Catalyst Filter Waveguides for Photocatalytic Reaction Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current filtering systems are inadequate in efficiently removing particulate, gaseous, and biomaterials, particularly in activating photocatalysis for effective air purification, especially in expanding light transmission into channels for enhanced photocatalytic reactions.
Innovation Solution
A filtering system incorporating a catalyst filter with a photocatalyst layer and waveguides to enhance light transmission, where the waveguides have textured surfaces to expand the light extraction region, allowing for broader photocatalytic action on both sides and bottom surfaces of the filter channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If light is irradiated directly into channels without waveguides, then the structure is simple, but light transmission into the channels is insufficient and photocatalytic reaction area is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Waveguides are introduced as intermediary components to transmit light from the light source into the channels. The waveguides act as mediators that efficiently guide light along the channel length, enabling sufficient light transmission without requiring direct line-of-sight illumination and expanding the photocatalytic reaction area.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguides extend light transmission from a point source into a three-dimensional path along the channel. By introducing the waveguide dimension, light can reach deep into the channel structure and illuminate the photocatalyst layer on channel walls, transforming the illumination geometry from surface-level to volumetric.
2Area of stationary object
If waveguide surfaces are smooth, then manufacturing is easier, but light extraction region is limited and photocatalytic action is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide surface is made non-uniform with localized textured regions instead of being uniformly smooth or uniformly rough. The light extraction region features a non-uniform surface structure with varying roughness that optimizes light scattering and extraction, while other portions of the waveguide maintain smoother surfaces for efficient light transmission.
3Productivity
If photocatalyst layer is activated only at light source location, then energy consumption is low, but removal efficiency of harmful gases and biomaterials is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguides enable continuous light transmission along the entire channel length, maintaining photocatalyst activation throughout the channel rather than only at discrete points. This continuous illumination ensures that harmful gases and biomaterials are removed efficiently as they pass through any section of the channel.
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 configuration significantly improves the removal efficiency of harmful gases and biomaterials by expanding the photocatalytic reaction area, enhancing the filtration performance and formaldehyde removal efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a photocatalyst layer arranged on the second surface of the filter frame and configured to be activated by light energy
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of waveguides inserted into at least some of the plurality of channels, respectively, to increase light transmission into the at least some of the plurality of channels
Implementation Method 3
have a light extraction region formed on at least a portion of a surface of each waveguide to extract light that is input through the incident surface and guided into each waveguide
Data Source
AI summary
A filtering system includes: a catalyst filter including a filter frame including a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a photocatalyst layer provided on the second surface of the filter frame; a light source unit configured to irradiate light for activating the photocatalyst layer; and a plurality of waveguides inserted into at least some of a plurality of channels, respectively, to increase light transmission into the at least some of the plurality of channels of the catalyst filter.