Closed-Environment Air Purification With Ozone Catalytic Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air purification systems in closed environments require frequent maintenance, are costly, and either fail to deactivate microorganisms or pose health risks due to high ozone levels, and have complex ventilation systems that are not environmentally friendly or compliant with regulations.
Innovation Solution
A compact appliance that combines mechanical and electrostatic filtration, ozone generation using corona discharge, and catalytic reduction, along with thermal conditioning and humidity control, to treat and decontaminate air and surfaces, with low energy consumption and production costs, and automatic ozone regulation to ensure safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical and electrostatic filtration systems are used to trap particles in suspension, then retention efficiency of polluting substances is improved, but maintenance frequency and operating costs increase due to frequent filter cleaning and replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful function of filters that require maintenance by replacing them with a photocatalytic oxidation system. Instead of trapping particles on filters that need cleaning, the system uses UV-C irradiation combined with titanium dioxide catalyst to decompose organic pollutants and kill microorganisms in the air passing through the device, eliminating the need for filter maintenance while maintaining high retention efficiency.
2Reliability
If ozone is used to eliminate pathogenic micro-organisms, then disinfesting properties are improved, but health risks increase due to high ozone quantities that can harm people if inhaled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of ozone into a beneficial process by using UV-C irradiation to generate ozone in controlled quantities that immediately decompose organic matter and microorganisms through photocatalytic oxidation. The system achieves effective disinfection without accumulating harmful ozone concentrations, as the ozone generated is consumed in the catalytic reaction rather than being released into the environment.
3Quantity of substance
If high power voltages or ultra-violet rays are used to produce ozone, then ozone generation capability is improved, but system complexity and cost increase due to corona discharge systems or UV equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of ozone generation by using low-power UV-C lamps (wavelength 200-280 nm) combined with titanium dioxide catalyst instead of high-power corona discharge systems. This parameter change allows ozone to be generated in situ at the catalyst surface where it immediately participates in photocatalytic reactions, achieving effective disinfection and pollutant decomposition with much simpler and lower-cost equipment.
4Reliability
If ventilation systems with filters and diaphragms are used to expel ozone-rich air, then air purification is improved, but device complexity and cost increase due to complicated ventilation equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex ventilation system requirement by designing a compact device where UV-C irradiation and photocatalytic oxidation occur within a small chamber. The system purifies air in place without requiring external ventilation equipment, fans, or complex air transfer mechanisms, achieving effective air purification with a simple, self-contained structure.
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
Effectively deactivates bacteria, viruses, and spores in the air and on surfaces while maintaining low operational costs, ensuring environmental safety and compliance with regulations, with a simple and efficient design that reduces ozone exposure risks.
Implementation Method 1
one provides the use of extremely high power voltages (the so-called 'corona discharge' systems)
Implementation Method 2
ozone (molecule O 3 ), in fact, is one of the natural disinfesting substances thanks to the high oxidisation potential that distinguishes it
Implementation Method 3
Some types of appliances recycle the air and cause it to flow through a series of filters, of the mechanical and/or electrostatic type, on which the particles in suspension remain trapped
Implementation Method 4
The ozone first of all damages the cellular wall of the micro-organisms and, then, once it has penetrated inside them, it causes the oxidisation of the essential components such as, enzymes, proteins, etc.
Implementation Method 5
it causes the oxidisation of the essential components such as, enzymes, proteins, etc.
Data Source
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Figure 2~3
AI summary
The appliance for the conditioning, the control of relative humidity, the purification of air and microbiological safety in closed environments, particularly for offices, public environments, industrial environments or the like, comprises an internally hollow base structure having an inlet opening for the air coming from a substantially closed environment to be treated and an outlet opening for the treated air. Inside said appliance, following the flow of the air, several components are arranged suitable for conditioning the air temperature, controlling the relative humidity of the environment and ensuring a perfect microbiological safety. Suitable air filtration systems and production and catalyzer means of the ozone in the environment ensure a perfect purification and sterilization of the air, environments and appliance. In a first purification phase (sanitization) the machine produces ozone from the oxygen present in the air of the environment, while in a second catalyzation phase it transforms this into oxygen again.