Room Air Purification Stages for Ozone-Safe UV-C Oxidation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air cleaning systems fail to completely decompose germs and bacteria, and are limited in their ability to degrade volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and organic components, with ozone generation posing health risks and incomplete disinfection, especially for viral and bacterial loads.
Innovation Solution
The system uses UV-C radiation with a wavelength of >230 nm to irradiate air, combined with an electro-precipitation unit to capture organic impurities, followed by ozone generation and adjustment to ensure oxidation of germs and odors, and a residual ozone destroyer to maintain safe ozone levels, ensuring complete decomposition and oxidation of aerosols and fine dust within the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ozone is generated at high concentrations to achieve effective germ and viral decomposition, then disinfection performance is improved, but health risks increase due to excessive ozone levels in the room
Solution Approach 1:
The air treatment process is divided into separate functional stages: a first treatment stage performs complete oxidation of organic components at high ozone concentrations, while a second treatment stage provides additional germicidal UV-C irradiation. This segmentation allows each stage to operate at optimized parameters without compromising health safety in the final discharged air.
Solution Approach 2:
Organic components such as viruses and bacteria are completely oxidized to CO2 and H2O in advance during the first treatment stage before the air is discharged into the room. This preliminary decomposition eliminates the need for high ozone concentrations to persist in the room, as the oxidation process is completed within the device.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If UV-C lamps are connected in cascade with some switched off to reduce ozone, then ozone levels are controlled, but UV-C disinfection performance decreases due to lower radiation density
Solution Approach 1:
The UV-C treatment is segmented into two functional groups: UV-C lamps in the first group generate ozone as part of the oxidation process, while UV-C lamps in the second group provide dedicated germicidal irradiation. Both groups operate simultaneously at full power, ensuring both ozone generation for oxidation and sufficient radiation density for disinfection.
Solution Approach 2:
The UV-C lamps serve dual functions depending on their group assignment: some UV-C lamps primarily generate ozone for oxidation of organic components, while others primarily provide germicidal irradiation. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve both ozone control and disinfection performance without compromising either.
3Reliability
If complete oxidation of organic components is achieved, then residue-free decomposition is improved, but treatment time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The oxidation process is segmented into two sequential treatment stages. The first stage uses high concentrations of ozone to rapidly oxidize organic components to CO2 and H2O. The second stage provides additional UV-C irradiation to ensure complete decomposition and sterilization. This segmentation allows complete oxidation to be achieved efficiently without excessive treatment time.
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 reliably kills germs and bacteria outside and within the device, achieving residue-free oxidation to CO2 and H2O, maintaining safe ozone levels below health limits, and ensuring effective air purification by controlling ozone concentration and ionization.
Implementation Method 1
the air flow is irradiated by means of UV-C radiation, preferably with a wavelength of >230 nm
Implementation Method 2
ozone can be supplied to the air flow or formed from the air flow
Implementation Method 3
an electrostatic precipitator, preferably in the direction of the air flow, consisting of discharge electrodes and a collector, on which the charged particles and aerosols
Implementation Method 4
The ozone in the air flow and generated in the device means that the germs deposited on the surfaces of the collector are primarily oxidized to CO2 and H2O
Implementation Method 5
The residual ozone can be destroyed by common catalysts such as activated carbon or zeolites, but also by UV light, for example with a wavelength of >230 nm, which is known to break down ozone
Implementation Method 6
the air, which has now been cleaned of aerosols, fine dust and particles as well as viruses, bacteria, germs, fungi and other organic pollution, but is still contaminated with residual ozone from our own ozone production
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for keeping room air clean and a corresponding method.