Device for ionizing ambient air

Abstract

Device (1) for ionizing ambient air comprising a container (2) made of electrically insulating material, an inner electrode (3) arranged inside the container (2), and an outer electrode (10) arranged on the outside of the container (2), with control electronics (12) connected to the inner electrode (3) and the outer electrode (10) for supplying a voltage, characterized in that the container (2) is made of a dielectric material, is closed by a bottom (6), and is open at the opposite end, wherein the inner electrode (3) is inserted through the open side of the container (2) towards the bottom (6), and the interior of the container (2) contains a granulate filling of electrically conductive granules (7) with a mean particle size in the range of 10 to 450 µm, wherein the inner electrode (3) is surrounded by the granules (7).and that the granules (7) are covered with a silicone disc (8) and an electrode lead (4) is guided through the silicone disc (8), wherein a silicone sheath (5) of the electrode lead (4) adjoins the silicone disc (8), and that the open side of the container (2) is closed with an electrically insulating filling material (9).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for ionizing ambient air with a container made of electrically insulating material, an inner electrode arranged inside the container and an outer electrode arranged on the outside of the container, and with control electronics which are connected to the inner electrode and the outer electrode for application of a supply voltage.

[0002] The device is specifically designed and suitable for generating hydroxyl radicals -OH and ozone O3.

[0003] EP 3 120 875 B1 discloses an ionization device comprising a glass bulb, an inner electrode arranged inside the glass bulb, and an outer electrode arranged on the outer side of the glass bulb. The glass bulb is covered with a polymer film. This ensures that glass fragments are contained and no hazard arises.

[0004] GB 2 093 638 A discloses an ion generator with a concentric inner electrode and an outer electrode surrounding it in a cylindrical shape, wherein an activated carbon fabric is arranged in the space between the inner electrode and the outer electrode.

[0005] EP 0 789 666 B1 also discloses a device for generating ozone in which the gap between two electrodes is filled by an electrically conductive and thermally conductive, gas-permeable arrangement made of wire as a braid, woven fabric or knitted fabric.

[0006] DE 10 2005 056 726 A1 shows a device for ozone production by means of dielectrically hindered discharge with a carrier body made of soda-lime glass, into which a stainless steel wool is inserted as an internal electrode, which is intended to be crucial for low energy consumption.

[0007] DE 10 2015 002 102 A1 describes an ozone generator with a high-voltage electrode, a counter electrode, and an intermediate dielectric. The high-voltage electrode can be a wire mesh, knitted fabric, woven fabric, or granules applied to a surface.

[0008] WO 97 / 09268 A1 discloses a device for generating ozone comprising a rod-shaped inner electrode, a cylindrical outer electrode, and an intermediate cylindrical dielectric. The gap between the inner electrode and the dielectric, and the gap between the outer electrode and the dielectric, are filled by an electrically conductive, thermally conductive, and gas-permeable arrangement. A gas stream is passed through the gaps of the tubular device, and ozone is generated by dielectrically hindered discharge at the dielectric. The gas-permeable arrangement in the gaps can be chips, granules, wire, mesh, fabric, nonwoven, knitted, or porous granules, provided that gas permeability is ensured such that the gap volume is not filled by more than 50%.

[0009] Based on this, the object of the present invention is to create an improved device for the ionization of ambient air, which leads to a higher yield of radicals, in particular hydroxyl radicals, and effective ozone while reducing harmful nitrogen compounds (NO₂). X leads.

[0010] The problem is solved by the device with the feature of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are described in the dependent claims.

[0011] It is proposed that the container be made of a dielectric material, closed at one end and open at the other, with the inner electrode inserted through the open end of the container towards the bottom. The interior of the container is filled with electrically conductive granules with an average particle size in the range of 10 to 450 µm. The inner electrode is surrounded by the granules. The granules are covered with a silicone disc, and an electrode lead passes through the silicone disc, with a silicone sheath of the electrode lead adjacent to the silicone disc. The open end of the container is sealed with an electrically insulating filler material.

[0012] In contrast to filling the container with electrically conductive solid material, a wire mesh, or simply air, it has surprisingly been shown that granules lead to an improved efficiency.

[0013] The air gaps that contribute to the formation of corona discharges in a wire mesh are not present. However, they are also not completely removed, as they are in solid material. The very short, extremely small spaces always present in granules, especially fine-grained powders, result in a higher ionization efficiency compared to solid material. Even compared to fiber materials and fabrics used as intermediate materials with larger air inclusions, a granule filling with electrically conductive particles also leads to a higher degree of ionization.

[0014] The granules may contain particles such as aluminum, copper, stainless steel, titanium, graphite, and / or magnesium. These may also be present in the form of alloys, such as bronze, brass, and the like.

[0015] According to the invention, granules with a mean grain size in the range of 10 to 450 µm are used.

[0016] Copper powders with a particle size distribution in the range of 100 to 450 µm have proven suitable. Similarly, aluminum or stainless steel powders with a particle size in the range of 7 to 450 µm, and preferably in the range of 10 to 150 µm, can be used.

[0017] The granules can be compressed after the inner electrode is inserted. This further improves the ionization properties. A compression weight of 2 to 3 kg, preferably around 2.35 kg, is suitable for this purpose.

[0018] The electrically insulating container can, for example, be made of a dielectric material. A container made of glass or ceramic is particularly suitable. Glass with a dielectric constant of 2 to 16, and preferably in the range of 6 to 9, is especially suitable. For example, a glass material with a dielectric constant of 7.2 and a dielectric loss factor of 70 × 10⁻⁶ has proven suitable. -4 The test, performed at one megahertz and 25 °C, proved suitable. Flat-bottomed glass tubes made of AR clear glass with a smoothly fused edge are recommended.

[0019] It is advantageous if the container has a wall thickness in the range of 0.5 to 1.0 mm, and preferably in the range of 0.6 to 0.8 mm. For example, a glass container with a length of 30 mm ± 0.5 mm, an outer diameter of 11.5 mm ± 0.14 mm, and a wall thickness of 1.0 mm ± 0.03 mm is suitable.

[0020] The inner and / or outer surface of the container can be pre-treated with an acid before filling it with granules. This advantageously results in a roughened and more porous surface, giving the glass a larger surface area and higher conductivity.

[0021] The surface of the container can alternatively or additionally be coated. In any case, degreasing the container surfaces is advantageous to prevent leakage currents.

[0022] The outer electrode can be a grid structure attached to the outer circumference of the container. A grid size in the range of mesh 20 to mesh 38, and preferably mesh 30, is advantageous for this purpose; that is, the screen size is preferably in the range of 0.465 mm (mesh 38) to 0.85 mm (mesh 20) and particularly preferably in the range of 0.60 mm (mesh 30).

[0023] The choice of mesh size also influences the ionization efficiency and should be neither too small nor too large. A suitable mesh structure (Mesh 30), for example, is made of stainless steel material no. 1.4301 with an inner diameter of 11.3 mm, a mesh size of 0.6 mm, a wire thickness of 0.25 mm, and a length of 25 mm.

[0024] The effective length of the container is preferably in the range of 25 to 35 mm and is preferably 30 mm.

[0025] With optimal device design, the ionization efficiency can be improved through optimized proportions. For example, an outer diameter of 11.5 mm ± 0.2 mm, a wall thickness of 0.7 mm ± 0.1 mm, and a length of 30 mm ± 0.5 mm for the container have proven advantageous. The external electrode then surrounds the container in the area of ​​the granule filling with an effective length of approximately 25 cm.

[0026] However, the design of the device can be enlarged or reduced independently of this, while maintaining the so-called proportions between outer diameter, wall thickness and length.

[0027] The granules are covered with a silicone disc. A seal made of UKTAsil 60T material with an outer diameter of 10.5 mm, a material thickness of 1 mm, and a hole in the center for the electrode lead is suitable for this purpose.

[0028] This electrical insulation prevents contamination, for example, from moisture or additional potting compound. The stripped end of the electrode lead forming the inner electrode is passed through the silicone disc, with the silicone sheath of the electrode lead abutting the silicone disc. After filling the container with granules, the stripped end of the electrode lead can be inserted into the silicone disc. The silicone sheath of the electrode lead and the adjacent silicone disc then compress the granules. This can be achieved with a suitable handling device applying a predetermined pressure.The space between the container and the inner wall of the container in the section of the container opening outwards from the silicone disc can then be filled with potting material, such as a resin material.

[0029] The stripped end of the insulating electrode lead can be tinned and aligned centrally within the interior of the container. This stripped end then forms the inner electrode of the device.

[0030] It is also conceivable that the stripped end of a stranded conductor is inserted into the granules in such a way that the individual strands are independently contained within the granules and distributed throughout the container. Thus, the strands of the stripped end of the electrode conductor can be spatially spaced apart from one another within the container, separated by granules.

[0031] Suitable examples include high-voltage license conductors with silicone insulation and a conductor cross-section of 1 mm². 2 (AWG 15 to 20, preferably AWG 17, i.e. 19 strands of 0.25 mm each) 2 ).

[0032] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, using an exemplary embodiment. The drawings show: Fig. 1 - Sketch of a device for ionizing ambient air; Fig. 2 - Sketch of the device without external electrode; Fig. 3 - Sketch of a disinfection device with aerosol additive.

[0033] Fig. Figure 1 shows a sketch of a device 1 for ionizing ambient air. The device 1 has a container 2 made of an electrically insulating material, preferably a dielectric glass. An internal electrode 3 is arranged in the interior of the container 2. This electrode 3 is, for example, the stripped end of an electrode lead 4, which is surrounded by an insulating sheath 5. Silicone material is suitable as the insulating sheath 5; thus, an electrode lead with silicone insulation can be used, which has a high-voltage withstand rating of at least 10 kV and preferably 20 kV or more.

[0034] The container 2 is closed at the top by a base 6 and open at the opposite end. The insulated end 3 of the electrode lead 4 is inserted from the open end of the container 2 towards the base 6 and is preferably centered with standard tolerances.

[0035] A granulate 7 is arranged in the interior of the container between the inner wall and the inner electrode 3. Towards the free end of the container 2, the granulate 7 is covered by a silicone disc 8. It can be seen that the stripped end 3 of the electrode lead is also partially insulated and passes through the silicone disc 8. To prevent leakage currents and flashover, it is advantageous if a portion of the insulation sheath 5, which may be tapered in diameter, also passes through the silicone disc 8 and extends a few millimeters into the granulate 7.

[0036] The remaining space between the opening in the inner wall of container 2 and the insulating sheath 5 of the electrode lead 4 can then be filled with an electrically insulating filler material 9, such as a resin. This allows the electrode lead, together with the silicone disc 8 and the granules 7, to be held firmly in the container 2. The filler material 9, together with the silicone disc 8, reliably prevents the ingress of contaminants, such as moisture, into the granules 7.

[0037] An external electrode 10 is arranged on the outer circumference of the container 2. This electrode can also be made of a mesh material, i.e., it concentrically surrounds the container 2 and, viewed from its outlet towards the end of the container 2 and its base 6, has a length that extends over a substantial part of the length of the granule filling 7. The length of the external electrode should be approximately two-thirds of the length of the granule filling, i.e., the effective length of the device 1.

[0038] It can be seen that the outer electrode 10 in the illustrated embodiment is designed as a grid structure. The grid size should be in the range of mesh 20 to mesh 38, preferably mesh 30. This corresponds to a sieve size in the range of 0.85 to 0.456 mm, preferably 0.60 mm.

[0039] An external electrode lead 11 is connected to the external electrode 10, which, together with the internal electrode lead 4, is connected to a control electronics unit 12. This control electronics unit 12 is supplied with a supply voltage Uv and is configured to apply a high voltage to the internal and external electrodes 3 and 10.

[0040] The high voltage applied to the inner and outer electrodes 3, 10 should be less than 2 kV and preferably in the range of 1,500 to 1,800 V, or more preferably about 1,750 V. This will prevent the formation of harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx). X prevents this and ionizes the surrounding air in such a way that hydroxyl radicals are formed.

[0041] At higher voltages in the range of approximately 2 to 3 kV, ambient air is ionized through the formation of ozone. Higher voltages above 3 kV then lead to the harmful formation of nitrogen oxides (NOx). X .

[0042] The ambient air ionized by the device can then be used for disinfection in a variety of ways.

[0043] The device can be used to purify room air of harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungal spores. It is particularly advantageous, however, when used to generate an ionized airflow into which aerosols are introduced, and when this aerosol-containing, ionized airflow is then used for disinfection. In this context, the device can be used for patient care, for example, to deliver aerosol-containing ionized air into the lungs, and especially into the alveolar ducts, via a breathing tube, in order to treat bacterial and viral lung diseases.

[0044] For this purpose, the air should be heated, but not exceeding 37 °C. The particle size of the aerosols should be as small as possible, in the range of 0.2 to 0.4 µm. This ensures that the water input is not excessive.

[0045] The aerosols, in combination with the ionized air, prevent harmful drying of the skin.

[0046] Fig. Figure 2 shows a sketch of part of the device 1 with the granules 7 inserted into the container 2.

[0047] It becomes clear that the inner electrode 3 forms the stripped end of an electrical conductor 4, which is surrounded by a silicone sheath 5. This silicone sheath 5 rests with its end face on the silicone disc 8, so that after the granules 7 are poured into the container 2, the granules 7 are compressed by the silicone disc 8 through the silicone sheath 5 by force. The remaining space between the silicone sheath 5 and the free end of the container 2 is then filled with potting compound 9.

[0048] Fig. Figure 3 shows a sketch of a disinfection device with the previously described ionization device 1 and a mixing box 15 for aerosol supply.

[0049] The ionization device 1 is arranged in a pipe section 13 or container. The ambient air L is passed through the pipe section 13, for example by a fan (not shown), and ionized by operation of the ionization device 1 so that hydroxyl radicals -OH are formed. These are fed into a mixing box 15, into which fine water-containing aerosols continue to flow.

[0050] It is advantageous, especially for medical applications involving delivery into the respiratory tract, that the aerosols have a particle size of less than 0.4 µm.

[0051] The aerosols are generated in an aerosol generator 14 from water or aqueous solution, especially pure water, introduced therein. This can be done by ultrasonic nebulization, atomization using compressed air, and the like.

[0052] The aerosol-containing air mixture, enriched with hydroxyl radicals, is then extracted for disinfection. It can be directed into a housing, for example for hand disinfection, into the room volume of a building for air purification, into a tube for introduction into a patient's airways, etc.

Claims

[1] Device (1) for ionizing ambient air comprising a container (2) made of electrically insulating material, an inner electrode (3) arranged inside the container (2) and an outer electrode (10) arranged on the outside of the container (2), with a control electronics (12) which is connected to the inner electrode (3) and the outer electrode (10) for supplying a voltage, characterized by, that the container (2) is formed from a dielectric material, is closed by a bottom (6) and is open at the opposite end, wherein the inner electrode (3) is inserted through the open side of the container (2) towards the bottom (6) and the interior of the container (2) contains a granule filling of an electrically conductive granule (7) with a mean grain size in the range of 10 to 450 µm, wherein the inner electrode (3) is surrounded by the granule (7), and that the granule (7) is covered with a silicone disc (8) and an electrode lead (4) is guided through the silicone disc (8), wherein a silicone sheath (5) of the electrode lead (4) adjoins the silicone disc (8), and that the open side of the container (2) is closed with an electrically insulating filling material (9). [2] Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the granules (7) contain aluminium, copper, stainless steel, titanium, graphite and / or magnesium particles. [3] Device (1) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the granules (7) are a copper powder with a particle size distribution in the range of 10 to 450 µm. [4] Device (1) according to claim 2, characterized by , that the granules (7) are an aluminium powder or stainless steel powder with a core size of 10 to 450 µm. [5] Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the container (2) is made of glass or ceramic. [6] Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the container (2) has a wall thickness in the range of 0.5 to 1.0 mm. [7] Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the inner and / or outer surface of the container (2) is acid-treated. [8] Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the outer electrode (10) has a grid structure with a grid size in the range of mesh 20 to mesh 38. [9] Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the effective length of the container (2) is in the range of 25 to 35 mm. [10] Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the length of the outer electrode (10) is in the range of 20 to 30 mm.

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