Patent Application
20090020016
The present invention relates to a system for removal of airborne contaminants in a confined space comprising a primary reaction chamber which chamber has an inlet for contaminated air connected to the confined space, which chamber has an outlet for treated air connected to the confined space, and which chamber comprises at least one ultraviolet light tube for the generation of ozone, in which chamber air coming from the confined space is treated with a combination of UV radiation and ozone.
It is generally recognised that airborne pollutants, such as ammonia, bacteria and dust as well as insects and volatile organic compounds having an unpleasant odour inside livestock stables alone and in combination may have a considerable negative impact on the health of production animals and farm workers leading to reduced economy in the livestock production.
A wide range of solutions to these problems has been described including ozone injection to livestock buildings disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,834.
Utilisation of ozone and water atomisation to control odour is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,076,748.
Odour and dust removal equipment using ozone and whirling air stream is disclosed in KR2001069629.
A method and apparatus for producing purified or ozone enriched air to remove contaminants from objects disclosed in WO 00/06209. This method and apparatus relates to the production of purified or ozone enriched air to remove contaminants from objects and is accomplished by a system in which air is drawn in as a stream into the system and flows through ozone generating and germicidal chambers. An ozone generating ultraviolet radiation source disposed within the ozone chamber emits UV radiation having a wavelength approximately 185 nanometers to irradiate the air and generate ozone. The ozonated air enters a germicidal chamber including a germicidal UV radiation source (e.g., emitting radiation having a wavelength of approximately 254 nanometers) that irradiates the ozonated air to destroy contaminants and to catalyse the ozone for enhanced removal of odor causing elements from the air stream. An object of this invention is to remove contaminants from air within a treated space without emitting ozone or ultraviolet radiation into that treated space endangering people and/or animals. However, if the contaminants to be removed comprise particulate matter this will become sticky during ozone treatment and settle on the ultraviolet radiation source with blocking of the emitted radiation as the result. Thus, frequent cleaning of the UV source becomes necessary.
US2004051056 and corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 6,809,326 both discloses an adjustable ozone delivery system for air disinfection comprising an UV light system for treating the air includes an UV tube lamp having a first section for transmitting UV light in a wavelength range that includes maximum ozone production and maximum germicidal activity, and a second section for transmitting UV light in a wavelength range that includes maximum germical activity while excluding the production of ozone; and a movable annular sleeve for controlling the amount of ozone transmitted by the lamp.
US20040140269A1 discloses an ultraviolet-and-ozone disinfection apparatus providing an improvement on disinfection, which includes a disinfection tank, a mercury UV lamp enclosed by a quartz tube for generating UV light with air trapped between them undergoing UV irradiation to generate ozone, an ozone transmitting tube, a spiral water transmitting tube wrapping around the quartz tube in a spiral manner to achieve sufficient disinfection by mixing ozone in water, a sleeve barrel enclosing the spiral tube. Along the entire flow path, water is exposed to UV radiation to achieve sufficient disinfection and reduce excessive ozone that is harmful to human health.
EP 1362828 A1 and JP 04247294 concerns an ultraviolet lamp used for creating ozone. An ultraviolet lamp is enclosed by a container having an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end. An air flow containing molecular oxygen is created between the container and the ultraviolet lamp. A portion of the wavelength of the ultraviolet lamp is used for generating ozone. Another portion of the wavelength of the ultraviolet lamp is used to kill micro organisms or disinfect a fluid. The ozone generated may be released in the fluid, further purifying and deodorizing the fluid. The present invention combines the germicidal properties of a ultraviolet lamp with the deodorizing properties of ozone in a single device which may be used to purify water or other fluid.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,230,571 concerns a method and apparatus for the purification of water with ozone and ultraviolet radiation. Oxygen-containing gas, such as air, is directed to flow in a confined path past an ultraviolet radiation source, such as a mercury vapour lamp. The absorption of ultraviolet radiation by oxygen produces ozone which is entrained in the flowing gas. The gas is next mixed with the contaminated water and the mixture of water and ozone is then directed past the same ultraviolet source in a path isolated from the confined path of gas alone. The ozone in the water acts directly to kill bacteria and viruses and to oxidize undesirable compounds in the water. The ultraviolet radiation also acts directly to kill bacteria and viruses in the water. Additionally the ultraviolet radiation acts as a catalyst for the disinfecting and oxidizing action of the ozone, so that water purification occurs much faster than would occur if the ozone were acting alone.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,141,830 describes an apparatus for purifying liquid such as water, in which an ultraviolet light source irradiates air passing through a first chamber surrounding the source, and then irradiates the liquid passing through the second chamber surrounding the first chamber. The air from the first chamber is ozonated by the U.V. light, and this air is bubbled into the water in the second chamber to maximize the purification through simultaneous ultraviolet and ozone exposure.
WO04011127A1 relates to a method of purifying air, a process for manufacture of fertilizer and an apparatus for purifying air by scrubbing with an acid. The apparatus for purifying air contains washing liquid and comprises: at least one air cleaning unit comprising a scrubber in which the air to be purified is washed with the acid containing washing liquid, and from which the purified air and the spent washing liquid is withdrawn; and a washing liquid control unit, arranged in a distance from the air cleaning unit(s), in which the composition of the spent washing liquid withdrawn from the scrubber is readjusted, if desired, by addition of fresh water and fresh acid and withdrawal of a corresponding amount of the spent washing liquid as a product, such as a fertilizer mixture, before the optionally readjusted washing liquid is transferred to and introduced into the scrubber as acid containing washing liquid. Furthermore the invention relates to a building provided with an apparatus for purifying air
It is an object of the invention to provide a system for removal of airborne pollutants in confined spaces, such as a livestock stable. A further object of the invention is to provide a integrated system for the total removal of germs including bacteria, viruses, and fungal spores and flying arthropods present in confined spaces such as livestock production buildings, industrial production buildings, offices, hospitals, schools, etc. A further object of the invention is to overcome the problem of dust accumulation on the ultraviolet light emitting lamp and production of nitrogen containing toxic gases.
This can be achieved if the ultraviolet light tube is enclosed in an oblong ozone production chamber, which oblong ozone production chamber can be formed in a quartz tube, which oblong production chamber in one end has a further inlet for an oxygen containing air stream coming exclusively from outside the confined space, which oblong production chamber has an outlet positioned in the opposite end and inside the primary reaction chamber, where the ozone containing air stream can be mixed with contaminated air from the inlet to form a combined air stream, which combined air stream is streaming in reversed direction outside the oblong production chamber, where the combined air stream is subjected to ultraviolet light transmitted through the wall of the oblong production chamber, where said ultraviolet light having its wavelength spectrum restricted to the germicidal range and through the action of ozone.
Hereby is achieved an effective system for the removal of airborne contaminants including bacteria, virus, insects, malodour, dust particles, and noxious gases such as NH3 and H2S in production buildings such as livestock stables or barns. The method is useful in a system for odour removal where it may be combined with feed-back control. The invention further relates to an ozone production unit useful in the method of the invention. The present system has the advantage of being an integrated system for the total removal of germs including bacteria, viruses, and fungal spores and flying insects, such as flies and mosquitoes, and other small arthropods including spiders and mites present in confined spaces such as livestock production buildings, industrial production buildings, offices, hospitals, schools, etc.
The invention further relates to a system as described above wherein the chamber comprises at least one nozzle for spraying water into said chamber for the capture and washing out of airborne particles and gaseous ammonia, and flushing of the outer wall of the oblong production chamber, and where the system is further fitted with a drain outlet for water containing trapped pollutants. It is preferred that the spray water is cold water having a temperature in the range of about 8 to 10°. This will ensure that the spray water may act as a cooling means in addition to acting as a flushing means for the quartz tube and a trapping means for dust particles.
It is preferred that in the system of the invention said sprayed water further contains a diluted acid, such as diluted sulphuric acid. The presence of acid in the sprayed water enables basic compounds such as ammonia to be bound due to salt formation with the acid. An acid, such as sulphuric acid, which forms water soluble salts with basic compounds is preferred. In this preferred embodiment the system of the invention has the further advantage of being an integrated system for removal of the full range of air borne contaminants from the air in the above mentioned confined spaces, e.g. closed livestock production units and industrial production buildings where dust and optionally also gaseous ammonia are present as air contaminants. A typical level of ammonia in contaminated air inside a livestock stable may range from about 10 to 40 ppm and up to about 200 ppm. In the context of the present invention a full range of air borne contaminants include organic vapours, such as volatile odourous compounds, toxic gases such as hydrogen sulphide and other sulphureous compounds, gaseous ammonia and the like; air borne bacteria, viruses and fungal spores; organic and inorganic dust particles, flying arthropods including flies, thrips, mosquitoes and spiders.
The present invention relates in another aspect to a system as described above which further comprises a secondary reaction chamber for further ozone mediated reduction of airborne contaminants having a final outlet to the confined space, and where the concentration of ozone in the outlet stream is less than about 0.1-0.2 ppm, and a secondary reaction zone where further contaminant reduction takes place and where the ozone concentration is reduced to less than about 0.05-0.08 ppm when measured in about 1 meter's distance from the outlet. In this embodiment of the invention said secondary reaction chamber is conveniently made up of appropriate piping that leads the discharged cleaned air from the system back into the confined space. An ozone concentration higher than about 0.05 ppm for further odour and germ reduction can safely be allowed inside said secondary reaction chamber. The secondary reaction zone constitutes the space op to about a distance of about 1 meter from the final outlet where still further contaminant reduction may take place until the discharged treated air has an ozone concentration at the level of about 0.05 ppm considered safe for humans. The only slightly elevated ozone concentrations of said secondary reaction zone may contribute to reduction or elimination of arthropods in the confined space.
In a further aspect the invention relates to a system as described above, wherein the radiation emitted from the ultraviolet light tube covers the ultraviolet spectrum from about 280 nm to about 100 nm with at least one spectrum peak in the ozone forming range, preferably at about 184.9 nm and with at least one spectrum peak in the germicidal range, preferably at about 253.7 nm. These radiation ranges enables the dual purpose of ozone generation and germ reduction of the UV light tube.
The ultraviolet light tube is mounted inside a protecting tube. In this way the ozone production chamber is separated from the primary reaction chamber where a higher relative humidity would diminish ozone production. The protecting tube is preferably a quartz tube that reflects the ozone forming short wave UV radiation for increasing the radiation inside the tube, which leads to an increase in the formation of ozone. The quartz tube will permit transmission of the germicidal range UV radiation, thus enabling the full effect of the various peak UV wavelengths generated by the ultraviolet light tube to be utilised in the treatment of contaminated air.
The invention relates in a further aspect to an ozone production chamber preferably for use in a system according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a tubular quartz cylinder enclosing at least one ultraviolet light tube capable of emitting radiation in the ultraviolet spectrum from about 280 nm to about 100 nm with at least one spectrum peak in the ozone forming range, preferably at about 184.9 nm and with at least one spectrum peak in the germicidal range, preferably at about 253.7 nm and where the quartz cylinder permits penetration of radiation having its wavelength peak in the germicidal range but does not permit penetration of radiation having its wavelength peak in the ozone forming range. The ozone production chamber is preferably an elongated unit wherein the light tube is firmly fitted and wherein the inlet (22) is integrated and connected to conducting means to secure the exclusive intake of oxygen containing air from outside the chamber.
During cold and humid seasons it is preferred that the system of the invention utilises inlet air from the outside which has been subjected to a drying process to obtain a relative humidity of less than about 35% in order to minimise unwanted production of hydrogen peroxide in the production chamber.
The system of the invention is especially useful when the confined space is a livestock stable.
In operation a system as shown in
A further positive effect by using the drain nozzles 30 inside the chamber 6 is that the tube 14 on its outside will be continuously washed so that any deposition of dust or other contamination outside the tube 14 will be removed.
The secondary reaction chamber 32 has the effect that an ozone reaction continuous so that the content of ozone is reduced to near a safety level before the air stream leaves the outlet 10.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention the oxygen containing air stream is cooled to a temperature well below about 40° C. in order to prevent the quartz tube from heating to a temperature above 40° C. which could result in reduced ozone production. Further it is preferred that the humidity of the oxygen containing air stream is reduced. In a second possible embodiment of the invention cooling means are used for both reducing the content of humidity and for cooling the oxygen containing air stream.
It is possible to use a very high concentration of oxygen for the production of ozone. Even liquid oxygen could be used after an evaporating process; which process could produce low temperature gaseous oxygen.
Ozone is a toxic and powerful oxidizing gas having a strong disinfecting and odour reducing effect. In addition, ozone can be produced from oxygen containing gas or air, such as atmospheric air, at the desired site of action, and it decomposes naturally within relatively short time to molecular oxygen leaving non-toxic residual products, depending on temperature, relative humidity, pH and presence of other organic or inorganic matter. Ozone is useful for reduction of air borne pollutants. In the present invention ozone is produced when an oxygen containing air stream, such as an uncontaminated atmospheric air stream, is brought into contact with ultraviolet light. At elevated air humidity there is a risk of generation of hydrogen peroxide instead of ozone, and it is therefore preferred to monitor the atmospheric air humidity and establish a pre-desiccations step before bringing the air in contact with the ultraviolet light tube. Preferably, the oxygen containing air stream has a relative humidity of less than about 35%. The oxygen containing air is preferably generated from compressed air using a conventional oxygen generator with means for nitrogen removal and cooling means. In this way the oxygen content of the air stream may be elevated in comparison to normal atmospheric air. It is preferred to use clean air with a low content of particles because these will become ionized through contact with ozone and settle on the light tube resulting in loss of effect.
Due to the toxic nature of ozone it is important to minimize its release into the confined space or building to be treated, especially when livestock and humans are present in the building. In this method relatively low concentrations of ozone are produced resulting in a maximum concentration of about 0.1 ppm at a distance of about 1 meter from the outlet. Ozone reacts primarily with C═C and C—H bonds resulting in decomposition of almost all organic substances to carbon dioxide and water. Ozone decomposes pigments and dyes and the majority of odour producing compounds including sulphur compounds and hydrogen sulphide. Ozone oxidizes metal ions. In the system of the invention using ultraviolet light tubes to generate ozone from atmospheric air nitrogen oxides (NOx) are not produced or produced only in insignificant amounts.
Ozone Interaction with Water and Acid
In the present system water and diluted acid, preferably diluted sulphuric acid, is sprayed directly into the chamber (6) through the nozzle (30) for the capture and washing out of airborne particles and gaseous ammonia. Dust particles, insects and organic molecules tend to stick to an ultraviolet light source during decomposition. Therefore it is preferred, that the outer wall of the oblong ozone production chamber (14) housing the ultraviolet light tube is continually flushed with the sprayed water and diluted acid. Decomposing ozone in the primary reaction chamber (6) generates atomic oxygen that reacts with water droplets or water vapour from the nozzle (30) to form hydroxyl radicals which contributes to pollutant reduction. The diluted acid sprayed into the chamber (6) will react with gaseous ammonia to produce water soluble ammonium salts. The system is fitted with a drain outlet (32) for condensed water from chamber (6), and the water containing trapped pollutants, including odour substances, bacteria, dust, and possibly small insects and spiders and ammonium salts, may be removed through piping to a slurry tank. Due to the use of ozone and sprayed diluted acid, the reaction chamber (6) and its components are made of non-corroding and acid resistant materials.
In addition to the ozone generating effect of ultraviolet light in the wavelength range of about 100 nm to about 200 nm, ultraviolet light in the wavelength range from about 200 nm to about 280 nm, and preferably with a spectrum peak at approximately 254 nm, has a general germicidal effect including lethal effect on insects and spiders. This is utilized in the present invention where the production chamber (14) comprises at least one ultraviolet light source (12) capable of emitting radiation in both the ozone generating range and in the germicidal range inside a hollow quartz tube, where said tube permits clean atmospheric air to enter through the inlet (18) and become ozonized through the action of ozone forming ultraviolet radiation, and after exiting the production chamber (14) through the outlet (22) to be mixed with contaminated air and sprayed water and diluted acid inside the reaction chamber (6), and where said quartz tube further permits transmission of the germicidal range only of the ultraviolet radiation generated from the light tube (12). The mixture of contaminated air, ozone, sprayed water and sprayed diluted acid comprises a primary reaction mixture where in addition germicidal ultraviolet radiation transmitted through the quartz tube contributes to desinfection.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention the atmospheric air stream following the exit from the passage between ultraviolet light tube (12) and quartz tube (14) is reversed and mixed with contaminated air under simultaneous supply of sprayed water droplets containing diluted acid and then subjected to a passage along the outside of the quartz tube where it is irradiated with ultraviolet light of 253.7 nm (UV-C) resulting in the formation of atomic oxygen and hydroxyl radicals. This formation takes place with decomposition of a part of the previously formed ozone resulting in a particularly reactive environment. The presence of water and acid, preferably sulphuric acid, will have the effect that a part of the air borne dust particles are washed out while at the same time flushing the quartz tube and prevent it from becoming clogged. The decomposition of pollutants started in the primary reaction chamber will continue when the air stream exits through outlet (10) during the passage through convenient piping to a final discharge to the confined space.
The air desinfecting and pollutant reducing effect of the system of the invention is dependent on dosage of ultraviolet light and acid as well as air retention time in the system, e.g. retention time in the production chamber (14), the primary reaction chamber (6) and the discharge piping. The ultraviolet dosage can be regulated through control of the number of ultraviolet light tubes in operation and through interaction between the percentage of clean air and recirculated contaminated air from the confined space. The treatment time is controlled through the size of the secondary reaction chambers, e.g. the discharge piping.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, e.g. when the system is installed in a stable, it is further connected to a feed-back system comprising an electronic nose capable of detecting critical ozone levels and having proper monitoring equipment that can shut down full or partly the ozone generation until the concentration in the stable has returned to acceptable levels. In the same way the concentration of gaseous ammonia may be monitored to regulate the amount of sprayed diluted acid.
The system is useful in all types of closed livestock stables where the density of production animals leads to air borne pollution resulting in elevated risk of diseases and decreased production economy. The advantages of using the system of the invention include
reduced pressure of infection from air borne germs and cross contamination
reduced pressure of infection from the external environment
reduced amount of insects, spiders and other arthropods in the confined space
reduced use of antibiotics
increased fodder utilisation and growth rate
a recirculation of a greater proportion of the total air volume is possible
reduced costs of heating during the winter season
economic gain for the farmer
reduced odour discharge to the environment
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PA 2006 00128 | Jan 2006 | DK | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/DK07/00038 | 1/26/2007 | WO | 00 | 7/25/2008 |
