Air Cleaning Array with Contaminant-Adaptive Cleaner Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air cleaning and sanitizing systems in HVACR systems face inefficiencies due to the limited capacity of air cleaners to handle high concentrations of airborne contaminants, leading to reduced efficacy and increased energy consumption, as well as the destruction of hydrogen peroxide molecules by supplemental air cleaning methods.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that detects the concentration of airborne contaminants and selectively activates either a first air cleaner with gaseous hydrogen peroxide or a second air cleaner with photocatalytic oxidation, based on the contaminant levels, to optimize air cleaning and sanitizing efficacy while minimizing unnecessary energy use and molecule destruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single air cleaner with limited capacity is used, then device complexity is reduced, but air cleaning efficacy deteriorates when contaminant concentration exceeds threshold levels
Solution Approach 1:
The air cleaning system is segmented into multiple air cleaners with different cleaning materials and capacity characteristics. Instead of using one air cleaner to handle all contaminant levels, the system divides the air cleaning function across multiple specialized units, allowing each to operate within its optimal capacity range and thereby maintaining high efficacy across varying contaminant concentrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects and activates appropriate air cleaners based on real-time contaminant concentration measurements. The controller adjusts which air cleaners are operational depending on the detected contaminant level, enabling the system to adapt its configuration and capacity to match current air quality conditions, thus maintaining reliability without constant maximum complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple air cleaners are activated simultaneously, then air cleaning efficacy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the number and type of active air cleaners based on real-time contaminant concentration levels. When contaminants are detected above threshold levels, additional air cleaners are activated to maintain efficacy. When levels are acceptable, fewer air cleaners remain active, reducing energy consumption while preserving the capability to rapidly respond if contamination increases again.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller receives feedback from sensors monitoring contaminant concentrations and adjusts air cleaner activation accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures that air cleaners are activated only when and where needed to maintain air quality standards, avoiding unnecessary energy consumption while ensuring efficacy is maintained when contamination occurs.
3Reliability
If supplemental air cleaning methods are continuously applied, then air cleaning efficacy is maintained, but hydrogen peroxide molecules are destroyed and energy is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous operation, supplemental air cleaning methods are activated periodically or on-demand based on contaminant detection. The system switches between different air cleaning applications only when contaminant concentrations exceed thresholds, allowing hydrogen peroxide molecules to persist longer in the air and reducing unnecessary energy consumption during periods when air quality is already acceptable.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller uses sensor feedback to determine when supplemental air cleaning is actually needed. By monitoring contaminant levels in real-time, the system activates supplemental cleaning only when contamination occurs, preventing the unnecessary destruction of hydrogen peroxide molecules and avoiding energy waste during periods when air quality standards are already met.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances air cleaning and sanitizing efficacy by ensuring the appropriate air cleaner is activated based on contaminant levels, reducing energy consumption and extending the lifespan of air cleaning equipment, while maintaining effective pathogen and pollutant reduction in varying environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The first air cleaner including a gaseous hydrogen peroxide generator
Implementation Method 2
The second air cleaner being a photocatalytic oxidation air cleaner
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems described perform air cleaning and/or sanitization in a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and/or refrigeration (HVACR) system by detecting a concentration of airborne contaminants in a space serviced by the HVACR system. The detected concentration of airborne contaminants is determined whether it exceeds a threshold relative to a capacity of a first air cleaner. When the detected concentration of airborne contaminants exceeds the threshold, a second air cleaner is selected and enabled to be activated in the space. When the detected concentration of airborne contaminants does not exceed the threshold, the first air cleaner is selected and enabled to be activated in the space. The first air cleaner has a cleaning material different from the second air cleaner, and the first air cleaner, relative to the second air cleaner, treats the space at a lower concentration of airborne contaminants. The second air cleaner includes specifically designed cleaner modules.