UV-Activated Chlorine Dioxide Catalyst for Air Purification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current advanced oxidation technologies for generating gas-phase free radicals like .OH, .ClO2, .HO2, and .O in air disinfection and purification are costly, require additional equipment, and are not suitable for large-scale industrial production, while existing methods using ozone are harmful to humans and inefficient in eliminating microbiological contaminants.
Innovation Solution
A method using inorganic porous materials like silica or ceramic honeycombs impregnated with stabilized chlorine dioxide or chlorite solutions, which are dehydrated at low temperatures, to generate mass free radicals when exposed to UV irradiation or as a catalytic oxidation material, effectively eliminating pollutants without secondary pollutants and enabling man-machine coexistence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ozone is used for air purification, then the purification effectiveness is improved, but harmful effects on humans occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs chlorine dioxide (ClO2) as a strong oxidant with standard electrode potential of 1.50V, which is weaker than ozone (2.07V) but still highly effective for disinfection. This substitution maintains purification effectiveness while significantly reducing harmful effects on humans, as ClO2 decomposes into harmless substances (Cl- and O2) after reaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful ClO2 gas into a beneficial disinfectant by controlling its concentration and delivery method. Through controlled release from impregnated materials or UV-activated generation, ClO2 achieves effective disinfection at concentrations safe for human presence, transforming a potentially hazardous substance into a safe and effective air purifier.
2Speed
If .OH free radicals are generated for rapid pollution elimination, then the chemical reaction rate is improved, but the short lifespan of .OH makes in situ regeneration necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent preliminarily prepares ClO2-impregnated porous materials or ClO2 generation systems before activation. When UV irradiation is applied, ClO2 rapidly decomposes to generate .OH free radicals in situ. This preliminary preparation ensures that .OH radicals are generated exactly where and when needed, maintaining their short lifespan advantage while achieving continuous purification through sustained generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses ClO2 as an intermediary substance that mediates between the stable catalyst system and the highly reactive .OH radicals. ClO2 has a longer lifespan than .OH radicals, allowing it to be transported and stored, then decomposes under UV activation to produce .OH radicals at the target location, effectively bridging the gap between stability and reactivity requirements.
3Productivity
If advanced oxidation technology is used for free radical generation, then the pollutant removal efficiency is improved, but the equipment cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive porous materials (such as activated carbon, silica gel, or alumina) that can be simply impregnated with ClO2 solution and then dried. These low-cost carriers replace expensive advanced oxidation equipment, achieving effective .OH radical generation through a simple, scalable process suitable for widespread deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and delivery method of ClO2 from gaseous storage to impregnated liquid or solid form. This parameter change simplifies the equipment requirements, eliminating the need for complex gas storage and delivery systems while maintaining effective ClO2 release through UV activation or controlled decomposition of the impregnated material.
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 improves pollutant removal efficiency, has a long service life, is safe for human use, and maintains effectiveness across varying humidity levels, achieving high disinfection and purification rates with reduced catalyst requirements when UV irradiation is used.
Implementation Method 1
All of the three wave band A, B and C (wavelength 180 nm-400 nm) in UV lamp could activate this catalyst material to produce mass free radicals in gas phase
Implementation Method 2
these active particles can quickly eliminate virus, bacteria and mildew and degrade chemical contaminant. The final products are carbon dioxide, water and trace of mineral salt
Data Source
AI summary
A method of utilizing a catalyst for the sterilization, disinfection and purification of indoor air. The catalyst carrier is made of inorganic porous material such as Silica, Zeolite, Diatomite, Sepiolite, Montmoroillonite, and Aluminum oxide. The catalyst carrier can also be made of Cordierite, or Mullite ceramic honeycomb. After dipping into stabilized sodium hypochlorite solution or stabilized chlorine dioxide solution, the catalyst is produced after dehydration. The catalyst is irradiated with ultraviolet lamp to generate gas-phase free radicals including reactive particles such as .OH, .ClO2, .HO2, .O, thereby sterilizing microbial air pollutants such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms, and remove chemical air pollutants such as formaldehyde.