Modular, High-Throughput Air Treatment System

• US 20110198055A1
• Filed: 02/09/2011
• Published: 08/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Enverid Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Enverid Systems, Inc.
• Inventors: BIRAN, Israel, Meirav, Udi
• Granted Patent: US 8,690,999 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 165/59
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/102 Carbon
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/104 Alumina
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/106 Silica or silicates
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/108 Zeolites
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/204 Metal organic frameworks (MOF's)
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/504 Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/708 Volatile organic compounds V.O.C.'s
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2258/06 Polluted air
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/40007 Controlling pressure or temperature swing adsorption
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/40043 Purging
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/4508 for cleaning air in buildings
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/4566 for use in transportation means
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/4575 in aeroplanes or space ships
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/0407 Constructional details of adsorbing systems
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/0446 Means for feeding or distributing gases
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/0462 Temperature swing adsorption
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/047 Pressure swing adsorption
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/62 Carbon oxides
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/72 Organic compounds not provided for in groups B01D53/48 - B01D53/70, e.g. hydrocarbons
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 2003/0691 Adsorption filters, e.g. activated carbon
• CPC Class Codes: B60H 3/06 : Filtering B60H3/0078 takes precedence
• 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 11/74 : for controlling air flow rate or air velocity
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 13/28 : Arrangement or mounting of filters
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/40 : Pressure, e.g. wind pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/70 : Carbon dioxide
• 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 8/90 : Cleaning of purification apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y02C 20/40 : of CO2

Abstract

Air treatment modules, systems and methods for removing contaminants from indoor air are provided. Device embodiments may include one or more air inlets, one or more air outlets and a plurality of inserts which each include at least one adsorbent material. The inserts may be arranged separate from each other to form a plurality of substantially parallel air flow paths between the one or more air inlets and one or more air outlets. The adsorbent material may be arranged for regeneration within the air treatment module using thermal swing desorption and/or pressure swing desorption. Related systems, methods and articles of manufacture are also described.

Claims

1. An air treatment module for removing contaminants from indoor air, the module comprising:

one or more air inlets;

one or more air outlets; and

a plurality of inserts which each include at least one adsorbent material and are arranged separate from each other to form a plurality of substantially parallel air flow paths between the one or more air inlets and one or more air outlets,

wherein the at least one adsorbent material is arranged for regeneration within the air treatment module using at least one of thermal swing desorption and pressure swing desorption.

2. The air treatment module of claim 1, further comprising a support frame having one or more structural support members for supporting the plurality of inserts, wherein:

the one or more air inlets and one or more air outlets are formed by the support frame and the plurality of inserts.

3. The air treatment module of claim 1, wherein the air treatment module is configured for incorporation within a heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning system.

4. The air treatment module of claim 3, further comprising one or more valves configured to control the amount of indoor air flowing between the air treatment module and the heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning system.

5. The air treatment module of claim 2, wherein the plurality of inserts are positioned within the support frame at an angle relative to the plurality of substantially parallel air flow paths between the one or more air inlets and one or more air outlets.

6. The air treatment module of claim 1, wherein the one or more air inlets and one or more air outlets are offset from each other to force air flowing between the one or more air inlets and one or more air outlets to flow through the at least one adsorbent material.

7. The air treatment module of claim 1, wherein the at least one adsorbent material is selected from the group consisting of zeolite, activated charcoal, silica gel, porous alumina and metal-organic-framework materials.

8. The air treatment module of claim 2, wherein:

the support frame includes an inlet side and an outlet side; and

the one or more air inlets are formed in the inlet side and the one or more air outlets are formed in the outlet side.

9. The air treatment module of claim 2, wherein the one or more air inlets and the one or more air outlets are formed adjacent to each other along one side of the support frame.

10. The air treatment module of claim 1, wherein the at least one adsorbent material removes carbon dioxide or volatile organic compounds from the indoor air.

11. An air treatment system for removing contaminants from indoor air, the system comprising:

a plurality of air treatment modules, each air treatment module having;

one or more air inlets;

one or more air outlets; and

one or more inserts which each include at least one adsorbent material, the at least one adsorbent material being arranged for regeneration within each of the plurality of air treatment modules using at least one of thermal swing desorption and pressure swing desorption,

wherein the plurality of air treatment modules are aligned adjacent to each other and in communication with a common inlet plenum and a common outlet plenum and the one or more inserts of the plurality of adjacent air treatment modules form a plurality of substantially parallel air flow paths between the one or more air inlets and one or more air outlets.

12. The air treatment system of claim 11, wherein:

one or more of the plurality of air treatment modules include a support frame having one or more structural support members for supporting the one or more inserts; and

the one or more air inlets and one or more air outlets are formed by the support frame and the one or more inserts.

13. The air treatment system of claim 11, wherein the air treatment system is configured for incorporation within a heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning system.

14. The air treatment system of claim 13, further comprising one or more valves configured to control the amount of indoor air flowing between the air treatment system and the heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning system.

15. The air treatment system of claim 11, wherein the one or more inserts are positioned within one or more of the plurality of air treatment modules at an angle relative to the plurality of substantially parallel air flow paths between the one or more air inlets and one or more air outlets.

16. The air treatment system of claim 11, wherein the one or more air inlets and one or more air outlets are offset from each other to force air flowing between the one or more air inlets and one or more air outlets to flow through the at least one adsorbent material.

17. The air treatment system of claim 11, wherein the at least one adsorbent material is selected from the group consisting of zeolite, activated charcoal, silica gel, porous alumina and metal-organic-framework materials.

18. The air treatment system of claim 11, wherein the at least one adsorbent material removes carbon dioxide or volatile organic compounds from the indoor air.

19. A method of removing contaminants from indoor air, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of air treatment modules, each air treatment module having;

one or more air inlets;

one or more air outlets; and

one or more inserts which each include at least one adsorbent material, the at least one adsorbent material being arranged for regeneration within each of the plurality of air treatment modules using at least one of thermal swing desorption and pressure swing desorption,

arranging the plurality of air treatment modules adjacent to each other, wherein the one or more inserts of the plurality of air treatment modules form a plurality of substantially parallel air flow paths; and

directing the flow of the indoor air from an air inlet plenum into the one or more air inlets of the plurality of air treatment modules, through one or more of the plurality of substantially parallel air flow paths, through one or more of the at least one adsorbent material and through the one or more air outlets into an air outlet plenum.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the air inlet plenum and air outlet plenum are configured for communicating with a heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning system.