Portable Electrofilter for Breath Particle Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrostatic precipitators are not suitable for portable applications and have high energy consumption when used for extracting submicron particles from exhaled breath, particularly for the purpose of pathogen collection and analysis.
Innovation Solution
A portable electrofilter device with a cooling system for creating droplets by condensation of water vapor in exhaled breath, a droplet collector with a latticed side wall converging towards a flow orifice, and a discharge electrode mounted inside the droplet catcher, which attracts and collects particles using electrostatic forces, connected to a microfluidic system for analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water spray cleaners are used to collect submicron particles, then collection efficiency is improved, but water consumption increases to very large quantities (several tens of liters per hour)
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state and concentration parameters of water by using vapor instead of liquid spray, and by controlling the vaporization process to achieve efficient particle collection with minimal water quantity. The vapor phase allows for better distribution and reduced water consumption while maintaining collection efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes phase transition of water from liquid to vapor form. By vaporizing water and introducing it into the electrostatic precipitation chamber, the system achieves effective particle collection through condensation on particle surfaces without requiring large quantities of liquid water, thus resolving the contradiction between collection efficiency and water consumption.
2Weight of moving object
If electrostatic precipitators are designed for portable applications, then device portability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into a single integrated device: the electrostatic precipitation chamber serves as both the particle collection device and the water vaporization chamber. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate water spray systems and reduces overall device complexity and weight, improving portability while maintaining energy efficiency through the combined thermal and electrical processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes electrical parameters by using controlled voltage application only during the vaporization and collection phases, rather than continuous operation. The energy consumption is reduced by timing the high-voltage application to coincide with vapor introduction, creating a more energy-efficient portable system that maintains effective particle collection.
3Reliability
If water vapor is introduced to enhance submicron particle collection, then particle sensitivity to electric field is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the water vaporization function directly within the electrostatic precipitation chamber by introducing a vapor source into the chamber. This integration eliminates the need for separate external vapor generation systems and complex delivery mechanisms, thereby enhancing particle sensitivity through vapor introduction while keeping the device structure simple and suitable for portable applications.
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
Enables efficient and energy-efficient collection and analysis of particles, including pathogens, from exhaled breath in a portable system, improving the collection of submicron particles without the need for large water quantities.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling system for creating droplets by condensation of the water vapor contained in the exhaled breath
Implementation Method 2
The discharge electrode is designed to create a flow of ions from an ionized gas pocket surrounding this electrode
Implementation Method 3
Coming from this pocket, a flow of ions, called ionic wind, sweeps the majority of the inter-electrode space
Implementation Method 4
said side wall of said droplet catcher defining a counter electrode to said discharge electrode for attracting droplets collecting particles carried by exhaled breath to said side wall
Implementation Method 5
An electrostatic precipitator (ESP) is a device designed to extract particles from a gas, such as air, using the electrostatic forces produced by an electric field
Data Source
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AI summary
A breath particle extraction device comprising a cooling system (16) for creating droplets by condensation of the water vapor contained in the breath; a droplet collector (7) having a side wall (2) having a mesh shape and converging towards a flow orifice (9), allowing the droplets attracted towards said side wall (2) to flow along it towards the flow orifice (9); and a discharge electrode (1) mounted inside the droplet collector (7), said side wall (2) of said droplet collector (7) defining a counter electrode to said discharge electrode (1) for attracting droplets collecting particles carried by the breath towards said side wall (2).