High Efficiency Ultra-Violet Reactor

• US 20170007736A1
• Filed: 02/18/2015
• Published: 01/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Blutec, LLC
• Original Assignee: Blutec, LLC
• Inventors: Engelhard, Rolf
• Granted Patent: US 10,449,265 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/20 Ultraviolet radiation
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/205 using a photocatalyst or photosensitiser
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2255/1021 Platinum
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2255/20707 Titanium
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2255/2073 Manganese
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2255/802 Photocatalytic
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/106 Ozone
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/502 Carbon monoxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/91 Bacteria; Microorganisms
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2258/06 Polluted air
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/4508 for cleaning air in buildings
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/804 UV light
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/007 by irradiation
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/864 Removing carbon monoxide or hydrocarbons
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/8675 Ozone
• 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

A high efficiency ultra-violet air purification system is disclosed. The system includes an apparatus for purifying air. The apparatus includes a chamber having a hollow interior and having an inlet and an outlet, the chamber having an inner reflective surface. The apparatus further includes an ultraviolet (UV) light source mounted within the hollow interior of the chamber between the inlet and the outlet. The apparatus further includes a honeycomb structure mounted to each of the inlet and the outlet of the UV chamber, the honeycomb structure having an array of hexagonal passages that are orthogonal to the inner reflective surface of the chamber, each hexagonal passage being at least partly coated with a UV catalyst and a UV light absorption coating.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a chamber having a proximal opening and a distal opening;

an ultraviolet (UV) light source mounted within the chamber between the proximal opening and the distal opening; and

a UV light absorbing member coupled to each end of the UV light source near the proximal opening and the distal opening of the chamber.

2. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the UV light absorbing member includes a honeycomb structure.

3. The apparatus in accordance with claim 2, wherein the honeycomb structure includes an array of passages that are coated with a UV catalyst.

4. The apparatus in accordance with claim 3, wherein each passage of the array of passages has a cross-sectional diameter of 0.5 to 2 mm.

5. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the UV light source includes a quartz lamp to generate UV-C light, and an opaque end cap on each end of the quartz lamp.

6. The apparatus in accordance with claim 5, wherein the opaque end cap of the UV light source is formed of ceramic.

7. An apparatus comprising:

an ultraviolet (UV) chamber having an inlet and an outlet, the UV chamber being coated with a reflective material;

a UV light source mounted within the UV chamber between the inlet and the outlet; and

a honeycomb structure mounted to each of the inlet and the outlet of the UV chamber, the honeycomb structure having an array of hexagonal passages, each hexagonal passage being at least partly coated with a UV catalyst and a UV light absorption coating.

8. The apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein each hexagonal passage has a maximum cross-sectional diameter of 0.5 to 2 mm.

9. The apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein the UV light source includes a quartz lamp to generate UV-C light, and an opaque end cap on each end of the quartz lamp.

10. The apparatus in accordance with claim 9, wherein the opaque end cap of the UV light source is formed of ceramic.

11. The apparatus in accordance with claim 7, further comprising a fan mounted at the outlet of the UV chamber, the fan being adapted to pull air into the inlet, through the UV chamber, and out through the outlet.

12. An apparatus comprising:

a chamber having a hollow interior and having an inlet and an outlet, the chamber having an inner reflective surface;

an ultraviolet (UV) light source mounted within the hollow interior of the chamber between the inlet and the outlet; and

a honeycomb structure mounted to each of the inlet and the outlet of the UV chamber, the honeycomb structure having an array of hexagonal passages that are orthogonal to the inner reflective surface of the chamber, each hexagonal passage being at least partly coated with a UV catalyst and a UV light absorption coating.

13. The apparatus in accordance with claim 12, wherein each hexagonal passage has a maximum cross-sectional diameter of 0.5 to 2 mm.

14. The apparatus in accordance with claim 12, wherein the UV light source includes a quartz lamp to generate UV-C light, and an opaque end cap on each end of the quartz lamp.

15. The apparatus in accordance with claim 14, wherein the opaque end cap of the UV light source is formed of ceramic.

16. The apparatus in accordance with claim 12, further comprising a fan mounted at the outlet of the chamber, the fan being adapted to pull air into the inlet, through the hollow interior of the chamber, and out through the outlet.