MOBILE PURIFICATION DEVICE THAT HAS A HEATED FILTER TO KILL BIOLOGICAL SPECIES, INCLUDING COVID-19

Abstract

An apparatus is used with a supplied electrical power supply to treat air in an environment. A housing is movable within the environment and has an inlet and an exhaust. At least one main impeller, located in the housing between the inlet and the exhaust, is operable to move air through the housing from the inlet to the exhaust. At least one ultraviolet light source located in the housing is electrically connected to the supplied power supply and configured to generate ultraviolet radiation in at least a portion of the housing through which the moved air passes from the inlet to the exhaust. At least one permeable barrier located in the housing is configured to impede the flow of moved air through it up to an impedance threshold.The at least one permeable barrier is electrically connected to the supplied power supply and is heated to a surface temperature.

Description

MOBILE PURIFICATION DEVICE HAVING A HEATED FILTER TO KILL BIOLOGICAL SPECIES, INCLUDING COVID-19 cenAnn / nznz / E / γΐΛΐ CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority over U.S. provisional applications Nos. 63 / 018,442 and 63 / 018,448, both filed on April 30, 2020, which are incorporated herein by reference. This application is filed jointly with U.S. application No. / , attorney's file number 1766-0002US1, entitled “Purification Device Having a Heated Filter for Killing Biological Species, Including COVID-19,” which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various infectious pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms, can cause disease in humans. The deadly pandemic caused by the human SARS-CoV-2 strain (COVID-19) has impacted the human condition at all levels of life worldwide. COVID-19 infection is persistently spread through circulating airflow as the primary transmission mechanism. Few active strategies exist to protect the public against COVID-19, and those that do are currently widely debated, costly, and inefficient. A passive approach to conditioning and purifying circulating air in all environments is needed to immediately combat aerosolized COVID-19, as current air purification filters and technologies are unsuccessful in killing the small (0.05–0.2 micron) COVID-19 virus particles. In general, air filtration is used in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to remove dust, pollen, mold, particles, and similar contaminants from the air circulating through a building. The filters used for filtration can have various shapes and can be configured to filter particles of a given size with a specific efficiency. For example, high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are commonly used in cleanrooms, operating rooms, pharmacies, homes, and so on. These filters can be made of different types of media, such as fiberglass, ePTFE, and others, and may include activated carbon-based material. In general, HEPA filters can filter approximately 99 percent of particles with a given diameter (e.g., 0.3 microns). Even with their efficiency, HEPA filters may not stop very small pathogens (viruses, bacteria, etc.). Ultraviolet (UV) germicidal lights can stop pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, and mold. UV germicidal lights produce ultraviolet radiation, which can damage the genetic material of microorganisms. This damage can kill the pathogen or prevent it from reproducing. Extended exposure to UV radiation can also destroy pathogens that have settled on an irradiated surface. An example of an ultraviolet system includes an upper-floor ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) system. In a UVGI system, germicidal UV light is installed near the ceiling in an occupied room. Subsequently, the air circulating by convection near the ceiling in the upper portion of the space is irradiated within an active field of germicidal UV light. UVGI systems can also be installed in HVAC ductwork and can irradiate small airborne particles containing microorganisms as the air flows through the ducts. Although existing systems for filtration and germicidal irradiation can be effective in treating air to remove particles and damage pathogens, there is a continuing need to purify air in populated environments, such as facilities, homes, workspaces, hospitals, nursing homes, sporting events, and the like, to reduce the spread of pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, and molds, among many others. In particular, the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new virus of global health importance caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 is believed to spread from person to person through close contact via respiratory droplets. Studies show that the virus can survive for hours and can be persistently carried by airflow. For this reason, a stationary separation of 1.828 m (6 ft) is not believed to be effective in a situation where people spend a lot of time together in a room, because the infection can simply be carried by airflow. For example, the COVID-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2) can survive in droplets for up to three hours after being coughed into the air, and airborne convection is believed to be the primary mechanism for the spread of infection. Consequently, droplet spray and convection can lead to direct airborne infection, and social distancing may not be effective in enclosed environments where people spend a lot of time together. Since there is currently no cure for COVID-19, air purification strategies can help slow the spread of the virus. Unfortunately, current systems for treating circulating air are expensive and primarily use germicidal UV light. These products require professional installation, are not readily available to the general public, and have not been used to kill the COVID-19 virus. Furthermore, filtration in an HVAC system may not be effective. The COVID-19 virus measures between 0.05 and 0.2 microns, but HEPA filters can only filter particles larger than 0.3 microns, so additional protection against the spread of the COVID-19 virus is required. For these reasons, the subject matter of this description is aimed at solving, or at least reducing the effects of, one or more of the problems specified above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The subject matter of this description pertains to a mobile air purification device that filters air and aims to destroy pathogens (viruses, bacteria, mold, pollen, etc.) and other elements, such as volatile organic compounds, allergens, and pollutants. The purification device is designed to be affordable, easy to install, accessible, and usable in both residential and commercial settings. It can be applied to real-world solutions to minimize the presence of viruses, such as COVID-19, and other pathogens in circulating air, and can be used as a specialized heated filter in commercial, residential, public transportation, and other public spaces. For example, as discussed below, the purification device includes a barrier heater or heated filter that uses focused thermal conduction of high-efficiency nickel mesh / foam raised to temperatures proven to eliminate pathogens, such as coronaviruses (like those that cause COVID-19). The purification device may also include ultraviolet (UV) light sources that use UV-C light to destroy the virus. The UV light source and barrier heater are combined into a durable, flame-retardant filtration system that can be moved and positioned as needed in a facility or populated environment, such as an airport terminal, church, hospital, workshop, office space, residence, transit vehicle, school, hotel, cruise ship, recreational space, etc.Because there is currently no cure for COVID-19 and many other pathogens, environmental purification strategies may help to encourage the spread of the virus, and the air purification provided by the described device may provide a primary defense against transmission. According to one configuration, an apparatus is used with supplied electrical power to treat the air in an environment. The apparatus comprises a housing, at least one main impeller, at least one ultraviolet light source, and at least one heater. The housing is mobile within the environment. The housing may also be robotic, having electrically driven wheels for movement within the environment. The housing has an intake and an exhaust. The at least one main impeller disposed in the housing between the intake and exhaust is operable to move ambient air through the housing from the intake to the exhaust. The at least one UV light source disposed in the housing is electrically connected to the supplied power supply and is configured to generate an active ultraviolet radiation field in at least a portion of the housing through which the moved air passes from the intake to the exhaust. The at least one heater is disposed along a surface area of ​​the housing and comprises a permeable barrier of metallic material.The permeable barrier is configured to prevent the flow of air moving through it up to an impedance threshold, and the permeable barrier connected in electrical communication with the supplied power supply is heated to a surface temperature. In another configuration, a method is used to treat air in an environment. Airflow is moved through a conduit chamber in a movable housing from an intake to an exhaust by electrically powering a main impeller located in the conduit chamber. The airflow is filtered to a filtration threshold through a filter arranged along a surface area of ​​the conduit chamber. An active ultraviolet radiation field is generated in the housing by electrically powering an ultraviolet light source located in the conduit chamber. Simultaneously, airflow is impeded to an impedance threshold through a permeable barrier of a heater arranged along the surface area of ​​the conduit chamber and made of a metallic material. The permeable barrier is heated to a surface temperature by applying a voltage potential across it. The brief description above is not intended to summarize every potential modality or every aspect of the present description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 illustrates an environment that has a mobile purification device according to the present description. FIGURE 2A, FIGURE 2B and FIGURE 2C illustrate a front, side and top view of a mobile purification device according to the present description. FIGURE 3A, FIGURE 3B and FIGURE 3C illustrate a front, side and end view of a purification cartridge for the purification device described herein. FIGURE 4A and FIGURE 4B illustrate schematic side views of a portion of the described purification device with an arrangement of its components. FIGURE 40 illustrates a schematic side view of another purification device with an arrangement of its components. cenAnn / nznz / E / γΐΛΐ FIGURE 5A, FIGURE 5B and FIGURE 5C illustrate charts targeting barrier heater characteristics for the described purification device. FIGURE 6A illustrates another heating arrangement that features a plurality of electrical elements arranged in a frame impeller chamber and connected to an electrical power supply control. FIGURE 6B, FIGURE 6C and FIGURE 6D illustrate other cartridge configurations for the described purification device. FIGURE 7A shows how the mobile purification device can be moved in an installation environment. FIGURE 7B illustrates a plurality of electric fans arranged for a main impeller for the purification device described. FIGURE 8 illustrates a configuration that features a number of purification devices subject to a master control unit. FIGURE 9A and FIGURE 9B illustrate side views of the permeable barrier for the described heater in flat and corrugated configurations. FIGURE 10A and FIGURE 10B illustrate graphics for the barrier heater having a flat configuration. FIGURE 11A and FIGURE 11B illustrate graphics for the barrier heater having a corrugated configuration. FIGURE 12 illustrates a graph of exposure times and temperatures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The subject matter described herein is a purification device for the instantaneous eradication of pathogens, such as the COVID-19 virus, from circulating air by filtering and exposing the pathogens to high temperatures (above 200°C) (above 392°F). By doing so, the subject matter described herein can reduce the infectious transmission of a virus and other biological species that may cause future pandemics, while providing a sense of security and peace of mind for the public to return to work, school, daily life, recreation, and healthcare in a post-COVID-19 world. The primary mechanism of action of the purification device is a specialized heated filter or barrier heater that uses focused, low-energy thermal conduction from a highly resistant, high-performance porous metallic foam encased in a fire-resistant frame. The heated filter or barrier heater described can be combined with a highly efficient HVAC filter. Additionally, ultraviolet (UV-C) light can be added to the system environment for an extra disinfecting effect. Research has shown that heat and low-wavelength light can successfully deactivate the COVID-19 virus after a period of exposure. As described below, the mobile / robotic COVID-19 purification device can be deployed for use in public spaces, healthcare facilities, nursing homes, schools, airplanes, trains, cruise ships, performance venues, theaters, churches, supermarkets and retail stores, prisons, etc. Using the same technology, the purification device described herein can be incorporated into air handling systems in a facility, vehicle, or any other environment. Further details are provided in the accompanying U.S. application No. J, attorney's file number 1766-0002US1, entitled “Purification Device Having a Heated Filter for Killing Biological Species, Including COVID-19,” which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. As shown in FIGURE 1, an installation environment 10, such as a house, hospital, workspace, airport terminal, church, or other enclosed space, has an air handling system 20, such as a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, although other air handling systems may be used. Typically, the HVAC system 20 includes return grilles 30, ductwork 32, return ducts 34, etc., which direct return air drawn from an interior space to a blower 22, a heat exchanger 24, and a cooling coil 26 of the system 20. In turn, the system 20 provides supply air conditioning to the space through supply ducts 36, ventilation ducts 38, and the like. The heat exchanger 24 may include an electric or gas furnace for heating the air.Cooling coil 26 can be an evaporator connected in a cooling circuit to other conventional components outside the installation, such as a condenser, a compressor, an expansion valve, etc. One or more 50 mobile air purification devices are used in the installation environment to purify the air. As shown here, the 100 mobile air purification device can be used in one space within an installation environment. Several spaces within the installation environment can have such a 100 mobile air purification device. Briefly, the mobile purification device 50 includes a housing 60 that is mobile within the environment and has an inlet 62 and an outlet 66. The device 50 has one or more purification elements or cartridges 100 and a main impeller 150. The purification elements 100 arranged toward the inlet 62 may include at least one or more ultraviolet light sources and one or more permeable barriers. The device 50 may also include one or more filters at the inlet 62. For mobility, the mobile housing 60 may have wheels 61, a tow hitch 63, and a handle 65. Studies of airflow in boardrooms and office spaces show that convection patterns can persistently transport infection between chairs at a conference table and between cubicles in an open office space. This suggests that relying on physical distancing may not be effective due to air convection in a crowded environment. The mobile purification device 50 can be controlled entirely by a local controller 200, which independently determines the device's operation. Alternatively, the local controller 200 can be integrated with a system controller 25 for the HVAC system 20, which can activate the system 20 via a signal. In a further alternative, the mobile purification device 50 can lack local controls and be centrally controlled by the system controller 25. As will be recognized, these control arrangements can be used in any combination throughout the installation 10, multiple purification devices 100, conditioning zones, and the like. Figure 2A, Figure 2B, and Figure 2C illustrate a front, side, and top view of a mobile air purification device 50 according to the present description for air treatment in an environment. As discussed above, the apparatus 50 includes the housing 60 containing the main impeller 150. The apparatus 50 includes one or more permeable barrier heaters 140 and may include one or more UV light sources 130. As noted above, the barrier heaters 140 may be housed in one or more elements or cartridges 100 installed in the housing 60 of the device. The UV light sources 130 may also be housed in the cartridges 100. Filters 120 are labeled, but not shown, for positioning at the inlet 62. As shown, the inlet 62 can be an open side of the housing 60 to admit ambient air over a larger surface area, while the exhaust 66 can be an outlet port at the top of the housing 60 that directs the treated air to an upper area of ​​the environment. The housing 60 has side walls enclosing a main impeller chamber 64 for the passage of airflow through it from the inlet 62 to the exhaust 66. At least one main impeller 150 is disposed in the housing 60 between the inlet 62 and the exhaust 66 and is operable to draw air from the environment through the inlet 62 and expel the treated air back to the environment through the exhaust 66. As noted in this document, the apparatus 50 preferably includes at least one filter (120) arranged in the housing 60, and is preferably located at the inlet 62. The at least one filter (120) is configured to filter the air passing through it to a filtration threshold. One or more barrier heaters 140 are arranged in the housing 60 to impede the flow of air passing through them to an impedance threshold. The one or more barrier heaters 140 are electrically connected to the supplied power supply and are heated to a target surface temperature. If used, the one or more UV light sources 130 arranged in housing 60 are connected in electrical communication with the supplied power supply and configured to generate ultraviolet radiation in at least a portion of housing 60 through which the moved air passes from intake 62 to exhaust 66. As shown particularly in FIGURE 2A, FIGURE 2B, and FIGURE 2C, the apparatus 50 has at least one purification element or cartridge 100 configured to be replaceably positioned in the inlet 62 of the housing 60. (Two cartridges 100 are shown in the figures.) The cartridge 100 has a pusher chamber between an inlet and an outlet, and the UV light source 130 and permeable barrier heater 140 are housed within the cartridge 100. The cartridge 100 may include a dedicated filter 120 at the inlet so that multiple filters 120 in multiple cartridges 100 can cover the inlet 62 of the housing 60 of the apparatus. Alternatively, the housing 60 may have a unitary filter (not shown) that covers the inlet 62 separately from the cartridges 100. As will be recognized from the benefit of this description, the use of cartridges 100 is not strictly necessary, since the impeller chamber 64 of the housing 60 can include one or more UV light sources 130 and barrier heaters 140 mounted and retained therein. Nevertheless, the use of cartridges 100 makes the purification device 50 more modular, facilitating maintenance and replacement. For example, the cartridges 100 can be removable and replaceable components in the housing 60 so that the purification device 50 can be configured for a given implementation with different elements, and operating components can thus be replaced. Although the one or more cartridges 100 are shown as being arranged along the surface area of ​​the inlet 62 of the housing, other configurations can be used.For example, the 100 cartridges can be arranged in series to treat the airflow serially, as well as being arranged in parallel. To treat ambient air, the airflow is moved through the main impeller chamber 64 in the movable housing 60 from the inlet 62 to the outlet 66 by electrically powering the main impeller 150 arranged in the impeller chamber 64. As shown, the main impeller 150 can be arranged downstream of the filters 120, UV light sources 130, and barrier heaters 140 so that air is drawn through the apparatus 50, which is suitable for filtration processes. In general, the main impeller 150 comprises one or more blowers, fans, etc. For example, multiple fans of the main impeller 150 can be used to cover the surface area within the housing 60. The mobile purification device 50 can be powered from readily available electrical sources, such as an AC outlet. As shown here, the device 50 may include a power cord for connection to the facility's electrical supply. The device 50 may also include its own power supply 40 arranged on top of the housing to provide supplied power. For example, a rechargeable battery may be used for the power supply 40. The airflow is filtered to a filtration threshold through one or more filters 120 arranged in the impeller chamber 64 (i.e., arranged in the inlet 62 or arranged through the inlet 62 or a portion thereof). Ultraviolet radiation is produced in the housing 60 by powering UV light sources 130 arranged in the impeller chamber 64. In addition, the airflow is impeded to an impedance threshold through one or more barrier heaters 140 arranged in the impeller chamber 64. The barrier heaters 140 are heated to a surface temperature by applying a voltage potential along them. The captured air then passes through the exhaust 66 to the top of the housing 60 so that any heated flow and any newly treated air is expelled into the environment away from surrounding people and objects. The mobile purification device 50 also includes a controller 200 arranged in electrical communication with the UV light source(s) 130, the barrier heaters 140, and the main impeller 150. As described in more detail below, the controller 200 is configured to control (i) the radiation from the UV light source(s) 130 powered by the supplied electrical power supply, (ii) the heating of the barrier heater(s) 140 powered by the supplied electrical power supply, and (iii) the airflow taken by the main impeller 150 through the housing 60 from the intake 62 to the exhaust 68. Now that we understand how the mobile purification device 50 is used and where it can be installed in a facility, we will discuss specific details of the described purification device 50. As noted above, the mobile purification device 50 can use one or more cartridges 100 that integrate filters 120, UV light sources 130, and barrier heaters 140. For example, FIGURE 3A, FIGURE 3B, and FIGURE 3C illustrate a front, side, and end view of an example purification cartridge 100 from this description. The cartridge 100 includes a frame 110 configured for installation in the inlet (62) of the housing (60) of the mobile device. In general, frame 110 has four side walls enclosing a driving chamber 116, which is exposed on opposite open faces (one for the entrance cenAnn / nznz / E / γΐΛΐ 112 and another for an outlet 118 of the impeller chamber 116). If necessary, the inlet 112 may include a flange 114, which would normally fit around the intake opening (62: FIGURE 2A, FIGURE 2B, and FIGURE 2C). Fasteners (not shown) may secure the flange to surrounding structures. Although configured for a particular implementation, a common size for the frame 110 may include overall dimensions of 50.8 cm (20 in) wide x 76.2 cm (30 in) high x 17.78 cm (7 in) deep. As best seen in FIGURE 3A, the inlet 112 or the rim 114 can form a receptacle for holding a filter (not shown) for filtering the incoming airflow into the impeller chamber 116 of the frame. Within the impeller chamber 116, the frame 110 supports a barrier heater 140. As briefly shown here, the barrier heater 140 includes a permeable barrier 142, made of metal and comprising a mesh, foam, screen, or sinuous medium, supported by a surrounding housing 145 and arranged along the impeller chamber 116 to provide a permeable surface area for treating the airflow as discussed below. Also within the impeller chamber 116, the frame can support a UV light source 130 as an additional treatment in conjunction with the barrier heater 140. (Other configurations described here may not include the UV light source 130.) As briefly shown here, the UV light source 130 includes two strips of UV-C light-emitting diodes (LEDs) positioned along the impeller chamber 116 to provide an active field for treating the airflow as discussed below. More or fewer UV light sources 130 can be used, and different types of UV light sources 130 can be installed. Turning to FIGURE 4A, a schematic side view of the purification device 50 is shown, depicting the arrangement of its components. As noted previously, the purification cartridge 100 can be used in the inlet 62 of the housing 60 of the mobile device. The frame 110 of the purification cartridge 110 fits into a window or receptacle of the inlet 62 to cover at least a portion of the surface area of ​​the opening to the impeller chamber 64. Here, the inlet 62 includes a tray 61 in the housing 60 to support the cartridge 100. The filter 120 can fit into a receptacle of the frame 110, or the filter 120 can abut against the inlet of the frame 110. Typically, the filter 120 simply fits snugly in the receptacle, but a clamping means may be used. Preferably, filter 120 for cartridge 100 first filters the airflow to a filtration threshold through filter 120. In this way, filter 120 keeps dust and other particles from being captured in cartridge 100 and prevents them from being captured further into the device's housing 60. crnAnn / nznz / E / γΐΛΐ As noted here, an active ultraviolet radiation field can be produced in the impeller chamber 116 of the cartridge 100 by electrically powering the UV light source 130 arranged in the impeller chamber 116. In the impeller chamber 116 of the cartridge 100, airflow is impeded to an impedance threshold by the barrier heater 140 arranged in the impeller chamber 116. The barrier heater 140 includes a permeable barrier 142 (e.g., mesh, foam, screen, sinuous medium) of a metallic material, such as nickel, nickel alloy, titanium, steel alloy, or other metallic material. The permeable barrier 142 can be flat, corrugated, curved, folded, or similar, and can be arranged in one or more layers. The metallic foam / mesh 142 of the barrier heater 140 is heated to a surface temperature by supplying a voltage potential along the foam / mesh 142.Preferably, the UV light source 130 is arranged in the impeller chamber 116 between the filter 120 and the barrier heater 140 so that the radiation from the source 130 can treat the through airflow and can also treat exposed surfaces of the filter 120 and the barrier heater 140. Turning now to FIGURE 4B, another schematic side view of a purification device 100 is shown, depicting an arrangement of its components. The frame 110 of a cartridge 100 is shown supporting the filter 120, the UV light source 130, and the barrier heater 140 in its impeller chamber 116, and the cartridge 100 is shown installed in the main impeller chamber 64 of the housing inlet 62. The purification device 50 and the cartridge 100 are used with control and power circuitry. For example, the control circuitry includes a controller 200, which has appropriate electrical and processing circuitry for powering and controlling the purification device 50 and the cartridge elements 130 and 140.The Controller 200 can be connected to one or more types of power supply, such as AC power available from a facility, battery power, or other power sources. The Controller 200's electrical circuitry can convert the supplied power as needed to produce DC power and voltage levels. Looking at cartridge 100, filter 120 is arranged in the impeller chamber 116 of frame 110 and can be held in a receptacle 115 facing inlet 112. Filter 120 is composed of a first material and is configured to filter the airflow through it to a filtration threshold. Preferably, filter 120 is a metallic filter medium 122 composed of stainless steel, aluminum, etc., blended in one or more layers depending on the airflow rate and the required filtration level. Filter 120 has a housing 125, also made of metal, which encloses the metallic filter medium. In general, metallic filter 120 can be a 2.54 cm (1 in) thick HVAC filter made of metal that is fire-resistant and has a high efficiency rating. The barrier heater 140 is also arranged in the impeller chamber 116 and can be positioned towards the outlet 118. The insulation 145, for both heat and electricity, can separate the barrier heater 140 from the frame 110. The barrier heater 140 includes a mesh / foam of a metallic material and is configured to prevent airflow through it up to an impedance threshold. The UV light source 130 can be arranged in the impeller chamber 116 and, as noted previously, can preferably be positioned between the metal filter 120 and the barrier heater 140. The UV light source 130 produces an active UV-C light field in the impeller chamber 116 to treat the through airflow. As noted here, pathogens, such as viruses, can be eliminated when exposed to a dose of ultraviolet light. For example, coronavirus sRNA up to 0.11 pm in size can be eliminated by >99% with only a UVGI dose of approximately 611 pj / cm². Both the UV light source 130 and the barrier heater 140 are connected in electrical communication with the power supply 40 through the controller 200, which controls the illumination of the light source 130 and the heating of the barrier heater 140 in the impeller chamber 116. The UV light source 130 may include one or more UV-C lamps, a plurality of light-emitting diodes, or the like, arranged in the impeller chamber 116. For example, the source 130 may use one or more germicidal ultraviolet lamps, such as mercury vapor lamps. The source 130 may also use light-emitting diodes that have semiconductors for emitting UV-C radiation. One or more structures may be arranged in the frame 110 to support the UV light source 130. The structures used may depend on the type of source 130 used and may include elements for lamps and strips for UV-C LEDs. For example, the UV light source 130 may use several strips of UV-C light-emitting diodes extended along the impeller chamber 116. The effectiveness of UVGI treatment in the airflow depends on several factors, including the target microbial species, the intensity of exposure, the exposure time, and the amount of humidity in the air. A sufficient dose will kill the DNA-based microorganism. Therefore, the UVGI treatment intensity, exposure time, and other factors can be further configured and controlled in the 100 purification unit and the HVAC system to achieve the desired effectiveness. The UVGI treatment provided by the 100 purification cartridge can be effective in eliminating pathogens, such as the COVID-19 virus. The UVC or short-wave light generated by the UV light source at wavelengths from 100-280 nanometers can have a proven germicidal effect. In particular, the low far-UVC light of 222 nanometers is effective in killing and deactivating an aerosolized virus with a certain duration of exposure. In contrast to the conventional use of UVGI in an HVAC system, the purification device described does not require high costs or special installation in return air grilles or duct systems. Rather, the described 100 cartridge offers practical installation and operation that can be as simple as changing an HVAC filter every 1-3 months at home. As discussed in more detail below, the metallic material of the 140 barrier heater may include a nickel mesh / foam. The 140 barrier heater is configured to impede airflow into it down to an impedance threshold of 20 percent, where the foam provides a porosity of at least 80 percent. The purification cartridge 100 may include antimicrobial coatings on one or more surfaces to eliminate live bacteria and viruses. For example, the filter 120 may have an antimicrobial coating to eliminate pathogens trapped by the filter media. The internal walls of the impeller chamber 116 of the frame may also have an antimicrobial coating. In the event of heating conditions, the mesh / foam of the barrier heater 140 may have an antimicrobial coating. As shown below in FIGURE 4B, the controller 200 of the purification device 50 is arranged in electrical communication with the UV light source 130, the barrier heater 140, and the main impeller 150 and is configured to control (i) the radiation from the UV light source 130 powered by the electrical supply 40, (ii) the heating of the barrier heater 140 by the electrical supply 40, and (iii) the airflow generated by the main impeller 150 powered by the electrical supply 40. This controller 200 is a local controller that may include a communication interface 212 to communicate with other purification devices 50 in an installation environment and other components of an air treatment system (20: FIGURE 1) in an installation, such as a system controller (25).The local controller 200 can receive a signal from the HVAC system (20), which may indicate that the purification device 50 should be turned on or off. The controller 200 can then control the lighting, heating, and airflow based on the received signals. To accomplish this, the controller 200 is electrically connected to the heating circuitry 214 connected to the barrier heater 140. For at least a period of time when air is passed through the purification device 50 (being captured by the main impeller 150), the controller 200 can control the heating of the barrier heater 140 with the heating circuitry 214 powered by the electrical supply 40. As will be recognized, the controller 200 and the heating circuitry 214 include any switches, relays, timers, electrical transformers, etc., necessary to condition and control the electrical power supplied to the barrier heater 140. Controller 200 heats barrier heater 140 at least when controller 200 is operating the main impeller 150 to draw air through device 50. It is possible for the main impeller 150 to preheat by drawing in return air before air is drawn through device 50, allowing a target temperature to be reached in advance. This may require a lead signal from controller 200 or may involve intermittent heating of the barrier heater 140 to maintain certain base temperatures. Additionally, post-heating after the main impeller 150 shuts down can be beneficial for several reasons. The controller 200 is also electrically connected to the drive circuitry 213, which is connected to the UV light source 130. For at least a period of time, when air is passed through device 50 (being captured by the main impeller 150), the controller 200 can control the illumination of the UV light source 130 with the drive circuitry 213, which is electrically powered by the electrical supply 40. As will be recognized, the controller 200 and the drive circuitry 213 include any switches, relays, timers, electrical transformers, reactors, etc., necessary to condition and control the electrical power supplied to the light source 130. At least when controller 200 is powering the main impeller 150, controller 200 illuminates light source 130. To achieve target illumination, it may be necessary to pre-illuminate the UV light source 130 so that the lamps or similar devices reach maximum illumination before air is drawn through device 100. This may require a feed-in signal from controller 200. Back-illuminating the source 130 after the main impeller 150 is switched off may also be beneficial for several reasons. The controller 200 is also electrically connected to the motor drive circuitry 215, which is connected to the main impeller 150. To treat the ambient air, the motor drive circuitry 215 operates the main impeller 150, which can then move the air through the device 50. As shown, the main impeller 150 can be used to draw air through the device 50 in a manner suitable for the filtration arrangements. Certainly, other arrangements can be used. The controller 200 may not operate the main impeller 150 until the UV light source 130 has reached full illumination and until the barrier heater 140 has been heated to a target temperature. The controller 200 may include one or more sensors 216, 217, and 218 for monitoring and control activities. For example, the controller 200 may include a temperature sensor 216 located in the impeller chamber 116 adjacent to the barrier heater 140 and in electrical communication with the controller. The temperature sensor 216 is configured to measure the temperature associated with the heating of the barrier heater 140 so that the controller 200 can achieve a target temperature. Depending on the implementation and the pathogens to be affected, the barrier heater 140 may be heated to a surface temperature above approximately 54 °C (130 °F).In fact, research shows that heating to approximately 56°C or above 56-67°C (133-152°F) can kill the SARS coronavirus and that 222-nanometer far-UVC light can be effective in killing and deactivating aerosolized virus. The controller 200 can be connected to a light sensor 218, such as a photocell or other light-sensitive element, to monitor the illumination, intensity, wavelength, operation, and the like of the UV light source 130. For example, the UV light source 130 can be configured to produce ultraviolet radiation with at least 611 pJ / cm2 of germicidal ultraviolet irradiation dose in an active field in the impeller chamber 116, and the measurements of the light sensor 218 can monitor the radiation. The controller 200 can be connected to another sensor 217, such as a flow sensor, to detect the flow, velocity, and similar properties of air passing through the impeller chamber 116. The flow detected by the flow sensor 217 can be used by the controller 200 to initiate operation of the UV light source 130 and the barrier heater 140 if they have not been previously activated. The flow velocity can be measured by the flow sensor 217 to coordinate a target flow velocity through the device 100 so that the heating of the airflow by the barrier heater 140 can be coordinated with the detected flow velocity and a target heating level. The flow velocity can also be monitored to coordinate the target irradiation of the airflow by the UV light source 140 so that appropriate exposure levels can be achieved. The flow sensor 217 can monitor the flow and velocity of the air passing through the device 50. This detected information can then be used as feedback by the controller 200 to adjust the operation of the main impeller 150. In this way, the controller 150 can adjust the flow and velocity to a level that is most suitable for treating the air passing through the impeller chamber 116 to be exposed to UV illumination from the UV light source 130 and heating from the barrier heater 140. A target airflow velocity can be achieved that is best suited to the target illumination and temperature to treat the air effectively, depending on the implementation or environmental circumstances. As noted here, the purification device 50 combines thermal energy with UV-C light and is built within a fire-resistant and flame-retardant filtration system. The device 50 can be placed in an environment. As described here, the embodiments of the purification device 100 include the barrier heater 140 and may thus include various features of the controller 200, sensors, etc., discussed earlier for the barrier heater 140. Some embodiments may not include the UV light source 130, while other embodiments may include the UV light source 130 along with various features of the controller 200, sensors, etc., discussed earlier for the UV light source 130. In particular, FIGURE 4C illustrates another schematic side view of a purification device 100 that has an arrangement of its components without a UV light source.Similar components are given the same reference numbers as other modalities and are not repeated here. As proposed, the described purification device 50 can eliminate pathogens, such as COVID-19, while filtering the air to 99.97% (ASME, US DOE) of particles. As described in the accompanying application incorporated herein, the configuration can be integrated into an air handling system (20) of a facility. Although the purification cartridge 50 has been previously described as including a frame 110 that accommodates an air filter, the cartridge 50 may also include a frame 110 that mounts in a housing 60 that accommodates a filter. In these types of arrangements, the purification cartridge 100 may include a frame 110, a UV light source 130, and a barrier heater 140 as in the previous case, but the frame 110 does not necessarily support or receive an air filter 120. Instead, a separate air filter may be installed in the intake 62 of the housing 60. The details of the barrier heater 140 of the purification device 100 described will now be discussed. The metallic mesh / foam of the barrier heater 140 can have one or more layers of material and can be of a suitable thickness. For example, the mesh / foam can be from 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm thick. Composed of nickel (Ni), the mesh / foam can have a surface charge density (ε) of 1.43 x 10⁷ C / m². The Ni mesh / foam is electrically conductive and highly porous, having defined random three-dimensional channels throughout it. The mesh / foam exhibits a resistance of approximately 0.178 Ω, and the electrical resistivity of an exemplary Ni foam is calculated to be approximately 1.51 x 10⁻⁵ Ωm. For example, FIGURE 5A illustrates a first graph of the temperature (°C) produced by a sample Ni foam material for the barrier heater per unit of electrical power supplied (W). A sample of the foam measuring 1.65 mm x 195 mm x 10 mm was investigated. The temperature was measured after applying voltage for a period of time until the temperature stabilized. As shown in the graph, the temperature generally rises linearly per unit of power supplied, such that approximately 7 watts produce a temperature of approximately 120 °C (248 °F). Figure 5B illustrates a second graph (90B) of the measured gas temperature (e.g., N₂) after flowing through the sample Ni₂ foam material for the heated barrier heater. The gas for measurement originated from a forward distance of approximately 3.5 cm from the heated Ni₂ foam material while the ambient temperature was approximately 21.7 °C (71 °F). Temperature measurements were then taken at different back distances from the sample Ni₂ foam material, which was heated to an initial temperature of approximately 115 °C (239 °F). As can be seen, the measured gas temperature decreased from approximately 29 °C to 23 °C (84 °F to 73 °F) for back distances ranging from 1 cm to 4 cm from the sample Ni₂ foam material.This indicates that the heating produced by the barrier heater 140, composed of said exemplary Ni foam material, provides a heated sinuous surface area against which the air flows and any pathogens may be impacted, but the heating is localized and dissipates in the subsequent airflow. Figure 5C illustrates another graph of the measured temperature taken at different distances from the sample Ni foam material at a different initial temperature. Here, the Ni foam material is at an initial temperature of approximately 54 °C (129 °F). The measured gas temperature decreased from approximately 24.5 °C to 21.7 °C (76 °F to 71 °F) for distances ranging from 1 cm to 4 cm from the sample Ni foam material. As noted here, the 140 barrier heater can use nickel, nickel-based alloys, or iron-based alloys developed for high-temperature service applications and corrosive environments. Nickel oxidizes slowly in air at room temperature and is considered corrosion-resistant. Nickel is a high-performance metal that can be easily regulated to achieve high temperatures with minimal heat transfer to its surroundings or to the air molecules passing through it. When voltage is passed through the nickel mesh / foam (1.43 x 10⁷°), for example, the metal conducts energy to a target temperature hot enough to kill pathogens, including the COVID-19 virus, on contact. The target temperature can be 56°C to 66°C or higher, and even above 93°C (133°F to 150°F or higher, and even above 200°F). In this sense, the Ni mesh / foam (0.5 mm - 2.The 0 mm thickness provides a heated, charged surface area for the pathogen to impact and be eliminated by the heated grid. Simultaneously, the porosity (80-90%) of the barrier heater foam / mesh 140 does not impede airflow and does not detrimentally increase the energy required from the purification device 50 to operate the main impeller 150. As described above, heating in the impeller chamber 116 can be achieved with a barrier heater 140 that has a mesh / foam heated to the target temperature and provides a winding path for the return air passing through the mesh / foam. Other heating methods may be used. As described above, UV illumination in the impeller chamber 116 can be achieved with UV light strips. Other forms of UV illumination may be used. For example, FIGURE 6A shows another arrangement for a purification cartridge 100 having a plurality of electrical elements (UV light sources 130 and a barrier heater 140) arranged in a pump chamber 116 of a frame 110 and connected to a power supply control 201. The pump chamber 116 includes carbon media 152 in one or more side walls for absorption and purification purposes. The pump chamber 116 may also include a filter 120 disposed at the inlet. As noted above, the described purification cartridge 100 can be used separately or in combination with other purification cartridges 100. For example, FIGURE 6B shows a configuration of a purification cartridge 100 according to the present description, which includes a UV light source 130 and a barrier heater 140 controlled via control / electrical circuitry 202. The UV light source 130 and the barrier heater 140 can be similar to those described herein and can be housed together in a housing or frame 110 to fit within the airflow of the device housing (60). For example, the housing or frame 110 can be fitted into the device housing (60) through the inlet or elsewhere. Filtration can be achieved elsewhere within the housing (60).For its part, the control / electrical circuitry 201 may have the necessary components as described herein to control the UV light source 130 and the barrier heater 140. As another example, FIGURE 6C shows another configuration of a purification cartridge 100 according to the present description, which includes a barrier heater 140 controlled via control / electrical circuitry 203. This device 100 as shown does not include a UV light source, although such a source could be used elsewhere within a facility or other environment. The barrier heater 140 may be similar to those described herein and may be housed in a casing or frame 110 to fit into the airflow of the device's housing (60). For example, the casing or frame 110 may fit into the inlet of the housing (60) or may fit elsewhere in the airflow. Filtration may be achieved elsewhere or may be incorporated into the frame 110 using a filter (not shown) as described elsewhere in this document.For its part, the control / electrical circuitry 203 may have the necessary components as described herein to control the barrier heater 140. To give another example, FIGURE 6D shows yet another configuration of purification cartridges 100a, 100b according to the present description, which includes a UV light source 130 controlled by the control / electrical circuitry 204 and a barrier heater 140 controlled by the control / electrical circuitry 203. The UV light source 130 and the barrier heater 140 may be similar to those described here and may be stored in separate housings or frames 110a, 110b to fit into the housing (60) of the device. For example, the frames 110a, 110b may fit into the inlet of the housing (60) or may be configured elsewhere. Filtering may be achieved elsewhere or may be incorporated into either or both frames 110a, 110b using a filter (not shown) as described elsewhere in this document.For their part, the control / electrical circuits 203, 204 may have the necessary components as described herein to control the UV light source 130 and the barrier heater 140 respectively. Figure 7A shows how the purification device 50 can be moved within an installation environment. The wheels 61, trailer hitch 63, and handle 65 allow the device 50 to be positioned as desired. Although configured for a particular implementation, a common size for the housing 60 may include overall dimensions of 50.8 cm (20 in) to 101.6 cm (40 in) wide x 152.4 cm (60 in) high x 60.96 cm (24 in) deep. When using 100 cartridges, the dimensions of the 100 cartridges can be adjusted to fit the overall dimensions of the 60 housing. A common size for the 100 cartridge might include overall dimensions of 50.8 cm (20 in) to 101.6 cm (40 in) wide x 76.2 cm (30 in) to 152.4 cm (60 in) high x 17.78 cm (7 in) to 35.56 cm (14 in) deep. These values ​​are given for example implementations only. As noted above, the main impeller 150 in the purification device 50, for moving air in the housing 60, may use one or more blowers or fans. FIGURE 7B shows an example of a set of fans 152 that may be arranged in the housing (60) to move air. Six fans 152 are shown here as an example. More or fewer fans may be used to cover the surface area along the housing (60), depending on the size of each fan 152. Multiple fans 152 are preferably used along the surface area to draw air consistently through the intake (62) of the housing (60). Suitable fans 152 for such an arrangement may include electric fans that have variable speed control, such as the types commonly used as cooling fans for cabinet installations, audiovisual enclosures, etc. As noted earlier, more than one purification device 50 can be used in an installation environment, and these devices 50 can have control configurations for remote or local control. For example, FIGURE 8 shows a number of different mobile purification devices 50 located around various zones of an installation environment. A master control unit 250 has a central processing unit 252 and uses communication interfaces 245 to communicate via wired and / or wireless 256 communications with multiple local controllers 200a, 200n in the different zones 104a, 104n of an installation environment 102. Each of the local controllers 200a, 200n can control one or more of the purification cartridges 100a, 100n in the device 50. As noted previously, the permeable barrier 142 of the barrier heater 140 described herein may have different layers and configurations. In FIGURE 9A, a portion of a barrier heater 140a is shown with the permeable barrier 142 being flat and having a defined thickness T1. One or more of such flat barriers 142 may be used adjacent to each other in series to impede and interact with the incident airflow. To increase the surface area and interaction, a portion of a barrier heater 140b is shown in FIGURE 9B having folds, corrugations, or pleats 144 in the permeable barrier 142. The mesh material of the barrier 142 may have its original thickness T1, but the corrugated barrier heater 140b presents a thickness of T2 to the incident airflow. One or more of such corrugated barriers 142 may be used adjacent to each other in series to impede and interact with the incident airflow. Considering the flexibility of Ni foam, the corrugated barrier heater 140b offers several advantages. First, the strength of the Ni foam is significantly greater with the 144 pleats, which can benefit the barrier heater 140b when used with standard household voltage (110 V). Second, as illustrated in FIGURE 9B, the 144 pleats create an effective distance T2 many times greater than the thickness T1 for interaction with the incident air. The spaces between the 144 pleats in the heated Ni foam generate a high temperature that can be effective in damaging pathogens. It should be noted that the number of pleats, the pleat length, and similar factors can be easily controlled, and the longer the pleat length, the higher the temperature that can be achieved.Third, compared to the flat Ni foam with two main sides exposed to the air, the folded Ni foam barrier 140b in FIGURE 9B has a much smaller area exposed to incoming and outgoing air, which minimizes heat loss, so that the temperature of the barrier heater 140 can increase more rapidly and can reach a much higher value with the same electrical energy consumption. For example, Figure 10A illustrates a graph of input voltage versus current output for barrier heater 140a, which has a flat Ni foam configuration, and Figure 10B illustrates another graph of current versus temperature output for barrier heater 140a with the flat Ni foam configuration. Meanwhile, Figure 11A illustrates a graph of input voltage versus current output for barrier heater 140b, which has a corrugated Ni foam configuration, and Figure 11B illustrates another graph of current versus temperature output for barrier heater 140b with the corrugated Ni foam configuration. As can be seen in FIGURE 10B and FIGURE 11B, under the same voltage of 1.0 V, the temperature of the corrugated barrier heater 140b can be more than double that of the flat barrier heater 140a. As will be recognized, several features of the described purification device 100, with its UV light source 130 and barrier heater 140, can be configured to meet a particular implementation and to treat the air against specific pathogens. Testing with actual pathogens requires careful controls, which have been carried out in laboratory environments. In the case of the UV 130 light source, the intensity, active area, wavelength, and other variables of the UV light from the 130 source can be configured to treat the air against particular pathogens, and the variables are best determined by conducting tests with actual pathogens in a controlled laboratory environment. In the case of the barrier heater 140, the thickness, material, active surface area, permeability, corrugations, temperature, and other variables of the permeable barrier 142 of the barrier heater 140 can be configured to treat air against particular pathogens, and the variables are best determined by conducting tests with actual pathogens in a controlled laboratory environment. Previous studies with SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV have established that coronaviruses can be inactivated by heat. See, for example, Leclerca, 2014; Darnell, 2004; Pastorino, 2020. Results from a preliminary study in a BSL3 facility showed that SARS-CoV-2 is remarkably heat-resistant for an enveloped RNA virus. Only a protocol of 100 °C for 10 minutes completely inactivated the virus. In particular, the heat resistance of the human SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) strain was tested in a BSL3 facility. The protocols for the study included the use of water and saline solution at either room temperature or boiling temperature (FIGURE 12). For the latter, 10 µL of SARS-CoV-2 was added to 90 µL of water or saline solution preheated to 100 °C (212 °F). These solutions were either incubated at 100 °C for either 30 seconds or 10 minutes, while for the control group, incubation was performed at room temperature. After incubation, 900 pL of a medium at room temperature were added and titrated. The control group of 10 min and 30 seconds of incubation at room temperature remained ineffective in reducing the viral load. In contrast, the 100 °C – 30 seconds protocol showed a trend, but the exposure time was apparently not long enough to effectively reduce the viral load, although the viral load in the water was relatively lower compared to the saline solution. Only the 100 °C – 10 min protocol for both water and saline solution was able to completely inactivate the virus (decrease of >5 Logw). The data generated confirm that the virus is remarkably heat-resistant for an enveloped RNA virus. Further studies on heat inactivation can illustrate curves for varying temperatures (50 °C, 100 °C, 150 °C, 200 °C, 250 °C, and 300 °C) and exposure durations (1 s, 5 s, 15 s, 30 s, 1 min, 3 min, and 5 min), which can be correlated with the predicted heat damage caused by a barrier heater as described here, such as one made of permeable Ni foam. However, according to recent research, the heated filter of the described barrier heater 140 can be safely used to kill the COVID-19 virus at high temperatures (200–250°C (392–482°F)). Specifically, research has been conducted at the Galveston National Laboratory / Biodefense Laboratory Network of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) (Biosafety Level 4) and includes findings from controlled experiments. The research has shown that the COVID-19 virus vaporizes in aerosolized air upon contact with the specialized heated filter system described herein (i.e., the described barrier heater 140). The results show a 100-fold reduction in the amount of active virus and a 100 percent elimination rate of the COVID-19 virus by the heated barrier heater 140.This research shows how the COVID-19 virus can be eliminated from the air. The described purification device 100 can efficiently kill viruses and bacteria in circulating air at high temperatures (250 °C) (482 °F). As described here, the barrier heater 140, such as nickel (Ni) foam, is low-cost, electrically conductive, highly porous with random channels, and mechanically strong with good flexibility, acting as an effective filter for sterilization and disinfection in an HVAC system or other environment. A pleated Ni foam provides a structure with greater strength and lower voltage and increases the surface area for sterilization. Mechanical elimination using temperature and a high-performance supercharged metal can be applied in the context of the COVID-19 virus. Other related research, as described here, has shown that there is no noticeable temperature increase in the air passing through the heated filter described, given its high performance and design. The primary research on the filter and its conductivity was completed at the Texas Center for Superconductivity at the University of Houston. Research collaborators include Texas A&M University, the Department of Engineering and Engineering Experiment Station, and the University of Texas Medical School. As illustrated, the temperature of the Ni foam barrier heater 140 increases very rapidly and can be heated to a high temperature with low power consumption.The air temperature drops very rapidly after passing through the heated Ni foam of the barrier heater 140, even at temperatures above 100 °C (212 °F) the air temperature is ambient temperature at a separation of 4 cm. The foregoing description of preferred and other embodiments is not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the inventive concepts conceived by the applicants. It shall be recognized with the benefit of this description that the features described above in accordance with any embodiment or aspect of the described subject matter may be used, either alone or in combination with any other feature described, in any other embodiment or aspect of the described subject matter. In exchange for the description of the inventive concepts contained herein, the applicants desire all patent rights granted by the appended claims. Therefore, it is sought that the appended claims include all modifications and alterations to the fullest extent that fall within the scope of the following claims or their equivalents.

Claims

1. An electrically powered apparatus used to treat air in an environment, characterized in that the apparatus comprises: a housing that is movable in the environment and having an inlet and an outlet; at least one main impeller disposed in the housing between the inlet and the outlet and operable to move air in the environment through the housing from the inlet to the outlet; and at least one heater disposed along a surface area of ​​the housing and comprising a permeable barrier of metallic material, wherein the permeable barrier of the at least one heater is configured to impede the flow of air moved through it up to an impedance threshold, wherein the permeable barrier of the at least one heater is electrically connected to the supplied power supply and is heated to a surface temperature.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises at least one filter arranged along the surface area of ​​the housing and comprising a first material, wherein the filter is configured to filter the air moved through it to a filtration threshold.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first filter material comprises a metallic material.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, 2, or 3, characterized in that it further comprises at least one cartridge that is replaceable in the housing inlet, wherein the at least one cartridge has a propellant chamber with an inlet and an outlet, wherein the at least one cartridge has at least one permeable barrier.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one cartridge further comprises at least one filter disposed along the impeller chamber and comprising a first material, wherein the filter is configured to filter the air moved through it to a filtration threshold.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the at least one cartridge comprises a receptacle configured to hold the at least one filter. cenAnn / nznz / E / YiAi 7. The apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the filter is arranged in the impeller chamber towards the inlet, and wherein the permeable barrier is arranged in the impeller chamber towards the outlet.

8. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it further comprises at least one ultraviolet light source disposed in the housing, wherein the ultraviolet light source is electrically connected to the supplied power supply and is configured to generate an active ultraviolet radiation field in at least a portion of the housing through which the moving air passes from the intake to the exhaust.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the ultraviolet light source is disposed between the filter and the barrier heater or wherein the apparatus further comprises at least one cartridge that is replaceable in the inlet of the housing, wherein the at least one cartridge has an impeller chamber with an inlet and an outlet, wherein the at least one cartridge has the at least one ultraviolet light source and the at least one permeable barrier.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the ultraviolet light source comprises one or more UV-C lamps or a plurality of UV-C light-emitting diodes arranged in the impeller chamber.

11. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the at least one cartridge comprises a plurality of side walls enclosing the impeller chamber between an open side for inlet and an opposite open side for outlet.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises electrical insulation arranged between an edge of the permeable barrier and the side walls of at least one cartridge.

13. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the main impeller comprises one or more blowers or fans.

14. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the apparatus comprises an electrical supply arranged on the housing and supplying the supplied electrical power.

15. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the permeable barrier of the at least one heater comprises a mesh, a foam, a screen or a sinuous medium.

16. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the metallic material of the permeable barrier comprises nickel.

17. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 16, crnAnn / nznz / E / γALA 26 characterized in that the permeable barrier of the at least one heater is configured to prevent airflow through it to the impedance threshold of 20 percent, giving the permeable barrier a porosity of at least 80 percent.

18. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the permeable barrier of the at least one heater is heated to a surface temperature at least greater than approximately 56 °C (133 °F).

19. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that it further comprises a controller arranged in electrical communication with the permeable barrier of the at least one heater and the at least one main impeller and is configured to control (i) the heating of the permeable barrier of the at least one heater by the supplied power supply, and (ii) the airflow through the housing from the intake to the exhaust generated by the at least one main impeller electrically powered by the supplied power supply.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that the controller is arranged in electrical communication with the heating circuitry connected to the permeable barrier, wherein the controller is configured to control the heating of the permeable barrier with the heating circuitry powered electrically by the supplied power supply.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20, characterized in that it further comprises a temperature sensor arranged adjacent to the permeable barrier and arranged in electrical communication with the controller, wherein the temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature associated with the heating of the permeable barrier.

22. The apparatus according to claim 19, 20 or 21, characterized in that it further comprises at least one ultraviolet light source disposed in the housing, wherein the ultraviolet light source is electrically connected to the supplied power supply and is configured to generate an active ultraviolet radiation field in at least a portion of the housing through which the moved air passes from the intake to the exhaust, wherein the controller is electrically connected to the drive circuitry connected to the ultraviolet light source, wherein the controller is configured to control the ultraviolet radiation of the ultraviolet light source with the drive circuitry powered by the supplied power supply.

23. The apparatus according to claim 22, characterized in that it further comprises a light sensor arranged adjacent to the ultraviolet light source and in electrical communication with the controller, wherein the light sensor is configured to measure the ultraviolet radiation associated with the ultraviolet light source. crnAnn / nznz / E / γΐΛΐ 24. The apparatus according to any of claims 19 to 23, characterized in that the controller is arranged in electrical communication with the motor drive circuitry connected to the main drive, wherein the controller is configured to control the main drive with the motor drive circuitry powered electrically by the supplied power supply.

25. The apparatus according to claim 24, characterized in that it further comprises a flow sensor disposed in the housing and arranged in electrical communication with the controller, wherein the flow sensor is configured to measure the airflow passing through the housing, and wherein the controller configures the control based on the measured airflow.

26. An electrically powered apparatus used to treat air in an environment for a pathogen, characterized in that the apparatus comprises: a housing that is movable in the environment and having an inlet and an outlet; at least one main impeller disposed in the housing between the inlet and the outlet that is operable to move air in the environment through the housing from the inlet to the outlet; and at least one heater disposed along a surface area of ​​the housing and comprising a permeable barrier of metallic material, wherein the permeable barrier of the at least one heater is configured to impede the flow of air moved through it up to an impedance threshold, wherein the permeable barrier of the at least one heater is electrically connected to the supplied power supply and is heated to a surface temperature directed at the pathogen.

27. The apparatus according to claim 26, characterized in that it further comprises at least one ultraviolet light source disposed in the housing, wherein the ultraviolet light source is electrically connected to the supplied power supply and is configured to generate an active ultraviolet radiation field in at least a portion of the housing through which the moved air passes from the intake to the exhaust.

28. The apparatus according to claim 26 or 27, characterized in that the pathogenic agent is a virus, wherein the permeable barrier is heated to a surface temperature of at least greater than 250 °C directed at the virus.

29. A method for treating air in an environment for a pathogen, characterized in that the method comprises: moving airflow through an impeller chamber in a movable housing from an intake to an exhaust by electrically powering a main impeller disposed in the impeller chamber; filtering the airflow to a filtration threshold through a filter disposed along a surface area of ​​the impeller chamber; impeding airflow to an impedance threshold through a permeable barrier of a heater disposed along the surface area of ​​the impeller chamber and having a metallic material; and heating the permeable barrier of the heater to a surface temperature directed at the pathogen by supplying a voltage potential along the permeable barrier.

30. The method according to claim 29, characterized in that it further comprises producing an active ultraviolet radiation field in the housing by electrically powering an ultraviolet light source arranged in the impeller chamber.

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