Modular PCO Air Unit Layout for High Airflow and Oxidizer Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air purification systems, including HEPA filtration, activated carbon, electrostatic, UVGI, and PCO systems, face limitations such as filter clogging, inability to treat surface contaminants, and suboptimal oxidizer generation and mixing in PCO systems, leading to reduced effectiveness in air and surface contaminant removal.
Innovation Solution
The air sanitation unit employs a duct with photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) devices featuring UV lamps and cell panels with photocatalytic coatings, optimized for increased airflow and oxidizer concentration, using a fan to direct airflow through the PCO devices and additional cell panels to absorb stray UV light, ensuring effective oxidizer generation and mixing while minimizing airflow disruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional filtration systems (HEPA, activated carbon, electrostatic) are used to remove airborne particles, then particle removal capability is improved, but filters clog over time requiring continual monitoring and replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the contaminant-trapping function from the system by using ionization to charge particles and magnetic fields to capture them on collection plates, separating the filtration function from consumable filters. This allows continuous operation without filter replacement while maintaining particle removal capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-maintenance through automated mechanisms: ion generators continuously charge particles, magnetic fields automatically capture them on plates, and collection plates are automatically cleaned or replaced when full, eliminating the need for manual filter monitoring and replacement.
2Reliability
If UVGI systems are used to destroy airborne contaminants, then some contaminants are destroyed rather than trapped, but brief UV exposure is insufficient to effectively destroy many bacteria, mold spores, and some VOCs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses ozone, a strong oxidant, to chemically destroy contaminants including bacteria, mold spores, and VOCs. Ozone molecules actively react with and break down contaminant molecules, providing more effective and comprehensive destruction compared to UV light alone, with sufficient reaction time as air passes through the treatment chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines multiple treatment mechanisms into a composite approach: ionization charges particles, magnetic fields concentrate them, UV light provides initial disinfection, and ozone delivers chemical destruction. This multi-layered composite system ensures thorough contaminant elimination that overcomes the limitations of any single method.
3Reliability
If PCO systems are used to generate oxidizers for contaminant degradation, then oxidizers can attack and degrade organic molecule contaminants, but insufficient contact between air and catalyst or insufficient UV irradiation reduces oxidizer generation and mixing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The PCO system is segmented into distinct functional zones: a UV irradiation zone where UV lights activate the catalyst, a reaction zone where oxidizers are generated and mixed with air, and a treatment zone where contaminants are degraded. This segmentation allows optimization of each zone independently, ensuring sufficient contact time and effective oxidizer generation without excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The catalyst material acts as an intermediary between UV light and air contaminants. UV irradiation activates the catalyst surface, which then facilitates the generation of oxidizers from oxygen in the air. This intermediary mechanism enables efficient oxidizer production with controlled UV exposure, improving effectiveness while managing system complexity.
4Reliability
If excessive contact between catalyst and airflow path is used to improve oxidizer generation, then oxidizer generation improves, but airflow is unnecessarily restricted increasing operational power demand and reducing volumetric airflow
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies PCO treatment locally in specific zones rather than throughout the entire airflow path. UV lights and catalysts are positioned in concentrated zones where oxidizer generation is most effective, allowing sufficient treatment without restricting overall airflow. This localized approach maintains high volumetric airflow while achieving effective contaminant degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses partial PCO treatment rather than attempting to treat the entire airflow path. By concentrating UV and catalyst resources in key zones, the system achieves sufficient oxidizer generation to effectively treat contaminants without the excessive airflow restriction that would result from full-path treatment, optimizing the balance between treatment effectiveness and energy efficiency.
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 enhances airflow rates and oxidizer concentration within the air sanitation unit, providing improved contaminant treatment and surface coverage without the drawbacks of filter clogging or suboptimal oxidizer distribution, ensuring effective air and surface sanitization.
Implementation Method 1
PCO systems direct UV light onto a catalyst material. Water molecules in the ambient air then interact with the UV light and the catalyst to generate a variety of oxidizers such as hydroxyl radicals.
Implementation Method 2
The UV light is typically tuned to short-wave UV light (UV-C light).
Implementation Method 3
The oxidizers can then attack organic molecule contaminants and degrade them into less harmful substances.
Implementation Method 4
The air sanitation unit may also comprise a fan configured to move surrounding air into the inlet, through the one or more PCO devices, and through the outlet.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are air sanitation units having one or more photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) devices, a fan for moving air through the PCO devices, and a duct for directing the airflow. Additional embodiments are described for increasing the flow rate of air through the PCO devices, improving the concentration of generated oxidizer in the airflow, and reducing the energy demand of the unit.