Air Cleaning Unit, and Method of Air Disinfection

• US 20080112845A1
• Filed: 11/13/2007
• Published: 05/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Charles E. Dunn
• Original Assignee: Charles E. Dunn
• Inventors: Dunn, Charles E.
• Application Number:
  US11/939,534
• Publication Number:
  US 20080112845A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/24
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/205 using a photocatalyst or photosensitiser
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/167 using catalytic reactions
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/192 by electrical means, e.g. by applying electrostatic fields or high voltages
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 8/22 using UV light
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/20 Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters

Abstract

An air cleaning unit is provided. The air cleaning unit includes a housing having an air intake and an air outlet. Intermediate the air intake and air outlet is an air filtration medium. Also within the housing is at least one UV-C lamp. The air cleaning unit also includes an odor-reducing medium, such as a photocatalytic oxidation (“PCO”). filter. A method for filtering air using the air cleaning unit is also provided.

Claims

1. An air cleaning unit for an air moving system comprising:

a housing having an air intake and an air outlet;

a particle filtration medium intermediate the air intake and the air outlet;

at least one UV-C lamp intermediate the air intake and the air outlet; and

a VOC and odor-reducing medium, the VOC and odor-reducing medium defining a photocatalytic oxidation filter.

2. The unit of claim 1, wherein the particle filtration medium is fabricated from a material that is resistant to deterioration under exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

3. The unit of claim 2, wherein the particle filtration medium is a MERV rated filter having a MERV rating of about 5 to 11.

4. The unit of claim 3, wherein the air cleaning unit operates within about 0.09 in. w.g. to about 0.31 in. w.g. static pressure.

5. The unit of claim 3, wherein the air cleaning unit is configured to be placed in-line with ductwork for an air handling system.

6. The unit of claim 5, wherein:

the air handling system is a heating, ventilating and air conditioning system; and

the air handling system is designed to handle 1.5 to 5.0 unit tons of air.

7. The unit of claim 5, wherein the unit is part of a motorized air filtering unit without heating and cooling capabilities.

8. The unit of claim 3, wherein the air filtration medium is a five-inch, MERV-11 filter.

9. The unit of claim 1, wherein the housing has at least two sides having double walls.

10. The unit of claim 1, wherein at least two sides of the housing are insulated with a ceramic coating.

11. The unit of claim 10, wherein the photocatalytic oxidation filter:

comprises titanium dioxide; and

is pleated in order to reduce w.g. pressure consumption of the air cleaning unit.

12. The unit of claim 1, further comprising:

a ballast for supporting at least two UV-C lamps; and

at least one socket for connecting the UV-C lamps to the ballast.

13. The unit of claim 12:

wherein the ballast is microprocessor-controlled; and

the air cleaning unit further comprises at least one specular aluminum reflector below each lamp.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein:

the air filtration medium is a MERV rated filter;

the air cleaning unit operates within about 0.12 in. w.g. static pressure

14. A method for filtering air that is circulated through ductwork in an air handling system, the method comprising:

providing at least one air cleaning unit, each unit comprising;

a housing having an air intake and an air outlet,

a particle filtration medium intermediate the air intake and air outlet,

at least one UV-C lamp intermediate the air intake and air outlet, and

a photocatalytic oxidation filter for at least partially filtering volatile organic compounds and odors; and

installing the housing of each of the air cleaning units within the air handling system such that each of the at least one units is placed in-line with the ductwork for the air handling system.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the air handling system is a heating, ventilating and air conditioning system or a furnace.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein:

the at least one air cleaning unit defines a single air cleaning unit; and

the air cleaning unit is installed into the air handling system in either a horizontal position or a vertical position.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein:

the air cleaning unit is installed into the air handling system in a vertical position.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein:

the at least one UV-C lamp is adjacent the air intake;

the air cleaning unit is positioned adjacent fins of a heating, ventilating and air conditioning system; and

the at least one UV-C lamp is oriented perpendicular to the fins of the heating, ventilating and air conditioning system.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein:

the at least one air cleaning unit defines a plurality of air cleaning units; and

the air cleaning units are installed adjacent to one another so as to receive and filter air as air enters an air handling system.

21. A method for bidding on a residential job specification, comprising:

receiving a request for a bid for the installation of an air cleaning unit from a potential customer; and

responding to the bid by offering an air cleaning unit comprising;

a housing having an air intake and an air outlet,

an air filtration medium intermediate the air intake and the air outlet,

at least one UV-C lamp intermediate the air intake and the air outlet, and

a photocatalytic oxidation filter; and

wherein the air cleaning unit has about a 0.09 in. w.g. to about 0.31 in. w.g. static pressure.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

installing the air cleaning unit into a heating, ventilating and air conditioning system for the potential customer.