Parallel Adsorbent Modules for Low-Energy Indoor Air Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional HVAC systems are inadequate in removing organic and inorganic contaminants from indoor air, leading to energy inefficiencies and the need for frequent air replacement, which can compromise indoor air quality.
Innovation Solution
A modular and scalable air treatment system utilizing regenerable adsorbent materials in an adsorption-desorption cycle, integrated with HVAC systems, which includes adsorbent inserts arranged in parallel flow paths within air treatment modules for efficient contaminant capture and regeneration using thermal or pressure swing desorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional HVAC systems use air filters to capture particles and vapors, then some air cleaning is achieved, but thorough contaminant removal is beyond their capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous adsorbent materials with high surface area to volume ratios that can effectively capture and retain organic and inorganic contaminants from indoor air. These materials provide numerous adsorption sites that conventional filters lack, enabling thorough removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon dioxide, and other gaseous contaminants while maintaining acceptable pressure drops.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes regenerative adsorption where the adsorbent material's parameters are dynamically changed through cyclic processes. During the adsorption phase, contaminants are captured; during the desorption phase, the adsorbent is regenerated by changing temperature or pressure parameters, allowing continuous operation without frequent media replacement.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If HVAC systems exhaust contaminated indoor air and replace it with fresh outside air, then indoor air quality is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adsorbent materials perform self-regeneration through cyclic adsorption-desorption processes. The system captures contaminants during occupancy periods and automatically regenerates the adsorbent using thermal or pressure swing techniques, eliminating the need for continuous energy-intensive air exchange while maintaining indoor air quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The regenerative process exploits phase transitions of the adsorbed contaminants. During desorption, thermal energy causes the contaminants to transition from the adsorbed phase back to the gas phase, allowing their removal from the adsorbent material. This enables the adsorbent to be reused multiple times without replacement.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If large volumes of adsorbent materials are used to treat large volumes of indoor air, then contaminant removal effectiveness improves, but system size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes highly porous adsorbent materials with exceptional surface area to volume ratios (up to 1000 m²/g). This allows a relatively small volume of adsorbent material to provide vast internal surface area for contaminant adsorption, achieving high removal capacity without requiring large system volumes.
Solution Approach 2:
The adsorbent materials are configured in modular cartridges or containers that can be nested within the HVAC air handling unit. This nested arrangement maximizes the use of available space, allowing multiple adsorbent cartridges to be arranged efficiently within the existing HVAC footprint without requiring additional building space.
4Use of energy by moving object
If regenerable adsorbent materials are used in an adsorption-desorption cycle, then energy consumption is minimized, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system operates on periodic adsorption-desorption cycles rather than continuous operation. The adsorbent materials are cycled between capturing contaminants and being regenerated, with multiple cartridges operating in sequence. This periodic action reduces average energy consumption compared to continuous air exchange while using relatively simple valve and heater components.
Solution Approach 2:
The regenerative system is divided into multiple independent adsorbent cartridges that can operate in parallel. Each cartridge goes through its own adsorption-desorption cycle, allowing continuous contaminant removal while simplifying the regeneration process. The segmented design enables easier maintenance and reduces the complexity of any single regeneration unit.
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 solution effectively removes contaminants like CO2 and VOCs from large volumes of indoor air with minimal energy consumption, reducing the need for makeup air and enhancing indoor air quality while being compact and adaptable for various building sizes.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing regenerable adsorbent materials and an adsorption-desorption cycle
Implementation Method 2
the at least one adsorbent material may be arranged for regeneration within the air treatment module using at least one of thermal swing desorption and pressure swing desorption
Implementation Method 3
the at least one adsorbent material may be arranged for regeneration within the air treatment module using at least one of thermal swing desorption and pressure swing desorption
Data Source
AI summary
Air treatment modules, systems and methods for removing contaminants from indoor air are provided. Device embodiments may include one or more air inlets, one or more air outlets and a plurality of inserts which each include at least one adsorbent material. The inserts may be arranged separate from each other to form a plurality of substantially parallel air flow paths between the one or more air inlets and one or more air outlets. The adsorbent material may be arranged for regeneration within the air treatment module using thermal swing desorption and/or pressure swing desorption. Related systems, methods and articles of manufacture are also described.