CA1241524A - Abatement of indoor formaldehyde vapour and other indoor gaseous pollutants - Google Patents
Abatement of indoor formaldehyde vapour and other indoor gaseous pollutantsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1241524A CA1241524A CA000472473A CA472473A CA1241524A CA 1241524 A CA1241524 A CA 1241524A CA 000472473 A CA000472473 A CA 000472473A CA 472473 A CA472473 A CA 472473A CA 1241524 A CA1241524 A CA 1241524A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- formaldehyde
- coating
- indoor
- filter
- water soluble
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- WSFSSNUMVMOOMR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Formaldehyde Chemical compound O=C WSFSSNUMVMOOMR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title abstract description 48
- 239000003344 environmental pollutant Substances 0.000 title abstract description 22
- 231100000719 pollutant Toxicity 0.000 title abstract description 22
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 17
- 150000001299 aldehydes Chemical class 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 229920002873 Polyethylenimine Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 150000001412 amines Chemical class 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- HGINCPLSRVDWNT-UHFFFAOYSA-N Acrolein Chemical compound C=CC=O HGINCPLSRVDWNT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 239000003973 paint Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- IKHGUXGNUITLKF-UHFFFAOYSA-N Acetaldehyde Chemical compound CC=O IKHGUXGNUITLKF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 125000000524 functional group Chemical group 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 12
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 11
- PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N glycerol group Chemical group OCC(O)CO PEDCQBHIVMGVHV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000004014 plasticizer Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- WSFSSNUMVMOOMR-NJFSPNSNSA-N methanone Chemical compound O=[14CH2] WSFSSNUMVMOOMR-NJFSPNSNSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 125000002924 primary amino group Chemical group [H]N([H])* 0.000 claims description 3
- LYCAIKOWRPUZTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethylene glycol Chemical compound OCCO LYCAIKOWRPUZTN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 6
- DNIAPMSPPWPWGF-UHFFFAOYSA-N Propylene glycol Chemical compound CC(O)CO DNIAPMSPPWPWGF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 6
- MTHSVFCYNBDYFN-UHFFFAOYSA-N diethylene glycol Chemical compound OCCOCCO MTHSVFCYNBDYFN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 6
- OAKJQQAXSVQMHS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrazine Chemical compound NN OAKJQQAXSVQMHS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 4
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims 3
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims 2
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 abstract description 6
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 7
- 230000002378 acidificating effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000011152 fibreglass Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- ODGAOXROABLFNM-UHFFFAOYSA-N polynoxylin Chemical compound O=C.NC(N)=O ODGAOXROABLFNM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000001179 sorption measurement Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000004639 urea-formaldehyde foam Substances 0.000 description 3
- QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ammonia Chemical compound N QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon dioxide Chemical compound O=C=O CURLTUGMZLYLDI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000007796 conventional method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 150000002429 hydrazines Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- -1 hydrogen halides Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 229920013730 reactive polymer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- NOWKCMXCCJGMRR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Aziridine Chemical compound C1CN1 NOWKCMXCCJGMRR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- VGGSQFUCUMXWEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethene Chemical compound C=C VGGSQFUCUMXWEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000005977 Ethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920005830 Polyurethane Foam Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229910006069 SO3H Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004902 Softening Agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium oxide Inorganic materials [O-2].[O-2].[O-2].[Al+3].[Al+3] PNEYBMLMFCGWSK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 125000003277 amino group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 229910021529 ammonia Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000007864 aqueous solution Substances 0.000 description 1
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000013590 bulk material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000001569 carbon dioxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910002092 carbon dioxide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 125000003178 carboxy group Chemical group [H]OC(*)=O 0.000 description 1
- 125000002843 carboxylic acid group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 239000003054 catalyst Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003610 charcoal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000354 decomposition reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009792 diffusion process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000428 dust Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920001971 elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000806 elastomer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000001771 impaired effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004816 latex Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000126 latex Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000013618 particulate matter Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000011120 plywood Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920005862 polyol Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 150000003077 polyols Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 239000011496 polyurethane foam Substances 0.000 description 1
- QQONPFPTGQHPMA-UHFFFAOYSA-N propylene Natural products CC=C QQONPFPTGQHPMA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 125000004805 propylene group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])C([H])([*:1])C([H])([H])[*:2] 0.000 description 1
- 230000009257 reactivity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920006395 saturated elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 150000003335 secondary amines Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 239000000741 silica gel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910002027 silica gel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005507 spraying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 125000000542 sulfonic acid group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 231100000331 toxic Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 230000002588 toxic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920003169 water-soluble polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
- B01D53/34—Chemical or biological purification of waste gases
- B01D53/46—Removing components of defined structure
- B01D53/72—Organic compounds not provided for in groups B01D53/48 - B01D53/70, e.g. hydrocarbons
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
- B01D53/34—Chemical or biological purification of waste gases
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
- B01D53/34—Chemical or biological purification of waste gases
- B01D53/46—Removing components of defined structure
- B01D53/48—Sulfur compounds
- B01D53/50—Sulfur oxides
- B01D53/508—Sulfur oxides by treating the gases with solids
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
- B01D53/34—Chemical or biological purification of waste gases
- B01D53/46—Removing components of defined structure
- B01D53/48—Sulfur compounds
- B01D53/52—Hydrogen sulfide
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
- B01D53/34—Chemical or biological purification of waste gases
- B01D53/46—Removing components of defined structure
- B01D53/54—Nitrogen compounds
- B01D53/56—Nitrogen oxides
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Disinfection, Sterilisation Or Deodorisation Of Air (AREA)
- Treating Waste Gases (AREA)
- Solid-Sorbent Or Filter-Aiding Compositions (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Indoor pollutants such as formaldehyde can be removed from a house by a reactive method consisting of a coating on a furnace filter in a forced air heating system. The coating is a polymeric substance with specific functional groups which react with the pollutant and which in the case of formaldehyde or other aldehydes such as acrolein or acetaldehyde would be a polymeric amine such as polyethylenimine. In other cases it is possible to incorporate such polymeric amines into a paint which when applied to walls and ceilings can act as a reactive "sink" for aldehydes.
Indoor pollutants such as formaldehyde can be removed from a house by a reactive method consisting of a coating on a furnace filter in a forced air heating system. The coating is a polymeric substance with specific functional groups which react with the pollutant and which in the case of formaldehyde or other aldehydes such as acrolein or acetaldehyde would be a polymeric amine such as polyethylenimine. In other cases it is possible to incorporate such polymeric amines into a paint which when applied to walls and ceilings can act as a reactive "sink" for aldehydes.
Description
TIE AB.~,Tl.~lEr.l (`,F INI~()OR, F( R~I~LDEHYDE VAPOUR ~NI) OTHER in R c.~sr~ POI,LUT/~NTS
2~15~4 ABSTRACT
Indoor pollutants such as formaldehyde can be removed from a house by a reactive method consisting of a coating on a furnace filter in a forced air heating system. The coating is a polymeric substance with specific functional groups which react with the pollutant and which in the case of formaldehyde or other aldehydes such as acrolein or acetaldehyde would be a polymeric amine such as polyethylenimine. In other cases it is possible to incorporate such polymeric amines into a paint which when applied to walls and ceilings can act as a reactive "sink" for aldehydes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention is related to a simple, new and useful method whereby some or all of a specific indoor pollutant can be removed.
Conventional methods usually involve the adsorption of such pollutants onro ac-,ivated surfaces such as charcoal, silica gel, alumina or other materials with large surface areas, (see R. E. Goddard & J. A.
Coles, Canadian Patent #626,216 and J. W. ~asmark Jr., M. L. Dooley A. I. Jones, U.S. Patent #4,227,904).
Another conventional method is to use a solution to react with the speeifie gas, see M. A. Rise, Canadian Patent #643,062).
Such methods are usually non-specific and quite expensive to produee and operate. In the case where aqueous solutions are used the air beeomes saturated with water and hlgher humidity levels result. In the case of adsorption systems, the pollutant, usually present in tracc quantities, must complete with oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and 5~
wear in the air in order to be adsorbed to a signiflcant cxtent. The adsorption i9 also eempcrature depcndent and not always complete as ar &S che pollutant is concerned.
Tllough Gaylord (US #4,374,~14) has described a reactive coating to remove formaldehyde, his polyhydric water-solublc polymers requires moisture as well as an acidic or basic catalyst to effect reaction between formaldehyde and the coated polymer. Furthermore, the reduction of formaldehyde by Gaylord is far from complcte and residual levels are in excess of the acceptad TLV level of O.l ppm. This invention describes a method whereby the levels of aldehyde and in particular formaldehyde can be reduced to levels far below the Toxic level (TLV =
O.10 ppm).
So RY OF T-~E INVENTION
.
The present invention describes a simple and efficient method of removing indoor pollutants by allowing them to react with a polymeric substance which contains a specific functional groups which react with and form chemical b^nds with the specific pollutant. Different functional groups can be used for different pollutants. Acidic carboxylic acid groups (-COOH) or sulfonic acid groups (-SO3H) can rewove basic gases such as ammonia, or amines, whereas basic groups such as amines can remove acidic gases such as hydrogen halides.
Since the polymer is non-volatile and of high molecular weight the product of the reaction between the pollutant and the functionalized polymer is a solid and the result is that the pollutant is removed from the air. The polymer, which can be coated onto an air filter or incorporated into a paint, does not contribute gases to the air nor is its reactivity impaired by the presence of other gases. The use of two coated filters in series, each treated with different functionalized polymers could be used to remove different pollutants. Similarly using ceiling paint which has different reactive polymer than that used in wall paint may similarly remove different gases.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED ~BODI~ T
I have shown that a typical pollutant such as formilldehyde, which mav come from che decomposition of uraa-formflldeh~dc foam insulation or 12~52~
from the resin used in plywood or particle hoard, can be removed by passing toe air in the house through a fiber-glass filtcr coated with a thin layer of a polymeric amine such 2S polyethylenimine.
ol~ethylenimine is a water soluble polymer with primary and secondary amine functional groups which react with aldehydes as well as acidic gases.
Many houses use a forced air furnace as a means of supplying heat.
Such furnaces heat air which is clrculated through the house by means of a fan and which usually includes a filter to remove the dust and particulate matter in the house. By coating such a filter with a polymeric substance having suitable functional groups, it is possible to remove the pollutant from the air as it is circulated through the filter. Open cell polyurethane foam filters can also be treated in this manner. The coated filter must be replaced periodically, usually after about a month, more or less, depending on the concentration of the pollutant in the air, the size of the house, the size of the filter and the amount of polymeric coating applied.
Example 1.
The air in a two storey house was analyzed during a three month period and was shown to have formaldehyde levels of from 0.030 to O.lOQ
ppm due to the presence of urea-formaldehyde foam insulation. A
fiber-glass filter, 20" x 25" x 1" was coated with about 6 grams of polyethylenimine. This was done by spraying the filter with about 150 mL of a 5% solution of the polymer in water and allowing the filter to dry. The filter was then installed in the furnace and the`furnace fan run for one week. Analysis for formaldehyde in the air then gave undetectable levels, i.e. less than 0.001 ppm.
Example 2.
The air in a three storey split-level house was analyzed for formaldehyde and was shown to have levels of from 0.050 to 0.140 ppm due to the presence of urea-formaldehyde foam insulation. A fiber-glass filter 16" x 20" x 1" was treated with about 150 mL of a 5~ solutinn of polyethylenimine and allowed to dry leaving about 6.5 grams of polymer on the filter. The filter was then installed in the furnace and the fan ~LZ~ i24 run. After one wee tho levels of formaldehyde in the air were shown to be 0.008, 0.000, 0.000 end o.noo ppm.
Other polymeric amines and some hydrazines which are cqually effective in trapping aldehydes are polyvinylamine and polyethylene hydrazine though many Gore can be prepared.
TABI,E 1 Results of Formaldehyde Abatement in House with Treated Furnace Filters 1) Polyethyleneimine Condition [HCH0l~L/L
House A. Initial 0.090 After Filter in Use 6 days0.005 After 4 days without filter 0.083 After Filter in Use 5 days0.010 House B. Initial 0.102 After Filter in Use 12 days 0.036 After 6 days without filter 0.084 -I After Filter in Use 6 days0.005 :
2) Polyethylenehydrazine souse C. Initial 0.159 After Filter in Use 4 days0.064 After Filter in Use 3 more days 0.005 House D. Initial 0.136 After Filter in Use 4 days 0.013 Table l shows the results of some additional tests on two typical housas.
The reactive coating on the surface of the filter can soon become exhausted by reaction and for the coating to be of further use, the pollutant must diffuse through the solidified coating. This is a slow process and as a result the effectiveness of the coRting i8 thus reduced. This dcfect can bc nllevlnted by softening the coating with a 5~ 41~524 plasticirer such as ethylene gl~col, glycerol9 diethylelleglycol or propylene glyco]. These water solublc polyols allow the reactive polymer to diffuse within the coating and allows the exchange betwcen surface and bulk material.
It is also possible for the functionalizecl polymer to be incorporated into a paint that is applied to the walls and ceilings of a house. The pollutants can diffuse through the outer layer of the paint and react with the polymer forming chemical bonds thereby being removed from the air. Aldehydes such as acrolein and acetaldehyde which are often present in houses (see Indoor Pollutants, rational Academy Press, Washington, D.C, 1981) are also removed by polyethylenimine or the ebove polymeric amines and hydrazines.
Example 3.
A one storey bungalow (with basement) which had urea formaldehyde foam insulation had levels of formaldehyde where were from 0.085 to 0.120 ppm. When a fiber glass filter ~16" x 20" x 1") was treated with polyethylenimine, 150 mL of 5% PEI in water (6.2 g on filter) the level OI formaldehyde dropped to 0.015 ppm within a week but after an additional 10 days rose to 0.095 ppm. When a similar filter was treated with 150 mL of a 5~ polyethylenimine solution of glycerol/water, 30/70 by volume, the level of formaldehyde remained below 0.040 ppm for one month.
The use of plasticizers in paint is not desirable but other elastomers or softening agents such as latex can be used to facilitate diffusion within the coating and thereby extend the useful life of the paint as a trap for pollutants.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without departing from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
Indoor pollutants such as formaldehyde can be removed from a house by a reactive method consisting of a coating on a furnace filter in a forced air heating system. The coating is a polymeric substance with specific functional groups which react with the pollutant and which in the case of formaldehyde or other aldehydes such as acrolein or acetaldehyde would be a polymeric amine such as polyethylenimine. In other cases it is possible to incorporate such polymeric amines into a paint which when applied to walls and ceilings can act as a reactive "sink" for aldehydes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention is related to a simple, new and useful method whereby some or all of a specific indoor pollutant can be removed.
Conventional methods usually involve the adsorption of such pollutants onro ac-,ivated surfaces such as charcoal, silica gel, alumina or other materials with large surface areas, (see R. E. Goddard & J. A.
Coles, Canadian Patent #626,216 and J. W. ~asmark Jr., M. L. Dooley A. I. Jones, U.S. Patent #4,227,904).
Another conventional method is to use a solution to react with the speeifie gas, see M. A. Rise, Canadian Patent #643,062).
Such methods are usually non-specific and quite expensive to produee and operate. In the case where aqueous solutions are used the air beeomes saturated with water and hlgher humidity levels result. In the case of adsorption systems, the pollutant, usually present in tracc quantities, must complete with oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and 5~
wear in the air in order to be adsorbed to a signiflcant cxtent. The adsorption i9 also eempcrature depcndent and not always complete as ar &S che pollutant is concerned.
Tllough Gaylord (US #4,374,~14) has described a reactive coating to remove formaldehyde, his polyhydric water-solublc polymers requires moisture as well as an acidic or basic catalyst to effect reaction between formaldehyde and the coated polymer. Furthermore, the reduction of formaldehyde by Gaylord is far from complcte and residual levels are in excess of the acceptad TLV level of O.l ppm. This invention describes a method whereby the levels of aldehyde and in particular formaldehyde can be reduced to levels far below the Toxic level (TLV =
O.10 ppm).
So RY OF T-~E INVENTION
.
The present invention describes a simple and efficient method of removing indoor pollutants by allowing them to react with a polymeric substance which contains a specific functional groups which react with and form chemical b^nds with the specific pollutant. Different functional groups can be used for different pollutants. Acidic carboxylic acid groups (-COOH) or sulfonic acid groups (-SO3H) can rewove basic gases such as ammonia, or amines, whereas basic groups such as amines can remove acidic gases such as hydrogen halides.
Since the polymer is non-volatile and of high molecular weight the product of the reaction between the pollutant and the functionalized polymer is a solid and the result is that the pollutant is removed from the air. The polymer, which can be coated onto an air filter or incorporated into a paint, does not contribute gases to the air nor is its reactivity impaired by the presence of other gases. The use of two coated filters in series, each treated with different functionalized polymers could be used to remove different pollutants. Similarly using ceiling paint which has different reactive polymer than that used in wall paint may similarly remove different gases.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED ~BODI~ T
I have shown that a typical pollutant such as formilldehyde, which mav come from che decomposition of uraa-formflldeh~dc foam insulation or 12~52~
from the resin used in plywood or particle hoard, can be removed by passing toe air in the house through a fiber-glass filtcr coated with a thin layer of a polymeric amine such 2S polyethylenimine.
ol~ethylenimine is a water soluble polymer with primary and secondary amine functional groups which react with aldehydes as well as acidic gases.
Many houses use a forced air furnace as a means of supplying heat.
Such furnaces heat air which is clrculated through the house by means of a fan and which usually includes a filter to remove the dust and particulate matter in the house. By coating such a filter with a polymeric substance having suitable functional groups, it is possible to remove the pollutant from the air as it is circulated through the filter. Open cell polyurethane foam filters can also be treated in this manner. The coated filter must be replaced periodically, usually after about a month, more or less, depending on the concentration of the pollutant in the air, the size of the house, the size of the filter and the amount of polymeric coating applied.
Example 1.
The air in a two storey house was analyzed during a three month period and was shown to have formaldehyde levels of from 0.030 to O.lOQ
ppm due to the presence of urea-formaldehyde foam insulation. A
fiber-glass filter, 20" x 25" x 1" was coated with about 6 grams of polyethylenimine. This was done by spraying the filter with about 150 mL of a 5% solution of the polymer in water and allowing the filter to dry. The filter was then installed in the furnace and the`furnace fan run for one week. Analysis for formaldehyde in the air then gave undetectable levels, i.e. less than 0.001 ppm.
Example 2.
The air in a three storey split-level house was analyzed for formaldehyde and was shown to have levels of from 0.050 to 0.140 ppm due to the presence of urea-formaldehyde foam insulation. A fiber-glass filter 16" x 20" x 1" was treated with about 150 mL of a 5~ solutinn of polyethylenimine and allowed to dry leaving about 6.5 grams of polymer on the filter. The filter was then installed in the furnace and the fan ~LZ~ i24 run. After one wee tho levels of formaldehyde in the air were shown to be 0.008, 0.000, 0.000 end o.noo ppm.
Other polymeric amines and some hydrazines which are cqually effective in trapping aldehydes are polyvinylamine and polyethylene hydrazine though many Gore can be prepared.
TABI,E 1 Results of Formaldehyde Abatement in House with Treated Furnace Filters 1) Polyethyleneimine Condition [HCH0l~L/L
House A. Initial 0.090 After Filter in Use 6 days0.005 After 4 days without filter 0.083 After Filter in Use 5 days0.010 House B. Initial 0.102 After Filter in Use 12 days 0.036 After 6 days without filter 0.084 -I After Filter in Use 6 days0.005 :
2) Polyethylenehydrazine souse C. Initial 0.159 After Filter in Use 4 days0.064 After Filter in Use 3 more days 0.005 House D. Initial 0.136 After Filter in Use 4 days 0.013 Table l shows the results of some additional tests on two typical housas.
The reactive coating on the surface of the filter can soon become exhausted by reaction and for the coating to be of further use, the pollutant must diffuse through the solidified coating. This is a slow process and as a result the effectiveness of the coRting i8 thus reduced. This dcfect can bc nllevlnted by softening the coating with a 5~ 41~524 plasticirer such as ethylene gl~col, glycerol9 diethylelleglycol or propylene glyco]. These water solublc polyols allow the reactive polymer to diffuse within the coating and allows the exchange betwcen surface and bulk material.
It is also possible for the functionalizecl polymer to be incorporated into a paint that is applied to the walls and ceilings of a house. The pollutants can diffuse through the outer layer of the paint and react with the polymer forming chemical bonds thereby being removed from the air. Aldehydes such as acrolein and acetaldehyde which are often present in houses (see Indoor Pollutants, rational Academy Press, Washington, D.C, 1981) are also removed by polyethylenimine or the ebove polymeric amines and hydrazines.
Example 3.
A one storey bungalow (with basement) which had urea formaldehyde foam insulation had levels of formaldehyde where were from 0.085 to 0.120 ppm. When a fiber glass filter ~16" x 20" x 1") was treated with polyethylenimine, 150 mL of 5% PEI in water (6.2 g on filter) the level OI formaldehyde dropped to 0.015 ppm within a week but after an additional 10 days rose to 0.095 ppm. When a similar filter was treated with 150 mL of a 5~ polyethylenimine solution of glycerol/water, 30/70 by volume, the level of formaldehyde remained below 0.040 ppm for one month.
The use of plasticizers in paint is not desirable but other elastomers or softening agents such as latex can be used to facilitate diffusion within the coating and thereby extend the useful life of the paint as a trap for pollutants.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without departing from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
Claims (10)
1. A method of reducing the indoor air concentration of aldehyde vapour by coating a porous support filter with water soluble polymeric amine to which a water soluble low-volatile liquid plasticizer is added to render the coating soft and flexible and passing the indoor air through said support filter.
2. A method according to Claim 1, in which the polymeric amine has primary amino functional groups (?NH2).
3. A method according to claim 1 in which the polymeric amine is selected from the group consisting of polyethyleneimine and polyvinylamine.
4. A method according to Claim 1 in which the aldehyde is selected from the group consisting of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and acrolein.
5. A method according to Claim 1 in which the low volatile liquid plasticizer is glycerol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol and propylene glycol or mixtures of these.
6. A method of reducing the indoor air concentration of aldehydes by coating a porous support filter with a water soluble polymeric hydrazine to which a water soluble low-volatile plasticizer is added to render the coating soft and flexible and passing the indoor air through said support filter.
7. A method according to Claim 6 in which the aldehyde is selected from the group consisting of formaldehyde, acetaldehye and acrolein.
8. A method according to Claim 6 in which the low volatile plasticizer is selected from the group consisting of glycerol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, and propylene glycol or mixtures of these.
9. A method of reducing the indoor air concentration of aldehydes by allowing the air containing the aldehyde to come into contact with polymers having primary amino (-NH2) or hydrazine (-NH-NH2, and -N-NH2) functional groups to which a water soluble low volatile liquid plasticizer is added.
10. A method according to Claim 9 in which the polymer is water insoluble and incorporated into a paint which is applied to the indoor walls and ceilings of a house or building.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000472473A CA1241524A (en) | 1985-01-21 | 1985-01-21 | Abatement of indoor formaldehyde vapour and other indoor gaseous pollutants |
| US07/235,493 US4892719A (en) | 1985-01-21 | 1988-08-24 | Removal of aldehydes and acidic gases from indoor air |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000472473A CA1241524A (en) | 1985-01-21 | 1985-01-21 | Abatement of indoor formaldehyde vapour and other indoor gaseous pollutants |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1241524A true CA1241524A (en) | 1988-09-06 |
Family
ID=4129623
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000472473A Expired CA1241524A (en) | 1985-01-21 | 1985-01-21 | Abatement of indoor formaldehyde vapour and other indoor gaseous pollutants |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4892719A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1241524A (en) |
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| US4892719A (en) * | 1985-01-21 | 1990-01-09 | Gesser Hyman D | Removal of aldehydes and acidic gases from indoor air |
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-
1985
- 1985-01-21 CA CA000472473A patent/CA1241524A/en not_active Expired
-
1988
- 1988-08-24 US US07/235,493 patent/US4892719A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4892719A (en) * | 1985-01-21 | 1990-01-09 | Gesser Hyman D | Removal of aldehydes and acidic gases from indoor air |
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| US4892719A (en) | 1990-01-09 |
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