Wall-mounted plant-based air purification system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional air purification systems in office buildings often fail to adequately remove volatile organic compounds and other airborne pollutants, leading to poor indoor air quality, and existing solutions may introduce additional volatile compounds or require frequent maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A plant-based air purification system that uses modular plant units with root systems to filter out undesirable compounds, monitored and managed by sensors to optimize air filtration while minimizing user maintenance and avoiding the introduction of additional pollutants, utilizing Red List compatible materials and airtight seals to prevent water and air leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional filters and HVAC systems are used to remove airborne pollutants, then air purification is achieved, but the systems may not adequately remove volatile organic compounds and may introduce additional volatile compounds
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses plants to naturally purify air through their root systems, which absorb volatile organic compounds and other pollutants from the air. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for traditional filters that may release harmful compounds, as the plants perform the purification function biologically without introducing additional pollutants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces plants as an intermediary medium between the polluted air and the purification process. The plant root systems act as a biological filter that captures and processes volatile organic compounds, providing a natural mediation that avoids the chemical reactions and material degradation issues associated with traditional mechanical filters.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If plant-based air purification systems are implemented, then volatile organic compound removal is improved, but plant maintenance and health monitoring requirements increase system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that continuously monitor plant health parameters such as resistance, temperature, and moisture levels. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect plant stress or deterioration and automatically adjust care parameters or alert users, simplifying maintenance by providing real-time information about plant status without requiring constant manual inspection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual plant monitoring and maintenance mechanisms with electronic sensors and automated control systems. Instead of requiring users to physically inspect and care for plants, the system uses electrical and environmental sensors to monitor plant health and automatically manages irrigation and other care requirements, reducing the complexity of user interaction.
3Ease of repair
If modular plant units are used for easy replacement, then maintenance ease is improved, but manufacturing and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the plant-based air purification system into modular units, each containing a plant with its root system, sensors, and care mechanisms. This segmentation allows individual plant modules to be easily replaced without affecting the entire system, simplifying maintenance while the standardized modular design actually reduces manufacturing complexity through repetition and standardization of components.
4Reliability
If sensors and computer control are added to monitor plant health and optimize filtration, then air purification effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses sensors to monitor plant health and air quality, with computer control adjusting filtration parameters based on this feedback. This allows the system to optimize air purification effectiveness by dynamically responding to changing conditions while maintaining relatively simple control logic that processes sensor data and makes straightforward adjustments to fan speed, water delivery, and other parameters.
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 removes airborne pollutants, maintains plant health, and reduces maintenance needs, providing an efficient and economical solution for improving indoor air quality without introducing additional volatile compounds, while being easy to install and maintain.
Implementation Method 1
indoor air is passed over the root systems of the plants to be filtered
Implementation Method 2
the root systems of those plants to filter out those undesirable compounds
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure generally relates to plant-based air purification systems and more particularly to wall mounted systems for removing impurities from indoor air using plants.