Ozone-UV Air Treatment with Self-Cleaning Catalyst Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air cleaning technologies capture contaminants but fail to fully oxidize them, leading to re-emission when concentrations decrease, and require frequent filter replacement, while lacking a self-clean function and modular design for varying pollutant types and price points.
Innovation Solution
An air cleaning system that uses ozone and UV light to oxidize contaminants, followed by a catalyst to complete mineralization, with a self-cleaning mode to refresh the catalyst and modular components for customizable pollutant removal, including a housing with ozone generation, UV sources, and multiple catalyst layers for efficient air treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional air cleaning technologies use filters to capture contaminants, then contaminants are trapped in the filters, but the trapped contaminants can be re-emitted into the atmosphere when concentrations decrease and frequent filter replacement is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs ozone, a strong oxidant, to chemically transform captured contaminants into harmless substances. The ozone reacts with trapped contaminants in the filter, oxidizing them into carbon dioxide, water, and mineral acids, thereby preventing re-emission and eliminating the need for frequent filter replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a self-cleaning function where ozone is used to automatically clean the filter and internal components. This self-service mechanism maintains system performance without requiring manual intervention or frequent filter replacement, as the ozone continuously breaks down accumulated contaminants.
2Ease of operation
If air cleaning systems use captured contaminants in filters, then contaminants are held in the filters, but the system lacks self-clean function and requires manual maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically cleans itself by generating ozone that reacts with and breaks down contaminants accumulated in the filter and on internal surfaces. This self-cleaning function maintains consistent system performance without requiring manual maintenance intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The ozone generation operates continuously or periodically to maintain clean filter surfaces and prevent contaminant accumulation. This continuous useful action ensures the system consistently performs at optimal levels without degradation over time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If air cleaning systems use single-stage filtration, then the system structure is simple, but it cannot effectively remove all types of pollutants and lacks modularity for varying price points
Solution Approach 1:
The air cleaning system is divided into modular components including pre-filter, HEPA filter, ozone generation module, UV light module, and catalyst layers. Each module addresses specific pollutant types, allowing the system to be configured for different pollutant removal needs and price points while maintaining effective multi-stage purification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system integrates multiple functions into a single platform: mechanical filtration, ozone oxidation, UV disinfection, and catalytic conversion. This multi-functional design allows one system to handle various pollutant types (particulates, gases, odors, microbes) effectively, providing adaptability across different application scenarios.
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, maintains catalyst performance through self-cleaning, and offers modular configurations for cost-effective and targeted air cleaning solutions, reducing the need for frequent filter replacements and enhancing air quality in various environments.
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
the ozone in conjunction with UV light to more rapidly oxidize impurities in the air
Implementation Method 4
a catalytic decomposer to destroy ozone
Implementation Method 5
UV light to promote more complete mineralization of VOCs across a low temperature oxidizing 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.