The invention relates generally to biological systems and methods for air purification. In some embodiments, the invention pertains to an air purification device, comprising a tank for accommodating a liquid; a bio support filter for accommodating a biomass additive and comprising an air passageway, the biomass additive configured to digest contaminants within air passing through the air passageway by bio-oxidation; a pipe system configured to allow transportation of the liquid within the tank to the bio support filter and provide moisture or humidity sufficient for the biomass additive to digest the air contaminants; one or more air inlets for allowing contaminated air to enter into the device; and one or more air outlets for discharging purified air. In some embodiments, the air purification device includes air quality monitoring means for assessing and detecting the quality of air purified by the device.
Currently there are a number of solutions for air purification. Most of these solutions are based on ventilation in an attempt to remove 99.9% of all air contaminants based on Clean Air Delivery Rate standards. However, known solutions fail to meet the needs of the air purification industry because solutions are measured using Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR). CADR is a figure of merit that is the cubic feet per minute (CFM) of air that has had all the particles of a given size distribution removed. CADR takes in account only a comparison of the particles in the air inlet versus the air outlet during the first 10 minutes of operation and not the particles in the room for a long period of time. Recent scientific evidence shows that 92% of particles do not respond to ventilation therefore cannot be included in the CADR efficiency method which takes in account only the remaining 8% of coarse particulate matter.
Additional known solutions attempt to treat 99.9% of captured contaminants, but these solutions are similarly unable to meet the needs of the industry because the technologies are unfit to treat certain categories of contaminants. The weaknesses of each known technology are as follows:
Most of the above technologies are used only for the residential market because they are unfit to treat efficiently a quantity of larger and more concentrated air contaminants in professional applications such as hospitals, industrial sites, waste treatment plants and outdoor settings.
Recent research has shown that 92% of airborne particles are smaller than 0.5 microns and do not respond to the forces of gravity or ventilation, thus requiring a settling time between 79 days and infinite. This research demonstrates that systems based on ventilation fail to be effective on most of the pollutants present in the air.
Thus, it is desired to provide a method and system that solves the disadvantages in the prior art and provides a biological system for air purification.
It is an object of the invention to provide a device that efficiently lowers the level of every kind of air pollution simultaneously, which is membrane filter free, thus avoiding low efficiency due to build up clogging of the membrane pores and high energy consumption due to ventilation.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a biological air purifying system that relies on the Potential Energy Field (PEF) biophysics principle which is increasingly more efficient due to the fact that the smaller the particles are and do need powerful energy consuming vents. The biophysical phenomena relies on fact that every particle is charged on its outer layer, regardless of its size, and “grounds” the particles to the PEF in the device by “electrical molecular charge attraction.”
It is an object of the present invention to provide a device which destroys air pollutants in a natural, safe, sustainable and disposable manner.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a biological air purifier that has no need for filters ever to be changed since the internal bio-support has the same lifetime as the unit and can be washed and continuously reused not creating unwanted waste from exhaust filter disposal.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a device which does not create chemical byproducts. The trace elements found as a possible result of the bio-oxidation of complex compounds is completely safe and can be used as compost or thrown in the waste water treatment mains.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a device and associated method that efficiently removes all air pollutants, both indoor and outdoor by effect of the “electrical molecular charge attraction”, can detect its efficiency and naturally destroy air pollutants through the use of a low consumption natural media extracted from renewable sources.
The invention advantageously fills the aforementioned deficiencies by providing a biological system and method for air purification.
The present invention relates to a biological air purifier, which captures air contaminants without limit of size and type by “electric molecular charge attraction” and then digests the captured contaminants by bio-oxidation by means of a microorganism compound additive. The device advantageously includes air quality monitoring means for assessing the quality of air purified by the device and calculating related destruction rate expressed as a “Pure Air Index”. The collected data can be conveniently transferred to a cloud, and then to a dedicated software for analysis. The air quality monitoring allows broadcasting, in real time, several air quality parameters. For example, different contaminants can be separately detected with sensors such as, but not limited to, a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, and odorous gas sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, a NO2 sensor, a volatile organic compound sensor, etc.
In certain embodiments, a biological air purifier is provided which is made up of one or more of the following components: a water tank 301 (
This device can be used to treat air pollution in outdoor and indoor settings, in urban, industrial, medical, corporate, and residential applications.
In a first aspect the present invention provides an air purification device, comprising:
In one or more embodiments, the bio support filter is shaped to include an air passageway in the form of one or more concentric channels, one or more vertical channels, or a corkscrew.
In one or more embodiments, the device further comprises an electronic control unit, the electronic control unit comprises a communication module for IOT remote control, and/or an air quality monitoring system.
In one or more embodiments, the air quality monitoring system includes one or more sensors for detecting an air quality parameter.
In one or more embodiments, the air quality parameter is selected from a Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) sensor, one or more pollution sensors (such as particulate Matter sensors), a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a dust sensor, a gas sensor, an odor sensor, a radioactivity sensor, and a combination thereof. Additionally, any air quality sensors and other types of sensors can be added including localization, functioning parts remote detection for predictive maintenance, water quality and contamination destruction rate sensors.
In one or more embodiments, the air quality monitoring system includes an access point for transmitting data associated with the one or more air quality. In one or more embodiments, the data transmitted includes data for maintenance and destruction rate of particles, localization, and technologies for voice communication with a device such as Alexa or a voice-controlled device, and including transmitting data and parameters to a cloud-based server for further analysis via a dedicated software.
In one or more embodiments, the device further comprising a vent for coarse contaminants attraction and oxygenation of internal microorganisms compound to enhance bio-oxidation of captured contaminants.
In one or more embodiments, the pipe system includes a pump and a one or more pipes attached to the pump, wherein the pump configured to withdraw the liquid from the tank and to distribute the liquid in the bio support filter via the one or more pipes.
In one or more embodiments, the bio support filter includes a plate onto which the liquid is discharged from the pipes, wherein liquid flows into the bio support filter from the plate via holes within the plate.
In one or more embodiments, the plate includes a protective grid on top of which the biomass additive is disposed.
In one or more embodiments, the device further comprising an outlet tap for releasing the liquid from the tank.
In one or more embodiments, the device further comprising an electro valve for automatic liquid filling.
In one or more embodiments, the device further comprising a tank support base for providing ground support to the tank.
In one or more embodiments, the device further comprising a liquid level sensor for assessing the level of the liquid within the tank.
In one or more embodiments, the device further comprising a top cover for covering internal water sensitive components of the device.
In one or more embodiments, the device is configured to purify air from contaminants having a particle diameter smaller than 0.5 microns.
In one or more embodiments, the air is purified by grounding the suspended particles by “electrical charge attraction”.
In another aspect, the invention provides a method of purifying air, the method comprising
In one or more embodiments, the method further comprising determining a baseline for relative analysis of the one or more air quality parameters.
In one or more embodiments, the method further comprising transmitting the collected data to a cloud-based server using an access point affixed to the air purification device.
In one or more embodiments, the method further comprising analyzing the one or more air quality parameters using the software.
In one or more embodiments, the method further comprising providing an output of the analysis.
In one or more embodiments, the biomass additive is a nonpathogenic, non-genetically Modified micro-organisms consortium additive.
In one or more embodiments, the biomass additive is configured to transforming contaminants in water and carbon dioxide and elemental base if present.
Other objects of the invention and its particular features and advantages will become more apparent from consideration of the following drawings and accompanying detailed description. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
This disclosure will now provide a more detailed and specific description that will make reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings and specific descriptions of the drawings, as well as any specific or alternative embodiments discussed, are intended to be read in conjunction with the entirety of this disclosure. The biological system for air purification may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and fully convey understanding to those skilled in the art.
In the following description, numerous details are set forth for the purpose of explanation. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the invention may be practiced without the use of these specific details.
The present invention is directed to biological systems and methods for air purification.
The invention discloses a device for purifying air. The device is based on a biomass additive having microorganisms which can digest air contaminants by bio oxidation. The device includes a tank filled with water and a bio support filter for accommodating the biomass additive. The tank supplies moisture for the microorganisms in the bio support filter via a pump and related pipes and a vent supplies oxygen to the Bio Support Filter to enhance the digestion process of the captured contaminants by bio-oxidation while attracting also coarse particles. The bio support filter includes one or more air passageways within which contaminated air may pass and come into contact with the microorganisms.
The disclosed device is unique and advantageous when compared with other known devices and solutions because it provides a unique plug-and-play solution for every kind of contaminant regardless of particle size or type. The device is configured to purify air from contaminants including, but not limited to, pathogenic bacteria and viruses, Volatile Organic Compounds, Odorous Gases, oil mist, Mold and spores, fine dust including particles smaller than 0.5 microns, heavy metals, chemical compounds, hydrocarbons, black carbon, etc.
The unit is unique because: 1) it uses water and nonpathogenic, non GMO bacteria consortium to operate; 2) all contaminants are attracted and captured by the unit by “molecular electric charge” triggered by the Potential Energy Field naturally generated by the internal Bio Support shape and characteristic; 3) once the pollution is captured by the unit, the bacteria within the unit completely destroy the captured pollutants by bio-oxidation, naturally transforming the compounds in water and carbon dioxide such as for example: 2 C6H6+15 O2 becomes 12 CO2+6 H2O; 4) there are no membranes which get saturated compromising efficiency and no filters, lamps of cartridges to be changed; and 5) the unit relies on tap water, air and a harmless blend of non-GMO, nonpathogenic bacteria to destroy large loads of air pollution without turning it into harmful byproducts.
Similarly, the disclosed method is unique when compared with other known processes and solutions in that it: 1) combines the unit with a separate air quality sensor which independently detects air pollutants without interfering with the unit operations; 2) has and integrated localization and operational sensor system for remote assistance and predictive maintenance connected to IoT and 3) has a method of calculating carbon footprint equivalence based on operational time per unit size providing a specific Pure Air Index calculation system
This equivalence has been estimated and compared depending on the size of the unit and achieved between 276 and 6000 trees pollution removal efficiency per unit. In one or more embodiments, the herein disclosed device achieves at least about 276 trees pollution removal efficiency per unit. For example, the device achieves at least about 276, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, or 3000, up to 6000 trees pollution removal efficiency per unit.
The disclosed device and system are unique in that it is structurally different from other known devices or solutions. More specifically, the device is unique due to the presence of: water, forced air flow through the bio Filter by ventilation digesting air pollution using bacteria, and an IoT Air Monitoring System.
In its most complete form, an embodiment of the invention includes a device made up of the following components: a) top cover 105 (with optionally electronic-electrical control-data communication); b) vent 204; c) water plate 310 with protective grid 203; d) Bio Support filter 300; e) pump 307 and related piping 305, 303; f) Tank 301; g) tank support base (optionally forklifted) 103; h) water outlet tap 104 or electro valve 106; i) water inlet tap 106 or electro valve, which is an inlet valve accessible from the outside cover to be connected to a water pipe (water mains); j) tank thermic coat with temperature sensors; k) biomass additive dispensers on a grid 203 attached to the cover 105; k) internal web cams; l) water level sensors (mechanical-optic or ultrasound) 306; and m) temperature-humidity-pH sensors.
These components are optionally connected as follows: the head element/top cover contains all the electronic and electrical elements which could be sensitive to water, secured in a container having appropriate wiring, and can be separated from all the other components of the unit. The vent may be a separate element secured to the Bio Support core element and connected to power the top cover element. The Bio Support can be completely removed and extracted by the tank element. Pump and related piping with faucets for water flow regulation, water level sensors, and pH sensors are connected to the Bio Support and can get detached from electron power source by fast cable connectors; and the tank and tank base are connected and are optionally provided with a tap to release water.
It should further be noted that the unit can be connected to the water mains for automatic refilling. There is no need for air ducting or hoods.
The most complete form of performing the method associated with the disclosed device consists of the following steps: install the Air Quality Monitoring System 200 for a baseline period of collection data; install and turn on the biological air purifiers; detect air quality improvements 800 through related software dashboard; display results in the installed unit network on the map in the APP.
The device may also have one or more of the following variants of elements and features: the Bio Support shape can be, but is not limited to, two or more concentric circles (
The Bio Support shape can be made of different materials, including but not limited to: food grade plastic, activated carbon support/sponge, absorbent natural or synthetic fabric, stainless steel, or any combination of the above materials.
Water transmission inside/to the unit may be accomplished by the following techniques: a) water can be pulled by a submersible pump on the bottom of the tank and transferred through piping to a water plate with holes placed on top of the Bio Support in order to keep it constantly moist; and b) water can be distributed by gravity on the Bio Support by simple motion on the water plate. in the system, the water gets sucked by the pump on the bottom of the tank up through the T shaped piping to two or more T shaped outlets discharging on the water plate. The water then fills the water plate, flows through the water plate holes and along the sides of the biosupport to moist the microorganisms additive attached to the biofilter surface exposed also to air flow generated from the vent by gravity back down to the tank. (See
Oxygen supply to the unit internal parts can be provided by one or more vents by suction (air outlet) and forced into the bio support through related conveniently located air circulation holes (air inlets) shown in
As shown in
In certain embodiments of the system the microorganisms are designed to die after 30 days and are required to be added to the water (singular-dose bottle poured in the core pipe) every 30 days. Water will evaporate by effect of bio-oxidation and (if manual) the tank must be refilled periodically (averaging every 7 days).
External materials for covering the unit may be, but are not limited to, on or more of aluminum, steel, leather, wood, fabric, plastic etc.
Operational unit features in the system may include one or more of: an electronic control of operations such as, but not limited to, a) electro valve for automated refilling 106; b) PH water sensor; c) water level control trough mechanical, optic, ultrasound or humidity sensors 306; d) remote control data transmissions to the Cloud (IoT) or Blockchain Network via GSM, LoRaWAN, WIFI, Ethernet 201.
Similarly, the associated method may also include one or more of the following steps: connection to an APP for: a) remote control of unit and Air Quality Sensors; b) pollution destruction calculation based on operational time; c) notification of unit needs such as additive addition and clean up calendar; d) location on a geographical map; e) connection in real time to after sales service team through video; and f) Augmented realty technology for units servicing aid and other useful or communication content.
Referring now to the drawings,
Internal portions of the device 100 are demonstrated in
Opening the top cover 105, there is access to control board 201 which includes electronic control components and vent 204. The control board 201 includes a communication module to remotely control the operation of the device and have the predisposition to be integrated to existing PLC in industrial settings. The Bio Support Filter 300 is placed inside the unit tank 301. The Air Quality Monitor 200 can be connected in parallel with the unit installation to detect and track air pollution abatement performance and dynamics. A pre-dosed microorganisms additive, optionally in liquid form needs to be periodically added to the device 100, every 30 days by pouring it directly on the internal protective grid 203. The tank 301 can be filled with tap water until maximum level 202 is reached.
In
Another possible shape of the Bio Support is Vertical Multilayers. The air gets sucked from the vent secured on the side core pipe of the Bio Filter which forcefully sucks the air throughout the layers of which the Bio Support is made from the external air inlet holes (
Another possible shape of the Bio Support is Corkscrew motion. The air gets sucked from the vent secured on the side core pipe of the Bio Filter which forcefully sucks the air throughout the layers of which the Bio Support is made from the external air inlet hole on the opposite side (
The units can externally be made in any possible material depending on intended field of use.
Air Quality Monitoring System 200 can detect many different parameters by including various sensors 909, 910, 911, 912, including but not limited to: VOC, NO2, CO, CO2, Odorous Gases, PM2,5, PM1, Radon, Radioactivity, Temperature, Humidity, etc. The Air Quality Monitoring System 200 can communicate the data through GSM, WIFI, Ethernet and LoRaWAN. The data sent to an access point 908 through the internet 907 and is stored on could servers 906 and consulted through a dashboard 905 where a software releases various forms of possible data aggregation 902, 903, 904.
In certain embodiments, the components of the system are installed separately. The present invention relates to a device and a method associated with the device. With respect to the device, it is a biological Air Purifier, which captures air contaminants without limit of size and type by “electric molecular charge attraction” and then digests the captured contaminants by bio-oxidation by means of a microorganism compound additive. The unit can be used in combination with a custom developed Air Quality Multiple Sensor hardware, which sends the collected data to the cloud, which is then consulted through a proprietary dashboard software. This device can be used to treat air pollution in outdoor and indoor settings, in urban, industrial, medical, corporate, and residential applications. The core components of the invention are electricity operated bioreactor where air and water circulate due to a pump and a fan, a biological non-GMO, non-pathogenic pollution eating compound to be added periodically to the bioreactor and a device which includes various Air Quality sensors connected to the Cloud. The device includes a monitoring device is set up to control in real time several Air Quality parameters then elaborated by a software in cloud for consultation through an interactive dashboard displaying periods, different contaminants separately detected with sensors such as—but not limited to—Humidity, temperature, PM0.1, PM2.5, Odorous Gases, Carbon Monoxide, Carbon Dioxide, NO2, Volatile Organic Compounds, Radon, Radioactivity etc. An algorithm based on the maximum destruction potential by bio-oxidation of every unit, multiplied by the operational time releases an impact coefficient to compare pollution destruction efficiency between users/locations. The second core component is the installation of the bioreactor, a free-standing unit which is located close to the air pollution emission source or in the middle of an area to be treated. The combination of the biological air purifiers and conveniently located monitors can detect the rate of action of the clean air zone created by every unit or cluster of units and the dynamics of air pollution travelling to the unit and being destroyed. With respect to the device it should be further noted that the internal components of the device are where the pollution eating bacteria find the ideal conditions to perform pollution destruction by bio-oxidation. In order to carry out the method the following core steps are followed: the monitoring device set up is the first step of the system, installed in order to detect a baseline of existing air pollution conditions, the second step is the installation of the bioreactor, a free standing unit which is located close to the air pollution emission source or in the middle of an area to be treated. The continued detection of improvement and general conditions of the air quality in the area treated by the system (Bioreactor+air monitor) is used to provide a “certified” air quality level to the treated space and a related Pure Air Index showing daily and cumulative since installation destruction rate. Ultimately, at the conclusion of these steps a new Air Quality Standard can be assured for safer, low concentration exposure areas. The system can be included in sustainability reports for companies and its efficiency measures against Carbon Footprint parameters.
Different features, variations and multiple different embodiments have been shown and described with various details. What has been described in this application at times in terms of specific embodiments is done for illustrative purposes only and without the intent to limit or suggest that what has been conceived is only one particular embodiment or specific embodiments. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to any single specific embodiments or enumerated variations. Many modifications, variations and other embodiments will come to mind of those skilled in the art, and which are intended to be and are in fact covered by both this disclosure. It is indeed intended that the scope of this disclosure should be determined by a proper legal interpretation and construction of the disclosure, including equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the complete disclosure present at the time of filing.
Having thus described several embodiments for practicing the inventive method, its advantages and objectives can be easily understood. Variations from the description above may and can be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention.
Accordingly, this invention is not to be limited by the embodiments as described, which are given by way of example only and not by way of limitation.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US19/16440 | 2/2/2019 | WO | 00 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62653624 | Apr 2018 | US |