Air filter with coupled sample collection / sample analysis

Abstract

The present invention relates to a filter module (100) for filtering air (101) from at least one part of a building or air (101) from an exhaust air cleaning unit of a production process, wherein the filter module (100) can be exchangeably arranged in a filter system (150) and the filter module (100) has a filter body (110) which is designed to filter air (101) that flows through the filter body. The filter body (110) has a filter region (111) which filters airborne substances from the through-flowing air (101), and an analysis region (112) which is configured for aiding in the analysis of the airborne substances and / or the air quality, wherein the filter body (110) is configured in such a way that, at a volumetric flow rate of 0.1 m / s to 5.0 m / s through the filter body (110), the pressure drop of the air flowing through the filter body (110) is less than 450 pascals. The filter region (111) is designed such that, if there is a pressure drop in the range of 10 Pa to 450 Pa across the filter module (100), the composition of the air flow in the analysis region (112) changes from the composition in the filter region (111) by less than 40%, and the analysis region (112) is designed relative to the filter region (111) such that the air (101) in the analysis region (112) comes into contact by more than 90% with the same airborne substances as in the filter region (111).

Description

[0001] Air filter with coupled sample collection / analysis

[0002] Technical area

[0003] The present invention relates to a filter module and a method for filtering air from at least part of a building or from an exhaust air purification unit of a production process. Furthermore, the invention relates to a filter system comprising the filter module.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] Filter systems in indoor air systems ensure the ventilation and extraction of rooms in buildings and filter pollutants from the air. The filters also serve as sample collectors, and the collected pollutants can be analyzed later, even after the filter's service life has expired.

[0006] When a standard air filter is used as a sampler and analyzed after its service life, it often cannot be assumed that a portion of the filter is representative of the total filter load due to airflow asymmetries. This means that the contents of the filter must be analyzed as a whole, which involves significant material and analytical effort. It would therefore be advantageous if only a section of the flow area were representative of the overall filter load and could be analyzed.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a filter which allows a more precise analysis of the air to be filtered.

[0008] This object is achieved with a filter module and a method for filtering air from at least part of a building or air from an exhaust air purification unit of a production process according to the subject matter of the independent patent claims.

[0009] According to a first aspect, a filter module for filtering air from at least part of a building or from an exhaust air purification unit of a production process is described. The filter module can be interchangeably arranged in a filter system and has a filter body configured to filter air as it flows through it. The filter body has a filter region that filters the airborne contaminants and an analysis region configured to support the analysis of the airborne contaminants and / or the air quality.

[0010] The filter body is configured such that, at a volume flow velocity of 0.1 m / s to 5.0 m / s through the filter body, the pressure drop of the air flowing through the filter body is less than 450 Pascal. The filter region is designed such that, at a pressure drop range of 10 Pa to 450 Pa across the filter module, the composition of the air flow in the analysis region changes by less than 40% compared to the composition in the filter region. The analysis region is designed relative to the filter region such that over 90% of the air in the analysis region comes into contact with the same airborne substances or air particles as in the filter region.According to a further aspect, a filter system is described which has a control unit and at least one filter module as described above, wherein the at least one filter module is suitable for exchanging analysis data which is required to support the analysis of the airborne substances and / or the air quality.

[0011] According to a further aspect, a method for filtering air from at least part of a building or air from an exhaust air purification unit of a production process with a replaceable filter module as described above is described.

[0012] A filter system according to the invention is typically used in buildings for filtering and purifying air, or also for purifying air in production processes in factories. For this purpose, a filter system comprises, for example, active flow generators, such as fans, or is integrated into a building's ventilation system, which, for example, has a central active flow generator.

[0013] The filter system comprises, for example, a housing in which a filter module is arranged or a plurality of filter modules are arranged in series along the direction of air flow through the filter system or parallel to the flow direction. A filter module according to the invention is arranged in an interchangeable manner within the filter system. For example, appropriate guide rails can be provided along which the filter module can be inserted into the operating position within the filter system. Furthermore, detachable fastening means, such as screws or clamp fasteners, can be provided, for example, in order to arrange the filter module in a modular and interchangeable manner within the filter system.

[0014] The filter module, for example, comprises a flat filter material secured in a surrounding support frame. The filter module can be designed as a pocket filter, with a plurality of pockets of filter material secured in the support frame, and the air flow is directed into the pockets to filter the incoming air. Furthermore, the filter module can also be designed as a cartridge filter, bag filter, candle filter, compact filter, or HEPA filter.

[0015] The filter module according to the invention, and in particular the filter material, is designed such that, at a volume flow velocity of 0.1 m / s to 5.0 m / s through the filter body, the pressure drop of the air flowing through the filter body is less than 450 Pascal. Accordingly, the filter module serves to clean large air masses with low pressure loss. These values ​​can be adjusted structurally, in particular, by selecting the filter material and the corresponding pore sizes and fabric structures of the filter material.

[0016] The filter module, in particular, comprises the filter area, which performs the function of filtering the air. Furthermore, the filter module according to the invention comprises the analysis area, which is designed to support air analysis. Supporting air analysis can, for example, consist of diverting air in the analysis area and discharging it to an air analysis device, for example, in the filter system. Furthermore, as described below, the analysis area can comprise active analysis elements, such as sensors or sample chambers for collecting air samples or accompanying substances.

[0017] According to the invention, the analysis zone is arranged relative to the filter zone such that, for a pressure drop range of 10 Pa to 450 Pa, in particular up to 250 Pa or even up to 150 Pa, across the filter module, the composition of the air flow in the analysis zone changes by less than 40% compared to the composition in the filter zone, and wherein the analysis zone is configured relative to the filter zone such that the air in the analysis zone comes into contact with over 90% of the same airborne substances or air particles as in the filter zone. The filter performance of the filter module according to the invention, in particular of the filter zone, is measured, for example, according to EN ISO 16890 and is better than 50% for one of the classes "ISO Coarse", "ISO ePM10", "ISO ePM2.5", or "ISO ePM1".

[0018] If the filter module is operated within these parameters, the arrangement of the filter area proposed in the invention allows it to come into contact with over 90% of the same airborne substances and / or air volumes as the filter area. Furthermore, with a pressure drop variation of 50 Pa to 450 Pa across the filter system, the composition of the air flow in the analysis area changes by less than 40%, in particular less than 25%, in particular less than 10%, and further in particular less than 4%, compared to the filter area.

[0019] This configuration is achieved in particular when the analysis region is arranged and designed at a suitable position and of a suitable size in the filter region or the filter module. For example, the analysis region has a sufficient distance from the support frame of the filter module or from the edge of a flow channel in which the filter module is arranged in the filter system, in order to thus avoid edge flow properties which cause a different composition of the airborne substances or air particles in the air or a different pressure drop range of the air, relative to, for example, a central filter region. Accordingly, the analysis region is arranged, for example, at a distance of more than 0.5 cm, more than 2 cm, in particular more than 8 cm from an edge region of the filter module.

[0020] The inventive solution is suitable for filter modules, for example in the style of a pocket filter, or secondary filter systems. A secondary filter system generally describes an air circulation system with filtration for installation in a room. The secondary filter system can be mobile or stationary. In contrast, controlled residential ventilation systems, permanently installed and piped ventilation systems, for example, are referred to as primary filter systems. In secondary filter systems, zones with laminar air flow can be created in which the corresponding filter module according to the invention is arranged. For example, a support frame of the filter material of the filter module forms a suitable mechanical strength platform so that the additional elements of the analysis area, for example sensors or air guide elements, can be attached directly or indirectly with sufficient vibration-free resistance (so that no element flutters in the air flow).This reduction of vibrations is particularly important when sensors that are sensitive to vibrations (e.g. MEMS or other electromechanical components) are used in the analysis area.

[0021] Due to the arrangement of the analysis area, the filter module according to the invention provides, in particular, integrated support for online or offline analysis of the pollutant load in the flowing air. In particular, due to the arrangement of the analysis area, the analysis area can, for example, take measured values ​​or air samples that are representative of the air flow, particularly with regard to temporal or quantitative significance.

[0022] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the analysis region has a collection volume for airborne substances. The analysis region can, for example, form a pocket or bag in which the collection volume is formed. Air particles or other airborne substances can collect therein, which can later be analyzed, for example, when the filter module is removed. Furthermore, according to an exemplary embodiment, a sensor can be installed in the collection volume to analyze the collected airborne substances. For pure sample collection of airborne substances, solid air particles and / or liquid foreign substances that settle in the sample collector are suitable. According to an exemplary embodiment, the filter module has a sampling device which is arranged in the analysis region, in particular in an exchangeable and / or removable manner, and in which the collection volume is formed.The sampling device is in particular sealable in order to partially, completely and / or selectively seal the collection volume. The sampling device can be sealed, for example, after a certain period of time during which airborne substances are collected in the collection volume. The sampling device can then be removed and the collected air particles or liquid can be analyzed in an external laboratory. Due to the seal, non-destructive opening of the sampling device is not possible, for example. The sampling device can, for example, be a sealable bag made of filter material and have a closure mechanism, such as a sealable flap. The corresponding opening and closing of the sampling device can, for example, be controlled by a control unit of the filter system.Alternatively, the sampling device can be sealed by the technician during filter changes. This allows one or more predefined collection zones (i.e., collection volumes) to be provided in the analysis area. These zones can be easily removed for easy sampling for the laboratory and protected from subsequent contamination (both internal contamination, i.e., by the operator, and external contamination, i.e., environmental contamination by substances collected by the filter system). One possible implementation of this functionality could be a punch with a cap (possibly integrated into the filter system), which is analyzed in a laboratory after sampling.

[0023] According to another exemplary embodiment, the analysis region has an adhesion region for the adhesion and accumulation of airborne substances. The adhesion can be achieved, for example, by defining the pore size of a filter material in the analysis region, or by using certain adhesive-like substances to which the air particles in particular adhere. Normally, only a small proportion of foreign substances is present in the air stream; thus, the possibility of adhesion in the analysis region serves to concentrate the substances, enabling simplified detection later (in situ or later offline). The actual concentration of the airborne substances can later be determined based on the period of concentration.

[0024] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the analysis area has a reactive area for the reaction and conversion of airborne substances and / or air components. The reactive area has, in particular, corresponding substances that react with certain airborne substances or air components in order to bind them in the analysis area and / or to convert them into a measurable and analyzable substance. Since certain airborne substances are not trivially collectable (e.g., gases, e.g., O2 or CO2 content of the air) or are unstable and since they can, for example, oxidize or reduce, a corresponding conversion is advantageous. A built-in chemical (reacting and thus stabilizing) or physical (sealing, separating) function in the reactive area preserves (in particular by concentrating an airborne substance until the respective reaction is detectable) the respective substance for a local indication (e.g.,color change or by means of fluorescence) or for later analysis (e.g. in the laboratory). In the analysis area, for example, containers are provided in which the reactive area is formed. One example of this is so-called test tubes, e.g. Dräger tubes. A test tube consists, for example, of a thin glass tube that is sealed at the ends by melting. Inside, substances are applied to inert carrier materials which, after a chemical reaction with the airborne substances to be detected, have an indicator function through, for example, visual reactions such as color changes. According to a further exemplary embodiment, the analysis area has an air guidance area for coupling the air flow out of the filter body.For example, the analysis area can have a conical air guide area in which a portion of the flowing air is captured and transported to a desired location via a further piping system outside the filter module. For example, the air portion can be collected in a collecting container of the filter system and reserved for further analysis. Using the air guide area, for example, a representative portion of the air flow can be redirected so that it can be further processed in a separate analysis unit. The main task is to maintain this representative portion even during pressure fluctuations, particularly during transitions from laminar to turbulent flow.

[0025] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the analysis region has a sensor element for measuring at least one parameter of the airborne substances and / or the air quality. The direct measurement of foreign substances or groups of foreign substances in the air stream can be provided by means of a sensor element integrated in the analysis region. This can, for example, relate to the amount of fine dust of a certain diameter class. Furthermore, other foreign substances can, for example, be filtered out beforehand so that only the specific airborne substances reach the sensor. In the event of turbulence caused by turbulent air flows through the filter module, heavier substances (particles, molecules, aerosols, etc.) are moved away by centrifugal forces in the radial direction of a flow roller, which leads to a dehomogenization of the air stream composition.By means of the air module according to the invention, a representative air flow composition can be measured by the sensor by ensuring the flow according to the invention despite any pressure differences. According to a further exemplary embodiment, the sensor element comprises a MEMS sensor. Furthermore, the sensor element can be configured in particular such that the sensor element can be used for a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer analysis, FTIR and / or a near-infrared spectroscopy analysis. Parameters such as particles per volume can be measured. It can be particularly relevant that air pressure changes in the analysis area, and in particular air pressure differences between the analysis area and the filter area, are kept as small as possible or even prevented.By means of the filter module according to the invention, the air pressure difference between the analysis area and the filter area is reduced, so that more precise measurements are possible using the sensor.

[0026] According to an exemplary embodiment, the sensor element comprises a resistance sensor for measuring airborne contaminants and / or air quality. For example, a trigger substance can also be used to measure the presence of certain contaminants in the air (e.g., Bresle measurement). It is particularly important that the airflow through the analysis area is representative of the airflow and air quality in the filter system and, accordingly, the airflow through the filter area.

[0027] The sensor element can, for example, have a microphone and detect the noise level in the room and, in particular, the location of a noise source. By measuring and evaluating the noise level in a room, conclusions can be drawn about the number and intensity of people speaking in the room and the ventilation output of the fan unit can be adjusted accordingly via the control unit, since the emission of aerosols by people increases with the volume of speech. In other words, the ventilation output can be controlled based on the noise level in the room. The more people speak, or speak loudly, the more aerosols are emitted and the higher the fan output can be, since the additional noise from devices such as the fan unit is then not noticed and does not cause any disturbance.If one or more people are sitting quietly in the room, the ventilation performance drops because it needs to be quiet for concentrated work, but also because hardly any aerosols are emitted.

[0028] According to an exemplary embodiment, the filter module has a communication unit for communicating data relating to the airborne substances and / or the air quality to a control unit of the filter system, in particular for controlling the filter module. The communication unit is configured to send information about the airborne substances and / or the air quality to the control unit, or also to send control signals that can be generated based on measured parameters, for example, to generate control signals relating to warning signals (alarm signals) or airflow control signals.

[0029] According to another exemplary embodiment, the filter body has a plurality of analysis areas. For example, two, three, or more analysis areas can be integrated into the filter module. This allows for greater functionality and a more precise analysis of the air content and airborne substances over a larger area of ​​the filter module.

[0030] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the analysis region is configured to indicate the presence of substance classes, wherein the analysis region is configured to filter and collect air particles from the air. In chemistry, a substance class refers to all substances that can be grouped together by a common property. Each substance can belong to several groups, depending on which property is used for classification. Additionally or alternatively, the analysis region can be designed to preserve samples of the air particles, wherein sorbitol and / or activated carbon in particular are provided in the analysis region for preservation. In a further particularly exemplary embodiment, a filter module contains, on the one hand, a broadband trigger system that responds to specific substance classes and visualizes their presence.Secondly, the analysis area can include a sample collection (which can also concentrate substances and / or react, initialize or preserve them for an extended period; this can be achieved, for example, with activated carbon or sorbitol). This makes it possible to analyze the substances collected in the sample collector in detail at a later time if the visual contamination indicator is activated. Concrete mechanisms for the detection of entire substance classes can, for example, provide layer detection of dust and heavy metals, e.g. iron, mercury, copper, which can be detected by color using classic inorganic color complexes. For example, iron and Cu, as cyanoferrate layers, turn blue or orange. Furthermore, layer detection of oxidative gases, e.g. NOx and ozone, can be carried out. A color reaction from colorless to blue can be generated using potassium iodide-iodine-starch.

[0031] In particular, a viral load in the air to be filtered can be detected in the analysis area, particularly using the described trigger system. For example, a concentration of viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2 viruses, can be determined. A biosensor is arranged in the analysis area as a sensor element. The air to be filtered flows over the biosensor. The biomarker can, for example, contain biomarkers that react with the viruses and trigger corresponding measurable (e.g., optical) reactions.

[0032] The biosensor can operate based on the PCR test methodology (real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction), which detects gene sequences of a virus, e.g., the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Furthermore, the biosensor can function like an antigen test and implement fluorescence- or chemiluminescence-based test methods, in which, for example, the viral protein is detected using a specific color. In one embodiment, the biosensor can be designed as a waveguide interferometer. Such a photonic biosensor detects various light-based phenomena of viruses for the rapid detection and quantification of viruses or corresponding biomarkers. Among the various photonic biosensors, silicon photonic biosensors based on the principle of evanescent waves can be used.

[0033] Furthermore, the biosensor can be designed as a nano-photonic biosensor based on interferometric bimodal waveguides (BiMWs). To capture and detect viruses from a sample, the surface of the BiMW sensor is modified with specific receptors that target external antigens of the virus, such as the spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2. As the air to be filtered passes over the biosensor, the virus particles are captured by the receptors on the sensor surface and generate an interferometric signal that can be recorded in real time. The sensor's response is directly proportional to the virus concentration in the air to be filtered, thus enabling accurate quantification of the viral load in the air.

[0034] Furthermore, a layer of phenols can be provided, such as bisphenols, nonylphenols, and chlorophenols, producing a color reaction of red (iron complex) or with dimethylaminobenzaldehyde, i.e., violet-red. Furthermore, a layer containing potassium permanganate can be provided (reacts, for example, with SO2 [sulfur dioxide], odorous sulfur compounds = H2S, formaldehyde, or, for example, permethrin).

[0035] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the filter module has an energy generation unit which is configured to generate energy by means of the air flow through the filter module and / or by means of electromagnetic waves, which energy is used in particular to operate the analysis area. For example, energy can be generated via the pressure difference across the filter module, e.g. by means of a propeller, galloping harvester, piezoelectric flags (piezo elements) and / or by receiving and rectifying a high-frequency oscillation (e.g. from a WLAN router). This energy is used to operate the devices in the analysis area or for systems in the filter system. For example, no electrical connections are necessary between the filter system, filter module and / or surrounding ventilation system.

[0036] According to another exemplary embodiment, the analysis area has a plurality of sample chambers through which air can be selectively flowed to filter air particles, in particular to enable staggered sample collection. The sample chambers can be distributed or arranged together in a specific area of ​​the filter body or within the filter area. The sample chambers are arranged such that the volume flow velocity according to the invention is from 0.1 m / s to 5.0 m / s and the pressure drop of the air flowing through the filter body is less than 450 Pascal.Furthermore, the sample chambers are designed and arranged such that, with a pressure drop range of 10 Pa to 450 Pa across the filter module, the composition of the air flow in the sample chambers of the analysis area changes by less than 40% compared to the composition in the filter area, and the sample chambers in the analysis area are designed relative to the filter area such that the air in the sample chambers comes into contact with over 90% of the same air particles as in the filter area.

[0037] The sample chambers can be selectively flowed through, for example by making one or selected sample chambers accessible to the air flow over a period of time. The sample chambers can have an opening mechanism, such as a controllable actuating element, which selectively opens the sample chambers. For example, an air guidance system consisting of air lines and control valves can be used to specifically direct an air flow to a specific sample chamber at a specific time. According to a further exemplary embodiment, the filter body, in particular in the filter region, has a fleece as the filter material, wherein the fleece in particular has an entire layer or a plurality of layers. The filter body is arranged in the filter module in a particularly replaceable manner, wherein the fleece is designed in particular as a disposable filter.A nonwoven fabric consists of fibers of limited length, continuous fibers (filaments), or cut yarns that are joined and bonded together to form a nonwoven fabric (a fiber layer, a fiber pile). The interlinking of the fibers creates an air-permeable material with narrow, small-pore air passages, thus achieving a good filtering effect, especially for airborne particles.

[0038] Since a replaceable filter module (especially as a disposable filter) does not have to be precisely adapted to the surrounding housing of the filter system, it is also advantageous if the filter module prevents possible air resonances. With filter materials made of regularly arranged filter media (e.g. woven, punched, etched or drilled filters), there is a possibility that self-organizing effects of the air flow may cause resonances and thus negative effects (noise, redetachment of already embedded pollutants, particularly when starting and stopping the system, when physical measured values ​​vary, etc.). It has been shown that in the solution according to the invention, the use of a layer of nonwoven fabric dampens this vibration effect. This dampening occurs because fibers are irregularly and randomly laid down and adhered. This irregularity reduces the vibrational self-organization potential.This attenuation can be enhanced by using multiple nonwoven layers in the filter material structure, especially if these layers comprise at least slightly different nonwoven materials or nonwoven layers. A difference can be created by manufacturing nonwoven materials. According to another exemplary embodiment, the filter region and the analysis region can be arranged parallel in the air flow such that the filter module can be configured as part of a secondary filter system and / or the filter module as part of a pocket filter.

[0039] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the inflow of air to the analysis area can be controlled such that a flow and / or pressure difference of the air in the filter area and in the analysis area can be adjusted, in particular such that the pressure difference is controllable or adjustable. For example, a flow and / or pressure difference can arise between the filter area and the analysis area due to flow disturbances in the air flow or, for example, when the filter area is occupied. This can lead to measurements in the analysis area that are no longer representative of the entire air flow. Accordingly, a flow property can be specifically adjusted individually between the analysis area and the filter area, for example via an air guidance system or via a flow generator, in order to specifically adjust flow properties in both areas.

[0040] According to another exemplary embodiment, the analysis area can be flowed through continuously or discontinuously. Thus, for example, in the case of a discontinuous flow through the analysis area, it can be selectively covered and only exposed to the air flow at a specific measurement time. Alternatively, for example, to achieve long-term measurements, the analysis area can be subjected to permanent and continuous flow.

[0041] According to a further exemplary embodiment, in discontinuous operation, the analysis region can be activated relative to the filter region in a temporal duty cycle ratio of less than 10:1, in particular of less than 100:1, and / or the active measurement time of a flow cycle through the filter body is shorter than 10 ms, in particular shorter than 50 microseconds, particularly preferably shorter than 1 microsecond, wherein the flow cycle is in particular adjustable. A duty cycle of 10:1 means, for example, that out of 10 time units in which flow passes through the filter region, 1 time unit passes through the analysis region. This enables discontinuous measurement, in particular to save energy for the measuring system. For example, it may be sufficient for the measurement in the analysis region to be carried out only during a very short time with a long rest phase.Contamination with foreign substances in an air stream typically occurs over a longer period of time. This allows for interpolation of intermediate values ​​from individual measured values ​​without the need for continuous measurement. Good measurement results have been achieved with a duty cycle of less than 1:10, particularly with a duty cycle of less than 1:100. It is particularly helpful when the measurement duration is minimal; for example, a color change of an indicator in the analysis area can be measured with a measurement time of less than 10 ms, especially less than 50 microseconds, or less than 1 microsecond.

[0042] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the filter module has a coupling element that is mechanically and / or electrically coupled to the analysis area and can be coupled to a connection of a filter system. The coupling element is designed in particular such that a detachable coupling can be provided between the analysis area and the connection of the filter system. Furthermore, the coupling element is designed in particular such that when the filter module is inserted into an operating position in the filter system, a coupling can be automatically created between the connection of the filter system and the analysis area. The coupling element is provided in particular on an exhaust air side of the filter body. The coupling element serves, for example, to couple the flow of air that is captured in the analysis area and is to be passed on to an external analysis area, for example in the filter system or in an external laboratory.Additionally or alternatively, the coupling element serves for the signaling or electrical coupling between the analysis area and devices of the filter system. The coupling element is provided on the filter module, for example, on the support frame of the filter module, in such a way that, when the filter module is in an operating position in the filter system, it enables coupling to a corresponding coupling element of the filter system. The coupling element can be, for example, an electrical plug. Furthermore, the coupling element can be an air nozzle or flange-like structure that can be sealingly coupled to a corresponding air nozzle of the filter system when the filter module is arranged in the operating position in the filter system.

[0043] If a measuring unit or sensor is used for air data in the analysis area, the filter module can decouple the measuring air from the air flow and then feed it to the air sensors in the field. This has the advantage that the air sensors do not have to be replaced every time the filter module is changed. The filter module can be designed in such a way that the connections to the air sensors are automatically connected and disconnected using the coupling element when the filter is changed. With a pocket filter as a filter module, this can be achieved, for example, by plugging in the measuring air line with the appropriate coupling elements when plugging in the support frame. By placing this plug connection, particularly in the exhaust air area of ​​the filter system, contamination of the plug connection can be reduced or prevented.

[0044] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the filter module has a further filter body, which in particular consists of a pocket filter or a bag filter, wherein at least one filter body consists exclusively of an analysis region configured for the analysis of airborne substances and the air quality. For example, at least one filter body consists exclusively of an analysis region having a power supply unit, which is in particular designed such that a power supply can be provided for a predetermined service life of the filter module. For example, the filter module has filter modules arranged parallel to one another or one behind the other, in particular having a plurality of pocket or bag filters. Instead of a further filter body as a pocket or bag filter, the further filter body can consist exclusively of an analysis region.Since the additional filter body does not need to provide separate areas for a filter zone, a very large analysis zone or a multitude of different analysis zones can be formed in the additional filter body. Furthermore, a power supply device or electrical supply unit, such as a high-capacity battery, can be arranged in the analysis zone of the additional filter body, which can supply the filter module with energy, for example, over its lifetime. A lifetime battery allows for easy retrofitting of existing filter systems using the solution according to the invention, without additional electrical and / or installation measures.

[0045] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the filter body, in particular in the filter area, has at least two nonwoven layers and a filter membrane arranged between the nonwoven layers, which are arranged in layers one above the other in a layered composite, wherein in particular the middle filter membrane of the layered composite has a larger surface than the two outer nonwoven layers.

[0046] In particular, according to an exemplary embodiment, a first direction (e.g. X-direction) and a second direction (e.g. Y-direction) are defined which span a plane, wherein the central filter membrane is corrugated with wave sections such that the wave sections are arranged one behind the other along a first direction. The wave sections run irregularly and asymmetrically to one another, particularly within the plane. The filter body is arranged such that air can flow over the filter body along the first direction or along the second direction. For example, the x-direction is the direction of air flow, and the wave sections run transversely to the first direction along the second direction. The asymmetry of the wave arrangement and shape can be used to dampen vibrations. Alternatively, the filter body can also be subjected to air flow in the Y-direction and thus parallel to the extension of the waves.The wave sections thus form, for example, a sharkskin-like ribbed structure, which reduces flow resistance. Depending on the entry conditions (inlet cross-section, volume flow, depth of the filter material to be flowed through) into the filter body, one or the other design can be particularly advantageous. The asymmetry of the wave arrangement can be achieved through a self-organizing compaction process in which the feed rate of the filter membrane is significantly higher than the feed rate of the two cover fleeces. The asymmetry of the wave arrangement is created by thermally fixing the three layers at a predetermined time. In addition to the advantages already described, this asymmetry has a stabilizing effect on deflections in the xy plane.

[0047] According to another exemplary embodiment, the filter body has a thickness of 2 mm to 10 mm, in particular 3 mm to 7 mm, in the filter area. Additionally or alternatively, the number of wave sections is between 0.5 and 3 waves per cm. This allows a filter performance similar to a HEPA filter, but with a pressure drop in the range of a standard F7 filter (i.e., within the operating parameters of the inventive solution).

[0048] According to another exemplary embodiment, the filter region is formed from a hydrophobic filter material. Furthermore, the filter region can be formed from natural fibers. The filter region can further contain a polyolefin, in particular a polypropylene. In another example, the filter region contains cellulose, cotton, and / or hemp.

[0049] If the airflow to be filtered contains a high aerosol load, known filters can be prone to sudden moisture penetration. This can, on the one hand, statically increase the pressure drop across the filter, but can also, on the other hand, dynamically overwhelm any subsequent volume flow control using VAV in terms of its control speed due to the rapidly changing pressure conditions. The inventive solution can solve this problem through a suitable choice of filter material: Either a hydrophobic material (e.g. a polyolefin, in particular polypropylene, which is essentially free of polar groups) or an absorbent material with a specific (e.g., low) swelling tendency (e.g., a natural fiber, in particular a cellulose fiber, cotton, or hemp) is used. This reduces the tendency for filter openings to become clogged with micro- or nanoscale water droplets.The fungicidal, virucidal and bactericidal properties of hemp have been shown to be beneficial and make it an ideal filter component.

[0050] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the analysis region has an air guiding device, which is particularly designed to form an air path to the supply air side and / or the exhaust air side of the filter body, wherein the air guiding device is particularly designed to be replaceable in the filter body. The air path thus leads through the analysis region and, if necessary, partially through the filter region. The air paths guide the air, for example, to a measuring device of the filter system, wherein the filter module can be replaced independently of the measuring device. In particular, an intermediate material with filter properties or with active reagents can be provided in the air path. By changing the filter module, uncontaminated intermediate material or new active reagents (which can interact with components of the air flow) can be supplied.According to a further exemplary embodiment, the filter module has a weighing device configured to weigh the filter occupancy, in particular such that any measurement value distortion caused by the pressure of the air flowing through the system can be compensated. With appropriate additional mechanisms, measurement value distortion caused by the pressure of the air resistance during operation of the filter system can be compensated. This also allows the detection of a high filter occupancy for a filter system operating mode with a low volume flow, which, with conventional filter monitoring, does not trigger the filter's differential pressure monitoring. In particular, the weighing device can have a floor contact when the filter module is installed in the housing of the filter system and thus transmit the weight of the filter module into the floor. This allows a weight measurement of the filter module to be carried out.

[0051] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the filter module has a receiving device configured to receive a unique ID, wherein the unique ID contains information regarding the location of the filter module. The receiving device can be configured to read the unique ID from a QR code, a barcode, an OCR font, or an RFID tag. Furthermore, the receiving device can be configured to receive the unique ID via NFC, Bluetooth, WLAN, proprietary protocols, or protocols from building management systems, in particular LON or EIB. The operation and / or configuration of the filter module can be adjusted based on the unique ID.

[0052] In another particularly preferred embodiment, the unique ID contains information regarding the installation location of the filter module in the filter system. This ID allows the operating parameters required for specific operation to be preselected from a preconfigured operating mode of the filter system or filter module, or to retrieve stored system configuration data. Particularly when using encrypted protocols, this avoids reconfiguration when changing the filter, and enables a "plug and play" approach. Corresponding data can be transmitted from the filter system or filter module during the change or transferred via the cloud. The unique ID can be transmitted to the filter system using mechanisms such as QR codes, barcodes, OCR fonts (and their successors for machine-readable fonts), RFID, NFC, Bluetooth, WLAN, proprietary protocols, or protocols from building management systems (LON, EIB, etc.).This mechanism also makes it possible to deliver a filter system in which functions are only activated if part of the unique ID is part of the agreed scope of delivery.

[0053] According to another exemplary embodiment, the filter module has a transmitting device for transmitting filter-body-related data, wherein the transmitting device is configured to transmit the data using RFID, NFC, Bluetooth, WLAN, or building management system protocols. Based on this data, a control unit can generate a warning signal and / or initiate a measure, particularly relating to the throughput through the filter module.

[0054] The transmitting device can, for example, be an antenna or a conductor-based system that signals the ventilation system's readiness to receive data from the filter. Such data can not only relate to parameters relating to the airborne contaminants in the air, but can also contain information and details about the filter module. For example, depending on the performance of a filter module used, the air volume through the filter module or the filter system can be adjusted. Furthermore, if a running time or occupancy density of the filter module is exceeded, a signal can be sent that can either be interpreted as a maintenance signal or used as a control signal to reduce the air throughput. One design variant of the transmitting device can be an RFID transponder (which, for example, also contains filter data in encrypted form). Other communication mechanisms such as NFC, Bluetooth, WLAN, etc. can also be used.For wired communication, proprietary protocols and bus systems from building management systems (LON, EIB, etc.) are available. This mechanism can be used, in particular, to indicate the expiration date of reagents in the sample collection system or in the sample chambers according to the invention, and to react accordingly.

[0055] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the analysis region has a plurality of flow-through regions which can be selectively controlled such that the flow-through regions can be flowed through independently of one another at a predetermined time and for a predetermined flow duration such that a binary tree can be formed based on the measurement at the predetermined times of flow through the individual flow-through regions. The data of the measured parameters of the airborne substances in the flow-through regions are indicative of a state of the air flow at a time range and of a state change over the flow duration of the flow-through regions. Due to the additional temporal dimension, the various states and state changes of the airborne substances at specific time ranges can thus be mapped in a data matrix or in a binary tree.

[0056] Particularly when filter modules remain in a system for an extended period of time, it is interesting to be able to determine when a certain level of foreign matter contamination has occurred. This can be achieved, for example, with the exemplary embodiment of the filter module with selectively flow-through areas, which opens chambers at time intervals and seals others again. As a special variant, a binary opening (1) or closing (0) of chambers can also be implemented. For example, the quantitative analysis and its recombination of the respective binary trees for individual points in time of the flow-through areas can result in an even finer resolution of the foreign matter contamination or the airborne substances in the air. In particular, the energy for the selective closing and opening of the flow-through areas can be obtained from the air flow.

[0057] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the analysis area is arranged more than 0.5 cm, in particular more than 1 cm, further in particular more than 2 cm or more than 8 cm, from the edge or support frame of the filter body, which acts as an outer air flow boundary, so that there are no edge effects with air flow turbulences in the analysis area.

[0058] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the filter body, particularly in the filter area, has a plurality of filter layers arranged one behind the other in the direction of air flow through the filter. In particular, the first filter layer facing the supply air side filters more coarsely than at least one of the second filter layers following the first filter layer in the direction of air flow. Thus, coarser particles can be filtered first, while smaller particles flow through the first layers and are only later filtered out by the finer layers. Thus, a uniform coverage of the filter body occurs along the air flow direction.

[0059] According to another exemplary embodiment of the filter system, the control unit has a visualization unit configured to visualize the air quality and the analysis of the air particles, in particular depending on the location of the respective filter system. Furthermore, the control unit is configured, in particular, to generate a recommended course of action based on the air quality and the analysis of the airborne substances.

[0060] In a particularly preferred embodiment, several

[0061] Filter modules are operated together to clean the air from a single building section. These filter modules have appropriate additional equipment that can exchange data regarding air details, allowing air measurement data to be visualized at at least one location or triggering actions based on it. Filters in primary ventilation systems, as well as filter systems in secondary ventilation systems, can form a network and interact with each other.

[0062] In particular, location-dependent air quality can be visualized, a recommendation for action can be given, or a measure can be initiated (e.g., 'Meeting room 2 has bad air' or 'Air quality is low, please increase the fan speed').

[0063] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the filter system has a flow control, for example, comprising a fan or other flow generators. By means of the flow control, a flow velocity of the air through the filter body and an air pressure of the air on the supply air side of the filter body can be adjusted. The flow control is configured to individually adjust a pressure drop difference between the supply air side and the exhaust air side in the filter area and the analysis area, in particular by means of mechanical and / or mechatronic flow control systems, such that a constant volume flow through the filter area and through the analysis area can be adjusted, in particular based on subsequent adaptation based on measurement data.

[0064] The flow control systems, for example, comprise a mechanical cross-sectional change of the inlet in the analysis zone, whereby the pressure drops in the filter zone and in the analysis zone are taken into account in such a way that the airflow component in the analysis zone remains similar and representative of the airflow component in the filter zone. A pressure drop in the analysis zone can be adaptively adjusted depending on the pressure drop in the filter zone. The control unit can, for example, take into account that a pressure drop in the analysis zone is taken into account in the measurement data. Furthermore, the analysis can function over a wide pressure drop range, for example by taking the pressure difference into account in the post-processing of the measurement data by the control unit (e.g., by permanently recording the pressure difference and considering this data in the evaluation).

[0065] According to a further exemplary embodiment of the filter system, the flow control can set the speed of the volume flow in the range 0.1 to 5.0 m / s, in particular 0.3 m / s to 2.8 m / s and / or the pressure drop across the filter body in at least one operating mode below 250 Pa, in particular below 150 Pa, in particular below 60 Pa.

[0066] According to a further exemplary embodiment, the flow control controls the air flow such that in a pressure drop range of 50 Pa to 450 Pa between the supply air side and the exhaust air side of the filter body, the composition of the air flow in the analysis area changes by less than 25%, in particular less than 10%, preferably less than 4%, compared to the composition in the filter area.

[0067] The inventive solution is particularly suitable for pocket filters in primary ventilation systems and large-area filter modules in secondary ventilation systems. In both application variants, the filters are used in a pressure drop range of 50 to 450 Pascal. It is precisely this large pressure drop range that represents the challenge of the invention, as the following problems arise when such a filter system is intended to implement both a filtering and an analysis function. Because the pressure drop in the analysis zone is the result of different measures than that in the filter zone, a different characteristic curve of pressure drop versus volume flow normally results (if no appropriate compensation is provided). However, many measurement methods are based on a constant flow rate. This can be achieved by deliberately keeping flow cross-sections small over a sufficient length.This ensures that the Reynolds number Recrit over 2000 is reached even with a small pressure drop.

[0068] Higher pressure differences then lead to a transition to turbulent flow and to an exponentially increasing resistance in the supply, which has a stabilizing effect on the air flow.

[0069] In quantitative measurement methods, the above stabilization leads to inaccurate measurements because, at a high pressure drop, a larger proportion of the total air flow flows through the filter area than through the analysis area. This can be counteracted by measuring the pressure drop in parallel and correcting the measured values ​​accordingly. Alternatively, the filter design can be constructed in such a way that the filter in the filter area also exhibits a similar behavior to the volume flow limitation in the analysis area.

[0070] According to the invention, this can be achieved in the filter design, by controlling the airflow, or by appropriate filter material design. In a pure filter, flow rate differences play a less significant role over the filter's service life. Areas with higher flow rates fill first with filtered-out particles, which in turn increases the flow resistance in that area, so that a previously less flowed area then receives preferential flow, and the filter also fills there.

[0071] According to the invention, the filter in the filter area is designed with a larger filter capacity than would actually be necessary for the service life. This results in a lesser increase in pressure drop during the filter's service life (i.e., the filter is then replaced due to the [service life] being exceeded and not due to a high Delta P caused by excessive clogging). The inventive solution structurally ensures that the analysis area contains a composition representative of the air flow content, even under changing pressure conditions. The analysis area is formed in a region of the flow-through cross-section that exhibits a uniform laminar flow.Particularly in peripheral zones (especially when the air flow is of a certain roughness) or in the vicinity of edges and air flow deflections, a transition from laminar to turbulent occurs quickly, which leads to an inhomogenization of the solid content in the air due to the acting centrifugal forces (as already mentioned).

[0072] It should be noted that the embodiments described here represent only a limited selection of possible embodiments of the invention. Thus, it is possible to combine the features of individual embodiments in a suitable manner, so that a multitude of different embodiments can be regarded as obviously disclosed by the embodiments explicitly described here. In particular, some embodiments of the invention are described with device claims and other embodiments of the invention with method claims. However, upon reading this application, it will immediately become clear to the person skilled in the art that, unless explicitly stated otherwise, in addition to a combination of features belonging to one type of subject matter of the invention, any combination of features belonging to different types of subject matter of the invention is also possible. the

[0073] For further explanation and better understanding of the present invention, exemplary embodiments are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show:

[0074] Fig. 1 shows a filter system with a filter module according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0075] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a filter material for the filter body according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0076] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of waveforms of the filter material according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0077] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of a filter module with multiple analysis areas according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0078] Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation with selectively closable sample chambers according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0079] Fig. 6 shows a schematic representation of a filter system with a filter module and several filter bodies according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0080] Fig. 7 shows a schematic representation of a filter body with an air guiding device according to an exemplary embodiment. Detailed by exem

[0081] Identical or similar components in different figures are provided with the same reference numerals. The representations in the figures are schematic.

[0082] Fig. 1 shows a filter system 150 with a filter module 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. The filter system 150 comprises a control unit 130 and at least one filter module 100, wherein the at least one filter module 100 is used to exchange analysis data required to support the analysis of airborne contaminants and / or air quality.

[0083] The filter module 100 is provided for filtering air 101 from at least part of a building or air 101 from an exhaust air purification unit of a production process. The filter module 100 can be exchangeably arranged in a filter system 150, and the filter module 100 has a filter body 110 designed to filter air 101 as it flows through it. The filter body 110 has a filter region 111 that filters the airborne substances from the flowing through it, and an analysis region 112 that is configured to support the analysis of the airborne substances and / or the air quality. The filter body 110 is configured such that, at a volume flow velocity of 0.1 m / s to 5.0 m / s through the filter body 110, the pressure drop of the air flowing through the filter body 110 is less than 450 Pascal.The filter region 111 is designed such that, with a pressure drop range of 10 Pa to 450 Pa across the filter module 100, the composition of the air flow in the analysis region 112 changes by less than 40% compared to the composition in the filter region 111, and the analysis region 112 is designed relative to the filter region 111 such that the air 101 in the analysis region 112 comes into contact with over 90% of the same airborne substances as in the filter region 111. The filter system 150 has a housing in which a filter module 100 is arranged. A filter module 100 according to the invention is arranged in an interchangeable manner in the filter system 150. For example, corresponding guide rails can be provided, along which the filter module can be inserted in the insertion direction 107 until it reaches the operating position within the filter system 150.

[0084] The filter system 150 has a flow controller 140, for example, comprising a fan or other flow generator. By means of the flow controller 140, a flow velocity of the air 101 through the filter body and an air pressure of the air 101 on the supply air side 102 of the filter body 110 can be adjusted. The flow controller 140 is configured to adjust a pressure drop difference of a pressure drop between the pressure p1 of the supply air side 102 and the pressure p2 of the exhaust air side 103 in the filter region 111 and the analysis region 112 individually, in particular by means of mechanical and / or mechatronic flow control systems, such that a constant volume flow through the filter region 111 and through the analysis region 112 can be adjusted, in particular based on a subsequent adaptation based on measurement data.

[0085] The filter module 100 comprises a flat filter material secured in a surrounding support frame. The filter module 100 can be designed as a pocket filter, with a plurality of pockets 114 of filter material secured in the support frame, and the air flow being directed into the pockets 114 to filter the incoming air 101.

[0086] The filter module 100 has, in particular, the filter region 111, which performs the function of filtering the air 101. Furthermore, the filter module 100 according to the invention has the analysis region 112, which is designed to support the analysis of the air 102. The analysis region 112 is sufficiently spaced from the support frame of the filter module 100 or from the edge of a flow channel in which the filter module 100 is arranged in the filter system 150, in order to avoid edge flow properties that could cause a different composition of the air particles in the air or a different pressure drop range of the air 101, relative to, for example, a central filter region.

[0087] The analysis region has a sensor element 113 for measuring at least one parameter of the airborne substances and / or the air quality of the air 101. The direct measurement of foreign substances or groups of foreign substances in the air stream can be provided by means of a sensor element 113 integrated in the analysis region 112. The sensor element 113 has, for example, a MEMS sensor. Furthermore, the sensor element 113 can in particular be configured such that the sensor element 113 can be used for a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer analysis (FTIR) and / or a near-infrared spectroscopy analysis. The sensor element 113 can, for example, form a resistance sensor for measuring the airborne substances and / or the air quality. In this case, for example, a trigger substance can additionally be used to measure the presence of certain foreign substances in the air 101.

[0088] The filter module 100 has a communication unit 122 for communicating data relating to the airborne substances and / or the air quality, for example, to a control unit 130 of the filter system 150, in particular for controlling the filter module 100. The communication unit 122 is configured to send information about the airborne substances and / or the air quality to the control unit 130 or to also send control signals to the control unit 130, which can be created based on measured parameters in order to generate, for example, control signals relating to information signals (alarm signals) or air flow control signals. The filter module 100 further has (in an implementation with wired communication) a coupling element 106, which is mechanically and / or electrically coupled to the analysis area 112 and can be coupled to a connection of a filter system 150.The coupling element 106 is particularly designed such that a detachable coupling can be provided between the analysis area 112 and the connection of the filter system 150. Furthermore, the coupling element 106 is particularly designed such that when the filter module 100 is inserted into an operating position in the filter system 150, a coupling can be automatically created between the connection of the filter system 150 and the analysis area 112. The coupling element 106 is provided on an exhaust air side 103 of the filter body 110. The coupling element 106 is particularly provided on the filter module 100, for example on the support frame of the filter module 100, such that, in an operating position of the filter module 100 in the filter system 150, a coupling with a corresponding coupling element of the filter system 150 is enabled.

[0089] The filter module 100 further comprises a weighing device 108 configured to weigh the filter occupancy, in particular to compensate for any measurement distortion caused by the pressure of the air 101 flowing through the system. When the filter module 100 is installed in the housing of the filter system 150, the weighing device 108 is in contact with the ground and thus transmits the weight of the filter module 100 into the ground. This allows a weight measurement of the filter module 100 to be performed.

[0090] The filter module 100 has an optional receiving device 120, which is designed to receive a unique ID, wherein the unique ID contains information regarding the location of the filter module 100. The receiving device 120 can be designed to read the unique ID from a QR code, a barcode, an OCR font, or an RFID tag. Furthermore, the receiving device 120 can be designed to receive the unique ID via NFC, Bluetooth, WLAN, proprietary protocols, or protocols from building management systems, in particular LON or EIB. Based on the unique ID, the operation and / or configuration of the filter module 100 can be adjusted. For example, the unique ID contains information regarding the installation location of the filter module 100 in the filter system 150.This ID allows the operating parameters required for the specific operation to be preselected from a preconfigured operating mode of the filter system 150 or the filter module 100 or to retrieve stored data of a system configuration.

[0091] The filter module 100 further comprises an optional transmitting device 121 for transmitting filter body-related data, wherein the transmitting device 121 is configured to transmit the data using RFID, NFC, Bluetooth, WLAN, or building management system protocols. Based on this data, the control unit 130 can generate a warning signal and / or initiate a measure, particularly relating to the throughput through the filter module 100.

[0092] The transmitting device 121 can, for example, be an antenna or a conductor-based system that signals the readiness of the ventilation system or filter system 150 to receive data from the filter module 100. Such data can relate not only to parameters relating to the airborne substances in the air 101, but can also contain information and details about the filter module 100. For example, depending on the performance of a filter module 100 used, the air volume through the filter module 100 or the filter system 150 can be adjusted. Furthermore, if a running time or occupancy density of the filter module 100 is exceeded, a signal can be sent that can either be interpreted as a maintenance signal or used as a control signal to reduce the air throughput. The analysis area 112 is, in particular, more than 0.5 cm from the edge orSupport frame of the filter body 110, which acts as an outer air flow boundary, so that there are no edge effects with air flow turbulences in the analysis area 112.

[0093] The control unit 130 may comprise a visualization unit configured to visualize the air quality and the analysis of the air particles or airborne substances, in particular depending on the location of the respective filter system 150. Furthermore, the control unit 130 is configured in particular to generate a recommended action based on the air quality and the analysis of the airborne substances.

[0094] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a filter material for the filter body 110 according to an exemplary embodiment. The filter body 110 has, particularly in the filter area 111, a plurality of filter layers arranged one behind the other in the flow direction of the air 101 through the filter. In particular, the first filter layer facing the supply air side 102 filters more coarsely than at least one of the second filter layers following the first filter layer in the flow direction. Thus, larger particles can be filtered first, while smaller particles flow through the first layers and are only later filtered out by the finer layers.

[0095] The filter body 110 or a layer has, in particular in the filter area 110, a fleece as filter material, wherein the fleece has in particular an entire layer or a plurality of layers.

[0096] The filter body 110 comprises at least two nonwoven layers 201, 203 and a filter membrane 202 arranged between the nonwoven layers, which are arranged one above the other in a layered composite in a third direction z, wherein, in particular, the middle filter membrane 202 of the layered composite has a larger surface area than the two outer nonwoven layers 201, 203. The middle filter membrane 202 has corrugated sections arranged one behind the other along a first direction x.

[0097] Fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of waveforms of the filter material according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0098] The wave sections run irregularly and asymmetrically to one another, particularly within the plane. The filter body 110 is arranged such that air can flow over the filter body 110 along the first direction x or along the second direction y. For example, the x direction is the air flow direction of the air 101, and the wave sections run transversely to the first direction x along the second direction y. The asymmetry of the wave arrangement and shape can be used for vibration damping.

[0099] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of a filter module 100 with multiple analysis areas 112 according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0100] The analysis region 113 can be flowed through continuously or discontinuously. Thus, for example, in the case of a discontinuous flow through the analysis region 112, it can be selectively covered and only be subjected to air flow at a single measurement time. The analysis regions 112 have a collection volume for airborne substances. The analysis regions 112 can, for example, each form a pocket or bag in which the collection volume is formed. Air particles or other airborne substances can collect therein, which can later be analyzed, for example, when the filter module 100 is removed. Furthermore, according to an exemplary embodiment, a sensor element 113 (see Fig. 1) can be installed in the collection volume to analyze the collected airborne substances. The analysis regions 112 can each have an adhesion region for the adhesion and accumulation of airborne substances.The adhesion can be achieved, for example, by defining the pore size of a filter material in the analysis region 112, or by using certain adhesive-like substances to which the air particles in the air adhere. One of the analysis regions 112 can have a reactive region for the reaction and conversion of airborne substances and / or air components.

[0101] Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation with selectively closable sample chambers 501, through which air can selectively flow to filter airborne substances or air particles, in particular to enable staggered sample collection. The sample chambers 501 can be distributed or arranged together in a specific region of the filter body 110 or within the filter region 111. The sample chambers 501 are arranged such that the inventive volume flow velocity is from 0.1 m / s to 5.0 m / s and the pressure drop of the air 101 flowing through the filter body is less than 450 Pascal.Furthermore, the sample chambers 501 are designed and arranged such that, with a pressure drop range of 10 Pa to 450 Pa across the filter module, the composition of the air flow in the sample chambers 501 of the analysis region 112 changes by less than 40% compared to the composition in the filter region 111, and the sample chambers 501 in the analysis region 112 are designed relative to the filter region 111 such that the air in the sample chambers comes into contact with over 90% of the same airborne substances or air particles as in the filter region 111.

[0102] The sampling devices 501, which are arranged in the analysis area 112, can be arranged interchangeably. A collection volume for the airborne substances is formed in the sampling devices 501. The sampling device 501 is, in particular, sealable in order to partially, completely, and / or selectively seal the collection volume. The sampling devices 501 can be sealed, for example, after a certain period of time during which airborne substances are collected in the collection volume. Subsequently, the sampling device 501 can be removed, and the collected air particles or liquid can be analyzed in an external laboratory.

[0103] The sampling devices 501 have, for example, a closure mechanism, such as a closure element 502 (e.g., a closable flap). The corresponding opening and closing of the sampling device 501 can be controlled, for example, by the control unit 130 of the filter system 150.

[0104] By means of the closure elements 502, the sample chambers 501 can be selectively flowed through, for example, by making one or selected sample chambers 501 accessible to the air flow depending on the time. Alternatively, an air guidance system consisting of air ducts and control valves can be used to direct an air flow to a specific sample chamber 501 at a specific time.

[0105] By means of the sample chambers 501, a plurality of flow-through analysis regions 112 are thus formed, which can be selectively controlled such that the flow-through analysis regions 112 can be flowed through independently of one another at a predetermined time and for a predetermined flow duration such that, based on the measurement at the predetermined times of flow through the individual flow-through analysis regions 112, a binary tree is formed. The data of the measured parameters of the airborne substances in the flow-through analysis regions 112 are indicative of a state of the air flow at a time range and of a change in state over the flow duration of the flow through the analysis regions 112. Due to the additional temporal dimension, the various states and changes in state of the airborne substances at specific time ranges can be mapped in a data matrix or in a binary tree.

[0106] Fig. 6 shows a schematic representation of a filter system 150 with a filter module 100 and a plurality of filter bodies 110, 610 according to an exemplary embodiment. The filter bodies 110, 610 each consist, for example, of pocket filters or a bag filter, wherein at least one filter body 610 consists, for example, exclusively of an analysis area 112, which is configured for the analysis of airborne substances and the air quality. For example, at least one filter body 610 consists exclusively of an analysis area 112 having a power supply unit 611, which is designed in particular such that a power supply can be provided for a predetermined service life of the filter module 100. The

[0107] In the exemplary embodiment, filter module 100 has filter bodies 110, 610 arranged serially one behind the other.

[0108] The energy or power generation unit 611 is configured, for example, to generate energy by means of the air flow 101 through the filter module 100 and / or by means of electromagnetic waves, which energy is used in particular to operate the analysis area 112.

[0109] Fig. 7 shows a schematic representation of a filter body 110 with an air guiding device 702 according to an exemplary embodiment. The air guiding device 702 is designed to form an air path to the supply air side 102 and / or to the exhaust air side 103 of the filter body 110, wherein the air guiding device 702 is designed, in particular, to be replaceable in the filter body 110. The air path thus leads through the analysis region 112. The air paths thus guide the air 101, for example, to a measuring device of the filter system 150, wherein the filter module 100 can be replaced independently of the measuring device. In particular, an intermediate material with filter properties or with active reagents can be provided in the air path.

[0110] The analysis area 112 further comprises an air guide area 701 for coupling the air flow out of the filter body 110. For example, the air guide area 701 can be conical and funnel-shaped to absorb a portion of the air from the flowing air 101 and transport it further to a desired location in a further line system outside the filter module 100. For example, the air portion can be collected in a collection container of the filter system 150 and provided for further analysis. The air guide device 701 can also guide the air to a removable sample chamber 501, in which, for example, the accompanying air substances can be collected.

[0111] Additionally, it should be noted that "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be noted that features or steps described with reference to one of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are not to be considered as limitations.

[0112]

[0113] Filter module 201 outer fleece layer

[0114] Air 202 filter membrane

[0115] Supply air side 203 outer fleece layer

[0116] Exhaust air side

[0117] Energy generation unit 501 Sampling device / sample chamber

[0118] Signal connection 502 locking element

[0119] coupling element

[0120] Insertion direction 610 additional filter body

[0121] Weighing device 611 Power supply unit

[0122] Filter body 701 air guide area

[0123] Filter area 702 air duct device

[0124] Analysis area

[0125] Sensor element x first direction

[0126] Filter bag y second direction z third direction

[0127] Receiving device pl pressure supply air side

[0128] Transmitter p2 pressure exhaust air side

[0129] Communication unit

[0130] Control unit

[0131] Flow control

[0132] filter system

Claims

Patent claims 1. Filter module (100) for filtering air (101) from at least part of a building or air (101) from an exhaust air purification unit of a production process, wherein the filter module (100) can be exchangeably arranged in a filter system (150), wherein the filter module (100) has a filter body (110) which is designed to filter air (101) as it flows through it, wherein the filter body (110) has: a filter region (111) which filters the airborne substances from the air, and an analysis region (112) which is configured to support the analysis of the airborne substances and / or the air quality, wherein the filter body (110) is configured such that at a volume flow velocity of 0.1 m / s to 5.0 m / s through the filter body (110), the pressure drop of the air flowing through the filter body (110) is less than 450 Pascal, wherein the filter region (111) is designed such that, with a pressure drop range of 10 Pa to 450 Pa across the filter module (100), the composition of the air flow in the analysis region (112) changes by less than 40% compared to the composition in the filter region (111), and wherein the analysis region (112) is designed relative to the filter region (111) such that the air (101) in the analysis region (112) comes into contact with over 90% of the same airborne substances as in the filter region (111).

2. Filter module (100) according to claim 1, wherein the analysis area (112) has a collection volume for airborne substances.

3. Filter module (100) according to claim 2, further comprising a sampling device which is arranged in the analysis area (112), in particular exchangeably and / or removable, and in which the collection volume is formed, wherein the sampling device is in particular sealable in order to partially, completely and / or selectively seal the collection volume.

4. Filter module (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the analysis region (112) has an adhesion region for the adhesion and / or accumulation of airborne substances.

5. Filter module (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the analysis region (112) has a reactive region for the reaction and conversion of airborne substances and / or air components.

6. Filter module (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the analysis region (112) has an air guiding region for coupling the air flow out of the filter body (110).

7. Filter module (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the analysis region (112) has a sensor element (113) for measuring at least one parameter of the airborne substances and / or the air quality.

8. Filter module (100) according to claim 5, wherein the sensor element (113) comprises a MEMS sensor, wherein the sensor element (113) is in particular configured such that the sensor element (113) can be used for a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer analysis, FTIR and / or a near-infrared spectroscopy analysis.

9. Filter module (100) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the sensor element (113) comprises a resistance sensor for measuring the airborne substances and / or the air quality, and / or wherein the sensor element (113) comprises a microphone which is configured to detect the noise level in a room such that the number and intensity of speaking persons in the room can be determined by measuring and evaluating the noise level in the room.

10. Filter module (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a communication unit (122) for communicating data relating to the airborne substances and / or the air quality to a control unit (130) of the filter system (150), in particular for controlling the filter module (100).

11. Filter module according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the filter body (110) has a plurality of analysis regions (112).

12. Filter module (100) according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the analysis region (112) is configured to indicate the presence of substance classes, wherein the analysis region (112) is configured to filter and collect airborne substances from the air (101), and / or wherein the analysis region (112) is designed to preserve samples of the airborne substances, wherein in particular sorbitol and / or activated carbon is provided in the analysis region (112) for preservation.

13. Filter module (100) according to one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising an energy generation unit (104) which is configured to generate energy by means of the air flow through the filter module (100) and / or by means of electromagnetic waves, which energy is used in particular to operate the analysis region (112).

14. Filter module (100) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the analysis area (112) has a plurality of sample chambers through which the air (101) can flow selectively to filter airborne substances, in particular to enable time-delayed sample collection.

15. Filter module (100) according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the filter body (110), in particular in the filter region (111), has a fleece as filter material, wherein the fleece has in particular an entire layer or a plurality of layers, wherein the filter body (110) is arranged in the filter module (100) in particular in an exchangeable manner, wherein the fleece is designed in particular as a disposable filter.

16. Filter module (100) according to one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the filter region (111) and the analysis region (112) can be arranged parallel in the air flow such that the filter module (100) can be formed as part of a secondary filter system and / or the filter module (100) can be formed as part of a pocket filter.

17. Filter module (100) according to one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the inflow of the air (101) to the analysis area (112) is controllable such that a flow and / or pressure difference of the air (101) in the filter area (111) and in the analysis area (112) is adjustable, in particular that the pressure difference is controllable or adjustable 18. Filter module (100) according to one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the analysis region (112) can be flowed through continuously or discontinuously.

19. Filter module (100) according to claim 18, wherein in a discontinuous operation, the analysis region (112) can be activated relative to the filter region (111) in a temporal duty cycle ratio of less than 10: 1, in particular of less than 100: 1, and / or the active measuring time of a flow cycle through the filter body (110) is shorter than 10 ms, in particular shorter than 50 microseconds, particularly preferably shorter than 1 microsecond, in particular adjustable.

20. Filter module (100) according to one of claims 1 to 19, further comprising a coupling element (106) which is mechanically and / or electrically coupled to the analysis region (112) and can be coupled to a connection of a filter system (150), wherein the coupling element (106) is designed in particular such that a detachable coupling can be provided between the analysis region (112) and the connection of the filter system (150), wherein the coupling element (106) is designed in particular such that when the filter module (100) is introduced into an operating position in the filter system (150), a coupling can be automatically generated between the connection of the filter system (150) and the analysis region (112), wherein the coupling element (106) is provided in particular on an exhaust air side (103) of the filter body (110).

21. Filter module (100) according to one of claims 1 to 20, further comprising at least one further filter body (110), which in particular consists of a pocket filter or a bag filter, wherein at least one filter body (610) consists exclusively of an analysis area (112) which is configured for the analysis of the airborne substances and the air quality, wherein in particular at least one filter body (110) consists exclusively of an analysis area (112) comprising a power supply unit (611), which is designed in particular such that a power supply can be provided for a predetermined service life of the filter module (100).

22. Filter module (100) according to one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the filter body (110), in particular in the filter region (111), has at least two nonwoven layers (201, 203) and a filter membrane (202) arranged between the nonwoven layers (201, 203), which are arranged in layers one above the other in a layered composite, wherein in particular the middle filter membrane (202) of the layered composite has a larger surface than the two outer nonwoven layers (201, 203).

23. Filter module (100) according to claim 22, wherein a first direction and a second direction span a plane, wherein the central filter membrane (202) is corrugated with wave sections such that the wave sections are arranged one behind the other along a first direction, wherein the wave sections run irregularly and asymmetrically to one another, in particular within the plane, and wherein the filter body (110) is arranged such that the filter body (110) can be flowed over with air (101) along the first direction or along the second direction.

24. Filter module (100) according to claim 23, characterized in that the filter body (110) in the filter area (111) has a thickness of 2 mm to 10 mm, in particular of 3 mm to 7 mm, and / or wherein the number of wave sections is between 0.5 and 3 waves per cm.

25. Filter module (100) according to one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the filter region (111) is formed from a hydrophobic filter material, and / or wherein the filter region (111) is formed from natural fibers, and / or wherein the filter region (111) contains a polyolefin, in particular a polypropylene, and / or wherein the filter region (111) contains cellulose, cotton and / or hemp.

26. Filter module (100) according to one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the analysis region (112) has an air guiding device which is particularly designed to form an air path to the supply air side (102) and / or to the exhaust air side (103) of the filter body (110), wherein the air guiding device is particularly designed to be replaceable in the filter body (110).

27. Filter module (100) according to one of claims 1 to 26, further comprising a weighing device (108) which is arranged to weigh the Filter occupancy, in particular that a measurement value distortion due to the pressure of the air flowing through the system (101) can be compensated.

28. Filter module (100) according to one of claims 1 to 27, further comprising a receiving device (120) which is designed to receive a unique ID, wherein the unique ID comprises information regarding the location of the filter module (100), wherein the receiving device (120) is designed to read the unique ID from a QR code, a barcode, an OCR font or an RFID tag, and / or wherein the receiving device (120) is designed to receive the unique ID via NFC, Bluetooth, WLAN, proprietary protocols or protocols of building management systems, in particular LON or EIB, wherein the operation and / or the configuration of the filter module (100) can be adjusted based on the unique ID.

29. Filter module (100) according to one of claims 1 to 28, further comprising a transmitting device (121) for transmitting filter body-related data, wherein the transmitting device (121) is configured to transmit the data by means of R.FID, NFC, Bluetooth, WLAN or building management system protocols, wherein on the basis of this data, a warning signal can be generated by means of a control unit (130) and / or a measure can be taken which in particular relates to a throughput through the filter module (100).

30. Filter module (100) according to one of claims 1 to 29, wherein the analysis region (112) has a plurality of flow-through regions which are selectively controllable such that the flow-through regions can be flowed through independently of one another at a predetermined time and for a predetermined flow duration such that a binary tree is formed based on the measurement at the predetermined times of the flow through the individual flow-through regions.

31. Filter module (100) according to one of claims 1 to 30, wherein the analysis region (112) is arranged more than 0.5 cm, in particular more than 1 cm, further in particular more than 2 cm, from the edge of the filter body (110), which acts as an outer air flow boundary.

32. Filter module (100) according to one of claims 1 to 31, wherein the filter body (110), in particular in the filter region (111), has a plurality of filter layers which are arranged one behind the other in the flow direction of the air through the filter, wherein in particular the first filter layer facing the supply air side (102) filters more coarsely than at least one of the second filter layers following the following first filter layer in the flow direction.

33. Filter module (100) according to one of claims 1 to 32, wherein the filter body (110) comprises a pocket filter, a cartridge filter, a tube filter, a candle filter, a compact filter or a HEPA filter.

34. Filter system (150) comprising a control unit (130) and at least one filter module (100) according to one of claims 1 to 33, wherein the at least one filter module (100) is coupled to the control unit (130) for exchanging analysis data required to support the analysis of the airborne substances and / or the air quality.

35. Filter system (150) according to claim 34, wherein the control unit (130) has a visualization unit which is configured to visualize the air quality and the analysis of the airborne substances, in particular location-dependent at the location of the respective filter system (150), wherein the control unit (130) is in particular configured to generate a recommended action based on the air quality and the analysis of the airborne substances.

36. Filter system (150) according to claim 34 or 35, further comprising a flow control (140), wherein by means of the flow control (140) a flow velocity of the air (101) through the filter body (110) and an air pressure of the air (101) on the supply air side (102) of the filter body (110) can be adjusted, wherein the flow control (140) is configured to adjust a pressure drop difference of a pressure drop between the supply air side (102) and the exhaust air side (103) in the filter region (111) and the analysis region (112) individually, in particular by means of mechanical and / or mechatronic flow control systems, such that a constant volume flow through the filter region (111) and through the analysis region (112), in particular based on a subsequent adaptation based on measurement data, can be adjusted.

37. Filter system (150) according to claim 36, wherein the flow control (140) is configured to set the velocity of the volume flow in the range 0.1 to 5.0 m / s, in particular 0.3 m / s to 2.8 m / s and / or the pressure drop across the filter body (110) in at least one operating mode below 250 Pa, in particular below 150 Pa, in particular below 60 Pa.

38. Filter system (150) according to claim 36 or 37, wherein the flow control (140) controls the air flow such that in a pressure drop range of 50 Pa to 450 Pa between the supply air side (102) and the exhaust air side (103) of the filter body (110), the composition of the air flow in the analysis area (112) changes by less than 25%, in particular less than 10%, preferably less than 4%, compared to the composition in the filter area (111).

39. Method for filtering air (101) from at least part of a building or air (101) from an exhaust air purification unit of a production process with a replaceable filter module (100) according to one of claims 1 to 33.

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