DE102020130640A1 - Central three-stage room filter system to create clean rooms through laminar flow air flow - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system (10) for filtering breathing air in a room (12), with: a flat ceiling element (14) for attachment to a ceiling of the room with a plurality of openings (26) in an underside facing the room for introduction of breathing air into the room; an elongate base strip module (16) for attachment in the area of a floor of the room with an opening (32) facing the room for discharging breathable air from the room; a fan and control module (18) in communication with the ceiling member and the baseboard module for creating a laminar flow between the ceiling member and the baseboard module; and a filter module (20) for receiving and filtering the breathing air discharged through the floor strip module and for forwarding the filtered breathing air to the ceiling element, the ceiling element being designed for airtight coupling to further ceiling elements and the floor strip module being designed for airtight coupling to further floor strip modules.

Description

The present invention relates to a system for filtering breathing air in a room.

Pathogens such as viruses, especially the novel coronavirus, can be transmitted between people via aerosols, which are their carriers. An infected person excretes aerosol particles when breathing, speaking or coughing, which can enter the organism of another person through inhalation, skin contact or, for example, through the mucous membrane of the eyes. Especially in the case of small and light pathogens, such organisms or aerosols can be locally present in the breathing or ambient air in sufficiently high concentrations for an infection. This route of infection is particularly relevant in closed rooms with an increasing CO ₂ content, since areas with a high concentration of aerosol particles are only dissolved to a small extent by air currents.

In summer, the burden of pathogens can be demonstrably reduced by regular ventilation, but this approach is ruled out in autumn and winter for temperature reasons. Despite the ventilation, breathing masks must still be used and distance rules must be observed, as cross-ventilation of the rooms can result in contamination by pathogens.

In order to curb a sustained pandemic-like spread of pathogens such as the new type of corona virus, people generally protect themselves today with breathing masks and by keeping a distance of at least 1.50 m from other people. In addition, gatherings of groups of people are prohibited or restricted by respective local regulations and circumstances. In danger areas, freedom of travel is restricted and curfews are imposed.

However, there are areas where compliance with such regulations is impractical and thus reducing the number of people infected is difficult to achieve. For example, children and young people are often unable to use breathing masks or keep a sufficient distance from other children in school classrooms or day-care centers due to their development. So-called hotspots can arise, which can lead to the closure of schools and day-care centers. Occasionally teachers and school administrations are overwhelmed with the correct observance of the rules and young people wear masks in the schoolyard but not in classrooms, which is not conducive to protection against infection. Maintaining safety distances is often illusory anyway, because the number of students and the available classrooms cannot be changed.

The same applies to other closed public spaces in which people from different areas come together for professional or private reasons as in schools. Examples include medical practices, offices, conference venues, restaurants, public transport such as buses and trains and much more.

For example, a dentist may be required to wear respiratory protection and observe social distancing rules when entering the practice, but the social distancing rules often have to be abandoned in the waiting room due to a lack of space. In addition, respiratory protection must be removed for treatment in the treatment room. The treatment room can be entered by approx. 20 - 30 patients daily, whereby the room is contaminated with countless aerosols. The doctor, the staff and the following patients are exposed to the emitted pathogens. If the room is equipped with air conditioning, the turbulence this creates in the room can further promote the transmission of pathogens.

In offices, it can be observed that the people who are there see themselves as belonging together and neither wear masks nor observe distance rules. In addition, a wide variety of air filters are appearing on the market, which convey a feeling of security, but are in fact completely unsuitable in public spaces for a variety of reasons. The situation can be particularly dangerous when more than 5 to 10 people work in the office and germs are brought in unnoticed by employees or outsiders. The boundaries here are fluid and difficult to control.

In today's world, conference centers of any kind are indispensable, since a permanent exchange between people is absolutely necessary. As has been shown, shifting the communication exchange to the Internet is far from sufficient, so that there is an urgent need for action here as well, since existing filter systems on the market are insufficient or even misleading.

A closure (lockdown) of individual offices and companies or facilities in local areas in so-called hotspots is often hardly justifiable for economic reasons.

On the one hand, the economy is suffering from the government regulations restricting the Freedom of assembly, on the other hand, it can be observed that the population is less and less willing to submit to state orders in private life.

In order to curb the spread of pathogens in closed rooms, there are still approaches to filtering the air. For example, there are filter towers that can be set up in a room, which have their origins in the industrial area in workshops. In filter towers for workshops, the dust-laden air is often sucked in at the top and blown out again at the bottom after filtering. The disadvantage of this approach is that the filter tower only has a dust collection radius of approx. two meters around the filter device, and the air in the remaining room remains unfiltered. The dust-laden air in remote areas of the air filter in the workshop cannot reach the filter due to a lack of air management. Aerosols and dusts released from production machines continue to reach the breathing area unhindered and are distributed throughout the room. Even more problematic is blowing out the cleaned air on the ground. There, the deposited dust in the room is then whirled up again by the air movement, so that it gets back into the breathing area. Such approaches are therefore inadequate and/or impractical for a large number of areas of application.

A comparable technology with reversed air flow is also offered for modified filter towers to contain the spread of viruses, whereby the air is sucked in at the bottom and blown out at the top after filtering. This can even lead to a greatly increased risk of infection due to the turbulence generated by the fan and cross-ventilation of the room, since the aerosols exhaled by the infected person are distributed throughout the room.

In addition, these devices usually cannot be qualified, so that in the event of leaks in the filter inserts used or their seals, pathogens that have been sucked in are blown back freely into the breathing area. This can significantly increase the risk of danger.

The modified filter towers from the industrial sector still do not have bag-in-bag-out filter change techniques. Therefore, changing contaminated, used filter inserts can pose a significant health risk for the user, since they are unprotected and exposed to the pathogens collected there. In addition, the built-in fan in the filter tower and the fan and air noise generated generate a noise level that is usually unacceptable in non-industrial applications.

When used in several rooms, such filter towers are often too expensive, since a filter tower would have to be set up separately in each room. In medical practices, for example, it would not be expedient to only filter in the treatment room and not carry out any filtration in other rooms for cost reasons. The waiting room, the most critical area in a doctor's office, or the reception area, require additional filter towers.

Such filter towers cannot be used in schools either, since the large number of classrooms would require a correspondingly large number of filter towers, which is no longer justifiable due to the high costs. The breathing air in a gym or auditorium cannot be cleaned with a filter tower due to its limited effective radius.

In addition, in poorly ventilated offices and classrooms or rooms of any kind, CO ₂ levels can rise very quickly. However, if the carbon dioxide values (CO ₂ content) in the room rise, the risk of infection from pathogens in the room air increases significantly. For example, in a 3.5 to 4 square meter enclosed space with a single person, the CO ₂ level can rise from 500 ppm to over 1000 ppm in just 45 minutes, a limit that must not be exceeded.

The approach of constantly and repeatedly opening windows in order to achieve a permanent exchange of air with an outside area, which is also often followed in this context, is not practicable. On the one hand, rooms with constantly open windows cannot be used, or only with very high energy consumption, especially in winter due to the cold. On the other hand, aerosols are often only distributed within the room by cross currents, especially through air currents from open windows.

Proceeding from this, the object of the present invention is to provide an approach for filtering breathing air in a room that overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages. In particular, a system is to be provided that reliably filters out aerosol particles without distributing them. A consistently good breathing air quality should be ensured. Furthermore, a cost-effective approach is to be created. For the aforementioned use cases, a solution is to be provided that enables the most carefree behavior possible in closed rooms, even under pandemic conditions.

• - einem flächig ausgebildeten Deckenelement zum Anbringen an einer Decke des Raums mit mehreren Öffnungen in einer dem Raum zugewandten Unterseite zum Einleiten von Atemluft in den Raum;
• - einem länglich ausgebildeten Bodenleistenmodul zum Anbringen im Bereich eines Bodens des Raums mit einer dem Raum zugewandten Öffnung zum Ausleiten von Atemluft aus dem Raum;
• - einem Ventilatoren- und Regelmodul in Verbindung mit dem Deckenelement und dem Bodenleistenmodul zum Erzeugen einer laminaren Strömung zwischen dem Deckenelement und dem Bodenleistenmodul; und
• - einem Filtermodul zum Empfangen und Filtern der durch das Bodenleistenmodul abgeführten Atemluft und zum Weiterleiten der gefilterten Atemluft an das Deckenelement, wobei
• - das Deckenelement zum luftdichten Ankoppeln an weitere Deckenelemente ausgebildet ist und das Bodenleistenmodul zum luftdichten Ankoppeln an weitere Bodenleistenmodule ausgebildet ist.

To solve this problem, the present invention relates to a system for filtering breathing air in a room, with:

• - A flat ceiling element for attachment to a ceiling of the room with a plurality of openings in a room-facing underside for introducing breathing air into the room;
• - An elongate base strip module for mounting in the area of a floor of the room with an opening facing the room for discharging breathing air from the room;
• - A fan and control module in connection with the ceiling element and the baseboard module for generating a laminar flow between the ceiling element and the baseboard module; and
• - A filter module for receiving and filtering the respiratory air discharged through the base strip module and for forwarding the filtered respiratory air to the ceiling element, wherein
• - The ceiling element is designed for airtight coupling to other ceiling elements and the floor strip module is designed for airtight coupling to other floor strip modules.

Preferred developments of the invention are described in the dependent claims. It goes without saying that the features mentioned above and those still to be explained below can be used not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

According to the invention, it is provided that pure breathing air is introduced into the room via at least one ceiling element. After passing through the room, the breathing air is then discharged from the room again in the form of a laminar flow via a base strip module in the area of the floor of the room, ie far away from the breathing area, preferably in a horizontal flow. In order to maintain the laminar flow in the room from the ceiling to the floor, a kind of extraction of the same amount of air on the floor is required. The pressure difference required to generate the laminar flow or air flow is provided by a fan and control module. The fan and control module is preferably designed to convert the volume of the room six to ten times per hour. Before the breathing air is reintroduced into the room, it is filtered in a filter module.

According to the invention, the ceiling element and the floor strip module are designed for airtight coupling to other corresponding ceiling and floor strip modules. In this respect, the system according to the invention is modular and based on standardized components. Depending on the size of the room, a correspondingly adjusted number of ceiling and floor strip modules can be used. This modular expandability allows cost advantages to be realised. It becomes possible to equip more or less any room with standardized ceiling and floor strip modules. In particular, this results in subsequent installability. For example, existing classrooms in schools can be retrofitted with respiratory air filtration.

Compared to previous filter tower approaches, a laminar flow from top to bottom can be created inside the room by using the ceiling and floor strip modules. The pressure difference creates a laminar flow. The aerosols are therefore not distributed in the room, but sucked off downwards immediately after exhaling or coughing. It results in this respect a reliable prevention of the spread of pathogens in rooms.

In particular, a filter system is provided that reliably drains pathogens from the room in a laminar flow, which gravimetrically removes solids from the contaminated air in the first filter stage, neutralizes pathogens in the second filter stage through UV - C radiation, and the damaged, dead organisms, as well as all types of dust are removed in the third stage with H14 HEPA filters, thus ensuring a consistently good breathing air quality in closed rooms. Pathogens are not distributed in the room, but the room is kept clean by intelligent air management. Due to the consistent laminar air flow, breathing masks can be dispensed with and distance rules can be relaxed. Due to the constant laminar flow in the room, aerosols emitted by people are discharged downwards past their bodies without them noticing. The aerosols are then passed horizontally out of the room for filtering through the base strip modules.

In a preferred embodiment, the ceiling element is closed at the top for introducing the filtered breathing air into an interior space of the ceiling element. Additionally or alternatively, the ceiling element is plate-shaped for hanging under the ceiling of the room and preferably rectangular with four outer sides for coupling to other ceiling elements. In particular, several ceiling elements can be combined in a manner corresponding to a suspended ceiling of a room. So, under an existing ceiling, there are several panel-shaped ones and flat ceiling elements are hung. The ceiling elements are each connected to one another in an airtight manner. A kind of intermediate ceiling is created. Because the ceiling elements are closed at the top, the fresh air within the ceiling element can be introduced into its interior, so that an overpressure can be generated in the ceiling elements in order to introduce breathing air into the room through the opening. The result is a cost-effective feasibility and simple subsequent installability. The ceiling elements can, for example, be stretched over standardized aluminum frame constructions that are designed to be hung under the ceiling of the room. By feeding clean, filtered breathing air into the ceiling elements, an overpressure is generated in order to let breathing air flow out laminar evenly in the room.

In a preferred embodiment, the ceiling element comprises a perforated material, in particular a perforated plate, with openings for evenly introducing the breathing air into the space for coarse distribution of the breathing air introduced. Additionally or alternatively, the ceiling element has a fabric-like structure on its underside facing the room, preferably a porous film stretched on a frame for fine distribution of the respiratory air introduced, in particular an abrasion-resistant fine-meshed polyester fleece. The breathing air from the overpressure area can be roughly distributed through the perforated material. In addition, the ceiling element can be given sufficient stability. The additional porous foil results in an improved fine distribution of the breathing air before it is introduced into the room. Due to its standardization, the proposed construction can be produced cost-effectively on the one hand and easily and therefore efficiently installed on the other. In addition, there is a laminar flow without disturbing turbulence. The ceiling element is designed in two stages, so to speak, so that the filtered breathing air is evenly distributed in the overpressure through the first stage in the ceiling and, due to the fabric-like structure, the breathing air is introduced into the room evenly in a laminar flow. The porous films cannot get dirty because they are exposed to filtered, pure breathing air. Lighting elements can also be accommodated in the ceiling element.

The ceiling element is preferably self-supporting and has sufficient stability. A pleasant indoor climate is achieved.

In a preferred embodiment, the baseboard module is designed to be attached in the room in an area of a baseboard. The base strip module is preferably designed for coupling to further base strip modules at two opposite ends of the base strip module. The base strip module is designed in particular in the form of a foot or skirting board. The base strip module is preferably standardized and inexpensive to manufacture and can be installed anywhere in the room. The baseboard can replace an existing baseboard or wall base or be attached in addition to it. The result is a simple subsequent installability. In addition, there is an efficient discharge of the breathing air without optical impairment. Laminar airflow can be achieved within the space, allowing aerosols to be evacuated efficiently and before they reach another person. In addition, simple manufacturability and thus cost savings can be achieved. This results in an efficient discharge of the breathing air, which can be contaminated with pathogens of all kinds, to a large extent without gaps.

In a preferred embodiment, the base strip module includes an air duct running inside the base strip module for passing on the respiratory air that is discharged. Preferably, the baseboard module includes a control flap for regulating an effective diameter of the opening. The breathing air is passed on within the base strip module by means of an air duct. The base strip module is then connected to the filter module or to the fan and control module at a rejection point. In particular, it may be possible for only a single floor strip module to be configured within a room with a plurality of floor strip modules for forwarding the breathing air to the filter module. By means of a control flap or a plurality of control flaps, a volume flow rate can be regulated in a number of floor strip modules in such a way that a uniform volume flow ensures that the respiratory air is sucked off uniformly at different points within the room. It is easy to set up or install. Installation costs are kept low.

In a preferred embodiment, the base strip module comprises a further air duct running inside the base strip module for forwarding discharged breathing air to coupled further base strip modules. The additional air duct, which is separate from the first air duct, advantageously makes it possible to bridge longer distances in larger rooms. In order to be able to ensure a uniform extraction even in larger rooms, an additional further air duct can be provided, which forwards a constant volume flow to floor strip modules located further away from the connection point. The result is a uniform extraction at different points within the room. The laminar flow can also be used in larger spaces be reached. Likewise, skirting board modules can be connected to those of other rooms.

In a preferred embodiment, the system comprises an elongate connecting element for connecting the base strip module to the filter module and the fan and control module. The connecting element is designed to be attached in a corner of the room, so that the base strip module can be connected to the filter module and to the fan and control module in the area of the ceiling of the room. In other words, the connecting element makes it possible for only one connection in the area of the ceiling of the room to be required for connecting the ceiling and floor strip module to the ventilation and filter module. There is a reduction in installation costs. The connecting element is preferably also designed in a modular manner for coupling to further connecting elements, so that a corresponding connection can be established independently of the room height and number of rooms. Efficient subsequent installability and cost-effective manufacturability are achieved.

In a preferred embodiment, the ventilator and control module is connected to the ceiling element for introducing breathing air into the ceiling element in order to generate an overpressure in the ceiling element. In particular, it can be coupled at any point in the ceiling element. This results in simple installability and cost savings.

In a preferred embodiment, the fan and control module is arranged outside the room. Inside the room, noise pollution is avoided by a fan. In addition, noise-reducing measures can be dispensed with when implementing the fan and control module, resulting in further potential cost savings.

In a preferred embodiment, the filter module comprises a gravimetric pre-filter as the first stage, a UV-C filter as the second stage and a main filter that has one or more class H14 HEPA filter inserts in filter segments as the third filter stage. In the third stage of the filter module, the dead or neutralized pathogens and any dust particles are absolutely separated from the air. Depending on the volume flow required, the third filter stage comprises segments with one or more filter segments arranged one on top of the other and flanged together vertically. In order to achieve ergonomic handling of the central filter module, four filter segments, for example, are flanged together one on top of the other. If an even higher volume flow is required, several filter modules can be connected in parallel so that very high air volumes can be filtered. This results in a simple adaptability of the filter performance to the room size or number of rooms, so that high manufacturing efficiency can be achieved at lower costs through standardization.

In a preferred embodiment, the filter module comprises a coupling frame for the airtight, reversible coupling of a receiving container for a filter insert after use, in order to enable the filter insert to be removed without contamination. A receptacle can be coupled to the coupling frame. The receiving container can in particular be a plastic bag. The connection is as airtight as possible. The filter insert can then be transferred directly from the filter module into the receptacle without contamination of the environment (bag-in-bag-out technology). The filter module is equipped with a bag-in-bag-out filter change system in each segment. Each filter segment is equipped with an aluminum frame, a plastic bag and a rubber ring for completely contamination-free replacement of the used HEPA cassette. Just like the HEPA filter cassette to be changed, the opened filter segment remains completely contact-free. Infection of the operator or contamination of the room is therefore excluded. The used HEPA filter cassette can thus be sealed and disposed of in an incinerator.

In a preferred embodiment, the fan and control module includes a fresh air unit for supplying a portion of fresh air to the breathing air received. The fresh air unit preferably includes a sensor for measuring a CO ₂ content in the respiratory air received and is designed for supplying the fresh air portion as a function of the measured CO ₂ content. The breathing air received is mixed with fresh air, in other words a partial exchange of breathing air takes place. The fresh air supply makes it possible that no window has to be opened, so that there are no additional breathing air currents within the room. The filter module thus includes a unit that monitors the CO ₂ content, which, if the limit value of, for example, 1,000 ppm is exceeded, adds fresh air to the air to be filtered through a flap system in front of the filter module and discharges the corresponding amount after the fan/control module. The CO ₂ monitoring and cyclic addition of fresh air make it possible that windows no longer have to be opened, so that there are no additional air currents within the room. There are only very small temperature fluctuations, which are not perceptible in detail.

There is only the laminar flow between the ceiling element and the floor strip module and thus an efficient removal of the aerosols. The risk of infection is reduced. In this case, it is preferably possible for the proportion of fresh air to be automatically supplied by constantly measuring the CO ₂ content in the room. For example, based on such feedback, it can be ensured that a limit value of, for example, 1,000 ppm CO ₂ content is not exceeded without the rooms having to be ventilated by opening the windows. The proportion of fresh air that is supplied according to the measured CO ₂ values is fed to the filter module upstream of the filter stage as part of the air recirculation mode, so that the fresh air that is supplied (fresh air proportion) is also filtered when it enters the room. In particular, fresh air can be added cyclically as required by means of an automatic flap system in the fresh air unit. In order to avoid overpressure in the room, the same amount of breathing air is discharged to the outside again after the fan and control module.

In a preferred embodiment, the system includes a pre-separator for the gravimetric separation of materials from the respiratory air that is discharged before it is fed to the filter module. Additionally or alternatively, the system includes a pre-filter with an irradiation unit for irradiating the exhaled air with UV-C radiation before it is fed to the filter module. The pre-separator prevents mechanical damage to the filter module and in particular to the UV-C filter and the subsequent HEPA filter material in the third filter stage with sucked-in particles or solids. The pre-filter kills or inactivates germs. There is a further improvement in air quality.

In a preferred embodiment, the filter module includes a measuring access for connecting a particle measuring device for measuring a possible leakage of the filter insert. The measuring access preferably comprises a measuring tube with a plurality of openings arranged downstream of the filter insert in the direction of the breathing air flow, one end of which is designed for connecting the particle measuring device. An access is provided in the filter module through which a sample can be taken. This sample allows an assessment of whether the system is working and the breathing air is being cleaned. In this respect, the correct function can be verified. It is made possible in a simple way to verify the effectiveness of the system.

In particular, a possible leakage of the filter medium is detected with the particle measuring device or a filter tightness test is carried out. The pressure on the HEPA cassette and possible damage to the seal are checked. The measurement is carried out to check whether the HEPA filter cartridge(s) achieve the required performance H14 and have no leaks. The measurement is preferably carried out according to the DEHS/laser particle test, in which 600,000 particles with a particle size of 0.1-0.3 µm (MPPS) are fed in below the HEPA cassette. Measuring lances are located above the HEPA cassette on the clean gas side, which can be used to scan the entire surface of the filter medium and the seal. The laser particle sizer connected to the measuring lances measures dust particles from 0.1 - 10.0 µ in size and classifies their number according to the measured values. Each measurement is printed out and repeated three times so that the accumulated value is then valid.

The fan and control module is connected to the laminar flow ceiling(s) in one or more rooms to close the air circuit. This creates an overpressure in the closed ceiling system, which creates a laminar flow evenly in the room due to the construction of the ceiling element.

In an advantageous embodiment, the fan and control module and the filter module are designed to be connected to a further ceiling element and a further floor strip module in a further room. In other words, the fan and control module and the filter module serve multiple rooms. This enables the system to be installed cost-effectively in fields of application in which several rooms are to be equipped with ventilation. A correspondingly larger dimensioned ventilation and filter module can be used, the capacity of which is sufficient for several rooms. The central filter module and fan and control module make it possible to serve one room or several rooms. This creates a cost-effective technical solution, as only floor and ceiling elements need to be installed in the various rooms and the technical area only needs to be provided once. Above all, the filter system described is also suitable for everyday use, because no engine or air noise whatsoever occurs in the rooms to be filtered.

In an advantageous embodiment, a mechanical protective element is optionally provided on the underside of the ceiling module. This mechanical protective element is, for example, a kind of grid and is used to protect the ceiling module from mechanical damage. For example the mechanical protection element can be used in a sports hall to protect the ceiling module from balls etc.

A connection is understood here to mean the establishment of a gas exchange. Elements or areas of the elements are connected in such a way that gas exchange can take place. A connection does not necessarily have to be understood here as a physical joining together.

• 1 eine schematische Illustration eines erfindungsgemäßen Systems zum Filtern von Atemluft in einem Raum;
• 2 eine schematische Darstellung eines Deckenelements;
• 3 eine schematische Darstellung eines Bodenleistenmoduls;
• 4 eine schematische Darstellung einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines Bodenleistenmoduls;
• 5 eine schematische Darstellung einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Systems;
• 6 eine schematische Darstellung eines Ventilatoren- und Regelmoduls und eines Filtermoduls;
• 7 eine schematische Darstellung einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines Filtermoduls;
• 8 eine schematische Darstellung einer weiteren Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Systems; und
• 9a - 9c schematische Darstellungen von Filtermodulen mit zwei, drei und vier Filtereinsätzen.

The invention is described and explained in more detail below using a few selected exemplary embodiments in connection with the accompanying drawings. Show it:

• 1 a schematic illustration of a system according to the invention for filtering breathing air in a room;
• 2 a schematic representation of a ceiling element;
• 3 a schematic representation of a base strip module;
• 4 a schematic representation of a further embodiment of a base strip module;
• 5 a schematic representation of a further embodiment of a system according to the invention;
• 6 a schematic representation of a fan and control module and a filter module;
• 7 a schematic representation of a further embodiment of a filter module;
• 8th a schematic representation of a further embodiment of a system according to the invention; and
• 9a - 9c schematic representations of filter modules with two, three and four filter inserts.

In the 1 a system 10 according to the invention for filtering breathing air in a room 12 is shown schematically. The system 10 comprises a total of six flat ceiling elements 14, eight floor strip modules 16, a fan and control module 18 and a filter module 20. The system is designed to filter the breathing air in the room 12 and to generate as little air turbulence as possible through which pathogens could spread within the space 12. Breathing air is introduced into the space 12 through the ceiling elements 14 via a number of openings. This breathing air traverses the room and is conducted out of the room 12 again via the floor strip modules 16 . Within the space 12, the breathing air forms a laminar flow from top to bottom, as indicated by the arrows shown. This prevents air turbulence and an uncontrolled spread of aerosols from occurring within the room. In particular, the breathing air that is exhaled by a person or that enters the room when speaking or coughing is transported away downwards in the direction of the base strip modules 16 immediately after leaving the person's mouth. A person's aerosols within the space 12 thus do not come close to the head area and mucous membranes of another person within the space. The spread of pathogens is avoided.

In order to create the air flow within the room 12, the ceiling elements 14 are coupled to one another. To this extent, the ceiling elements 14 form a type of suspended ceiling within the room 12. An overpressure can be generated in the ceiling elements 14. The coupling between the ceiling elements 14 is airtight, so that no air can escape between the individual ceiling elements 14 . All air escapes through the vents provided for escape. In a comparable manner, the eight base strip modules in the exemplary embodiment shown are each designed to be coupled to adjacent base strip modules 16 in an airtight manner. The baseboard modules 16 are arranged in the area of the baseboards of the room and, in the exemplary embodiment shown, run around the room on three of four outer sides.

Depending on how the room is used, it may also be possible that the air is only extracted on one side of the wall, for example if a doctor's desk is in one part of the room and the patient is sitting opposite.

A modular structure is achieved by designing the ceiling elements 14 and base strip modules 16 for airtight coupling to adjacent elements. In particular, it is possible to subsequently install the system 10 according to the invention in already existing rooms. A sufficient number of ceiling elements 14 and floor strip modules 16 are attached to the ceiling or floor of the room and each coupled to one another. It goes without saying that in the case of the ceiling elements 14 arranged on the outside, a corresponding seal must be provided in the direction of the walls. Correspondingly, it also applies to the base strip modules 16 that the outermost element in each case, which is only coupled to a further base strip module 16 on one side, must be sealed.

In the illustrated embodiment, the fan and control module 18 and the filter module 20 are designed separately. Both units are arranged outside of the room 12 and connected to the ceiling elements 14 or to the base strip modules 16 via corresponding pipelines 22 . The upper pipeline 22 for connecting to the ceiling elements 14 opens into a ceiling element 14. This ensures that no background noise whatsoever occurs within the room when the laminar flow is established. In particular, the fan and control module 18 can be arranged in a soundproof area outside of the room 12 . For example, if the system 10 of the present invention is used in a school to filter the breathing air in a classroom, the fan and control module 18 may be located in a storage room outside of the classroom. In addition to the fan, the fan and control module 18 can include a frequency controller and the CO ₂ controller. In addition, soundproofing can be provided.

The use of the filter approach according to the invention can mean that it is no longer necessary to close a school or an office, etc. if one or more infectious persons are identified, since the sick person was infected outside the area and was in the security area (the room with the system according to the invention) at no time was there any danger. The system according to the invention allows a very small change in space while additionally avoiding disturbing noises. This requires a high suitability for everyday use. Proven technologies from nuclear, pharmaceutical and clean room technology are combined.

In the 2 a ceiling element 14 is shown schematically. The ceiling element 14 is designed as a flat square construction. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the ceiling element 14 comprises a perforated plate 24 and is closed at the top in the direction of the ceiling of the room. In the exemplary embodiment shown, an interior of the ceiling element 14 can be connected to the filter by a connection 27 . Through the openings 26 of the perforated plate 24 breathing air can be directed from the interior of the ceiling element 14 in the direction of the room. On its underside facing the room, the ceiling element 14 comprises a porous film 30 stretched over a frame 28. The frame 28 can be designed, for example, as a light metal frame. The film 30 can in particular be designed as an abrasion-resistant fine-meshed polyester fleece. The porous foil is used for the fine distribution of the introduced breathing air. The respiratory air thus first penetrates through the openings 26 in the perforated plate, as a result of which a coarse distribution is achieved, and is then finely distributed by means of the film 30. This means that there is no disturbing draft inside the room, but an almost imperceptible laminar flow. The breathing air emerges from the ceiling element 14 in an almost flat manner.

On all four outer sides of the ceiling element 14, this is designed to be connected to other adjacent ceiling elements 14 in an airtight manner. The interiors of the adjacent deck elements are connected. For this purpose, in particular, air and screw holes can be provided on the frame 28 or other coupling devices. It can also be provided that a magnetic coupling takes place, as a result of which a very simple installation is made possible. In addition, a sealing element, such as a rubber lip or the like, can be provided in the area of the outer sides in order to achieve the most airtight possible connection to adjacent ceiling elements or to a wall or an additional sealing part.

The laminar flow and air evacuation can also be achieved in large spaces such as gymnasiums, movie theaters and meeting rooms. Depending on the size of the room, the filtered breathing air is not only introduced at one point, but distributed at several positions so that the breathing air is evenly distributed in front of the two-level ceiling. Similarly, in larger rooms, contaminated breathing air is discharged at several points before it is fed to the filter module. Through adapted pipe cross-sections with air velocities to be determined in the pipe and different pipe resistances, a uniform air intake is also achieved, which differs from room to room and cannot be described in general terms.

The ceiling element 14 can additionally include a protective grid 29 in order to achieve protection against mechanical damage, for example balls in a sports hall.

In the 3 a base strip module 16 is shown schematically. The baseboard module is elongate and, in the exemplary embodiment shown, has the shape of a thicker baseboard. The baseboard module 16 can be installed in place of existing baseboards or also next to existing baseboards in a room. Two elongate openings 32 facing the room are provided in the base strip module 16 . Breathing air can be discharged from the room through these openings 32 .

At two opposite ends of the base strip module 16, this is designed for coupling to other adjacent base strip modules. For this purpose, screw holes or other coupling devices can be provided in a corresponding manner to the ceiling elements. It it is also possible that magnetic coupling is used to achieve easy retrofit installability. Appropriate sealing devices, such as a rubber lip, can also be provided.

An air duct 34 runs within the base strip module 16 and is designed to convey the breathing air discharged from the room. In particular, the breathing air can be passed on in the direction of the adjacent floor strip module. It goes without saying that a base strip module that is used as the outermost base strip module must be sealed on its outside without an adjacent base strip module.

In the illustrated embodiment, a control valve 36 is also provided, through which an effective diameter of the opening 32 can be regulated. In particular, the adjusting flap 36 in the exemplary embodiment shown can be pushed more or less in front of the slit-shaped opening 32 in order to regulate the amount of air passed through or the flow resistance.

In this way, when using a plurality of adjacent floor strip modules 16 , the breathing air can be discharged uniformly from the room through the openings 32 in the various floor strip modules 16 . At least one base strip module 16 is usually designed to be connected to the fan and control module or the filter module. Further base strip modules are then connected to this base strip module. However, the further away a base strip module 16 is from the connection to the fan and control module or filter module, the more it is necessary to increase the effective diameter of the opening in order to achieve even discharge of the breathing air in as many base strip modules as possible.

In the example shown, the adjusting flap 36 corresponds, so to speak, to a sliding element on a slot-shaped opening. The sliding element can reduce the size of the slot by manually sliding it. The closer a base strip module is to the connection to the filter module or the fan and control module, the further the sliding elements can be closed at the slots. This ensures that the breathing air can be discharged evenly from the room.

The individual setting of the butterfly valve(s) preferably only has to be done once during installation. The regulation of the respective air volumes is determined by means of air volume measuring probes. It goes without saying that automatic (by means of a corresponding actuator) and/or central control (by means of a corresponding control system for controlling the actuator) of the adjusting flap 36 can also be provided.

In the 4 shows schematically that a further air duct 38 can be provided in addition to the air duct 34 in the base strip module 16 . This further air duct 38 has no connection to the first air duct 34 within the base strip module shown. However, the additional air duct 38 allows a connection of floor strip modules that are further away to the floor strip module, which is coupled to the filter module and the fan and control module. In this respect, the in the 4 illustrated embodiment of the floor strip module 16 also represents an option for achieving a uniform air discharge from the room through several floor strip modules coupled to one another.

In the 5 a system 10 according to the invention is shown schematically, in which the fan and control module 18 and the filter module 20 are connected by a single pipe 22, which carries both the supply air and the exhaust air. The pipeline 22 can in particular have a divided area. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment of the system 10, the pipeline 22 runs to the ceiling element 14. In order to get the breathing air into the ceiling after it has been drawn off from the floor strip modules 16, a connecting element 40 is provided for connecting the floor strip module 16 to the fan and control module 18. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the connecting element 40 has an elongate design and is fitted in a corner of the room 12 . The connecting element 40 forms an air duct which is then connected to the fan and control module 18 or the filter module 20 . The elongate connection element 40 means that the fan and control module 18 or the filter module 20 only has to be connected to the area of the ceiling of the room 12 by a pipe 22 . In other words, the ducting for the exhaust air is routed through the ceiling. More efficient installability can be guaranteed.

In the 6 the fan and control module 18 and the filter module 20 are shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the fan and control module 18 and the filter module 20 are housed separately in two housings. The filter module 20 also includes a pre-separator 19 and a pre-filter 21. However, it goes without saying that a combined design in one housing is also possible.

The ventilator and control module 18 can in particular be designed as a ventilator or a comparable device in order to create a pressure difference or a laminar flow between ceiling elements ment and base strip module. For this purpose, the fan and control module 18 is connected to the ceiling and floor strip modules by appropriate pipelines or the like.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the filter module 20 is designed as a modular filter tower with two filter inserts or receptacles for filter inserts 42 stacked on top of one another. In particular, suspended matter filter inserts can be accommodated in the receptacles. Such HEPA filter cassettes are made of high-performance filter material, which separates qualified according to MMPS (Most Penetrating Particle Size), is used to filter the breathing air and accordingly has no permeability for the particles to be filtered. When passing through the filter cartridge, the particles get caught on the material of the filter cartridge, whereby the breathing air is filtered. Scalability can be achieved by constructing the filter module 20 as a modular filter tower with a plurality of filter inserts 42 arranged one on top of the other. In particular, in larger installations of a system 10 according to the invention, a filter module with a larger number of separately working filter inserts arranged one on top of the other can be used. This results in efficient manufacturability.

HEPA filter cartridges with the highest separation efficiency from clean room technology must be used as the filter insert 42 . For example, minipleat filter cassettes can be used. These were developed in the 1940s as part of the Manhattan Project and were first used when testing the first atomic bombs to filter radioactive dust particles in the air we breathe. They are classified according to the MPPS (Most Penetrating Particle Size), i.e. the most difficult particle sizes to filter between 0.1 - 0.3 µm particle size. All smaller and larger dust particles are more easily retained by all filter media. The cassettes used, in which the filter material is folded in mini-pleat form, have standardized dimensions of 610 x 610 x 292 mm and a filter area of 32 m ² . This results in a specific filter surface load of 93 m ³ /m ² h.

A separation efficiency of H4 cassettes EN 1822 can be achieved. It would also be possible to use filter cassettes with the highest possible separation efficiency of ULPA U15 to U17.

In the 7 it is shown that a filter insert 42 can be removed from the corresponding receptacle of the filter module 20 . For this purpose, the filter module 20 can include a coupling frame 44 (in particular an aluminum removable frame) for airtight, reversible coupling of a receiving container (not shown for reasons of clarity) for a filter insert 42 . The coupling frame 44 is preferably designed to be able to attach a plastic bag. In order to change the filter insert 42 without contamination, a plastic bag is first attached to the coupling frame 44 as a receptacle. The filter insert 42 is then removed directly into the receptacle so that the pathogens filtered by the filter insert 42 can no longer contaminate the operator and can get into the environment. The filter insert can then be incinerated together with the receptacle.

In the 7 It is also shown that the filter module 20 can include a measuring access 46 for connecting a particle measuring device 48 . In the exemplary embodiment shown, the measuring access 46 comprises a tube or a measuring lance which has a plurality of openings and which is arranged downstream of the filter insert counter to the air flow. The measuring tube or the measuring lance enables a sample to be taken. In particular, several measuring probes can be provided for each filter stage. A connected corresponding particle measuring device 48 can be used in a simple manner to make a statement about the quality of the filtered breathing air. In particular, it can be determined whether or not there are still particles in the filtered breathing air. On the one hand, it can be checked whether the filter cassette has been installed correctly. On the other hand, it can also be determined whether a leak has formed during installation of the filter cartridge or during operation and the filter cartridge needs to be changed. Especially when operating a system according to the invention in public facilities, it is advantageous if the cleaning of the breathing air or the filtering of the breathing air can be proven.

As a safety measure, it may be necessary and advantageous for the new HEPA filter cassettes to be replaced during commissioning and then in cyclical changes to be checked for possible leaks in the filter material or the seal of the cassettes using measuring lances built into the filter system and a mobile laser particle measuring device. A certificate from the manufacturer of the cassettes is not sufficient because they can be damaged during packaging, transport or installation. Corresponding measuring lances can be installed in the system for each HEPA cassette, so that when changing the filter of several HEPA filter cassettes, each cassette can be checked individually. This ensures that in the event of a leak in a filter cartridge, it will not comes into operation, but is replaced beforehand.

It is advantageous if, in order to avoid incorrect handling, the supplier replaces the HEPA cassettes once a year and/or verifies that they are free of leaks using a laser particle measuring device. The supplier can attach a test sticker to the filter device, which shows when the next filter change is due, that the HEPA cassette used is leak-free and has reached the required value H14 / U15 according to EN 1822. In addition, the user receives a certificate from the manufacturer stating that the laser particle sizer used is currently calibrated and certified.

The particle measuring device can record aerosols and dust particles from 0.1 µm. With each filter change, the user can also receive a printout of the measured values for each new HEPA filter cassette, on which the number of measured particle sizes from 0.1 - 10 µm is listed. The printouts clearly show that the required measured value of H14 / U15 was achieved. This ensures that the filter system never poses a hazard. The user can thus prove that in the event of infection of one person, the other people in the room were not exposed to any danger and that the person suffering from COVID-19, for example, must have been infected elsewhere.

In the 8th a further exemplary embodiment of a system 10 according to the invention is shown. The system 10 includes ceiling elements 14 and floor strip modules 16, which are arranged in two rooms. Both rooms are supplied by the same fan and control module 18 or the same filter module 20. The connection or coupling between fan and control module 18 and filter module 20 on the one hand and ceiling element 14 and floor strip module 16 on the other side can be done directly, i.e. separately for each room, or through the ceiling or floor strip modules of one be provided through space. Because several rooms can be supplied with a single fan and control module 18 or a single filter module 20, efficient installation and scalability can be made possible. In addition, costs can be saved.

The system according to the invention is advantageously designed in such a way that it can be set up centrally, outside of the room(s) to be filtered at any desired location. For example, all classrooms in a school can be supplied by a filter module and fan and control module installed in a supply room, for example a broom closet. This has the effect that there is no disturbing noise pollution in the rooms to be filtered. Due to the central filter system concept, there is no need for cost-intensive multiple filter systems in each individual room, but only one filter system with fan per application. This filter system supplies all designated rooms with absolutely filtered breathing air in compliance with the maximum CO ₂ values with laminar breathing air flow. The rooms to be filtered remain completely unchanged with the exception of the laminar flow ceiling and extraction floor bar modules.

The breathing air that is evenly introduced vertically in the ceiling and the suction of the same amount on the floor creates a constant, imperceptible laminar flow in the room in order to remove contaminated breathing air from the breathing area and effectively dissipate it. The space-saving, completely redesigned, central, vertical filter module can be designed for several rooms connected in parallel, so that one filter system can ventilate several rooms. Due to the small design of the filter module and the laminar flow ceiling, high and large rooms such as gymnasiums and conference rooms can also be fully and safely ventilated.

• - Ein gravimetrischer Vorabscheider 19 als erste Filterstufe vor dem Rohgaskanal. Dieser scheidet Materialien, die über das Bodenabsaugsystem zum Filtermodul geführt werden, gravimetrisch ab, sodass diese nicht in den Filter gelangen. Der Filter wird vor einer mechanischen Beschädigung geschützt.
• - Ein UV-C-Strahlen-Vorfilter 21 als zweite Filterstufe im Rohgaskanal. Diese Strahlen inaktivieren Viren und Bakterien zu 99,999 %. Sie schädigen die DNA und stoppen ihre Reproduktion. Bei dem Einsetzen der UV-C-Strahlung ist eine gewisse Verweilzeit der Krankheitserreger zu berücksichtigen, sodass eine ausreichende Schädigung der Organismen erfolgen kann. Das Bestrahlungselement wird hierbei vorzugsweise im verbreiterten Rohgaskanal der Anlage montiert, der gleichzeitig für die Verringerung der Geschwindigkeit von 15 -20 m/s der Atemluftbewegung aus den Bodenleistenmodulen gedacht ist, damit die zu filternde Atemluft auf das Filtermaterial mit nur noch 1 - 2 cm/s auftrifft. Die so zu 99,999 % abgetöteten oder deaktivierten Krankheitserreger können dann leicht zusammen mit den Staubpartikeln in der Atemluft vom nachgeschalteten HEPA-Filter abgeschieden werden.
• - Ein Hochleistungs-HEPA-Filtermodul mit Filtereinsätzen 42 als modular aufgebaute dritte Filterstufe in platzsparender vertikaler Bauweise. Dieses Filtermodul ist insbesondere modular und fahrbar zum einfachen Einbringen ins Gebäude ausgebildet und wird außerhalb der zu filternden Räume aufgestellt. Beispielsweise können maximal vier Module übereinandergestapelt werden und eine Atemluftleistung von maximal 12.000 m³/h bereitgestellt werden. Für jedes Modul ist ein Anpressrahmen mit einem Exzenter vorgesehen, mittels welchem die einzusetzende Filterkassette horizontal versiegelt werden kann. Der Dichtrahmen für die HEPA-Kassette befindet sich zwingend an der oberen Seite, damit eine Verschmutzung des Rahmens und somit eine Undichtigkeit beim Anpressen des HEPA-Filters an der Dichtung vermieden werden kann. Die Durchströmung der HEPA-Kassette erfolgt von unten nach oben vertikal. Bei höherer Luftleistung können mehrere Filtertürme nebeneinander gekoppelt werden.
• - Eine Messsondentechnik (Messzugang) für einen geeichten Laser-Partikelzähler (Partikelmessgerät), vorzugsweise mit Drucker, zum Nachweis, dass jede neu eingesetzte HEPA-Filterkassette leckagefrei ist, deren Dichtungen unbeschädigt sind und somit die geforderte Abscheideleistung erbracht werden kann. Der gemessene Wert bleibt im Betrieb der Filterkassette gültig, weil die Filteranlage so konstruiert ist, dass eine mechanische Beschädigung ausgeschlossen ist.
• - Ein Druckdifferenz-Manometer, das am Filtermodul angebracht sein kann und anhand dessen der Verschmutzungsgrad der HEPA-Filterkassetten festgestellt werden kann. Hierdurch kann eine Verringerung des Atemluftvolumenwechsels aufgrund ansteigendem Filterwiderstand ausgeschlossen werden. Steigt der Druckverlust der HEPA-Kassette durch Staubbeladung an, verringert sich die Ventilatorenleistung, sodass der HEPA-Filter gewechselt werden muss. Im normalen Betrieb ist ein Filterwechsel auch aus hygienischen Gründen jährlich einmalig fällig.
• - Ein CO₂-Überwachungssystem für jeden zu filternden Raum, das den CO₂-Gehalt misst und bei Überschreitung eines Grenzwerts (beispielsweise von 1.000 ppm) die Frischluftzufuhr für die jeweiligen Räume regelt. Hierzu kann ein entsprechender CO₂-Sensor vorgesehen sein. Durch ein automatisches Klappensystem kann über einen Bypass dem Raum Frischluft zugeführt werden. Durch die Überwachung der CO₂-Werte in den zu filternden Räumen und die automatische Frischluftzufuhr und Ableitung der verbrauchten Atemluft in gleicher Menge mittels des automatisch angesteuerten Klappensystems wird der kritische Wert von beispielsweise 1.000 ppm nicht überschritten, sodass eine Belüftung des Raums über die Fenster nicht mehr erforderlich wird. Es findet also keine kritische Querbelüftung statt, sondern lediglich die laminare Strömung zwischen Deckenelement und Bodenleistenmodul und damit ein effizienter Abtransport der Aerosole. Das Infektionsrisiko wird weiter vermindert.
• - Eine Steuerung mit Zeitschaltuhr zum automatischen Ein- und Ausschalten des Systems und/oder zur Regelung des Ventilators. Zudem können die Bypass-Klappentechnik, das Zu- und Abführen von Frischluft sowie die Zuführung und Abschaltung in verschiedenen Räumen gesteuert werden.
• - Ein Bag-in-bag-out-Filterwechselsystem, vorzugsweise mit Aluminiumrahmen und Plastiksack, zum kontaminationsfreien Wechsel einer mit Viren und Keimen belasteten HEPA-Filterkassette, die genauso wie das geöffnete Filtermodul berührungsfrei bleibt. Eine Ansteckung des Betreibers oder eine Kontamination des Raums kann ausgeschlossen werden. Die belastete Filterkassette kann versiegelt der Entsorgung in einer Verbrennungsanlage zugeführt werden.
• - Ein Aluminium-Wechselrahmen (Koppelrahmen), mithilfe dessen über einen stets angebrachten Plastiksack und die Gummiring-Methode völlig berührungsfrei die verbrauchte HEPA-Kassette entnommen werden kann und diese versiegelt der Verbrennung zugeführt wird. Die Wartungstür zum Wechseln des HEPA-Filters dient nicht zum Verschließen des Filtermoduls, sondern lediglich zum Schutz des Plastiksacks vor mechanischer Beschädigung. Bei Verwendung dieser Technik können Raumwerte beim Filterwechsel kleiner 1 µg, also im ng-Bereich OEB 5 (Operator Exposure Band), nachgewiesen werden. Dies erfolgt im Rahmen eines SMEPAC-Tests. Hierbei werden im Atembereich der Person, die den Filter wechselt, Sonden aufgestellt und es werden 5 bis 10 Liter Luft, also das Atemvolumen für die Dauer von 10 Minuten, eingesaugt und anschließend die Filtermembran chemisch analysiert und die Staubbeladung im Raum nachgewiesen.
• - Minipleat-HEPA-Filterkassetten (Filtereinsatz) mit Abscheideleistung H14 / U15 nach EN 1822 zur nahezu absoluten Abscheidung von Feinstäuben und Aerosolen. Insbesondere kann eine Filterkassette der Größe LxBxH 610x610x292 mm mit einer Luftleistung von 3.000 m³/h verwendet werden. ULPA-Filterkassetten bieten dabei eine sehr hohe Abscheideleistung.
• - Jedes Filtersegment mit jeweils einer HEPA-Filterkassette kann beispielsweise mit fünf Messlanzen versehen sein, anhand derer die Reingasseite des gesamten Filtermediums und die Dichtung der HEPA-Kassette abgescannt werden kann. Bei der Inbetriebnahme des Geräts sowie nach jedem Wechsel der verbrauchten HEPA-Kassette kann somit mit einem Laser- Partikelmessgerät nachgewiesen werden, dass der Wert von H14 nach EN 1822 erreicht wurde und die HEPA-Kassette leckagefrei ist. Es ist somit ausgeschlossen, dass beschädigte HEPA-Filterkassetten zum Einsatz kommen können. Der Kunde kann anhand eines vom Lieferanten auszustellenden Zertifikats nachweisen, dass die im Umluftbetrieb gefilterten Räume „reine Räume“ sind, in denen eine Kontamination mit SARS- oder COVID-19-Viren oder anderen Krankheitserregern ausgeschlossen ist.

In the 9a until 9c three differently designed filter modules 18 are shown for the system according to the invention. A front view is shown on the left-hand side and a side view in the area of the air supply 50 from the base strip modules on the right-hand side. The air discharge 51 to the ceiling elements is also shown. In the 9a are two filter inserts 42 provided in the 9b three and in the 9c four. It goes without saying that an embodiment with a filter insert 42 is also possible. The vertical filter modules according to the invention are extremely small. The central concept significantly reduces the necessary investment costs. In the same way, the costs for inspection, filter changes and checking work are significantly lower, since only one system has to be maintained if there are several rooms. The premises in question remain unaffected by the maintenance work, so that continuous operation can be maintained. The installed ceiling and extraction elements are completely maintenance-free. In addition, one or more rooms can be centrally excluded from the breathing air flow. The following components can be provided alone or in combination for the filtering, in particular in the system according to the invention:

• - A gravimetric pre-separator 19 as the first filter stage before the raw gas channel. This separates materials that are removed via the floor suction system tem to the filter module, gravimetrically, so that they do not get into the filter. The filter is protected from mechanical damage.
• - A UV-C radiation pre-filter 21 as a second filter stage in the raw gas channel. These rays inactivate 99.999% of viruses and bacteria. They damage DNA and stop it from reproducing. When the UV-C radiation sets in, a certain residence time for the pathogens must be taken into account so that the organisms can be sufficiently damaged. The irradiation element is preferably installed in the widened raw gas duct of the system, which is also intended to reduce the speed of 15 -20 m/s of the movement of breathing air from the base strip modules, so that the breathing air to be filtered reaches the filter material with only 1 - 2 cm/s. s strikes. The 99.999% killed or deactivated pathogens can then be easily separated together with the dust particles in the breathing air by the downstream HEPA filter.
• - A high-performance HEPA filter module with filter inserts 42 as a modular third filter stage in a space-saving vertical design. This filter module is designed in particular to be modular and mobile for easy introduction into the building and is set up outside of the rooms to be filtered. For example, a maximum of four modules can be stacked on top of each other and a breathing air capacity of a maximum of 12,000 m ³ /h can be provided. A pressure frame with an eccentric is provided for each module, by means of which the filter cassette to be used can be sealed horizontally. The sealing frame for the HEPA cassette must be on the upper side to prevent the frame from getting dirty and thus leaking when the HEPA filter is pressed against the seal. The flow through the HEPA cassette is vertical from bottom to top. For higher air performance, several filter towers can be coupled next to each other.
• - A measuring probe technology (measuring access) for a calibrated laser particle counter (particle measuring device), preferably with a printer, to prove that every newly installed HEPA filter cassette is leak-free, the seals are undamaged and the required separation capacity can therefore be provided. The measured value remains valid when the filter cassette is in operation because the filter system is designed in such a way that mechanical damage is impossible.
• - A pressure difference manometer, which can be attached to the filter module and can be used to determine the degree of contamination of the HEPA filter cassettes. As a result, a reduction in the breathing air volume change due to increasing filter resistance can be ruled out. If the pressure loss of the HEPA cassette increases due to dust loading, the fan performance is reduced so that the HEPA filter has to be changed. In normal operation, a filter change is due once a year, also for hygienic reasons.
• - A CO ₂ monitoring system for each room to be filtered, which measures the CO ₂ content and regulates the fresh air supply for the respective rooms if a limit value is exceeded (for example 1,000 ppm). A corresponding CO ₂ sensor can be provided for this purpose. An automatic flap system allows fresh air to be fed into the room via a bypass. By monitoring the CO ₂ values in the rooms to be filtered and the automatic supply of fresh air and removal of the same amount of used breathing air by means of the automatically controlled flap system, the critical value of 1,000 ppm, for example, is not exceeded, so that the room cannot be ventilated via the windows more becomes necessary. So there is no critical cross-ventilation, but only the laminar flow between the ceiling element and base strip module and thus efficient removal of the aerosols. The risk of infection is further reduced.
• - A timer control to automatically switch the system on and off and/or regulate the fan. In addition, the bypass flap technology, the supply and removal of fresh air as well as the supply and switch-off in different rooms can be controlled.
• - A bag-in-bag-out filter changing system, preferably with an aluminum frame and plastic bag, for contamination-free changing of a HEPA filter cassette contaminated with viruses and germs, which, like the opened filter module, remains touch-free. Infection of the operator or contamination of the room can be ruled out. The contaminated filter cartridge can be sealed and taken to an incinerator for disposal.
• - An aluminum removable frame (coupling frame), with the help of which the used HEPA cassette can be removed completely contact-free via a plastic bag that is always attached and the rubber ring method and this is sealed and sent for incineration. The maintenance door for changing the HEPA filter is not used to close the filter module, but only to protect the plastic bag from mechanical damage. When using this technique, room values of less than 1 µg, i.e. in the ng range OEB 5 (Operator Exposure Band), can be detected when the filter is changed. This is done as part of a SMEPAC test. Probes are placed in the breathing area of the person changing the filter and 5 to 10 liters of air, i.e. the breathing volume for a period of 10 minutes, are sucked in and then the filter membrane is chemically analyzed and the dust load in the room is detected.
• - Minipleat HEPA filter cassettes (filter insert) with H14 / U15 separation performance according to EN 1822 for almost absolute separation of fine dust and aerosols. In particular, a filter cassette with the size LxWxH 610x610x292 mm with an air capacity of 3,000 m ³ /h can be used. ULPA filter cassettes offer a very high separation efficiency.
• - Each filter segment, each with a HEPA filter cassette, can be provided with five measuring lances, for example, which can be used to scan the clean gas side of the entire filter medium and the seal of the HEPA cassette. When the device is put into operation and after each replacement of the used HEPA cassette, a laser particle measuring device can be used to prove that the value of H14 according to EN 1822 has been reached and that the HEPA cassette is leak-free. It is therefore impossible that damaged HEPA filter cassettes can be used. The customer can use a certificate to be issued by the supplier to prove that the rooms filtered in recirculation mode are "clean rooms" in which contamination with SARS or COVID-19 viruses or other pathogens is excluded.

• - Ein Ventilatormodul inkl. Überhitzungsschutz, das vorzugsweise zusammen mit dem Filtermodul zentral außerhalb der zu filternden Räume aufgestellt wird.
• - Einen Radialventilator, der individuell anhand von Druckverlusten im Rohrleitungssystem und gemäß dem geforderten Luftvolumen ausgelegt ist.
• - Eine Gehäusebelüftung zur Vermeidung der Überhitzung des Antriebsmotors des Ventilators.
• - Eine Geräuschdämmung des Flügelrads zur Geräuschvermeidung.
• - Eine Geräuschdämmung des Motors zur Geräuschvermeidung.
• - Eine Geräuschdämmung der ausgeblasenen Luft zu den Räumen zur Geräuschvermeidung.
• - Optional kann ein Frequenzregler mit einem automatischen Raum-Absperr-Klappensystem vorgesehen sein, durch den es möglich wird, einzelne Räume von der Belüftung zu entkoppeln und nur die tatsächlich genutzten Räume mit gefilterter Atemluft zu versorgen.

In particular, the fan and control module 18 can have the following components alone or in combination:

• - A fan module including overheating protection, which is preferably set up together with the filter module centrally outside of the rooms to be filtered.
• - A centrifugal fan, which is designed individually based on pressure losses in the pipe system and according to the required air volume.
• - A housing ventilation to avoid overheating of the fan drive motor.
• - A noise insulation of the impeller to avoid noise.
• - A noise insulation of the engine to avoid noise.
• - Noise insulation of the blown air to the rooms to avoid noise.
• - Optionally, a frequency controller with an automatic room shut-off flap system can be provided, which makes it possible to decouple individual rooms from the ventilation and only supply the rooms actually used with filtered breathing air.

• - Mehrere zweistufige Deckenelemente über die gesamte Decke des zu filternden Raums, durch die eine nicht wahrnehmbare laminare Strömung von absolut gefilterter Atemluft erzeugt wird.
• - Mindestens ein Bodenleistenmodul, das vergleichbar zu einer Bodenleiste im Raum angebracht wird und durch das die mit Aerosolen belastete Luft am Boden horizontal absaugt wird.
• - Ein Zu- und Abluft-Rohrsystem, das die saubere Atemluft nach dem Filtern in den Raum bzw. die mit Aerosolen behaftete Atemluft aus dem Raum zum Filtermodul leitet.
• - Optional manuelle Stellklappen, die den Atemluftwechselzyklus in den jeweiligen Räumen individuell regulieren, wobei eine Grundeinstellung bei einer Häufigkeit eines 6-fachen Raumluftwechsels pro Stunde liegt. Die Wechselrate für jeden einzelnen Raum kann hierdurch beliebig gemäß dem Bedarf reguliert werden.

The other components include:

• - Several two-stage ceiling elements over the entire ceiling of the room to be filtered, through which an imperceptible laminar flow of absolutely filtered breathing air is generated.
• - At least one floor strip module, which is installed in the room like a floor strip and through which the air contaminated with aerosols is sucked off horizontally on the floor.
• - A supply and exhaust air pipe system that leads the clean breathing air after filtering into the room or the breathing air contaminated with aerosols from the room to the filter module.
• - Optional manual control flaps that individually regulate the breathing air exchange cycle in the respective rooms, with a basic setting of a frequency of 6 room air exchanges per hour. The exchange rate for each individual room can be regulated as required according to need.

1. 1. Eine standardisierte, modulare, zweistufige und geschlossene Laminar Flow Decke, welche mit anderen Modulen beliebig koppelbar ist. Als Option kann z.B. für Turnhallen standardmäßig ein Schutzgitter unterhalb der Laminar-Flow-Decke angebracht werden, damit sie vor mechanischen Beschädigungen, wie z. B. einem Ball, geschützt ist.
2. 2. Regelbare standardisierte Bodenleistenmodule, welche die gleichmäßige Absaugmenge aus dem Raum gewährleisten. Diese Bodenleistenmodule aus einem Raum können mit denen aus anderen Räumen koppelbar sein. Die Luftabführung erfolgt bevorzugt in Raumecken, sodass der Raum möglichst unverändert bleibt. Die Laminar-Flow-Decke zusammen mit den dazu angepassten Bodenleisten ergeben eine nicht spürbare, geräuschlose Laminar-Flow-Strömung im Raum.
3. 3. Ein zentrales 3-stufiges Filtermodul, welches mit weiteren Filtermodulen parallelgeschaltet werden kann und somit praktisch unbegrenzte Luftmengen filtern kann. Die erste Filterstufe umfasst einen gravimetrischen Vorabscheider, welcher jegliche Feststoffe, die über die Bodenleisten abgesaugt werden, entfernt. Die zweite Filterstufe besteht aus einem UV-C-Licht-Vorfilter, welches Viren und Bakterien zu 99,999 % aus der Luft abtötet oder inaktiv macht, indem es die DNA der Krankheitserreger schädigt und ihre Reproduktion stoppt. Die dritte Filterstufe besteht aus einem oder mehreren HEPA-Filter Segmenten, welche mit einer Abscheideleistung von H14 nach EN 1822 alle geschädigten oder abgetöteten Krankheitserreger wie auch Feinststäube aus der Luft entfernen. Das Filtermodul ist ausgestattet mit einer Messsondentechnik in jedem einzelnen HEPA-Filtersegment, anhand dessen mittels eines geeichten Laserpartikelzählers mit Drucker jede einzelne neue HEPA-Filterkassette abgescannt und auf deren Abscheideleistung H14 nach EN 1822 qualifiziert werden kann. Eine in Betrieb befindliche HEPA-Filterkassette kann mechanisch nicht beschädigt werden, sodass der gemessene Wert bis zum nächsten Filterwechsel bestehen bleibt. Der Betreiber kann ein Zertifikat erhalten, in dem er basierend auf den ausgedruckten Messwerten reine Räume hat, welche frei von jeglichen Krankheitserregern und Feststoffen sind. Das Filtermodul ist darüber hinaus ausgestattet mit Druckdifferenz-Manometern, welche den Verschmutzungsgrad der HEPA-Filterkassetten anzeigen. Es ist somit ausgeschlossen, dass der Volumenstrom des Ventilators im Ventilatorenmodul aufgrund steigender Druckdifferenz abfällt. Der festgelegte Volumenstrom bleibt konstant.
4. 4. Einem Ventilatoren- und Regelmodul, welches in einer Schalldämmhaube den jeweiligen Ventilator beinhaltet. Das in den Räumen befindliche CO2-Messgerät steuert ein Klappensystem an, durch welches der gewünschte CO2-Gehalt im Raum durch Zuführen von Frischluft aufrechterhalten wird. Durch diese Maßnahme wird eine zyklische Belüftung des Raumes durch Öffnen der Fenster überflüssig. Mittels eines Frequenzreglers in diesem Modul wird es möglich, einzelne Räume nach Bedarf zu- und abzuschalten, sodass nur die Räume gefiltert werden, die tatsächlich genutzt werden. Der Betreiber erhält über das Ventilatoren- und Regelmodul ein grünes Leuchtsignal, dass das Filtersystem einwandfrei arbeitet, bzw. ein gelbes Leuchtsignal, dass eine Störung vorliegt, z.B. die maximale Erreichung der Druckdifferenz der HEPA-Filterkassette, sodass ein Wechsel dessen notwendig wird.

In a preferred embodiment, the system includes the following components:

1. 1. A standardized, modular, two-stage and closed laminar flow ceiling, which can be coupled with other modules as required. As an option, a protective grille can be fitted below the laminar flow ceiling as standard, for example in gymnasiums, to protect it from mechanical damage, e.g. B. a ball is protected.
2. 2. Controllable standardized baseboard modules, which ensure the even amount of extraction from the room. These baseboard modules from one room can be coupled with those from other rooms. The air is preferably discharged in the corners of the room, so that the room remains as unchanged as possible. The laminar flow ceiling together with the matching floor strips result in an imperceptible, noiseless laminar flow in the room.
3. 3. A central 3-stage filter module, which can be connected in parallel with other filter modules and can therefore filter practically unlimited amounts of air. The first stage of filtration includes a gravimetric pre-separator, which removes any solids that are suctioned through the bottom rails. The second stage of filtering consists of a UV-C light pre-filter which kills or inactivates 99.999% of airborne viruses and bacteria by damaging the pathogens' DNA and stopping them from reproducing. The third filter stage consists of one or more HEPA filter segments, which remove all damaged or dead pathogens as well as fine dust from the air with a separation efficiency of H14 according to EN 1822. The filter module is equipped with a measuring probe technology in each individual HEPA filter segment, which can be used to scan each new HEPA filter cassette using a calibrated laser particle counter with a printer and to be qualified for its H14 separation performance according to EN 1822. A HEPA filter cassette that is in operation cannot be mechanically damaged, so that the measured value remains until the next filter change. The operator can receive a certificate of having clean rooms free of any pathogens and particulate matter based on the printed readings. The filter module is also equipped with pressure difference manometers, which indicate the degree of contamination of the HEPA filter cartridges. It is therefore impossible for the volume flow of the fan in the fan module to drop due to an increasing pressure difference. The specified volume flow remains constant.
4. 4. A fan and control module, which contains the respective fan in a sound insulation hood. The CO2 measuring device in the rooms controls a flap system, which maintains the desired CO2 content in the room by supplying fresh air. This measure eliminates the need for cyclical ventilation of the room by opening the windows. Using a frequency controller in this module, it is possible to switch individual rooms on and off as required, so that only the rooms that are actually used are filtered. The operator receives a green light signal via the fan and control module that the filter system is working properly, or a yellow light signal that there is a fault, e.g. the maximum pressure difference of the HEPA filter cassette has been reached, so that it has to be changed.

The invention has been comprehensively described and explained with reference to the drawings and the description. The description and explanation are intended to be exemplary and not limiting. The invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Other embodiments or variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon use of the present invention upon a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the claims that follow.

In the claims, the words "comprising" and "having" do not exclude the presence of other elements or steps. The undefined article "a" or "an" does not exclude the presence of a plural. A single element or unit can perform the functions of several of the units recited in the claims. The mere naming of some measures in several different dependent patent claims should not be understood to mean that a combination of these measures cannot also be used to advantage. Reference signs in the claims are not to be understood as restrictive.

Claims (15)

System (10) for filtering breathing air in a room (12), comprising: a flat ceiling element (14) for attachment to a ceiling of the room with a plurality of openings (26) in an underside facing the room for introducing breathing air into the room; an elongate base strip module (16) for attachment in the area of a floor of the room with an opening (32) facing the room for discharging breathable air from the room; a fan and control module (18) in communication with the ceiling member and the baseboard module for creating a laminar flow of air between the ceiling member and the baseboard module; and a filter module (20) for receiving and filtering the breathing air discharged through the base strip module and for forwarding the filtered breathing air to the ceiling element, wherein the ceiling element is designed for airtight coupling to further ceiling elements and the floor strip module is designed for airtight coupling to further floor strip modules. system (10) according to claim 1 , wherein the cover element (14) is designed to be closed at the top for introducing the filtered breathing air into an interior space of the cover element; and/or is designed in the form of a plate for hanging under the ceiling of the room (12) and is preferably rectangular with four outer sides for coupling to further ceiling elements. System (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ceiling element (14) a perforated material, in particular a perforated plate (24), with openings (26) for introducing the breathing air into the space (12) for coarse distribution of the breathing air introduced; and or on its underside facing the room, a fabric-like structure, preferably a porous film (30) stretched on a frame (28), for the fine distribution of the respiratory air introduced, in particular an abrasion-resistant, fine-meshed polyester fleece. System (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the floor strip module (16) adapted for mounting in the space (12) in an area of a skirting board; and is preferably designed for coupling to further base strip modules at two opposite ends of the base strip module. System (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the floor strip module (16) an air duct (34) running inside the base strip module for passing on the exhaled breathing air; and preferably a control flap (36) for regulating an effective diameter of the opening (32). system (10) according to claim 5 , wherein the base strip module (16) comprises a further air duct (38) running inside the base strip module for passing on respiratory air that has been discharged to coupled further base strip modules. System (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, with an elongate connecting element (40) for connecting the base strip module (16) to the filter module (20) and the fan and control module (18), wherein the connecting element is designed to be attached in a corner of the room (12), so that the base strip module can be connected to the filter module and to the fan and control module in the area of the ceiling of the room. The system (10) of any preceding claim, wherein the fan and control module (18) is connected to the ceiling member for introducing breathable air into the ceiling member (14) to create positive pressure in the ceiling member. A system (10) as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the fan and control module (18) is located outside of the room (12). System (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter module (20) has a gravimetric pre-filter as the first stage, a UV-C filter as the second stage and a main filter which has one or more HEPA filter inserts, in particular class H14, in Has filter segments as a third filter stage, includes. System (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter module (20) comprises a coupling frame (44) for airtight reversible coupling of a receptacle for a filter cartridge after use to allow contamination-free removal of the filter cartridge. System (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fan and control module (18) or the filter module (20) comprises a fresh air unit for supplying a fresh air portion to the received breathing air; and the fresh air unit preferably comprises a sensor for measuring a CO ₂ content in the respiratory air received and is designed for supplying the fresh air portion as a function of the measured CO ₂ content. System (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the filter module (20) At least one measuring port (46) for connecting a particle measuring device for measuring a leakage of the filter insert; and the measuring access preferably comprises a measuring tube with a plurality of openings arranged downstream of the filter insert in the direction of the respiratory air flow, one end of which is designed for connecting the particle measuring device (48). System (10) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising: a pre-separator (19) for the gravimetric separation of materials from the discharged breathing air before it is fed to the filter module (20); and or a pre-filter (21) with an irradiation unit for irradiating the exhaled air before it is fed to the filter module (20). System (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fan and Regelmo dul (18) and the filter module (20) are designed for connection to a further ceiling element and a further base strip module in another room.

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