Air Purification Assembly with Segmented UV and Carbon Chambers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air handling systems face a trade-off between pathogen elimination and treatment rate, resulting in costly and complex devices that are difficult to maintain, making them unsuitable for all applications.
Innovation Solution
An air purification assembly that includes an intake portion, a flow apparatus, and a chamber portion with an activated nonmetallic element and UV light assembly, designed to efficiently channel and purify contaminated air, allowing for effective pathogen elimination even at high air velocities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional air purification systems are used to eliminate pathogens, then pathogen elimination is achieved, but treatment rate (flow rate) is reduced and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air purification system is divided into multiple independent chambers (intake portion, flow apparatus, chamber portion with activated carbon, UV light assembly) that can process air in parallel streams, allowing high flow rates while maintaining pathogen elimination effectiveness in each chamber
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines multiple purification mechanisms (activated carbon filtration for chemical contaminants and UV light for pathogen elimination) into a single integrated assembly, achieving comprehensive pathogen elimination without sacrificing treatment rate
2Reliability
If conventional air purification systems are used to eliminate pathogens, then pathogen elimination is achieved, but device complexity and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into modular components (intake portion, flow apparatus, chamber portion) that can be independently maintained and replaced, reducing overall system complexity and easing maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The activated carbon and UV light assembly are designed to be self-contained within the chamber portion, requiring minimal external control or adjustment, thereby simplifying the overall device operation and maintenance
3Productivity
If high air velocities are used to increase treatment rate, then productivity is improved, but pathogen elimination effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Air flow is segmented into multiple channels through the intake portion and flow apparatus, allowing high overall flow rates while maintaining sufficient contact time between air and purification media in each individual channel
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a multi-chamber three-dimensional configuration that allows air to travel through extended paths at high velocities while still achieving adequate exposure to activated carbon and UV light for effective pathogen elimination
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
The assembly achieves high pathogen elimination rates, with up to 99.99% reduction of pathogens like Clostridium difficile, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus species, within a short dwell time, due to the combination of activated charcoal and UV light exposure, making it suitable for various settings.
Implementation Method 1
a ultraviolet (UV) light assembly. The chamber portion can purify the contaminated air flow when the contaminated air flow is channeled through the chamber portion
Implementation Method 2
The chamber portion can include activated charcoal and a ultraviolet (UV) light assembly to enable the chamber portion to purify the contaminated air flow
Data Source
AI summary
An air purification assembly is described. The air purification assembly includes an intake portion, a flow apparatus coupled to the intake portion; and a chamber portion coupled to the flow apparatus. The intake portion includes a surface and at least one first opening in the surface such that the intake portion is enabled to receive contaminated air flow through the at least one first opening. The chamber portion includes at least one second opening and further comprises an activated nonmetallic element and an ultraviolet (UV) light assembly. The flow apparatus is adapted to draw contaminated air into the air purification assembly through the at least one first opening and direct the contaminated air out of the air purification assembly through the second openings.