Systems and methods for efficient filtration and removal of airborne pathogens from a volume of gas

Abstract

A system and method for removing unwanted particulates and pathogens, including but not limited to viruses, from a volume of gas. The system exhibits low resistance to the flow of gas, allowing for the treatment of high volumes and flow rates of gas. A cold surface lowers the temperature of the incoming gas, causing water to condense from the gas. The condensate contains the unwanted particulates and pathogens, which have been removed from the volume of gas. The condensate is passed over a heated surface, which includes a hydrophobic coating, and also includes a catalytic surface with an anti-viral coating to neutralize infectious agents. Ionized micro-nozzles can be incorporated to spray the collected water onto the heated surface, which can utilize the infectious agents. The system can include multiple stages. The system provides better infectious agent neutralization and higher flow rates than prior art systems, while using less energy and producing less noise.

Description

[0001] Cross-references and incorporation by reference to related applications This non-provisional patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 154,787, filed on February 28, 2021, with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), entitled MULTIFACETED SYSTEM FOR HIGH EFFICIENCY FILTERING AND DESTRUCTION OF AIRBORNE PATHOGENS, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] Statement regarding federally funded research or development not applicable.

[0003] The submitted materials on the CD-ROM will be incorporated through citation. not applicable. Background of the Invention 1. Technical Field The field of this invention generally relates to systems and methods for filtering and removing airborne particles, infectious agents and other unwanted substances. 2. Background Technology It is well known that airborne pathogens can cause infectious diseases, and airborne particles can have serious health effects on both human and non-human populations. For example, the spread of airborne pathogens and other biohazards can lead to pandemics or epidemics, which can spread rapidly across populations, causing serious health problems or death within those populations, resulting in severe and long-term economic damage, and even posing a threat to national security. One example of this is the spread of the coronavirus variant that causes Covid-19, which began circulating in the global human population in 2019 and continued into 2022.

[0005] The spread of unwanted particles can also lead to an increased rate of health problems within a population, resulting in the same negative consequences. For example, the spread of airborne carcinogens may lead to an increased cancer rate in a population, causing serious health problems in individuals and resulting in long-term economic damage.

[0006] Indoor environments and other enclosed spaces represent an increased risk of illness or other negative health effects due to unwanted particles or pathogens in the air, as the air in such spaces is typically recirculated through heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (“HVAC”) and other systems. In these enclosed environments, air can be recirculated without any means of allowing unwanted particles or pathogens to escape into the environment or atmosphere outside the enclosed space, where they can be carried away by external winds. Therefore, when unwanted particles or pathogens are introduced into such enclosed spaces, they can remain airborne for hours, days, or even longer, posing an increased health risk to individuals occupying the enclosed space.

[0007] In some situations, ventilation can be used to replace contaminated internal air with uncontaminated outside air. However, in many cases, such ventilation is not feasible. For example, in large buildings containing many enclosed internal spaces, ventilation is often not practical. Furthermore, in most enclosed spaces where individuals gather, air temperature needs to be controlled through air conditioning or heating. Therefore, ventilation is not feasible in most applications.

[0008] Traditional particle filtration for unwanted particles or pathogens also presents problems. For example, viral pathogens can be very small and therefore difficult to filter out from a volume of use simply by using a particle filter. For instance, the SARS-CoV-2 virion, which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (also known as human coronavirus 2019, HCoV-19, or hCoV-190, the respiratory illness that caused the COVID-19 pandemic), has a diameter of approximately 50 nanometers to 20 nanometers. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters have been proposed for removing SARS-CoV-2 virions from large volumes of air. However, the use of particle filters (e.g., HEPA filters that are fine enough to remove viruses from gases such as air) has significant drawbacks. HEPA filters, as physical blocking filters, create severe resistance to airflow and therefore require large blowers to force air through the filter. These blowers are extremely noisy and consume a lot of electricity. The noise factor alone may prevent such systems from being used in most enclosed indoor spaces. Furthermore, the size of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is very low within the range of HEPA filters, meaning that multi-stage HEPA filtration may be required to remove pathogens such as the SARS-CoV-2 virus from a given volume of air. This exacerbates the known problems of HEPA filters (high noise levels, high energy consumption). Another drawback of HEPA filters is that due to the very small openings required to filter, for example, small SARS-CoV-2 virus particles, the filters must be replaced frequently. This results in used filter elements containing a large amount of active virus, a biohazard that must be disposed of according to regulations, which is costly and inconvenient for users. Disposing of such biohazardous used filters adds an additional and excessive cost to the use of HEPA filters.

[0009] Therefore, what is needed in the art is an apparatus and / or method suitable for removing unwanted particles and pathogens from a given volume of air, which is energy-efficient, does not exhibit high noise levels that cause distraction, can be easily manufactured at low cost, can operate independently of other systems, does not generate biohazardous waste, and is easily deployed in a wide variety of large and small enclosed spaces. Invention Summary This invention includes a method and system, or apparatus, having one or more of the following features and / or steps, which, individually or in any combination, may comprise patentable subject matter. As described below, this invention overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art.

[0010] In embodiments, the present invention’s current methods and systems continuously remove unwanted particles and pathogens from a volume of air to reduce the threat of disease transmission or other harmful effects of such unwanted airborne particles and pathogens on both human and non-human populations. The present invention’s current methods and systems are particularly useful in pandemic situations where airborne viruses or other biohazards are characterized by airborne transmission. In such cases, the present invention’s current methods and systems are operable to significantly reduce the rate of airborne transmission of pathogens (e.g., viruses, bacteria, or other disease-causing biological material) by removing a target pathogen (e.g., a given virus) from a volume of air, such that, for example rather than by means of restriction, enclosed environments such as the interiors of buildings (which may contain hazardous levels of airborne pathogens) are safe for individual use without concern that specific pathogens and resulting diseases may be transmitted via airborne transmission. Such enclosed environments can be, for example, hospital rooms, doctors' offices, surgical centers and other medical facilities; classrooms; government buildings; public buildings; museums and other buildings frequently visited by the public; the interiors of transportation modalities such as airplanes, trains, buses, ships, cars and the like; sports facilities; homes; hotels; and virtually any enclosed environment in which human or non-human individuals may gather. These are some non-limiting examples of applications of the systems and methods of the present invention.

[0011] In embodiments, the systems and methods of the present invention are operable to remove unwanted substances from a volume of gas, such as air. Such unwanted substances may include dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, viruses, and any other type of airborne particulate matter, without using a substrate or other types of mechanical filtering material.

[0012] The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by removing unwanted substances such as particles and pathogens from a given volume of air without using mechanical filtration, such as, for example, high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters or ultra-low particulate air (ULPA) filters. The system of the present invention does not use large, noisy air blowers, such as those used to create negative pressure chambers or facilities. The advantages of the method and system of the present invention are characterized by: 1) a very low pressure drop, which allows for large volumes of airflow because the system of the present invention does not rely on the physical obstruction of particles or pathogens; 2) no dirty or toxic air filters that need cleaning or damage; 3) much lower noise; and 4) less power consumption than HEPA, ULPA, or negative pressure systems, which must withstand high head pressure to move a given volume of air. The method and system of the present invention are characterized by a lower pressure drop due to the open-air flow design of the system compared to prior art systems.

[0013] In implementations, the method and system of this device typically operate by actuation of a continuous volume of gas (which may be air) typically, but not necessarily, through a housing in which system components are disposed. The incoming volume of gas, characterized by an inlet gas temperature or inlet air temperature, is actuated upon approaching or contacting a first surface having a first temperature, such that the inlet air is in thermal communication with the first surface. In an implementation, the volume of air may then be further actuated upon approaching or contacting a second surface having a second temperature, such that the air is in thermal communication with the second surface. The volume of gas may be further actuated upon contacting a third surface having a third temperature, and in an implementation, the volume of air may be further actuated upon contacting a fourth surface having a fourth temperature, and so on, for any number of surfaces, each surface being characterized by its own temperature. Some surfaces may be characterized by the same temperature. The temperatures of the individual surfaces may be any combination of temperatures that cause water in the gas to condense, thereby forming a volume of condensate, which is actuated away from the surface carrying unwanted substances, which may include pathogens desired to be removed from the volume of gas. The condensate is then directed into one or more collection reservoirs, where it can be treated to neutralize pathogens that have been removed from the gas and carried into the reservoirs by collecting the condensate.

[0014] In the implementation, the surface temperature can be higher or lower than the gas entering the volume, provided that the surface is characterized by a temperature that causes water condensation when the air in that volume is actuated through the casing.

[0015] In one implementation, the incoming inlet gas can be cooled by impacting it against one or more surfaces (i.e., thermally communicating with one or more surfaces), the surfaces being characterized as being cooler than the gas impacting the surface, causing water (H2O) in the volume of gas to condense and precipitate, resulting in cooled air and forming a volume of condensate containing unwanted substances, which may include pathogens. The condensate is then aspirated into a collection reservoir, where it can be treated to remove unwanted particles or neutralize pathogens. The gas can then be heated by thermally communicating it with a surface at a temperature higher than the cooled gas, thereby producing a heated volume of gas capable of reabsorbing water. This heated volume of gas can then be cooled again by impacting it against another cold surface (i.e., thermally communicating with another cold surface), thereby cooling the heated volume of gas and causing additional water in that volume of gas to condense and precipitate, producing additional condensate containing unwanted particles and pathogens. Additional condensate can be collected in the same or different reservoirs and treated to remove unwanted particles or neutralize pathogens, or both. This cooling-condensation-sedimentation-collection-treatment cycle can be repeated in more than one stage or cycle, with each successive stage or cycle resulting in a continuously cleaner volume of gas as each successive stage contains less unwanted material or pathogens.

[0016] Ultraviolet illumination or other detection methods can be used to determine the residual levels of unwanted particles and pathogens in each successive stage or cycle in order to determine whether the air meets the standards considered safe for its intended use. Ultraviolet illumination can be used at any stage to further neutralize pathogens in the air volume as the air is actuated into, through, and out of the system of the present invention (e.g., through the housing).

[0017] In embodiments, the system of the present invention may include any number of fans, housings, blowers, baffles, structures, openings, shells, gas guiding surfaces, housings, or components of shape or other features to enable and guide a volume of gas 002 into, through, and out of the housing 100 to move and actuate such that the volume of gas 002 impacts the cold and hot surfaces of the thermoelectric module 104 as taught herein, such that unwanted particles and pathogens are removed from the volume of air 002 by condensation as it passes through the system.

[0018] In implementation schemes, more than one complete stage can be used in any number and combination of thermoelectric module pairs to increase the removal rate of unwanted particles or pathogens, or both, to achieve a target with scalable power consumption. Each additional complete thermoelectric module pair stage can be directly supplied to the next complete stage. Each complete stage in such a multi-stage system does not necessarily include the same type or the same number of sub-stages.

[0019] In the implementation, the inlet filter is characterized as requiring minimal power to deliver air 002, as it can be, for example, a relatively coarse impact filter. The system and method of the present invention do not require HEPA-type mechanical filtration. Therefore, the advantage of the system and method of the present invention is that it requires significantly less power, cost, and maintenance compared to HEPA and other prior art filters.

[0020] In an embodiment, the invention includes a system for removing unwanted substances from a continuous volume of gas, the system comprising: a housing including a fan for moving the continuous volume of gas through the housing, the housing having an inlet for allowing the continuous volume of gas to enter the housing and a second opening for allowing the continuous volume of gas to exit the housing, the continuous volume of gas being characterized by a temperature; at least one cold surface at a temperature lower than that of the continuous volume of gas, such that when the gas is in thermal communication with the at least one cold surface, water in the air condenses and precipitates from the gas, forming a condensate containing the unwanted substances; at least one hot surface at a temperature higher than that of the continuous volume of gas, the at least one hot surface heating the continuous volume of gas when the gas is in thermal communication with the at least one hot surface; and at least one collection reservoir in communication with the condensate stream such that it collects the condensate; wherein the continuous volume of gas is actuated through an outlet opening, wherein the continuous volume of gas exiting the housing through the outlet opening has a lower count of unwanted substances per unit gas volume than the continuous volume of gas entering the housing.

[0021] In one embodiment, the temperature of at least one cold surface can be between 0°C and 15°C, and the temperature of at least one hot surface can be between 40°C and 70°C. In another embodiment, the collection reservoir may include a catalytic substance for neutralizing pathogens. In another embodiment, as described in this disclosure, the condensate in at least one collection reservoir is maintained at a temperature of 56°C or higher.

[0022] In one embodiment, at least one cold surface can be further defined as more than one cold surface, and at least one hot surface is defined as more than one hot surface. The number of cold surfaces, the number of hot surfaces, and the number of collection reservoirs can be the same. The cold and hot surfaces can be arranged such that as a continuous volume of gas passes through the housing, the volume of air first becomes thermally connected to the cold surface, and then to the hot surface, and then to alternating cold and hot surfaces.

[0023] In one embodiment, the system may further include an ion generator disposed between an inlet and at least one cold surface, the ion generator being operable to ionize the continuous volume of gas and any unwanted substances carried by the continuous volume of gas as it passes through the ion generator. In another embodiment, the system may include at least one ultraviolet light source disposed within a housing, the at least one ultraviolet light source irradiating at least a portion of the continuous volume of gas such that the portion of the continuous volume of gas receives at least 10-20 mJ / cm³. 2 The system may also include at least one atomizer in communication with a fluid source for increasing the volume of water carried by a continuous volume of gas.

[0024] In one embodiment, at least one cold surface includes a hydrophobic coating. In another embodiment, at least one hot surface includes a catalytic substance for neutralizing pathogens.

[0025] In the implementation plan, the sprayer may be an ultrasonic atomizer.

[0026] In one implementation, the fluid source for the sprayer may be a flash boiler connected to at least one collection reservoir, such that condensate from the at least one collection reservoir is connected to the flash boiler, in which the condensate is heated to neutralize pathogens in the condensate, and the resulting heated condensate is connected to the sprayer to increase the amount of water in the continuous volume of gas.

[0027] In an embodiment, as described in this disclosure, the housing may include more than one stackable stage, including at least one inlet stage and at least one outlet stage. The inlet stage receives a continuous volume of gas, conveys the continuous volume of gas near more than one alternating cold and hot surface, and exits the continuous volume of gas into a next stage, which may be a first intermediate stage of an intermediate stage pair or an outlet stage. When the next stage is a first intermediate stage of an intermediate stage pair, the continuous volume of gas passes through the intermediate stage pair and is in thermal communication with more than one alternating cold and hot surface, resulting in condensation when the gas is in thermal communication with the cold surface of the intermediate stage pair. The continuous volume of gas may exit into a next stage or an outlet stage, which may be another first intermediate stage of the intermediate stage pair. When the next stage is an outlet stage, the continuous volume of gas passes through the outlet stage and is in thermal communication with more than one alternating cold and hot surface, resulting in condensation when the gas is in thermal communication with the cold surface of the outlet stage, and the continuous volume of gas exits the housing through an outlet opening in the outlet stage.

[0028] In the implementation plan, the system may include an inlet level and an outlet level.

[0029] In the implementation scheme, the system may include an inlet stage, an intermediate stage pair, and an outlet stage.

[0030] In the implementation scheme, the system may include an inlet level, more than one intermediate level pair, and an outlet level.

[0031] In the implementation, at least one cold surface may be a cold surface of the thermoelectric module, and at least one hot surface is a hot surface of the thermoelectric module.

[0032] In one implementation, a continuous volume of gas can be directed to pass between the cold surfaces of a pair of thermoelectric modules arranged such that their cold surfaces are opposite each other, forming an open volume between them. The air passes through the open volume, making thermal communication between the gas and the cold surfaces, causing the gas temperature to drop and forming a condensate containing unwanted substances that are desired to be removed from the continuous volume of gas.

[0033] In one embodiment, the temperature of at least one cold surface can be between 0°C and 15°C. In another embodiment, the temperature of at least one hot surface can be between 40°C and 70°C. In yet another embodiment, the condensate in at least one collection reservoir can be maintained at a temperature of 56°C or higher.

[0034] In one embodiment, at least one ultraviolet light source disposed within the housing may be included, which irradiates at least a portion of a continuous volume of gas with sufficient intensity to neutralize pathogens in the continuous volume of gas.

[0035] In one embodiment, at least a portion of the surface of the collection reservoir that comes into contact with the condensate includes a catalytic substance.

[0036] In one embodiment, condensate can be pumped from the collection reservoir and sprayed onto the at least one hot surface. In another embodiment, condensate can be drawn from the collection reservoir core onto the at least one hot surface via capillary action.

[0037] In an implementation, a thermoelectric module can be defined as more than one even number of thermoelectric modules, wherein two thermoelectric modules form a thermoelectric module pair, wherein the thermoelectric modules constituting the thermoelectric module pair are arranged such that their cold surfaces are opposite each other, forming an open volume between them through which air is conveyed to contact or near the cold surface, causing the air temperature to drop, resulting in condensation forming on the cold surface, the condensate containing unwanted particles or pathogens that have been removed from the air.

[0038] In an embodiment, the system of the present invention may include more than one thermoelectric module pair and more than one collection reservoir, each thermoelectric module pair having one collection reservoir and each collection reservoir being associated with a particular thermoelectric module pair, each of the collection reservoirs being configured to collect condensate actuated by gravity from the cold surface of the associated thermoelectric module pair.

[0039] In an embodiment, the system of the present invention may include at least one pump in fluid communication with at least one of the collection reservoirs for pumping the condensate from the collection reservoir, and a spray nozzle or micro-nozzle in fluid communication with the pump, wherein the pump is configured to pump the condensate from the collection reservoir and spray it onto the hot surface through the spray nozzle or the micro-nozzle.

[0040] In an embodiment, the system of the present invention may include at least one wicking structure in fluid communication with at least one of the collection reservoirs, for wicking the condensate from the collection reservoir onto the at least one hot surface. The wicking structure is a microgrooved copper tube or sintered copper.

[0041] In an embodiment, the system of the present invention may further include: at least one controllable fan for actuating air into and through the housing, such that at least a portion of the air is in thermal communication with the cold surface; a controller operable to control the fan; wherein the controller is in communication with physical memory, the physical memory including non-transitory computer-readable and executable instructions for controlling the power of the fan and the thermoelectric module; and wherein the controller is adapted to receive user commands for controlling the power of the fan and the thermoelectric module via at least one of a human-machine interface or a remote user in communication with the controller.

[0042] In the implementation, the controller may also be adapted to receive sensor information from one or more external sensors and to control the system of the present invention to enter an operational state when one or more sensors detect the presence of an unwanted substance in the environment outside the system's enclosure. The controller may also be adapted to receive sensor information from one or more internal sensors and to convey the sensor information to a user via the human-machine interface, or to convey the sensor information to a remote user connected to the controller.

[0043] In an embodiment, the present invention includes a method for removing unwanted particles and pathogens from a continuous volume of gas, the method comprising the steps of: actuating the continuous volume of gas through a housing; ionizing the continuous volume of gas; adding water droplets, microdroplets, or molecules to the continuous volume of gas; cooling the continuous volume of gas such that water in the gas condenses to form a condensate containing unwanted particles and pathogens that have been removed from the continuous volume of gas; heating the continuous volume of gas; wherein the cooling and heating steps are performed alternately; and collecting the condensate in a collection reservoir.

[0044] The method may also include the step of irradiating a continuous volume of gas with UV-A, UV-B, or UV-C light energy, such that the continuous volume of gas receives at least 10-20 mJ / cm³. 2 dose.

[0045] The method may also include the step of irradiating a continuous volume of gas with UV-A, UV-B, or UV-C light energy, such that the continuous volume of gas receives at least 10-200 mJ / cm³. 2 dose.

[0046] The method may also include the step of maintaining the condensate in the collection container at a temperature equal to or greater than 56°C.

[0047] In one embodiment, the step of cooling a continuous volume of gas can be performed by thermally connecting the continuous volume of gas to a cold surface between 0°C and 15°C, including 0°C and 15°C. In another embodiment, the step of heating a continuous volume of gas can be performed by thermally connecting the continuous volume of gas to a hot surface between 0°C and 15°C, including 0°C and 15°C.

[0048] In embodiments, the present invention may include a method for removing unwanted particles and pathogens from a continuous volume of gas, the method comprising the steps of: cooling the continuous volume of gas such that water in the air condenses to form a condensate containing unwanted particles and pathogens already removed from the continuous volume of gas; collecting the condensate; applying the condensate to at least one hot surface and causing the water forming the condensate to evaporate, leaving the unwanted particles and pathogens on the hot surface. The at least one hot surface may be at a temperature in the range of 50°C to 60°C. The method may further include the step of removing unwanted particles and neutralized pathogens from the hot surface.

[0049] In an implementation, as described in this disclosure, the step of cooling a continuous volume of gas can be performed by transferring the continuous volume of gas between opposing cold surfaces of at least one thermoelectric module pair, wherein at least a portion of the continuous volume of gas is in thermal communication with at least one of the cold surfaces.

[0050] In the implementation, the cold surface can be at a temperature in the range between 0°C and 10°C.

[0051] In one implementation, the step of applying condensate to at least one hot surface is performed by spraying.

[0052] In the implementation, the step of applying condensate to at least one hot surface is performed by wicking.

[0053] In an implementation, the method may further include the step of ionizing the continuous volume of gas, making it more likely that unwanted substances in the gas will be carried away from the gas by condensate.

[0054] In an implementation scheme, the method may further include the step of irradiating a continuous volume of gas with UV-A, UV-B, or UV-C light energy, such that the continuous volume of gas receives at least 10-20 mJ / cm³. 2 dose.

[0055] The method according to this disclosure further includes the step of irradiating the air with UV-A, UV-B, or UV-C light energy, such that a continuous volume of gas receives at least 10-200 mJ / cm³. 2 dose.

[0056] The method according to this disclosure further includes the step of at least partially neutralizing pathogens contained in the condensate by contacting the condensate with a catalytic substance.

[0057] According to the method described in this disclosure, at least a portion of the at least one thermal surface comprises a catalytic substance.

[0058] According to the method described in this disclosure, the condensate collection reservoir containing the condensate includes a catalyst.

[0059] Another advantage of this invention compared to existing systems and methods is that unwanted particles and pathogens retained on the hot surface are neutralized, thus preventing the generation of active biohazardous waste. Brief description of the attached diagram The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the specification, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 Exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described, and the elements of such embodiments are illustrated in an illustrative manner.

[0060] Figure 2 As illustrated schematically, the present invention may include any number of hot and / or cold surfaces.

[0061] Figure 3 A perspective view of an embodiment of the invention is depicted, which, as an example, is suitable for a duct system used in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (“HVAC”) system.

[0062] Figure 4 A perspective view of a multi-stage embodiment of the invention is depicted, comprising stackable stages, enabling the construction of embodiments of the invention including any desired number of stages. In cases where unwanted substances, such as pathogens, are present in large quantities in the air to be cleaned (002), additional stages can be employed to achieve the desired low levels of pathogens (or other desired substances) generated in a specific volume of gas.

[0063] Figure 5 Depicting Figure 4 An exemplary implementation of the entry-level of the multi-level embodiments of the present invention is depicted in the figure.

[0064] Figure 6 Depicting Figure 4 The export-level exemplary embodiment of the multi-level embodiments of the present invention described herein.

[0065] Figure 7 Depicting Figure 4 The first (1) intermediate level pair of the multi-level embodiments of the present invention described in the figure st An exemplary implementation of the intermediate level.

[0066] Figure 8 Depicting Figure 4 The intermediate level pair of the multi-level embodiments of the present invention described in the figure is the second (2) nd An exemplary implementation of the intermediate level.

[0067] Figure 9 Depicting the airflow passing through Figure 5 One of many arrangements of the exemplary entrance level depicted.

[0068] Figure 10 Depicting the airflow passing through Figure 7 The exemplary first (1) of the intermediate level pair depicted in the text st One of many arrangements in the intermediate level.

[0069] Figure 11 Depicting the airflow passing through Figure 8 The exemplary second (2) of the intermediate level pair depicted in the text nd One of many arrangements in the intermediate level.

[0070] Figure 12 Depicting the airflow passing through Figure 6 One of many arrangements of the exemplary export level depicted herein.

[0071] Figure 13 An embodiment of the system of the present invention is described, the system comprising more than one thermoelectric module disposed within a housing for performing the methods of the present invention.

[0072] Figure 14 An exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the thermoelectric module of the present invention is described.

[0073] Figure 15 Exemplary non-limiting embodiments of the thermoelectric module pair of the present invention are described, the condensation-collection-evaporation cycle of the present invention is described, and a spraying method for applying condensate 109 to a hot surface 106 is described.

[0074] Figure 16 Exemplary non-limiting embodiments of the thermoelectric module pair of the present invention are described, the condensation-collection-evaporation cycle of the present invention is described, and a wicking method for applying condensate 109 to a hot surface 106 is described.

[0075] Figure 17 An exemplary non-limiting block diagram illustrating an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0076] Figure 18 A flowchart depicting the method steps of an exemplary non-limiting embodiment of the method of the present invention is provided.

[0077] Figure 19 An implementation of the system is described, wherein an external pathogen or particle sensor is communicated with a controller 402 such that when unwanted material, such as pathogens or particles, is detected in an environment outside of the systems 001, 004, or 005 of the present invention, such as in an enclosed area, room, building, air duct, or other structure, the controller 402 can cause the system and method of the present invention to operate for the purpose of removing unwanted material from the local ambient air. The sensor need not be local to the system.

[0078] In the diagram, the same item label refers to the same component.

[0079] Various embodiments of the present invention may include any or all of the features of the invention described herein in any number and in any combination. Invention Details The following document provides a detailed description of the invention.

[0080] Although the detailed description provided in this application contains numerous details for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will understand that many variations and modifications to the following details are within the scope of the invention. Therefore, the following preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth without losing the generality of the claimed invention or imposing any limitation on it. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not merely by the preferred examples or embodiments given.

[0081] As used in this article, the "Peltier effect" includes, within its meaning, the effect that occurs when current flows through the circuit of a thermocouple, causing heat to dissipate at one junction and be absorbed at the other. The Peltier effect is the heating or cooling that occurs at the junction of two charged conductors, A and B. When current flows through the junction between two conductors A and B, heat can be generated or removed at the junction. The Peltier heat generated at the junction per unit time can be characterized as: Where π A and π BLet π be the Peltier coefficients of conductors A and B, and I be the current (from A to B). The total heat generated is not determined solely by the Peltier effect, as it can also be affected by Joule heating and thermal gradient effects (see below). The Peltier coefficient represents how much heat is carried per unit charge. Since the charge and current must be continuous through the junction, if π... A and π B If the heat flows differently, the heat flow will become discontinuous. The Peltier effect can be considered the reactive counterpart of the Seebeck effect (similar to the back electromotive force in magnetic induction): if a simple thermoelectric circuit is closed, the Seebeck effect will drive the current, which (through the Peltier effect) will always cause heat to be transferred from the hot junction to the cold junction. Thermoelectric heat pumps utilize this phenomenon, as do the thermoelectric cooling devices found in refrigerators.

[0082] As used herein, "Peltier device" includes, within its meaning, a device that may comprise one or more junctions connected in series, through which a current I is driven, resulting in a temperature difference between a first outer surface and a second outer surface of the device. In embodiments, the first and second outer surfaces may experience a temperature difference of up to and exceeding 60°C. That is, in an exemplary device, in the presence of current I, the first surface may maintain a temperature of 0°C and the second surface may maintain a temperature of 60°C, or otherwise as defined in this disclosure. The first and second surfaces may be thermally conductive materials, such as metals. Individual Peltier devices may be stacked for series operation, thereby providing a greater temperature difference between the first and second surfaces than could reasonably be achieved in a single Peltier device. In this configuration, the first surface of the first Peltier device can be thermally connected (e.g., through physical contact) to the second surface of the second Peltier device (again, through physical contact), thus creating a stack of Peltier devices arranged in series with thermal connection, where the hot side of one Peltier device is in physical contact with the cold side of the adjacent Peltier device, thus achieving a larger temperature difference on the first and second outer surfaces than is reasonably achievable in a single Peltier device. One advantage of Peltier devices is that they have no moving parts and are therefore less susceptible to the failure mechanisms of other temperature difference generating systems, such as conventional vapor compression systems using piston compressors, mechanical relays, high-pressure piping and interconnects, and mechanical components prone to wear, fatigue, environmental degradation (e.g., rust and corrosion), and other failure modes.

[0083] As used herein, “pathogen” includes, within its meaning, any bacteria, virus or other microorganism that can cause disease in humans or non-humans, including airborne pathogens such as viruses, for example and not limited to coronaviruses that cause coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

[0084] As used herein, "hydrophobic coating" includes, within its meaning, any coating that repels water, allowing water to be easily removed from the surface containing the hydrophobic coating. "Hydrophobic coating" also includes, within its meaning, all coatings generally specified as hydrophobic or superhydrophobic. When applied to a surface coated with a hydrophobic coating, water forms droplets that are easily agitated along the surface when acted upon by forces such as gravity or by forces generated when the water is acted upon by forced air, such as from a fan or blower. Some hydrophobic coatings comprise composite materials, where one component provides roughness and another provides low surface energy. A non-limiting basis of hydrophobicity is the creation of recessed regions on a surface, where wetting these recessed regions requires more energy than bridging the recesses. This so-called Wenzel-effect surface, or lotus (flower) effect surface, has a smaller contact area proportional to the area of ​​the recess, resulting in a high contact angle. Recessed surfaces have a proportionally reduced attraction to foreign liquids or solids. Hydrophobic coatings include, but are not limited to, manganese oxide polystyrene (MnO2 / PS) nanocomposites, zinc oxide polystyrene (ZnO / PS) nanocomposites, precipitated calcium carbonate, carbon nanotube structures, silica nanocoatings, fluorinated silanes and fluoropolymer coatings, paraffin wax, TFE telomers, perfluoroalkyl groups, perfluoropolyethers and RF plasma, nanoneedle films, and any low-energy surface coatings.

[0085] As used herein, "catalytic substance" means any substance that is useful and operable for neutralizing pathogens. Different catalytic substances may be used for specific pathogens in different applications of the systems and methods of this invention. For example, in the Covid-19 application, specific catalytic substances known to be effective in neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 virions may be used, resulting in a reduction in the virulence or transmissibility of the SARS-CoV-2 virions. In other applications against other pathogens, other catalytic substances known to be effective in neutralizing those pathogens may be used in this invention. Examples of catalytic substances include, but are not limited to, substances comprising cuprous oxide (Cu2O) particles bound to polyurethane, and include copper, silver, ionic silver, titanium, zinc, and their oxides.

[0086] "Unwanted substances" include any substance present in the gas 002 to be cleaned, such as, for example, suspended biological particles, organic or inorganic particles, pathogens (such as, for example, viruses or bacteria), smoke particles, dust, pollen, chemical particles, or any other substance that is desired to be removed from the gas 002 to be cleaned.

[0087] As used herein, “gas” includes, within its meaning, any gas, or combination or mixture of gases, including air. Therefore, “gas” includes, within its meaning, air. As used in this disclosure, “gas” and “air” may be used interchangeably to refer to any gas or combination of gases, including, but not limited to, air.

[0088] As used herein, “reservoir” includes, within its meaning, cans, containers (open or closed) and any type of containment.

[0089] As used in this article, "continuous volume of gas" refers to a gas that is actuated through the outer shell of the system, which may be air, from which unwanted substances are to be removed.

[0090] Now for reference Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment 001 of the present invention is described for removing unwanted substances from a given volume of gas. Figure 1 Elements of this particular embodiment are illustrated schematically, and this embodiment is merely one of many embodiments within the legal scope of the invention. Gas 002, intended to remove unwanted substances, enters housing 100 through an optional filter 101 that removes some or most of the dust contained in the gas 002. The gas can be actuated through housing 100 by any combination of a fan or blower (e.g., fan 110). The gas 002 can then be passed through or near an ionization device 103, such as an ionization grid, which causes ions to form in the gas 002. As an example, ionization device 103 may include opposing conductive plates, with a voltage applied to the plates as the gas travels between or through them. While any device causing ions to form in the gas 002 may include an ion generator 103, an ionization grid allows the gas 002 to pass through and be effectively ionized without significantly impeding the movement of the gas 002. In this embodiment, both positive and negative ions can be formed in the gas 002, such that the total charge of that volume of gas 002 in the housing 100 is charge-neutral. The ionization device 103 is not necessarily present in all embodiments of the system and method of the present invention. That is, it is optional; however, when present, it is capable of more effectively removing unwanted substances from the gas 002.

[0091] Still referencing Figure 1Gas 002 may then be irradiated with ultraviolet (UV) light energy or more specifically ultraviolet-C light (UVC, 200 nm–280 nm wavelength), UV-B light (280 nm–320 nm), or UV-A light (320 nm–400 nm), or any combination thereof, from one or more light sources 102. The light energy from light source 102 is manipulated to render pathogens in gas 002 ineffective by: disrupting the ability of such pathogens to reproduce; by inducing photochemical reactions in nucleic acids (DNA & RNA); by causing oxidation of proteins and lipids that lead to cell death; or by inhibiting photoreactivation; or any combination thereof, and other effects.

[0092] Still referencing Figure 1 The gas 002 can also be humidified by a sprayer, atomizing sprayer, ultrasonic atomizer, or humidifier 120, which operates to increase the amount of liquid carried by the gas 002. When the gas 002 is air, the sprayer or humidifier 120 operates to increase the amount of liquid carried in the air. As an example, the sprayer or humidifier 120 can be an ultrasonic atomizer, supplied from any water or liquid source, and operated by using the vibration of a piezoelectric crystal driven by an alternating electric field to increase the amount of water in the gas 002, thereby creating cavitation in the liquid (which may be water), resulting in the formation of droplets, which increases the amount of water in the gas 002. In the next step, the gas 002 is cooled, reducing its ability to carry liquid, resulting in the formation of condensate 109, where unwanted particles in the gas 002 adhere to the condensate 109, causing unwanted substances to be removed from the gas 002 as the unwanted substances are carried out of the gas when the condensate forms. Furthermore, by adding liquid (which may be water) to gas 002 through spraying, atomization, or equivalent means, the effectiveness of the system and method of the present invention is increased because the amount of liquid precipitated from gas 002 when gas 002 is cooled in the next step is increased.

[0093] Still referencing Figure 1Gas 002 can then be actuated to thermally communicate with a “cold” surface 107, which is cooler than gas 002, by approaching, impacting, or colliding with surface 107. When gas 002 is thermally communicated with the cold surface 107, its temperature decreases, reducing its ability to remain liquid and causing condensate 109 to form and communicate with and be collected in a condensate collection reservoir 108. In any embodiment of the invention, condensate 109 can be advanced into the condensate collection reservoir 108 by dripping 1014, by wicking, or by being carried by a pipe or channel, which can be a microchannel in a plate or other substrate, typically depicted as 1015 (all of the foregoing are “fluid communication devices”). When condensate 109 forms, unwanted substances from gas 002 adhere to it, and thus carry unwanted substances as the condensate forms and is collected. Therefore, these substances have been removed from gas 002 (i.e., gas 002 has been "cleaned").

[0094] Still referencing Figure 1 Gas 002 can then be actuated by approaching, impacting, or otherwise thermally communicating with a “hot” surface 106 that is at a temperature higher than that of gas 002, through proximity to, impact with, or colliding with surface 106. When gas 002 is thermally communicating with surface 106, the temperature of gas 002 increases, for example, by using one or more additional sprayers or humidifiers 120, allowing the gas to be optionally sprayed or humidified again. The process of cooling gas 002 and condensing liquid from gas 002, thereby further removing any remaining unwanted substances that may still be present in gas 002, can be repeated any number of times in a cooling-condensation-heating cycle, each cycle further removing unwanted substances from gas 002, such as… Figure 2 As described in the document. This process can be repeated in successive stages until gas 002 has reached the desired level of unwanted substances present in gas 002, at which point clean gas can leave the casing as outlet air 003.

[0095] Still referencing Figure 1The condensate 109 collected in the collection reservoir 108 may, in some cases, contain pathogens at concentrated levels. Therefore, it is desirable to render such pathogens inert or unusable, i.e., to neutralize them so that they cannot cause disease in humans or non-humans. A catalytic mesh or coating 1012 having known pathogen-neutralizing properties, such as, for example, copper, may be present in the collection reservoir 108 to neutralize pathogens in the condensate 109. The effectiveness of such a pathogen-neutralizing catalytic material can increase with increasing condensate temperature, and therefore the system of the present invention may include a first pump 1009 in fluid communication with the collection reservoir 108 via a fluid communication device, the first pump 1009 causing the condensate 109 to be pumped from the collection reservoir 108 through the fluid heater 1010 via the fluid communication device, whereby the condensate 109 exits the fluid heater 1010 at a temperature higher than that into the fluid heater 1010. The first pump 1009 may be in fluid communication with the fluid heater 1010 via the fluid communication device. Heated condensate exiting fluid heater 1010 can return to collection reservoir 108 via heated condensate return fluid communication device 1011. Therefore, condensate 109 in collection reservoir 108 can be heated to increase the effectiveness of pathogen neutralizing catalyst 1012 (which may be, for example, a copper mesh or copper lining), and thereby increase the effectiveness of neutralizing pathogens in condensate 109. In an embodiment, the temperature of condensate 109 in collection reservoir 108 can be controlled to be equal to or greater than 56°C, or in the range of 56°C-65°C, since 56°C is an effective temperature for neutralizing pathogens. (See controller 402). Figure 17 The temperature sensor 1013, which enables data communication, can reside in the storage unit 108, allowing the controller 402 (see...) Figure 17 It is operable to control the first pump 1009 and the heater 1010 in order to achieve the desired temperature of the condensate 109 in the collection reservoir 108.

[0096] In any embodiment of the system of the present invention, the cold surfaces 107 may be at any temperature below that of the gases 002 impacting them, but ideally in the range of 0°C to 15°C or 0°C to 10°C. Similarly, in embodiments of the system of the present invention, the hot surfaces 106 may be at any temperature above that of the gases 002 impacting them, but ideally in the range of 40°C to 60°C, or 50°C to 70°C, or a total range of 40°C to 70°C.

[0097] Still referencing Figure 1The fluid communication device 1004 can be in fluid communication with the collection reservoir 108 and can be configured at a distance "d" from the top of the collection reservoir 108, such that when condensate accumulates in the collection reservoir 108 to a point d from the top of the reservoir, a second pump 1005, in fluid communication with the collection reservoir 108 via the fluid communication device 1004, operates to pump the condensate from the collection reservoir 108 through a fluid communication device (e.g., a pipe or tube) 1006 to a flash boiler 1007. The flash boiler 1007 raises the temperature of the condensate 109 passing through the flash boiler 1007 to a temperature between 150°F and 210°F, and in some cases, to a temperature between 180°F and 190°F. These temperatures are used to neutralize any remaining pathogens in the condensate 109 heated by the flash boiler 1007. The outlet side of the flash boiler 1007 is in fluid communication with the inlet port of the sprayer, humidifier, or ultrasonic atomizer 120 via a fluid communication device 1003, which may be, for example, a copper pipe, to enhance pathogen neutralization. Because the temperature of the condensate 109 supplied to the sprayer, humidifier, or ultrasonic atomizer 120 is increased, the heated condensate is more easily converted into fine droplets, increasing the amount of fluid in the gas 002. Since the heated condensate 109 supplied to the sprayer, humidifier, or ultrasonic atomizer 120 has been heated by the flash boiler 1007, any pathogens within it have been neutralized, preventing pathogens from spreading into the incoming gas 002 through the spray / humidification / atomization process.

[0098] Still referencing Figure 1 The system and method of the present invention remove unwanted substances from gas 002 by condensation and then neutralize it as described herein, such that the outlet air 003 leaving the housing 100 has been cleaned relative to the air in its entry state, such that only an acceptable low level of unwanted substances is retained.

[0099] Still referencing Figure 1 The cold surface 107 and the hot surface 106 can be cooled or heated respectively by any known means. For example, the cold surface 107 can be part of a cold surface module 1001 that uses any means to cool such a cycle of cooling fluid and heat exchanger, or thermoelectric cooling. Similarly, the hot surface 106 can be part of a hot surface module 1002 that uses any means to heat such a cycle of heated fluid and heat exchanger, or resistance heating elements. The cold surface module 1001 and the hot surface module 1002 can each be controllable and can be connected to a controllable power source, making the controller 402 operable to control the temperature of the cold surface 107 and the hot surface 106.

[0100] Now for reference Figure 2Embodiments of the system and method of the present invention may include the following sequential steps: cooling gas 002 via cold surface 107 and then heating gas 002 via hot surface 106, repeating the cycle as many times as possible to reduce the amount of unwanted substances in gas 002 to an acceptable level. The “acceptable level” may vary depending on the intended use of gas 002 and the type of unwanted substances present in gas 002.

[0101] Now for reference Figure 3 This illustration depicts a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention, which, as an example, is suitable for a duct system used in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (“HVAC”) system. Inlet gas (e.g., air) 002 may enter housing 100 via a duct or pipe 3000. As described herein, gas 002 is processed within housing 100 and exits as clean air 003 via a duct or pipe 3001. As an exemplary use case, ducts 001 and 005 may be return HVAC ducts or supply HVAC ducts for a facility, building, or structure (which may be any structure). Therefore, the system and method of the present invention can be installed in any HVAC system for cleaning unwanted substances from the air. As an example, Figure 3 The embodiments of the system of the present invention described herein can be installed in the HVAC systems of medical facilities, doctors' offices, hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, assisted living facilities or other facilities to reduce or prevent the spread of disease by airborne pathogens.

[0102] Now for reference Figure 4 The illustration depicts a perspective view of a stackable multi-stage embodiment 004 of the invention, which includes stackable gas cleaning stages, enabling the construction of embodiments of the invention comprising any desired number of gas cleaning stages. In cases where a large amount of unwanted substances, such as pathogens, are present in the air 002 to be cleaned, more than one gas cleaning stage can constitute the invention, each gas cleaning stage removing unwanted substances from the gas 002 to achieve the desired low level of pathogens (or other desired substances) generated in the gas 002.

[0103] Still referencing Figure 4 This describes an exemplary stackable multi-stage implementation comprising four stages—an input stage, a pair of intermediate stage pairs, and an outlet stage. This implementation is exemplary because any number of intermediate stage pairs can constitute a stackable multi-stage implementation. For example, if additional cleaning of gas 002 is required, a six-stage implementation comprising an input stage, a first stage pair, a second intermediate stage pair, and an outlet stage can be employed. The intermediate stage pair may include a first intermediate stage and a second (2... nd Intermediate levels – that is, each intermediate level pair can include two levels. Figure 4The diagram illustrates an intermediate level pair including an intermediate first level 2002 and an intermediate level 2003. The systems and methods of the present invention may include any number of intermediate level pairs.

[0104] Still referencing Figure 4 The gas to be cleaned, 002, enters the system through inlet 2013 on inlet stage 2000, such as... Figure 5 and Figure 9 As depicted in an exemplary manner, it circulates between cold surface 107 and hot surface 106, and exits inlet stage 2000, causing it to enter the first (1) st Intermediate stage 2002. Once in intermediate stage 2002, gas 002 circulates between cold surface 107 and hot surface 106, as... Figure 7 and Figure 10 As depicted in the exemplary manner, and leaving the first (1) st Intermediate stage 2002 allows gas 002 to enter the second (2) stage. nd Intermediate level 2003. Once entering the second (2) nd Intermediate stage 2003, gas 002 circulates between cold surface 107 and hot surface 106, such as Figure 8 and Figure 11 As depicted in the exemplary manner, and leaving the second (2) nd Intermediate stage 2003 allows it to enter outlet stage 2001. Once in outlet stage 2001, gas 002 circulates between cold surface 107 and hot surface 106, as... Figure 6 and Figure 12 As depicted in the exemplary manner, and as a clean gas (which in the exemplary case may be air) leaving the second (2) nd Intermediate stage 2003. It can be seen that by adding additional intermediate stage pairs, the desired level of removal of unwanted substances from gas 002 can be achieved. In the implementation, there can be no intermediate stage pair, one intermediate stage pair, two intermediate stage pairs, or any number of intermediate stage pairs. In this sense, Figures 4-12 The embodiments of the invention described herein are "stackable," meaning they can exclude intermediate level pairs or include any number of intermediate level pairs. Figures 4-12 For clarity, the following components are not shown: collection reservoir 108, fluid communication device, sprayer 120 (which may be an ultrasonic atomizer), UV lamp, UVA lamp, UVB lamp and UCV lamp 102, ion generator 103, first pump 1009 and heater 1010, second pump 1005 and flash boiler 1007. It should be understood that, based on the disclosure herein, these components can be positioned in any quantity and arrangement within any level to achieve the objectives described herein.

[0105] Now for reference Figure 5 and Figure 9 The operation of an exemplary embodiment of inlet stage 2000 is described. Gas 002 to be cleaned enters inlet stage 2000 through inlet 2013 and circulates through inlet stage 2000 in the direction indicated by arrow 2005, and then exits inlet stage 2000 through inlet stage outlet opening 2004. While circulating through inlet stage 2000 in the direction of arrow 2005, gas 002 can more specifically circulate through cold surface 107 and hot surface 106 and circulate between cold surface 107 and hot surface 106, as... Figure 9 As shown in more detail, the gas 002 is thermally connected to at least one or more cold surfaces 107 and at least one or more hot surfaces 106. When the gas 002 is cooled by at least one or more cold surfaces 107, condensate 109 is formed as water in the air condenses, carrying unwanted substances (such as pathogens, for example) present in the gas 002. The condensate 109 is collected, and the pathogens in the condensate 109 can be neutralized, as described elsewhere in this disclosure. Thus, as the gas 002 passes through the inlet stage 2000, unwanted substances are removed from the gas 002; that is, it is cleaned.

[0106] Now for reference Figure 7 and Figure 10 , describes the first (1 st Operation of an exemplary embodiment of intermediate stage 2002. Gas 002 can enter the first (1) intermediate stage through the first intermediate stage inlet 2008. st Intermediate stage 2002, when inlet stage 2000 and first intermediate stage 2002 are connected or stacked, the first intermediate stage inlet 2008 can be aligned with the inlet stage outlet opening 2004. Then, gas 002 can circulate through the first (1) intermediate stage in the direction indicated by arrow 2010. st Intermediate stage 2002, and then exits through the first intermediate stage exit opening 2009 to the first (1) st Intermediate level 2002. When cycling through the first (1) along the direction of arrow 2010. st In intermediate stage 2002, gas 002 can circulate more specifically through and between cold surface 107 and hot surface 106, such as... Figure 10As shown in more detail, the gas 002 is thermally connected to at least one or more cold surfaces 107 and at least one or more hot surfaces 106. When the gas 002 is cooled by at least one or more cold surfaces 107, condensate 109 is formed as water in the air condenses, carrying unwanted substances (such as pathogens) present in the gas 002. The condensate 109 is collected, and the pathogens in the condensate 109 can be neutralized, as described elsewhere in this disclosure. Thus, as the gas 002 passes through the first (1 st Intermediate stage 2002 removes unwanted substances from gas 002; that is, it is cleaned.

[0107] Now for reference Figure 8 and Figure 11 The second (2) is described nd The operation of an exemplary embodiment of intermediate stage 2003. Gas 002 can enter the second (2) intermediate stage through the second intermediate stage inlet 2011. nd ) Intermediate level 2003, when the first (1 st When intermediate stage 2002 and second intermediate stage 2003 are connected or stacked, the inlet 2011 of the second intermediate stage can be aligned with the outlet opening 2009 of the first intermediate stage. Then, gas 002 can circulate through the second (2) intermediate stage in the direction indicated by arrow 2012. nd Intermediate stage 2003, and then exits through the second intermediate stage exit opening 2015 to the second (2) nd Intermediate level 2003. When cycling through the second (2) along the direction of arrow 2012. nd In intermediate stage 2003, gas 002 can circulate more specifically through and between cold surface 107 and hot surface 106, such as... Figure 11 As shown in more detail, the gas 002 is thermally connected to at least one or more cold surfaces 107 and at least one or more hot surfaces 106. When the gas 002 is cooled by at least one or more cold surfaces 107, condensate 109 is formed as water in the air condenses, carrying unwanted substances (such as pathogens) present in the gas 002. The condensate 109 is collected, and the pathogens in the condensate 109 can be neutralized, as described elsewhere in this disclosure. Thus, as the gas 002 passes through the second (2) nd Intermediate stage 2003 removes unwanted substances from gas 002; that is, it is cleaned.

[0108] Now for reference Figure 6 and Figure 12The operation of an exemplary embodiment of the export stage 2001 is described. Gas 002 can enter the export stage 2001 through the export stage inlet 2007, when the second (2) nd When intermediate stage 2003 and outlet stage 2001 are connected or stacked, outlet stage inlet 2007 can be aligned with second intermediate stage outlet opening 2015. Gas 002 can then circulate through outlet stage 2001 in the direction indicated by arrow 2006 and then exit outlet stage 2001 through outlet stage outlet opening 2014. When circulating through second outlet stage 2001 in the direction of arrow 2006, gas 002 can more specifically circulate through cold surface 107 and hot surface 106 and circulate between cold surface 107 and hot surface 106, as shown below. Figure 12 As shown in more detail, the gas 002 is thermally connected to at least one or more cold surfaces 107 and at least one or more hot surfaces 106. When the gas 002 is cooled by at least one or more cold surfaces 107, condensate 109 is formed as water in the air condenses, carrying unwanted substances (such as pathogens, for example) present in the gas 002. The condensate 109 is collected, and the pathogens in the condensate 109 can be neutralized, as described elsewhere in this disclosure. Thus, as the gas 002 passes through the outlet stage 2001, unwanted substances are removed from the gas 002; that is, it is cleaned.

[0109] refer to Figures 4-12 Each stage may include at least one fan or blower, and one or more baffles, plenums or other structures for actuating and directing a continuous volume of gas 002 through the stage, as depicted in the figure.

[0110] Now for reference Figure 13 The figure depicts an embodiment of the system 005 of the present invention, including a thermoelectric module. Gas 002, which in this embodiment may be a volume of air, can pass through the system of the present invention. Gas 002 may be continuously actuated through housing 100 by one or more fans or blowers 110, in which gas 002 encounters various elements of the system operable to remove unwanted substances from the air. The flow of gas 002 through housing 100 is depicted by arrows in the figure, in which gas 002 is guided to encounter the various elements of the present invention as described herein.

[0111] Still referencing Figure 13In an embodiment, the system of the present invention may include an inlet filter 101 that removes most of the dust contained in the gas 002. This step mitigates particulate contamination within the system, which helps to extend the time between system maintenance or cleaning procedures. The inlet filter 101 may be a coarse particle filter or an impact filter. Alternatively, the inlet filter 101 may be an ion filter, which operates by ionizing the incoming gas 002, causing dust and other coarse particles to become charged and be collected on a charged receiving surface. Furthermore, in an embodiment, the ion inlet filter 101 may include an anode, followed by an ionization zone, followed by a drift zone, and then a cathode. In such an embodiment, ions are propelled from the anode to the cathode by an electrostatic force exerted on them by an electric field generated between the anode and cathode. As the ions are propelled toward the cathode, they impact air molecules, causing air to flow toward the cathode. Therefore, in an embodiment of the inlet filter 101, the ion filter may further include an ion fan operable to actuate air 002 through the housing 100, such that the air 002 impacts and is cooled by the cold surface 107, as described herein.

[0112] Still referencing Figure 13 Embodiments of the present invention may also include one or more ionization elements 103, as described elsewhere herein, such that when the gas 002 passes through or approaches the ionization element 103, unwanted substances in the gas 002 are charged, thereby increasing their affinity for attaching to the condensate 109 and thus being removed from the gas 002 more effectively.

[0113] Still referencing Figure 13Embodiments of the invention may further include one or more water sprayers 120, which may be ultrasonic atomizers or any other fluid atomizer element, for providing water molecules and droplets for absorption by the gas 002, increasing the amount of water in the gas 002, thereby increasing the amount of condensate 109 formed when the gas 002 is in thermal communication with the cold surface 107. In embodiments, water may be pumped through the sprayer 120, forming droplets of about one micrometer in size by the venturi effect. The sprayer or atomizer 120 may also operate as described elsewhere herein. Adding water to the gas 002 by spraying or atomizing is even more important when humidity is low, for example when the invention is used in a dry climate. Spraying or atomizing water into the gas 002 can occur anywhere within the housing, including but not limited to after the inlet filter 101. The gas 002 may also be ionized by any type of ionizing element, such as, for example, a high-voltage probe, wire, or nanotextured surface, or as described elsewhere herein. In this way, the humidity of the gas 002 to be cleaned can be ensured to be sufficiently high, thereby achieving a high condensation rate or condensation volume when the gas 002 is in thermal communication with the cold surface 106. The ultrasonic atomizer 120 can generate a fine water mist that is injected into the volume of air, providing numerous (at least several million per cubic foot) sites for unwanted particles or pathogens in the air contained within that volume to be adsorbed. The system can include any number of atomizers or ultrasonic atomizers 120. Each atomizer or ultrasonic atomizer can be connected to a liquid (e.g., water) supply unit, as well as to a pump and fluid communication devices, such as tubing, tubular microchannels, wicking materials, or any other means of communicating fluid from one location to another.

[0114] Still referencing Figure 13In one embodiment, air 002 may be guided by a physical configuration of an airflow path, which may include any number of baffles, pressurization chambers, paths, or other structures or any combination thereof within the housing 100, such that air 002 comes into contact with the surface of thermoelectric module 104 (in an embodiment, thermoelectric module 104 may be a module that converts electrical energy into heat energy using the Peltier effect, or vice versa, for example, in a Peltier module), thermoelectric module 104 may be used to generate heat fluxes that produce cold surface 107 and hot surface 106. Gas 002 from which unwanted substances are desired to be removed may optionally be heated first by passing the gas 002 through the hot surface 106a of the first thermoelectric module 104a, resulting in an increase in the temperature of the gas 002. The gas 002 can then be actuated and directed such that it flows between and comes into contact with the cold surfaces 107a and 107b of the first thermoelectric module 104a and the second thermoelectric module 104b, where it is cooled, causing water in the gas 002 to condense and precipitate as condensate 109 on or near the surfaces 107a and 107b. As the water in the gas 002 condenses, it forms condensate 109, which drips from or otherwise communicates with the cold surfaces 107a and 107b of the first thermoelectric module 104a and the second thermoelectric module 104b, and is collected in the first collection reservoir 108a. The condensate 109 contains unwanted substances, such as particles and pathogens, which adhere to the water molecules in the gas 002 before cooling. Therefore, condensate 109 contains unwanted particles and pathogens that have been removed from gas 002 by the condensation of water molecules in air 002. Thermoelectric modules 104a and 104b form a first thermoelectric module pair.

[0115] Still referencing Figure 13 In the implementation, each thermoelectric module pair has a dedicated collection reservoir 108, so that the condensate 109 collected from the water condensed by gas 002 is successively cleaner, that is, for each subsequent thermoelectric module pair stage, each volume of air contains less unwanted substances.

[0116] Still referencing Figure 13The air 002 can then continue to be guided and actuated along and between the hot surfaces 106b and 106c of the thermoelectric module 104b and thermoelectric module 104c, where it is heated. An optional micro-sprayer or ultrasonic atomizer 120 can be used to increase the humidity of the air 002 as it is heated, providing an increased number of water molecules in the air 002. Unwanted particles and pathogens retained in the air 002 can adhere to these water molecules, allowing the cooling-condensation-collection process containing the condensate to be repeated in subsequent stages of the thermoelectric module pair. The air 002 is heated as it travels along and between the hot surfaces 106b and 106c of the thermoelectric module 104b and thermoelectric module 104c, in thermal communication with them. Air is then guided and actuated, flowing between and thermally communicating with the cold surfaces 107c and 107d of the second thermoelectric module pair 104c and 104d, respectively. As air 002 flows between these surfaces, condensate 109 is re-formed at the cold surfaces 107c and 107d when the air 002 cools. In one embodiment, the condensate 109 drips under gravity, but in another embodiment, it drips into the collection reservoir 108b by wicking or other means. This process continues for any number of thermoelectric module pairs.

[0117] Still referencing Figure 13 The gas 002, from which unwanted particles and pathogens have been removed, leaves the casing 100, providing clean, safe air to the local environment. Alternatively, the clean air 002 may be directed to another room, enclosed space, or volume, or otherwise directed to the desired location using known ducted airflow management devices and methods.

[0118] Still referencing Figure 13 One or more fans or blowers 110, in number or type and arranged in any position and orientation within the housing 100, can be used to actuate gas 002 through the housing 100.

[0119] Still referencing Figure 13 In an embodiment, the system of the present invention may include any number n thermoelectric module pairs (thermoelectric module pairs are referred to below in conjunction with...) Figure 3 (and described in further detail elsewhere in this document), allowing for more than one n-stage cooling-condensation-collecting condensate stage, each stage producing air with successively fewer unwanted particles or pathogens contained within it.

[0120] Still referencing Figure 13 In any embodiment of the system and method, sensors 410-413 can be used to determine the level of condensate 109 in the collection reservoir 108, such that the thermal balance of the thermoelectric module (or, in a non-thermoelectric module embodiment, the hot and cold surfaces) can be regulated and controlled, for example by controlling current I as described below, to prevent water overflow due to excessive condensation of water in the air 002, or to prevent the collection reservoir 108 from drying out. Furthermore, the system and method of the present invention can include any number of sensors 410 for determining airflow, any number of sensors 411 for determining temperature, and any number of sensors 412 for determining humidity at any location within the housing 100 or on any component. Furthermore, the system and method of the present invention can include any number of particle sensors 413 for determining the particle size, shape, and count distribution of particles in the air 002 or on any surface within the housing. Furthermore, the system and method of the present invention can utilize ultraviolet, visible, or infrared spectroscopy in the condensate collection reservoir area to provide information about the presence and chemical properties of particles and pathogens removed from the air 002.

[0121] Now for reference Figure 14 An exemplary embodiment of the thermoelectric module is described. Current I is supplied by current source 200, which may be a power source. In this exemplary embodiment of the thermoelectric module 104, a series of alternating semiconductor P-sections and N-sections may be sandwiched between heat-conducting plates 202 and 201, wherein the P-material and N-material have different electron densities. Successive semiconductor PN junctions are electrically connected in series but thermally connected in parallel, such that current I passes through the semiconductor PN junctions, resulting in a temperature difference across surface 106 (hot surface) and surface 107 (cold surface). The Peltier effect generates a temperature flux, resulting in the temperature difference between surface 106 (hot) and surface 107 (cold). In this embodiment, as a non-limiting example, hot surface 106 may be maintained at any temperature up to and above 56°C, and cold surface 107 may be maintained at any temperature down to and below 0°C. In this embodiment, the temperature of any hot surface 106 may be between 20°C and 100°C, inclusive. In this embodiment, the temperature of any cold surface 107 can be between 20°C and 0°C, including 20°C and 0°C. Alternatively, in this embodiment, the temperatures of any hot surface 106 and any cold surface 107 can be between 0°C and 100°C, including 0°C and 100°C, wherein the hot surface 106 of the thermoelectric module 104 is at a higher temperature than the cold surface 107 of the same thermoelectric module. The temperatures of the hot surface 106 and the cold surface 107 can be adjusted by the physical configuration of the thermoelectric module 104 and by controlling the current I through the thermoelectric module 104, for example by... Figure 17 The controller 402 depicted controls a controllable power supply 401 to regulate and achieve any desired temperature difference, or any desired temperature at the hot surface 106 or the cold surface 107, or both. Thermoelectric module 104 may include other configurations, which may include PN junctions, alternative PN junctions, or combinations thereof, where a PN junction is a junction of any material exhibiting different electron densities, such as a metal or other conductive material. Thermoelectric module 104 does not necessarily include components having, for example, a PN junction with ... Figure 14 The semiconductor material of the PN junction described in the paper. Figure 14 The structure depicted is merely an exemplary embodiment of the thermoelectric module 104 of the present invention that generates the Peltier effect. The scope of the invention is contemplated to include, but is not limited to, any structure of the thermoelectric module 104 exhibiting the Peltier effect, which generates a desired temperature difference between surfaces 106 and 107. This desired temperature difference may be application-specific and may be any desired difference, for example, only in the range of 50°C to 60°C, or alternatively, in the range of 0°C to 100°C. In embodiments, as an example, the temperature difference may be any desired temperature difference that generates condensation of water in the air 002 as the air 002 is conveyed along and thermally connected to the cold surface 107 in any given application of the system and method of the present invention. It should be understood that in different environments or different applications with different unwanted particle or pathogen loads, the incoming air 002 may experience different relative and absolute humidity, different temperatures, and different incoming air containing different unwanted particle or pathogen loads. Since one purpose of the thermoelectric module 104 is to condense water from the air 002, resulting in condensate 109 containing unwanted particles and pathogens, the desired temperature difference and the desired temperature between surfaces 106 and 107 can vary between specific applications in different environments in order to manage the power consumption of the system of the present invention, generate the desired amount of condensate, etc.

[0122] Still referencing Figure 14It should also be understood that one object of the present invention is to maintain a temperature difference between surface 106 and surface 107 in order to achieve the desired condensation of water from gas 002, and this temperature difference can be achieved in any number of ways and by any number of known means for controlling surface temperature. Therefore, the scope of the invention is not limited to the use of a Peltier module, or to the thermoelectric module 104 operating using the Peltier effect. The thermoelectric module 104, and indeed either the cold surface 107 or the hot surface 106, can include any structure operable to generate a desired temperature difference between surface 106 and surface 107, or to generate a particular temperature that may be desired on surface 106 and surface 107. For example, and not limited to, resistance heating elements, circulation of hot or cold fluid through a heat exchanger, or any other means known in the art can be used to generate a desired temperature on cold surface 107 or hot surface 106.

[0123] Still referencing Figure 14 In one embodiment, the hot surface 106 of the thermoelectric module 104 can be at 56°C or above. In another embodiment, the temperature of the hot surface 106 of the thermoelectric module 104 is such that as the condensate 109 comes into contact with the hot surface 106, this temperature causes the water in the condensate 109 to evaporate without boiling, thus preventing unwanted particles or pathogens from being ejected back into the air 002.

[0124] Still referencing Figure 14 In one embodiment, the cold surface 107 may have a hydrophobic coating that allows condensate 109 to flow rapidly downwards and drip into the collection reservoir 108 (see [link to implementation]). Figure 1 The collection area may be coated with a catalyst to destroy the contaminants and may be heated to provide additional control over the evaporation and condensation balance. In one embodiment, the cold surface 107 of the thermoelectric module may be maintained at a temperature just above 0°C; however, the cold surface may be maintained at any temperature colder than the temperature of the incoming gas 002 to be cleaned in order to achieve the desired condensation rate.

[0125] Still referencing Figure 14 In one embodiment, the heated surface 106 may include a catalyst for neutralizing pathogens, such as a copper or silver substance. The increased temperature of the surface 106 is used to increase the activity of the catalyst, reducing the time required for pathogen neutralization.

[0126] Still referencing Figure 14 The surface of the collection reservoir 108 in contact with the condensate 109 may be treated with a catalyst for neutralizing pathogens, and includes the catalyst; and further, the surface of the collection reservoir 108 in contact with the condensate 109 may be heated to increase the activity of the applied catalyst, resulting in a reduction in the time required to neutralize a given amount of pathogens.

[0127] Now for reference Figure 15 and Figure 16 The following describes and illustrates two alternative systems and methods for actuating condensate 109 onto the hot surface 106 of the thermoelectric module 104. The systems and methods of the present invention may include any set of elements for connecting condensate 109 to the hot surface 106 of the thermoelectric module 104. Figure 3 and Figure 4 Two non-limiting exemplary embodiments of such an element are described herein.

[0128] Now for reference Figure 15 In the embodiments, embodiments of the thermoelectric module pair of the present invention are depicted. A pump 300, such as a micropump, can be fluidly connected to a collection reservoir 108 via, for example, a pipe or other fluid communication device 302, or optionally immersed in condensate 109 in the collection reservoir 108, and can be controlled by a controllable power supply 401 to pump condensate 109 from the collection reservoir 108 to a micro-nozzle 303 via the pipe or other fluid channel 301. The micro-nozzle 303 guides the micro-sprayed condensate 109 onto the hot surface 106 of the thermoelectric module 104. The micro-spray element 303 may incorporate ionization to increase the likelihood of interaction between the condensate spray and the hot surface 106. The hot surface 106 may be coated with a catalyst material or combination of catalyst materials for effectively neutralizing contaminants. In the embodiments, the hot surface 106 of the thermoelectric module may be maintained at 56°C or above. Heat increases the activity of the catalyst and reduces the time required for contaminant neutralization. The heat can be regulated by a controllable power supply 401 via a controller 402 to control the current I of the thermoelectric module 104, so that the hot surface 106 of the thermoelectric module 104 evaporates the sprayed condensate 109 without boiling it, so as not to spray the removed pathogens or unwanted substances, such as particles or pathogens, back into the gas 002 (which may be air). The cold surface 107 of the thermoelectric module 104 is depicted for reference.

[0129] Now for reference Figure 16In this embodiment, condensate 109 may also be actuated from the collection reservoir 108 to the hot surface 106 of the thermoelectric module 104 using capillary or wicking action (e.g., rather than limiting, as employed in heat pipes used for cooling microelectronics). Such capillary or wicking structures may include, for example, microgrooved copper tubes or sintered copper, such as sintered copper powder, having a porosity that allows fluid wicking through the wicking structure. The capillary structure 304 may contact the condensate 109 contained in the collection reservoir 108 at a first end and may wick the condensate 109 to the hot surface 106 of the thermoelectric module 104 in the direction of arrow C, where the water forming the condensate 109 evaporates from the hot surface 106 as described herein, leaving unwanted particles and pathogens on the hot surface 106. The wicking structure may be in physical contact with or thermally connected to the hot surface 106, or both. The cold surface 107 of the thermoelectric module 104 is depicted for reference.

[0130] The systems and methods of this invention may include any number of optional UVA, UVB, or UVC light sources, with the aim of neutralizing pathogens by irradiating them with a total dose of light energy that neutralizes pathogens or a sufficiently high power density rate. In embodiments, the UVA, UVB, or UVC light sources are ozone-free light sources. The UVC light source may be connected to a controllable power supply 401 for controlling the power supplied to the UVA, UVB, or UVC light.

[0131] In embodiments, one or more level sensors may be used to sense the level of water / solution or fluid in the collection area by generating an analog or digital output signal proportional to the fluid level in the reservoir or other collection area. This level information can be used to regulate the temperature balance at each level to prevent any overflow due to excessive condensation or the opposite of the collection area drying out. In extremely dry environmental conditions, periodic water replenishment may be necessary. Furthermore, in embodiments, the invention may include an ambient temperature sensor and / or humidity sensor in communication with controller 402.

[0132] In one implementation, a particle sensor may be used in one or more collection areas to characterize the size, shape, and count distribution of particles. In another implementation, spectroscopy may be used in one or more water collection areas to provide data on the presence and chemical properties of infectious agents / contaminants removed from the airflow.

[0133] The combination of the effects of several methods enables the system and method of the present invention to be characterized by: lower power consumption compared to equivalent HEPA and other systems, while having high efficiency in the removal, neutralization and destruction of pathogens.

[0134] Now for reference Figure 17The diagram depicts a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the system of the present invention. The system and method of the present invention may include one or more fans or blowers for actuating air 002 through housing 100, a temperature sensor, a thermoelectric generator, a level sensor, a power supply, a computer, and other electrically connected components as described herein and depicted in the figures, as well as all legal equivalents.

[0135] Still referencing Figure 17 The system and method of the present invention may include a controller or processor 402. The processor or controller 402 may be connected to a controllable power supply 401 for controlling the power of various components of the system; connected to sensors 400 and 410-413 to receive information from the sensors regarding physical parameters as described herein; and connected to one or more physical media storage elements 407 of any type known in the art (which may be semiconductor or other memory), such as, for example, solid-state memory, non-volatile memory, magnetic media, optical media, or other storage devices capable of storing, retrieving, and conveying information. Non-transitory computer-readable and executable instructions may reside and be stored in the physical storage element 407 such that they may be read and executed by the processor 402 to perform the steps of the method of the present invention as described herein, and to perform the features and elements described in the present invention. The processor 402 may also be connected to a Human-User Interface (HUI) 403 operable to receive input from a user from any known HUI device, including but not limited to a keyboard, touchscreen, audio command 404, or other HUI forms known in the art. HUI 403 may also include any number or type of human-machine interface output devices, such as video monitors, touch screens, speakers, discrete lamps or other devices, collectively referred to as 405, which are operable to convey information from processor 402 or its memory 407 to a human user.

[0136] Still referencing Figure 17The controller or processor 402 may also include electronic circuitry for receiving input and information from a remote user, or providing information to a remote user, or both, using an electronic computing device such as a mobile device, computer, mobile phone, smartphone, tablet computer, or other device connected to the controller via any communication means or system known in the art. These other devices may include, for example, any wireless or wired interface 407, Internet 406, World Wide Web 406, cellular data, or other wireless or wired networks, such as wide area networks (WANs), local area networks (LANs), or other wired or wireless interfaces, operable to provide data communication between the controller or processor 402 and a remote computer, server, database, or user interface, for the purpose of communicating with the controller or processor 402, retrieving information from the controller or processor 402, and providing information and commands to the controller or processor 402. Furthermore, the controller or processor 402 can communicate directly with the user via wired or wireless communication through a direct connection, WAN, LAN, or other communication means or systems, allowing the user to communicate directly with the processor 402 to provide information or commands to the processor 402, receive information from the processor 402, or transmit any information required to operate or maintain the system and method of the present invention between the user 450 and the processor 402.

[0137] Still referencing Figure 17 The sensors of this invention can provide a wealth of information (data) about the system in real time, and can be stored or recorded in memory by the controller. Various levels of user data presentation can be generated by processor 402 and presented to the user via HUI 403 / 404 / 405, ranging from simple pass / fail to processed digital data to complete raw data. All sensor data can be recorded in memory 407 and timestamped. Remote control of the system, as well as the retrieval and interpretation of sensor information and other data generated by the system of this invention, can be achieved using mobile devices running applications or remote computers running software, which are connected to the controller of this invention via any wired or wireless data interface using any data network as described herein and all its legal equivalents. In embodiments, the system of this invention is addressable by a computer, mobile device, server, controller, or other electronic device for controlling the system or for retrieving status or sensor information. This can be accomplished, for example, via a web portal accessible via the World Wide Web or other communication networks.

[0138] Still referencing Figure 17The controllable power supply 401 may be connected to thermoelectric module 104 or to heating or cooling elements (e.g., thermoelectric coolers, coolant fluid circulation pumps, heating fluid circulation pumps, resistance heating elements, and any other means for heating and cooling) that cool surface 107 or heat surface 106. Processor / controller 402 may be operable to control each of these heating or cooling elements. Processor / controller 402 may be operable to control the current I of each thermoelectric module 104 individually, in pairs (e.g., pairs forming a thermoelectric module pair), or in any other grouping. Furthermore, processor / controller 402 may be operable to control the temperature of any surface 106 or 107 by controlling the elements that heat or cool these surfaces. For example, in any embodiment of the system and method of the invention, processor / controller 402 may be operable to control the current through the resistance heating element used to generate the hot surface 106, or it may control the temperature and flow rate of a liquid circulating through a heat exchanger for heating surface 106 or cooling surface 107. Therefore, user 450 can control or command processor 402 by transmitting these commands to processor 402 via HUI 403, direct user interface 451, or remote user interface (which may be wirelessly or wired to the World Wide Web, allowing remote user 450 to access and command processor 402), such that the current I supplied to one or more thermoelectric modules 104 is controlled by processor 402 via controllable power supply 401; or otherwise control the temperature of hot surface 106 or cold surface 107. Similarly, controllable power supply 401 can be connected to various pumps 300 of the invention, such that they can be controlled to be on, off, or pumping at a defined flow rate according to user commands. Likewise, power supply 401 can be connected to various UVA, UVB, or UVC or other ultraviolet (“UV”) lamps 102 of the system, such that they can be controlled to be on, off, or radiating UVA, UVB, or UVC or UV energy at a defined intensity according to user commands. The controllable power supply 401 can be used to control the power of any or all system components, such as one or more fans or blowers 110. Therefore, when commanded or when external sensor data or other sensor data instructs the controller 402 to do so, the controller 402 is able to command the system of the present invention into an operational state. The controller 402 is also able to command the system of the present invention into a non-operational state, in which no gas 002 is actuated through the system of the present invention. Therefore, the controller 402 is able to control any temperature of the cold surface 107, the hot surface 106, the flow rate of all pumps, the temperature of the condensate 109 in the collection reservoir 108, the gas flow rate through the housing, and all other operating parameters of the system.

[0139] Now for reference Figure 18An exemplary flowchart depicting an embodiment of the method of the present invention is shown. Figure 18 The process described herein is exemplary in nature. It should be understood that the scope of the invention is intended to include any combination or order of steps, including the cooling-collection-neutralization step sequence. In embodiments, the method of the invention may include the following steps in any order.

[0140] In the first optional step 601, the incoming gas 002 to be cleaned may enter the housing 100, for example, actuated by one or more fans or blowers 110 or other equivalent devices, or alternatively, the incoming gas 002 may be actuated by an external fan or blower, for example, when used to clean air in an HVAC duct system. The gas 002, which may be air, may optionally pass through a dust filter 101 to remove larger particles from the air, such as dust or pollen particles from the air 002, in order to prevent system components from becoming contaminated by aggregates of dust and other particles.

[0141] In optional step 602, any ionization technique or device as described herein can be used to ionize the incoming gas 002. For example, as the gas 002 passes through a gate, a charged ionization gate can be used to ionize the incoming gas 002 and any unwanted substances carried in the gas 002, or both. In embodiments, the ionization step can be performed by one or more high-voltage probes, wires subjected to voltage or current, nanotextured surfaces, or other ionization devices 103 that may be known in the art.

[0142] In optional step 603, the air 002 may be irradiated by any or more sources of UVA, UVB, or UVC light energy to initiate the process of neutralizing pathogens in the gas 002. In the system and method of the present invention, step 603 may occur in one or more iterations and at any location.

[0143] In step 621, gas 002 may be humidified by water droplets, microdroplets, or mist. As gas 002 comes into thermal contact with the cold surface 107, this addition of water to gas 002 provides a larger volume of water for condensation, removing more unwanted substances from the air. In dry environments, or when the incoming gas 002 is at very low relative humidity, spraying (e.g., using a sprayer or ultrasonic atomizer 120) may be desirable to enable the system of the present invention to remove a desired amount of unwanted substances from gas 002.

[0144] In steps 604 and 605, gas 002 passes through the first cold surface 107 of the present invention, making thermal communication between gas 002 and cold surface 107. Cold surface 107 can, for example, transfer air 002 between two opposing cold surfaces 107 of a pair of thermoelectric modules forming a thermoelectric module pair, causing water in gas 002 to condense and be collected as condensate 109 in collection reservoir 108. The present invention may include any number of cold surfaces 107, which do not necessarily need to be maintained at the same temperature or within the same temperature range; however, in embodiments, the cold surfaces of the present invention may be maintained at the same temperature or within the same temperature range. In embodiments, the cold surfaces of the present invention may be maintained at any temperature, for example, in the range of 0°C to +10°C. As another example, the cold surface 107 of the present invention may be maintained at 0°C or close to 0°C. Condensate 109 will contain unwanted particles and pathogens that have been removed from gas 002, including potentially airborne viruses, such as those causing Covid-19. Any cold surface 107 constituting the present invention may be coated with a hydrophobic coating, enabling condensate to leave the cold surface quickly and efficiently and move into the collection reservoir.

[0145] In step 620, the cooled gas 002 can be actuated to thermally communicate with the hot surface 106, heating the gas 002 so that it can absorb or carry a larger amount of water, and thus form a larger volume of condensate in a subsequent cooling stage, removing a larger amount of unwanted material from the gas 002. The hot surface 106 can also be used to heat the gas 002 before it leaves as clean gas 003, in order to provide thermal equilibrium to the system and return the clean gas 003 to the environment outside the housing 100 at a desired temperature. In other words, it may be desirable that the outlet gas 003 is at, above, or below room temperature, which is controllable by a controller 402 that controls the temperature of one or more hot surfaces 106.

[0146] In an embodiment of the method, in step 606, the condensate 109 may be connected to one or more hot surfaces 106, which may be the hot surfaces 106 of one or more thermoelectric modules 104, causing heat energy to be transferred to the water in the condensate, evaporating the water in the condensate, but preferably not causing the condensate 109 to boil, and leaving unwanted particles and pathogens attached to the hot surfaces 106. In an embodiment, the hot surfaces 106 may include a catalytic substance or coating having pathogen-neutralizing properties, such as antibacterial or antiviral properties for the purpose of neutralizing pathogens. Such a coating may include a mixture of copper or silver or other catalytic substances as described herein and all their legal equivalents. In an embodiment, by way of non-limiting example, the hot surfaces 106 may be maintained at any temperature up to and above 56°C, and the cold surfaces 107 may be maintained at any temperature down to and below 0°C. In an embodiment, the temperature of any hot surface 106 may be between 20°C and 100°C, inclusive. In this embodiment, the temperature of any cold surface 107 can be between 20°C and 0°C, including 20°C and 0°C. Alternatively, in this embodiment, the temperatures of any hot surface 106 and any cold surface 107 can be between 0°C and 100°C, including 0°C and 100°C, wherein the hot surface 106 of the thermoelectric module 104 is at a higher temperature than the cold surface 107 of the same thermoelectric module. The temperatures of the hot surface 106 and the cold surface 107 can be adjusted by the physical configuration of the thermoelectric module 104 and by controlling the current I via the thermoelectric module 104, for example, by means of... Figure 5 The controller 402 depicted controls the controllable power supply 401 to adjust to achieve any desired temperature difference, or any desired temperature at the hot surface 106 or the cold surface 107, or both.

[0147] In step 607, the level of unwanted substances in the outlet gas 003 can be measured by sensor 400, which is connected to controller 402 (see [link]). Figure 17 If the level of the unwanted substance in outlet gas 003 is acceptable, the system can be switched to a non-operating state by controller 402. If the level of the unwanted substance in outlet gas 003 is unacceptable, the system and method can continue to operate until the level of the unwanted substance in gas 002 is acceptable.

[0148] In the final step, unwanted particles and neutralized pathogens can be removed from the heated surface of the invention. This waste does not represent a biohazard because any pathogens have been neutralized by the system and method of the invention, meaning they are no longer operational or viable.

[0149] Now for reference Figure 19This describes an embodiment of the invention including external pathogen or particle sensors S1-S4. In this embodiment of the system, the external pathogen or particle sensors are communicated with a controller 402 such that when unwanted material such as pathogens or particles is detected in an environment outside the housing 100 of the invention, such as in an enclosed area, room, building, air duct, or other structure, the controller 402 can cause the system and method of the invention to operate, actuating air through the housing, causing the air to thermally communicate with the cold surface 107, resulting in the formation of condensate 109 as described above, with the aim of removing unwanted material from the local ambient air. Sensors S1-S4 need not be system-local. Although in Figure 19 Four sensors S1-S4 are depicted herein, but any number of external sensors can constitute the present invention, and they can be located in any desired location. Sensors S1-S4 can be wired or wirelessly connected to controller 402. In an embodiment, controller 402 may be adapted to receive sensor information from one or more external sensors S1-S4, and control the system of the present invention to enter an operational state when one or more sensors detect the presence of unwanted substances in the environment outside the system housing. "Operational state" refers to the system of the present invention receiving inlet gas 002, causing the inlet gas 002 to be actuated through housing 100, resulting in gas 002 contacting cold surface 107 and hot surface 106, forming condensate 109 to remove unwanted substances from gas 002, and venting clean gas 003 from housing as described herein.

[0150] In any embodiment of the system and method of the present invention, the invention may include any number or combination of baffles, pressurization chambers, paths, fans, blowers, or other structures and means known in the art for actuating and directing the flow of gas 002 within housing 100, such that gas 002 is actuated and directed as described herein.

[0151] In any embodiment of the system and method of the present invention, at least one cold surface 107 may include a hydrophobic coating. In any embodiment of the system and method of the present invention, at least one hot surface 106 may include a catalytic substance for neutralizing pathogens.

[0152] In any embodiment, the source for actuating a continuous volume of gas (which may be, for example, air) through the housing of the invention may be external. For example, in embodiments where the continuous volume of gas is air moving through an HVAC system, such as when the housing of the invention receives a continuous volume of air at inlet 2013, the incoming air may have already been actuated by a fan or blower of the HVAC system. In this case, the continuous volume of gas may be actuated through the housing by an HVAC fan or blower. In this case, it may not be necessary for a fan, blower, or other gas actuation device to constitute the invention.

[0153] In any embodiment, as a non-limiting example, the hot surface 106 can be maintained at any temperature up to and above 56°C, and the cold surface 107 can be maintained at any temperature down to and below 0°C. In any embodiment, the temperature of any hot surface 106 can be between 20°C and 100°C, inclusive. In any embodiment, the temperature of any cold surface 107 can be between 20°C and 0°C, inclusive.

[0154] A prototype single-stage (i.e., containing only one cold surface and one hot surface) embodiment of the present invention was constructed and tested in a laboratory environment. The gas to be cleaned, 002, was air. The system achieved an airflow rate of 200 cubic feet per minute. For testing purposes, the unwanted substance injected into the air 002 was MS-2 bacteriophage (ATCC 15597-B1) aerosol. The test was conducted in a 945 cubic foot test chamber. MS-2 bacteriophage was harvested and adjusted to 8E8 pfu / ml. The bio-suspension was then nebulized into the test chamber using a nebulizer before powering the test device. The air in the test chamber was sampled at 15-minute intervals using an SKC BioStage cascade impactor for a 1-minute sampling period. The cascade impactor was calibrated to an airflow rate of 28.3 liters / min, and the sampling inlet was located in the middle of the test chamber. The recovered bio-suspension was counted after 24–72 hours of incubation. The test conditions were 72°F and 50 percent (50%) relative humidity. After powering on the testing device, at 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes, the air cleaned by the testing device was compared with the room air (i.e., uncleaned air). The results were as follows: 1) At 15 minutes, 13.85% of the unwanted substances had been removed from the air by the system; 2) At 30 minutes, 50.31% of the unwanted substances had been removed from the air by the system; 3) At 45 minutes, 89.43% of the unwanted substances had been removed from the air by the system; and 4) At 60 minutes, 97.6% of the unwanted substances had been removed from the air by the system.

[0155] Various embodiments of the present invention may include any number, combination and order of the various elements, limitations and method steps of the invention shown and described herein, including their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A system for removing unwanted substances from a continuous volume of gas, comprising: A housing including a fan for moving a continuous volume of gas through the housing, the housing having an inlet for allowing the continuous volume of gas to enter the housing and an outlet opening for allowing the continuous volume of gas to exit the housing, the continuous volume of gas being characterized by temperature; At least one cold surface is at a temperature lower than that of the continuous volume of gas, such that when the continuous volume of gas is in thermal communication with the at least one cold surface, water in the continuous volume of gas condenses and precipitates from the continuous volume of gas, forming a condensate containing the unwanted substance. At least one hot surface is at a temperature higher than that of the continuous volume of gas, and the at least one hot surface heats the continuous volume of gas when it is in thermal communication with the continuous volume of gas. and At least one collection reservoir is connected to the condensate stream so as to collect the condensate; The continuous volume of gas is actuated through the outlet opening, wherein the continuous volume of gas exiting the housing through the outlet opening has a lower unwanted substance volume count than the continuous volume of gas entering the housing. The at least one cold surface is the cold surface of the thermoelectric module, and the at least one hot surface is the hot surface of the thermoelectric module. The continuous volume of gas is guided to pass between the cold surfaces of a pair of thermoelectric modules arranged such that their cold surfaces are opposite each other, forming an open volume between them. The continuous volume of gas passes through the open volume, causing thermal communication between the continuous volume of gas and the cold surfaces, thereby lowering the temperature of the continuous volume of gas and forming condensate.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of the at least one cold surface is between 0°C and 15°C.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of the at least one hot surface is between 40°C and 70°C.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one collection reservoir comprises a catalytic substance for neutralizing pathogens.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the condensate in the at least one collection reservoir is maintained at a temperature of 56°C or higher.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one cold surface is further defined as more than one cold surface, and wherein the at least one hot surface is defined as more than one hot surface, and wherein: The number of cold surfaces, the number of hot surfaces, and the number of collection tanks are the same: The cold surface and the hot surface are arranged such that as the continuous volume of gas passes through the housing, the continuous volume of gas first becomes thermally connected to the cold surface, and then to the hot surface, and then to alternating cold and hot surfaces.

7. The system of claim 1 further includes an ion generator disposed between the inlet and the at least one cold surface, the ion generator being operable to ionize unwanted substances carried by the continuous volume of gas as it passes through the ion generator.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one ultraviolet light source disposed within the housing, the at least one ultraviolet light source irradiating at least a portion of the continuous volume of gas such that said portion of the continuous volume of gas receives at least 10-20 mJ / cm³. 2 dose.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one sprayer in communication with a fluid source for increasing the volume of water carried by the continuous volume of gas.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one cold surface comprises a hydrophobic coating.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one thermal surface comprises a catalytic material.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the sprayer is an atomizer.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the atomizer is further defined as an ultrasonic atomizer.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the fluid source is a flash boiler in communication with the at least one collection reservoir, such that condensate from the at least one collection reservoir is connected to the flash boiler, in which the condensate is heated such that pathogens in the condensate are neutralized, and wherein the resulting heated condensate is connected to the sprayer for increasing the amount of water in the continuous volume of gas.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises more than one stackable stage, the stackable stage comprising at least one inlet stage and at least one outlet stage, wherein the inlet stage receives a continuous volume of gas, conveys the continuous volume of gas near more than one alternating cold and hot surface, and allows the continuous volume of gas to exit into a next stage, the next stage being either a first intermediate stage of an intermediate stage pair or an outlet stage; and wherein: In the case where the next stage is the first intermediate stage of an intermediate stage pair, wherein in the intermediate stage pair, the continuous volume of gas passes through the intermediate stage pair and is in thermal communication with more than one alternating cold and hot surface, and when the continuous volume of gas is in thermal communication with the cold surface of the intermediate stage pair, condensation occurs, and wherein the continuous volume of gas exits into the next stage, which can be another first intermediate stage of the intermediate stage pair, or an outlet stage; and In the case that the next stage is an outlet stage, in which the continuous volume of gas passes through the outlet stage and is in thermal communication with more than one alternating cold and hot surface, when the continuous volume of gas is in thermal communication with the cold surface of the outlet stage, condensate is formed, and the continuous volume of gas leaves the housing through the outlet opening in the outlet stage.

16. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one ultraviolet light source disposed within the housing, the at least one ultraviolet light source irradiating at least a portion of the continuous volume of gas with sufficient intensity to neutralize pathogens in the continuous volume of gas.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the surface of the collection reservoir in contact with the condensate comprises a catalytic substance.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the condensate is pumped from the collection reservoir and sprayed onto the at least one hot surface.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the condensate is drawn from the core of the collection reservoir onto the at least one hot surface by capillary action.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the system comprises more than one thermoelectric module pair, wherein two thermoelectric modules form a thermoelectric module pair, wherein the thermoelectric modules constituting the thermoelectric module pair are arranged such that their cold surfaces are opposite each other, forming an open volume therebetween, through which a continuous volume of gas is conveyed, such that the continuous volume of gas is brought into contact with or near the cold surface, such that the temperature of the continuous volume of gas is reduced, resulting in condensate formation on the cold surface, the condensate containing unwanted particles or pathogens that have been removed from the continuous volume of gas.

21. The system of claim 20, comprising more than one collection reservoir, one collection reservoir for each thermoelectric module pair and each collection reservoir associated with a particular thermoelectric module pair, each of the collection reservoirs being configured to collect condensate actuated by gravity from the cold surface of the associated thermoelectric module pair.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the cold surface comprises a hydrophobic coating.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the hot surface comprises a catalytic material.

24. The system of claim 21, further comprising at least one pump in fluid communication with at least one of the collection reservoirs for pumping the condensate from the collection reservoirs, and a spray nozzle or micro-nozzle in fluid communication with the pump, wherein the pump is configured to pump the condensate from the collection reservoirs and spray it onto the hot surface through the spray nozzle or the micro-nozzle.

25. The system of claim 21, further comprising at least one wicking structure in fluid communication with at least one of the collection reservoirs for wicking the condensate from the collection reservoir onto the at least one hot surface.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the wicking structure is a microgroove copper tube.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein the wicking structure is sintered copper.

28. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: At least one fan is provided for actuating the continuous volume of gas into and through the housing, such that at least a portion of the continuous volume of gas is in thermal communication with the cold surface. A controller operable to control the fan; The controller is connected to physical memory, which includes non-transitory computer-readable and executable instructions for controlling the power of the fan and thermoelectric module. Furthermore, the controller is adapted to receive user commands for controlling the power of the fan and the thermoelectric module via at least one of a human-machine interface or a remote user connected to the controller.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the controller is further adapted to receive sensor information from one or more external sensors, and to control the system to enter an operational state when one or more sensors detect the presence of an unwanted substance in an environment outside the housing of the system.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein the controller is further adapted to receive sensor information from one or more internal sensors and to convey the sensor information to a user via the human-machine interface, or to convey the sensor information to a remote user connected to the controller.

31. A method for removing unwanted particles and pathogens from a continuous volume of gas, comprising the following steps: a. To actuate the continuous volume of gas through the outer casing; b. Ionize the continuous volume of gas; c. Add water droplets or microdroplets to the continuous volume of gas; d. Cool the continuous volume of gas so that water in the continuous volume of gas condenses to form a condensate containing unwanted particles and pathogens that have been removed from the continuous volume of gas; e. Heating the continuous volume of gas; f. Where the cooling and heating steps are performed alternately; and g. Collect the condensate in a collection container. The step of cooling the continuous volume of gas is performed by transferring the continuous volume of gas between opposing cold surfaces of at least one thermoelectric module pair, wherein at least a portion of the continuous volume of gas is in thermal communication with at least one of the cold surfaces.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising the step of irradiating the continuous volume of gas with UV-A, UV-B, or UV-C light energy, such that the continuous volume of gas receives at least 10-20 mJ / cm³. 2 dose.

33. The method of claim 31, further comprising the step of irradiating the continuous volume of gas with UV-A, UV-B, or UV-C light energy, such that the continuous volume of gas receives at least 10-200 mJ / cm³. 2 dose.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein the collection reservoir comprises a catalytic substance for neutralizing pathogens.

35. The method of claim 31, wherein the condensate in the collection reservoir is maintained at a temperature above 56°C.

36. The method of claim 31, wherein the step of cooling the continuous volume of gas is performed by thermally communicating the continuous volume of gas with a cold surface between 0°C and 15°C, the latter including 0°C and 15°C.

37. The method of claim 31, wherein the step of heating the continuous volume of gas is performed by thermally communicating the continuous volume of gas with a hot surface between 40°C and 70°C, the range including 40°C and 70°C.

38. A method for removing unwanted particles and pathogens from a continuous volume of gas, comprising the following steps: a. Cooling the continuous volume of gas, causing water in the continuous volume of gas to condense, forming a condensate containing the unwanted particles and pathogens that have been removed from the continuous volume of gas; b. Collect the condensate; c. Apply the condensate to at least one hot surface, causing the water forming the condensate to evaporate, leaving the unwanted particles and pathogens on the hot surface. The step of cooling the continuous volume of gas is performed by transferring the continuous volume of gas between opposing cold surfaces of at least one thermoelectric module pair, wherein at least a portion of the continuous volume of gas is in thermal communication with at least one of the cold surfaces.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the at least one hot surface is at a temperature in the range of 50°C to 60°C, the range of 50°C to 60°C including 50°C and 60°C.

40. The method of claim 38, further comprising the step of removing the unwanted particles and neutralizing the pathogens from the heated surface.

41. The method of claim 38, wherein the cold surface is at a temperature in the range between 0°C and 10°C, the range including 0°C and 10°C.

42. The method of claim 38, wherein the step of applying the condensate to at least one hot surface is performed by spraying.

43. The method of claim 38, wherein the step of applying the condensate to at least one hot surface is performed by wicking.

44. The method of claim 38, further comprising the step of ionizing the continuous volume of gas, such that unwanted substances in the continuous volume of gas are more likely to be carried away from the continuous volume of gas by the condensate.

45. The method of claim 38, further comprising the step of irradiating the continuous volume of gas with UV-A, UV-B, or UV-C light energy, such that the continuous volume of gas receives at least 10-20 mJ / cm³. 2 dose.

46. ​​The method of claim 38, further comprising the step of irradiating the continuous volume of gas with UV-A, UV-B, or UV-C light energy, such that the continuous volume of gas receives at least 10-200 mJ / cm³. 2 dose.

47. The method of claim 38, further comprising the step of at least partially neutralizing pathogens contained in the condensate by contacting the condensate with a catalyst.

48. The method of claim 38, wherein at least a portion of the at least one thermal surface comprises a catalytic substance.

49. The method of claim 38, wherein the condensate collection reservoir comprising the condensate includes a catalyst.

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