Air purifier/conditioner (APC)
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional HVAC systems are inadequate in removing and destroying pathogens and toxic gases from air, as they rely on fiber filters and do not utilize electrically charged liquids, which limits their effectiveness in capturing aerosol particles and gases.
Innovation Solution
An air purifier and conditioner system that uses a housing to receive source air and an aqueous solution, charging the solution into electrically charged drops to interact with the air, a mist eliminator to separate liquid, and a heat exchanger to condition the air, achieving high removal efficiencies of aerosol particles and toxic gases without the need for fiber filters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fiber filters are used to remove aerosol particles, then particle removal is achieved, but the system cannot effectively destroy pathogens and toxic gases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the liquid used in the system by adjusting its pH to be alkaline (pH 9-11) and controlling its temperature (32-40°C). These parameter changes enable the liquid to effectively destroy pathogens and toxic gases while maintaining high aerosol particle removal efficiency, resolving the contradiction between particle removal and pathogen destruction
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a composite approach by combining alkaline liquid with specific chemical properties and electrical charging mechanisms. The liquid contains multiple components working together (alkaline substances, oxidizing agents) to simultaneously achieve particle capture, pathogen destruction, and toxic gas neutralization, overcoming the limitations of single-function fiber filters
2Ease of operation
If conventional HVAC systems are used, then air conditioning is provided, but aerosol particle removal and pathogen destruction are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional system that simultaneously performs air conditioning, aerosol particle removal, pathogen destruction, and toxic gas neutralization. The charged liquid droplets serve multiple purposes: cooling the air, capturing particles, and destroying pathogens, eliminating the need for separate systems and achieving high reliability while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges previously separate functions (air conditioning, filtration, disinfection) into a single integrated process. The alkaline liquid charged droplets perform multiple functions simultaneously as they contact the air stream, combining the benefits of cooling, particle removal, and pathogen destruction in one unified system
3Reliability
If electrically charged liquid drops are used to capture aerosol particles, then removal efficiency increases, but liquid management becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pneumatic and hydraulic principles to generate and distribute the charged liquid droplets through the air stream. The liquid is pumped and pressurized to create a fine spray of charged droplets that efficiently capture particles, managing the complexity through fluid dynamics rather than complex mechanical charging mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs self-charging mechanisms where the liquid acquires electrical charge through contact with charged surfaces or corona discharge regions within the system. This self-charging capability reduces the need for external charging equipment and simplifies the overall system complexity while maintaining high removal efficiency
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 system achieves at least 99.6% single-pass removal efficiency for aerosol particles 5 microns or greater and 99.9% double-pass efficiency, while also conditioning the air, effectively destroying pathogens and toxic gases, and reducing the load on the supply fan.
Implementation Method 1
The APC uses the drop charging method as taught by Richards (U.S. Pat. No. 6,156,098) and in use today in many industrial gas cleaning applications. The APC exposes the source air to copious amounts of an aqueous solution in the form of electrically charged water drops.
Implementation Method 2
a mist eliminator eliminating liquid in the treated air and producing conditioned air
Implementation Method 3
a heat exchanger receiving the conditioned air and producing supply air
Implementation Method 4
wherein the liquid purifier exposes the aqueous solution to ultraviolet light to destroy pathogens and other infectious agents
Data Source
AI summary
An air purifier and conditioner (and concomitant method of simultaneously purifying and conditioning air) comprising a housing receiving source air and an aqueous solution, a drop charger receiving the source air and providing a spray of electrically charged drops of the aqueous solution to produce treated air, a mist eliminator eliminating liquid in the treated air and producing conditioned air, a heat exchanger receiving the conditioned air and producing supply air, and a fan moving the supply air to a facility employing the supply air.