Alternating Plasma Torch Air Purifier for Microbial Sterilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air purifiers rely on filters that do not kill microorganisms, requiring careful handling and replacement, and they do not effectively neutralize chemical compounds.
Innovation Solution
A plasma torch-based air purifier system using alternating torch modules and a controlling air valve to ensure continuous airflow treatment with reactive atomic oxygen, eliminating the need for cooling and doubling airflow rate, while producing healthy gases like Nitric oxide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single plasma torch is used for air treatment, then the torch can be operated without cooling system, but the airflow treatment rate is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the air treatment function into two separate torch modules, each handling a portion of the airflow. This segmentation allows one torch to be operated while the other is cooled by the airflow it handles, eliminating the need for an external cooling system while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The airflow serving as coolant for one torch simultaneously serves as the treatment medium for the other torch. This multi-functionality of the airflow resolves the contradiction by eliminating dedicated cooling infrastructure while preserving treatment capacity
2Productivity
If two plasma torches are used simultaneously, then the airflow treatment rate is doubled, but the cooling requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each torch module serves its own cooling requirement by using the airflow it processes. The system is self-cooling, where the treatment airflow itself provides the cooling function, eliminating external cooling requirements while maintaining doubled productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system operates the two torches in an alternating periodic manner, switching between them in sync with the airflow cycles. This periodic operation ensures one torch is always in cooling phase while the other is in treatment phase, resolving the cooling-productivity contradiction
3Ease of operation
If filters are used to remove microorganisms, then dust and microorganisms are removed from airflow, but the filters become contaminated and require careful handling and replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical filtration process with a plasma-based sterilization process. Instead of physically trapping microorganisms in filters, the plasma torches kill microorganisms through reactive oxygen species, eliminating filter contamination issues while maintaining ease of operation
4Power
If the gap between electrodes is increased to reduce discharge voltage, then the discharge voltage requirement is reduced, but the airflow rate through the gap decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system compensates for reduced airflow in a single torch by adding a second torch module that handles an additional airflow stream. This dimensional expansion from single-torch to dual-torch architecture resolves the contradiction by maintaining low discharge voltage while achieving high total airflow treatment rate
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
Thoroughly kills microorganisms and neutralizes chemical compounds, reducing filter contamination and enabling safe filter replacement, with a moderate power consumption and effective air treatment rate of 600 liters per minute.
Implementation Method 1
A torch module described in the article S. P. Kuo, et al., 'Design and electrical characteristics of a modular plasma torch,'IEEE Trans. Plasma Sci., Vol. 27, no. 3, pp. 752-758, June, 1999, New Jersey; and in the U.S. patent S. P. Kuo, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,329,628, 'Methods and Apparatus for Generating a Plasma Torch,' December 2001, ('the 628 patent') produces a plasma torch via arc discharge
Implementation Method 2
The torch in the device produces non-equilibrium plasma, which has a good usage of the electron plasma energy, gained from the discharge, to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS)
Implementation Method 3
the controlling air valve guides the airflow from the off-torch module to pass through the torch of the on-torch module
Implementation Method 4
Two torches are run alternatively to eliminate the cooling requirement
Data Source
AI summary
An air purifier to improve air quality for breathing is invented. A magnetized torch module that passes a large airflow is designed. The emission spectroscopy of the torch indicates that the plasma effluent carries an abundance of reactive atomic oxygen (RAO), which can effectively kill all kind microbes. The invention employs two torch modules which run alternately to generate non-thermal plasma for air treatment via both thermal/non-thermal processes. The airflow through the on-torch module is mainly treated thermally. A controlling air valve is designed to direct the exiting airflow of the off-torch module to pass through the plasma torch of the on-torch module for non-thermal treatment. The controlling air valve also works to turn the torch modules on and off synchronizing with the close and open of the two air valves in the controlling air valve. This device purifies ambient air in a fast rate and kills microbes thoroughly. This invention is suitable for applications such as household air purifier, integrating it to building HVAC system, and hospital air disinfector and maintaining the air quality of the clean rooms.