System for injecting beneficial microorganisms into indoor environments

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for injecting beneficial microorganisms into an indoor environment, comprising: a container (1) configured to contain a mixture of microorganisms; a nebulizer (9) configured to spray the mixture of microorganisms into a ventilation channel of the indoor environment; a pump (4) configured to transport the mixture of microorganisms to be sprayed from the container (1) to the nebulizer (9); a flow meter (6) configured to measure the flow rate of the mixture of microorganisms; and a controller (8) operably connected to the flow meter (6) and the pump (4) and configured to control at least the pump (4) in response to at least the measurements of the flow meter.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a system for improving the air quality of an indoor environment, in particular by injecting beneficial microorganisms to improve the microflora of the indoor space. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method of use thereof. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a filter unit for removing particles from a gas stream and a system for treating air to be injected into an indoor environment. [Background technology]

[0002] background The current trend in building design is to maximize isolation of the indoor environment from the outdoor environment in order to achieve higher energy efficiency. Air supply is provided by forced ventilation systems that filter the incoming air to remove pollutants. As a result, the air microflora in buildings tends to become worse, which may result in humans being insufficiently exposed to microorganisms that are considered beneficial to human health.

[0003] In terms of improving air quality, it is known to place plants in buildings that are thought to have air-purifying properties, but the drawbacks of this approach are that it is costly and time-consuming, and is prone to causing undesirable humidity and mold formation.

[0004] It is known to infuse probiotics into the air inside buildings. The drawback of this approach is that it can lead to the formation of bacterial spores when certain climatic conditions occur.

[0005] It is known to use probiotic cleaning agents in buildings. A drawback of this approach is that the cleaning agents tend to contain volatile organic compounds and chemicals that reduce biodiversity.

[0006] As mentioned above, air supply is provided by forced-air systems that filter the incoming air to remove contaminants. The benefit of removing such contaminants is that the injected air is healthier to breathe for the people occupying the indoor space. On the other hand, known systems typically utilize HEPA filters, which, while known to adequately remove pathogens from the air, require high pressure (typically at least 400 Pa) to function, making such systems energy intensive. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Therefore, a need remains for a system that can maximize the removal of harmful organisms and contaminants from the air injected into an indoor space, while still requiring minimal pressure to filter the air.

[0008] A further drawback is that the filtered air, although freed of pathogens, loses balance in the microflora. There remains a further need to provide a system that can restore balance to the microflora of indoor air.

[0009] Based on the above, therefore, there remains a need to provide an energy-efficient system that can treat air injected into an indoor environment, where such treatment consists of removing harmful pollutants and introducing beneficial organisms into the injected air. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] overview According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for injecting beneficial microorganisms into an indoor environment, comprising: a first container configured to contain a mixture of microorganisms; a first nebulizer configured to spray the mixture of microorganisms into a ventilation channel of the indoor environment; a first pump configured to transport the mixture of microorganisms to be nebulized from the first container to the first nebulizer; a first flow meter configured to measure a flow rate of the mixture of microorganisms; a first controller operably connected to the first flow meter and the first pump and configured to control at least the first pump in response to measurements of the at least the first flow meter; A system is provided comprising:

[0011] The present invention is based, inter alia, on the inventor's insight that the infusion of carefully controlled amounts of specific microorganisms into the air of indoor spaces is beneficial to human health, and further on the inventor's insight that such microorganisms can be conveniently sprayed into ventilation channels of indoor environments for distribution purposes.

[0012] In one embodiment of the system according to the invention, the first container is formed as a bag. An advantage of using a bag is that the volume of the container shrinks as the contents are consumed, avoiding the risk of air (and airborne particles and organisms) entering the container and the associated contamination of the remaining contents. By reducing the risk of contamination, the contents of the bag can be stored for a significantly longer period of time. By preventing the ingress of air, particularly the oxygen contained in air, the growth of certain undesirable organisms can also be avoided.

[0013] In one embodiment of the system according to the invention, the first container is attached to the circuit of the system by a first releasable coupler.

[0014] An advantage of this embodiment is that the container can be disconnected from the system, refilled, and then reattached.

[0015] In one embodiment, the system according to the present invention further comprises a first filter. An advantage of this embodiment is that impurities that may have contaminated the product during assembly of the system (especially during refilling or installation of the reservoir) are removed from the microbial mixture, preventing these impurities from reaching sensitive components in the system and improving the operation and lifespan of, in particular, the first pump and first nebulizer.

[0016] In certain embodiments, the first filter comprises a glass tube. In one embodiment, the system according to the invention further comprises a first overpressure safety device.

[0017] The overpressure safety device protects the first pump and other sensitive components in the system from damage if an obstruction in the circuit results in unwanted overpressure.

[0018] In one embodiment of the system according to the invention, the first controller comprises a first network interface, the first controller being configured to provide the operating parameters to the external receiver via the first network interface.

[0019] In certain embodiments, the operating parameters include one or more of viscosity, temperature, volume, velocity, pressure rise, spray activity, air flow, air quality, air temperature and humidity.

[0020] The advantage of this embodiment is that the external receiver is able to receive and process all data relevant to the operation of the system.

[0021] In one embodiment, the system according to the present invention further comprises a first pressure reducing valve. An advantage of this embodiment is that it allows built-up pressure to be relieved from the pump and other components in the system after each spray cycle, which is advantageous from a safety standpoint and extends the life of the pump and other sensitive components in the fluid delivery circuit.

[0022] In one embodiment, the system according to the present invention further comprises a first housing enclosing at least the first pump, the first flow meter, and the first controller.

[0023] An advantage of this embodiment is that it provides a convenient module for installation in existing buildings.

[0024] In one embodiment of the system according to the invention, the first nebulizer comprises a first nozzle configured to inject at an angle between 30° and 60° relative to the main direction of airflow inside the ventilation channel.

[0025] In certain embodiments, the ventilation channel comprises a substantially horizontal air duct and the first nozzle is located at or near the bottom wall of the substantially horizontal air duct.

[0026] In one embodiment of the system according to the invention, the first nebulizer comprises a plurality of first nozzles.

[0027] In one embodiment of the system according to the invention, the mixture of microorganisms comprises Archaea.

[0028] This embodiment is based on the inventor's insight that archaea are suitable organisms for injecting into the air of indoor spaces. Archaea are highly diverse and abundant in Earth's soils, oceans, and freshwater bodies, and play an important role in Earth's biogeochemical cycles. These microorganisms obtain energy and nutrients from inorganic substrates such as carbon dioxide and ammonia. As chemolithotrophs, they do not use organic compounds as nutrients and are therefore completely safe for humans. These organisms operate according to the principle of competitive exclusion, suppressing the presence of other, potentially harmful, microorganisms by physically occupying their living space. This provides a way to reduce potentially harmful microorganisms in exchange for more beneficial microorganisms.

[0029] In one embodiment of the system according to the invention, the mixture of microorganisms comprises Bacteria.

[0030] The mixture may be particularly effective against one or more ammonium-oxidizing strains that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS), such as Nitrosomonas, Nitrosospira, Nitrosopumilus, Cenarchaeum, Nitrosoarchaeum, Nitrosocaldus, and Caldiarchaeum, as well as Acinetobacter, Alcaligenes, and Arthrobacter. The present invention can include a microbial consortium comprising one or more ammonium-oxidizing strains and one or more commensal GRAS strains, such as Arthrobacter, Azospirillum, Azotobacter, Bacillus, Beijerinckia, Enterobacter, Erwinia, Flavobacterium, Rhizobium, Serratia, and Deinococcus.

[0031] Additionally or alternatively, the mixture may include particularly judiciously selected beneficial (airborne) cyanobacteria.

[0032] In one embodiment of the system according to the invention, the mixture of microorganisms comprises Eukaryota.

[0033] The mixture may in particular include judiciously selected beneficial (airborne) microalgae.

[0034] According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a filter unit for removing particles from a gas stream, comprising: a second housing having an inlet and an outlet for said gas flow and being part of a ventilation channel for the indoor environment; With multiple tubes It is equipped with the plurality of tubes includes at least a first series of tubes; the first series of tubes are disposed within the second housing substantially parallel to the other tubes of the first series, and the first series is disposed substantially perpendicular to gas flow through the second housing; the plurality of tubes further includes at least a second series of tubes; the second series is disposed within the second housing downstream of the first series, the pipes of the second series being disposed substantially parallel to the other pipes of the second and first series; A filter unit is provided in which each tube of the plurality of tubes has a cross section having a major axis and a minor axis, the major axis being substantially parallel to the gas flow through the second housing.

[0035] The present invention is based, inter alia, on the insight that a plurality of tubes as described herein can provide nearly complete retention or filtration of harmful substances in the tubes, requiring minimal pressure to supply air to an indoor environment. More specifically, it has been found that an arrangement of tubes as described herein can filter or retain at least 80%, even at least 85%, even at least 90%, or even at least 95% of airborne pathogens and / or contaminants relative to the total number of such contaminants and / or pathogens. Advantageously, it has been found that pressures of less than 30 Pa, even less than 25 Pa, or even less than 20 Pa are required. A pressure of 15 Pa has been found to be sufficient to provide a sufficiently high flow rate.

[0036] In one embodiment of the filter unit according to the invention, the cross section of a tube of the plurality of tubes is one of oval, airfoil or rounded rectangle.

[0037] An advantage of this embodiment is that the shape helps to allow for the minimal pressure while still allowing for sufficient contact surface to retain the hazardous material.

[0038] In one embodiment of the filter unit according to the invention, the distance between the centres of the first and second series of tubes measured along the gas flow is less than the length of the major axis of the tubes.

[0039] An advantage of this embodiment is that such an arrangement helps to enable said minimum required pressure.

[0040] In one embodiment of the filter unit according to the invention, the gas is air and the particles relate to airborne particles including at least one of airborne pathogens, pollen, mold spores, allergens, bacteria, dust particles, smog, or soot particles.

[0041] In one embodiment of the filter unit according to the invention, said plurality of tubes comprises at least one further series of tubes.

[0042] In one embodiment of the filter unit according to the invention, said tubes consist of a porous material, preferably an open-cell material or an open-cell foam.

[0043] In a particular embodiment, the porous material is an open-cell material, and the cells have a cell diameter between 100 μm and 10,000 μm, preferably between 500 μm and 8,000 μm, and most preferably between 1,000 μm and 6,000 μm.

[0044] In certain embodiments, the porous material comprises one of a biopolymer, polyurethane, chitosan, and / or a 3D printing material comprising at least one of a polymer and / or a metal.

[0045] In one embodiment of the filter unit according to the invention, the filter unit comprises: a second container for containing a virucidal, bactericidal, and / or fungicidal composition; a second nebulizer for spraying the composition into the second housing; a second pump for transporting the composition to be nebulized from the second container to the second nebulizer; a second flow meter for measuring the flow rate of the composition; and a second controller operatively connected to the second flow meter and the second pump and configured to control at least the second pump in response to measurements of at least the second flow meter; The device further comprises at least one of:

[0046] In one embodiment of the filter unit according to the invention, the second nebulizer comprises at least one second nozzle configured to inject at an angle between 30° and 60° relative to the main direction of gas flow inside the second housing.

[0047] In one embodiment of the filter unit according to the invention, the ventilation channel comprising the second housing comprises a substantially horizontal air duct, and the at least one second nozzle is arranged at or near a bottom wall of the substantially horizontal air duct or the second housing.

[0048] In one embodiment of the filter unit according to the invention, the second nebulizer comprises a plurality of second nozzles.

[0049] In one embodiment of the filter unit according to the invention, the composition comprises at least one of carrageenan, citrus extract, and / or tea extract.

[0050] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for treating air injected into an indoor environment, comprising: one of a system for injecting microorganisms into an indoor environment or a method for injecting microorganisms into an indoor environment as described herein; a filter unit as described herein; A system is provided that includes:

[0051] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other technical features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0052] [Figure 1] 1 shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a system 100 according to the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a photograph of a pump and bypass mounted on a common bracket that may be used in one embodiment of the system 100 according to the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a photograph of an exemplary arrangement of an OpenMotics Gateway and an OpenMotics Output Module that can be used as a controller in one embodiment of a system according to the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 shows an exemplary placement of a first nebulizer in an air duct for use in one embodiment of a system 100 according to the present invention. [Figure 5] 10 illustrates another exemplary placement of a first nebulizer in an air duct for use in one embodiment of a system 100 according to the present invention. [Figure 6] 2 shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a filter unit 200 according to the present invention. [Figure 7] 2 shows an exemplary arrangement of multiple secondary nebulizers within an air duct or housing 210 for use in one embodiment of a filter unit 200 according to the present invention. [Figure 8] 5 shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a system 500 according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0053] Description of the embodiment FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a system 100 according to the present invention.

[0054] The illustrated system for injecting beneficial microorganisms into an indoor environment comprises a first container 1 configured to contain a mixture of microorganisms.

[0055] The first container 1 may be formed as a bag. The bag can be made of a recyclable material such as polyethylene (preferably LDPE). Other materials can also be used, such as materials commonly used in the manufacture of IV drip bags (e.g., polyvinyl chloride).

[0056] The first container 1 may be reusable. The container ("bag" type or other) may be attached to the circuit of the system 100 by a first releasable coupler that allows it to be detached when emptied, refilled, and reattached.

[0057] The mixture of microorganisms provided in the container can include Archaea. Additionally or alternatively, the mixture of microorganisms provided in the container can include Bacteria. Additionally or alternatively, the mixture of microorganisms provided in the container can include Eukaryota. The mixture includes microorganisms suspended in a liquid substrate (e.g., water, an organic solution, or an inorganic solution). When the mixture is dispersed, the microorganisms may be maintained in droplets or may be airborne.

[0058] A suitable composition of the mixture of microorganisms is disclosed in Belgian patent application no. 1025316 in the name of Avecom NV.

[0059] The illustrated system 100 further includes a first nebulizer 9 configured to spray the mixture of microorganisms as an aerosol into a ventilation channel of the target indoor environment. The first nebulizer 9 can include a pressure regulator, a lance of a length suitable for bridging the distance between the location of the pressure regulator and the injection point, and a spray head located at the injection point. In situations where the location of the first nebulizer 9 is prone to large temperature fluctuations, an electronically controlled heater (e.g., a resistor through which an electric current can be sent under the control of a controller 8, described below) can be provided to protect the first nebulizer 9 and adjacent components from freezing.

[0060] The illustrated system 100 further comprises a first pump 4 configured to transport the mixture of microorganisms to be nebulized from the first container 1 to the first nebulizer 9. Any suitable electronically controllable pump for pumping liquids can be used. In one embodiment of the present invention, the first pump 4 is a membrane pump.

[0061] The illustrated system 100 further includes a first flow meter 6 configured to measure the flow rate of the mixture of microorganisms, and a first controller 8 operably connected to the first flow meter 6 and the first pump 4, the first controller 8 configured to control at least the first pump 4 in response to the measurement value of at least the first flow meter.

[0062] The presence of the first flow meter 6 allows for accurate feedback-based control of the first pump 4, which is responsible for supplying the first nebulizer 9. The first controller 8 may, for example, be configured to implement a PID control scheme using the reading of the first flow meter 6 as a feedback signal.

[0063] A suitable flow meter for use in embodiments of the system according to the present invention is the ES-FLOW™ low flow ultrasonic flow meter sold by Bronkhorst High-Tech BV of Ruurlo, The Netherlands. This flow meter can be easily connected to a controller by a serial data connection (RS232 / RS485) for control and digital readout, while also offering an alternative analog readout option.

[0064] One or more other sensors (not shown) may be provided to provide other measurements to the first controller 8. These sensors may relate to the state of the system itself (e.g., pressure sensors to detect pressure in various parts of the system's liquid transport circuit, current sensors to measure the amount of current drawn by a pump) or to the state of the environment (e.g., a thermometer to measure the temperature within the building, a hygrometer to measure the humidity of the air within the building). Other parameters that may be conveniently sensed by suitable sensors incorporated into or connected to the system include CO2 levels, concentrations of volatile organic compounds, dust particle concentrations and their mass and / or size distribution, sound (noise) levels, and lighting levels, as they have an impact on the overall quality of the subject's indoor living environment.

[0065] The first controller 8 can be realized as a dedicated hardware component (e.g., ASIC), a configurable hardware component (e.g., FPGA), a programmable component with appropriate software (e.g., microprocessor, DSP), or any suitable combination of such components. The same component can also perform other functions. Functions controlled by the first controller 8 can include powering on, powering off, and restarting the system, opening and closing the system enclosure door, controlling valves, and controlling the first pump 4. The first pump 4 can be operated intermittently (cyclically) according to the desired dosage of the microbial mixture in the building air stream. Varying the dosage as a function of the temperature and / or humidity in the building is possible if appropriate sensors are present to provide these parameters to the system.

[0066] In the case shown, a first filter 3 is provided immediately downstream of the first container 1 to prevent impurities that may be present in the stored mixture from entering the liquid transport circuit.

[0067] In the illustrated case, a first overpressure safety device 5 or bypass is provided in parallel with the first pump 4 to prevent a potentially harmful build-up of pressure differences between the upstream and downstream sides of the first pump 4. As shown in Figure 2, the first overpressure safety device 5 can be mounted on a common bracket with the first pump 4, resulting in a very compact configuration.

[0068] A first pressure reducing valve 10 may be provided to remove pressure from the circuit when it is not in operation, for example after each spray cycle.

[0069] In the illustrated case, a plurality of electronically controlled first valves 7 are provided so that under the control of a first controller 8 the mixture can be distributed to different circuits (not shown) with respective nebulizers or to a return circuit.

[0070] Preferably, the first controller 8 comprises a network interface. The term "network interface" refers to the hardware and software necessary to enable the first controller 8 to exchange data and messages with one or more external components (e.g., for external monitoring or control purposes). The network interface preferably operates in accordance with one or more data networking standards, including, for example, standards for USB, wired or wireless personal area networks such as IEEE Std 802.15.1 and .2 ("Bluetooth"), and IEEE Std 802.15.4 ("Zigbee"), wired or wireless local area networks such as IEEE Std 802.3 ("Ethernet") and IEEE Std 802.11 ("WiFi"), mobile networks such as GSM / EDGE / GPRS, 3G, 4G, etc. At the transport and network layers, the network interface may use the TCP / IP protocol family. Furthermore, the system may further comprise advanced networking functions such as bridging, routing, authentication and firewalls which may be provided by separate switches or routers or may be integrated into the first controller 8.

[0071] The first controller 8 may be configured to receive measurements of some or all of the aforementioned sensors via a network interface, which is particularly advantageous for sensors that are not co-located with the system.

[0072] The first controller 8 may be configured to provide operating parameters to an external receiver via a network interface. The external receiver may be, for example, a user interface for a human operator or a data integrator for an artificial intelligence-based monitoring / control entity. The operating parameters may include one or more of viscosity, temperature, volume, velocity, pressure rise, spray activity, air flow, air quality, air temperature, and humidity.

[0073] If a sufficiently advanced first controller 8 is used and the system is connected to the Internet, the system according to the present invention becomes an Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled device. The present applicant has had good results using an OpenMotics Gateway with an OpenMotics Output Module as the first controller 8, with the Gateway providing Internet connectivity and executing the control logic, while the Output Module interfaces with the first pump 4 and other controllable components of the liquid transport circuit. An exemplary arrangement of an OpenMotics-based controller is shown in FIG. 3. The advantages of the OpenMotics family of components are their modularity, ability to operate from a standard 24V power supply, out-of-the-box network connectivity, and ability to operate with open-source firmware, hardware, and software. More information about the OpenMotics family of components can be found on the OpenMotics Wiki at https: / / wiki.openmotics.com / index.php / The_OpenMotics_Wiki.

[0074] Some or all of the components of the system may be housed in a first housing (not shown) for ease of transportation and installation in an existing building.

[0075] The system 100 should be configured in such a way that the proportion of the atomized mixture carried by the air moving inside the ventilation channel and distributed throughout the building is maximized, and the proportion that permanently adheres to the walls of the channel is minimized. Generally, the higher the air velocity, the better the entrainment of the atomized mixture. However, judicious placement of the nebulizer also contributes to improved entrainment.

[0076] Generally, the appropriate placement of the first nebulizer may be selected depending on the geometry of the ventilation channel. Those skilled in the art can identify an appropriate placement by routine experimentation. Without limiting the overall scope of the invention, several preferred configurations are described below.

[0077] In typical situations where the ventilation channel (or at least the portion through which injection occurs) has a substantially constant cross section, the main direction of airflow is parallel to the wall of the ventilation channel. The first nebulizer may be disposed on the wall of the ventilation channel. In some embodiments, the mounting element of the first nebulizer may be disposed on the wall of the ventilation channel, allowing the outlet portion (nozzle mouth) of the nebulizer to be moved relative to the mounting element and fixed at a desired point within the ventilation channel. The mounting element may, for example, include an articulating or sliding component for this purpose.

[0078] The first nebulizer 9 may comprise a first nozzle configured to inject the mixture into the ventilation channel at an angle between 30° and 60° relative to the main direction of airflow inside this ventilation channel (which may also be the angle relative to the wall on which the nozzle can be placed). Preferably, the angle is between 40° and 50°, most preferably about 45° (within a range of 2° or less, or exactly 45°).

[0079] If the ventilation channel includes a substantially horizontal air duct, the first nozzle is preferably positioned at or near the bottom wall of the substantially horizontal air duct. An exemplary (non-limiting) arrangement is shown in FIG. 4, in which a single nozzle is positioned 100 mm from the bottom wall and 100 mm from the side wall of an air duct with a substantially rectangular cross section of 400 mm x 250 mm (the upper part of the figure represents a cross section of the relevant part of the duct, and the lower part of the figure represents a side view). The preferred angles described above can be applied, and this angle is the angle of the nozzle relative to the bottom wall and / or the side wall. Alternatively, the first nozzle can be oriented to spray along the main direction of the air flow.

[0080] The first nebulizer 9 may include multiple nozzles. The applicant has found that two nozzles provide good results. Another exemplary arrangement is shown in FIG. 5, in which two nozzles are positioned within the air duct, one at one-third of the duct height and the other at two-thirds of the duct height, and one-quarter of the duct width from the air duct's side wall. Without limiting the scope of the invention, the illustrated air duct has a substantially rectangular cross-section of 400 mm x 250 mm (the upper part of the figure represents the cross-section of the relevant portion of the duct, and the lower part represents the side view). The preferred angles described above may be applied, being the angle of the nozzle relative to the bottom and top walls and / or the nearest one of the side walls. Alternatively, the nozzle may be oriented to spray along the main direction of the air flow.

[0081] The nozzle is preferably configured to produce a very fine atomized spray. The spray emerging from the nozzle is typically conical. The apex angle of the spray cone is preferably between 30° and 90°, more preferably between 50° and 70°, and most preferably about 60°. The applicant has found that surprisingly good results can be obtained with a hollow cone nozzle. Good results have been obtained with a hollow cone nozzle (e.g., Lechler type 220.004) equipped with a fine labyrinth strainer and having a spray angle of 60°, operating at a pressure of 6 bar.

[0082] FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a filter unit 200 according to the present invention. The illustrated filter unit 200 for removing particles from a gas stream comprises a second housing 210 having an inlet 211 and an outlet 212 for the gas stream.

[0083] In a typical application of the filter unit 200 described herein, the filter unit 200 is part of a ventilation channel for the purpose of removing harmful particles from a gas flow. The gas may refer to air, such as outside air supplied by a ventilation system for injection into an indoor environment. Typically, the second housing 210 may be integral with or form part of the ventilation channel of the indoor environment and may have a substantially rectangular or square cross-section. Air flows through the ventilation channel, entering the second housing 210 through an inlet 211 and exiting the second housing 210 through an outlet 212.

[0084] It has been found that the filter unit 200 described herein is capable of filtering or removing at least 80%, even at least 85%, even at least 90%, and even at least 95% of the total number of airborne pathogens and / or contaminants initially present in a gas or air stream moving through the filter unit 200. More specifically, it has been found that the aforementioned number of pathogens and / or contaminants can be attached or adsorbed to the plurality of tubes as described herein, preferably having an open-cell structure, as well as to the inner wall of the second housing 210.

[0085] Furthermore, it has been found that periodically treating the tubing within the second housing 210 with a virucidal, bactericidal, and / or fungicidal composition, for example by spraying such a composition onto the tubing and possibly at least a portion of the interior walls of the second housing 210, can effectively neutralize such pathogens and / or contaminants. Repeated treatment of the tubing and interior walls increases the lifespan of the filter unit 200. By filtering 95% of the pathogens and / or contaminants present in the incoming air, the health risks to people present in this indoor environment and breathing such air are significantly reduced.

[0086] A further advantage is that the multiple tubes described herein can be arranged within the second housing 210 of the filter unit 200 in a manner that allows for adequate ventilation at a sufficiently high air flow rate while requiring only a relatively low pressure. It has been found that such a pressure can be less than 30 Pa, or even less than 25 Pa, or even less than 20 Pa. More specifically, it has been found that a pressure of 15 Pa is sufficient to provide a ventilation channel with a sufficiently high flow rate to bring filtered air into the indoor environment.

[0087] Filter unit 200 further comprises a plurality of tubes 220. A tube, as used herein, refers to an elongated, substantially straight structure that is attached or attachable at its ends to the interior wall of second housing 210.

[0088] The plurality of tubes 220 includes at least a first series of tubes 221 and at least a second series of tubes 222 .

[0089] The tubes 221 of said first series are arranged substantially parallel or parallel to other tubes 221 of said first series.

[0090] Two tubes are considered herein to be "substantially parallel" if the angle between them is between 0° (parallel) and 20°. Preferably, the first series of tubes 221 are parallel to each other.

[0091] Furthermore, the first series of pipes 221 are arranged within the second housing 210 in a manner that is substantially perpendicular or perpendicular to the direction of gas or air flow moving through the second housing 210. The two elements are spaced apart such that the angle between them is 90° ( vertical ) to 70° is considered "substantially perpendicular" herein.

[0092] As a result of these two features, the first series of tubes 221 essentially form a plane of bars substantially perpendicular or perpendicular to the airflow through which the air is forced to move. For convenience, but not by way of limitation, the airflow can be thought of as being directed along the X-axis and the first series of tubes 221 can be thought of as extending along the Y-axis.

[0093] The second series of pipes 222 are disposed downstream in the second housing 210 relative to the first series of pipes 221. The term "downstream" as used herein refers to the direction of flow of the gas or air stream.

[0094] The second series of tubes 222 are arranged substantially parallel or parallel to other tubes 222 of the second series and / or to the first series of tubes 221. Preferably, the second series of tubes 222 are parallel to each other. Preferably, the second series of tubes 222 are parallel to the tubes of the first series of tubes 221.

[0095] Preferably, the second series of tubes 222 are arranged within the second housing 210 in a manner that is substantially perpendicular or perpendicular to the direction of gas or air flow moving through the second housing 210 .

[0096] As a result, the second series of tubes 222 essentially form a plane of the bar along the Y axis that is substantially perpendicular or normal to the air flow.

[0097] In an embodiment according to the invention, the filter unit 200 may comprise at least one further series of tubes (not shown). The at least one further series of tubes is preferably arranged substantially parallel or parallel to the other tubes 222 of the second series and / or the other tubes 221 of the first series. Preferably, the at least one further series of tubes is parallel to one another. Preferably, the at least one further series of tubes is arranged within the second housing 210 substantially perpendicular or perpendicular to the direction of flow of gas or air moving through the second housing 210.

[0098] Furthermore, each tube of the plurality of tubes 220 has a cross-section having a major axis and a minor axis, the major axis being longer than the minor axis. In accordance with the present invention, the major axis of the tube cross-section is substantially parallel to the gas flow through the second housing 210, i.e., the major axis is oriented substantially along the X-axis.

[0099] Preferably, the long axis of the tube cross section is parallel to the gas flow through the second housing 210 .

[0100] In an embodiment according to the invention, said cross section of the tube has a symmetrical shape. In an embodiment according to the invention, said cross section of the tube is oval, airfoil or rounded rectangular.

[0101] Typically, the airfoil is symmetrical in shape. In an embodiment according to the present invention, the distance between the centers of the first series of tubes 221 and the second series of tubes 222 measured along the gas flow (length "a" in FIG. 6 ) is less than the length of the major axis of the tubes (length "b" in FIG. 6 ). In other words, the difference in the X coordinates of the centers of the first series of tubes and the second series of tubes is less than the length of the major axis of the tubes. Thus, as shown in FIG. 6 , a tube of the second series of tubes 222 may be positioned between the tubes of the first series 221, causing air that has traveled between two of the tubes of the first series 221 to flow either above or below the tubes of the second series 222.

[0102] In an embodiment according to the invention, the first series of tubes 221 includes one more tube or one less tube than the second series of tubes 222 .

[0103] In an embodiment according to the invention, the gas is air, such as outside air drawn in for injection into an indoor environment.

[0104] In an embodiment according to the invention, the airborne particles relate to airborne pathogens and / or biological contaminants such as pollen, mold spores, fungi, allergens, bacteria, microbial pathogens, dust particles, yeast, smog, and / or soot particles.

[0105] In a preferred embodiment, particles refer to bacteria, and the filter unit 200 is adapted to remove such particles from the airflow at a percentage as described herein above.

[0106] In an embodiment according to the invention, each tube of the plurality of tubes 220 is made from a porous material, preferably an open-cell material such as open-cell foam. Preferably, the material is reticulated foam.

[0107] In a preferred embodiment, the open-cell foam has cells with a cell diameter between 100 μm and 10,000 μm, preferably between 500 μm and 8,000 μm, and most preferably between 1,000 μm and 6,000 μm. It has been found that open-cell materials or open-cell foams with cells of such dimensions, when tubes made from such materials are arranged as described herein, allow for the combination of generating airflow with minimal pressure and maximizing particle removal from the gas or air flow, as described herein.

[0108] In an embodiment according to the present invention, the material or porous material is selected from biopolymers, polyurethanes, chitosan, and / or 3D printing materials comprising at least one of a polymer and / or a metal.

[0109] In a particular embodiment, the material is Bulpren® reticulated polyester foam.

[0110] In an embodiment according to the invention, the material has a hardness of 10 kg / m 2 ~100kg / m 3 between 20 kg / m and 20 3 ~60kg / m 3 Advantageously, such a low density allows the filter unit 200 to be lightweight.

[0111] In an embodiment according to the present invention, the material has a tensile strength, measured according to ISO 1798, of at least 40 kPa, preferably at least 50 kPa, more preferably at least 60 kPa, most preferably at least 70 kPa.

[0112] In an embodiment according to the present invention, the filter unit 200 comprises: a second container 201 for containing a virucidal, bactericidal and / or fungicidal composition, a second nebulizer 202 for spraying the composition into the second housing 210; a second pump 203 for transporting the composition to be nebulized from the second container 201 to the second nebulizer 202; a second flow meter 204 for measuring the flow rate of the composition; and a second controller 205 operatively connected to the second flow meter 204 and the second pump 203 and configured to control at least the second pump 203 in response to measurements of at least the second flow meter 204; The device further comprises at least one of:

[0113] The second container 201 may be formed as a bag. The bag can be made of a recyclable material such as polyethylene (preferably LDPE). Other materials can also be used, such as materials commonly used in the manufacture of IV drip bags (e.g., polyvinyl chloride).

[0114] The second container 201 may be reusable. The container ("bag" type or otherwise) may be attached to the circuit of the filter unit 200 by a second releasable coupler 206 that allows it to be detached when emptied, refilled, and reattached.

[0115] The composition may include a mixture of virucidal, bactericidal, and / or fungicidal components.

[0116] Preferably, the composition comprises the ingredients suspended in a liquid matrix (e.g., water, an organic solution, or an inorganic solution). When the composition is dispersed, the ingredients may be maintained in droplets or may be airborne.

[0117] The illustrated filter unit 200 can further include a second nebulizer 202 configured to spray the composition as an aerosol into the second housing 210. The second nebulizer 202 can include a pressure regulator, a lance of a length suitable for bridging the distance between the location of the pressure regulator and the injection point, and a spray head located at the injection point. In situations where the location of the second nebulizer 202 is prone to large temperature fluctuations, an electronically controlled heater (e.g., a resistor through which an electric current can be sent under the control of a second controller 205, described below) can be provided to protect the second nebulizer 202 and adjacent components from freezing.

[0118] The illustrated filter unit 200 may further include a second pump 203 configured to transport the composition to be nebulized from the second container 201 to the second nebulizer 202. Any suitable electronically controllable pump for pumping liquids may be used. In one embodiment of the present invention, the second pump 203 is a membrane pump.

[0119] The illustrated filter unit 200 further includes a second flow meter 204 configured to measure the flow rate of the composition, and a second controller 205 operably connected to the second flow meter 204 and the second pump 203, the second controller 205 configured to control at least the second pump 203 in response to the measurement value of at least the second flow meter 204.

[0120] The presence of the second flow meter 204 allows for accurate feedback-based control of the second pump 203 responsible for supplying the second nebulizer 202. The second controller 205 may be configured, for example, to implement a PID control scheme using the readings of the second flow meter 204 as a feedback signal.

[0121] A suitable flow meter for use in embodiments of the system according to the present invention is the ES-FLOW™ low flow ultrasonic flow meter sold by Bronkhorst High-Tech BV of Ruurlo, The Netherlands. This flow meter can be easily connected to a controller by a serial data connection (RS232 / RS485) for control and digital readout, while also offering an alternative analog readout option.

[0122] One or more other sensors (not shown) may be provided to provide other measurements to the second controller 205. These sensors may relate to the condition of the system itself (e.g., pressure sensors to detect pressure in various parts of the system's liquid transport circuit, current sensors to measure the amount of current drawn by a pump) or to the condition of the environment (e.g., a thermometer to measure the temperature within the building, a hygrometer to measure the humidity of the air within the building). Other parameters that may be conveniently sensed by suitable sensors incorporated into or connected to the system include CO2 levels, concentrations of volatile organic compounds, dust particle concentrations and their mass and / or size distribution, sound (noise) levels, and lighting levels, as they have an impact on the overall quality of the subject's indoor living environment.

[0123] The second controller 205 can be implemented as a dedicated hardware component (e.g., an ASIC), a configurable hardware component (e.g., an FPGA), a programmable component with appropriate software (e.g., a microprocessor, a DSP), or any suitable combination of such components. The same component can also perform other functions. Functions controlled by the second controller 205 can include powering on, powering off, and restarting the system, opening and closing the unit's enclosure door, controlling valves, and controlling the second pump 203. The second pump 203 can be operated intermittently (cyclically) according to a desired dosage of the composition to neutralize pathogens or contaminants in the airstream. Varying the dosage as a function of the temperature and / or humidity in the building is possible if appropriate sensors are present to provide these parameters to the system.

[0124] In the case shown in Figure 6, a second filter 207 is provided immediately downstream of the second container 201 to prevent impurities that may be present in the stored composition from entering the liquid transport circuit.

[0125] 6, a second overpressure safety device 208 or bypass is provided in parallel with the second pump 203 to prevent a potentially harmful buildup of pressure differential between the upstream and downstream sides of the second pump 203. The second overpressure safety device 208 can be mounted on a common bracket with the second pump 203, resulting in a very compact configuration.

[0126] A second pressure reducing valve 209 may be provided to remove pressure from the circuit when it is not in operation, for example after each spray cycle.

[0127] In the case shown in FIG. 6, multiple electronically controlled second valves 230 are provided so that the composition can be distributed under the control of a second controller 205 to different circuits (not shown) with respective nebulizers or to a return circuit.

[0128] Preferably, the second controller 205 comprises a network interface. The term "network interface" refers to the hardware and software necessary to enable the second controller 205 to exchange data and messages with one or more external components (particularly for external monitoring or control purposes). The network interface preferably operates in accordance with one or more data networking standards, including, for example, standards for USB, wired or wireless personal area networks such as IEEE Std 802.15.1 and .2 ("Bluetooth"), and IEEE Std 802.15.4 ("Zigbee"), wired or wireless local area networks such as IEEE Std 802.3 ("Ethernet") and IEEE Std 802.11 ("WiFi"), mobile networks such as GSM / EDGE / GPRS, 3G, 4G, etc. At the transport and network layers, the network interface may use the TCP / IP protocol family. Additionally, the filter unit 200 may further include advanced networking functions such as bridging, routing, authentication, and firewalls, which may be provided by separate switches or routers or may be integrated into the second controller 205.

[0129] The second controller 205 may be configured to receive measurements from some or all of the aforementioned sensors via a network interface, which is particularly advantageous for sensors that are not co-located with the system.

[0130] The second controller 205 may be configured to provide the operating parameters to an external receiver via a network interface. The external receiver may be, for example, a user interface for a human operator or a data integrator for an artificial intelligence-based monitoring / control entity. The operating parameters may include one or more of viscosity, temperature, volume, velocity, pressure rise, spray activity, air flow, air quality, air temperature, and humidity.

[0131] If a sufficiently advanced second controller 205 is used and the system is connected to the Internet, the system according to the present invention becomes an Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled device. The present applicant has had good results using an OpenMotics Gateway with an OpenMotics Output Module as the second controller 205, with the Gateway providing Internet connectivity and executing the control logic, while the Output Module interfaces with the second pump 203 and other controllable components of the liquid transport circuit. An exemplary arrangement of an OpenMotics-based controller is shown in FIG. 3. The advantages of the OpenMotics family of components are their modularity, ability to operate from a standard 24V power supply, out-of-the-box network connectivity, and ability to operate with open-source firmware, hardware, and software. More information about the OpenMotics family of components can be found on the OpenMotics Wiki at https: / / wiki.openmotics.com / index.php / The_OpenMotics_Wiki.

[0132] Some or all of the components of the system may be housed in a third housing (not shown) for ease of transportation and installation in an existing building.

[0133] The filter unit 200 should be configured in such a way that the proportion of the nebulized composition that can be received by the tubes of the plurality of tubes 220 and the inner walls of the second housing 210. Judicious placement of the nebulizer also contributes to improved uptake.

[0134] In general, the appropriate placement of the secondary nebulizer 202 may be selected depending on the geometry of the ventilation channel. Those skilled in the art can identify an appropriate placement by routine experimentation. Without limiting the overall scope of the invention, some preferred configurations are described below.

[0135] In typical situations where the ventilation channel (or at least the portion where injection takes place) has a substantially constant cross section, the main direction of airflow is parallel to the wall of the ventilation channel. The second nebulizer 202 may be disposed on the wall of the ventilation channel. In some embodiments, the mounting element of the second nebulizer 202 may be disposed on the wall of the ventilation channel, allowing the outlet portion (nozzle mouth) of the second nebulizer to be moved relative to the mounting element and fixed at a desired point within the ventilation channel. The mounting element may, for example, include an articulating or sliding component for this purpose.

[0136] The second nebulizer 202 can comprise a second nozzle configured to inject the composition into the tubes of the plurality of tubes 220 in the second housing 210 at an angle of between 30° and 60° relative to the main direction of airflow inside the ventilation channel (which may also be the angle relative to the wall on which the nozzle may be positioned). Preferably, the angle is between 40° and 50°, and most preferably about 45° (within a range of 2° or less, or exactly 45°).

[0137] In a preferred embodiment, the second nebulizer 202 comprises a plurality of second nozzles, preferably four nozzles arranged in a 2x2 configuration.

[0138] An exemplary (non-limiting) arrangement is shown in Figure 7, in which four nozzles are positioned 100 mm from the bottom wall or 100 mm from the top wall and 100 mm from the side wall of an air duct having a substantially rectangular cross section of 400 mm x 250 mm (the upper part of the figure represents the cross section of the relevant part of the duct, and the lower part of the figure represents the side view). The preferred angles mentioned above can be applied, and this angle is the angle of the nozzles relative to the bottom wall and / or the side wall. Alternatively, the nozzles can be oriented to spray along the main direction of the air flow.

[0139] In another exemplary arrangement not shown here, four nozzles are positioned in the air duct at 1 / 3 and 2 / 3 of the duct height, respectively, and 1 / 4 of the duct width from the air duct side wall. The preferred angles described above can be applied, being the angle of the nozzle relative to the bottom and top walls and / or the nearest one of the side walls. Alternatively, the nozzles can be oriented to spray along the main direction of the air flow.

[0140] The second nozzle is preferably configured to produce a very fine atomized spray. The spray emerging from the nozzle is typically conical. The apex angle of the spray cone is preferably between 30° and 90°, more preferably between 50° and 70°, and most preferably about 60°. Applicant has found that surprisingly good results can be obtained with a hollow cone nozzle. Good results have been obtained with a hollow cone nozzle (e.g., Lechler type 220.004) equipped with a fine labyrinth strainer and having a spray angle of 60°, operating at a pressure of 6 bar.

[0141] FIG. 8 shows a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a system 500 for treating air injected into an indoor environment according to the present invention.

[0142] The system 500 is one of the system 100 for injecting microorganisms into an indoor environment as described herein or the method for injecting microorganisms into an indoor environment as described herein; a filter unit 200 as described herein; Includes.

[0143] In a preferred embodiment, the system 500 includes the system 100 for injecting microorganisms into an indoor environment as described herein and the filter unit 200 as described herein.

[0144] In a preferred embodiment, the incoming air injected into the indoor environment is subjected to a two-stage treatment, consisting of filtering or removing contaminants or pathogens using the filter unit 200 in a first step, followed by adding or injecting beneficial microorganisms using the system 100 in a second step.

[0145] In a preferred embodiment, the components of the system 100 and the filter unit 200 may be shared or may be the same, for example, a single controller may serve as the first controller 8 and the second controller 205.

[0146] While the invention has been described above with reference to particular embodiments, this is done for purposes of illustration and not limitation of the invention, the scope of which is determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A system (100) for injecting beneficial microorganisms into an indoor environment, comprising: a container (1) containing a mixture of microorganisms; a nebulizer (9) for spraying the mixture of microorganisms into the ventilation channels of the indoor environment; a pump (4) for transporting the mixture of microorganisms to be nebulized from the container (1) to the nebulizer (9); a flow meter (6) for measuring the flow rate of said mixture of microorganisms; a controller (8) operatively connected to said flow meter (6) and said pump (4) for controlling at least said pump (4) in response to at least the measurements of said flow meter; Equipped with The system (100) includes a controller (8) having a network interface, the controller (8) being configured to provide operating parameters to an external receiver via the network interface.

2. 2. The system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the container (1) is formed as a bag and is attached to the circuit of the system by means of a releasable coupler (2).

3. The system (100) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the operating parameters include one or more of viscosity, temperature, volume, velocity, pressure rise, spray activity, air flow, air quality, air temperature, and humidity.

4. The system (100) of any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a housing enclosing at least the pump (4), the flow meter (6), and the controller (8).

5. 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the nebulizer comprises a nozzle for injection at an angle between 30° and 60° relative to the main direction of air flow inside the ventilation channel, the ventilation channel comprising a substantially horizontal air duct, the nozzle being arranged at or near the bottom wall of the substantially horizontal air duct.

6. 6. The system (100) of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the mixture of microorganisms comprises one or more of Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukaryota.

7. A system (500) for treating air injected into an indoor environment, comprising: a) a system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 for injecting microorganisms into an indoor environment; b) a filter unit (200) for removing particles from the gas stream, said filter unit (200) comprising: a filter unit housing (210) having an inlet (211) and an outlet (212) for said gas flow and being part of a ventilation channel of the indoor environment; A plurality of tubes (220); It is equipped with said plurality of tubes (220) including at least a first series (221) of tubes; the tubes of the first series (221) are arranged in the filter unit housing (210) substantially parallel to the other tubes of the first series (221), and the first series (221) is arranged substantially perpendicular to the gas flow through the filter unit housing (210); the plurality of tubes (220) further includes at least a second series of tubes (222); the second series (222) is arranged in the filter unit housing (210) downstream of the first series (221), and the pipes of the second series (222) are arranged substantially parallel to the other pipes of the second and first series (222, 221); A system (500) wherein each tube of the plurality of tubes (220) has a cross-section having a major axis and a minor axis, the major axis being substantially parallel to the gas flow through the filter unit housing (210).

8. 1. A method for injecting beneficial microorganisms into an indoor environment, comprising: - providing a container (1) containing a mixture of microorganisms; - having a nebulizer (9) for spraying said mixture of microorganisms into a ventilation channel of said indoor environment; - providing a pump (4) for transporting the mixture of microorganisms to be nebulized from the container (1) to the nebulizer (9); - providing a flow meter (6) for measuring the flow rate of said mixture of microorganisms; providing a controller (8) operatively connected to said flow meter (6) and said pump (4) and configured to control at least said pump (4) in response to at least the measurements of said flow meter; Including, The method, wherein the controller (8) comprises a network interface, and the controller (8) is configured to provide operating parameters to an external receiver via the network interface.

9. 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the container (1) is formed as a bag.

10. 10. The method of claim 8 or 9, wherein the operating parameters include one or more of viscosity, temperature, volume, velocity, pressure rise, spray activity, air flow, air quality, air temperature, and humidity.

11. The method of any one of claims 8 to 10, further comprising a housing enclosing at least the pump (4), the flow meter (6), and the controller (8).

12. 12. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the nebulizer (9) comprises a nozzle configured for injection at an angle between 30° and 60° relative to a main direction of air flow inside the ventilation channel, the ventilation channel comprising a substantially horizontal air duct, the nozzle being arranged at or near a bottom wall of the substantially horizontal air duct.

13. 13. The method of any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the mixture of microorganisms comprises one or more of archaea, bacteria, and eukaryotes.

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