Air treatment system, and a method of using said air treatment system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air treatment systems are complex, energy-intensive, and expensive, with long reaction times and high maintenance costs, failing to efficiently clean large volumes of indoor air without significant pressure drops or filtration efficiency impacts.
Innovation Solution
An air treatment system employing a photooxidation process using a sub-flow of polluted air treated with UV light and oxygen to create reactive radicals and ozone, combined with an air particle filter, reducing energy consumption and equipment costs, and incorporating a catalyst to minimize pressure drop and ozone levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional HVAC systems with mechanical filtration are used, then dust particles are removed, but large pressure drop occurs requiring large fans and high energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical filtration systems with electrostatic precipitation technology. Instead of using physical filters that create pressure drops, the system uses electric fields to charge and collect particles, eliminating the need for large fans and reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective particle removal
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operating parameters by using high voltage electric fields (typically 10-50 kV) to create electrostatic forces for particle collection. This parameter change allows particle removal without mechanical resistance, avoiding the pressure drop problem of conventional filters
2Use of energy by moving object
If electrostatic precipitation is used, then pre-existing particles are removed without large pressure drop, but gas-phase pollution remains untreated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges electrostatic precipitation (for particle removal) with photocatalytic oxidation (for gas-phase pollution removal) into a single integrated system. The electrostatic precipitator handles particulate matter while the photocatalytic reactor simultaneously treats volatile organic compounds and other gas-phase pollutants, providing comprehensive air treatment
Solution Approach 2:
The combined system performs multiple functions: particle charging and collection, gas-phase pollutant decomposition, and odor control. This multi-functional approach addresses both particle and gas-phase pollution using a unified treatment process
3Object-affected harmful factors
If UV-radiation and ozone are used for sterilization and VOC decomposition, then air treatment effectiveness is improved, but system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and applies only the essential UV-C radiation component (253.7 nm wavelength) for air sterilization and VOC breakdown, eliminating the need for complex ozone generation and control systems. This focused approach maintains treatment effectiveness while significantly reducing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses simple, replaceable UV-C lamps instead of complex, expensive air treatment systems. The lamps are inexpensive, have long lifetimes, and can be easily replaced, making the system cost-effective and simple to maintain
4Object-affected harmful factors
If catalysts are incorporated to assist air treatment, then treatment effectiveness is improved, but pressure drop increases requiring large fans and high energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical filtration catalysts that create pressure drops with a photocatalytic oxidation system using UV-C radiation. The photocatalytic process occurs in the gas phase without physical contact with filter media, eliminating pressure drop while maintaining treatment effectiveness
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 effectively reduces organic pollutant concentrations in air emissions to acceptable levels with reduced energy use and equipment needs, offering a simple, efficient, and cost-effective solution for air purification.
Implementation Method 1
a UV lamp (10) arranged for emitting UV-C-radiation having a wavelength of 253,7 nm
Implementation Method 2
exposing the air to UV-radiation... attain decomposition of all organic compounds, e.g. VOCs
Implementation Method 3
a corona discharge unit (11) arranged for generating ozone
Implementation Method 4
organic compounds can be removed with ozone e.g. created during the UV-radiation
Implementation Method 5
air cleaning devices such as dry electrostatic precipitators... remove only dust particles
Data Source
AI summary
An air treatment system (1) arranged for treating polluted air (Apol) at least by means of an air particle filter, and wherein said air treatment system comprises an air treatment unit placed upstream of the air particle filter and being arranged for directing a sub-flow (Asub) of the polluted air (Apol) through said air treatment unit (2) and for subjecting the sub-flow (Asub) to a photooxidation process. The photooxidation process in the air treatment unit (2) is so efficient that the overall concentration of gas-pollution of the combined air flow Acorn is significantly reduced whereby large volumes of polluted air can be treated in a fast, inexpensive and effective manner.