Ultrasonic Particle Agglomeration and UV-C Filtration for Ultrafine Aerosols
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional filters are ineffective in capturing ultra-fine particles smaller than 100 nanometers, leading to health risks and inefficiencies in air and water purification, as they require high energy consumption, frequent replacements, and generate hazardous waste.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus using ultrasonic waves and UV-C light to agglomerate particles into larger sizes, making them more susceptible to denaturation and filtration, which reduces the need for dense filters and minimizes energy consumption while eliminating hazardous by-products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional filters are used to capture ultra-fine particles, then filtration is performed, but particles smaller than 100 nanometers cannot be effectively captured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies ultrasonic waves and UV-C light to agglomerate ultra-fine particles into larger clusters before filtration. This preliminary action transforms particles smaller than 100 nm into agglomerates that conventional filters can effectively capture, resolving the contradiction between filter capability and particle size range coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ultrasonic waves and UV-C light as intermediary agents that facilitate particle agglomeration. These intermediaries bridge the gap between ultra-fine particles and conventional filter capabilities, enabling effective capture of particles that would otherwise pass through filters unchanged
2Manufacturing precision
If specialized filters (HEPA/ULPA) are used to capture small particles, then filtration efficiency improves, but energy consumption and device cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By pre-agglomerating particles using ultrasonic waves and UV-C light, the system enables the use of less energy-intensive conventional filters instead of specialized HEPA/ULPA filters, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective particle capture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for high-density mechanical filter structures with a combination of ultrasonic agitation and UV-C irradiation that promotes particle agglomeration, allowing conventional filters to achieve the separation efficiency previously requiring specialized high-energy filters
3Manufacturing precision
If dense filters are used to improve particle capture, then filtration effectiveness increases, but fluid flow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-agglomeration of particles through ultrasonic waves and UV-C light allows conventional filters with higher porosity to effectively capture particles, reducing fluid flow resistance while maintaining high particle capture rates
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and size parameters of particles by inducing agglomeration, which transforms the filtration problem from capturing individual ultra-fine particles to removing larger agglomerates, thereby enabling the use of filters with lower flow resistance
4Productivity
If conventional filters are used, then filtration is performed, but filter replacement frequency increases and hazardous waste is generated
Solution Approach 1:
By pre-agglomerating particles, the system extends filter life and reduces replacement frequency, thereby decreasing filter waste generation while maintaining continuous filtration throughput
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of UV-C light and ultrasonic waves into beneficial particle agglomeration, which indirectly reduces filter waste by enabling the use of more durable, replaceable-conventional filters instead of frequent replacements of specialized filters
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 apparatus effectively denatures over 80% of viruses and bacteria, reduces filter clogging and replacement frequency, and operates at a lower power consumption and noise level, effectively removing particles as small as 1 nm to 50 nm without producing hazardous waste.
Implementation Method 1
Exemplary acoustic fields may include ultrasonic waves that may agglomerate particles into larger particles
Implementation Method 2
irradiating the agglomerated particles with ultraviolet (UV) light may denature the agglomerated particles
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to aggregating, neutralizing, and filtering ultra-fine particles in fluids such as air and water. Fluid may be drawn from an ambient environment into a neutralization chamber. Within the neutralization chamber, particles in the fluid may be agglomerated. An acoustic field may be applied to the fluid to agglomerate the particles. The agglomerated particles may be exposed to light. The light may denature or deactivate the agglomerated particles. The agglomerated and inert particles maybe passed through a filter. After agglomeration and neutralization, the fluid may be released back into the ambient environment.