A whole house purification system and method based on all visible light excited photocatalyst

By using visible light-excited photocatalyst technology, natural light and artificial light sources are used to excite visible light photocatalysts to generate active groups that decompose harmful substances. Combined with temperature and humidity control and air circulation, this technology solves the efficiency and safety problems of traditional air purification equipment, achieving efficient, safe and continuous air purification throughout the house.

CN119492110BActive Publication Date: 2025-11-21QINGDAO UNIV OF TECH +1
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202411705111.2
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-11-26
Publication Date
2025-11-21
Estimated Expiration
2044-11-26

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing indoor air purification equipment has limitations in terms of efficiency, safety, and long-term effectiveness. Traditional ultraviolet light-excited photocatalytic technology is costly and unsafe.

Method used

It adopts full visible light excitation photocatalysis technology, which uses natural light and artificial light sources to excite visible light photocatalysts to generate superoxide radicals and hydroxyl radicals to decompose harmful substances, and enhances the purification effect through temperature and humidity control and air circulation.

Benefits of technology

It achieves efficient, safe, and continuous air purification throughout the entire house, effectively reducing the concentration of harmful substances and improving indoor air quality and a healthy environment.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The present application relates to a kind of whole house purification system and method based on full visible light excitation photocatalyst, the visible light photocatalyst prepared in advance is mixed uniformly with the paint and paint required by room decoration engineering according to set proportion, obtain the visible light photocatalyst purification material prepared and is sprayed on the surface of room wall and ceiling;According to the temperature change and humidity change of indoor and outdoor, utilize the heating equipment, refrigeration equipment, dehumidification equipment and humidification equipment in room to maintain the temperature and humidity in room in set range, and in set time period, utilize air inlet and return air opening for room ventilation, during using natural light or room lighting lamp, excitation photocatalyst in purification material.Visible light photocatalyst is sprayed to the surface of wall and ceiling in the decoration material containing visible light photocatalyst, and excitation visible light photocatalyst using natural light or lighting lamp, decomposes the harmful substance overflowed in decoration material.
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Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of environmental engineering, in particular to a whole-house purification system and method based on full-visible-light-excited photocatalyst. BACKGROUND

[0002] The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present application and do not necessarily constitute the prior art.

[0003] With the widespread use of various types of decoration materials, indoor air pollution problems are becoming increasingly serious, especially the release of harmful gases such as formaldehyde, benzene, volatile organic compounds (VOCS) during decoration, which can harm the environment and personnel.

[0004] In view of the above problems, the traditional indoor air purification equipment mainly purifies the air through filtration (such as HEPA filter) and adsorption (such as activated carbon filter), which can effectively remove dust, pollen and volatile organic compounds. However, these methods have limitations in efficiency, safety and long-term effect, the filter needs to be replaced regularly and may cause reverse pollution, and some equipment may also release harmful ozone.

[0005] Photocatalyst technology uses photocatalyst materials to convert light energy into chemical energy under certain light irradiation, thereby promoting chemical reactions or material decomposition. Due to its high efficiency and environmental protection characteristics, photocatalyst technology can effectively decompose harmful substances released by indoor decoration materials in a long-term and effective manner, and purify the indoor air environment. However, photocatalyst technology usually uses ultraviolet light as excitation, which faces the problems of high cost and safety. SUMMARY

[0006] In order to solve the technical problems existing in the background art, the present application provides a whole-house purification system and method based on full-visible-light-excited photocatalyst, which can fully utilize visible light emitted by natural light sources and artificial light sources to comprehensively, efficiently and safely purify indoor environments. Full-visible-light-excited photocatalyst generates superoxide radicals and hydroxyl radicals under visible light irradiation, decomposes harmful substances such as formaldehyde and VOCS into harmless carbon dioxide and water, has the ability to kill bacteria and viruses, overcomes the defects of traditional ultraviolet excitation, and does not harm the human body; and as a photocatalyst, it does not participate in the reaction and is not consumed, so the photocatalyst is long-lasting and effective. It is suitable for the environment of a house after decoration, thereby effectively improving indoor air quality, protecting the health of occupants, and meeting people's demand for healthy living environment.

[0007] In order to achieve the above purpose, the present application adopts the following technical solutions:

[0008] The first aspect of the present application provides a whole-house purification method based on full-visible-light-excited photocatalyst, comprising the following steps:

[0009] The pre-prepared visible light photocatalyst is mixed evenly with the paint and varnish required for the room decoration project according to the set ratio to obtain the prepared visible light photocatalyst purification material.

[0010] According to the construction requirements of the decoration project, the prepared visible light photocatalytic purification material is sprayed onto the surface of the room walls and ceiling.

[0011] Based on changes in indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity, the system uses heating, cooling, dehumidifying, and humidifying equipment to maintain the room's temperature and humidity within a set range. During set time periods, the system ventilates the room using air inlets and outlets. Natural light or indoor lighting is used to activate visible light photocatalysts in the purification materials, decomposing harmful substances in paints and coatings.

[0012] Furthermore, the pre-prepared visible light photocatalyst is mixed evenly with the paint and varnish required for the room decoration project according to a set ratio, wherein the amount of visible light photocatalyst material added is not less than 0.5%.

[0013] Furthermore, the room's air inlets and outlets specifically refer to the air inlets and outlets of heating or cooling equipment, as well as the windows between the room and the outside environment.

[0014] Furthermore, when the outdoor temperature is lower than the set value, the room's air inlet and outlet are closed, and the heating equipment is activated to heat the air in the room. When the indoor temperature exceeds the set value and remains at that temperature for a set period of time, the room's air inlet and outlet are opened to remove pollutants from the room.

[0015] Furthermore, when the outdoor temperature is lower than the set value and the indoor temperature exceeds the set value, the heating equipment is turned off, the room's air inlet and return air outlet are closed, and the room's ventilation equipment is activated; when the indoor temperature exceeds the set value and remains for a set period of time, the room's air inlet and return air outlet are opened to remove pollutants from the room.

[0016] Furthermore, when the outdoor temperature exceeds the set value, the room's air inlet and outlet will open to ventilate the room using ambient air.

[0017] Furthermore, when the outdoor temperature and indoor humidity exceed the corresponding set values, the room humidity is maintained at 50%-60% by using the pre-installed dehumidification equipment in the room during the set time period.

[0018] Furthermore, when the outdoor temperature and indoor humidity are lower than the corresponding set values, the humidity in the room is maintained at 40%-60% by using the humidification equipment pre-installed in the room during the set time period.

[0019] A second aspect of the present invention provides a whole-house air purification system based on visible light-excited photocatalysts, comprising:

[0020] The visible light photocatalytic purification material spraying module is used to spray paint and coatings containing visible light photocatalysts onto the surfaces of room walls and ceilings during room decoration construction.

[0021] The visible light source excitation module is used to emit visible light to excite the visible light photocatalyst in the purification material;

[0022] An environmental parameter acquisition device is used to acquire changes in indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity.

[0023] The controller is connected to the environmental parameter acquisition device, as well as the heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting equipment in the room, to control the operation of the heating, cooling and ventilation equipment according to changes in outdoor temperature and humidity.

[0024] Furthermore, the visible light source excitation module includes lighting equipment arranged in the room.

[0025] Furthermore, it also has dehumidification and humidification equipment, which are controlled by a controller to keep the humidity in the room within a set range.

[0026] Compared with existing technologies, one or more of the above technical solutions have the following beneficial effects:

[0027] During room decoration construction, a visible light photocatalyst is mixed with the decoration materials to form a purification material. This allows the potentially harmful materials to be covered by the photocatalyst. Natural light or artificial visible light from lighting fixtures is used to activate the photocatalyst, which then uses the generated superoxide radicals and hydroxyl radicals to decompose harmful substances that may have leaked from the decoration materials. By monitoring the temperature and humidity inside and outside the room, and coordinating with indoor heating, cooling, humidifying, and dehumidifying equipment, as well as indoor air circulation and external ventilation, the purification effect of the photocatalyst can be effectively enhanced. This helps reduce the concentration of harmful substances such as formaldehyde indoors, thereby improving air quality and the living environment. Attached Figure Description

[0028] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this invention, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the invention.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a whole-house purification system provided in one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0030] In the picture: 1. Wall; 2. Hanging light; 3. Fan; 4. Wardrobe; 5. Cabinet light; 6. Air conditioner; 7. Air outlet; 8. Air return vent; 9. Window; 10. Sunlight; 11. Baseboard; 12. Ceiling. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0032] It should be noted that the following detailed descriptions are exemplary and intended to provide further illustration of the invention. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains.

[0033] The following embodiments provide a whole-house purification system and method based on visible light-excited photocatalysis. By rationally setting the opening and closing strategies of air conditioners and windows, as well as the usage strategies of lighting fixtures during the day and night, the purification effect of photocatalysis can be effectively enhanced, helping to reduce the concentration of harmful substances such as formaldehyde indoors, thereby improving air quality and the living environment.

[0034] Example 1:

[0035] A whole-house purification method based on visible light-excited photocatalysts includes the following steps:

[0036] The pre-prepared visible light photocatalyst is mixed evenly with the paint and varnish required for the room decoration project according to the set ratio to obtain the prepared visible light photocatalyst purification material.

[0037] The prepared visible light photocatalytic purification material is sprayed onto the surfaces of the room walls and ceilings, the exterior of the equipment protruding from the walls and ceilings, and the room's air inlets and outlets.

[0038] Based on changes in indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity, the room's temperature and humidity are maintained within a set range using heating or cooling equipment. During set time periods, the room is ventilated through air inlets and outlets, while natural light or indoor lighting is used to activate the visible light photocatalyst in the purification materials.

[0039] In this embodiment, the heating device, cooling device, and dehumidification device are integrated into the air conditioner, and the ventilation device can be a fan in the room, or the air conditioner can be used to achieve ventilation in the room.

[0040] In this embodiment, the visible light photocatalyst can be a photocatalytic semiconductor material represented by nano-sized titanium dioxide (TiO2), which can generate a strong catalytic degradation function under the action of visible light.

[0041] Under visible light irradiation, photocatalyst materials absorb light energy and generate electrons. These electrons combine with oxygen molecules in the air to generate beneficial negative oxygen ions, while holes combine with water molecules to generate hydroxyl radicals with strong oxidizing properties. These active groups can oxidize and decompose harmful gases, pollutants, and bacteria in the air, such as formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, xylene, ammonia, and TVOCs, converting them into harmless carbon dioxide and water, thereby achieving air purification and disinfection.

[0042] In this embodiment, the all-visible light photocatalyst is a photocatalyst material that can exert photocatalytic effects in the entire visible light range (i.e., light with wavelengths between 400 and 700 nanometers).

[0043] Prepare photocatalytic purification materials that are visible to the light.

[0044] During the renovation process, the visible light photocatalyst coating is evenly mixed with latex paint, with the amount of visible light photocatalyst material added being no less than 0.5%, and then applied to the walls and ceilings of the room. Additionally, the photocatalyst coating is evenly mixed with adhesive and used for baseboards or furniture installation, with the amount of visible light photocatalyst material added being no less than 0.5%.

[0045] Full visible light photocatalyst surface spraying.

[0046] by Figure 1 Taking the room shown as an example, the room has a wall 1, a hanging light 2, a fan 3, a wardrobe 4, a cabinet light 5, an air conditioner 6, an air conditioner vent 7, an air conditioner return vent 8, a window 9, a baseboard 11, and a ceiling 12. Sunlight 10 enters the room through the window 9.

[0047] After the renovation work is completed, a uniform spray of visible light-excited photocatalyst is applied to all surfaces of the house. Figure 1 Wall 1 and ceiling 12, etc.

[0048] After the spraying was completed, the air quality in the room was tested. Preliminary measurements using a formaldehyde sensor showed a formaldehyde concentration of 0.6 mg / m³.

[0049] When both outdoor and indoor temperatures are low, the volatilization rate of indoor pollutants such as formaldehyde is relatively slow. At this time, turning on the air conditioner in heating mode and using a fan, while closing windows, increases indoor air temperature and airflow, promoting the release of pollutants from interior decoration and furnishing materials. Simultaneously, the higher indoor temperature and airflow enhance the purification effect of photocatalysts. After maintaining a higher indoor temperature for a period, opening the windows for a short time helps remove indoor pollutants.

[0050] When the outdoor temperature is low and the indoor temperature is high (such as in a heated room), turn off the air conditioner's heating mode, close the windows, and turn on the air conditioner's ventilation mode or a fan to increase the air circulation speed in the room. This promotes the contact between indoor pollutants and the photocatalyst excited by visible light, improving the overall purification efficiency of the house. After the indoor temperature remains high for a period of time, open the windows for a while to remove indoor pollutants.

[0051] When the outdoor temperature is high (and the indoor temperature is low or high), open the windows, turn on the fan, and turn off the air conditioner's heating / cooling mode to increase the indoor air temperature and accelerate the release of pollutants such as formaldehyde.

[0052] When indoor humidity is too high in summer or too low in winter, the activity of photocatalysts may be inhibited. Therefore, when indoor humidity is high in summer, turn on the dehumidification mode of the air conditioner to appropriately reduce the air humidity; when indoor humidity is low in winter, a humidifier can be used to increase the relative humidity, thereby ensuring the purification effect of the photocatalyst.

[0053] When the weather is sunny during the day, prioritize using natural light to activate the photocatalyst. On cloudy or rainy days with weak sunlight, or during periods of low light in the early morning or late evening, turn on indoor lighting and light strips to activate the photocatalyst and enhance the purification effect by controlling the light. At night, you can keep the lights on for extended periods to activate the photocatalyst and maintain a continuous purification effect.

[0054] By rationally setting the opening and closing strategies for air conditioners and windows, as well as the usage strategies for lighting fixtures during the day and night, the purification effect of photocatalysis can be effectively enhanced, helping to reduce the concentration of harmful substances such as formaldehyde indoors, thereby improving air quality and the living environment.

[0055] In this embodiment, during winter, when the room is not yet heated, the indoor temperature is low, and the volatilization rate of indoor pollutants such as formaldehyde is relatively slow. In the early morning and evening, when the indoor temperature is low (e.g., 5:00-9:00 AM and 5:00-10:00 PM), when the indoor temperature is below 18°C, the air conditioner is turned on in heating mode, the room temperature is set to 24°C, the windows are closed to raise the indoor air temperature, and a fan is turned on to increase indoor airflow, promoting the release of pollutants from indoor decoration and furnishing materials. Simultaneously, the higher indoor temperature and airflow help enhance the purification effect of the photocatalyst. After maintaining the higher indoor temperature for a period of time, the air conditioner is turned off for heating, and the windows are opened for ventilation for 1-2 hours to enhance indoor air circulation and remove indoor pollutants.

[0056] In this embodiment, during winter, the room is heated, and the indoor temperature is between 18℃ and 24℃. That is, when the outdoor temperature is low and the indoor temperature is high, the air conditioner's heating mode is turned off and the windows are closed to maintain indoor warmth. The air conditioner's ventilation mode or a fan is turned on to increase airflow speed, promoting full contact between pollutants and the photocatalyst, thus improving air purification efficiency. After the indoor temperature remains high for a period of time, the windows are opened for ventilation for 1-2 hours to enhance indoor air circulation, remove indoor pollutants, and ensure fresh air.

[0057] In this embodiment, during summer, when the outdoor temperature is high, regardless of whether the indoor temperature is low or high, indoor air circulation should be improved by opening windows and using fans. Opening windows allows warm outdoor air to enter, helping the indoor temperature gradually rise, thereby accelerating the release of indoor pollutants such as formaldehyde. Simultaneously, turning on fans increases air convection, promoting the volatilization of indoor pollutants and allowing them to better contact with photocatalysts, thus improving air purification efficiency. At this time, the heating or cooling mode of the air conditioner should be turned off to avoid the air conditioner's temperature control function suppressing natural changes in indoor temperature and air circulation. In this way, the release and purification of pollutants can be effectively accelerated even at higher outdoor temperatures, ensuring improved indoor air quality. It is recommended to open windows for ventilation during daytime periods when outdoor temperatures are higher (such as 10:00-12:00 AM or 2:00-4:00 PM) to allow the indoor temperature to rise naturally, accelerating pollutant release and improving air quality.

[0058] In this embodiment, the photocatalytic effect may be inhibited when indoor humidity is too high in summer or too low in winter. When indoor humidity is too high in summer, the dehumidification mode of the air conditioner can be activated between 9:00-11:00 AM and 2:00-4:00 PM to maintain indoor humidity between 50% and 60%, which helps the photocatalyst work efficiently. When indoor humidity is too low in winter, a humidifier can be used in the morning and evening to adjust the indoor humidity to 40%-60% to ensure that the purification effect of the photocatalyst is not affected. By adjusting the humidity appropriately, the optimal purification effect of the photocatalyst can be guaranteed.

[0059] In this embodiment, when the weather is sunny during the day and the indoor light intensity is higher than 50 lux, natural light is prioritized for photocatalytic activation. During periods of insufficient light (below 50 lux) in the morning and evening (e.g., 5:00-7:00 AM and 4:00-6:00 PM), indoor lighting should be turned on to enhance the purification effect. At night, indoor lights and light strips in wardrobes should be turned on to activate the photocatalyst through prolonged low-intensity light, maintaining a continuous purification effect and ensuring that pollutants in the air continue to decompose overnight. Windows should be opened for ventilation for 1-2 hours in the morning.

[0060] Following the above method, after 15 days of operation, the formaldehyde sensor was used for testing. The results showed that the formaldehyde concentration had decreased to 0.2 mg / m³, indicating a significant improvement in air quality. After one month of continuous operation, the room air was tested again, and the air quality remained stable at a healthy level, with the formaldehyde concentration below 0.08 mg / m³.

[0061] This embodiment demonstrates the application of a purification system based on visible light-excited photocatalysis in a typical residential bedroom environment. The system effectively purifies the air in the room by using natural and artificial light sources for excitation, combined with a fan and air conditioner for air circulation and purification, thus solving the air pollution problem while ensuring comprehensive, efficient, and safe purification.

[0062] Example 2:

[0063] A whole-house air purification system based on visible light-excited photocatalyst, comprising a visible light photocatalyst purification module, a visible light source excitation module, an air circulation purification module, and a periodic monitoring module;

[0064] The all-visible light photocatalytic purification module consists of two parts: a decoration material sub-module with purification function and a photocatalytic surface spraying sub-module.

[0065] The sub-module of decoration materials with purification functions mainly includes latex paint and composite adhesive with purification functions. Latex paint with purification functions is made by uniformly mixing photocatalytic coating with latex paint and then applying it to the walls and ceilings of the room; composite adhesive with purification functions is made by uniformly mixing photocatalytic coating with adhesive and is used in interior decoration, such as in the installation of baseboards or other furniture.

[0066] The photocatalyst surface spraying submodule is mainly used after the construction of the decoration material submodule with purification function is completed. It involves uniformly spraying the entire house surface with visible light-excited photocatalyst, including walls, the interior and exterior surfaces of furniture, the surfaces of lamps, curtains, the interior surfaces of exterior windows, air conditioning vents, return air vents, fan blades, etc.

[0067] Visible light source excitation module. This module includes natural and artificial light sources. Natural light enters the room through the exterior windows; artificial light sources can use commonly used LED lights or other lighting fixtures, such as main ceiling lights, downlights, floor lamps, or other household light sources, ensuring all-weather visible light catalytic excitation. Simultaneously, to purify heavily polluted furniture, such as wardrobes, LED strips are also installed inside the wardrobes. These strips serve as both the photocatalytic excitation source and the wardrobe's lighting.

[0068] The air circulation and purification module mainly includes air conditioners with fully visible light-excited photocatalysts sprayed on the air conditioner's return air vent filter and air outlet, and fans with fully visible light-excited photocatalysts sprayed on their blades. When the air conditioner or fan is turned on, indoor air begins to circulate, increasing the contact between the photocatalysts on the walls, furniture surfaces (both inside and out), air conditioner return air vents, air outlets, and fan blades, and air pollutants in the air. This effectively improves purification efficiency and covers every corner of the room.

[0069] Regular monitoring module: Utilizing formaldehyde sensors, temperature and humidity sensors, and light intensity sensors, it regularly monitors indoor air quality, temperature, humidity, and light conditions, and periodically checks the spraying status of the photocatalyst. If necessary, it re-sprays the photocatalyst to maintain its activity and effectiveness.

[0070] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A whole-house purification method based on visible light-excited photocatalyst, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: The pre-prepared visible light photocatalyst is mixed evenly with the paint and varnish required for the room decoration project according to the set ratio to obtain the prepared visible light photocatalyst purification material. According to the construction requirements of the decoration project, the prepared visible light photocatalytic purification material is sprayed onto the surface of the room walls and ceiling. Based on changes in indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity, the room's temperature and humidity are maintained within a set range using heating, cooling, dehumidifying, and humidifying equipment. During set time periods, the room is ventilated using air inlets and outlets. Natural light or indoor lighting is used to activate visible light photocatalysts in the purification materials, decomposing harmful substances in paints and coatings. When the weather is sunny during the day, natural light should be used first to activate the photocatalyst; on cloudy or rainy days when the light is weak or during the early morning or late evening when there is insufficient light, indoor lighting and light strips should be turned on to activate the photocatalyst effect by controlling the light.

2. The whole-house purification method based on visible light-excited photocatalyst as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The pre-prepared visible light photocatalyst is mixed evenly with the paint and varnish required for the room decoration project according to the set ratio, wherein the amount of visible light photocatalyst material added is not less than 0.5%.

3. The whole-house purification method based on visible light-excited photocatalyst as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the outdoor temperature is lower than the set value, the room's air inlet and outlet are closed, and the heating equipment is turned on to heat the air in the room. When the indoor temperature exceeds the set value and is maintained for a set period of time, the room's air inlet and outlet are opened to remove pollutants from the room.

4. The whole-house purification method based on visible light-excited photocatalyst as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the outdoor temperature is lower than the set value and the indoor temperature exceeds the set value, the heating equipment is turned off, the room's air inlet and return air outlet are closed, and the room's ventilation equipment is activated; when the indoor temperature exceeds the set value and remains at that level for a set period of time, the room's air inlet and return air outlet are opened to remove pollutants from the room.

5. A whole-house purification method based on visible light-excited photocatalysis as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the outdoor temperature exceeds the set value, the room's air inlet and outlet will open to ventilate the room using ambient air.

6. A whole-house purification method based on visible light-excited photocatalysis as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the outdoor temperature and indoor humidity exceed the corresponding set values, the room humidity will be maintained at 50%-60% during the set time period using the pre-installed dehumidification equipment.

7. A whole-house purification method based on visible light-excited photocatalysis as described in claim 1, characterized in that, When the outdoor temperature and indoor humidity are lower than the corresponding set values, the humidity in the room will be maintained at 40%-60% during the set time period using the humidification equipment that is pre-installed in the room.

8. A whole-house purification method based on visible light-excited photocatalyst as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The air inlets and outlets of a room are specifically: the air inlets and outlets of heating or cooling equipment, as well as the windows between the room and the outside environment.

Citation Information

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