Indoor PM Removal via Oxidation and Bacterial Metabolism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing particulate matter (PM) from indoor environments, especially after contamination from sources like fires, are inadequate in effectively clearing both airborne and residual PM, particularly failing to prevent mold growth and re-aerosolization of particles, and often require human intervention and aggressive chemicals.
Innovation Solution
A two-step method involving the atomization of oxidizing compounds followed by benign Gram-positive spore-forming bacteria spores to oxidize and precipitate PM, suppress mold growth, and metabolize particles, ensuring the environment is safe for reoccupation within an hour without live organisms or toxic chemicals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ionized particles are dispensed into the air by air cleaning devices, then some relief is obtained from PM contamination, but the devices are not capable of cleaning heavily contaminated environments and cannot remove residual particulate matter
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning process is divided into two distinct steps: first atomizing oxidizing compounds to oxidize and precipitate PM, then atomizing benign spore-forming bacteria to metabolize residual particles. This segmentation allows each step to target specific aspects of PM removal, achieving comprehensive cleaning that single-step systems cannot accomplish.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses atomized oxidizing compounds as an intermediary to transform hydrophobic PM into hydrophilic particles that can precipitate. This intermediary transformation step enables subsequent biological metabolism by spore-forming bacteria, creating a bridge between chemical oxidation and biological degradation that overcomes the limitations of direct ionization methods.
2Reliability
If traditional cleaning methods are used, then PM is partially removed, but mold growth is not prevented and particles can re-aerosolize
Solution Approach 1:
The first step of atomizing oxidizing compounds performs preliminary oxidation of PM and creates a hostile environment for mold growth before the biological step. This preliminary chemical treatment prevents mold explosion by oxidizing organic compounds that mold would otherwise use as nutrients, while also transforming PM into forms that are less likely to re-aerosolize.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of PM through oxidation, transforming hydrophobic particles into hydrophilic ones. This parameter change affects both the physical behavior of particles (reducing re-aerosolization) and the chemical environment (preventing mold growth by altering available organic substrates).
3Productivity
If aggressive chemicals are used for PM removal, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but toxic residues remain and allergic reactions may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs strong oxidizing compounds atomized in fine droplets to rapidly oxidize PM and create a biocidal environment. The accelerated oxidation achieved through atomization provides rapid cleaning effectiveness while the specific choice of oxidants and their complete evaporation ensures no toxic residues remain, eliminating the harmful effects associated with traditional aggressive chemical cleaners.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful oxidizing action into a beneficial dual-purpose treatment: the oxidation that would normally be considered aggressive is instead used to both remove PM and prevent mold growth. The complete evaporation of oxidizing compounds converts what could be toxic residues into beneficial oxygen, eliminating allergic reaction risks while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
4Ease of operation
If manual intervention is required for PM cleaning, then process control is improved, but automation and safety are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to be self-service through automated atomization of both oxidizing compounds and spore-forming bacteria. The process automatically sequences the two treatment steps, controls droplet evaporation, and manages the biological metabolism phase without human intervention, achieving full automation while maintaining process effectiveness through built-in control mechanisms.
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 method efficiently removes PM and its residues, prevents mold explosion, transforms hydrophobic particles into hydrophilic ones for precipitation, and allows safe reentry within one hour, using a fully automated process that avoids allergic reactions and additional toxic chemicals.
Implementation Method 1
atomizing a solution of oxidizing compounds which oxidize particulate matter to form complexes and to precipitate them
Implementation Method 2
in a first step, atomizing a solution of oxidizing compounds of which an atomizer produces small fog drops
Implementation Method 3
a solution is atomized containing spores of Gram-positive spore formers... the spores of Gram-positive bacteria metabolize precipitated particles and take up precipitated particles
Implementation Method 4
the spores of Gram-positive bacteria outgrow the growth of molds thereby preventing an explosive growth of molds
Implementation Method 5
hydrophobic particles will be transformed by oxidation into hydrophilic particles, which thus can form complexes that can precipitate
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Method for removing all types of particulate matter with exclusion of biological multiplying microorganisms in indoor environments characterized by comprising the following two steps : - the atomization of compounds that oxidize particulate matter to form complexes and to precipitate them; - the atomization of a liquid containing a mixture of spores of Gram-positive aerobic and/or of facultative anaerobic spore formers to act as nuclei for extra precipitation, to cover the precipitated particulate matter; and to metabolize precipitated particles and to take up precipitated particles by the Gram-positive bacteria/ thereby preventing the precipitated particles to become airborne again; - whereby the drop size in both atomization steps is held between 5 and 50 μm to yield a dry nebula.