Electrostatic Aerosol Removal With Ionization And Positive Droplet Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air purification technologies are inadequate for effectively removing and deactivating small, hazardous aerosols such as viruses, as they either produce harmful byproducts, require frequent maintenance, or are inefficient at high air flow rates, and there is a risk of deposition in the respiratory tract.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus combining air ionization and electro-spraying to charge aerosols negatively and generate positively charged droplets for absorption, followed by a collection process using grounded droplet collectors and ion collectors to ensure safe and efficient removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air filters (e.g., N95 technology) are used to catch particles, then particle removal efficiency is improved, but device complexity and cost increase, and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical filtration systems with an electrostatic field-based system. Corona discharge needles generate ions that charge aerosol particles, and oppositely charged collector electrodes attract and capture these charged particles through electrostatic forces, eliminating the need for mechanical filters and their associated maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state and properties of aerosol particles by charging them through corona discharge. By altering the electrical charge parameter of particles, they become susceptible to electrostatic attraction toward collector electrodes, enabling removal without mechanical filtration
2Reliability
If sub-micron particle filters are used, then particle removal efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases due to high pressure drop
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces energy-intensive mechanical filtration with an electrostatic field-based system. The corona discharge needles and collector electrodes create electrostatic forces that actively attract charged particles, eliminating the need for high-pressure drops and reducing energy consumption while maintaining removal efficiency
3Reliability
If air ionization is used for disinfection, then pathogen deactivation is improved, but harmful byproducts (ozone, nitrogen oxides) are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful byproducts (ozone and nitrogen oxides) generated by corona discharge through wet electrostatic precipitators. The precipitators capture these gaseous contaminants along with charged aerosol particles, preventing their release into the environment while maintaining the pathogen deactivation benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful ozone and nitrogen oxides generated by corona discharge into a beneficial cleaning mechanism. These gases are captured by the wet electrostatic precipitators along with charged particles, and the liquid collected contains both aerosol contaminants and gaseous byproducts, which can be treated and reused
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 apparatus effectively deactivates and removes hazardous aerosols, including viruses, without harmful byproducts, at high air flow rates, and minimizes health risks by collecting charged droplets safely.
Implementation Method 1
The common way to produce air ions of a certain electric sign is by direct current (DC) corona discharge from an emitter electrode
Implementation Method 2
The produced air ions with the sign of the active electrode of HVDC are repulsed and drift from the emitter electrode, attaching to and thus electrically charging aerosol particles in the air
Implementation Method 3
a spraying zone for generating positively charged droplets and for absorbing said charged aerosols by contacting them with said generated positively charged droplets
Implementation Method 4
a collection device for collecting said negative air ions and said absorbed aerosols from said spraying zone
Data Source
AI summary
It is disclosed an apparatus for electrostatic deactivation and removal of hazardous aerosols from air, said apparatus comprising an ionization zone (2) for charging aerosols contained in a stream of supplied air and for obtaining aerosols having negative air ions, a spraying zone (4) for generating positively charged droplets and for absorbing said charged aerosols by contacting them with said generated positively charged droplets, and a collection device for collecting said negative air ions and said absorbed aerosols from said spraying zone (4).