BE1028993A1 - Air pollution control system and associated method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pollution control system having a particularly high air flow.

Description

Air pollution control system and associated process Technical field

The present invention relates to an air pollution control system. Prior art

[0002] In an outdoor urban environment, pollution peaks may occur. They can occur in industrial parks or areas with heavy road/sea/air traffic. They can also occur in other places that are difficult to predict because the sources of this pollution are often unknown in advance. In addition, an accumulation of pollutants can occur in unpredictable places due to particular weather conditions.

[0003] It is known to use a depollution system for a domestic environment in order to purify air of small volume, for example in a house or in offices. However, this solution is not suitable for large volumes of air, nor for treating outdoor air due to the treatment flow being too low to have a significant impact. Summary of the invention

[0004] One of the aims of the invention is to provide a transportable or fixed pollution control system suitable for treating a large volume of polluted air, for example in an urban outdoor environment.

[0005] To this end, the subject of the invention is an air pollution control system, comprising an enclosure, the enclosure defining an air passage and comprising: e an air inlet intended to bring in air to be treated in the depollution system, e an air treatment assembly configured to depollute air, and e an air outlet intended to bring depolluted air out into the atmosphere, the enclosure comprising at least a compressor arranged between the air inlet and the air treatment assembly, each compressor being configured to compress air received from the air inlet before blowing it towards the air treatment assembly, characterized in that the flow rate of the air at the air inlet is greater than 80,000 mh.

[0006] With this particularly high air inlet flow rate, the air pollution control system is particularly suitable for treating polluted air in an urban outdoor environment.

In one embodiment of the invention, the total compression ratio by the compressors is greater than 1.01. This compression ratio allows the pollution control system to process a larger volume of air.

In one embodiment of the invention, the air treatment assembly comprises at least one electrostatic filter.

[0009] In one embodiment of the invention, the speed of the air when it enters the air treatment assembly is less than 40 m/s. This low speed allows the polluted air to pass the air treatment unit more slowly, in order to obtain a better quality of pollution control.

In one embodiment of the invention, the air treatment assembly completely closes off the air passage. An air treatment assembly that completely closes the air passage between the air inlet and the air outlet ensures that any air passing through the pollution control system is treated without letting untreated air pass by the periphery of this processing assembly.

In one embodiment of the invention, the enclosure comprises at least one electric motor configured to drive the compressor.

In one embodiment of the invention, the air treatment assembly directly transfers depolluted air to the air outlet without additional treatment between the air treatment assembly and the air outlet. 'air.

In one embodiment of the invention, the pollution control system weighs between 1 ton and 35 tons. A weight within this range is low enough to allow easy movement of the air pollution control system (for example by being lifted by a crane), while being high enough to obtain a system capable of treating a sufficient volume of air for use in an urban outdoor environment.

In one embodiment of the invention, the enclosure is a container according to the ISO 668 standard. This makes it possible to easily transport the pollution control system.

In one embodiment of the invention, the air inlet has an area greater than 2 m2, preferably greater than 5 m2, or even more preferably greater than 10 m2.

In one embodiment of the invention, the pollution control system is mobile and / or movable by a gripping means, for example by a crane. It is configured not to be fixed to a fixed installation, or to be fixed thereto by elements allowing a separation between the depollution system and the fixed installation.

The invention also relates to a tunnel comprising at least one air pollution control system as described above.

The invention also relates to an assembly of several depollution systems as described above so as to form a horizontal corridor or a vertical chimney.

[0019] A further subject of the invention is a method for depolluting [air] suitable, for example, for depolluting an urban outdoor environment or areas with occasional pollution peaks and comprising the following steps: - providing a depollution according to any one of the preceding claims; - draw air to be treated into the pollution control system through the air inlet; - compress air received from the air inlet by each compressor; - blow compressed air towards the air treatment unit by each compressor;

- decontaminate the air by the air treatment unit; and - blow clean air into the atmosphere through the air outlet.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the method comprises: - dismantling the air treatment assembly; and - clean the air treatment assembly by spraying water. This makes it easy to reuse the pollution control system.

[0021]According to one embodiment, the pollution control system comprises fixed ramps upstream and/or downstream of the air treatment system and a cleaning system in the form of water nozzles mounted on the fixed ramps , and the method includes the step of initiating a cleaning cycle of the air treatment assembly. Brief description of figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following detailed description for the understanding of which reference is made to the appended figures, among which: - Figure 1 is a schematic view of a system of air pollution control according to one embodiment of the invention; - Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of an air pollution control system according to another embodiment, the pollution control system comprising a pre-ionization device; - Figure 3 is a sectional view of the pollution control system of Figure 2; - Figure 4 is a detailed view of the compressor and the preionization device of Figure 2; - Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 without the illustrated pre-ionization device; - Figure 6 is a view of the centrifugal turbine and the preionization device of Figure 2; and - Figure 7 is a view of the pre-ionization device and the air treatment assembly of Figure 2.

Embodiments of the Invention

The present invention is described with particular embodiments and references to figures, but the invention is not limited thereto. The drawings or figures described are only schematic and are not limiting. In addition, the functions described may be performed by other structures than those described in this document.

[0024] In the context of this document, the terms "first" and "second" only serve to differentiate the various elements and do not imply an order between these elements.

In the figures, identical or similar elements may bear the same references.

[0026] Figure 1 illustrates an air pollution control system 10 according to one embodiment of the invention. The depollution system 10 comprises an enclosure 14. Advantageously, the depollution system also comprises at least one gripping zone (not shown in the Figures) fixed to the enclosure 14.

The weight of the pollution control system 10 is between 1 ton and 35 tons. Advantageously, the pollution control system 10 is transportable by a road vehicle. Advantageously, the pollution control system 10 is configured to be fixed on a truck.

The enclosure 14 is for example a maritime container according to the ISO 668 standard. According to one embodiment, this maritime container has a dimension of 12.5 m in a first direction and 2.5 m in a second and third direction. dimensions, the first, second, and third dimensions forming a Cartesian coordinate system.

The enclosure 14 defines an air passage 18. The enclosure 14 comprises an air inlet 20 intended to bring air to be treated into the pollution control system 10, an air treatment assembly 22 configured to clean up the air, and an air outlet 24 intended to bring out the cleaned air into the atmosphere. The enclosure 14 also comprises at least one compressor 28 or a circulator arranged between the air inlet 20 and the air treatment unit 22. Advantageously, the enclosure 14 comprises at least one electric motor 32 configured to drive the compressor 28 or the circulator. This electric motor 32 is for example downstream of the compressor 28, as shown in the figures. Alternatively, this electric motor 32 is upstream of the compressor 28.

The circulator is capable of circulating air. The circulator is for example a fan.

[0031] The compressor 28 does not emit any pollutant. According to an example of the invention, the compressor 28 is an electric compressor. According to another example of the invention, the compressor 28 is driven by energy specific to itself, for example a hydrogen compressor. This cleans the air without creating additional pollution emissions.

[0032] Advantageously, the enclosure 14 comprises an air pre-ionization device 36. According to the embodiments shown in the Figures, the pre-ionization device 36 surrounds the electric motor 32. According to another embodiment, the pre-ionization device 36 is located downstream of the electric motor 32 and upstream of the air treatment assembly 22. The pre-ionization device 36 is capable of at least partially ionizing air before the entry of the latter in the air treatment unit 22.

According to the embodiments illustrated in the Figures, the pre-ionization device 36 has a tubular shape. Alternatively, it has a planar shape.

[0034]According to this embodiment, the enclosure 14 advantageously further comprises water jets 37 upstream of the pre-ionization device 36 able to humidify the air before its ionization, for example by the pre-ionization device. 36 or by the air treatment assembly 22.

Advantageously, the enclosure 14 also includes a centrifugal turbine 38 downstream of the compressor 28. When the enclosure 14 includes the pre-ionization device 36 of [air surrounding the electric motor 32, this centrifugal turbine 38 is capable of supply air to the pre-ionization device 36. The centrifugal turbine 38 relieves the electric motor 32 of part of the load to drive the compressor 28 by recovering part of the kinetic energy of the air flow created by the compressor 28 (gas expansion through a turbine) and distribute the flow to the pre-ionization device 36 or to the air treatment unit 22.

The air flow at the air inlet 20 is greater than 80,000 mh, advantageously greater than 100,000 m3/h, even more advantageously greater than 150,000 m?/h. According to one embodiment, the air inlet 10 has a convergent shape towards the compressor 28. According to another embodiment, the first stage of the compressor 28 has a cross-sectional area substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of the enclosure 14.

According to one embodiment, the air inlet 20 has an area greater than 2 m2, preferably greater than 5 m2, or even more preferably greater than 10 m°. For example, it has a dimension of 2.5 m * 2.5 m.

[0038] The air treatment unit 22 completely closes off the air passage

18. Thus, any air coming from the air inlet 20 is treated by the air treatment unit 20 before being released again into the atmosphere.

[0039] The processing assembly 22 fills the cross section of the enclosure

14. This configuration allows the greatest volume of air to be treated. According to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the air treatment assembly 22 includes at least one filter 42 configured to filter micro-particles. The microparticles have a diameter of less than 100 μm, advantageously less than 10 μm, and more advantageously less than 1 μm, or even less than 100 nm, or even less than 10 nm, or even substantially equal to 1 nm. The filter 42 is for example of the passive type. According to a preferred variant, the filter 42 in the air treatment assembly 22 is an electrostatic filter, that is to say a device which uses electrical forces to separate solid particles from a gas. The device charges the particles, which are then precipitated onto the collecting surfaces of a precipitator, these collecting surfaces being arranged parallel to the airflow. The electrostatic filter makes it possible to treat large volumes of air with little pressure drop, for example a pressure drop of less than 2000 Pa, advantageously less than 1000 Pa, more advantageously less than 500 Pa, or more advantageously less than 100 Pa The electrostatic filter also makes it possible to treat air without significantly reducing its speed. Thus, the electrostatic filter is particularly suitable for treating air that moves at high speeds.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the air treatment unit 22 has a front air obstruction section and a free front section. The obstructing front section at least partially blocks the air passage and prevents air from entering the air handler assembly 22. The free front section allows air to freely enter the air handler assembly 22. air 22 without resistance. The frontal closure section has a sectional area less than 50% of that of the air treatment unit 22, more advantageously less than 25%, and even more advantageously less than 10%. These characteristics are consistent with the above description according to which the air treatment unit 22 completely closes off the air passage 18, since any air that has passed through the free front section is then cleaned inside the unit. air handler 22.

Advantageously and visible in Figure 7, the air treatment assembly 22 comprises a first stage 44 and a second stage 46. The first stage 44 is configured to filter micro-particles as described below. The second stage 46 is configured to treat gases harmful to health such as nitrogen oxides. Alternatively, the first stage 44 is configured to ionize air. The second stage 46 is configured to filter micro-particles as described below.

[0042] The air treatment assembly 22 transfers depolluted air directly to the air outlet 24 without additional treatment between the air treatment assembly 22 and the air outlet 24.

[0043] Each compressor 28 is configured to compress air received from the air inlet 20 before blowing it to the air treatment unit 22.

[0044] Advantageously, the duct connecting the compressor 28 and the air treatment assembly 22 has a section that diverges from the compressor 28 towards the air treatment assembly 22. This configuration allows the air to slow down further. before entering the air handling unit 22.

[0045] Advantageously, the duct connecting the compressor 28 and the air treatment unit comprises at least one sprinkler able to humidify the air in this connecting duct.

The total compression ratio by the compressors 28 is greater than 1.01, advantageously greater than 1.15, more advantageously greater than 1.2, more advantageously greater than 1.5, or even more advantageously greater than 2.

Thanks to the compression of the air by the compressor 28, the speed of the air when it enters the air treatment assembly 22 is less than 40 m/s, advantageously less than 30 m/s. s, more advantageously less than 20 m/s, or even more advantageously less than 10 m/s. Thus, the passage time of polluted air in the air treatment unit 22 is increased to obtain a better quality of treatment.

The gripping area is for example arranged on an upper surface of the enclosure 14. The gripping area is adapted so that an external machine can lift the air pollution control system 10. This can be a handle. As a variant, the gripping zone is arranged on the surface comprising the air inlet 20 or the surface comprising the air outlet 24. Thus, the pollution control system 10 can be placed vertically, the air inlet 20 located above or below the air outlet 24.

According to one embodiment of the invention, during the depollution operation, the depollution system 10 is arranged horizontally, i.e. the air passage 18 is substantially horizontal.

According to another embodiment, during the depollution operation, the depollution system 10 is arranged vertically, i.e. the air passage 18 is substantially vertical. In this case, the air inlet 20 is for example located substantially above the air outlet 24.

[0051] Advantageously, the air outlet 24 comprises a deflector capable of changing the direction of the cleaned air leaving the air outlet 24.

In other words, the invention relates to a pollution control system having a particularly high air flow.

The present invention has been described in relation to specific embodiments, which are purely illustrative and should not be construed as limiting. In general, the present invention is not limited to the examples illustrated and/or described above. The use of the verbs "understand", "include", "compose", or any other variant, as well as their conjugations, can in no way exclude the presence of elements other than those mentioned. The use of the indefinite article "UN", "une", or of the definite article "le", "la" or "l'", to introduce an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of these elements. The reference numbers in the claims do not limit their scope.

Claims (16)

Claims 1. Air pollution control system (10, 110), comprising an enclosure (14), the enclosure (14) defining an air passage (18) and comprising: e an air inlet (20) intended to to enter air to be treated into the depollution system (10, 110), e an air treatment assembly (22) configured to depollute air, and e an air outlet (24) intended to release depolluted air into the atmosphere, the enclosure (14) comprising at least one compressor (28) arranged between the air inlet (20) and the air treatment assembly (22), each compressor (28) being configured to compress air received from the air inlet (20) before blowing it towards the air treatment assembly (22), characterized in that the flow of air at the air inlet (20) is greater than 80,000 mh. 2. An air pollution control system (10, 110) according to claim 1, wherein the total compression ratio by the compressors (28) is greater than 1.01. 3. Air pollution control system (10, 110) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the air treatment assembly (22) comprises at least one electrostatic filter. 4. Air pollution control system (10, 110) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the speed of the air when it enters the air treatment assembly (22) is less than 40 m/s. 5. Air pollution control system (10, 110) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the air treatment assembly (22) completely closes off the air passage (18). 6. Air pollution control system (10, 110) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the enclosure (14) comprises at least one electric motor (32) configured to drive the compressor (28). 7. Air pollution control system (10, 110) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the air treatment assembly (22) directly transfers cleaned air to the air outlet (24 ) without additional treatment between the air treatment assembly (22) and the air outlet (24). 8. Depollution system (10, 110) according to any one of the preceding claims, weighing between 1 ton and 35 tons. 9. Air pollution control system (10, 110) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the enclosure (14) is a container according to the ISO 668 standard. 10. Air pollution control system (10, 110) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the air inlet (20) has an area greater than 2 m2, preferably greater than 5 m2, or even more. preferably greater than 10 m2. 11. Air pollution control system (10, 110) according to any one of the preceding claims, the pollution control system being mobile and/or movable by gripping means. 12. Fixed air channeling tunnel, comprising at least one pollution control system (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11. 13. Assembly of several depollution systems (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 so as to form a horizontal corridor or a vertical chimney. 14. Method for depolluting air, suitable for example for depolluting an urban outdoor environment or areas with occasional pollution peaks, comprising the following steps: - providing a depollution system (10, 110) according to any of the preceding claims; - sucking air to be treated in the pollution control system (10, 110) through the air inlet (20); - compress air received from the air inlet (20) by each compressor (28); - blowing compressed air to the air treatment unit (22) by each compressor (28); - decontaminate air through the air treatment assembly (22); and - blowing depolluted air into the atmosphere through the air outlet (24). 15. Air pollution control method according to the preceding claim, further comprising the following steps: - dismantling the air treatment assembly (22); and - clean the air treatment unit (22) by spraying water. 16. Pollution control method according to claim 14 or 15, the pollution control system (10) comprising fixed ramps upstream and / or downstream of the air treatment system (22) and a cleaning system in the form of water nozzles mounted on the fixed ramps, the method comprising the step of initiating a cleaning cycle of the air treatment unit (22).