AIR TREATMENT AND PURIFICATION DEVICE BY PHOTOCATALYSIS

Abstract

The photocatalytic air treatment and purification device in question comprises: - a casing whose lower wall (10) has at least one air intake opening in a peripheral zone of this lower wall (10) and at least one first air outlet opening on this same lower wall (10), located in the peripheral zone opposite the air intake opening; the casing contains at least one fan capable of creating an airflow between said openings and at least one photocatalytic system located on this airflow and capable of treating this airflow; - a lighting system (14) located on the lower wall of the casing, on its exterior side, between said openings; and - fixing means (9) allowing the installation of the device on a ceiling or a false ceiling. Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: DEVICE FOR AIR TREATMENT AND PURIFICATION BY PHOTOCATALYSIS Technical field of the invention.

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for treating and purifying air by photocatalysis. State of the prior art.

[0002] There are many air purification devices, whether by filtration, photocatalysis or other technologies. All these systems are devices that are placed on the floor or on a piece of furniture, or fixed to a wall.

[0003] An existing system has the disadvantage of not producing good air circulation in the room in which it is installed because there are often many obstacles in said room, affecting the circulation of the volume of air to be treated.

[0004] It is also known to carry out air treatment and purification by photocatalysis. Schematically, the photocatalytic reaction is initiated by activating a solid semiconductor substrate called a "photocatalyst agent", for example titanium dioxide (TiO2), by UV radiation with a wavelength ranging from 100 nm to 400 nm; this activation causes electronic changes within the semiconductor and leads, in the presence of air or water, to the creation of oxygen radicals on the surface of the semiconductor. These radicals attack the organic compounds adsorbed on the semiconductor and, by a series of chemical reactions involving the oxygen in the air and water, degrade the organic or chemical compounds until the carbon in the carbon chains is completely transformed into carbon dioxide (CO2).

[0005] For such an application of photocatalysis, there are supports, also called "filter media", combining a fibrous support itself and a photocatalyst agent by means of a binding agent. This technology is more particularly described in the patent application publication No. EP-A-1069950.

[0006] Improved photocatalytic supports have been developed, in which the photocatalyst agent is combined with activated carbon. Activated carbon, due to its high specific surface area, can adsorb pollutants, while the photocatalyst agent, under the effect of ultraviolet radiation, degrades the pollutants thus fixed and regenerates the carbon support. Such supports are described in international patent application publications No. WO 00 / 13950 and WO 04 / 033069. Subject of the invention.

[0007] The device according to the invention aims to remedy the various problems aforementioned prior art.

[0008] For this purpose, this device comprises:

[0009] - a box whose lower wall has at least one suction opening air at a peripheral zone of this lower wall and at least one first air blowing opening on this same lower wall, located at the peripheral zone opposite the air suction opening; the box contains at least one fan capable of creating an air flow between said openings as well as at least one photocatalysis system located on this air flow and capable of treating this air flow;

[0010] - a lighting system located at the level of the lower wall of the box, side outside of it, between said openings, and

[0011] - fixing means allowing the device to be installed on a ceiling or a false ceiling.

[0012] The air drawn in through the air intake opening enters the box and is then filtered and treated by the photocatalysis system and exits through the air blowing opening(s). The air intake and air blowing openings are located on either side of the lighting system, on the periphery thereof, and generate a flow of air passing inside the box, which prevents the risk of dust accumulating on the lighting system.

[0013] The invention therefore consists of a device capable of being installed on a ceiling or false ceiling, which integrates a photocatalysis system having the property of destroying pollutants of organic or chemical origin, and which also has a lighting system protected against the accumulation of dust.

[0014] Preferably, said lower wall has at least one second air blowing opening at a peripheral zone of this lower wall which is perpendicular to the peripheral zones along which the aforementioned air suction opening and said first air blowing opening extend.

[0015] The device thus comprises at least two air blowing openings, which are distant, or partially distant, from the air suction opening.

[0016] Preferably, said lower wall has at least one third air blowing opening at the peripheral zone opposite that having said second air blowing opening.

[0017] The device thus comprises at least three air blowing openings, which are distant, or partially distant, from the air suction opening.

[0018] Preferably, each of the air blowing openings is equipped with a deflector allowing the air to be deflected in a direction parallel to said lower wall, therefore horizontally when the device is installed on a ceiling or false ceiling, in order to create a COANDA effect at the level of the ceiling or false ceiling.

[0019] Preferably, the box has external dimensions corresponding to the dimensions standards of a false ceiling tile, particularly less than 600 mm x 600 mm, so that it is suitable for installation in place of a false ceiling tile or a light fixture. In the absence of a false ceiling, the device can of course be installed suspended from the ceiling.

[0020] Preferably, the lighting system is of the light-emitting diode type.

[0021] Preferably, the device comprises a double air flow duct at the through the box, each of which is equipped with a fan and a photocatalysis system, each duct forming an air treatment chamber.

[0022] Preferably, each treatment chamber is delimited by a filtration cage whose walls are perforated and comprise layers of photocatalytic substrate, that is to say of a material combining a support, in particular fibrous, in particular textile, and a photocatalysis agent, in particular an agent as mentioned above.

[0023] The perforated walls of each cage make it possible to support the photocatalytic substrate layers so that the latter are able to withstand the pressure generated by the circulation of air through the photocatalysis system.

[0024] Preferably, each layer of photocatalytic substrate is bonded to the corresponding perforated wall of the filtration cage.

[0025] The attached drawings illustrate an embodiment of the device according to the invention, by way of non-limiting example.

[0026] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] is a side view of this device.

[0027] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a top view.

[0028] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective view, from below.

[0029] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of the device, from above, with removal of a front wall and a top wall, so as to show the filtration cages that include the photocatalysis systems.

[0030] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a view of the device similar to [Fig.4], from another angle, with a front wall, a top wall and the dust filter access door removed, in order to show the dust filter (considered transparent) and the fans.

[0031] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a perspective view of the device, from above, with removal of a front wall, an upper wall and the filtration cages that comprise the photocatalysis systems, therefore showing the ultraviolet lamps and the mounting sockets of these lamps, that comprise these systems.

[0032] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] is a view of the device identical to [Fig.6], in which a Lighting system mounting detail is circled.

[0033] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] is a view of the detail in question on an enlarged scale.

[0034] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a side view of the device, in section passing through one of the photocatalysis systems, showing the lamps and sockets of this photo- catalyzes, and showing by arrows the circulation of air through the device.

[0035] [Fig. 10] [Fig. 10] is a view of the device similar to [Fig.9], in perspective and slightly from below, also showing by arrows the circulation of air through the device. Detailed description

[0036] In the drawings,

[0037] Reference 1 designates a side sheet of the box.

[0038] Reference 2 designates a side sheet of the box which is perpendicular to sheet 1.

[0039] Reference 3 designates the upper sheet which can be removed so as to allow a access to the photocatalysis systems described later, placed inside the box.

[0040] Reference 4 designates a side sheet opposite sheet 2.

[0041] Reference 5 designates a deflector formed so as to direct the air outlet from horizontal way.

[0042] Reference 6 designates the second deflector.

[0043] Reference 7 designates a hatch to allow access to the dust filter 18.

[0044] Reference 8 designates another hatch to allow access to the photo systems catalysis 15, 17, 20, in particular to the ultraviolet lamps 20 which these systems comprise, when the device is fixed to a ceiling.

[0045] Reference 9 designates the suspension systems of the device, which may in particular be in the form of rings or anchoring members known per se.

[0046] Reference 10 designates the lower sheet on which the various openings for the circulation of air through the box are arranged, and on which rests the lighting system 14, which is, in the example shown, a panel provided with light-emitting diodes. As visible in [Fig. 3], this lower sheet has, at its leftmost lateral edge in this figure, an elongated opening in the form of a series of small slanted slots, which is an air suction opening in the box, and has, on these three opposite lateral edges, three elongated air blowing openings, equipped with deflectors 5, 6 and 13.

[0047] Reference 11 designates a side sheet opposite sheet 1.

[0048] Reference 12 designates the electrical connector for the power supply of the systems of photocatalysis.

[0049] Reference 13 designates the third deflector.

[0050] Reference 14 designates the light-emitting diode lighting panel.

[0051] Reference 15 designates filtration cages on the walls of which are glued layers of photocatalytic substrate 17, this material being formed by the association of a fibrous support and a photocatalysis agent.

[0052] Reference 16 designates a sheet on which the cages 15 and various ac are mounted accessories such as the supports 21 of the sockets 22 of the ultraviolet lamps 20, and the fans 19.

[0053] Reference 17 designates each layer of photocatalytic substrate.

[0054] Reference 18 designates the dust filter located at the air inlet in order to protect the photocatalytic substrate. In [Fig.5], this filter is considered transparent so as not to mask the fans 19 located behind it.

[0055] Reference 19 designates the fans which ensure the circulation of air through the device.

[0056] Reference 20 designates UV lamps.

[0057] Reference 21 designates the sheets which support the sockets 22 on which are mounted the 20 UV lamps.

[0058] Reference 22 designates mounting sockets for UV lamps.

[0059] Reference 23 designates a second electrical connector for powering the LED panel.

[0060] Reference 24 designates the connecting screws which ensure the fixing of the deflectors 5, 6, 13 and system 25, 26 for locking the lighting panel 14 with light-emitting diodes.

[0061] Reference 25 designates the pressure springs which allow the light-emitting diode panel to be held in place.

[0062] Reference 26 designates the tabs which provide pressure on the electroluminescent diode panel.

[0063] AIR CIRCULATION IN THE BOX, [Fig.9] and [Fig. 10].

[0064] For each fan / photocatalysis system assembly:

[0065] A- Air entry through holes on the sheet 10

[0066] B- Air is directed through the dust filter

[0067] C- The air passes through the fan to be directed towards the photocatalysis system

[0068] D- Purified air comes out of the photocatalysis system

[0069] E- The air is directed towards the three deflectors 5, 6 and 13

[0070] F- Air outlet

[0071] The air arrives through the inlet A in the box then passes through the dust filter 18 at B, passes through the fans 19 at C, is treated and passes through the cages 15 in which the UV lamps 20 are located, passes through the photocatalytic substrates 17 at D and is redirected E into the box before exiting at F through the air blowing openings equipped with the three deflectors 5, 6 and 13.

[0072] The passage of air is diverted by these deflectors in order to create a CO AND A effect on the ceiling and thus ensure optimal air circulation in the room in which the device is installed.

Claims

Claims

1. Device for treating and purifying air by photocatalysis, comprising: - a box whose lower wall (10) has at least one air suction opening at a peripheral zone of this lower wall (10) and a first air blowing opening on this same lower wall (10), located at the peripheral zone opposite the air suction opening; the box contains at least one fan (19) capable of creating an air flow between said openings as well as at least one photocatalysis system (15, 17, 20) located on this air flow and capable of treating this air flow; - a lighting system (14) located at the lower wall (10) of the box, on the outside thereof, between said openings, and - fixing means (9) allowing the device to be installed on a ceiling or a false ceiling;characterized in that said lower wall (10) has at least one second air blowing opening at a peripheral zone of this lower wall (10) which is perpendicular to the peripheral zones along which the aforementioned air suction opening and said first air blowing opening extend.;

2. Device for treating and purifying air by photocatalysis according to claim 1, characterized in that said lower wall (10) has at least a third air blowing opening at the peripheral zone opposite that having said second air blowing opening.

3. Device for treating and purifying air by photocatalysis according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that each of the air blowing openings is equipped with a deflector (5, 6, 13) allowing the air to be deflected in a direction parallel to said lower wall (10), therefore horizontally when the device is installed on a ceiling or false ceiling, in order to create a COANDA effect at the level of the ceiling or false ceiling.

4. Device for treating and purifying air by photocatalysis according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the box has external dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of a false ceiling tile, in particular less than 600 mm x 600 mm, so that it is suitable for being installed in place of a false ceiling tile or a light fixture.

5. Device for treating and purifying air by photocatalysis according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the lighting system (14) is of the light-emitting diode type.

6. Device for treating and purifying air by photocatalysis according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a double air flow duct through the box, each of which is equipped with a fan (19) and a photocatalysis system (15, 17, 20), each duct forming an air treatment chamber.

7. Device for treating and purifying air by photocatalysis according to claim 6, characterized in that each treatment chamber is delimited by a filtration cage (15) whose walls are perforated and comprise layers of photocatalytic substrate (17).

8. Device for treating and purifying air by photocatalysis according to claim 7, characterized in that each layer of photocatalytic substrate (17) is glued to the corresponding perforated wall of the filtration cage (15).

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