Device and method for producing saline aerosol and purifying air

Abstract

A device (1) and a method for producing saline aerosol, and for purifying air, are disclosed. The method comprises blowing a flow of air over the water surface of a water volume, and over granulated salt. Humidity of the air is increased with respect to the humidity of room air, before humid air is sent over the granulated salt. A movement of air over salt and presence of vapor in the airflow are provided, that locally prompt for aqueous solution of salt. By increasing humidity of air, through blowing air over water, it is obtained that the vapor soaks the salt surface and salt starts dissolving in water; then, the airstream which is set over the salt surface takes away the vapor aqueous solution containing salt, in form of aerosol. The method can be implemented through the device provided with a plurality of fans (F1-FN), a tray or reservoir (6) fillable with water (7), and a plurality of cartridges (8) filled with granulated salt. Fans blow air over water and humid air impinges salt grains in the cartridges, before exiting the device.

Description

[0001] Device and method for producing saline aerosol and purifying air

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention refers to a device and a method for producing saline aerosol intended to be breathed for improving health and wellness, in particular for medical treatment of respiratory diseases, and for purifying air.

[0005] Background

[0006] An aerosol is defined as a suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in air or another gas, like the atmosphere. Presence of particles in the atmosphere can be determined by evaporation, surface dissolution, mechanical action, chemical action, etc.. Diameter of particles in atmospheric aerosols usually range from about 0,05 to 10 pm; for instance, common particles within atmospheric aerosols are originated by volcanic activity, desert dust, sea salt, ocean evaporation, etc..

[0007] Sometimes, aerosols are improperly defined as sprays, although a spray does not contain solid particles, but only a collection of drops dispersed in a gas.

[0008] Within atmospheric aerosols, sea salt aerosol is one of the most widely distributed natural aerosols.

[0009] Sea salt aerosols play an extremely important role on:

[0010] - climate and quality of air, and

[0011] - human health and wellness.

[0012] Sea salt aerosols are characterized as non-light-absorbing, highly hygroscopic, and having coarse particle size. By way of example, some sea salt dominated aerosols could have a single scattering albedo as large as ~0.97. Due to the hygroscopy, a sea salt particle can serve as a very efficient cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), altering cloud reflectivity, lifetime, and precipitation process. The total sea salt flux from ocean to atmosphere is now estimated being around ~3300 teragrams (Tg) per year. Sea salt aerosols in atmospheric layers can neutralize most of the acids and harmful substances released into the atmosphere by polluting activities or even volcanic eruptions. As a curiosity, the higher (towards the optimum) the amount of sea salt aerosols in the atmosphere, the clearer the atmosphere becomes and the further away an observer can see, so the amounts of sea salt aerosols determine the degree of atmospheric cloudiness. The more pollution and gaseous emissions, the lower the density of these sea salt aerosols, because they combine and decrease in quantity, directly causing a sharp decrease in atmospheric quality and hence in the quality of the air breathed in.

[0013] Positive effects of sea salt aerosols on humans have been observed for centuries to the extent that in those regions far from the sea / ocean water, like Eastern Europe, treatment of respiratory diseases by inhalation of fine rock salt particles (halotherapy) in salt caves or salt mines has been practiced to reproduce the same positive effects of natural sea salt aerosols available at marine regions. Aerosols in natural salt caves are formed by the interaction between water molecules (the moisture in the salt pan) and the surface of the cave walls, accelerated by the air currents circulating inside the cave.

[0014] Through deposition and absorption of the saline aerosol in the body, an alkaline environment can be obtained in the upper airways, i.e. oral cavity, nasal cavity, pharynx, while finer aerosols reach the lower organs of the respiratory system, i.e. larynx, bronchi, bronchioles, pulmonary alveoli. Saline aerosols achieve the actions of disinfection, fluidization of mucous membranes, elimination of toxins, restoration of elasticity of cell membranes, reduction of PH on the areas of respiratory organs, reduction and clustering of irritated micro-organisms.

[0015] Aerosols involved in halotherapy can be defined with the more general expression saline aerosol, since they are produced by fine rock salt particles and not sea salt, but this is more a nomenclature distinction than a substantial one. In the following, the expression saline aerosol will be used to indicate an atmospheric aerosol comprising sodium chloride (NaCI).

[0016] The efficacy is associated with the unique micro climate within the salt caves and mines. It is now acknowledged that the main curative factor is an atmosphere containing dry sodium chloride aerosol with particles of 2 to 5 microns in size. In halotherapy, the saline aerosol is formed by the convective diffusion of the fine rock salt particles from the rock salt walls. Some claim that halotherapy is as a highly effective drug-free treatment for patients with various forms of chronic nonspecific pulmonary diseases. In a typical treatment, a patient will reside in the salt caves for up to twelve hours per day, breathing in the saline aerosol.

[0017] In areas where salt mines are not available, special rooms named halochambers have been built in which the environmental conditions of the salt mines are artificially reproduced. The patient resides in the halotherapy rooms in like manner as for the salt caves or mines. Halotherapy is an extremely simple procedure that does not involve any form of medication or dietary supplements, bed rest or diet. However, as simple as the process is, the mechanism of action on the body is complex. Studies show that the percentage of healing and improvement following halotherapy treatments is 87% of cases treated!

[0018] Among therapeutic indications of halotherapy there are: chronic respiratory diseases (asthma, chronic bronchitis, mucoviscidosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), chronic tonsillitis, infectious / allergic bronchial asthma, intrinsic or non-allergic, extrinsic and mixed, asthmatic bronchitis, chronic tracheobronchitis, maxillary / chronic sinusitis, nasal / pharyngeal polyposis, pulmonary emphysema, respiratory infections, chronic inflammation of the nose, throat and pharynx, rhino adenoiditis, bronchiectasis (without hemoptysis), laryngitis, pharyngitis, otitis, rhinitis, restrictive respiratory failure, simple and acute pneumonia, smoking addiction, apnea (snoring), whooping cough, coughing caused by smoking (including after smoking cessation), allergies with respiratory symptoms, allergies to industrial or household pollutants, increased sensitivity to chemicals, Grade I and II silicosis, adenoid vegetations (polyps), blood circulation diseases, gastric ulcer, dermatological conditions (eczema, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, acne), constitutional deficiency in children and young people, increased potential for O.R.L. infections of viral and microbial nature, seasonal colds, pregnancy (only as indicated by the doctor), neurosis, chronic fatigue, depression, low resistance to stress and sexual dysfunction (impotence).

[0019] Halotherapy is also claimed to be beneficial for people who have no health problems. It strengthens the immune system and prevents illness, with particular benefits for people working in highly polluted or dusty areas. Saline aerosols remove pollen particles from the airways and help the body cleanse itself of harmful toxins. Halotherapy has been shown to reduce snoring and help former smokers regain their health.

[0020] Some claim that halotherapy can promote sport performances, by improving the functioning of the respiratory system of the athlete. In fact, a weakened respiratory system limits oxygen exchange, reduces endurance and performance, increases lactic acid production, subsequently causing residual muscle soreness, increases dehydration, increases the risk of cramping, reduces the heart rate and reduces energy levels and concentration. Halotherapy in sport programs may contribute to normalize breathing patterns of athletes.

[0021] In a nutshell, then, saline aerosols may be used to improve quality of air, as well as health and wellness.

[0022] Over the time, devices have been proposed that produce either a wet saline aerosol or a dry saline aerosol.

[0023] A wet saline aerosol is produced by spraying in the air, through nozzles or using vibrating membranes, an aqueous saline solution which is prepared in advance and is stored in a container; a dry saline aerosol is produced by directing a flow of room air over salt particles. Some of these devices are intended for domestic use and, therefore, are designed as home appliances intended to be used by anyone for air purifying and for body treatment.

[0024] Known devices have proven to have some drawbacks.

[0025] Devices that produce wet saline aerosols tend to get rusty in their metal parts, due to the fact that nebulization of aqueous saline solution slowly but inevitably causes build up of salted moisture over surfaces of the device internal components, thereby triggering rusting of metal parts and affecting in general any moving part. Moreover, these devices usually generate drops which are too large to effectively get until upper airways and lower organs of the respiratory system, as well as too large for effectively purifying air in the room where the device is operating, as they tend to fall on the ground quickly. Another issue is that nozzles or vibrating membranes used to spray the aqueous solution tend to get clogged, due to build up of salt residues. Often, means for controlling temperature of the aqueous solution are required, as well as stirring means to agitate the solution and prevent precipitation of salt, this complicating the design of the device.

[0026] On another side, also dry saline aerosols produced by known devices are far from being optimal for the treatments described above.

[0027] For example, a known device is marketed with commercial name SALIN™, which features a fan placed at a very short distance from one cartridge filled with salt particles. The fan blows air over said cartridge and the airflow crossing the cartridge should contain a dry saline aerosol, but so far this device has proven to have air filtering capabilities other than capability of producing an effective saline aerosol, constantly over the time.

[0028] In general, the Applicant found that available devices like SALIN cannot guarantee constant performance because they blow room air, that has random humidity, over the cartridge of salt particles and, consequently, also the distribution of salt particles in the aerosol is random. Summary of the invention

[0029] The object of the present invention is to provide a device and a method for producing saline aerosol, and for purifying air, that overcome the drawbacks described above, in a simply and relatively unexpensive way.

[0030] In particular, the present invention aims to provide a device and a method that guarantee production of saline aerosol with the desired characteristics, constantly over the time.

[0031] Another object of the present invention is to provide an effective device for producing saline aerosol, and preferably a portable device, that has a simple design, is easy to maintenance, and that can be used at home, by anyone.

[0032] Therefore, a first aspect of the present invention concerns the method of claim 1 for purifying air and producing saline aerosol.

[0033] The method comprises:

[0034] A) blowing a flow of air over the water surface of a water volume, and

[0035] B) over granulated salt.

[0036] By implementing phase A, humidity of the air is increased with respect to the humidity of room air, before humid air is sent over the granulated salt. Therefore, the method according to the present invention provides for two fundamental conditions for obtaining a saline aerosol as it is created by nature in a salt mine: a movement of air over salt and presence of vapor in the airflow, that locally prompts, by the interaction with the salt surface, for saline aerosols, which then disperse in the room atmosphere. In other words, by increasing humidity of air, through blowing air over water, it is obtained that the vapor soaks the salt surface and salt starts dissolving in water; then, the airstream which is set over the salt surface takes away the vapor aqueous solution containing salt, in form of aerosol.

[0037] Without phase A, humidity of air would be equal to humidity that room air has at a given moment, i.e. it would be random.

[0038] Using granulated salt, instead of a monolithic piece of salt, maximizes the amount of saline aerosol produced, at given conditions. In fact, granulated salt provides a much greater surface exposed to air than a monolithic piece of salt. Moisture created by vapor carried by the airflow envelops the entire surface of the salt grains, with the consequence that a greater quantity of salt is dissolved in the moisture. As the airflow continues to blow over granulated salt, this moisture is taken away in form of saline aerosol.

[0039] In a nutshell, using humid air and granulated salt permits to maximize presence of salt in the saline aerosol produced, and to keep this optimum result overtime.

[0040] According to a preferred way to implement the method, one or more fans are arranged in proximity of a reservoir or tray filled with water to carry out phase A and increase humidity in the air over the value of the room air. It is known that by blowing air over the free surface of water, air gets more humid.

[0041] Preferably, phase A is implemented through a plurality of fans arranged in symmetry above or around a reservoir filled with water. The symmetric layout provides that each of said fans generates an air flow directed toward the axis of symmetry of said fan arrangement, or substantially towards the axis. This configuration maximizes turbulence above the water surface, promotes a swirling movement of the air and, consequently, the buildup of humidity in the air and enrichment of salt in the aerosol.

[0042] In the most preferred solution, six fans are used, arranged in hexagonal symmetry above and around a reservoir filled with water, with one fan located at one side of the virtual hexagon.

[0043] Preferably, phase B is implemented by placing granulated salt in one or more cartridges arranged downstream of the fans with respect to the direction of the airflow generated by the same fans. Cartridges may be manufactured as containers having through holes on their (perforated) walls, or having walls made of nets or tissue that allow direct contact between the airflow and the salt grans.

[0044] Preferably cartridges are placed above the water reservoir, so that the grains absorb humidity also when fans are switched off. The airflow generated by each fan impinges at least one cartridge, perpendicularly or at an angle. In other words, at least one cartridge is provided for each fan.

[0045] When two or more cartridges are provided for each fan, cartridges are arranged in front of the corresponding fan; adjacent cartridges define a vane between them, preferably a converging vane, and the airflow generated by the respective fan hits the adjacent cartridges and is channeled through the vane. In this way, the airflow is forced to cover the whole surface of the cartridge available for interaction with salt grains.

[0046] In the most preferred solution, cartridges are arranged according to a radial, or quasi radial, layout around an axis of symmetry of the layout of the fans. This means that the fans are arranged around an axis of symmetry and the cartridges are arranged radially or quasi radially with respect to the axis of symmetry of the fans. When the cartridges are quasi radial, two adjacent cartridges define a corner or a narrow passage between them; the radial airflow generated by the corresponding fan hits the two adjacent cartridges and is forced to impinge the corner or pass through the narrow passage. Basically, in this configuration adjacent cartridges converge to define an acute angle: air is forced toward the corner, or the passage, so that a certain resistance is generated against movement of air, sufficient to increase the time that humid air interacts with salt grains accumulated in the cartridges that delimit the corner or passage. Moreover, this configuration causes the whole airflow generated by all fans to swirl between the cartridges, above the water, before being released.

[0047] With the configuration of the cartridges just described, it is achieved to set approximately 24 folds more exposed surface of salt to air than most of known device, as both sides of the cartridges are exposed to the air flow.

[0048] Salt in grains can be rock salt, granulated by grinding to the desired size. The grains may have regulated or irregulated shapes. Preferably granulometry of the grains is included in the range 4-8 mm. The Applicant has found that this range is optimal for maximizing the filling factor of the cartridges and at the same time providing optimal surface for interacting with humid air blown by the fans.

[0049] Optionally, the method of the present invention can be implemented by regulating the flow rate of the air blown over the granulated salt, and / or regulating the speed of air blown over the granulated salt. Any of the preceding, allows for an even more precise control of the characteristics of the airflow directed against the salt grains.

[0050] As it will be disclosed in the following, preferably the method is carried out through a device featuring a housing that defines a chamber, wherein the airflow is generated by the fans lodged in the device housing and circulates in the chamber. A water reservoir and one or more cartridges of granulated salt are also arranged in the housing. The airflow generated by the fans is directed first over the water and then hits the cartridges of granulated salt before leaving the device as purified air and saline aerosol. Thus, the air leaves the device enriched in saline aerosols (salinized), and purifies the air in the room where it is located. Purification is done as follows: the saline aerosols are light, they float, they attach themselves to the existing polluting aerosols in the room where they are located, they weigh them down and make them fall to the floor, and in this way the air becomes purer. By recirculating the air, it will be constantly enriched in saline aerosols, the concentration of which increases with each recirculation in the device.

[0051] A second aspect of the present invention concerns the device of claim 14, having the features just described above: one or more fans are arranged in said housing, the housing having an air intake and an air outlet, with a layout that makes the airflow produced by said fans blow over said water reservoir before blowing over said granulated salt.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment one or more fans are arranged above or around said water reservoir, according to a symmetric layout. Each of said fans generates an air flow directed toward the axis of symmetry of said fan symmetric layout. In this configuration, the saline aerosol leaves the device along the axis of symmetry.

[0053] Preferably the fans are six, arranged in hexagonal symmetry (as a prism) above and around the water reservoir or tray, with one fan at one side of the virtual hexagon.

[0054] More preferably, also the cartridges are arranged above or around the water reservoir, in between the fans and the outlet of air from the housing with respect to the direction of the airflow, i.e. downstream of the fans.

[0055] Preferably, also the cartridges are arranged according to a symmetric layout.

[0056] Preferably, the device comprises one or more cartridges for each fan. Adjacent cartridges define a vane between them, in particular a converging vane, and at least one fan blows an airflow through the vane.

[0057] As anticipated above, preferably cartridges are arranged radially or quasi radially around an axis of symmetry of the layout of the fans, wherein quasi radially means that cartridges do not exactly point at the axis of symmetry but are tangent to a virtual circumference having its center on the axis of symmetry. Adjacent cartridges define a corner or a narrow passage between them or, in other terms, a vane is laterally delimited by two cartridges that is larger at the periphery of the device and is narrower at the center of the device, i.e. it is a vane that converges toward the central part of the chamber delimited by the housing of the device. The radial airflow generated by the fan that is arranged at the periphery of the vane impinges the two adjacent cartridges and is pushed over the corner or through the narrow passage. This arrangement causes swirling of the airflow, maximizes the area of salt surface exposed to an airflow, maximizes the travel time of the flow of air over the salt grains kept in the cartridges, and this promotes salinization of the aerosol.

[0058] Granulometry of the granulated salt loaded in the cartridges is preferably included in the range 4-8 mm; cartridges may have openings or holes through their side walls, to allow interaction between the airflow and the salt grains, or may have walls made as nets.

[0059] Considering the housing of the device, fans are arranged downstream of the air intake at the housing, and upstream of the water reservoir and of said cartridges filled with granulated salt, that are located within the housing. Cartridges are themselves arranged upstream of the housing air outlet. For example, if the device is made with a cylindrical housing, air intake is provided on the side vertical surface of the housing, and the air outlet is provided on the top surface of the housing.

[0060] Preferably, the device is manufactured as home appliances, that can be used by anyone simply by filling the water reservoir and turning on the fans, with the cartridges correctly filled with salt grains. Preferably, the device is transportable.

[0061] Brief list of the figures

[0062] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more evident by the review of the following specification of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment, which is depicted for illustration purposes only and without limitation, with the aid of the attached drawings, in which:

[0063] - figure 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the present invention for purifying air and producing saline aerosol;

[0064] - figure 2 is a cross-section view of the device shown in figure 1 , considered on the vertical plane A-A of figure 4;

[0065] - figure 3 is a side view of the device shown in figure 1 , in elevation and partially in transparency;

[0066] - figure 4 is a top cross-section of the device shown in figure 1 , considered on a horizontal section plane.

[0067] Detailed description of the invention

[0068] Figures 1 to 4 show a device 1 according to the present invention, manufactured as portable appliances for producing a constant airflow of purified air and saline aerosol. The device 1 comprises a housing 2, for example made of a molded polymer, that, in this specific embodiment, has a substantially cylindrical shape with a bottom face intended to be place above a surface like a table, a side surface 2’ and a top face 2”. The housing 2 develops around a central axis X that can be considered the axis of symmetry of the cylinder, and encloses an internal chamber 9 wherein other components are arranged, that will be now described in detail. Side surface of the housing 2 features one or more vents 3, that are portions of the housing provided with a plurality of through holes, serving as air intakes, as indicated by arrows I. Also the top face 2” of the housing is a vent and provides a plurality of through holes, functioning as air outlet, as indicated by arrows O.

[0069] Device 1 is also provided with a handle 4, for easy transportability, and a knob 5 for manual settings by the user. The device may run on batteries and / or it can be powered by a power cord (not shown).

[0070] As it will become clearer in the following, device 1 draws room air from intakes 3, in a substantially radial direction (referred to axis X) and blows purified air and saline aerosol from the top face 2” in the axial direction.

[0071] Figure 2 is a sectional view of the device 1 , considered on a vertical plane containing axis X and in particular on plane A-A shown in figure 4. In the lower portion of the housing 2 a reservoir or tray 6 is arranged for containing water 7. The reservoir 6 is removable for refilling. Tap water or distilled water or marine water can be used to refill the reservoir 6. Preferably, as shown in the figures, the reservoir / tray 6 is circular or, in another preferred example, as two semicircles.

[0072] A plurality of fans F1 , F2 FN is arranged within the housing 2 around the axis X, and around and above the water reservoir 6. Fans F1-FN are motorized, provided each with its electric motor and the speed of rotation can be adjusted. Preferably fans F1-FN may generate an airflow with high flowrate and / or high speed.

[0073] For example, the following fans can be used:

[0074] - Manufacturer, SILENTIUM PC;

[0075] - Model, Zephyr 140 SPC018,

[0076] - dimensions, 140 x 140 x 25 mm

[0077] - bearings, HBS (Hydraulic Bearing System),

[0078] - nominal rotation speed, 600 RPM,

[0079] - maximum airflow: 47 CFM or 79,9 n Vh,

[0080] - noise level: 8.9 dBA.

[0081] Fans F1-FN may be arranged with their axis of rotation horizontal or with an angle of inclination of between 0 and 5 degrees to the horizontal axis, in order to better capture the humidity from the water reservoir 6.

[0082] Preferably, fans F1-FN are arranged around the axis X in such a way to generate a swirling movement of air within the housing 2.

[0083] In general fans F1-FN may be two, or more, for example three, four, five, six, eight, etc. In the specific embodiment shown in the figures, the device 1 comprises six fans F1-F6 arranged in symmetry around axis X, i.e. with a symmetric layout, and in particular with an hexagonal symmetry. As it can be seen in the figures, and in particular in figures 3 and 4, the axis of rotation of each fan F1-F6 is radially oriented with respect to the symmetry axis X. The blades of the fans F1-F6 are inclined in such a way that they draw air from outside the housing 2, in a radial direction as indicated by the arrows I, and push the air forward, towards the axis X.

[0084] By the hexagonal symmetry of the layout of fans F1-F6, it is achieved to obtain a swirling airflow within the chamber 9 inside the housing 2, downstream of the fans F1-F6, having high turbulence. Swirling is intended around axis X.

[0085] The airflow generated by fans F1-FN, and in particular by fans F1 ,F6 in the embodiment shown in the drawings, promotes rapid evaporation of water from the reservoir 6 and, consequently, swirling air gets enriched with humidity.

[0086] In other terms, air drawn from the room is humidified by having air being blown over the surface of a water volume 7 contained in the reservoir or tray 6.

[0087] As explained above, by increasing or, better, by maximizing humidity of air, also enrichment with salt particles is maximized.

[0088] Preferably, knob 5 provided on the top face 2”, at the axis X, can be turned by the user to increase or decrease the speed of rotation of fans F1-FN. In a solution not shown in the figures, device 1 is equipped with a user interface that allows userto turn on and off fans F1-FN and adjust their speed.

[0089] Once air humidity has been maximized, as described above, humid air is directed against granulated salt contained in a plurality of interchangeable or refillable cartridges 8 arranged within the housing 2, around the axis of symmetry X and inside the hexagon defined by fans F1-F6.

[0090] In the embodiment shown in the figures, cartridges are containers whose side walls are nets, for example made of a plastic material. The dimension of the mesh is suitable for retaining salt grains having granulometry included in the range 4-8 mm. The Applicant has found that this granulometry is ideal for maximizing the surface of salt exposed to the swirling air.

[0091] As best shown in figures 2 and 3, cartridges 8 are placed vertically in the chamber 9 of the housing 2, just above the reservoir 6, i.e. above water 7. This arrangement promotes interaction of water vapor and salt grains also when fans F1-F6 are turned off, due to natural convention.

[0092] By placing the cartridges with salt grains ahead of the fans F1-F6, and downstream of the airflow generated by the fans F1-F6, it is achieved to have the swirling airflow blowing over the surface of salt grain exposed through the cartridge mesh. Humid air blows of the salt grains, in a turbulent way, and gets enriched with salt particles that are first dissolved in solution with humidity, moisture or vapor and is then taken away from the grain surface, as saline aerosol.

[0093] It is worth noting that above the cartridges 8 a manifold 10 is mounted that has the function of guiding the saline aerosol exiting the area of the cartridges 8 toward the through holes of the top face 2” of the housing 2. To this purpose, the manifold 10 has a conical shape and the top portion of the cartridges 8 is inserted in the manifold 10.

[0094] With reference to figure 4, the specific embodiment shown in the figures comprises twelve cartridges 8, arranged in the housing 2 according to a layout with two adjacent cartridges 8 oriented so as to take the airflow produced by one corresponding fan F1-F6.

[0095] Cartridges 8 are preferably oriented radially or, even more preferably, as shown in figure 4, are oriented quasi radially, being substantially oriented tangentially with respect to circumference 11. Any two adjacent cartridges 8 define between them a converging vane 12 which is open at its bottom toward the water reservoir or tray 6, and is also open at its top toward the manifold 10. Converging vanes 12 converge toward a corner or a narrow passage 13 defined between the adjacent cartridges 8. Since the cartridges 8 are twelve, converging vanes 12 are also twelve.

[0096] Air blown by fans F1-F6 enters converging vanes 12 and, due to the shape of the vanes 12, is forced to impinge the corner or the passage 13; in this circumstance, pressure of the airflow locally increases, as well as permanence of airflow in the vane, thereby maximizing enrichment of salt particles taken from the salt grains retained in the cartridges 8.

[0097] Upon getting rich in salt particles, the airflow starts going upwards toward the manifold 10 and the outlet through the top face 2”. While moving upwards, the airflow blows over the side surfaces of the cartridge mesh, getting even more enriched with salt particles.

[0098] Finally, the saline aerosol just obtained exits the device from the top surface 2” and is ready to be breathed by people in the nearby.

[0099] Tests carried out with the device 1 have shown that the device 1 improves air quality on two levels:

[0100] - it reduces the number of microscopic particles PM 10 and PM 2,5, which are harmful, by binding the saline aerosol generated by the device 1 itself to such microscopic particles, thereby causing falling of the harmful PM 10 and PM 2,5 to the ground,

[0101] - it enriches the air in the room with saline aerosol, wherein the particles of the saline aerosol have PM 1 and PM 2.5 size, i.e. very thin so that they can penetrate deeply in the bronchus.

[0102] The device 1 and the method according to the present invention can be used for post covid recovery, treatment of high incidence of respiratory diseases and allergies, keeping the respiratory system in good health (aging population), etc. Testing

[0103] The Applicant has carried out a test in a controlled and instrumented testing room, running the device 1 for nine hours every day for six days. The following table 1 shows the evolution of air purification in a given test room. In table 1 , PM1 , PM2.5 and PM10 indicate the content of harmful particles in the air, measured in pg / m3. Every day reservoir 6 has been refilled with water, to avoid shortage.

[0104] Table 1

[0105] The same test has also been carried out using a prior art device comprising a single block of salt, not granulated, and a single fan that blows air over the block of salt, wherein this prior art device does not feature a water reservoir and has no means to modify humidity of the room air. Therefore, no water has been refilled.

[0106] The result of testing the known device in the same testing room as above, are indicated in the following table 2, which has been construed to be easily compared to table 1 above.

[0107] Table 2

[0108]

[0109] By simply comparing table 1 with table 2, it is evident that the device and the method according to the present invention allow to achieve a more effective air purification that in some moments is five folds more effective compared to the known solution disclosed above.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A method for purifying air and producing saline aerosol, comprisingA) blowing a flow of air over the water surface of a water volume (7), andB) over granulated salt.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein during phase A, humidity of air blown towards the granulated salt is increased.

3. The method according to any previous claim, wherein phase A is implemented through one or more fans (F1-FN) arranged in proximity of a reservoir (6) filled with water (7).

4. The method of claim 3, wherein phase A is implemented through fans (F1-FN) arranged in symmetry above or around a reservoir or tray (6) filled with water (7), wherein each of said fans (F1-FN) generates an air flow directed toward the axis of symmetry (X) of said fan (F1-FN) arrangement.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said fans (F1-F6) are six arranged in hexagonal symmetry above and around a reservoir (6) filled with water (7).

6. The method according to any claim 3 to 5, wherein said fans (F1-F6) generate a swirling airflow above a reservoir or tray (6) filled with water (7), and said swirling airflow impinges said granulated salt.

7. The method according to any claim 3 to 6, wherein phase B is implemented by placing granulated salt in one or more cartridges (8) arranged downstream of the fans (F1-FN) with respect to the airflow direction.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein cartridges are placed above said water reservoir (6) and the airflow generated by each of said fans (F1-FN) impinges at least one of said cartridges (8).

9. The method according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein at least one cartridge (8) is provided for each of said fans (F1-FN).

10. The method according to any claim 7 to 9, wherein two or more cartridges (8) are arranged in front of each of said fans (F1-FN), wherein two adjacent cartridges (8) define a vane (12) between them and the airflow generated by a respective one of said fans (F1-FN) hits said adjacent cartridges (8) and is channeled by said adjacent cartridges through said vane (12).

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein said cartridges (8) are arranged according to a radial, or quasi radial, layout around an axis of symmetry (X) of said one or more fans (F1- FN), and two adjacent cartridges (8) define a corner or a narrow passage (13) between them, and the radial airflow generated by the corresponding fan (F1-FN) hits the two adjacent cartridges and is forced to impinge the corner (13) or pass through the narrow passage (13).

12. The method according to any previous claim, wherein granulometry of said granulatedsalt is included in the range 4-8 mm.

13. The method according to any previous claim, wherein phase A also includes at least one between regulating the water temperature, regulating the flow rate of the air blown over the granulated salt, regulating the speed of air blown over the granulated salt.

14. The method according to any previous claim, wherein phase A and phase B are carried out inside a housing (2) of a device (1) comprising one or more fans (F1-FN), a water reservoir (6) and one or more cartridges (8) of granulated salt, wherein said housing (2) defines a chamber (9) wherein the airflow blown by the fans (F1-FN) circulates, and wherein said airflow is directed first over the water (7) and then hits the cartridges (8) of granulated salt before leaving the device (1).

15. A device (1) for purifying air and producing saline aerosol, comprising a housing (2) having an air intake (3) and an air outlet (2”), and, arranged within the housing (2), a water reservoir (6), one or more fans (F1-FN) and one or more cartridges (8) containing granulated salt, wherein said one or more fans (F1-FN) blow an airflow over said water reservoir (6) and over said granulated salt.

16. Device according to claim 15, wherein said one or more fans (F1-FN) are arranged in said housing (2) with a layout that makes the airflow produced by said fans (F1-FN) blow over said water reservoir (6) before blowing over said granulated salt.

17. Device according to claim 15 or claim 16, wherein said one or more fans (F1-FN) are arranged above or around said water reservoir (6), according to a symmetric layout, wherein each of said fans (F1-FN) generates an air flow directed toward the axis of symmetry (X) of said fan symmetric layout.

18. Device according to claim 16 or claim 17, wherein said fans (F1-F6) are six arranged in hexagonal symmetry above and around said water reservoir (6).

19. Device according to any claim 15 to 18, wherein said fans (F1-F6) generate a swirling airflow above a reservoir or tray (6) filled with water (7), and said swirling airflow impinges said granulated salt in said cartridges (8).

20. Device according to any claim 15 to 19, wherein said cartridges are arranged above or around said water reservoir (6), according to a symmetric layout, and wherein said cartridges 88) are arranged downstream of said fans (F1-FN) with respect to the direction of the airflow.

21. Device according to any claim 15 to 20, comprising one or more of said cartridges for each fan (F1-FN), wherein adjacent cartridges (8) define a vane (12) between them, in particular a converging vane (12), and wherein at least one fan (F1-FN) blows an airflow through said vane (12).

22. Device according to any claim 15 to 21 , wherein said cartridges (8) are arrangedradially or quasi radially around an axis of symmetry (X) of the layout of the fans (F1-FN), and adjacent cartridges (8) define a corner or a narrow passage (13) between them, and the radial airflow generated by the corresponding fan (F1-FN) hits the two adjacent cartridges and is forced to impinge the corner (13) or pass through the narrow passage (13).

23. Device according to any claim 15 to 22, wherein granulometry of said granulated salt is included in the range 4-8 mm.

24. Device according to any claim 15 to 23, comprising means for regulating the water temperature within the water reservoir, a control unit to selectively control each fan, by turning it on / off and regulating the rotation speed of the fan.

25. Device according to any claim 15 to 24, wherein said one or more fans (F1-FN) are arranged downstream of said air intake (3) and upstream of said water reservoir (6) and said cartridges (8) filled with granulated salt, and said cartridges (8) are arranged upstream of said air outlet (2”).

26. Device according to any claim 15 to 25, wherein said housing (2) is cylindrical, the air intake (3) is arranged on the vertical side surface of the housing (2) and the air outlet (2”) is arranged on the top horizontal surface of the housing (2), the water reservoir (6) is coaxial with the axis of symmetry (X) of the housing (2), the fans (F1-FN) are arranged in symmetry around the water reservoir (6) and cartridges (8) are located above the water reservoir (6) and within the virtual circumference defined by the fans (F1-FN), air is sucked from the side (2’) of the housing (2), through the air intake (3) and is expelled from the top of the housing (2) through the air outlet (2”).

27. Use of granulated salt impinged by an airflow of humid air to produce a flow of purified air and saline aerosol.

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