Nanofiltration Devise for Deactivation of Air-Filtered Pathogens on the Surface-Treated Filter Material

Abstract

A nanofiltration device for inactivating droplet-transmitted pathogens. The microdroplets are captured by filtering contaminated air on a filter material/paper with the nanofibrillated cellulose and/or nanocellulose surface treatment containing antiseptic metal ions and an adjuvant in the retained residual water. The air is sucked into the openings of the nanofiltration device located at the bottom and passes into the centre of the filter cartridge, in which a germicidal emitter emits radiation in the UV-C range of the electromagnetic wavelength spectrum is mounted. Subsequently, it flows through a filter paper containing salts of antiseptic metals, from the centre of the radiator outwards through a filter paper hermetically inserted into the filter cartridge, folded harmoniously-shaped so that its surface is maximally and entirely irradiated with UV-C radiation. Antiseptic ions diffuse into the contaminated microdroplets which with UV-C radiation deactivate viruses and disinfect bacteria. Subsequently, the droplets dry out, and the deactivated viruses and bacteria are carried away by air, which, with the help of adjuvants, receive the human body and increase the population's immunity.

Claims

1. A nanofiltration device of cylindrical or prismatic shape for inactivation of air-filtered pathogens through a filter containing inorganic additives in residual water on a cellulosic carrier with a flat base connected to the environment via a perforated base/pedestal with an interior space bounded by long-term stable material against the action of radiation in the UV-C range of the electromagnetic wavelength spectrum, placed longitudinally in the interior space of this device into the shape of a cylinder, longitudinally located in the interior space of this device into the shape of a cylinder, in which middle is longitudinally (axially) a germicidal emitter in the form of a cylinder or a U tube, emitting UV-C radiation, placed parallel to the direction of the incoming airflow into the interior of the filter cartridge hermetically insulated in the lower part of the interior space so that the air sucked in from the environment through the openings in the lower part of the device reaches only the centre of the cartridge, which is hermetically sealed from the top, so the airflow is directed through accordion-shaped arranged porous walls of filter paper sheet, wherein it contains nanofibrillated cellulose from corn-based distillery refuse and/or nanocellulose, adjuvantsaluminum compounds AlPO.sub.4, Al(OH).sub.3, (Al).sub.2PO.sub.4SO.sub.4OH and chitosan added below their solubility limit and nitrate salts Cu(NO.sub.3).sub.2, Zn(NO.sub.3).sub.2, Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2 and Mg(NO.sub.3).sub.2 or other soluble salts of Cu, Zn, Ca and Mg in concentration below their solubility limit and the filter paper sheet is folded accordion-shaped in the filter cartridge so that its surface is maximal and completely irradiated with UV-C radiation and fan/fans is/are installed below and/or above the filter cartridge to provide a forced flow of air through the pores of the accordion-shaped folded filter sheet.

2. The nanofiltration device for inactivation pathogens filtered from the air by means of inorganic additives on a cellulose carrier with the flat base connected with the surrounding environment via a base/pedestal according to claim 1, wherein it contains nanofibrillated cellulose and/or nanocellulose, adjuvants and nitrate salts, Zn(NO.sub.3).sub.2, Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2 and Mg(NO.sub.3).sub.2 or other soluble salts of Zn, Ca and Mg in concentrations below their solubility limit and the filter material is folded accordion-shaped in the filter cartridge so that its surface is maximal and completely irradiated with UV-C radiation and fan/fans is/are installed below and/or above the filter cartridge to provide a forced flow of air through the pores of the accordion-shaped folded filter sheet.

3. The nanofiltration device for inactivation pathogens filtered from the air by means of inorganic additives on a cellulose carrier with the flat base connected with the surrounding environment via a base/pedestal according to claim 1, wherein it contains nanofibrillated cellulose and/or nanocellulose, adjuvants and nitrate salts Cu(NO.sub.3).sub.2, Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2 and Mg(NO.sub.3).sub.2 or other soluble salts of Cu, Ca and Mg in concentrations below their solubility limit together with filter material which is folded accordion-shaped in the filter cartridge so that its surface is maximal and completely irradiated with UV-C radiation, and fan/fans is/are installed below and/or above the filter cartridge to provide a forced flow of air through the pores of the accordion-shaped folded filter sheet.

4. The nanofiltration device for inactivation pathogens filtered from the air by means of inorganic additives on a cellulose carrier with the flat base connected with the surrounding environment via a base/pedestal according to claim 1, wherein it contains nanofibrillated cellulose and/or nanocellulose, adjuvants and nitrate salts Cu(NO.sub.3).sub.2, Zn(NO.sub.3).sub.2, and Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2 or other soluble salts of Cu, Zn, and Ca in concentrations below their solubility limit together with filter material which is folded accordion-shaped in the filter cartridge so that its surface is maximal and completely irradiated with UV-C radiation, and fan/fans is/are installed below and/or above the filter cartridge to provide a forced flow of air through the pores of the accordion-shaped folded filter sheet.

5. The nanofiltration device for inactivation pathogens filtered from the air by means of inorganic additives on a cellulose carrier with the flat base connected with the surrounding environment via a base/pedestal according to claim 1, wherein it contains nanofibrillated cellulose and/or nanocellulose, adjuvants and nitrate salts Cu(NO.sub.3).sub.2, Zn(NO.sub.3).sub.2 and Mg(NO.sub.3).sub.2 or other soluble salts of Cu, Zn and Mg in concentrations below their solubility limit together with the filter material which is folded accordion-shaped in the filter cartridge so that its surface is maximal and completely irradiated with UV-C radiation, and fan/fans is/are installed below and/or above the filter cartridge to provide a forced flow of air through the pores of the accordion-shaped folded filter sheet.

6. The nanofiltration device for inactivation pathogens filtered from the air by means of inorganic additives on a cellulose carrier with the flat base connected with the surrounding environment via a base/pedestal according to claim 1, wherein it contains nanofibrillated cellulose and/or nanocellulose, adjuvants and nitrate salts Cu(NO.sub.3).sub.2, Zn(NO.sub.3).sub.2 or other soluble salts of Cu and Zn in concentrations below their solubility limit. The filter material is folded accordion-shaped in the filter cartridge so that its surface is maximal and completely irradiated with UV-C radiation, and fan/fans is/are installed below and/or above the filter cartridge to provide a forced flow of air through the pores of the accordion-shaped folded filter sheet.

7. The nanofiltration device for inactivation pathogens filtered from the air by means of inorganic additives on a cellulose carrier with the flat base connected with the surrounding environment via a base/pedestal according to claim 1, wherein it contains nanofibrillated cellulose and/or nanocellulose, adjuvants and nitrate salts Cu(NO.sub.3).sub.2, Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2 or other soluble salts of Cu and Ca in concentrations below their solubility limit and the filter material is folded accordion-shaped in the filter cartridge so that its surface is maximal and completely irradiated with UV-C radiation and fan/fans is/are installed below and/or above the filter cartridge to provide a forced flow of air through the pores of the accordion-shaped folded filter sheet.

8. The nanofiltration device for inactivation pathogens filtered from the air by means of inorganic additives on a cellulose carrier with the flat base connected with the surrounding environment via a base/pedestal according to claim 1, wherein contains nanofibrillated cellulose and/or nanocellulose, adjuvants and nitrate salts Cu(NO.sub.3).sub.2, Mg(NO.sub.3).sub.2 or other soluble salts of Cu and Mg in concentrations below their solubility limit and the filter material is folded accordion-shaped in the filter cartridge so that its surface is maximal and completely irradiated with UV-C radiation and fan/fans is/are installed below and/or above the filter cartridge to provide a forced flow of air through the pores of the accordion-shaped folded filter sheet.

9. The nanofiltration device for inactivation pathogens filtered from the air by means of inorganic additives on a cellulose carrier with the flat base connected with the surrounding environment via a base/pedestal according to claim 1, wherein it contains nanofibrillated cellulose and/or nanocellulose, adjuvants and nitrate salts Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2, Zn(NO.sub.3).sub.2 or other soluble salts of Ca and Zn in concentrations below their solubility limit and the filter material is folded accordion-shaped in the filter cartridge so that its surface is maximal and completely irradiated with UV-C radiation and fan/fans is/are installed below and/or above the filter cartridge to provide a forced flow of air through the pores of the accordion-shaped folded filter sheet.

10. The nanofiltration device for inactivation pathogens filtered from the air by means of inorganic additives on a cellulose carrier with the flat base connected with the surrounding environment via a base/pedestal according to claim 1, wherein filtrated sheet it contains nanofibrillated cellulose and/or nanocellulose, adjuvants nitrate salts Mg(NO.sub.3).sub.2, Zn(NO.sub.3).sub.2 or other soluble salts of Mg and Zn in concentrations below their solubility limit and the filter material is folded accordion-shaped in the filter cartridge so that its surface is maximal and completely irradiated with UV-C radiation and fan/fans is/are installed below and/or above the filter cartridge to provide a forced flow of air through the pores of the accordion-shaped folded filter sheet.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example 1

[0014] Nanofiltration device 1 for inactivating air-filtered pathogens on surface-treated filter material/paper with inorganic additives and nanofibrillated cellulose and/or nanocellulose connected to the surrounding environment through the upper opening 2 according to FIG. 1 has a space 3 formed in the inner part, in which a germicidal emitter 4 in the shape of a cylinder or a U-tube is mounted in a filter cartridge with a accordion-shaped folded filter sheet. The germicidal emitter 4 is located axially, is parallel to the direction of the incoming airflow to the filter cartridge and is longitudinally located in the central part of the interior of the nanofiltration device and emits radiation doses ranging from 400 W to 500 W with exposure values ranging from 2 seconds to 7200 seconds. The germicidal electromagnetic radiation from the emitter has wavelengths ranging from 280.0 nm to 210.0 nm. The peripheral walls of the interior of the nanofiltration device 1 are bounded by a long-term stable material in the UV-C range of the electromagnetic wavelength spectrum and may be in the shape of a prism or a vertically positioned cylinder terminated by a conical constriction and a discharge tube, preferably with an adjustable outlet height. In the middle part of the inner space 3 there is an accordion-shaped folded filter sheet 5, which is hermetically placed in the filter cartridge 6. According to FIG. 2, the filter cartridge is hermetically sealed in the upper part by a cover 7 so that all intake air is filtered through an accordion-shaped folded filter sheet. The filter paper sheet 5 for air filtration is surface-treated with a material of nanofibrillated cellulose and/or nanocellulose with a pore content from 10.0 nm in size, with a specific pore surface area of 20 m.sup.2.Math.g.sup.1 and a specific pore volume of 0.10 cm.sup.3.Math.g.sup.1. The sheet also contains an added admixture of nitrate salts (AgNO.sub.3, Cu(NO.sub.3).sub.2, Zn(NO.sub.3).sub.2, Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2 and Mg(NO.sub.3).sub.2) with a total charge of 5.0 g per 1 m.sup.2 sheet and an adjuvants with a total charge in the range from 0.10 to 0.59 g per 1 m.sup.2 sheet. The molar ratio of the individual nitrate salts AgNO.sub.3:Cu(NO.sub.3).sub.2:Zn(NO.sub.3).sub.2:Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2:Mg(NO.sub.3).sub.2 is 1:1:1:1:1. The pore surface of the sheet with the stated parameters is able to adsorb microparticles containing pathogenic microorganisms or parts thereof.

[0015] The nanofiltration device according to FIG. 1 works as follows. Polluted air containing pathogenic particles containing viruses, spores of microscopic fungi, moulds, fungal spores, bacteria, algae, as well as residues of pathogenic microorganisms flowing into the nanofiltration device 1 is sucked through the system of holes 8, flows through the pedestal 9, from which it is distributed to the space 3, in which the germicidal emitter 4 is longitudinally mounted. During the airflow, the germicidal emitter 4 emits radiation doses ranging from 400 W to 200 W with exposure values ranging from 2 seconds to 7200 seconds, depending on the types of pathogenic particles in the flowing air present. The radiation-treated air in the UV-C radiation range of the electromagnetic wavelength spectrum forcibly flows to the upper part, from where it flows to the filter paper sheet 5 in the middle of the filter cartridge. Subsequently, the air disinfected in this way is discharged from the nanofiltration device 1 through an opening 2, which is located in the upper part of the nanofiltration device 1. The air is sucked out of the nanofiltration device 1 by a fan 10.

[0016] The nanofiltration device 1 can be used in all cases where biological aerosols containing viruses, microscopic spores, fungi, fungal spores, bacteria and algae, as well as residues of pathogenic microorganisms, which are harmful to humans accumulate. It is mainly used in buildings of medical facilities and households or in other buildings where air disinfection and residual pathogens are removed.

Example 2

[0017] Nanofiltration device 1 for inactivation of air-filtered pathogens by using inorganic additives on a cellulose carrier according to Example 1, using a filter paper sheet 5 without the addition of AgNO.sub.3 with a ratio of nitrate salts Cu(NO.sub.3).sub.2:Zn(NO.sub.3).sub.2:Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2:Mg(NO.sub.3).sub.2 in the range from 1:1:1:1 to 2:1:1:1, depending on the content of nanofibrillated cellulose and/or nanocellulose and adjuvants in the filter paper sheet 5.

Example 3

[0018] Nanofiltration device 1 for inactivation of air-filtered pathogens by using inorganic additives on a cellulose carrier according to Example 1, using a filter paper sheet 5 without the addition of Cu(NO.sub.3).sub.2: with a ratio of nitrate salts AgNO.sub.3:Zn(NO.sub.3).sub.2:Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2:Mg(NO.sub.3).sub.2 in the range from 1:1:1:1 to 2:1:1:1 depending on the content of nanofibrillated cellulose and/or nanocellulose and adjuvants in the filter paper sheet 5.

Example 4

[0019] Nanofiltration device 1 for inactivation of air-filtered pathogens by using inorganic additives on a cellulose carrier according to Example 1, using a filter paper sheet 5 without the addition of AgNO.sub.3 and Cu(NO.sub.3).sub.2 with a ratio of nitrate salts: Zn(NO.sub.3).sub.2:Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2:Mg(NO.sub.3).sub.2 in the range from 1:1:1 to 2:1:1, depending on the content of nanofibrillated cellulose and/or nanocellulose and adjuvants in the filter paper sheet 5.

Example 5

[0020] Nanofiltration device 1 for inactivation of air-filtered pathogens by using inorganic additives on a cellulose carrier according to Example 1, using a filter paper sheet 5 without the addition of AgNO.sub.3, Cu(NO.sub.3).sub.2 and Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2 with a ratio of nitrate salts: Zn(NO.sub.3).sub.2:Mg(NO.sub.3).sub.2 in the range from 1:1 to 2:1 depending on the content of nanofibrillated cellulose and/or nanocellulose and adjuvants in the filter paper sheet 5.

Example 6

[0021] Nanofiltration device 1 for inactivation of air-filtered pathogens by using inorganic additives on a cellulose carrier according to Example 1, using a filter paper sheet 5 only with the addition of AgNO.sub.3 with applicated amount of 0.1 to 5.0 g.Math.m.sup.2, depending on the content of nanofibrillated cellulose and/or nanocellulose and adjuvants in the filter paper sheet 5 and the nature of the common infection.

Example 7

[0022] Nanofiltration device 1 for inactivation of air-filtered pathogens by using inorganic additives on a cellulose carrier according to Example 1, using a filter paper sheet 5 only with the addition of Cu(NO.sub.3).sub.2 with applicated amount of 0.1 to 15.0 g.Math.m.sup.2 depending on the content of nanofibrillated cellulose and/or nanocellulose and adjuvants in the filter paper sheet 5 and the nature of the common infection.

Example 8

[0023] Nanofiltration device 1 for inactivation of air-filtered pathogens by using inorganic additives on a cellulose carrier according to Example 1, using a filter paper sheet 5 only with the addition of Zn(NO.sub.3).sub.2 with applicated amount 0.1 to 15.0 g.Math.m.sup.2 depending on the content of nanofibrillated cellulose and/or nanocellulose and adjuvants in the filter paper sheet 5 and the nature of the common infection.

Example 9

[0024] Nanofiltration device 1 for inactivation of air-filtered pathogens by using inorganic additives on a cellulose carrier according to Example 1, using a filter paper sheet 5 only with the addition of Ca(NO.sub.3).sub.2 with applicated amount 0.1 to 15.0 g.Math.m.sup.2 depending on the content of nanofibrillated cellulose and/or nanocellulose and adjuvants in the filter paper sheet 5 and the nature of the common infection.

Example 10

[0025] Nanofiltration device 1 for inactivation of air-filtered pathogens by using inorganic additives on a cellulose carrier according to Example 1, using a filter paper sheet 5 only with the addition of Mg(NO.sub.3).sub.2 with applicated amount 0.1 to 15.0 g.Math.m.sup.2 depending on the content of nanofibrillated cellulose and/or nanocellulose and adjuvants in the filter paper sheet 5 and the nature of the common infection.

Example 11

[0026] Nanofiltration device 1 for inactivation of air-filtered pathogens by using inorganic additives on a cellulose carrier according to Example 1, using a filter paper sheet 5 in the middle of the filtration cartridge 6 at a rate in the range from 0.05 m.Math.s.sup.1 to 7.9 m.Math.s.sup.1, the air temperature is in the range from 11.3 C. to 27.9 C. and its relative humidity is in the range from 10% to 99%.

[0027] This work was supported by the Slovak Research and Development Agency under the Contract no. PP-COVID-20-0103.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0028] The invention's applicability is in the field of the chemical industry, food industry, pharmaceutical industry, electrical industry, medical equipment industry, biotechnology industry and various other industrial areas. Also in microbiology, aeromicrobiology, especially at the places with the need for additional removal of residual pathogens and in all busy places with a high incidence of viruses such as shopping centres, waiting rooms, airports, supermarkets and hypermarkets, hospitals, public transport stations and stops, schools, pre-schools, churches, museums, theatres, cinemas, gyms, stadiums, outdoor swimming pools, indoor swimming pools, hotels, restaurants, barracks, etc., in public transport as well as in households.

[0029] By applying the invention, it is possible to achieve the inactivation efficiency of pathogens containing viruses, microscopic spores, fungi, mould spores, bacteria, algae and residues of pathogenic microorganisms in the form of bioaerosols which are harmful to humans, at optimal airflow settings in pathogen inactivation devices 99.99%.