Combining air cleaning methods for improved Anti-contaminant efficacy and air cleaning arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air cleaning and sanitizing systems in HVACR systems face inefficiencies due to the limited capacity of air cleaners to handle high concentrations of airborne contaminants, leading to reduced efficacy and increased energy consumption, as well as the destruction of hydrogen peroxide molecules by supplemental air cleaning methods.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that detects the concentration of airborne contaminants and selectively activates either a first air cleaner with gaseous hydrogen peroxide or a second air cleaner with photocatalytic oxidation, based on the contaminant levels, to optimize air cleaning and sanitizing efficacy while minimizing unnecessary energy use and molecule destruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single air cleaner with limited capacity is used, then device complexity is reduced, but air cleaning efficacy deteriorates when contaminant concentration exceeds the cleaner's capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The HVACR system is designed to perform multiple air cleaning functions by integrating both hydrogen peroxide-based cleaning and photocatalytic oxidation capabilities within a single system framework, allowing it to adapt to different contaminant levels and types through selective activation of appropriate cleaning mechanisms
2Reliability
If supplemental air cleaning methods are continuously activated to handle high contaminant concentrations, then air cleaning efficacy is improved, but hydrogen peroxide molecules are destroyed and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors contaminant concentrations and uses this feedback information to dynamically adjust the activation state of different air cleaners, activating supplemental photocatalytic oxidation only when contaminant levels exceed the capacity of hydrogen peroxide-based cleaning alone, thereby preventing unnecessary destruction of hydrogen peroxide molecules
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static configuration where air cleaners operate at fixed states to a dynamic configuration where the activation state of each air cleaner changes in response to real-time contaminant concentration measurements, optimizing the balance between cleaning efficacy and preservation of hydrogen peroxide
3Reliability
If supplemental air cleaning methods are continuously activated, then air cleaning efficacy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous operation, the supplemental photocatalytic oxidation air cleaner is activated periodically and only when necessary, based on real-time contaminant concentration measurements exceeding predetermined thresholds, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining adequate air cleaning efficacy
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 approach enhances air cleaning and sanitizing efficacy by ensuring the appropriate air cleaner is activated based on contaminant levels, reducing energy consumption and extending the lifespan of air cleaning equipment, while maintaining effective pathogen and pollutant reduction in varying environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The first air cleaner including a gaseous hydrogen peroxide generator
Implementation Method 2
The second air cleaner is a photocatalytic oxidation air cleaner
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems described perform air cleaning and/or sanitization in a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and/or refrigeration (HVACR) system by detecting a concentration of airborne contaminants in a space serviced by the HVACR system. The detected concentration of airborne contaminants is determined whether it exceeds a threshold relative to a capacity of a first air cleaner. When the detected concentration of airborne contaminants exceeds the threshold, a second air cleaner is selected and enabled to be activated in the space. When the detected concentration of airborne contaminants does not exceed the threshold, the first air cleaner is selected and enabled to be activated in the space. The first air cleaner has a cleaning material different from the second air cleaner, and the first air cleaner, relative to the second air cleaner, treats the space at a lower concentration of airborne contaminants. The second air cleaner includes specifically designed cleaner modules.