Air purification system

Abstract

Room air purification device with a fan (7), wherein the room air purification device - a particle filter (1), - a plasma filter (2) arranged behind the particle filter (1) in the direction of an air flow through the room air purification device, - a particulate filter (3) arranged behind the plasma filter (2) in the direction of the air flow, and - a carbon filter (4) arranged behind the particulate filter (3) in the direction of the air flow, characterized in that the particle filter (1) is equipped with lighting.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a room air purification device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Room air purification devices of the type mentioned are known from CN 204 153 877 U. Various aspects of room air purification by means of corresponding devices are dealt with, for example, in the publications KR 10 2005 0 004 638 A, CN 203 823 896 U and DE 10 2013 000 158 A1.

[0003] Currently, 20,000 deaths per year are statistically recorded in Germany due to hospital-borne pathogens. These infections regularly occur in hospitals due to inadequate cleaning and inadequate compliance with hygiene rules by doctors and nursing staff, fellow patients, and visitors.

[0004] There's no doubt that the greatest danger is that patients become unnecessarily infected by airborne germs. Immunosuppressed patients are particularly vulnerable. Making matters worse is the fact that insulation measures in buildings have reduced the air exchange rate from 1 to 0.1 to 0.2, thus worsening air quality.

[0005] State-of-the-art air purification systems already exist, but they are inadequately purified, especially with regard to hospital-related germs. Furthermore, air purification systems are not provided in hospital rooms, and in some cases, not even in intensive care rooms or in isolation wards where patients with germ contamination are treated.

[0006] This is where the invention comes in and sets itself the task of proposing an improved room air purification device, in particular a room air purification device with which hospital hygiene can be significantly improved and the infection rate can be significantly reduced.

[0007] According to the invention, this object is achieved by a room air purification device with the characterizing features of claim 1 or claim 2. The advantageous properties of the room air purification device arise in particular from the combination of the four filter stages. The individual filter stages have a positive influence on one another. For example, the plasma filter kills colony-forming units (CFU), germs, viruses, spores, and bacteria, which cannot reach the downstream HEPA filter in their living state. In this respect, these cannot grow in the HEPA filter and, after a so-called filter cake has built up, are distributed back into the room on the exhaust side, similar to a vacuum cleaner. The air inlet filter for coarse dust acts as a protective filter, extending the service life of the HEPA filter. O3 (ozone) flows through the filter and additionally ensures permanent bacteriological freedom from germs.Not only immunosuppressed patients are protected, but also doctors and nursing staff in the hospital from patients with germs. Ideally, the significant reduction in germs could eliminate the need to wear protective clothing and face masks.

[0008] Further advantageous embodiments of the proposed invention emerge in particular from the features of the subclaims. The subject matter and features of the various claims can, in principle, be combined with one another in any desired manner.

[0009] In a first embodiment of the invention, the particle filter is equipped with lighting to attract insects in the dark. These insects are unable to take off from the filter while the fan is running and dry out after a while. The particle filter acts as a protective filter, extending the service life of the HEPA filter. The particle filter is washable in mild soapy water.

[0010] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the plasma filter operates by means of a dielectrically impeded discharge.

[0011] This is a so-called silent electrical discharge (also known as a dielectric barrier discharge, DBD) or plasma discharge. It is an alternating current gas discharge in which at least one of the electrodes is electrically isolated from the gas space by means of a dielectric. This generates a plasma-chemical reaction and O3. A plasma field is created that subjects the incoming air and particles to a plasma-chemical decomposition process: Gases are oxidized, odors are eliminated, and colony-forming units (CFUs) such as germs, viruses, pollen, spores, and bacteria of all kinds are killed and can no longer negatively impact human health. Tiny particles are aggregated, making it even easier for the particulate filter in the next stage to capture even the smallest, respirable particles.An excess of O3 is generated in the plasma filter, which flows through the HEPA filter, kills remaining colony forming units (CFU), keeps the filter germ-free and is reduced again into O2 and O in the carbon filter.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the plasma filter can operate at a voltage of approximately 1,500 volts, in particular 1,500 volts, and / or a current of approximately 20 milliamperes, in particular 20 milliamperes. In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the particulate filter can be designed as a pleated filter.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the HEPA filter, in the stretched state, has an area of ​​approximately 0.004 h / m, preferably 0.004 h / m, times the air flow rate of the blower (in m3 / h). The area of ​​the HEPA filter in the stretched state is generally adapted to the capacity (air flow rate) of the blower, for example, for 800 m3 / h this corresponds to 3.2 m2. With an air flow rate of 400 m3 / h, the area is accordingly 1.6 m2. The large area in relation to the air flow rate results in a large filter area with little pressure loss in the air stream. This allows, in particular, the smallest, respirable particles to be filtered out. The residues of the colony-forming units (CFU) rendered harmless in the plasma filter, such as germs, viruses, spores, and bacteria, are also captured.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the fan of the room air purification device can be manually controlled over four levels, particularly by remote control. The various fan levels, which correspond to different flow rates, allow the room air purification device to be optimally adapted to the requirements of the room air to be purified.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the plasma filter can be switched on or off, in particular via a remote control.

[0016] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the room air purification device can be equipped with sensors configured to detect people in the room, relevant gases, particles, aerosols, colony-forming units (CFU), and / or suspended particles. The room air purification device is further equipped with a control / regulation device configured to use the detected measured values ​​to control the room air purification device. This allows the room air purification device to always optimally adapt to the conditions of the room or its air or, for example, initiate special measures.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the room air purification device can be equipped with a storage and / or transmission device for the detected measured values. This allows the data obtained by the device to be centrally recorded, for example, to clearly document from the hospital's perspective that the hospital has done everything in its power to treat the air in the hospital or treatment room in the most health-promoting way possible.

[0018] According to a second embodiment of the invention, a control / regulating device is configured to modulate the plasma filter so that, for example, when the room is empty, the device emits enough ozone that wipe disinfection of hospital rooms can be omitted. This is expected when the O3 concentration in a 25m 3 large room in 2 hours is at least 10 ppm. The following reference symbols are used in the figure: 1 particulate filter 2 plasma filters 3 HEPA filters 4 carbon filters 5 Air inlet 6 Air outlet 7 fans 8 housings

[0019] A room air purification device according to the invention essentially comprises a particle filter 1, which forms an air filter for coarse dust, a plasma filter 2, a particulate filter 3, in particular a HEPA filter (HEPA = High Efficiency Particulate Air), and a carbon filter 4. Furthermore, the room air purification device according to the invention comprises an air inlet 5, an air outlet 6, as well as a fan 7 and a housing 8.

[0020] In the direction of the air flow, the above-mentioned components are arranged as follows: air inlet 5, particle filter 1, fan 7, plasma filter 2, HEPA filter 3, carbon filter 4 and air outlet 6.

[0021] The unfiltered air is drawn into the blower 7 via the air inlet 5 and the particle filter 1 and expelled from the air outlet 6, filtered accordingly, via the plasma filter 2, the particulate filter 3, and the carbon filter 4. The aforementioned components are preferably all located in the housing 8, resulting in a compact room air purification device. This represents a preferred arrangement and sequence of the components. Other sequences are also conceivable.

[0022] The individual filter stages have the following properties in particular: Particle filter

[0023] Particle filter 1 essentially functions as an air intake filter for coarse dust. Particle filter 1 removes large particles from the sucked-in room air, particularly lint from carpets and human and animal hair.

[0024] The particle filter 1 is equipped with lighting (not shown) to attract insects in the dark. These insects are unable to take off from the particle filter 1 while the fan 7 is running and dry out after a while. The air inlet filter 1 for coarse dust acts as a protective filter and extends the service life of the particulate filter 3. The particle filter 1 for coarse dust is washable in mild soapy water. Plasma filter

[0025] By means of a dielectrically impeded discharge with a high energy input of approximately 1,500 volts and a low current of approximately 20 milliamperes, a plasma field and ozone are created, which subjects the incoming air and particles to a plasma-chemical decomposition process: Gases are oxidized, odors are dissolved, germs, colony forming units (CFU), viruses, pollen, spores and bacteria of all kinds are killed and can no longer negatively affect human health.

[0026] Tiny particles are aggregated and this makes it even easier for the particulate filter 3 of the following stage to capture even the smallest and respirable particles.

[0027] In the plasma filter 2, an O3 surplus is generated, which flows through the particulate filter 3 and is bacteriologically cleaned and which is reduced again into O2 and O in the carbon filter 4. HEPA filter

[0028] The preferably pleated HEPA filter 3 of the room air purification device has a surface area in the stretched state that is adapted to the air flow rate of the fan 7, preferably such that the surface area in the stretched state corresponds to approximately 0.004 h / m, preferably 0.004 h / m, times the air flow rate of the fan. For example, with an air flow rate of 800 m3 / h, the filter area in the stretched state is 800 m3 / h * 0.004 h / m = 3.2 m2. At 400 m3 / h, the pleated filter area is accordingly 1.6 m2. The HEPA filter 3 filters out the smallest, respirable particles.

[0029] Residues of the germs, viruses, spores, and bacteria rendered harmless in the plasma filter 2 are also captured. The particulate filter 3 is preferably a HEPA filter (HEPA = High Efficiency Particulate Air). Carbon filter

[0030] Carbon filter 4 is primarily responsible for the fresh, neutral odor emanating from the device. Ozone O3 is reduced to O2, and other gases are absorbed. The combination of plasma filter 2 and carbon filter 4 ensures optimal odor neutralization, even of incontinence odors.

[0031] Preferably, the fan 7 of the room air purification device is controlled manually and by remote control over four levels. The plasma level can be switched on or off.

[0032] It is furthermore preferably provided that the room air purification device is equipped with a sensor system and a control and regulation device (both not shown) so that the room air purification device can react, for example, to people in the room, relevant gases, particles, aerosols or suspended particles and can control itself.

[0033] Furthermore, the data obtained by the control system or sensors should be able to be recorded centrally in order to clearly document from the clinic's point of view that the clinic has done everything in its power to treat the air in the hospital or treatment room in the most health-promoting way possible.

[0034] The plasma level of the device is modulated by the control unit, for example, so that the room air purification device emits enough ozone when the room is empty that wipe disinfection of hospital rooms can be omitted. This is expected if the O3 concentration in a 25m 3 large room in 2 hours is at least 10 ppm.

Claims

[1] Room air purification device with a fan (7), wherein the room air purification device - a particle filter (1), - a plasma filter (2) arranged behind the particle filter (1) in the direction of an air flow through the room air purification device, - a particulate filter (3) arranged behind the plasma filter (2) in the direction of the air flow, and - a carbon filter (4) arranged behind the particulate filter (3) in the direction of the air flow, characterized by that the particle filter (1) is equipped with lighting. [2] Room air purification device with a fan (7), wherein the room air purification device - a particle filter (1), - a plasma filter (2) arranged behind the particle filter (1) in the direction of an air flow through the room air purification device, - a particulate filter (3) arranged behind the plasma filter (2) in the direction of the air flow, and - a carbon filter (4) arranged behind the particulate filter (3) in the direction of the air flow, characterized by that the room air purification device comprises a control / regulation device, wherein the control / regulation device is designed to modulate the plasma filter (2) so that the device emits so much ozone, for example when the room is empty, that wipe disinfection of hospital rooms can be omitted. [3] Room air purification device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the room air purification device comprises a housing (8), wherein the housing is equipped with an air inlet (5) and an air outlet (6), wherein the air sucked in via the air inlet (5) passes through the particle filter (1) via the fan (7) into the plasma filter (2), from the plasma filter (2) into the particulate matter filter (3) and then into the carbon filter (4) and flows from the carbon filter (4) into the air outlet to flow out filtered from the air outlet (6).

4. Room air purification device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the plasma filter (2) operates by means of a dielectrically impeded discharge. [5] Room air purification device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the plasma filter (2) operates at a voltage of approximately 1,500 volts, in particular 1,500 volts, and / or a current of approximately 20 milliamperes, in particular 20 milliamperes. [6] Room air purification device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the particulate filter (3) is designed as a pleated filter. [7] Room air purification device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the plasma filter (2) can be switched on or off. [8] Room air purification device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that the room air purification device is equipped with a sensor system which is designed to detect people in the room, relevant gases, particles, aerosols and / or suspended particles, wherein the room air purification device is further equipped with a control / regulating device which is designed to use the detected measured values to control the room air purification device. [9] Room air purification device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized bythat the room air purification device is equipped with a storage and / or transmission device for the detected measured values.

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