Device for reducing airborne contaminants
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional photocatalytic systems for reducing airborne contaminants are inefficient due to insufficient exposure of photocatalytic materials to ultraviolet (UV) energy, limiting the concentration of ionized molecules needed to neutralize bacteria, mold, and viruses in the air.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a non-planar reflective surface with protrusions between the UV emitter and photocatalytic cells to enhance the interaction of UV rays with the photocatalytic material, increasing the concentration of ionized molecules and improving system performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a flat reflective surface is used in conventional photocatalytic systems, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the UV ray interaction with photocatalytic material is insufficient, limiting ionized molecule production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by replacing the flat reflective surface with a non-planar surface featuring multiple protrusions. These protruding structures create varied reflection angles and increase the surface area available for UV interaction, thereby enhancing photocatalytic efficiency and ionized molecule production without requiring complex additional components
2Productivity
If UV exposure to photocatalytic material is increased to improve contaminant neutralization, then ionized molecule concentration increases, but ozone production may increase as a harmful side effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating zones of varying UV intensity through the non-planar reflective surface. The protrusions concentrate UV energy in specific areas where it contacts the photocatalytic material, enhancing the desired photocatalytic reaction while the varied geometry distributes energy more evenly, preventing excessive localized UV exposure that would generate harmful ozone
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 results in a significant increase in ionized molecule output, with approximately doubling the effectiveness of contaminant neutralization while minimizing ozone production, achieving remarkable improvements over conventional designs.
Implementation Method 1
The non-planar reflective surface permits greater interaction between the UV rays from the UV emitter and the photocatalytic cells
Implementation Method 2
photocatalytic systems for reducing airborne contaminants using an ultraviolet (UV) emitter and photocatalytic cells
Implementation Method 3
deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA), and proteins can absorb deep UV light, e.g., in the range of 200 nanometers (nm) to 300 nm
Data Source
AI summary
To improve effectiveness of photocatalytic systems, a non-planar reflective surface is provided within a photocatalytic system with photocatalytic cells. The non-planar surface reflects ultraviolet (UV) rays in more-desirable directions, thereby permitting greater interaction between the UV rays and the photocatalytic cells. The increased interaction improves the performance of the photocatalytic system. For some embodiments, the non-planar reflective surface comprises a first protrusion and a second protrusion. The protrusions provide larger reflective surfaces as well as more-varied directionality of reflection, as compared to a flat surface.