University testing use of copper to improve IAQ

FRANKLIN, KY – With $2 million in funding from the U.S. military and the help of the Luvata plant in Franklin, a University of South Carolina experiment two years in the making is finally coming to fruition, according to the Bowling Green Daily News.

According to the story, Charles Feigley, a University of South Carolina professor of environmental health sciences, is leading the experiment to determine whether replacing aluminum heat exchangers with copper ones in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems will produce fewer bacteria, improving indoor air quality and reducing illness.

Luvata designed and produced 12 copper and aluminum exchangers for the experiment and the Franklin plant manufactured the copper tubes for the exchangers, the story stated.

Feigley said that the U.S. military is particularly interested in the project because better air quality in barracks, submarines and hospitals could decrease illnesses, particularly for wounded soldiers that are especially susceptible to infections, the story stated.

While results from the experiment will start coming in this week, the experiment will not be completed for a few months, the story added.