EP3929499A1

EP3929499A1 - System for injecting beneficial micro-organisms into an indoor environment

Info

Publication number: EP3929499A1
Application number: EP20216724.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jo Pannecoucke
Original assignee: Takeair BV
Current assignee: Takeair BV
Priority date: 2020-06-25
Filing date: 2020-12-22
Publication date: 2021-12-29
Also published as: WO2021260213A1; CN115917219A; CA3187769A1; JP2023531277A; US20230280057A1; KR20230028483A; EP4172537A1

Abstract

The invention pertains to a system for injecting beneficial micro-organisms into an indoor environment, the system comprising: a container (1) configured to contain a mix of micro-organisms; a nebulizer (9) arranged to spray an amount of said mix of micro-organisms into a ventilation channel of said indoor environment; a pump (4) arranged to transport said amount of said mix of micro-organisms to be nebulized from said container (1) to said nebulizer (9); a flow meter (6) arranged to measure the flow of said amount of said mix of micro-organisms; and a controller (8), operatively connected to said flow meter (6) and said pump (4), said controller (8) being configured to control at least said pump (4) in function of at least measurements of said flow meter.

Description

Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns systems for improving the air quality in indoor environment, in particular by the injection of beneficial micro-organisms to improve the microbiome in indoor spaces.

Background

The current trend in building design is to insulate the indoor environment to a maximum extent from the outdoor environment to obtain higher energy efficiency. Air supply is implemented through forced ventilation systems, which filter the incoming air to remove pollutants. As a result, the microbiome of the atmosphere inside buildings tends to become poorer, which risks underexposing humans to micro-organisms that would be beneficial to human health.
It is known to deploy plants that are considered to have air purifying characteristics inside buildings, with a view to improving the air quality. It is a disadvantage of that approach that it is cost and labor intensive, and prone to generating undesired humidity and mold formation.
It is known to blow probiotics into the air inside a building. It is a disadvantage of that approach that it may lead to the formation of bacterial spores when certain climatological circumstances occur.
It is known to use probiotic detergents inside buildings. It is a disadvantage of that approach that the detergents tend to contain volatile organic compounds and chemicals that reduce biodiversity.

Summary

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided system for injecting beneficial micro-organisms into an indoor environment, the system comprising:

a container configured to contain a mix of micro-organisms;
a nebulizer arranged to spray an amount of the mix of micro-organisms into a ventilation channel of the indoor environment;
a pump arranged to transport the amount of the mix of micro-organisms to be nebulized from the container to the nebulizer;
a flow meter arranged to measure the flow of the amount of the mix of micro-organisms; and
a controller, operatively connected to the flow meter and the pump, the controller being configured to control at least the pump in function of at least measurements of the flow meter.

The present invention is based inter alia on the insight of the inventor that it is beneficial for human health to inject certain micro-organisms in the air of indoor spaces, in carefully controlled quantities. The present invention is also based on the insight of the inventor that such micro-organisms can advantageously be nebulized into a ventilation channel of an indoor environment for the purpose of distribution.
In an embodiment of the system according to the present invention, the container is formed as a bag.
It is an advantage of the use of a bag, that the container's volume shrinks as its contents are consumed, avoiding the entry of air (and airborne particles and organisms) into the container and the ensuing risk of contamination of the remaining contents. By reducing the risk of contamination, the conservation time of the bag's contents is increased significantly. By avoiding the entry of air, and in particular of the oxygen contained in the air, the proliferation of certain undesirable organisms can be avoided as well.
In an embodiment of the system according to the present invention, the container is attached to the circuitry of the system by means of a releasable coupler.
It is an advantage of this embodiment that the container can be decoupled from the system in order to refill it, and subsequently reattached.
In an embodiment, the system according to the present invention further comprises a filter.
It is an advantage of this embodiment that any impurities that may have contaminated the product during the assembly of the system (in particular during refilling or mounting of the reservoir) are removed from the mix of micro-organisms. This will keep these impurities from reaching sensitive components in the system and improve the operation and the lifespan of, in particular, the pump and the nebulizer.
In a particular embodiment, the filter comprises a glass tube.
In an embodiment, the system according to the present invention further comprises an overpressure safety.
The overpressure safety protects the pump and any other sensitive components in the system from damage when obstructions in the circuitry would lead to an undesirable overpressure.
In an embodiment of the system according to the present invention, the controller comprises a network interface, the controller being configured to provide operational parameters to an external receiver via the network interface.
In a particular embodiment, the operational parameters comprise one or more of viscosity, temperature, volume, velocity, pressure build-up, nebulizing activity, air flow, air quality, air temperature and humidity.
It is an advantage of this embodiment that an external receiver can receive and process all data associated with the operation of the system.
In an embodiment, the system according to the present invention further comprises a depressurizing valve.
It is an advantage of this embodiment that the built-up pressure can be released from the pump and other components in the system after each nebulizing cycle. This is advantageous from a safety point of view and increases the lifespan of the pump and any other sensitive components in the fluid distribution circuitry.
In an embodiment, the system according to the present invention further comprises a housing enclosing at least the pump, the flow meter, and the controller.
It is an advantage of this embodiment that it provides a convenient module for installation in existing buildings.
In an embodiment of the system according to the present invention, the nebulizer comprises a nozzle configured to inject at an angle between 30° and 60° relative to a main direction of air flow inside the ventilation channel.
In a particular embodiment, the ventilation channel comprises a substantially horizontal air duct, and the nozzle is arranged at or near a bottom wall of the substantially horizontal air duct.
In an embodiment of the system according to the present invention, the nebulizer comprises a plurality of nozzles.
In an embodiment of the system according to the present invention, the mix of micro-organisms comprises Archaea.
This embodiment is based on the insight of the inventor that Archaea are suitable organisms for injection in the air of indoor spaces. Archaea are very diverse and plentiful in the Earth's soil, oceans, and fresh-water bodies, where they fulfill a key role in the planet's biogeochemical cycles. These micro-organisms get energy and nutrients from inorganic substrates such as carbon dioxide and ammonia. Hence, as chemolithotrophs they do not use organic compounds as nutrients, which renders them completely safe to humans. As these organisms operate according to the competitive exclusion principle, they physically occupy their living space whereby they suppress the presence of any other - potentially harmful - micro-organisms. This provides a way to reduce potentially harmful micro-organisms in exchange for more beneficial micro-organisms.
In an embodiment of the system according to the present invention, the mix of micro-organisms comprises Bacteria.
The mix may in particular comprise a microbial consortium comprising one or more ammonium-oxidizing strains which are generally recognized as safe (GRAS), such as Nitrosomonas, Nitrosospira, Nitrosopumilus, Cenarchaeum, Nitrosoarchaeum, Nitrosocaldus, Caldiarchaeum; and one or more GRAS strains which are commensal to the one or more ammonium-oxidizing strains, such as Acinetobacter, Alcaligenes, Arthrobacter, Azospirillum, Azotobacter, Bacillus, Beijerinckia, Enterobacter, Erwinia, Flavobacterium, Rhizobium, Serratia and Deinococcus.
Additionally or alternatively, the mix may in particular comprise judiciously selected beneficial (airborne) cyanobacteria.
In an embodiment of the system according to the present invention, the mix of micro-organisms comprises Eukaryota.
The mix may in particular comprise judiciously selected beneficial (airborne) micro-algae.

Brief Description of the Figures

These and other technical features and advantages of embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which:

Figure 1 presents a schematic overview of an embodiment of the system according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a photograph of a pump and a bypass mounted on a common bracket, as may be used in an embodiment of the system according to the present invention;
Figure 3 is a photograph of an exemplary arrangement of an OpenMotics Gateway and an OpenMotics Output Module, as may be used as a controller in an embodiment of the system according to the present invention;
Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary arrangement of a nebulizer in an air duct, for use in an embodiment of the system according to the present invention; and
Figure 5 illustrates another exemplary arrangement of a nebulizer in an air duct, for use in an embodiment of the system according to the present invention.

Description of Embodiments

Figure 1 presents a schematic overview of an embodiment of the system according to the present invention.
The illustrated system for injecting beneficial micro-organisms into an indoor environment comprises a container 1 configured to contain a mix of micro-organisms.
The container 1 may be formed as a bag. The bag may be made of recyclable materials, such as polyethylene (preferably LDPE). Other materials, such as those that are commonly used for the manufacture of IV drip bags (e.g. polyvinyl chloride), may also be used.
The container 1 may be reusable. The container (of the 'bag'type or other) may be attached to the circuitry of the system by means of a releasable coupler, allowing it to be decoupled when it is empty, refilled, and reattached.
The mix of micro-organisms provided in the container may comprise Archaea. Additionally or alternatively, the mix of micro-organisms provided in the container may comprise Bacteria. Additionally or alternatively, the mix of micro-organisms provided in the container may comprise Eukaryota. The mix comprises the micro-organisms in suspension in a liquid substrate (e.g. water, an organic solution, or an inorganic solution). Upon dispersion of the mix, the micro-organisms may be sustained in droplets or become airborne.
A suitable composition of the mix of micro-organisms is disclosed in Belgian patent application publication no. BE1025316A1 in the name of Avecom NV.
The illustrated system further comprises a nebulizer 9 arranged to spray an amount of the mix of micro-organisms as an aerosol into a ventilation channel of the targeted indoor environment. The nebulizer 9 may comprise a pressure regulator, a lance of a suitable length to bridge the distance between the location of the pressure regulator and the injection point, and a spray head at the injection point. In settings where the location of the nebulizer 9 is prone to large temperature swings, an electronically controlled heater (such as a resistance, through which an electrical current may be sent under control of the controller 8 described below) may be provided to protect the nebulizer 9 and neighboring components from freezing.
The illustrated system further comprises a pump 4 arranged to transport the amount of the mix of micro-organisms to be nebulized from the container 1 to the nebulizer 9. Any suitable electronically controllable pump for pumping liquids may be used. In an embodiment of the present invention, the pump 4 is a membrane pump.
The illustrated system further comprises a flow meter 6 arranged to measure the flow of the amount of the mix of micro-organisms and a controller 8, operatively connected to the flow meter 6 and the pump 4, the controller 8 being configured to control at least the pump 4 in function of at least measurements of the flow meter.
The presence of a flow meter 6 allows for accurate feedback-based control of the pump 4 that feeds the nebulizer 9. The controller 8 may for example be configured to perform a PID control scheme, using the readings of flow meter 6 as the feedback signal.
A suitable flow meter for use in embodiments of the system according to the present invention is the ES-FLOW^™ low flow ultrasonic flow meter sold by Bronkhorst High-Tech B.V. of Ruurlo, The Netherlands. This flow meter can easily be connected to the controller by means of a serial data connection (RS232/RS485) for control and digital read-out, while also providing an alternative analog read-out option.
One or more other sensors (not illustrated) may be provided to supply other measurement values to the controller 8. These sensors may relate to conditions of the system itself (e.g., pressure sensors to sense pressure in various parts of the system's liquid transportation circuitry, current sensors to measure the amount of electrical current by the pump) or of the environment (e.g., thermometers to measure temperature inside the building, hygrometers to measure air humidity inside the building). Other parameters that may advantageously be sensed with suitable sensors integrated in or connected to the system, because they have an impact on the general quality of the targeted indoor living environment, include: CO₂ level, concentration of volatile organic compounds, concentration of dust particles and their mass and/or size distribution, sound (noise) level, and illumination level.
The controller 8 may be implemented in a dedicated hardware component (e.g., ASIC), a configurable hardware component (e.g., FPGA), a programmable component with appropriate software (e.g., microprocessor, DSP), or any suitable combination of such components. The same component(s) may also perform other functions. Functions to be controlled by the controller 8 may include power up, power down, and reboot of the system, opening and closing the door of the system's enclosure, controlling valves, and controlling the pump 4. The pump 4 may be activated intermittently (cyclically) in accordance with the desired dosage of the mix of micro-organisms in the building's air flow. The dosage may be varied in function of the temperature and/or the humidity inside the building, if there are suitable sensors to provide these parameters to the system.
In the illustrated case, a filter 3 is provided immediately downstream of the container 1, to keep any impurities that may be present in the stored mix from entering the liquid transport circuitry.
In the illustrated case, an overpressure safety 5 or bypass is provided in parallel with the pump 4 to prevent the build-up of a potentially harmful pressure differential between the upstream side and the downstream side of the pump 4. The overpressure safety 5 may be mounted on a common bracket with the pump 4 to obtain a particularly compact arrangement, as shown in Figure 2.
A depressurizing valve 10 may be provided to remove pressure from the circuit when it is not in operation, e.g. after every nebulizing cycle.
In the illustrated case, a plurality of electronically controlled valves 7 are provided to allow distribution of the mix to different circuits with respective nebulizers (not illustrated) or to a return circuit under control of the controller 8.
Preferably, the controller 8 comprises a network interface. The term "network interface" refers to the necessary hardware and software to allow the controller 8 to exchange data and messages with one or more external components (in particular for the purpose of external monitoring or control). The network interface preferably operates according to one or more data networking standards, including for example standards for wired or wireless personal area networks, such as USB, IEEE Std 802.15.1 and .2 ("Bluetooth"), and IEEE Std. 802.15.4 ("Zigbee"); wired or wireless local area networks such as IEEE Std 802.3 ("Ethernet") and IEEE Std 802.11 ("WiFi"); mobile networks such as GSM/EDGE/GPRS, 3G, 4G and beyond. At the transport and network layer, the network interface may use the TCP/IP protocol family. The system may further comprise advanced networking functions such as bridging, routing, authentication, and firewall, which may be provided by a separate switch or router, or integrated in the controller 8.
The controller 8 may be configured to receive measurement values of some or all of the aforementioned sensors via the network interface. This is particularly advantageous for sensors that are not collocated with the system.
The controller 8 may be configured to provide operational parameters to an external receiver via the network interface. The external receiver may for example be a user interface for a human operator or a data integrator for an artificial intelligence based monitoring/controlling entity. The operational parameters may comprise one or more of viscosity, temperature, volume, velocity, pressure build-up, nebulizing activity, air flow, air quality, air temperature and humidity.
If a sufficiently advanced controller 8 is used and the system is connected to the internet, the system according to the present invention becomes an Internet-of-Things (IoT) enabled device. The applicant has had good results using an OpenMotics Gateway with an OpenMotics Output Module as the controller 8, whereby the Gateway provides the internet connectivity and executes the control logic, while the Output Module interfaces with the pump 4 and other controllable components of the liquid transport circuitry. An exemplary arrangement of a OpenMotics based controller is shown in Figure 3. It is an advantage of the OpenMotics family of components that they can be combined in a modular way, operate on a standard 24V power supply, provide out-of-the-box network connectivity, and run on open-source firmware, hardware, and software. Detailed information about the OpenMotics family of components can be found on the OpenMotics Wiki on https://wiki.openmotics.com/index.php/The_OpenMotics_Wiki.
Some or all of components of the system may be enclosed in a housing (not illustrated) to facilitate transport and installation in existing buildings.
The system should be configured in such a way that a maximal fraction of the nebulized mix is carried along by the air moving inside the ventilation channel for distribution throughout the building, and a minimal fraction is permanently deposited on the channel's walls. Generally, a higher air velocity will lead to a better take-up of the nebulized mix. However, a judicious placement of the nebulizer also contributes to an increased take-up.
Generally, a suitable placement of the nebulizer may be selected in function of the geometry of the ventilation channel. The skilled person may identify suitable arrangements by means of routine experiments. Some preferred arrangements are described hereinbelow, without limiting the general scope of the invention.
In a typical situation where the ventilation channel (or at least the part where the injection takes place) has a substantially constant cross section, the main direction of air flow is parallel to the walls of the ventilation channel. The nebulizer may be arranged on a wall of the ventilation channel. In some embodiments, an attachment element of the nebulizer may be arranged on a wall of the ventilation channel, whereby the outlet portion of the nebulizer (the nozzle mouth) can be moved relative to the attachment element and fixed at a desired point inside the ventilation channel. The attachment element may for example include articulating or sliding components for this purpose.
The nebulizer 9 may comprise a nozzle configured to inject the mix in the ventilation channel at an angle between 30° and 60° relative to the main direction of air flow inside said ventilation channel (which is, as the case may be, also the angle relative to the wall on which the nozzle may be arranged). Preferably, the angle is between 40° and 50°, most preferably it is approximately 45° (within 2° or less, or even exactly 45°).
Where the ventilation channel comprises a substantially horizontal air duct, the nozzle is preferably arranged at or near a bottom wall of said substantially horizontal air duct. A non-limiting exemplary arrangement is shown in Figure 4, whereby a single nozzle is placed at 100 mm from the bottom wall and 100 mm from a side wall of an air direct with a substantially rectangular cross-section measuring 400 mm × 250 mm (the top part of the figure represents the cross-section, the bottom part of the figure represents a side view of the relevant part of the duct). The preferred angles mentioned above may be applied, whereby this angle is the angle of the nozzle relative to said bottom wall and/or said side wall. Alternatively, the nozzle may be directed to spray along the main direction of the air flow.
The nebulizer 9 may comprise a plurality of nozzles. The applicant has found that good effects can be obtained with two nozzles. Another exemplary arrangement is shown in Figure 5, whereby a two nozzles are placed in an air duct at 1/3 of the duct height and 2/3 of the duct height, respectively, and at 1/4 of the duct width from a side wall of the air duct. Without limitation, the illustrated air duct has a substantially rectangular cross-section measuring 400 mm × 250 mm (the top part of the figure represents the cross-section, the bottom part of the figure represents a side view of the relevant part of the duct). The preferred angles mentioned above may be applied, whereby this angle is the angle of the nozzle relative to the nearest one of the bottom and the top wall, and/or said side wall. Alternatively, the nozzles may be directed to spray along the main direction of the air flow.
The nozzle(s) are preferably adapted to produce an extremely fine, fog-like spray. The spray exiting the nozzle is typically cone-shaped. A top angle of the spay cone is preferably between 30° and 90°, more preferably between 50° and 70°, and most preferably approximately 60°. The applicant has found that surprisingly good results could be obtained with a hollow-cone nozzle. Good results have been obtained with a hollow-cone nozzle with a 60° spray angle with a fine-mazed strainer (e.g. Lechler type 220.004), operated at a pressure of 6 bar.
While the invention has been described hereinabove with reference to specific embodiments, this was done to illustrate and not to limit the invention, the scope of which is determined by the accompanying claims.

Claims

A system for injecting beneficial micro-organisms into an indoor environment, the system comprising:
- a container (1) configured to contain a mix of micro-organisms;

- a nebulizer (9) arranged to spray an amount of said mix of micro-organisms into a ventilation channel of said indoor environment;

- a pump (4) arranged to transport said amount of said mix of micro-organisms to be nebulized from said container (1) to said nebulizer (9);

- a flow meter (6) arranged to measure the flow of said amount of said mix of micro-organisms; and

- a controller (8), operatively connected to said flow meter (6) and said pump (4), said controller (8) being configured to control at least said pump (4) in function of at least measurements of said flow meter.
The system according to claim 1, wherein said container (1) is formed as a bag.
The system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said container (1) is attached to the circuitry of said system by means of a releasable coupler (2).
The system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a filter (3).
The system according to claim 4, wherein said filter (3) comprises a glass tube.
The system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an overpressure safety (5).
The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said controller (8) comprises a network interface, said controller (8) being configured to provide operational parameters to an external receiver via said network interface.
The system according to claim 7, wherein said operational parameters comprise one or more of viscosity, temperature, volume, velocity, pressure build-up, nebulizing activity, air flow, air quality, air temperature and humidity.
The system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a depressurizing valve (10).
The system according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a housing enclosing at least said pump (4), said flow meter (6), and said controller (8).
The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said nebulizer (9) comprises a nozzle configured to inject at an angle between 30° and 60° relative to a main direction of air flow inside said ventilation channel.
The system according claim 11, wherein said ventilation channel comprises a substantially horizontal air duct, and wherein said nozzle is arranged at or near a bottom wall of said substantially horizontal air duct.
The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said nebulizer (9) comprises a plurality of nozzles.
The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said mix of micro-organisms comprises Archaea.
The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said mix of micro-organisms comprises Bacteria.
The system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said mix of micro-organisms comprises Eukaryota.