CA3128201A1 - Process for eradicating/reducing coronavirus and other small pathogens in the indoors air - Google Patents

Description

Process for eradicating/reducing Coronavirus and other small pathogens in the indoors air Background of Invention [0001] As the pandemic of the coronavirus had spread around the world, it has been established that coronavirus is capable of being airborne. Which means all working environment with HVAC or air circulation systems installed are now taking the risk of infection of the coronavirus. And this will include, schools, colleges, universities, workplaces like factories, offices, shops and shopping malls, hospitals, old age care centers, intensive care centers, etc.

[0002] HVAC system refers to the system that control heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.

[0003] Typical HVAC system uses the recommended HEPA filters of type H13-14 with MERV rating 13-20 that have up to 99.99 percent filtration efficacy for operating theatres, critical care centers and labs.

[0004] Typical HVAC system uses the recommended eF'Ml filter with MERV rating 13 with a filtration efficacy of more than 80 percent for commercial applications.

[0005] Typical HVAC systems can contain particulates from >5 microns to <5-microns size.

[0006] Coronavirus is very small as it is 0.06 to 0.14 microns, therefore, it cannot be filtered even with the best filter.
Summary

[0007] This invention includes two stages of control. The first stage of control and the second stage of control.

[0008] The first stage of control is the selection of right filters for the HVAC
system, and portable room air purifier systems using the recommended HEPA
filters type H13-14 which has the MERV rating of 13-20 to have a filtration efficacy up to 99.99 percent.

[0009] The second stage of control is for the particles and bio-organisms of sub-micron size, includes coronavirus for SARS, MERS and COVID-19 which would not be filtered by the HVAC filtration system.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-13

[0010] In at least one embodiment, the HVAC system includes a HEPA
filter type H13-14 with MERV rating of 13-20.

[0011] In at least one embodiment, the HEPA filter is replaceable.

[0012] In at least one embodiment, the function of the HEPA filter can be enhanced by salt solution until crystallized.

[0013] In at least one embodiment, the function of the HEPA filter can be enhanced by ionized liquid embedded with copper nanoclusters.

[0014] In at least one embodiment, the HVAC system includes a TJVC
light installed inside the duct.

[0015] In at least one embodiment, the TJVC light has a recommended dosages of 2000-8000 for a 90 percent killing of most of the viruses.

[0016] In at least one embodiment, the UVC light has the wavelength of 265nm.

[0017] In at least one embodiment, the UVC light fixture is installed just after the HEPA
filter, which is the center of the coil frame or above evaporator coil.

[0018] In at least one embodiment, the TJVC light lamp is installed perpendicular to the airflow in the duct.

[0019] In at least one embodiment, the HVAC system includes an efficacy monitoring system.

[0020] In at least one embodiment, the HVAC system includes sampling probes could be installed before and after the in-duct UVC device as per ANSI/ASHRAE
procedure.

[0021] In at least one embodiment, the monitoring system can be integrated into a sensor/alarm system forewarning presence of harmful pathogens.

[0022] In at least one embodiment, the HVAC system can be an air recirculation type or fresh air inlet type, and the cleaning efficiency can be enhanced by increasing the Air Change per Hour rate.
Brief Description of Drawings of Invention

[0023] Fig.1 shows a schematic of a furnace housing 1 connected to air intake duct 2. As an improvement it is recommended replacing an existing regular filter 3 with a high efficiency HEPA filter 4.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-13

[0024] Fig.2 shows a schematic of a cut out section of furnace with cooling unit 11 and installing TJVC lighting fixture 12 with screws (not shown) after making a suitable opening and screw holes in the body.

[0025] Fig. 3 shows a schematic of an In-Duct UVC lighting fixture installation. Duct 21 could be for conveying air to the rooms or a return air duct. UVC lighting fixture 22 will be installed after making suitable opening and screw holes on the side of the duct (mounting screws not shown).

[0026] Fig.4 shows a schematic illustration of a preconfigured cluster of TJVC
lights 32.
One simply needs to cut out a suitably sized window 33 in the side wall of duct 31 and insert cluster 32 to be assembles by screws (not shown). This would require minimum onsite time and labor.

[0027] Fig.5 shows a sectional view of a duct having baffle louvers 41, a cluster of UVC
lamps 42 and sampling probes 43.

[0028] Fig.6 shows a sectional view of a duct immediately after a UVC
lamps/baffle station 51 having as air flow booster system.

[0029] Fig. 7a and 7b shows a ceiling air deflector outlet. The filtration system 61 and UVC lamps cluster 62.

[0030] Fig.8a and 8b shows application of dual level disinfecting system in a portable room air purifier. A filter 71 with salt coating or 1L@cuNC is at the air intake end of the unit.
UVC lamps 72 are inside the blower housing. Blower 73 throws out disinfected air back out of grill 74 into room.
Detailed Description of the invention

[0031] Fig.1 shows the entire HVAC system of the invention. It is a furnace housing 1 connecting the air inlet 2, along with the filters 3 and 4. It is shown in Fig.1 that an existing regular filter 3 is moving out and a HEPA filter 4 in moving in. It is recommended that for this invention to replace the regular filter 3 with a HEPA filter 4 to have a high efficiency of filtering particles like virus and dust. The function of filters can be further enhanced by spraying these filters with salt solution until crystallized. The crystalized structure helps in damaging the protective fatty layer of virus and thus destroying/deactivating it.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-13

[0032] An alternative method is using ionized liquid embedded with copper nanoclusters. Such coatings (IL@CuNC) can deactivate virus and bacteria by destroying their DNA structure irreversibly resulting in cell death

[0033] Fig.2 shows a partial sectional view of the furnace housing 1 also shown in Fig.1, with an air-cooling unit 11 and an UVC lamp disinfecting system 12 that can be installed with screws (not shown) after making a suitable opening and screw holes in the body of the furnace.
The UVC lighting fixture 12 is installed in this invention to destroy coronavints such as SARS, MERS and COV1D-19 before they enter the ducts. This is to ensure that any pathogens escaping the first stage of filtration are deactivated by their exposure to UVC light.

[0034] Fig.3 shows a modular single UVC lamp 22 retrofitted at multiple locations in HVAC ducting system 21 by drilling lamp hole and screw holes in the side wall of the duct housing. The number of such installations will depend upon the total length of the ducting.

[0035] Fig.4 depicts a cluster of UVC lamps 32 being retrofitted to the side of ducting 31 by cutting a window 33 in the side of duct. A cluster of UVC lamps is obviously more efficient and effective than single lamp. As stated earlier the UVC lamps must have wavelength from 200nM to 280nM range. The ideal being 265nM.

[0036] Fig.5 is a sectional view of a duct showing UVC lamps 42 in conjunction with a two sets of baffle louvers 41 that help in turbulation of air for longer exposure to UVC. Sampling probes 43 are installed before and after UVC station. These monitoring devices can be integrated with a sensor/alarm system to warn against presence of any pathogens present in ducting.

[0037] Fig.6 shows a sectional view of duct immediately after UVC lighting and baffle louvers. Since speed of air flow will be reduced due to air turbulence as explained above, an air flow booster device 51 will push air further along the ducting. Many such booster devices might be required for optimum flow velocity of sanitized/disinfected air.

[0038] Fig. 7a and 7b shows a ceiling air outlet fixture of HVAC system. The air deflector frame 60 has quick attachability/removability through magnets (not shown) and/or mechanical clipping 63 for accessing the filter system 61 and UVC lamps 62. This will provide ease of filter and lamp replacement/servicing.

[0039] Fig 8a and 8b is a typical example of this dual stage technology applied to a portable room air purifier on a smaller scale. The blower 73 sucks impure air through a filter 71 Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-13 of this invention, circulates it around UVC lamps 72. The purified/disinfected air is released back into room through grill 74.

[0040] For the UVC light, it is installed to the invention to help destroying the coronavirus in the most effective and efficient way. And the most effective and recommended dosage of the UVC light for killing a 90 percent of most of the viruses is 2000 ¨ 8000 with the wavelength of 265nm as the UVC light destroys the DNA and cell structure of the virus.

[0041] For the installation of the UVC light lamps, the first location to install it is just after the filter, that is in the center of the coil frame or above evaporator coil. They will be installed perpendicularly to the airflow in the duct. And most of the lights are made to a near optimum 254 nm rating. Sampling probes are to install before and after the in-duct UVC device for monitoring purpose. This monitoring system can also be integrated into an alarm system to prevent accident caused by the presence of harmful pathogens.

[0042] For this invention, the main purpose, and the primary use of it is to filter viruses and small particles and killing the viruses with the TJVC lights if it cannot be filtered.
Additionally, it can also be an air recirculation or fresh air inlet system, and the air cleaning efficiency can be enhanced by increasing the Air Change per Hour rate. And furthermore, they can be supplemented by surface disinfecting systems, room air cleaning systems for any healthcare, commercial or aeroplane environment.
Claims:
1. A combination of treated/coated filter system and UVC light fixtures within the airflow path of an HVAC system to eradicate coronavirus and other small pathogens.
2. A combination of treated/coated filter system and UVC light fixtures within the airflow path of an HVAC system to reduce coronavirus and other small pathogens.
3. The filter system of claim 1 and 2 to be treated/coated with ionized liquid embedded with copper nanoclusters.
4. The filter system of claim 1 and 2 to be treated/coated with concentrated salt solution until dried to crystallized structure.
5. The UVC lighting of claim 1 and 2 to provide a dosage of 2000 to 8000 microjoules for effective eradication of pathogens.
6. The UVC lamps of claim 1 and 2 to have a wavelength of 200 to 280 nanometers.
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-13 7. The filter system and UVC lamp stations of claim 1 to 6 is applied to a portable room air purifier unit.
8. The filter system and UVC light fixtures in claim 1 to claim 6 will have accessibility for easy replacement/servicing.
9. The HVAC pathogens eradication system under claim 1 to claim 6 will be further complimented by baffles to help turbulence of air at UVC lamp stations for better exposure and efficacy.
10. The HVAC pathogens eradication system under claim 1 to claim 6 will also be complimented by airflow booster system at multiple stages to ensure optimum air velocity.
11. The HVAC pathogens eradication system under claim 1 to claim 6 to also have sampling probes to monitor/detect and warn of any presence of harmful pathogens in the air.
12. The ceiling mounted air deflector frame at the end of the HVAC duct system will have quick removability and attachability for easy access to filter system and UVC light fixture.
Abstract:
An air sanitizing process/system with dual stage/level disinfection. The enhance protection is ensured by specially treated filter system and high efficiency UVC lamp stations. This invention can be applied to large scale HVAC system or to room purifiers on a small-scale level Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-13