Onsite chemistry air filtration system

• US 7,828,940 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2009
• Issued: 11/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jeffrey L. Roseberry
• Original Assignee: Jeffrey L. Roseberry, Robert A. Darling
• Inventors: Darling, Robert A., Roseberry, Jeffrey L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith; Duane
• Assistant Examiner(s): ORLANDO, AMBER ROSE
• Application Number:
  US12/635,510
• Publication Number:
  US 20100086436A1
• Time in Patent Office: 334 Days
• Field of Search: 96/22, 96/18, 96/19, 96/63, 961/23, 422120-122, 422/186, 422/186.3, 423/210, 952/73, 204/157.3
• US Class Current: 204/157.3
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 9/205 using a photocatalyst or photosensitiser
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/102 Carbon
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2253/104 Alumina
• 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 2257/302 Sulfur oxides
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/304 Hydrogen sulfide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/404 Nitrogen oxides other than dinitrogen oxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/406 Ammonia
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/7022 Aliphatic hydrocarbons
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/7027 Aromatic hydrocarbons
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/708 Volatile organic compounds V.O.C.'s
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/91 Bacteria; Microorganisms
• 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 2259/804 UV light
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 46/0036 by adsorption or absorption
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/0407 Constructional details of adsorbing systems
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/8609 : Sulfur oxides
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/8612 : Hydrogen sulfide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/8625 : Nitrogen oxides
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/8634 : Ammonia
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/8668 : Removing organic compounds not provided for in B01D53/8603 - B01D53/8665
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/8671 : Removing components of defined structure not provided for in B01D53/8603 - B01D53/8668

Abstract

An onsite chemistry air filtration system to remove gaseous contaminants from air is disclosed. The onsite chemistry air filtration system of the present invention comprises: a conventional particulate filtration section, a photochemical filtration section, a static gas phase filtration section and a catalytic filtration section. The conventional particulate filtration section captures solids and condensables. In the photochemical filtration section, UV lamps generate bio-destruction and surface photochemical activity on a semiconductor catalyst material, provide a radiation source to irradiate airborne contaminant molecules and to energize their states to promote reactions and generate airborne ozone and radicals. In the static gas phase filtration section, gas phase filtration media is used to capture contaminants, concentrate them in a relatively confined space and allow airborne generated chemistries to concentrate and react in-situ, thereby creating a regeneration effect on the media. In the catalytic filtration section, catalytic media scavenges and converts airborne radicals and ozone to harmless by-products.

Claims

1. A method for filtering air, comprising the steps of:

providing an onsite chemistry air filtration system comprising a photochemical filtration section and a static gas phase filtration section, the static gas filtration section comprising a first media bed, the first media bed comprising at least one first media having a first useful life, and a second media bed, the second media bed comprised of at least one second media and configured to provide an indication of the first useful life of the at least one first media, wherein the static gas filtration section is disposed after the photochemical filtration section, and wherein the photochemical filtration section is configured to cleanse the at least one first media of the static gas filtration section; and

passing the air through the onsite chemistry air filtration system, wherein the air passes through the photochemical filtration section before the air passes through static gas filtration section.

2. The method for filtering air of claim 1 wherein the photochemical filtration section comprises at least one ultraviolet lamp and a photocatalytic material.

3. The method for filtering air of claim 2 wherein the at least one ultraviolet lamp generates light within a wavelength range of about 85 nm to about 300 nm.

4. The method for filtering air of claim 2 wherein the at least one ultraviolet lamp generates light at the wavelengths of about 185 nm and 254 nm.

5. The method for filtering air of claim 2 wherein the photocatalytic material is titanium dioxide.

6. The method for filtering air of claim 1 wherein the at least one first media comprises activated carbon.

7. The method for filtering air of claim 1 wherein the at least one second media comprises activated alumina impregnated with potassium permanganate.

8. The method for filtering air of claim 1 wherein the onsite chemistry air filtration system further comprises a conventional particulate filtration section, the conventional particulate filtration section comprising at least one particle filter, wherein the air passes through the conventional particulate filtration section before the air passes through the photochemical filtration section.

9. The method for filtering air of claim 1 wherein the onsite chemistry air filtration system further comprises a catalytic filtration section configured to convert ozone and scavenge radicals, wherein the air passes through the catalytic filtration section after the air passes through the photochemical filtration section.

10. The method for filtering air of claim 1 wherein the photochemical filtration section further comprises an electrostatically charged surface.

11. A method for filtering air using an onsite chemistry air filtration system, comprising the steps of:

passing the air through a photochemical filtration section;

passing the air through a static gas phase filtration section, the static gas filtration section comprising a first media bed, the first media bed comprising at least one first media having a first useful life, and a second media bed, the second media bed comprised of at least one second media and configured to provide an indication of the first useful life of the at least one first media, wherein the photochemical filtration section is configured to cleanse the at least one first media of the static gas filtration section.

12. The method for filtering air of claim 11 wherein the photochemical filtration section comprises at least one ultraviolet lamp and a photocatalytic material.

13. The method for filtering air of claim 12 wherein the at least one ultraviolet lamp generates light within a wavelength range of about 85 nm to about 300 nm.

14. The method for filtering air of claim 12 wherein the at least one ultraviolet lamp generates light at the wavelengths of about 185 nm and 254 nm.

15. The method for filtering air of claim 12 wherein the photocatalytic material is titanium dioxide.

16. The method for filtering air of claim 11 wherein the at least one first media comprises activated carbon.

17. The method for filtering air of claim 11 wherein the at least one second media comprises activated alumina impregnated with potassium permanganate.

18. The method for filtering air of claim 11 further comprising the step of passing the air through a conventional particulate filtration section, the conventional particulate filtration section comprising at least one particle filter, wherein the step of passing the air through the conventional particular filtration section occurs before the step of passing the air through the photochemical filtration section.

19. The method for filtering air of claim 11 further comprising the step of passing the air through a catalytic filtration section configured to convert ozone and scavenge radicals, wherein the step of passing the air through the catalytic filtration section occurs after the step of passing the air through the static gas filtration section.

20. A method for filtering air, comprising the steps of:

providing a fan to move the air;

moving the air through a conventional particulate filtration section, the conventional particulate filtration section comprising at least one particle filter;

moving the air through a photochemical filtration section, the photochemical filtration section comprising at least one ultraviolet lamp and a photocatalytic material, wherein the at least one ultraviolet lamp generates light at the wavelengths of about 185 nm and 254 nm, and wherein the photocatalytic material comprises titanium dioxide;

moving the air through a static gas phase filtration section, the static gas filtration section comprising a first media bed, the first media bed comprising at least one first media having a first useful life, and a second media bed, the second media bed comprised of at least one second media and configured to provide an indication of the first useful life of the at least one first media, wherein the photochemical filtration section is configured to cleanse the at least one first media of the static gas filtration section, wherein the at least one first media comprises activated carbon and the at least one second media comprises activated alumina impregnated with potassium permanganate;

moving the air through a catalytic filtration section configured to convert ozone and scavenge radicals.