter

Polarized grid5 - Germicide UV lamp6 - Ionic filter - Plate for

capturing particulate7 - Fans and Electronic

control system8 - Polarization system9 - Purified air

THE SEqUENCE OF FIlTRATION ACTIONS AFFECTING AIRwHIlE THIS GOES THROUGH THE KOAlA-SUB

“Koala technology applied to submarines:Koala-Sub ”

• The Koala-Sub has an active “depolluting”action on all polluting agents in the air of sub-marines: particles, micro-organisms, electro-statics, gasses.

• The action of Koala-Sub is particularly evi-dent on particles of the following sizes: 0.3,0.5, 1.0 micron. These sizes are the most dan-gerous for humans.

The Koala-Sub system guarantees the impos-sibility of emitting polluting materials into theconcerned environment and ensures a no-riskmaintenance, even for those with no specifictraining.

By installing on board a state-of-the-art tech-nology system such as this one, it is possibleto obtain a double saving, both in operationand installation costs, which are lower for theKoala-Sub if compared to an even limitedmodification or boost of the existing air venti-lation system.

Features of the Koala-Sub depolluter

why did the Italian Navy choose Koala-Sub?• Compact• Easily integrated in a purification system• Minimum maintenance required and easilycleaned (thus significant cost saving): no more than five minutes per month (ofcontinuous use) for each apparatus arerequired to replace the M+C.A. (mechanical+ activated carbon) filter and to clean thecollection plate of the ionic filter, simply usinga cloth.• Very low energy absorption capacity andenvironmental-friendly• Based on the concentration of pollutingagents, instead of their dilution. This means,for example, that a Koala-Sub apparatus hasan action of 21 ventilation operations withexternal air (equivalent), if referred to a 60m3 space (COV, volatile organic compounds,tracer gas).

KOAlA SUB: SPECIFICATIONS

Power supply from mains 115 Vac, 50 / 60 Hz, ±10%

Max. power absorbed by mains 40 V.A.

Standby power 1w

Acoustic level 50 dB (A) at max power

Programmable speeds 3

Capacities nr. 3 20 ÷ 60 c.m./h

Fans 1

Ionic filter 1 with particle collection plate

and UV lamp for particle radiation

and associated organisms

sterilisation, etc...

Carbon activated filters 1

Ionising heads 4

Machine body weight 18 Kg (filter included)

Machine size 143x392x452 (mm)

Machine colour Gun barrel grey

References and instrumental tests

The Koala® technology integrated into Koala-Sub air depolluters was instru-mentally tested in various universities and research centres in Italy andabroad, including:

• Rome, Italy, “la Sapienza” University – Nuclear Engineering Dept.• Pavia, Italy, “S.Matteo” General Hospital, Sanitary Administration• Marseilles, France, I.S.B.E. – Science and Technology Park• Kuopio, Finland, Kuopio University – Environmental Sciences Dept.• Offenbach, Germany, Dusseldorf University

International Medical Diagnostic Agency• Geneva, Switzerland, Hospital Cantonal Universitaire De Geneve• Maryland, USA, Bethesda University

Department Of Health & Human Services• Kuwait City, Ministry for Health - Medical Engineering Administration• New Delhi, India, Industrial Testing laboratories

DATECH Srl. introduced the Koala-Sub technology during the followinginternational congresses:• International Symposium of Naval Submarines 5, london 1996• Submarine Air purification and monitoring, presented at Southern

Region Submarine Commanders Conference NATO Emden, 2003• Performance evaluation of an air purification system

in an Italian “Sauro” class submarine, SAMAP-San Diego 2009

Certifications and patents

D.A.TECH Srl is EN ISO 9001:2008 certifiedA D.A.TECH Srl has been assigned the NATO code (N/CAGE): A 1795 The Koala-Sub depolluter is N.A.T.O. certifiedThe Koala® technology is protected by an international patent.Koala® is a registered trademark.

The D.A.TECH Srl ((Depollution Air Technology) company was created by a team of multidisciplinary specialists

who decided to public the results of studies and researches about air pollution conducted over 20 years according

to “science and conscience”.

The most relevant result of their work is having synthesised many years of multidisciplinary research and specific

experiences in air depollution, by designing and realising an innovating intervention technology on a global level

- the Koala® technology - which is able to depollute air inside confined spaces by means of filtration systems,

protected by an international patent, acting on the various polluting agents depending on their physical status

(solid, gaseous, microbiological and electric).

Over the years, D.A.TECH Srl has carried out consistent investments in research & development to improve the

Koala® technology and life conditions in indoor environments, commitment still present today.

The mission of the company is allowing people to breath clean air every day.

Safeguarding air quality in environments where we spend most of our time means improving the quality and

length of our lives and of that of our beloved ones and collaborators.

Koala® is the only indoor air depolluting system