Microwave Heated Ceramic Filter for Air Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air purifying apparatuses in ducts are inefficient in removing odor, soot, and bacteria due to suboptimal combustion efficiency and high maintenance costs, with existing solutions like combustion heaters losing heat and requiring cumbersome water tanks for ash filtration.
Innovation Solution
An air purifying apparatus using microwaves to heat contaminated air to high temperatures, passing it through a ceramic filter to combust contaminants, improving efficiency and safety while eliminating the need for additional heaters and reducing maintenance costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a combustion heater heated by electric heat wires is used to burn contaminants, then combustion function is provided, but heat loss to the outside occurs reducing combustion efficiency and safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional electric heat wire combustion heater with a microwave heating system. The microwave generator emits microwave waves that directly heat the ceramic filter and contaminants without requiring thermal conduction through heat wires, eliminating heat loss to the surrounding structure and improving both energy efficiency and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the heating mechanism from thermal conduction (electric heat wires) to electromagnetic radiation (microwaves). This parameter change allows for direct volumetric heating of the ceramic filter and contaminants, achieving higher temperatures more efficiently with reduced heat loss to the environment.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple-plate filters are arranged to remove dust, then dust filtering is improved, but the apparatus is not suitable for purifying odor, soot, bacteria and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the purification mechanism from physical filtration (multiple-plate filters) to thermal combustion (microwave-heated ceramic filter). This parameter change enables the system to handle not only dust but also odor, soot, and bacteria through high-temperature combustion, significantly improving versatility while reducing maintenance requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical filtration system with a microwave-based thermal treatment system. The microwave generator and ceramic filter combination creates a high-temperature zone that combusts contaminants, substituting the need for multiple physical filters and their associated maintenance.
3Ease of manufacture
If a water tank for filtering burned ashes is installed, then ash filtration is provided, but installation cost increases and regular maintenance becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the water tank component from the system. By using a microwave-heated ceramic filter, the system achieves ash filtration and combustion without requiring a separate water tank for cooling or ash collection, thereby reducing installation complexity and maintenance burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The ceramic filter performs multiple functions including combustion, filtration, and ash containment through its own structure. The microwave heating enables the filter to self-regulate the combustion process and contain ashes internally, eliminating the need for external water tank systems and reducing overall system complexity.
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
Enhances air purifying efficiency by ensuring complete combustion of contaminants like soot and bacteria, improves energy efficiency, and reduces maintenance needs by using microwaves to heat the ceramic filter, ensuring thorough filtration and extending the apparatus's durability.
Implementation Method 1
a microwave generator configured to generate microwaves and to supply the generated microwaves to one end surface of the ceramic filter in a longitudinal direction thereof to heat the one end surface of the ceramic filter in the longitudinal direction
Implementation Method 2
contaminated air is heated at a high temperature to be discharged to the outside, so that contaminants contained in the air, such as soot and the like, may be combusted and removed
Data Source
AI summary
In an air purifying apparatus for removing contaminants, such as soot and the like, by burning contaminated air while passing the contaminated air through a filter heated by microwaves, the apparatus includes: a housing, which is hollow, and comprises an inlet on one side and an outlet on the other side; a ceramic filter of a longitudinal material, which is arranged in the housing in a longitudinal direction of the housing, and includes a plurality of partition walls formed so that a flow path where contaminated air flows may be divided in plurality; and a microwave generator configured to generate microwaves to be supplied to one end surface of the ceramic filter in a longitudinal direction thereof to heat the one end surface of the ceramic filter in the longitudinal direction.