Patent Application
20210339184
Various infectious pathogens, including bacterium, viruses, and other microorganism can cause disease in humans. The deadly Human SARS-CoV-2 strain (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted the human condition at all levels of life around the globe. The COVID-19 infection is persistently spread by circulating air flow as the primary mechanism for transmission. There are few active strategies to protect the public against COVID-19, and currently strategies are widely debated, costly, and inefficient. A passive approach to condition and purify circulating air in all environments is needed to combat aerosolized COVID-19 immediately because current filter and air-purification technologies are not successful at killing the small sized (0.05-0.2 microns) COVID-19 virus.
Overall, air filtration is used in heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to remove dust, pollen, mold, particulates, and the like from the air being moved through a facility by the system. The filters used for the filtration can come in a number of forms and can be configured to filter particles of a given size with a given efficiency.
For example, high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are commonly used in cleanrooms, operating rooms, pharmacies, homes, etc. These filters can be made of different types of media, such as fiberglass media, ePTFE media, etc., and may have activated carbon-based material. In general, HEPA filters can filter over 99 percent of particles with a diameter of a given size (e.g., 0.3 microns or size). Even with their efficiency, HEPA filters may not stop pathogens (virons, bacteria, etc.) of very small size.
Ultraviolet (UV) germicidal lights can stop pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, and mold. The UV germicidal lights produce ultraviolet radiation, which can then damage the genetic material of the microorganisms. The damage may kill the pathogen or make them unable to reproduce. Extended exposure to the UV radiation can also break down pathogens that have deposited on an irradiated surface.
One example of an ultraviolet system includes an upper room air ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) system. In the UVGI system, the UV germicidal light is installed near the ceiling in an occupied room. Air circulated by convection near the ceiling in the upper portion of the space is then irradiated within an active field of the UV germicidal light. UVGI systems can also be installed in the ducts of HVAC systems and can irradiate the small airborne particles containing microorganisms as the air flows through the ducts.
Although existing systems for filtration and germicidal irradiation can be effective in treating air to remove particulates and damage pathogens, there is a continuing need to purify air in populated environs, such as facilities, homes, workspaces, hospitals, nursing homes, sporting venues, and the like, to reduce the spread of pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, and molds, even more.
In particular, the 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a new virus of global health significance caused by infection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 is thought to spread from person to person in close contact through respiratory droplets. Studies show the virus can survive for hours at a time and can be persistently carried by airflow. For this reason, it is believed that a stationary 6-feet separation is ineffective in a situation where people spend a long time together in a room because infection can simply be carried by the airflow.
For example, COVID-19 (Sars-CoV-2) may survive in droplets for up to three hours after being coughed in the air, and convection in the air is thought to be the primary mechanism for the spread of the infection. Accordingly, droplet-spray and convection can drive direct airborne infection, and social distancing can be ineffective for enclosed environments were people spend a long time together.
As there is no current cure for COVID-19, environmental purification strategies can help slow the spread of the virus. Unfortunately, current systems to treat circulated air are expensive and use primarily UV germicidal light. These products require professional installation, are not accessible to the general public per se, and have not been used to kill COVID-19. Moreover, filtration in an HVAC system can be ineffective. COVID-19 measures between 0.05 to 0.2 microns, but HEPA filters can filter particulate larger than 0.3 microns so additional protection is needed against the spread of COVID-19.
For these reasons, the subject matter of the present disclosure is directed to overcoming, or at least reducing the effects of, one or more of the problems set forth above.
The subject matter of the present disclosure is directed to a mobile purification device that filters air and seeks to destroy pathogens (viruses, bacteria, mold, pollens, etc.) and other elements, such as volatile organic compounds, allergens, and pollutants. The purification device is intended to be affordable, easily installed, accessible and useable in both residential and commercial settings. The purification device can be applied to real world solutions to best reduce viruses, such as COVID-19, and other pathogens in the circulating air, and the purification device can be deployed as a specialized heated filter for use in commercial, residential, mass transit, and public venues.
For example and as discussed below, the purification device includes a barrier heater or heated filter that uses targeted thermal conduction of high efficiency nickel foam/mesh raised to temperatures proven to kill pathogens, such as corona viruses (such as COVID-19). The purification device can also include an ultraviolet (UV) light sources that uses UV-C light to destroy the virus. The UV light source and the barrier heater are combined together in a flame retardant and resistant filtration system, which can then be moved and placed as desired in an environment of a facility or populated environs, such as an airport terminal, church, hospital, workshop, office space, residence, transit vehicle, school, hotel, cruise ship, recreational venue, etc. As there is no current cure for COVID-19 and many other pathogens, environmental purification strategies can help slow the spread of the virus, and the air purification provided by the disclose device can provide a primary defense against transmission.
According to one configuration, an apparatus is used with supplied power for treating air in an environment. The apparatus comprises a housing, at least one prime mover, at least one ultraviolet light source, at least one heater.
The housing is mobile in the environment. The housing may also be robotic, having powered wheels for moving in the environment. The housing has an intake and an exhaust. The at least one prime mover disposed in the housing between the intake and the exhaust is operable to move the air in the environment through the housing from the intake to the exhaust. The at least one UV light source disposed in the housing is connected in electrical communication with the supplied power and is configured to generate an active field of ultraviolet radiation in at least one a portion of the housing through which the moved air passes from the intake to the exhaust. The at least one heater is disposed across a surface area of the housing and comprises a permeable barrier of metal material. The permeable is configured to impede the moved air flow therethrough up to an impedance threshold, and the permeable barrier connected in electrical communication to the supplied power is heated to a surface temperature.
In another configuration, a method is used for treating air in an environment. Air flow is moved through a plenum in a mobile housing from an intake to an exhaust by powering a prime mover disposed in the plenum. The air flow is filtered up to a filtration threshold through a filter disposed across a surface area of the plenum. An active field of ultraviolet radiation is produced in the housing by powering an ultraviolet light source disposed in the plenum. Meanwhile, the air flow is impeded up to an impedance threshold through a permeable barrier of a heater disposed across the surface area of the plenum and having a metal material. The permeable barrier is heated to a surface temperature by supplying a voltage potential across the permeable barrier.
The foregoing summary is not intended to summarize each potential embodiment or every aspect of the present disclosure.
The subject matter of the present disclosure is directed to a purification device for instantaneously eradicating pathogens, such as COVID-19 virus, from the circulating air by filtering and exposing the pathogens to high temperatures (above 200° C.) (above 392° F.). By doing so, the subject matter of the present disclosure can decrease infectious transmission of a virus and other biological species that may cause future pandemics, while providing a sense of security and peace of mind for the public to return to work, school, life, recreation and healthcare in a post-COVID-19 world.
The primary mechanism of action of the purification device is a specialized heated filter or barrier heater that uses a low energy, targeted thermal conduction of high performance, high resistant porous metal foam incased in a flame retardant frame. The disclosed heated filter or barrier heater can be combined with a highly-efficient HVAC filter. Additionally, ultraviolet light (UV-C) can be added to the system milieu for additive killing effect. Research has shown heat and low wavelength light can successfully deactivate COVID-19 with duration of exposure.
As disclosed below, mobile/robotic COVID-19 purification device can be deployed for use in public venues, healthcare facilities, nursing homes, schools, airplanes, trains, cruise ships, performance venues, theaters, churches, grocery and retail stores, prisons, etc. Using the same technology, the purification device of the present disclosure can be incorporated into air handlings systems of a facility, vehicle, or any other environment. Details are provided in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. ______, having Atty. Dkt. No. 1766-0002US1 and entitled “Purification Device Having Heated Filter for Killing Biological Species, Including COVID-19”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
As shown in
One or more mobile purification devices 50 are used in the facility environment to purify the air. As shown here, the mobile purification device 100 can be used in a space of a facility environment. Several spaces in the facility environment may have such a mobile purification device 100.
Briefly, the mobile purification device 50 includes a housing 60 that is mobile in the environment and that has an intake 62 and an exhaust 66. The device 50 has one or more purification elements or cartridges 100 and a prime mover 150. The purification elements 100 disposed toward the intake 62 can include at least one or more ultraviolet light sources and one or more permeable barriers. The device 50 can also include one or more filters at the intake 62. For mobility, the mobile housing 60 can have caster wheels 61, a tow hitch 63, and a handle 65.
Study of airflow in a meeting room and office space shows that convection patterns can persistently carry infection between chairs at a conference table and between cubicles in an open office space. This shows that reliance on separation between people can be ineffective due to the convention of the air in a populated environment.
Control of the mobile purification device 50 can be handled entirely by a local controller 200, which determines independently the device's operation. Alternatively, the local controller 200 can be integrated with a system controller 25 for the HVAC system 20, which can signal activation of the system 20. In a further alternative, the mobile purification device 50 may lack local controls and may be centrally controlled by the system controller 25. As will be appreciated, these control arrangements can be used in any combination throughout a facility 10, multiple purifications devices 100, conditioning zones, and the like.
As shown, the intake 62 can be an open side of the housing 60 for intaking environmental air across a larger surface area, while the exhaust 66 can be a port out of the top of the housing 60 directing treated air in an upper area of the environment. The housing 60 has sidewalls enclosing an interior or main plenum 64 for passage of air flow therethrough from the intake 62 to the exhaust 66. The at least one prime mover 150 is disposed in the housing 60 between the intake 62 and the exhaust 66 and is operable to draw in the air from the environment through the intake 62 and exhaust treated air back to the environment through the exhaust 66.
As noted generally herein, the apparatus 50 preferably includes at least one filter (120) disposed in the housing 60, and preferably disposed at the intake 62. The at least one filter (120) is configured to filter the moved air therethrough up to a filtration threshold. the one or more barrier heaters 140 are disposed in the housing 60 to impede the moved air flow therethrough up to an impedance threshold. The one or more barrier heaters 140 are connected in electrical communication to the supplied power and are heated to a target surface temperature.
If used, the one or more UV light sources 130 disposed in the housing 60 are connected in electrical communication with supplied power and are configured to generate ultraviolet radiation in at least a portion of the housing 60 through which the moved air passes from the intake 62 to the exhaust 66.
As particularly shown in
As will be appreciated with the benefit of the present disclosure, use of the cartridges 100 is not strictly necessary, as the plenum 64 of the housing 60 can include one or more UV light sources 130 and barrier heaters 140 mounted and maintained therein. However, use of the cartridges 100 makes the purification device 50 more modular, facilitating maintenance and replacement. For example, the cartridges 100 may be removable and replaceable components in the housing 60 so the purification device 50 can be configured for a given implementation with different elements and so operational components can be replaced. Although the one or more cartridges 100 are shown as being arranged across the surface area of the intake 62 of the housing, other configurations can be used. For example, cartridges 100 may be arranged in series to serially treat air flow, as well as being arranged in parallel.
To treat air in the environment, air flow is moved through the main plenum 64 in the mobile housing 60 from the intake 62 to the exhaust 66 by powering the prime mover 150 disposed in the plenum 64. As shown, the prime mover 150 can be disposed downstream of the filters 120, UV light sources 130, and the barrier heaters 140 so that air is drawn through the apparatus 50, which is suitable for filtration purposes. In general, the prime mover 150 comprises one or more blowers, fans, etc. For example, multiple fans of the prime mover 150 can be used to cover the surface area inside the housing 60.
Power can be supplied to the mobile purification device 50 from available power sources in the environment, such as a conventional AC outlet. As shown here, the apparatus 50 can include a power cord for connecting to facility power. The apparatus 50 can include its own power supply 40 disposed on the housing to provide the supplied power. For instance, a rechargeable battery can be used for the power supply 40.
The air flow is filtered up to a filtration threshold through the one or more filters 120 disposed in the plenum 64 (i.e., disposed at the intake 62 or disposed across the intake 62 or portion thereof). Ultraviolet radiation is produced in the housing 60 by powering the UV light sources 130 disposed in the plenum 64. Furthermore, the air flow is impeded up to an impedance threshold through the one or more barrier heaters 140 disposed in the plenum 64. The barrier heaters 140 are heated to a surface temperature by supplying a voltage potential across them. The drawn air is then passed out the exhaust 66 toward the top of the housing 60 so that any heated flow and any recently treated air is exhausted in the environment away from surrounding people and objects.
The mobile purification device 50 also includes a controller 200 disposed in electrical communication with the UV light source(s) 130, the barrier heaters 140, and the prime mover 150. As described in more detail below, the controller 200 is configured to control (i) the radiation of the UV light source(s) 130 powered by the supplied power, (ii) the heating of the barrier heater(s) 140 powered by the supplied power, and (iii) the air flow drawn by the prime mover 150 through the housing 60 from the intake 62 to the exhaust 68.
With an understanding of how the mobile purification device 50 is used and where it can be installed in a facility, discussion now turns to particular details of the disclosed purification device 50. As noted above, the mobile purification device 50 can use one or more cartridges 100 that integrate together filters 120, UV light sources 130, and barrier heaters 140. For example,
Overall, the frame 110 has four sidewalls enclosing a plenum inside 116, which is exposed on opposing open faces (one for an inlet 112 and another for an outlet 118 of the plenum 116). If necessary, the inlet 112 can include a rim 114, which would typically engage around the opening for the intake (62:
As best shown in
Also inside the plenum 116, the frame can hold an UV light source 130 as an additional treatment in conjunction with the barrier heater 140. (Other embodiments disclosed herein may not include the UV light source 130.) As briefly shown here, the UV light source 130 includes two UV-C light emitting diode (LED) strips placed across the plenum 116 to provide an active field for treating the air flow as discussed below. More or fewer sources 130 can be used, and different types of sources 130 can be installed.
Turning to
Preferably, the filter 120 for the cartridge 100 first filters the air flow up to a filtration threshold through the filter 120. In this way, the filter 120 keeps out dust and other particulates from being drawn into cartridge 100 and from being drawing further into the device's housing 60.
As noted herein, an active field of ultraviolet radiation can be produced in the plenum 116 of the cartridge 100 by powering the UV light source 130 disposed in the plenum 116. In the plenum 116 of the cartridge 100, the air flow is impeded up to an impedance threshold through the barrier heater 140 disposed in the plenum 116. The barrier heater 140 includes a permeable barrier 142 (e.g., mesh, foam, screen, tortuous media) of a metal material, such as nickel, nickel alloy, titanium, steel alloy, or other metal material. The permeable barrier 142 can be flat, corrugated, bent, pleated, or the like and can be arranged in one or more layers. The metal mesh/foam 142 of the barrier heater 140 is heated to a surface temperature by supplying a voltage potential across the mesh/foam 142. Preferably, the UV light source 130 is disposed in the plenum 116 between the filter 120 and the barrier heater 140 so that the radiation from the source 130 can treat passing air flow and can also treat exposed surfaces of the filter 120 and the barrier heater 140.
Turning now to
Looking at the cartridge 100, the filter 120 is disposed in the plenum 116 of the frame 110 and can be held in a receptacle 115 toward the inlet 112. The filter 120 is composed of a first material and is configured to filter the air flow therethrough up to a filtration threshold. Preferably, the filter 120 is a metal filter media 122 composed of stainless steel, aluminum, etc. that is meshed in one or more layers depending on the amount of air flow and the level of filtration required. The filter 120 has a case 125, which is also composed of metal and which frames the metal filter media. In general, the metal filter 120 can be a 1-in thick HVAC filter made from metal that is fire resistant and retardant and that has a high efficiency rating.
The barrier heater 140 is also disposed in the plenum 116 and can be situated toward the outlet 118. Insulation 145 for both heat and electricity may separate the barrier heater 140 from the frame 110. The barrier heater 140 includes a mesh/foam of a metal material and is configured to impede the air flow therethrough up to an impedance threshold.
The UV light source 130 can be disposed in the plenum 116 and, as noted previously, can preferably be situated between the metal filter 120 and barrier heater 140. The UV light source 130 produces an active field of UV-C light in the plenum 116 to treat passing air flow. As noted herein, pathogens, such as viruses, can be eliminated when subjected to a dose of ultraviolet light. For example, the sRNA coronavirus up to 0.11 μm in size can be eliminated >99% with only about 611 μj/cm2 UVGI dose.
Both the UV light source 130 and the barrier heater 140 are connected in electrical communication with the power supply 40 through the controller 200, which controls the illumination of the light source 130 and the heating of the barrier heater 140 in the plenum 116.
The UV light source 130 can include one or more UV-C lamps, a plurality of light emitting diodes, or the like disposed in the plenum 116. For example, the source 130 can use one or more Ultraviolet Germicidal lamps, such as mercury-vapor lamps. The source 130 can also use light emitting diodes having semiconductors to emit UV-C radiation.
One or more structures can be disposed in the frame 110 to support the UV light source 140. The structures used can depend on the type of source 140 used and can include fixtures for lamps and strips for UV-C LEDs. For example, the UV light source 130 can uses several strips of UV-C light emitting diodes stretched across the plenum 116.
The effectiveness of the UVGI treatment in the air flow depends on a number of factors, including the targeted microbial species, the intensity of the exposure, the time of the exposure, and the amount of humidity in the air. A sufficient dose will kill the DNA-based microorganism. Therefore, the intensity of the UVGI treatment, the time for exposure, and other factors can be configured and further controlled in the purification device 100 and HVAC system to reach a desired effectiveness.
The UVGI treatment provided by the purification cartridge 100 can be effective at destroying pathogens, such as COVID-19. The UV-C or short-wave light generated by the UV light source at wavelengths from 100-280 nanometers may have a proven germicidal effect. In particular, 222 nanometer low, far-UVC light is effective at killing and deactivating an aerosolized virus with duration of exposure.
In contrast to conventional use of UVGI in an HVAC system, the disclosed purification device does not require high costs and special installation in air returns or duct systems. Rather, the disclosed cartridge 100 offers practical installation and operation that can be seen as easy as changing an HVAC filter every 1-3 months in your home.
As discussed in more detail below, the metal material of the barrier heater 140 can include nickel mesh/foam. The barrier heater 140 is configured to impede the air flow therethrough up to the impedance threshold of 20 percent, giving the foam a porosity of at least 80%.
The purification cartridge 100 can include anti-microbial coatings on one or more surfaces to eliminate live bacteria and viruses. For example, the filter 120 can have an anti-microbial coating to eliminate pathogens trapped by the filter media. The inside walls of the frame's plenum 116 can also have anti-microbial coating. If practical under heated conditions, the mesh/foam of the barrier heater 140 can have anti-microbial coating.
As further shown in
To do this, the controller 200 is disposed in electrical communication with heater circuitry 214 connected to the barrier heater 140. At least for a period of time when air is passed through the purification device 50 (being drawn by the prime mover 150), the controller 200 can control the heating of the barrier heater 140 with the heater circuitry 214 powered by the power supply 40. As will be appreciated, the controller 200 and heater circuitry 214 includes any necessary switches, relays, timers, power transformers, etc. to condition and control power supplied to the barrier heater 140.
The controller 200 heats the barrier heater 140 at least when the controller 200 is operating the prime mover 150 to flow air through the device 50. Pre-heating before the prime mover 150 draws return air can occur before air is drawn through the device 50 so that a target temperature can be reached beforehand. This may require an advance signal from the controller 200 or may involve intermittent heating of the barrier heater 140 to maintain some base temperatures Post-heating after the prime mover 150 turns off may also be beneficial for a number of reasons.
The controller 200 is also disposed in electrical communication with drive circuitry 213 connected to the UV light source 130. At least for a period of time when air is being pass through the device 50 (being drawn by the prime mover 150), the controller 200 can control the illumination of the UV light source 130 with the drive circuitry 213 powered by the power supply 40. As will be appreciated, the controller 200 and drive circuitry 213 includes any necessary switches, relays, timers, power transformers, electronic ballast, etc. to condition and control power supplied to the light source 130.
At least when the controller 200 is powering the prime mover 150, the controller 200 illuminates the light source 130. To reach a target illumination, some pre-lighting may be necessary for the lamps or the like of the UV light source 130 to reach full illumination before air is drawn through the device 100. This may require an advance signal from the controller 200. Post-lighting of the source 130 after the prime mover 150 turns off may also be beneficial for a number of reasons.
The controller 200 is also disposed in electrical communication with motor drive circuitry 215 connected to the prime mover 150. To treat the environmental air, the motor drive circuitry 215 operates the prime mover 150, which can then move air through the device 50. As shown, the prime mover 150 may be used to draw air through the device 50 in a manner suitable for filtration arrangements. Of course, other arrangements could be used. The controller 200 may not actuate the prime mover 150 until the UV light source 130 has been brought up to illumination and until the barrier heater 140 has been heated to a target temperature.
For monitoring and control, the controller 200 can include one or more sensors 216, 217, and 218. For example, the controller 200 can include a temperature sensor 216 disposed in the plenum 116 adjacent the barrier heater 140 and disposed in electrical communication with the controller 200. The temperature sensor 216 is configured to measure temperature associated with the heating of the barrier heater 140 so the controller 200 can reach a target temperature. Depending on the implementation and the pathogens to be affected, the barrier heater 140 can heated to the surface temperature over about 54° C. (130° F.). In fact, research shows that heat at about 56° C. or above 56-67° C. (133-152° F.) can kill the SARS coronavirus and that 222-nanometer far-UVC light can be effective at killing and deactivating aerosolized virus.
The controller 200 can be connected to a light sensor 218, such as a photocell or other light sensing element, to monitor the illumination, intensity, wavelength, operation, and the like of the UV light source 130. For example, the UV light source 130 can be configured to produce the ultraviolet radiation with at least 611 μJ/cm2 dose of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation in an active field in the plenum 116, and measurements from the light sensor 218 can monitor the radiation.
The controller 200 can be connected to yet another sensor 217, such as a flow sensor to sense flow, velocity, and the like of the air passing through the plenum 116. The detected flow by the flow sensor 217 may be used by the controller 200 to initiate operation of the UV light source 130 and heater barrier 140 if not signaled already. The velocity of the flow may be measured by the flow sensor 217 to coordinate a target flow velocity through the device 100 so the heating of the air flow by the barrier heater 140 can be coordinated to the detected flow velocity and a target heating level. The velocity of the flow may also be monitored to coordinate the target irradiation of the irradiation of the air flow by the UV light source 140 so appropriate exposure levels can be achieved.
The flow sensor 217 can monitor the flow and velocity of the air passing through the device 50. In turn, this sensed information can be used as feedback by the controller 200 to adjust the operation of the prime mover 150. In this way, the controller 150 can adjust the flow and velocity to a level best suited to treat the air passing through the plenum 116 to be exposed to the UV illumination of the UV light source 130 and the heat of the barrier heater 140. A target velocity of the air flow can be reached that best suites the target illumination and temperature to treat the air effectively depending on the implementation or environmental circumstances.
As noted herein, the purification device 50 combines thermal energy with UV-C light and is constructed within a flame retardant and resistant filtration system. The device 50 can be placed in an environment. As disclosed herein, embodiments of the purification device 100 include the barrier heater 140 and can thereby include the various features of the controller 200, sensors, etc. discussed above for the barrier heater 140. Some embodiments may not include the UV light source 130, while other embodiments may include the UV light source 130 along with the various features of the controller 200, sensors, etc. discussed above for the UV light source 130. In particular,
As proposed, the disclosed purification device 50 can eliminate pathogens, such as COVID-19, while filtering the air to 99.97% (ASME, U.S. DOE) of particles. As disclosed in the co-pending application incorporated herein, the configuration can be integrated into an air handling system (20) of a facility.
Although the purification cartridge 50 has been described above as including a frame 110 that accommodates an air filter in the frame 110. The cartridge 50 can include a frame 110 that mounts in the housing 60 already accommodating a filter. In this types of arrangement, the purification cartridge 100 can include a frame 110, an UV light source 130, and a barrier heater 140 as before, but the frame 110 does not necessarily hold or receive an air filter 120. Instead, a separate air filter can be installed at the intake 62 of the housing 60.
Discussion now turns to details of the barrier heater 140 of the disclosed purification device 100. The metal mesh/foam of the barrier heater 140 can have one or more layers of material and can have a suitable thickness. As one example, the mesh/foam may have thickness of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm. Composed of nickel (Ni), mesh/foam may have surface charge density (a) of 1.43×107 C/m2. The Ni mesh/foam is electrically conductive, and it is highly-porous having random three-dimensional channels defined therethrough. The mesh/foam exhibits resistance of about 00.1780, and the electrical resistivity of an exemplary Ni foam is calculated to be about 1.51×10−5 Ωm.
For example,
As noted herein, the barrier heater 140 can use nickel, nickel-based alloys, or iron-based alloys developed for applications at high service temperatures and in corrosive environments. Nickel is slowly oxidized by air at room temperature and is considered corrosion-resistant. Nickel is a high performance metal that can be easily regulated to reach high temperatures with minimal transmission of heat to its surroundings or to air molecules passing through it. When voltage is passed through nickel mesh/foam (1.43×107 σ), for example, the metal conducts energy to a target temperature hot enough to kill pathogens, including COVID-19 on contact. The target temperature can be (56° C. to 66° C. or more, and even over 93° C.) (133° F. to 150° F. or more, and even over 200° F. In this way, the Ni mesh/foam (0.5 mm-2.0 mm) provides a heated, charged surface area for the pathogen to impact and be eliminated by the heated latticework. Meanwhile, the porosity (80-90%) of the foam/mesh of the barrier heater 140 does not impede air flow and does not detrimentally increase the energy required from the purification device 50 to operate the prime mover 150.
As disclosed above, heating in the plenum 116 can be achieved with a barrier heater 140 having the mesh/foam that is heated to the target temperature and provides a tortuous path for return air passing through the mesh/foam. Other forms of heating can be used. As disclosed above, UV illumination in the plenum 116 can be achieved with UV light strips. Other forms of UV illumination can be used.
For example,
As hinted to above, the disclosed purification cartridge 100 can be used separately or in combination with other purification cartridges 100. As one example,
As another example,
As yet another example,
As noted above, the prime mover 150 in the purification device 50 for moving the air in the housing 60 can use one or more blowers or fans.
As noted above, more than one purification device 50 can be used in a facility environment, and these devices 50 can have control configurations for remote or localized control. For example,
As noted previously, the permeable barrier 142 of the barrier heater 140 disclosed herein can have different layers and configurations. In
Considering the flexibility of Ni foam, the corrugated barrier heater 140b offers several advantages. First, the resistance of the Ni foam is much larger with the bends 144, which can help the barrier heater 140b when used with the residential voltage (110 V). Second, as illustrated in
For example,
As will be appreciated, various features of the disclosed purification device 100 with its UV light source 130 and barrier heater 140 can be configured to meet a particular implementation and to treat air for particular pathogens. Testing with actual pathogens requires careful controls, which has been conducted in laboratory environments.
As to the UV light source 130, the intensity, the active area, the wavelength, and other variables of the UV light from the source 130 can be configured to treat air for particular pathogens, and the variables are best determined by direct testing with actual pathogens in a controlled laboratory setting.
As to the barrier heater 140, the thickness, material, active surface area, permeability, corrugations, temperature, and other variables of the permeable barrier 142 from the barrier heater 140 can be configured to treat air for particular pathogens, and the variables are best determined by direct testing with actual pathogens in a controlled laboratory setting.
Previous studies with SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV have established that coronaviruses can be inactivated by heat. See e.g., Leclerca, 2014; Darnell, 2004; Pastorino, 2020. Results of a preliminary study in a BSL3 facility showed SARS-CoV-2 is remarkably heat-resistant for an enveloped RNA virus. Only the 100° C. for 10 minutes protocol totally inactivated the virus.
In particular, heat resistance of the Human SARS-CoV-2 strain (COVID-19) has been conducted in a BSL3 facility. The protocols for the study included using water and saline either at room temperature or at boiling temperature (
After the incubation, 900 μL room-temperature media was added and titrated. The control arm of 10 min and 30 seconds incubation at room temperature remained ineffective in reducing the virus load. By contrast, the protocol 100° C.-30 seconds depicted a trend, but the exposure apparently was not long enough to effectively reduce the virus load, although the virus load in water was relatively lower compared to saline. Only the 100° C.-10 minute protocol for either water or saline was able to totally inactivate the virus (>5 Log10 decrease).
The generated data confirms the virus to be remarkably heat-resistant for an enveloped RNA virus. Additional studies about the heat inactivation can illustrate curves for variable temperatures (50° C., 100° C., 150° C., 200° C., 250° C. & 300° C.) and exposure durations (1 sec, 5 sec, 15 sec, 30 sec, 1 min, 3 min, & 5 min), which can then be correlated to the expected heat damage caused by a barrier heater as disclosed herein, such as having a permeable Ni foam.
According to recent research, however, the heated filter of the disclosed barrier heater 140 can be used safely at high temperatures [(200-250° C.) (392-482° F.)] to kill COVID-19. In particular, research has been conducted at the Galveston National Lab/NIAID Biodefense Laboratory Network (Biosafety Level 4) and include findings of controlled experiments. The research has found COVID-19 to be vaporized in aerosolized air on contact with the specialized heated filter system of the present disclosure (i.e., the disclosed barrier heater 140). The results show a 100-fold decrease in active virus and a 100-percent kill rate of COVID-19 by the heated barrier heater 140. This research shows how COVID-19 can be eliminated from the air.
The disclosed purification device 100 can kill viruses and bacteria in the cycling air efficiently at high temperatures (250° C.) (482° F.). As disclosed herein, the barrier heater 140, such as the nickel (Ni) foam, is low cost, electrically conductive, highly porous with random channels, and mechanically strong with good flexibility, which act as a good filter for sterilization and disinfection in an HVAC system or other environment. A bended Ni foam provides a structure with higher resistance and lower voltage and increases surface area for sterilization. A mechanical kill using temperature and a supercharged, high performance metal may be applied to the setting of COVID-19.
Other related research as disclosed herein has found that there is not a significant temperature increase in the air that passes through the disclosed heated filter given its high performance and design. Primary research of the filter and is conductivity was completed at the Superconductivity Center of Texas at The University of Houston. Research partners include Texas A&M University, Department of Engineering and Engineering Experiment Station and the University of Texas Medical Branch. As has been illustrated, the temperature of the barrier heater 140 of Ni foam increases very fast and can be heated to a high temperature with low wattage power. The air temperature decreases very fast after passing through the heated Ni foam of the barrier heater 140, even at temperatures over 100° C. (212° F.), the air temperature is room temperature at 4 cm away.
The foregoing description of preferred and other embodiments is not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the inventive concepts conceived of by the Applicants. It will be appreciated with the benefit of the present disclosure that features described above in accordance with any embodiment or aspect of the disclosed subject matter can be utilized, either alone or in combination, with any other described feature, in any other embodiment or aspect of the disclosed subject matter.
In exchange for disclosing the inventive concepts contained herein, the Applicants desire all patent rights afforded by the appended claims. Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims include all modifications and alterations to the full extent that they come within the scope of the following claims or the equivalents thereof.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Appl. Nos. 63/018,442 and 63/018,448 both filed 30 Apr. 2020, which are incorporated herein by reference. This application is filed concurrently with U.S. application Ser. No. ______, having Atty. Dkt. No. 1766-0002US1 and entitled “Purification Device Having Heated Filter for Killing Biological Species, Including COVID-19”, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63018442 | Apr 2020 | US | |
| 63018448 | Apr 2020 | US |
