Air decontamination devices

• US 20040146437A1
• Filed: 05/08/2003
• Published: 07/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Austin Air Systems Limited, Failsafe Air Safety Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Failsafe Air Safety Systems, Inc., Theodore A.M. Arts
• Inventors: Thomsen, James M., Shentag, Jerome, Arts, Theodore A.M., Chirayath, Paul J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,326,387 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/186.07
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/10 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2/202 Ozone
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/015 using gaseous or vaporous substances, e.g. ozone A61L9/20 takes precedence ; evaporation in general B01B1/005
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/16 using physical phenomena
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/20 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/708 Volatile organic compounds V.O.C.'s
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/4508 for cleaning air in buildings
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/804 UV light
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2279/65 for the sterilisation of air
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/10 Particle separators, e.g. dust precipitators, using filter plates, sheets or pads having plane surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/121 V-type arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/007 by irradiation
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/50 Air quality properties
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2221/125 mounted on wheels
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2221/44 Protection from terrorism or theft
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/108 using dry filter elements
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/15 by chemical means
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/158 using active carbon
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/22 using UV light
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/26 : using ozone
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/40 : by ozonisation for sterilisation F24F8/26
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/70 : Efficient control or regulation technologies, e.g. for control of refrigerant flow, motor or heating

Abstract

Air decontamination devices in one example include a filter directly exposed to ultraviolet (“UV”) radiation on an upstream side and a downstream side. Ozone may be provided to permeate the filter, as well. Reflectors may be provided to reflect UV radiation emitted in a direction away from the filter, towards the filter. The filter may be a V-bank filter, for example. Air sampling ports and prefilters may be provided. The air decontamination units may be used to decontaminate the air after industrial and medical contaminations and terrorist biological, chemical and radiological attacks, for example. Mobile isolation units, and methods of decontaminating rooms, are disclosed, as well.

Claims

1. A decontamination device comprising:

a housing defining an air inlet, an air outlet and a path for air to flow from the inlet to the outlet;

a stationary filter positioned within the housing, along the path, the filter having an upstream side to receive air flowing along the path and a downstream side for the exit of air from the filter, to the path;

at least one first stationary ultraviolet lamp positioned to directly illuminate the upstream side of the filter;

at least one second stationary ultraviolet lamp positioned to directly illuminate the downstream side of the filter; and

an ozone generator proximate the filter.

2. The decontamination unit of claim 1, further comprising:

a blower within the housing, along the path, to cause air to flow along the path during operation.

3. The decontamination unit of claim 1, wherein the first and second ultraviolet lamps completely illuminate the upstream and downstream sides of the filter, respectively.

4. The decontamination device of claim 1, further comprising a second ozone generator downstream of the filter.

5. The decontamination device of claim 4, further comprising:

a manually operated control device supported on an exterior surface of the housing;

the control device being coupled to the second ozone generator to control operation of the second ozone generator.

6. The decontamination device of claim 4, further comprising:

a timer coupled to the second ozone generator to control operation of the second ozone generator.

7. The decontamination unit of claim 1, further comprising:

a manually operated control device supported on an exterior surface of the housing;

the control device being coupled to the ozone generator to control operation of the ozone generator.

8. The decontamination device of claim 1, further comprising at least one prefilter positioned along the path, upstream of the first ultraviolet lamp, such that air flows through the at least one prefilter prior to flowing through the filter, during operation.

9. The decontamination device of claim 1, wherein the ozone generator is an ultraviolet lamp.

10. The decontamination device of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one reflector positioned to reflect light from at least one ultraviolet lamp onto a surface of the filter.

11. The decontamination device of claim 10, further comprising:

at least one first reflector positioned to reflect light from the at least one ultraviolet lamp onto the upstream side of the filter; and

at least one second reflector positioned to direct ultraviolet light from the at least one second ultraviolet lamp onto the downstream side of the filter.

12. The decontamination unit of claim 1, wherein:

the filter comprises a plurality of transverse intersecting walls forming at least one upstream facing V-shaped region and at least one downstream facing V-shaped region;

each upstream facing V-shaped region is directly, completely illuminated by the at least one first ultraviolet lamp during operation; and

each downstream facing V-shaped region is directly, completely illuminated by the at least one second ultraviolet lamp.

13. The decontamination device of claim 1, wherein:

the housing has an external wall defining at least one air sampling port through the wall, to provide communication from an exterior of the housing to the path.

14. The decontamination device of claim 1, further comprising an intake duct adapter fixed to the housing, proximate the air inlet.

15. The decontamination device of claim 1, further comprising an exhaust duct adapter fixed to the housing, proximate the air outlet.

16. The decontamination unit of claim 1, wherein the filter removes at least 99.97 percent of particles of 0.3 micron size during operation.

17. The decontamination unit of claim 16, wherein the filter removes at least 99.99 percent of particles of 0.1 micron size during operation.

18. The decontamination unit of claim 1, wherein the filter comprises ultraviolet transmissive material.

19. The decontamination unit of claim 1, wherein the filter comprises fire resistant material.

20. The decontamination unit of claim 1, wherein, the second ultraviolet lamp emits radiation capable of breaking down ozone, during operation.

21. The decontamination unit of claim 20, further comprising:

a manually operated control device supported on an exterior of the housing;

the control device being coupled to the second ultraviolet lamp to control operation of the second ultraviolet lamp.

22. The decontamination unit of claim 21, further comprising:

a manually operated control device supported on an exterior surface of the housing;

the control device being coupled to the ozone generator, to the blower and to the second UV lamp such that activation of the switch turns on the ozone generator, turns off the blower and turns off the second UV lamp.

23. The decontamination unit of claim 1, further comprising:

an ozone detector proximate to the air inlet;

the ozone detector being coupled to the ozone detector to control operation of the ozone generator.

24. The decontamination unit of claim 1, further comprising:

a high efficiency gas absorber coupled to the inlet.

25. A method of decontaminating air comprising:

flowing air through a filter from an upstream side to a downstream side of the filter;

illuminating the entire upstream side of the filter with ultraviolet light, while the air is flowing through the filter;

illuminating the entire downstream side of the filter with ultraviolet light, while the air is flowing through the filter; and

permeating the filter with ozone while the air is flowing through the filter.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the method is implemented by a device, the method further comprising:

remotely controlling operation of the device.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the method is implemented by a device, the method further comprising:

operating the device in accordance with a program.

28. A decontamination unit comprising:

a housing defining an inlet, an outlet, and a path for air to flow from the inlet to the outlet;

a filter positioned along the path to filter air flowing along the path, the filter comprising a plurality of transverse intersecting walls defining at least one upstream facing chamber to receive air along the path, and a downstream side for air to exit from the filter, to the path; and

at least one ultraviolet lamp upstream of the filter, facing the at least one chamber, to completely, directly illuminate the at least one chamber.

29. The decontamination unit of claim 28, further comprising:

a blower within the housing, along the path, to cause air to flow along the path during operation.

30. The decontamination unit of claim 28, further comprising:

at least one reflector upstream of the at least one ultraviolet lamp, to reflect ultraviolet light emitted by the at least one ultraviolet lamp, onto the at least chamber.

31. The decontamination unit of claim 30, wherein the at least one ultraviolet lamp is at least partially within a region defined by the chamber.

32. The decontamination unit of claim 28, wherein the downstream side of the filter defines at least one downstream facing chamber, the unit further comprising:

at least one second ultraviolet lamp downstream of the filter, facing the at least one downstream facing chamber, to completely, directly illuminate the at least one downstream facing chamber.

33. The decontamination unit of claim 32, further comprising:

at least one second reflector downstream of the at least one second ultraviolet lamp, to reflect ultraviolet light emitted by the at least one second ultraviolet lamp, onto the at least downstream facing chamber.

34. The decontamination unit of claim 33, wherein the at least one second ultraviolet lamp is within a second region defined by the downstream facing chamber.

35. The decontamination unit of claim 34, wherein:

the filter comprises a plurality of transverse, intersecting walls;

the plurality of walls define a plurality of upstream and downstream facing V-shaped chambers;

a plurality of first ultraviolet lamps face each upstream facing chamber, to completely, directly illuminate each V-shaped region;

a respective first reflector is provided upstream of each first ultraviolet lamp, to reflect ultraviolet light emitted by each ultraviolet lamp, toward a respective upstream facing V-shaped region;

a plurality of second ultraviolet lamps facing each downstream facing V-shaped region to completely, directly illuminate each V-shaped region; and

a respective second reflector is provided downstream of each second ultraviolet lamp, to reflect ultraviolet light emitted by each ultraviolet lamp, toward a respective downstream facing V-shaped region.

36. The decontamination unit of claim 35, wherein each ultraviolet lamp is at least partially within a respective V-shaped region.

37. The decontamination unit of claim 28, further comprising:

an ozone generator proximate the filter.

38. The decontamination unit of claim 28, further comprising:

a prefilter along the path, upstream of the filter.

39. The decontamination unit of claim 28, wherein the filter removes at least 99.97 percent of particles of 0.3 micron size, during operation.

40. The decontamination unit of claim 28, wherein the filter comprises ultraviolet transmissive material.

41. The decontamination unit of claim 28, wherein the filter is fire resistant.

42. The decontamination unit of claim 28, wherein the housing has an external wall defining an air sampling port through the wall, enabling communication between an exterior of the housing and the path.

43. A method of decontaminating air, comprising:

flowing air through a filter, the filter having at least one upstream facing chamber to receive air to be filtered; and

completely, directly illuminating the at least one upstream facility chamber with ultraviolet light while the air is flowing through the filter.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the filter further comprises at least one downstream facing chamber, the method further comprising:

completely, directly illuminating the at least one downstream facing chamber with ultraviolet light while the air is flowing through the filter.

45. The method of claim 44, further comprising:

permeating the filter with ozone while the air is flowing through the filter.

46. A decontamination unit comprising:

a housing defining an inlet, an outlet, and a path for air to flow from the inlet to the outlet;

a filter positioned along the path to filter air flowing along the path, the filter having an upstream side defining at least one upstream facing chamber to receive air along the path, and a downstream side for air to exit from the filter, to the path; and

at least one ultraviolet lamp upstream of the filter, positioned at least partially within a region defined by the chamber, to illuminate the chamber.

47. The decontamination unit of claim 46, further comprising:

a blower to cause air to flow along the path.

48. A decontamination unit comprising:

a housing defining an inlet, an outlet, and a path for air to flow from the inlet to the outlet; and

a filter positioned along the path, to filter air flowing along the path;

the housing having an external wall defining an air sampling port through the wall, enabling communication between an exterior of the housing and the path.

49. The decontamination unit of claim 48, further comprising a blower within the housing, along the path, to move air from the inlet to the outlet.

50. The decontamination unit of claim 49, wherein the blower is downstream df the filter.

51. The decontamination unit of claim 48, wherein:

the port is an air sampling port; and

air is drawn from the exterior of the housing, through the port, to the path.

52. The decontamination unit of claim 51, further comprising a sampling tube received within the air sampling port, to collect air external to the housing.

53. The decontamination unit of claim 51, further comprising a particulate collector received within the port, to collect particles in the air external to the housing.

54. The decontamination unit of claim 48, further comprising:

a selectable prefilter along the path, upstream of the filter.

55. The decontamination unit of claim 54, wherein the selectable filter may be selected based on air sampling results.

56. The decontamination unit of claim 48, further comprising:

at least one first ultraviolet lamp positioned to illuminate an upstream side of the filter;

at least one second ultraviolet lamp positioned to illuminate a downstream side of the filter;

at least one ozone generator proximate the filter.

57. The decontamination unit of claim 56, wherein:

the filter comprises a plurality of transverse intersecting walls defining at least one upstream facing V-shaped region and at least one downstream facing V-shaped region;

the at least one first ultraviolet lamp comprises a respective ultraviolet lamp facing each upstream facing V-shaped region; and

the at least one second ultraviolet lamp comprises a respective ultraviolet lamp facing each downstream facing V-shaped region.

58. A method of decontaminating air with a decontamination unit, the method comprising:

flowing air along a path through the unit, the path including a filter;

filtering the air; and

collecting an air sample, via the unit.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein the decontamination unit comprises a wall defining an air sampling port providing communication between an exterior to the wall and the path, the method further comprising:

drawing air external to the unit through the air sampling port, towards the path, to collect the sample.

60. The method of claim 59, further comprising:

collecting air samples by a sampling tube received within the air sampling port.

61. The decontamination unit of claim 59, comprising collecting particles from the air with a particulate collector received within the port.

62. The method of claim 58, further comprising:

selecting a prefilter based on sampling results; and

positioning the prefilter upstream of the filter in the decontamination unit.

63. An isolation device, comprising:

a frame;

a barrier mounted on the frame to partially enclose a space;

an air conducting unit attached to the barrier, the air conducting unit having an air inlet exposed to the enclosed space and an air outlet exposed to an exterior of the device, to conduct air between the partially enclosed space and the exterior of the device; and

a recycling vent to provide communication from the air conducting unit to a location proximate the enclosed space, to provide filtered air to the enclosed space.

64. The isolation device of claim 63, further comprising:

a blower for causing air to flow through the air conducting unit from the air inlet to the air outlet, within the air conducting unit.

65. The isolation device of claim 63, further comprising:

a baffle within the air conducting unit to deflect at least a portion of the air flowing from the air inlet to the air outlet through the air conducting unit out of the recycling vent, during operation.

66. The isolation unit of claim 65, wherein from 50% to 75% of the air flowing from the air inlet to the air outlet through the air conducting unit is deflected out of the recycling vent.

67. The isolation device of claim 63, further comprising:

a filter within the air conducting unit, the filter having an upstream side to receive air flowing through the unit and a downstream side for the exit of air passing through the filter;

a first stationary ultraviolet lamp supported by the air conducting unit and positioned upstream of the filter to illuminate the upstream side of the filter; and

a second stationary ultraviolet lamp supported by the air conducting unit to illuminate the downstream side of the filter.

68. The isolation device of claim 67, further comprising an ozone generator proximate the filter.

69. The isolation device of claim 63, further comprising:

a bed, wherein at least a portion of the bed is within the partially enclosed space.

70. The isolation device of claim 63, wherein the frame is mobile.

71. An isolation wheelchair, comprising:

a movable frame;

a barrier mounted on the frame and partially enclosing a space;

a seat attached to the movable frame beneath or within the partially enclosed space;

an air conducting unit attached to the barrier, the air conducting unit having an air inlet exposed to the enclosed space and an air outlet exposed to an exterior of the device, to conduct air between the partially enclosed space and the exterior of the device; and

a recycling vent connecting the air conducting unit to a location proximate the enclosed space, to provide filtered air to the enclosed space.

72. The isolation wheelchair of claim 71, further comprising:

a blower for causing air to flow through the air conducting unit from the air inlet to the air outlet.

73. The isolation wheelchair of claim 71, further comprising:

a baffle within the air conducting unit to deflect at least a portion of the air flowing from the air intake to the air outlet through the air conducting unit, out of the recycling vent, during operation.

74. The isolation wheelchair of claim 71, wherein from 50% to 75% of the air flowing from the air intake to the air outlet through the air conducting unit is deflected out of the recycling vent.

75. The isolation wheelchair of claim 71, further comprising:

a filter positioned within the air conducting unit, the filter having an upstream side to receive air to be filtered and a downstream side for air to exit the filter;

a first ultraviolet lamp positioned within the air conducting unit to illuminate the upstream side of the filter; and

a second ultraviolet lamp positioned within the air conducting unit to illuminate the downstream side of the filter.

76. The isolation wheelchair of claim 71, further comprising:

an ozone generator proximate the filter.

77. A method of decontaminating a room, comprising:

producing germicidal concentrations of ozone throughout the room;

causing air in the room to flow through a filter, from an upstream side of the filter to a downstream side of the filter; and

illuminating the upstream and downstream sides of the filter with germicidal levels of ultraviolet light.

78. A method of decontaminating a room, comprising:

drawing air from the room through a filter having an upstream side to receive the air and a downstream side for air to exit the filter;

illuminating an entire upstream side of the filter with ultraviolet light, while the air is flowing through the filter;

illuminating an entire downstream side of the filter with ultraviolet light, while the air is flowing through the filter;

permeating the filter with ozone while the air is flowing through the filter; and

ducting the filtered air out of the room to create a negative pressure within the room.

79. The method of claim 78, wherein the room is a prison cell, the method comprising:

drawing air from the prison cell through the filter.

80. A method of decontaminating a room, comprising:

flowing air outside of the room through a filter having an upstream side to receive the air and a downstream side from which the air exits the filter;

illuminating an entire upstream side of the filter with ultraviolet light, while the air is flowing through the filter;

illuminating an entire downstream side of the filter with ultraviolet light, while the air is flowing through the filter;

permeating the filter with ozone while the air is flowing through the filter; and

ducting the filtered air into the room to create a positive pressure within the room.