Clean air is critical for both human health and the efficient operation of industrial processes. Whether it's ensuring healthy indoor spaces or protecting sensitive industrial equipment, VTT's clean air solutions effectively tackle air quality challenges. Our cutting-edge technologies and tailored services empower our customers to develop sustainable and energy-efficient clean air products that promote health and wellbeing while ensuring the safe and reliable operation of critical processes.
Key facts: clean air solutions
With over 40 years of experience and a robust patent portfolio, VTT specialises in clean air solutions that help you enhance indoor air quality and ensure the uninterrupted operation of critical processes.
All under one roof: Our tailored and integrated services combine experimental lab facilities, advanced simulation capabilities and field measurement expertise to ensure comprehensive product validation.
Our multidisciplinary team collaborates across various fields to deliver comprehensive services that optimise the performance of your products.
Why clean air matters – essential for human health and industrial efficiency
Clean air is one of the most fundamental necessities for human life, just like clean water and nutritious food. According to the WHO, 99% of the global population is exposed to air that exceeds recommended pollution levels. Air pollution is associated with approximately seven million premature deaths and a range of serious health conditions every year, along with significant economic losses. Furthermore, the transmission of airborne diseases, such as SARS-CoV-2, measles and influenza, poses a threat to human health.
Beyond its health impacts, poor air quality can also disrupt critical industrial processes. Air pollutants can severely damage sensitive equipment, such as gas turbines or fuel cells, leading to costly breakdowns and downtime.
That’s why we at VTT are dedicated to developing clean air innovations that safeguard both human health and industrial efficiency.
Healthy air for people: clean air solutions for indoor spaces
Sustainable solutions for creating healthy and resilient indoor spaces are more important than ever — especially in light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic. That’s why we assist companies and organisations in building resilience against future challenges.
With our extensive experience and innovative approach, we help you develop solutions that optimise indoor air quality by reducing fine particles and other harmful substances, and by minimising the spread of airborne pathogens. We support seamless integration with building technologies, such as HVAC systems, using disruptive technology to enhance energy efficiency.
Our expertise lies in airborne contamination control in products and processes, advanced air filtration technologies and airflow analysis, exposure control and occupational hygiene. We use computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and precise measurement techniques. We also conduct performance evaluations of air cleaners, particle and gas filter media and gas filters (also known as molecular filters), as well as develop filter and filter measurement systems.
We can help you:
- Validate your air quality solutions with tailored measurement systems designed for in-house development and quality assurance.
- Leverage our innovative air cleaning R&D service platform, which combines experimental lab facilities, advanced simulation capabilities and field measurement expertise. This comprehensive approach provides you with solutions that ensure optimal product performance.
- Accelerate your product development efforts with VTT’s patented technologies, improving your competitive edge.
Clean air for processes: ensuring consistent performance in industrial operations
Disruptions in industrial processes can lead to significant financial losses. Effective air filtration is critical in environments such as gas turbine power plants, where air intake filters must protect the most sensitive and expensive parts of the power engine from erosion, fouling and corrosion. Contaminated air can quickly corrode turbine parts, leading to reduced efficiency or even complete shutdowns. Similar challenges also need to be solved in emerging energy applications like fuel cells, hydrogen and biomass.
We can help you:
- Ensure your product performs consistently even in harsh industrial environments through rigorous testing that replicates challenging conditions.
- Accelerate your R&D process for air filtration technology while minimising in-house investments.
- Guarantee durability in coastal and offshore areas, where salt and moisture can quickly damage sensitive components.
- Provide performance assurance for your products when standard testing isn’t enough.
We provide a comprehensive evaluation package for air filters used in power plant applications. This evaluation package encompasses everything from co-developing filters and establishing evaluation procedures to delivering tailored measurement systems for in-house development and quality assurance. Our specialty lies in assessing air filters in humid conditions, combining both modelling and experimental approaches to ensure performance in real-world environments.
Reliable emission measurements
In addition to clean air solutions and technologies, VTT boasts decades of experience in emission measurement and quality assurance. We collaborate with both national and international clients and partners.
As an impartial research institute, we have conducted intercomparison measurements for both Finnish and foreign emission measurement teams since the 1980s. We have extensive expertise in characterising emissions from power plants, industrial processes, ship engines and other point sources.
Moreover, we offer a research platform for analyser manufacturers to innovate and test new emission measurement technologies, ensuring that the highest standards are met in both laboratory and field environments.
Why VTT?
As a visionary partner with decades of expertise in clean air solutions, we’re dedicated to advancing air quality through innovative co-creation. We pride ourselves on our long-standing collaborations with leading companies especially in the indoor air quality and industrial clean air sectors. We are a trusted and impartial partner for third-party evaluations.
Our diverse teams work closely together, bringing expertise in smart building technologies, energy efficiency, resilience, decontamination technologies, microbiology and air quality, just to name a few. This multidisciplinary collaboration enables us to help our clients create healthier and safer environments where every aspect is considered.
Our clean air solutions offering
Tailored filter performance evaluation in both laboratory and field settings, utilising two dedicated measurement rooms and two air filter measurement rigs for diverse experiments.
Comprehensive testing with a wide range of substances, including particles, gases and bioaerosols.
Advanced computational analyses to visualise airflow and aerosol phenomena, using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and High-Performance Computing (HPC).
Airflow modelling to assess and enhance product performance, even without a physical prototype.
Tailored measurement systems designed for in-house R&D and quality assurance, including training, maintenance and custom machinery delivery.
Case: KONE
KONE, a leader in the elevator and escalator industry, partnered with VTT to enhance the health and safety of their elevators. Through the development of a new air extraction design that features a modified air supply and an increased ventilation rate, KONE significantly reduced the number of aerosols while improving thermal conditions within the elevator. This collaboration has resulted in a verified solution that not only improves health and safety but also enhances the overall comfort of KONE's products.
Case: Camfil Power Systems
A heavy-duty gas turbine air intake filter was evaluated using a laboratory test designed to replicate harsh coastal conditions, successfully demonstrating its water and salt collection performance. To meet the project requirements, VTT ramped up and integrated new testing capabilities. This evaluation was one of eleven tests conducted by Camfil as part of an extensive validation process. Following successful results, these high-performance filters are now being delivered to the turbine OEM.
Some questions we can help you with
Healthy air for people
How can I bring innovative indoor air quality solutions to market faster?
How can I demonstrate the effectiveness and reliability of my clean air solutions or improve their performance?
How can I effectively protect the health and safety of building occupants or employees while enhancing productivity?
How do I ensure that our building's HVAC systems and air purifiers are energy efficient and reliable?
Clean air for processes
How do I ensure uninterrupted operations of air filtration systems in challenging environments?
How do I guarantee that our clean air solutions consistently meet performance standards?
What methods are available to assess and validate the performance and reliability of our clean air solutions in real-world power plant scenarios?
How to work with us
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Contact us!
Tell us what you want to do, and we will figure out how to do it. After the initial assessment, we can proceed with one of the following options. -
Customised partnership
Every research case is unique, and we’re happy to tailor our services to your needs. We’ll take you from idea to prototype without hassle. -
Cooperative project
We frequently participate in research and development projects with multiple business partners and funding agencies. In cooperative projects, the risk is split between multiple organisations and everyone benefits from the results. -
Our networks at your disposal
We are happy to put you in touch with the ideal sparring and development partner.
