Copper Wool Air Filter Design for Airborne Pathogen Inactivation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air filtration systems, particularly in HVAC systems, are inadequate in effectively inactivating airborne pathogens such as viruses and bacteria, including coronaviruses and COVID-19, due to limitations in filter technology and design.
Innovation Solution
The use of copper wool or copper-coated media in air filtration devices, which incorporate a frame to support and direct airflow through the copper wool medium, providing a porous structure with antimicrobial properties to inactivate airborne pathogens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If HEPA filters are used to remove airborne particles, then filtration efficiency is improved, but the filter thickness increases to about 5 inches which exceeds the capacity of typical HVAC filter slots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous copper wool medium with controlled porosity to achieve pathogen inactivation within a thin profile. The porous structure provides sufficient surface area for copper-ion-mediated pathogen deactivation while maintaining a compact thickness that fits within standard 1-inch HVAC filter slots, resolving the contradiction between filtration efficiency and filter thickness.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional filters are used to filter air, then particulate removal is achieved, but pathogen inactivation capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite air filtration system combining a conventional particulate filter with a copper wool pathogen inactivation medium. The conventional filter captures particulates while the copper wool layer provides antimicrobial action through copper ion release, achieving both particulate removal and pathogen inactivation simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from conventional filter media to copper wool with specific porosity characteristics. This parameter change enables the filter to provide both mechanical filtration and chemical/biological pathogen inactivation through copper's antimicrobial properties, addressing the insufficiency of conventional filters in pathogen inactivation.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If copper wool medium is used to inactivate pathogens, then pathogen deactivation capability is improved, but pressure drop across the filter increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes porous copper wool with optimized porosity to balance pathogen inactivation effectiveness and pressure drop. The porous structure provides sufficient copper surface area for pathogen deactivation while maintaining adequate air permeability, preventing excessive pressure drop across the filter medium.
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 copper wool medium effectively inactivates airborne pathogens by utilizing the antimicrobial properties of copper, reducing the risk of harmful exposure and transmission of pathogens like COVID-19, while maintaining a low pressure drop and high filtration efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
Copper is a metal element with atomic symbol Cu that occurs naturally throughout the environment. Copper has established antimicrobial properties that are effective against bacteria, fungi, and virus infections.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates generally to air filter systems comprising a base filter portion and a particulate filter. The base filter portion comprises a pathogen deactivation filter portion with copper (or copper alloy) medium to inactivate airborne pathogens (e.g., viruses, bacteria, coronaviruses, COVID-19, etc.) and mitigate harmful exposure to said pathogens. The copper medium may comprise first and second copper wool, and a non-copper separator screen disposed therebetween configured to randomize the airflow flowing therebetween. The base filter portion may further comprise a frame that supports a periphery of the pathogen deactivation filter portion, the frame comprising channel portions that cooperatively form a retention channel. The particulate filter is configured to filter particulates from the air stream, and is removably slidably received within the retention channel such that it extends over the pathogen deactivation filter portion.