AIR CLEANING APPARATUS

• US 3,779,710 A
• Filed: 03/22/1971
• Issued: 12/18/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Norman Burstein, Richard C. Ditzler
• Original Assignee: Norman Burstein, Richard C. Ditzler
• Inventors: Burstein, Norman, Ditzler, Richard C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Scovronek, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US05/126,497
• Time in Patent Office: 1,002 Days
• Field of Search: 23/288F,288J,288K 219/393,411,412,354,553,396-400
• US Class Current: 422/121
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/86 Catalytic processes

Abstract

Apparatus for removing polluting vapors from air by high temperature oxidation of the vapors in the presence of a precious metal catalyst employs a source of radiant energy for heating the catalyst and pollutants. The energy source is insulated from the polluted air as it moves past the catalyst by a quartz glass which surrounds the source. The catalyst is applied to a cellular refractory block which forms passages for the air. Alternatively, the catalyst is applied to glass tubes that serve as the insulating shield for a plurality of spaced heaters, with the spaces between the glass tubes serving as passages for the polluted air.

Claims

2. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said air directing means further includes a multi-passage member extending across said passageway with the passage receiving radiation from said wires;

and said catalyst is attached to the passage walls of said member.

3. Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said quartz glass tubes are formed of 96 percent silica glass.

4. Apparatus for eliminating smoke and vapors from air comprising:

means forming passages for movement of air therethrough;

a precious metal catalyst in said passages and in the path of the moving air, and a source of thermal radiation including a plurality of parallel electrical heater wires;

said passages forming means including means located between said catalyst and said source for passing said radiation to said catalyst and for insulating said source from the air moving in said passages including a plurality of spaced quartz tubes each surrounding a different one of said wires and spaced to form air passages therebetween, said catalyst being attached to outer surfaces of said tubes, and said passage forming means further including a multi-passage refractory block, said catalyst being attached to the passage walls of said block, and means for directing the moving air past said insulating means so that pollutants carried by the air receive radiant energy from said source to be heated thereby.