Distributed Air Purifier Layout for Indoor Virus Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Indoor air contamination from exhaled air, particularly the spread of airborne viruses like SARS-CoV-2, poses challenges in maintaining safe air quality in public spaces like restaurants and bars, where mask usage is limited in controlling viral spread and detecting pathogens is difficult due to their tiny size.
Innovation Solution
A wireless air purifying system comprising rechargeable, wall-power-independent air purifiers with HEPA filters and UV-C lamps that capture and kill viruses, designed to work cooperatively with central HVAC systems to treat and recirculate air, ensuring effective germicidal treatment and ozone-free output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless air purifiers with rechargeable power supply are used, then ease of operation and flexibility are improved, but device complexity increases due to integrated battery systems
Solution Approach 1:
The air purifier system is divided into separable components: a reusable housing containing the filter and UV lamp, and a removable rechargeable battery pack. This segmentation allows the complex power system to be isolated in a replaceable module, simplifying the main unit while maintaining wireless operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The rechargeable battery pack is designed as a consumable component that can be replaced when depleted, rather than requiring complex recharging infrastructure. This approach manages the complexity of energy storage by using a finite-life component that simplifies the overall system design.
2Reliability
If multiple air purifiers are deployed to treat sub-volumes of air, then air purification effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and system coordination increase
Solution Approach 1:
The indoor space is divided into multiple sub-volumes, each treated by an individual air purifier unit. This segmentation allows each device to independently handle a specific zone, improving overall purification effectiveness without requiring complex centralized coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
Each air purifier unit is designed with identical functionality and specifications, allowing any number of units to be deployed interchangeably. This universality simplifies system coordination as all units operate independently with the same performance characteristics, eliminating the need for complex control systems.
3Reliability
If HEPA filters and UV-C lamps are integrated in each unit, then germicidal treatment effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed as a modular assembly that can be manufactured separately from the battery pack. This segmentation allows standardization of the filter and UV lamp components across all units, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining consistent germicidal treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The HEPA filter and UV lamp are pre-assembled into the housing as a complete treatment module before final assembly. This preliminary action ensures consistent placement and configuration of critical components, maintaining treatment effectiveness while simplifying the final assembly process.
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 system achieves a 3-log reduction in aerosolized viruses, providing a safe and continuous air purification environment by capturing and killing pathogens, enhancing air quality and reducing the risk of viral transmission in indoor spaces.
Implementation Method 1
a first filter configured to filter the treatment air from the air inlet
Implementation Method 2
a UV lamp carried within a UV treatment space in the housing and configured to deliver UV light to the treatment air that has passed through the first filter
Data Source
AI summary
An air purifying system for an indoor space includes a plurality of air purifying sites, each one of the plurality of air purifying sites configured to treat a sub-volume of the total volume of air in the indoor space, wherein each one of the plurality of air purifying sites includes a housing, an air inlet configured to direct treatment air having gaseous and non-gaseous components from the indoor space into the housing, a purifier carried within the housing, an air outlet configured to direct the treatment air that has passed through the purifier into the indoor space, and an air mover configured to move air between the air inlet and the air outlet, through the purifier, wherein the plurality of air purifying sites is configured to work cooperatively with a central air system of the indoor space.