Ozone Oxidation Air Treatment With Catalyst Self-Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air cleaning technologies capture contaminants but fail to fully oxidize them, leading to potential re-emission and reduced filter performance over time, necessitating frequent replacements and lacking a self-clean function to maintain catalyst effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
An air cleaning system utilizing ozone and UV light to partially oxidize contaminants, followed by a catalyst to complete oxidation, with a self-cleaning mode to refresh the catalyst and remove ozone, ensuring continuous performance and minimizing secondary contaminants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional air cleaning technologies use filters to capture contaminants, then contaminants are removed from air, but contaminants can be re-emitted and filter performance degrades over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs ozone (O3) as a strong oxidant to completely oxidize captured contaminants rather than merely trapping them. The oxidation process converts organic compounds into CO2 and H2O, preventing re-emission. The system includes an ozone generator that produces ozone and a catalyst that facilitates complete oxidation of contaminants that have been captured by the filter.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-cleaning by using ozone and catalyst to oxidize contaminants on the filter surface and within the filter media. This self-service function restores filter performance without requiring manual replacement or external cleaning services, addressing the degradation issue directly.
2Productivity
If filters are used to capture contaminants, then air is cleaned, but filters require frequent replacements
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically cleans the filter in-place using ozone generation and catalytic oxidation. The control system activates the ozone generator and catalyst periodically to oxidize accumulated contaminants on the filter, restoring its cleaning efficiency without requiring removal or replacement. This self-service capability significantly reduces maintenance time and operational interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
Ozone serves as a powerful oxidizing agent that breaks down and mineralizes organic contaminants on the filter surface rapidly. This oxidation process removes the contaminants that would otherwise clog the filter and reduce its effectiveness, thereby extending filter service life and maintaining high productivity.
3Reliability
If catalyst is used to oxidize contaminants, then complete oxidation is achieved, but catalyst effectiveness decreases over time
Solution Approach 1:
Ozone is used to regenerate the catalyst by oxidizing any contaminants that may be poisoning or blocking the catalyst active sites. This periodic oxidation treatment restores the catalyst's effectiveness without requiring replacement, thereby extending its service life while maintaining high oxidation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The catalyst is incorporated into a self-regenerating system where ozone continuously or periodically treats the catalyst surface to remove accumulated contaminants. This self-service mechanism prevents catalyst deactivation and maintains its oxidation capability over extended periods.
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 effectively oxidizes and removes contaminants, maintaining air quality and extending filter and catalyst life, reducing the need for frequent replacements and enhancing overall air cleaning efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
ozone generation to oxidize chemical contaminants
Implementation Method 2
germicidal UV light at wavelengths between 200 and 300 nm to inactivate micro-organisms
Implementation Method 3
an oxidizing catalyst to convert chemical compounds in the air into less harmful constituents
Implementation Method 4
ozone to promote more complete mineralization of VOCs across the low temperature catalyst
Data Source
AI summary
A built-in apparatus and method for treating air including a housing with an air inlet and an air outlet. An air mover positioned near the air outlet is configured to draw the air through the air inlet. The housing encloses an air treatment zone, such as including an oxidizing zone, and an ozone removal zone positioned downstream of the air treatment zone and oxidizing zone. The air treatment zone includes UV light and/or ozone that partially oxidizes the chemical contaminants in the air treatment zone. A catalyst in the oxidizing zone oxidizes elements within the air treatment zone. The ozone removal zone includes a second, different catalyst material. A UV bulb that may or may not generate ozone is positioned within or downstream of the first and/or second catalyst materials to assist catalyst oxidation and/or self-clean the apparatus.