APPARATUS FOR SEDIMENTATION AND OXIDATION OF FINE DUST AND AEROSOLS AND ORGANIC LOADS SUCH AS VIRUSES IN A DEVICE, AND FOR ELECTROSTATIC AND ELECTROCHEMICAL OR PHOTOCHEMICAL PROCESSESING OF THE AIR SUPPLIED BY THE DEVICE TO A ROOM FOR ANALOG PROCESSES IN THE ROOM

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for keeping room air clean and a corresponding method.

Claims

1. Antibacterial and/or antiviral air filter device for removing ultrafine aerosols and particles <2.5 μm and for inactivating bacterial or viral contaminants contained therein comprising: at least one UV light device (1), an electrostatic precipitator (13), at least one ozone-generating UV light device (7) and an ionizer, wherein, an air stream to be cleaned is guidable through the air filter device, with the at least one UV light device (1) being arranged first in the direction of air flow between an inlet and an outlet for the air stream in the air filter device, which is equipped with at least one O.sub.3-destroying and with or without an antibacterial active wavelength, wherein downstream of the UV light device (1) the electrostatic precipitator (13) is arranged, which is designed to charge the aerosols, the particles and/or the organic contaminants in the ozone-free air flow and separate them on the electrostatic precipitator, and that downstream of the electrostatic precipitator (13) the ozone-generating UV light device (7) is provided, which is designed to emit a constant amount of ozone to the cleaned air.

2. Antibacterial air filter device according to claim 1, wherein a catalyst for the degradation of chemical substances is provided.

3. Antibacterial air filter device according to claim 1, wherein the UV light device (1) and a collector of the electrostatic precipitator face each other, so that the collector can be irradiated by the UV light device.

4. Antibacterial air filter device according to claim 1, wherein the UV light device emits UV-C radiation with >230 nm, which is formed from discharge tubes or diodes or by laser light.

5. Antibacterial air filter device according to claim 1, wherein a low-temperature plasma, dielectric barrier discharge, UV-C light with a wavelength of <230 nm or a laser are provided for the formation of ozone in an air duct.

6. Antibacterial air filter device according to claim 1, wherein for ozone depletion in air duct catalysts are provided in addition to or instead of the UV radiation source with a wavelength >230 nm.

7. Antibacterial air filter device according to claim 1, wherein the air exiting an air duct and fed into a room can be enriched as required by low-temperature plasma, dielectric barrier discharge, UV-C light with a wavelength of <230 nm or laser-generated ozone.

8. Antibacterial air filter device according to claim 1, wherein all units used are interchangeably installed in a housing and/or an ionizer is provided, which is arranged downstream of the electrostatic precipitator and is provided to generate a proportion of ions from the cleaned air.

9. Air purification process with an antibacterial and/or antiviral air filter device for removing ultrafine aerosols and particles <2.5 μm and for inactivating bacterial or viral contaminants contained therein, wherein the air filter device comprises: at least one UV light device (1), an electrostatic precipitator (13), at least one ozone-generating UV light device (7) and an ionizer, wherein, an air stream to be cleaned is guidable through the air filter device, with the at least one UV light device (1) being arranged first in the direction of air flow between an inlet and an outlet for the air stream in the air filter device, which is equipped with at least one O.sub.3-destroying and with or without an antibacterial active wavelength, wherein downstream of the UV light device (1) the electrostatic precipitator (13) is arranged, which is designed to charge the aerosols, the particles and/or the organic contaminants in the ozone-free air flow and separate them on the electrostatic precipitator, and that downstream of the electrostatic precipitator (13) the ozone-generating UV light device (7) is provided, which is designed to emit a constant amount of ozone to the cleaned air, where the air purification process comprises: sucking air into a treatment device, removing ozone from the sucked-in air by UV radiation or catalysts and particles by the electrostatic precipitator and before the cleaned air leaves the treatment device, generating a proportion of ozone and/or ionized gas from the cleaned air.

10. Air purification process according to claim 9, wherein the proportion of ozone that is supplied to a space outside of a room of the treatment device can be switched on and off and its quantity can be controlled or regulated.

11. Air purification process according to claim 9, wherein the ionization is conducted independently of the ozone generation.

12. Air purification process according to claim 9, wherein an ion generator for the generation of ions from the cleaned air simultaneously generates regulated or controllable amounts of ozone.

13. Air purification process according to claim 9, wherein either negative or positive ions are generated from the cleaned air.

Description

[0019] An embodiment of the device for keeping the air clean against ultra-fine dust and aerosols in the room, it is presented below.

[0020] FIG. 1 the basic structure according to the invention of an air treatment unit for breaking down viruses, bacteria or other germs in the supplied air.

[0021] FIG. 2 the structure of the air treatment unit according to the invention with a special pressure-loss-free residual ozone destruction.

[0022] FIG. 3 the structure of the air treatment unit according to the invention in a single room air cleaner in the form of a recirculation device.

[0023] FIG. 4 the structure of the air treatment unit according to the invention in a single room air cleaner in the form of a recirculation device.

[0024] According to FIG. 1, the air flow is first passed through a first UV-C unit 1 for UV-C light emission with at least a first wavelength (e.g. >230 nm wavelength) for germ inactivation/ozone depletion and through a second UV-C Unit 2 for UV-C light emission with at least a second wavelength (z. B. <230 nm wavelength) out for ozone generation. In this case, the first unit preferably has a higher emission wavelength than the second unit, at least in its emission maximum. The second UV-C unit is optional. The first UV-C unit 1 can preferably be arranged to irradiate air flowing/being sucked into the device.

[0025] In the flow direction of the air through the device according to the invention (arrow), after the UV-C unit 1 or between the UV-C units 1, 2, the electro-separation unit 13 is preferably arranged, preferably having discharge electrodes e.g. for electro-separation 3 for electrostatically charging the air and/or or a collector 4 of the electro-separation unit for separating charged particles, in particular fine dust and aerosols also outside of the device, as well as germs, bacteria and viruses inactivated in UV-C light with a longer wavelength (preferably of >230 nm wavelength).

[0026] The UV-C unit 1 for longer wavelength UV-C light emission (>230 nm) for germ inactivation and/or the second UV-C unit 2 is/are (in the vicinity of the collector) attached and installed in such a way that the light radiation irradiates the plate surfaces of the collector 4 of the electro-deposition unit 13, i.e. preferably facing them. The ozone formed from the UV-C unit 1 oxidizes the separated organic residues primarily to form CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2O. Excess ozone can be broken down in an ozone filter 5 which is optionally provided downstream. The air flow, which is now free of germs, viruses and bacteria and/or fine dust, can preferably be ionized negatively or optionally positively via an ionization unit 6 before it is discharged from the device. The air can be enriched with ozone by means of an ozone generator 7, which can preferably be switched on separately and/or regulated as a function of different control variables such as air quantity or ozone concentration of the supplied air or odor pollution. The ozone generator 7, which is arranged opposite the electrostatic precipitator and/or the UV-C unit 1 downstream of the air flow, can also be designed to randomly generate a constant amount of ozone. As a result, a constant amount of ozone is released into the room air in a particularly preferred manner. Incidentally, if only the first UV-C unit 1 and the ozone generator 7 are provided, i.e. not the second UV-C unit 2, all ozone is consequently first destroyed from the sucked in air and before the air leaves the filter device, again enriched with a defined amount of ozone. As a result, the concentration of ozone in the room air can be kept constant without any ozone accumulation in the room air.

[0027] FIG. 2 shows the structure of the air treatment unit according to a preferred embodiment of the invention with a special pressure-loss-free residual ozone annihilation.

[0028] In this case, the air flow is led through an input filter 10 via a UV-C unit 1 for longer wavelength UV-C light emission (preferably >230 nm wavelength) for germ inactivation and/or via a UV-C unit 2 for UV-C Light emission with shorter wavelength (preferably <230 nm wavelength) for ozone generation as described before. After the UV-C units 1, 2, there is preferably an electro-separation unit 13, having discharge electrodes for electro-separation 3 for electrostatically charging the air and a collector of the electro-separation unit 4 for separating/collecting charged particles, in particular fine dust and aerosols as well as those germs inactivated in the UV-C light longer wavelengths (preferably >230 nm wavelength), bacteria and viruses. The UV-C unit 1 for UV-C light emission with a longer wavelength (preferably >230 nm) for germ inactivation is attached and installed in such a way that the light radiation irradiates the plate surfaces of the collector 4 of the electrodeposition unit 13. The ozone that is preferably carried along, formed from the UV-C unit 2 for UV-C light emission with a shorter wavelength (preferably <230 nm) for ozone generation, can oxidize the separated organic residues primarily to form CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2O. This can be followed by a low-pressure-loss privacy screen 8, which can prevent UV-C light from escaping optically from the collector 4 in the airflow direction. If the second UV-C unit is provided, excess ozone can be broken down by UV light from a UV unit 11 for UV light emission with a longer wavelength (preferably >230 nm) for ozone breakdown by irradiation. In order to prevent the UV-C light from escaping from the device, each UV-C radiator or radiation unit can be provided with a glare protection 9 in the direction of the air outlet. An additional TiO.sub.2 catalyst for breaking down germs 12, which also oxidizes off chemical compounds, can complete the structure.

[0029] The air flow, which is now free of germs, viruses and bacteria as well as fine dust, can be ionized negatively or optionally positively via an ionization unit 6 before it is discharged from the device. The air can be enriched with ozone by means of an adjustable and/or controllable (or without) ozone generator 7 that can be switched on separately and controlled as a function of different controlled variables such as air quantity or ozone concentration of the supplied air or odor pollution.

[0030] FIG. 3 shows the structure of the air treatment unit according to the invention in a single room air cleaner in the form of a recirculation device.

[0031] On the inlet side, coarse dirt can be removed from the sucked-in air flow via an inlet filter 10. A fan 18 can then follow, which is preferably equipped with a power control. Thereafter, the air flow via a UV-C unit 1 for longer wavelength UV-C light emission (preferably >230 nm wavelength) for germ inactivation and/or via a UV-C unit 2 for shorter wavelength UV-C light emission (preferably <230 nm wavelength) for ozone generation. The UV-C units 1, 2 can be followed by the electro-separation unit 13, which has discharge electrodes for electro-separation 3 for electrostatically charging the air and/or the collector of the electrostatic precipitator unit 13 for separating charged particles, in particular fine dust and aerosols and/or the germs, bacteria and viruses inactivated in UV-C light with a wavelength of >230 nm. The UV-C unit for UV-C light emission 1 with a longer wavelength (preferably >230 nm) for germ inactivation can be attached and installed in such a way that the light radiation irradiates the plate surfaces of the collector 4 of the electrostatic precipitator unit 13, i.e. aligned in their direction is. If the second UV-10 unit is provided, the ozone carried along from it can primarily oxidize the separated organic residues to form CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2O. Otherwise, the first UV-C unit can at least passivate the viruses and bacteria collected on the electronic unit. Excess ozone from the second UV-C unit that is preferably provided can be broken down in the ozone filter 5 that preferably follows. The air flow, which is now free of germs, viruses and bacteria as well as fine dust (due to the electro-separation unit), can be ionized negatively or optionally positively via an ionization unit 6 before it is discharged from the device. The air can be enriched with ozone by means of an ozone generator 7 which can additionally switched on and/or can be regulated as a function of different controlled variables such as air quantity or ozone concentration of the supplied air or odor pollution. Finally, an exit grid 14 can be installed as a visual protection against the UV-C radiation and/or as a protection against accidental contact for the ozone generator 7 and the ionization unit 6. The air output, germ reduction output and the air prepared for the room via the ionization unit 6 and the ozone generator 7 with ozone and ions can be regulated or controlled in their individual parameters by means of a controller and/or regulator 16.

[0032] All built-in elements are designed to be exchangeable for cleaning, repair and maintenance purposes.

[0033] FIG. 4 shows a preferred structure of the air treatment unit in a stand-alone room air cleaner in the form of a recirculation device, preferably with an electric plug 17 and/or preferably a low-pressure-loss reduction of the ozone formed in the device. The air flow in a single device 15 for the room can be routed over an input filter 10 and/or fan 18 first via a UV-C unit 1 for UV-C light emission with a longer wavelength (preferably >230 nm wavelength) for germ inactivation and/or via a UV-C unit 2 for UV-C light emission (<230 nm wavelength) for ozone generation. The UV-C units 1, 2 are preferably followed by the electro-separation unit 13, preferably having discharge electrodes for electro-separation 3 for electrostatically charging the air and/or the collector 4 of the electro-separation unit for separating charged particles, in particular fine dust and aerosols as well as the UV Longer wavelength C-light (preferably >230 nm wavelength) inactivated germs, bacteria and viruses. The UV-C unit 1 for UV-C light emission with a longer wavelength (preferably >230 nm) for germ inactivation can be attached and installed in such a way that the light radiation irradiates the collector 4 or its plate surfaces of the electrodeposition unit, i.e. aligned with it is. The entrained ozone, formed from the UV-C unit 2 for UV-C light emission with a shorter wavelength (preferably <230 nm) for ozone generation, oxidizes the separated organic residues primarily to CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2O 8 follow, which can prevent the optical radiation emission of UV-C light from the collector 4 in the air direction. Excess ozone can be decomposed by UV light from a UV unit for longer wavelength UV light emission (preferably >230 nm) for ozone depletion 11 by irradiation. In order to prevent the UV-C light from breaking through from the device, each UV-C emitter or the radiation units can be provided with a glare protection 9 in the direction of the air outlet. An additional TiO.sub.2 catalyst for breaking down germs 12, which also oxidizes chemical compounds, can complete the structure.

[0034] The air flow, which is now free of germs, viruses and bacteria as well as fine dust, can be ionized negatively or optionally positively via an ionization unit 6 before it is discharged from the device. The air can be enriched with ozone by means of a controllable and/or controllable ozone generator 7 that can be switched on separately and/or controlled as a function of different controlled variables such as air volume or ozone concentration of the supplied air or odor pollution. The individual air parameters such as air volume, ozone concentration or ion concentration can be regulated or adjusted by means of sensors and a regulation or control 16.

[0035] All assemblies are preferably of modular design and can be individually removed or replaced from the device.

[0036] The individual devices from the above-mentioned embodiments can be supplemented and/or substituted in a simple manner. Their combinations are hereby part of the disclosure of the application. According to the present invention, devices from one embodiment can also be provided in another embodiment or in any (sub)combination. This applies in particular to additional filters, catalytic converters and ventilation systems.

REFERENCE LIST

[0037] 1 UV-C unit for longer wavelength UV-C light emission (preferably >230 nm) for germ inactivation [0038] 2 UV-C unit for shorter wavelength UV-C light emission (<230 nm preferred) for ozone generation [0039] 3 Spray electrodes for electrodeposition [0040] 4 collector of the electrostatic precipitator unit [0041] 5 ozone filter [0042] 6 ionization unit/emitter [0043] 7 ozone generator [0044] 8 privacy screen [0045] 9 glare protection [0046] 10 input filter [0047] 11 UV unit for UV light emission >230 nm for ozone depletion [0048] 12 TiO.sub.2 catalyst for breaking down germs [0049] 13 electrostatic precipitator unit [0050] 14 output grid [0051] 15 Stand alone device [0052] 16 control regulation device [0053] 17 power connection [0054] 18 Fan [0055] 19 air direction