Cryogenic purification device and method and machine comprising a purification device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air purification technologies for aeronautical, underwater, and space vehicles, as well as buildings, are complex, have limited lifespan, require frequent maintenance, and can emit toxic substances upon failure, with issues such as rapid clogging, high energy consumption, and generation of dry purified air that needs humidification.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic air purification device with a purification circuit featuring a terminal heat exchanger and two sets of filters, where a motor reversibly directs gas flow in opposite directions, utilizing regenerative filters with porous structures and a cryogenic cold source, and includes a regeneration process for pollutant removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional air purification technologies are used, then air purification function is provided, but the device structure becomes complex and requires frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The purification device is divided into multiple independent filter elements arranged in series, each targeting specific pollutants (water, VOCs, CO2, particles). This segmentation allows each element to be simple and specialized, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability through modular design where individual elements can be replaced independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous purification operation with filters designed to maintain effectiveness throughout their service life. The series arrangement ensures continuous removal of pollutants as air passes through each stage, and the system operates without interruption to provide sustained purification function, extending effective service life.
2Reliability
If conventional purification methods are used, then pollutants are removed, but energy consumption increases and maintenance frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter elements are designed to be self-regenerating through temperature cycling. During operation, the filters accumulate pollutants, then periodically undergo thermal treatment where heated air flows through them to burn off accumulated contaminants. This self-regeneration process eliminates the need for frequent manual maintenance and replacement, extending service life while consuming minimal additional energy compared to continuous operation.
3Reliability
If filtration capacity is increased to prevent rapid clogging, then pollutant removal efficiency improves, but device weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operational parameters of the filters by implementing temperature cycling rather than relying solely on increased filter mass. The filters operate at normal temperatures during service, then are periodically heated to high temperatures to regenerate. This parameter change allows lightweight filter construction while maintaining extended service life through thermal regeneration rather than sheer material quantity.
4Reliability
If cryogenic filtration is used to remove pollutants effectively, then purification efficiency improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cryogenic filtration operates periodically rather than continuously. The system alternates between filtration mode (where cold air passes through filters to capture pollutants) and regeneration mode (where hot air flows through filters to burn off accumulated pollutants). This periodic action achieves effective purification during the filtration phase while consuming minimal energy during regeneration, overall reducing energy consumption compared to continuous high-energy operation.
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 solution reduces energy consumption, extends device lifespan, prevents toxic emissions, and efficiently removes pollutants like water, volatile organic compounds, and carbon dioxide, while simplifying the structure and reducing maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
a terminal heat exchanger in heat exchange with a cryogenic cold source
Implementation Method 2
remove in particular the following pollutants: water, volatile organic compounds and carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 3
at least one of the filter(s) is a regenerative type filter, that is to say a trapping filter
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Device and method for the cryogenic purification of a stream of gas, comprising a purification circuit (4) comprising a first inlet (5) and a first set of filters (6, 7, 8, 9) arranged in series, the first set of filters comprising a terminal heat exchanger (9) in a heat-exchange relationship with a cold source (11), the purification circuit (4) comprising, downstream of the terminal exchanger (9), a first outlet (15), the device (1) comprising at least one drive member (12, 13) intended to set the stream of gas in motion in the circuit (4), the purification circuit (4) further comprising, between the terminal exchanger (9) and the first outlet (15), a second set of filter(s) (16, 17, 18), and the at least one drive member (12, 13) being configured to set two successive volumes of gas for purification in motion in opposite directions of circulation in the circuit (4). The invention also relates to a machine including such a device.