AIR PURIFIER

Abstract

The present invention relates to an air decontamination process system, which comprises one or more depollution towers (T), wherein each tower (T) comprises one or more air inlets, with or without air filtration (2), containing such an air decontamination zone, suitable devices for this purpose, an external tower (3) or air tank, where the air is already decontaminated and treated, and an outlet of decontaminated air at the top of the tower (4).

The air thus decontaminated may be released into the atmosphere, the process of the invention being able to give quantities of unpolluted air of the order of 400,000 m3 to 600,000 m.sup.3 per tower (T) per hour.

In this way, the present invention is part of the technical field of the new technologies for the treatment of environmental components, in this specific case, for the treatment and improvement of large volumes ambient air quality.

Claims

1. A system for the decontamination of atmospheric air characterized by said system comprising one or more depollution towers (T), each of the towers (T) comprising an air inlet (1) through which the polluted air to be treated enters; a base reservoir (2) where the treatment of polluted air is carried out by contacting this air with crushed rock salt by at least one set of grinding devices of the rock salt (G); and at least one unpolluted air outlet (4), thereby defining a polluted air treatment circuit.

2. A system according to claim 1, characterized in each tower (T) comprises several sets of 6 to 12 crushers, each of which may comprise 10, 20 or more sets of 6 to 12 rock salt crushers located in the four side zones along the polluted air path in the serpentines (S), (7) and (G) for crushing the rock salt capable of running continuously.

3. A system according to claim 1, characterized in each rock salt crushing device is made of a resistant material because the rock salt is abrasive and is capable of crushing the rock salt into particles of variable size, 1 to 10 microns in diameter, preferably 1 to 7 microns, even more preferred 2 to 5 microns in diameter.

4. A system according to claim 1, characterized in each tower (T) comprises a set of serpentines (S) and (7) where the contact of the crushed rock salt with the polluted air to be treated is promoted.

5. A system according to claim 1, characterized in each tower (T) comprises one or more particle filters (F) capable of holding the particulate material (MP) present in the polluted air through the inlet (1) these air filters are located prior to the start of the air decontamination circuit through the set of crushing devices of the rock salt (G).

6. A system according to claim 1, characterized in each tower (T) comprises an air check valve, if necessary (4) and (5) at the outlet of the outer structure (3) at a pressure of 1 atm.

7. A system according to claim 1, characterized in each tower (T) comprises one or more photovoltaic panels (6) for supplying power to the system.

8. A system according to claim 1, characterized in it comprises energy accumulators to ensure the supply of energy in hours of sunlight.

9. A system according to claim 1 characterized in each tower (T) has a round pyramidal outer structure (3) and a base (2) made of cement and iron.

10. A system according to claim 1 characterized in each tower (T) has an outer structure (3) having a round pyramidal shape of about 20 to 50 meters in height, 30 to 60 meters in diameter at its base at level of the ground tapering at its top to 5 to 15 meters and may contain within its interior between 50,000 to 56,000 m.sup.3 of depolluted air.

11. A system according to claim 10, characterized in each tower (T) preferably comprises an external structure (3) having a diameter of about 30 to 60 meters at its base level, tapering at its top to 5 to 15 meters, measured which will allow to contain within its interior a volume of about 50,000 to 56,000 m.sup.3 of decontaminated air (4), based on a basement tank for the treatment of polluted air having dimensions of about 80 m×80 m×20 m, a volume of about 128,000 m.sup.3, totalling the area of construction of all tower structures about 25,000 to 30,000 m.sup.2 with slabs 20 to 30 cm thick.

12. A process for the decontamination of atmospheric air characterized by promoting the contact between the atmospheric air and the rock salt, and comprises the following steps: a) The air to be treated enters a single air inlet (1) of a dehumidifying tower (T) as recited in any one of claims 1 to 11, b) The air from step a) is treated through the contact with crushed rock salt by at least one of the assemblies formed by grinding devices (G), c) The treated air resulting from step b) is conducted into the atmosphere, passing through the outer structure of the tower (3) through at least one air outlet (4), as described in any of claims 1 to 11.

13. A process according to claim 12 characterized in the polluted air of step a) is filtered in step b) through at least one air filter (F) before being contacted with the rock salt.

14. A process according to claim 12 characterized by the rock salt is crushed at least one set of grinding devices (G), the size of the crushed rock salt particles of 0.11 micrometers, preferably 1 to 7 microns, even more preferably 2 to 5 microns in diameter.

15. A process according to claim 12 characterized in the air to be treated meets the crushed rock salt in at least one set of serpentines (S) and (7).

16. A process according to claim 12 characterized in the proportion of the air to be treated with crushed rock salt varies from 400,000 to 600,000 m.sup.3 per hour, even more preferably 500,000 to 600,000 m.sup.3 per hour.

17. A process according to claim 12, characterized in the relative humidity of the air in step b) can be between 35% and 65% in an average of 50%, so that the gem-salt is less abrasive, and may be controlled by use of a dehumidifying device or air heater to be placed at the top of the air filtration zone with or in liquid before it comes into contact with the crushed rock salt.

18. A process according to claim 12 characterized in that it takes place over a period ranging from 5 to 15 minutes, preferably ranging from 5 to 15 minutes, even more preferably from 5 to 20 minutes, depending on the period, of the volume of air that the pumps pump into the air inlet of the tower, so that the velocity of air circulation in the serpentines, adjusting the speed of the pumping to the velocity of air circulation.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0037] FIG. 1 represents a preferred embodiment of the air decontamination system of the present invention, more specifically shows some details of a Tower (T) in which:

[0038] 1. Represents a polluted air intake in the depollution tower) T);

[0039] 2. Represents a basement or zone treatment of polluted air;

[0040] 3. Represents the external structure (in this case the visible part of the tower (T), where the air is already treated and decontaminated;

[0041] 4. Represents a depolluted air outlet;

[0042] 5. Represents an already decontaminated air outlet valve or port

[0043] 6. Represents a set of photovoltaic panels for energy supply to the tower.

[0044] FIG. 2 represents another preferred embodiment of the air decontamination system of the present invention, more specifically shows the detail of a tower (T) in which further:

[0045] F. Represents the filtration zone of the air entering through the single inlet of polluted air (1);

[0046] S. It represents a set of serpentines (7) where polluted but already filtered air is successively injected with the crushed rock salt during its course in the serpentines;

[0047] G. Represents part of the devices for crushing pure rock salt:

[0048] D. Represents the ground floor of the air decontamination complex, with covers made of transparent material, for example in glass or acrylic material in order to let the sunlight pass to the ground floor, which is at ground level to be able to be visit;

[0049] E. Represents a decorative element of the anti-pollution tower. The crushed rock salt to be injected during the course of polluted air in the serpentines located in the rear zone and the remaining lateral parts of the zone of implantation of the air decontamination system, which are not visible being marked in this figure, only in the posterior zone however, four injection zones of the crushed rock salt arranged along the perimeter of deployment of the tower, accompanying the circulation of the polluted air in the serpentines (S) of the tower (T).

[0050] FIG. 3 shows another preferred embodiment of the air system of the present invention, more specifically showing the deployment of two towers (T1 and T2) in an area with urban and recreational purposes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0051] The present invention relates to the development of a system and a process for the decontamination of atmospheric air.

[0052] In the context of the present invention, the term “rock salt” defines a sodium chloride-based material, accompanied by potassium chloride and magnesium chloride, which occurs in deposits on the earth's surface. This material of natural origin belongs to the group of sedimentary rocks, more specifically to the group of sedimentary rocks chemogenic, evaporites, to be formed by chemical reactions. Thus, this term is applied to the salt obtained by chemical precipitation by evaporation of water, which explains the name evaporites, from ancient marine basins in sedimentary environments. The rock salt does not react with acids, has non-metallic luster, scratches or white lines and has no cleavage.

[0053] The atmospheric air decontamination system comprises one or more air-cleaning towers (T), the number to be implemented in the system of the amount of air to be treated.

[0054] Each tower (T) comprises an air inlet (1), a basement (2), or a polluted air treatment zone, by the contact of this air with crushed rock salt, an external structure (3) or depolluted air tank, thus already treated and at least one depolluted air outlet (4).

[0055] In a preferred embodiment of the invention there is a return valve (5) or outlet port at the top of the outer structure (3) which has the function of opening to let the treated air pass through to the atmosphere, and if necessary close working in a continuous process.

[0056] Discharge of air treated to the atmosphere is done at a rate which is similar to the rate of air treatment, i.e., air continuously entering the system through the single air inlet (1), being treated in the basement (2) by contact with the crushed rock salt, passing to the outer structure (3), where it is expelled from the tower (T) immediately by the outlet (4), remaining in the tower only during the period of time when it is injected the salt—(G) along the serpentines at 200, 300, 400 or more meters of their course in the serpentines (S) and (7).

[0057] In another embodiment of the invention the inlet (1) and outlet (4) flow rates, i.e., and the air quantity to be treated is controlled by the volume of the single active/operating air inlet (1). If it is desired to increase the amount of depolluted air to be expelled into the atmosphere, the volume of the polluted air inlet (1) is increased. If it is desired that a certain tower (T) of the Invention system functions with a larger capacity, it is enough to enter a larger volume of air to be treated.

[0058] It is not expected that there will be large fluctuations in the volume of air to be treated, the air-circulating pumps of which operate at a speed recommended by their manufacturers, as well as the technology to be used, either mobile or the control of crushing of m.sup.3, which adapts to the amount of airborne pollution to be treated so that the system will last for five to ten years with routine maintenance only.

[0059] The outer structure (3) is preferably built in cement and iron or equivalent materials, implanted at ground level, above a structure having a function of tank (s) or base (2). The elements of the rock salt crushing devices capable of crushing into particles of suitable dimensions between 2 and 5 micrometers are installed in the serpentines (S) and (7) on the sides of the tower T, around.

[0060] Between the external structure (3) of the tower (T) itself and the base (2), underground there may be a multipurpose ground floor for example for recreational, cultural use, and a small part of that area may be used to store salt—pure gem, for technical flooring, maintenance workshop and other storage.

[0061] Each tower (T) can contain several rock salt crushing devices, functioning interconnected in sets of 6 and 12 crushers. For easy maintenance by replacing the whole assembly, which may have in each tower 10, 20 or more sets of 6 or 12 rock salt crushers located in the lateral zones along the polluted air path in the coils (S) and (7) of the tower air decontamination system in the basement (G), along with the circulation of polluted air in the coils. The total number of such devices depends on the planned quantity of rock salt to be crushed, which will be dimensioned in durability and effectiveness to run continuously, night and day for years.

[0062] The rock salt grinding devices of the present invention are preferably produced in stainless steel or equivalent material, resistant to the rock salt abrasive, so as to be able to crush and grind the pure rock salt into micro particles of variable size from 0.1 to 10 micrometers in diameter, preferably 1 to 7 micrometers in diameter, even more preferably 2 to 5 micrometres in diameter, these values corresponding to the indicative average reference indices respirable by humans and animals.

[0063] The contact between the crushed salt and the polluted air is done by injecting it into the polluted air circulating in the serpentines (S) and (7), which are placed on all sides of the tower in the basement in order to enhance the treatment of the volume of air that will be in contact with the rock salt in the basement (2), thus resulting in the elimination of the pollution of the treated atmospheric air. The treated air is then conveyed to the outer structure (3) and released/expelled into the atmosphere via the air outlet (4).

[0064] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the proportion of rock salt to be contacted with polluted air for treatment and depollution purposes may range from 25 to 200 mg of rock salt per m.sup.3 of polluted air to be treated, preferably 50 to 100 mg of rock salt per m.sup.3 of polluted air to be treated.

[0065] The system operates in a closed and airtight circuit. The polluted air enters the filtration zone of the airborne dust, including metal for the serpentines (S) to be injected the crushed salt into micro particles being unpolluted in its circulation for 100 to 400 meters of the serpentines (S). The pumps that push the air into the tower and filter the suspended dust, with liquids or other filters that give it the necessary pressure for the air to circulate in a closed circuit, passing through the injectors of rock salt that throw it in the air polluted until its exit.

[0066] The decontamination process must thus be “SLOW” for the air to circulate in the serpentines continuously and reach the end in 5 to 15 minutes and be discharged into the atmosphere in volumes of about 400,000 to 600,000 m.sup.3/hour/tower.

[0067] In another preferred embodiment of the invention there is also provision for liquid particulate filters capable of retaining the particulate material (MP), i.e. fine particulate pollutants of solids or suspended liquids which are present in the polluted air entering the system (1). These liquid-based filters, other filters and magnets may be located at a lateral air inlet in the tower (1), so as to free them from these particles to then enter the serpentines (S) and (7), always in hermetically controlled circuit where the rock salt is injected. The entire process of air decontamination with an average duration of 5 to 15 minutes in continuous mode can run day and night for several years.

[0068] Suitable filters within the scope of the present invention may be liquid-based filters, HEPA (Efficiency Particulate Arrestance), membrane filters or the like or a combination of more than one type of filters in order to be able to efficiently separate the particles in the air to be treated, according to their size and quantity depending on the type of pollution to be removed.

[0069] In a preferred embodiment, the system of the present invention uses liquid and HEPA filters composed of a randomly placed fibber mesh. The fibbers comprise glass fibber having diameters between 0.5 and 2æm.

[0070] In another preferred embodiment the system of the present invention may use membrane filters, preferably of polymer membranes, more preferably membranes comprising mixtures of polymers such as poly (N-isopropyl acryl amide) [PNIPA] (and polyethylene glycol) [PEG], comprising for example 0, 2, 4 and 8% mm PEG.

[0071] Still further preferred, the system of the present invention comprises the use of at least one liquid filter and a HEPA or membrane filter.

[0072] Optionally, each tower (T) further comprises PV panels (6) for example placed around the outer structure (3) for supplying power to the system of the invention.

[0073] In another preferred embodiment of the invention there is also provided the existence of energy accumulators which allow the solar/photovoltaic panels to receive energy during the hours of solar luminosity and to retain it, possibly releasing it during the period of darkness or when required.

[0074] The energy supplied to the system may, in addition, be supplemented by supplying energy from other types of power supply, such as from the electrical network or from an electric generator. In this way, in case of prolonged failure of the photovoltaic components or other type of necessity or emergency, it is thus possible to keep the system in operation until repaired.

[0075] Thus the energy for the rock crushing devices, pumps, electric motors, air and liquid filters and all other equipment including computer control of the programming technology of the rock-salt crushing sets and other equipment is preferably supplied by photovoltaic panels (6) or equivalent elements, placed around the towers with accumulators of energy to continue to have energy at night, i.e. even without the presence of sunlight.

[0076] In this way each tower (T) will comprise solar panels (6) located for example around the outer structure (3) and the ground floor roof, if necessary.

[0077] The outside of each tower (T) can be approximately 20 to 50 meters high, 30 to 60 in diameter at the base at ground level, tapering at the top for 5 to 15 meters in diameter with a valve (4) and 5) at the top of the outer structure (3), to exit the unpolluted air and to close the outlet if necessary.

[0078] Preferably the outer structure (3) of the towers (T) has a round pyramidal shape of about 20 to 50 meters in height, 30 to 60 in diameter i.e. tapering at its top to 5 to 15 meters and may contain therein between 50 to 56,000 m.sup.3 of unpolluted air (FIGS. 1,2 and 3).

[0079] Preferably the base (2) of the towers (T) has dimensions of about 80×80×20 meters with a volume of about 128,000 m.sup.3, in addition to the external structure (3), the technical ground floor and other constructions having to reach an area of construction of about 25,000 to 30,000 m.sup.3, of slabs with 20 to 30 cm of thickness being able to adapt the measures in each case.

[0080] Advantageously, the towers (T) of the present invention are installed in the vicinity of urban and/or industrial areas of polluted air to be treated, even more preferably in an integrated manner in the environment, taking their location into account the prevailing winds for a faster dispersion of unpolluted air over polluted areas from 6 to 11 km.

[0081] The air decontamination system is controlled through a computer program, wherein the scheduler of each set of grinding devices includes a memory board of its control, which allows a lower concentration of dry aerosols, based on a suitable microprocessor, the respective memory board comprising a database of high accuracy measurements of the concentration of dry aerosols in the serpentines (S) and (7) of the large air tanks 2 controlled by real-time displays preferably installed on the ground floor which can be opened to visitors.

[0082] The air treated according to the process of the invention exhibits characteristics similar to that naturally occurring within the rock salt mines and can be continuously released into the atmosphere for several years, with beneficial effects on the environment, humans, fauna and flora.

[0083] The air decontamination process of the present invention comprises contacting the polluted air to be treated with more specifically crushed rock salt, the process of the invention is carried out in at least one depollution tower (T) as previously described wherein:

[0084] a) Air to be treated between air inlets (1), preferably in a single air inlet of a depollution tower (T);

[0085] b)—the air to be treated is filtered and taken to a basement where its contact with the crushed rock salt is promoted;

[0086] c) The treated air resulting from step b) is conducted into the atmosphere passing through the outer structure (3) of the tower (T) through a single air outlet (4).

[0087] Preferably the polluted air entering the tower (T) in step (a) is filtered prior to meeting the crushed rock salt, through at least one air filter capable of holding the polluted air material.

[0088] Preferably the size of the crushed salt particles to be contacted with the filtered air in step (c) ranges from 0.1 to 10 microns in diameter, preferably 1 to 7 microns, even more preferably 2 to 5 microns in diameter.

[0089] Preferably, the crushed salt meets the polluted air entering the previously filtered system or without prior filtration in the serpentines (S) and (7).

[0090] In a preferred embodiment of the invention the proportion of rock salt to be contacted with the polluted air for the purposes of treatment and depollution of such air varies from 25 to 125 mg of rock salt per m.sup.3 of polluted air to be treated, or even more preferably from 50 to 125 mg of rock salt per m.sup.3 of polluted air to be treated.

[0091] The air remains in contact with the crushed rock salt for a period of time ranging from 5 to 10 minutes, preferably from 5 to 15 minutes or further from 5 to 20 minutes, depending on that period of time of the volume of air, the bombs pump to the air inlet of the tower, so that the air circulation velocity in the serpentines is what is necessary to obtain the desired results: the air enters polluted and leaves at the top of the tower unpolluted, adjusting itself pumping at the air circulation velocity, to achieve such an objective.

[0092] The ideal relative humidity of the air to be treated should be approximately between 35% and 65%, on average 50% possible to control with the assembly of an electric air heater/dehumidifier, for example on the top of the air filter (F).

[0093] The air circulation in the towers is automatically performed from the air pumped to the entrance of the polluted air in the system that feeds it continuously throughout the entire process of air decontamination.

[0094] The air decontaminated may be released into the atmosphere and the process of the invention may origin quantities of unpolluted air of the order of 400,000 m.sup.3 to 600,000 m.sup.3 per tower (T) per hour.

[0095] In this way, it is possible to obtain quantities of depolluted air that can reach 600.000 m.sup.3 of air treated by each tower per hour, about 14.000.000 m.sup.3/day X (number of towers)×10 years containing on average 50 mg of rock salt, reduced from 0.1 to 10 microns in diameter, preferably from 1 to 7 microns, even more preferably from 2 to 5 microns in diameter, suitable for human and animal breathing, and also for the flora.

[0096] The rock salt crushed in respirable micro particles is then filtered and injected into polluted atmospheric air capable of eliminating its polluting elements in accordance with the European Standards for bactericidal efficacy EN1276 and EN1040, fungicide EN1275, viricide AFNOR 72180, sporicidal NFT72.230, and may be used without limitation in any medical practice in any EU country without any harmful or secondary effects, for humans and animals and for life in general (fauna and flora), including pathogens exhaled by patients (in the case of the salt mines and galleries) neutralized by dry-salt aerosols.

[0097] The treated air has been shown to be beneficial to treat or ameliorate respiratory conditions notably asthma, shortness of breath, chest tightness, chronic bronchitis, allergies and respiratory infections of industrial and domestic pollutants, conditions due to smoking, colds and flu, adenoids, wheezing sore throat, rhinitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis, thoracic oppression, tonsillitis, hay fever, sleep apnoea, ear problems, smoker cough, dry cough and cough with or without expectoration, mucosal oedema, pneumonia after acute phase, rhino sinusopathy, smoking, as well as the dermatological forum such as acne, eczema and psoriasis, or general conditions of stress, fatigue and depression. It also reduces the pollution inside the houses depending on the effectiveness of the same, reinforcing the immunological apparatus being less violent diseases.

EXAMPLES

Example 1—Construction of an Air Decontamination System with a Tower (T)

[0098] Excavation of the deployment site of the system to house the base tank in the basement (2) with a volume about 180,000 to 200,000 m.sup.3. Construction of the outer structure (3) of the towers (T) having a round pyramidal shape, about 20 to 50 meters high, 30 to 60 meters in diameter at its base at ground level, i.e. tapering at its top to 5 to 15 meters in order to contain between 50 and 56,000 m.sup.3 of decontaminated air. (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3).

[0099] In this embodiment of the invention the air entered in (1) is filtered in (F) through liquids, HEPA filter or others, circulating in the basement (2) in 5 compartments, referred to herein by serpentines with 5 meters in height and 75 meters each of about 400 meters to be treated in this course, by injecting pure rock salt reduced to dimensions of 2 to 5 micrometers until it enters the outer structure (3) of the tower (T) with about 50,000 to 56,000 m.sup.3 of volume, and exit at the top of the tower (4), (T), into the atmosphere.

Example 2—Construction of an Air Decontamination System with Two or More Towers (T)

[0100] In this example two tanks are developed for the treatment of polluted air. Thus, this system has a basement (2.1) with a volume of the order of 50,000 m.sup.3 and a second basement (2.2) with a volume and dimensions as described in example 1, i.e. a volume of 180,000 to 200,000 m.sup.3.

Example 3—Atmospheric Air Decontamination Process

[0101] In this embodiment of the invention the decontamination process is carried out in a system as described in Example 1, wherein:

[0102] a) The air to be treated enters the tower (T) through the single air inlet (1) which is located at the base of one side of the depollution tower (T), as shown in FIG. 2.

[0103] b)—that air is conducted to the basement (2) by first passing through a filtering zone (F) for removal of particulate material, through liquid filters, HEPA or others.

[0104] c) then the already filtered air is conveyed to the air treatment system, which comprises the sets of grinding devices of the rock salt (G) and a plurality of serpentines (S) and (7), for contacting filtered air with the crushed salt, in particles of 2 to 5 microns in diameter for about 5 to 20 minutes.

[0105] (d) a proportion of rock salt coming into contact with the polluted air is injected for the treatment and decontamination of that air with 50 to 100 mg of rock salt per m.sup.3 of polluted air to be treated.

[0106] e) the air treated in c) and d) is conveyed to the outer structure (3) and to the air outlet (4) of the tower (T) through which it passes when it is expelled into the atmosphere.

Example 4—Process for the Cleaning of Atmospheric Air with Metal Particles

[0107] In this embodiment of the invention the method of air decontamination takes place in a system as described in example 2. In addition, a strong magnet is placed against the bottom of the water tank to fix metal pollutants.

[0108] The water is in agitation.

[0109] The air enters the bottom of the water tank, collecting this water by difference in level, using a water injector in the tank to push the dirty water with particles suspended in the air to the outlet of the tank, and through a suction pump will be recycled in treatment plants for watering and other uses.