Carbon fiber composite molecular sieve electrically regenerable air filter media

• US 5,827,355 A
• Filed: 01/31/1997
• Issued: 10/27/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Burchell, Timothy D., Judkins, Roddie R., Wilson, Kirk A.
• Primary Examiner(s): SPITZER, ROBERT H
• Application Number:
  US08/792,560
• Time in Patent Office: 634 Days
• Field of Search: 95/90, 95/114-116, 95/136, 95/139, 95/148, 96/108, 96/121, 96/126-128, 96/130, 96/143, 96/146, 55/527
• US Class Current: 95/114
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/102 Carbon
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/116 Molecular sieves other than zeolites
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/25 Coated, impregnated or composite adsorbents
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/311 Porosity, e.g. pore volume
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/34 Specific shapes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2258/06 Polluted air
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/40096 by using electrical resistance heating
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2259/4508 for cleaning air in buildings
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/02 by adsorption, e.g. preparative gas chromatography solid sorbent compositions B01J20/00, preparation of inorganic compounds or elements C01
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/0415 Beds in cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/0438 Cooling or heating systems
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/047 Pressure swing adsorption
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 95/903 Carbon

Abstract

An electrically regenerable gas filter system includes a carbon fiber composite molecular sieve (CFCMS) filter medium. After a separate medium-efficiency pre-filter removes particulate from the supply airstream, the CFCMS filter sorbs gaseous air pollutants before the air is recirculated to the space. When saturated, the CFCMS media is regenerated utilizing a low-voltage current that is caused to pass through the filter medium.

Claims

1. An electrically regenerable gas filter method for removing pollutants from a polluted gas comprising the steps of:

(A) Providing a carbon fiber composite molecular sieve medium comprising an activated carbon fiber composite material further comprising a multiplicity of porous carbon fibers bonded with a carbonizable organic binder to form an open, permeable structure, said composite defining a porosity in a range of approximately 82-86%;

(B) Passing the polluted gas into said filter medium to sorb pollutants from the unacceptable gas onto said filter medium and to pass acceptable gas therefrom; and

(C) Passing an electrical current through said filter medium to desorb sorbed pollutants from said filter medium.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising an additional step of:

(D) directing the desorbed pollutants away from the acceptable gas using a containment means.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said containment means comprises at least one means selected from the group of means consisting of ducts, dampers, and fans.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of:

(E) exhausting said desorbed pollutants from said containment means.

5. An electrically regenerable gas filter apparatus comprising:

(A) a carbon fiber composite molecular sieve filter medium for sorbing pollutants from an unacceptable gas flowing thereinto and permitting an acceptable gas to flow therefrom comprising an activated carbon fiber composite material further comprising a multiplicity of porous carbon fibers bonded with a carbonizable organic binder to form an open, permeable structure, said composite defining a porosity in a range of approximately 82-86%; and

(B) a regenerating means for causing an electrical current to pass through said filter medium to desorb sorbed pollutants from said filter medium.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising:

(C) containment means for directing desorbed pollutants away from acceptable gas.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said containment means comprises at least one means selected from the group of means consisting of ducts, dampers, and fans.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said containment means comprises exhausting means for exhausting sorbed pollutants from said apparatus.