EP4313181A1

EP4313181A1 - Flow-through air purifier

Info

Publication number: EP4313181A1
Application number: EP22781730.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Adam Mielczarek; Ruslans VOLFS
Original assignee: Exel Air Tech Sp Z OO
Current assignee: Exel Air Tech Sp Z OO
Priority date: 2021-03-31
Filing date: 2022-03-27
Publication date: 2024-02-07
Also published as: PL245400B1; WO2022211650A1; PL437471A1

Abstract

The object of the invention is a flow-through air purifier. The invention is applicable to the purification of urban air from organic and inorganic pollutants. It can be implemented as a stationary device or as a device mounted on vehicles, in both cases permanently or detachably, in particular on public or intercity transport vehicles. The flow-through air purifier, having a housing (1), has an air duct (2), arranged in this housing (1), with a variable air flow direction and has a filtration system (3) for purifying gases and for capturing and preferably collecting particulates and dust. The air duct (2) has at least one air inlet opening (4) with an external cover (5) and a gated inlet stream restrictor (6) and at least one air outlet opening (7) with the external cover (5), while the filtration system (3) is provided with a particulate filter (8) and a dust filter (9), at least one of each type, both with a high efficiency of filtration, and downstream, in the air duct (2), a photocatalytic filter (10) with a UV lamp (11) as an antimicrobial gas purifier (12). There is a fan (13), as well as at least one chamber (14) in the air duct (2) in the air circulation path. The particulate filter (8) is far apart from the dust filter (9), and constituting a waste chamber (14') is located in a blinded branch of the air duct (2), and the air duct (2) has at least one constriction (15) located on a curvature (16) of the air duct (2), the waste chamber (14') being located downstream of the constriction (15), on the opposite side of an internal arch (16') of the curvature (16) of the air duct (2), and is separated from it by an openwork screen (17), preferably of adjustable clearance. Only at the end of the air duct (2), upstream of the main outlet opening (7') of the air duct (2), there is the dust filter (9), wherein the waste chamber (14') is used for the collection of particulates with a granularity of PM10 to PM1. The invention also relates to a method for purifying gases with the use of an inventive flow-through air purifier and its use for purifying gases.

Description

FLOW-THROUGH AIR PURIFIER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is a flow-through air purifier. The invention is applicable to the purification of urban air from organic and inorganic pollutants. It can be implemented as a stationary device, or as a device mounted on vehicles, in particular on public or intercity transport vehicles, i.e. buses, trolleybuses, trams, but also on coaches, trucks or trains, as appropriate. The invention also relates to a method for purifying gases with the use of an inventive flow-through air purifier and its use for purifying gases.

PRIOR ART

There is a known process of purifying the air from organic and inorganic pollutants with the use of filters, including HEPA and/or ULPA filters. During filtration, the principle of sieving, analogous to the functionality of the sieve, physical absorption, and adsorption, with the function of hooking, inertia and diffusion of filtered particles, are used.

For air disinfection, photocatalysis is also used, based on the fact that the particles of air polluting compounds decompose into safe substances during the reaction in the presence of titanium dioxide (T1O2) under the influence of ultraviolet light with a wavelength in the range of 200 - 400 nm. The bactericidal effect of the radiation of ultraviolet lamps and light diodes is also known, the effect of which is enhanced in the presence of titanium dioxide.

For the application of the functions indicated above, air purifying devices, among others, have been set up and are shown below, with reference to the disclosed documentation containing a detailed description of their construction.

A filtering system for public transport is known from the Korean patent KR101944134B1, , wherein a dust filter installed in motor vehicles, designed to separate particles based on the filtered air flow principle is described.

A road vehicle is known from the patent application US20200031204A1, which is equipped with a device for purifying the surrounding air, with filtering elements for dust, hard particles and gases removal from the air, in particular from the surrounding the vehicle, wherein it is installed under the vehicle or in the structural frame of the vehicle.

Based on the US patent application with procedure number US20190337360A1 , for a similar constructional principle intended for a vehicle, one can learn about a group of filters for collecting dust, particles and gases. The group of filters was mounted in a duct with a variable air flow direction, with the filters located across the entire width of the duct, and the entire air stream flowing through the duct passed through each filter in turn.

In the international application W02019/110223A1, an air purifier has been proposed, mounted in front of the radiator under the car hood, wherein it appears that in this case its functionality may be limited only to the own needs of the vehicle.

In the international application W02019/110780A1, an air filter mounted in a bumper is disclosed, wherein the shape of the filter fills up the interior space of the bumper.

In turn, the international application W02019/111072A1 a roof-mounted filter module for the removal of urban smog was proposed, wherein a flow-through air intake system is forced by the air pressure associated with the vehicle moving at a certain speed.

Finally, the international application WO2020/147872AI discloses a stationary dust absorber with replaceable cassettes.

On the other hand, the Polish patent No PL231710B1, , discloses a system for purifying and controlling the air stream. It comprises a body consisting of an external part set on suitable insulation in the building wall and an internal part. This body is provided with an air inlet opening with an external cover, an air flow duct located in the internal body and an air outlet opening with an adjustable internal cover. A hydrophobic elastic membrane is mounted in the internal part of the body on the air inlet side and is excited to vibrate by a magnet with coil attached thereto. A resistance-heated metal mesh with a very dense weave and an applied layer of silver nanoparticles, is mounted to the internal part in the outlet direction, downstream of the membrane. Then, a first high-efficiency particulate filter and a first layer of T1Ό2 photocatalytic filter are placed, followed by a fan, a UV lamp and a second layer of T1O2 photocatalytic filter, followed by a first monolithic layer of activated carbon non-woven fabric with silver nano-particles applied. Downstream of this first monolith layer, there is a negative ion generator chamber with a generator, followed by a second monolith layer of activated carbon non-woven fabric with silver nano-particles applied. Downstream of the second monolithic layer, a second high-efficiency particulate filter is placed. The magnet with coil, the resistance-heated mesh, the UV lamp, the fan and the negative ion generator are connected to a controller with sound and light signalling via a control and power supply line. Optionally, the system has HEPA and/or ULPA filters, as well as sensors for filter bed overfilling and filtered air quality. The solution can constitute a stationary, improved version of the room air conditioner which not only allows the filtering of particles from polluted air in a mechanical way and adjusting this air thermally to the comfort zone, but also the system can inactivate microorganisms and break down particles by ionising the flowing stream.

A photocatalytic air purification device is known from the patent PL207010B1, that can be conveniently mounted and moved for maintenance. The photocatalytic purification device, according to this well-known solution, removes unpleasant odours, volatile organic compounds and bioaerosols from the air directed through a duct or fan convector. In turn, the fan convector has a coil, a blower and two ducts, respectively a supply and a return air duct. The fan convector comprises, in turn, at least one modular photocatalytic purification device located at the coil. The purification device comprises a modular housing having a retractable adjustment mechanism. A plurality of support structures, each having a catalytic layer applied thereto, are located within the modular housing, and at least one ultraviolet lamp is located among the plurality of the support structures. A control unit may be coupled to them, which switches on the power supply to the ultraviolet lamp depending on the operating mode of the fan convector. The photocatalytic purification device presented is suitable for both industrial and residential applications and can be installed as a self-contained system or as an additional module in existing installations.

Unfortunately, the presented devices are not universal solutions with an extended operation mode, i.e. without the necessity of frequent unclogging of filtering beds, especially when the air subject to filtration is heavily polluted, including air from industrial processes or from an environment heavily exposed to smoke, including engine exhaust fumes, unwanted structures of particulates, from PM10 to PM1, through gaseous particles, to viruses, fungi, moulds and bacteria. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The solution according to the present invention reduces these inconveniences, as it fulfils all these assumptions simultaneously thanks to a dedicated flow-through structure with a profiled duct for the air stream. This results in a comprehensive purification effect in a single device, from dusts and toxic gases to microorganisms, surprisingly there is not any need to dispose of used filters, and the device can operate effectively for much longer between only infrequent technical breaks for maintenance of the mechanisms, preferably every one, two, three, four years, preferably every five years, especially when used in moderately polluted environments.

The presented objective is also achieved by a far-reaching separation of mechanical particle filtration from gas and/or microbial filtration and inactivation.

In detail, the solution consists in the following construction of the device, the operation of which achieves all the objectives set for the task.

The flow-through air purifier, having a housing, has an air duct, arranged in this housing, with a variable air flow direction and has a filtration system for purifying gases and for capturing and preferably collecting particulates and dust. The air duct has at least one air inlet opening with an external cover and a gated inlet flow restrictor and at least one air outlet opening with the external cover, while the filtration system is equipped with a particulate filter and a dust filter, at least one of each type, both with a high efficiency of filtration, and downstream, in the air duct, a photocatalytic filter with a UV lamp, which purifies and breaks down organic and inorganic pollutants, e.g. oils, fats, car exhaust, gaseous pollutants and also acts as an antimicrobial gas purifier. There is a fan, as well as at least one chamber in the air duct in the air circulation path. The solution is characterised by the fact that the particulate filter is far apart from the dust filter, and constituting a waste chamber is located in a blinded branch of the air duct, the air duct has at least one constriction located on the curvature of the air duct, the waste chamber being located downstream of the constriction, on the opposite side of an internal arch of the curvature of the air duct, and is separated from it by an openwork screen, preferably of adjustable clearance. Only at the end of the air duct, upstream of the main outlet opening of the air duct, there is the dust filter, wherein the waste chamber is used for the collection of particulates with a granularity of PM10 to PM1.

Preferably, the angle measure of the internal arch of the curvature of the air duct has a value greater than 90°.

Preferably, the angle measure of the external arch of the curvature of the air duct has a value greater than 45°.

The fan is preferably located between the dust filter and the gas purifier in the form of a photocatalytic filter with a UV lamp.

Preferably, the dust filter is located downstream of the last curvature of the air duct. There is preferably more than one dust filter and they are sequentially placed with respect to each other.

Preferably, the gated inlet stream restrictor is a screen having an adjustable inlet air stream flow area.

Preferably, the flow-through air purifier is further provided with a pollutant sensor, preferably located at the outlet, preferably upstream of the main outlet opening of the air duct.

Preferably, the openwork screen has a hole pattern and/or a slotted pattern, wherein the holes are circular, or elliptical, or rectangular, and the slots are elongated.

Preferably, the openwork screen is a hinged louvre, preferably directed inwards to the waste chamber. The waste chamber is preferably located in front of the constriction, downstream or next to the air duct.

The waste chamber is preferably divided into pockets, where each successive pocket in the sequence, along the air flow path in the air duct, is used to separate particles of progressively smaller granularity.

Preferably, the air duct is circular, or elliptical, or rectangular in its cross-section.

The flow-through air purifier is preferably provided with sensors, an overfilling sensor located in the waste chamber and/or in the dust filter and/or a filtered air quality sensor located in the inlet opening and/or in the main outlet opening.

Preferably, the gas purifier has a flat metal support and a catalyst in the form of a titanium dioxide coating applied onto the support, preferably in the form of a crystalline structure of anatase, rutile or a combination thereof.

Preferably, the UV lamp propagates ultraviolet radiation with wavelengths between 200nm and 400nm.

Preferably the dust filter is a purifiable electrostatic filter.

Preferably, the external cover is either a mesh or a truss.

Preferably, a compressed air reservoir is mounted in the housing, preferably constituting a pressure cavity, located preferably between the air duct and the housing, the reservoir having an outlet to the air duct, or having an outlet to a particulate filter and/or a dust filter, the said outlet being preferably a controllable valve and/or a controllable nozzle.

Preferably, the reservoir, which is a pressure cavity, is located upstream of the constriction, preferably behind the wall of the air duct in the line of its straight course.

Preferably, the air duct is led internally from the inlet opening to the main outlet opening, wherein it has a serpentine course line, longitudinally through its housing, preferably vertically, and each waste chamber and possibly the reservoir are complementary to the air duct in the housing.

Preferably, the waste chamber and/or the dust filter has an outlet opening which is an auxiliary outlet opening, the opening of the outlet opening preferably being triggered by a control system or by a filter bed overfilling sensor and/or by a filtered air quality sensor.

The waste chamber and/or the reservoir are preferably detachably mounted to the housing.

Preferably, the housing is provided with photovoltaic panels which are a source of current supply for its electric loads, preferably for the UV lamp, the control system, the fan, the openwork screen, the valve, the nozzle, the outlet openings.

Preferably, the housing is provided with an autonomous rechargeable battery power source which is a source of current supply for its electric loads, preferably for the UV lamp, the control system, the fan, the openwork screen, the valve, the nozzle, the outlet openings.

The flow-through air purifier is preferably provided with a GSM modem and/or a GPS receiver.

The flow-through air purifier preferably comprises at least one carbon dioxide absorber, preferably mounted in the air duct between the dust filter and the gas purifier.

The flow-through air purifier is preferably mounted undetachably, preferably as a stationary element in the open air as part of urban architecture.

The flow-through air purifier preferably constitutes a vehicle's equipment, preferably detachably mounted on the outside of the vehicle, preferably on the roof of the vehicle, more preferably located underneath the vehicle. The flow-through air purifier as part of the vehicle equipment may be integrated in another vehicle component, for example the bumper, placed under the car hood, etc.

The flow-through air purifier is preferably in the shape of a regular solid, preferably a cuboid, with a length from the inlet opening to the outlet opening of not more than 5m, a width of not more than 2.5m and a height of not more than 0.25m, preferably with a mass of not more than 10kg. The invention also relates to a method for purifying gases from pollutants comprising the step of passing a polluted gas through the flowthrough air purifier according to the invention, wherein the gas to be purified is preferably polluted air, preferably air in large urban agglomerations.

The invention also relates to the use of the flow-through purifier according to the invention for purifying gases from pollutants, wherein the purified gas is preferably polluted air, preferably air in large urban agglomerations.

An unquestionable advantage of the presented technical solution is the auto-separation, in the sense of utilising the centrifugal force for the stream of contaminated air, where the flowing air stream will spontaneously, in the bends of its course, return the polluting particles successively, from the largest to the smallest ones, as they will submit to the centrifugal force amplified by the reduced pressure occurring as a result of the local acceleration of the air flow in the constriction, where, just downstream of the constriction, the particles will, so to speak, deliver themselves to the waste chamber which acts as a settling tank. As a result, the mechanical and pass-through filtration, taking into account the further course of air flow, will only take place when the air is already substantially depleted of particles, so the mechanical and photocatalytic filter with UV will not be exposed to clogging with particles. These filters will be able to function properly for much longer and their service life and functionality will increase. In addition, this process will be supported by periodic cleaning with compressed air, stored in the reservoir for the purpose of forced purging of the air duct, which proves to be sufficient for the presented construction so that there is no need to replace the dust filter and the photocatalytic filter with UV.

The advantage is the optional triggering of a valve between the pressure cavity and the air duct with the possibility of opening the outlet opening for a temporary excess of air, so that any possible pollution of the air duct and the dust filter as well as the waste chamber will occur without creating a dust hazard for the photocatalytic section with UV.

The advantage is that it is possible to carry out purging with the use of an external source for the same non-hazardousness to the photocatalytic section with UV, of course with the use of the outlet openings.

The advantage is that the system can be restored to full capacity in two ways, the first one when the waste chambers are detachably mounted for emptying and there is no need for pressure cavities, and the second one when the waste chambers are undetachably mounted but have at least one outlet opening per waste chamber to 'eject' the particulates previously separated automatically in a place dedicated for this purpose.

The advantage is that the device can be used in many ways, through permanent installation, especially inside and outside of residential buildings, production facilities, along traffic routes, at bus stops, etc., as well as on a mobile basis.

The advantage is the possibility to guide the air stream vertically, alternately upwards and downwards, especially downwards, where in this solution the force of gravity favours the penetration of large quantities of particles from the flowing contaminated air into the waste chamber, prolonging the period between maintenance operations.

The advantage is, for long dimensioned designs, the possibility to multiply the functional elements, including the elongation of the air duct, and at the same time to duplicate the principle of operation for a second constriction and a second waste chamber in one housing.

The operation of the device is as follows. The air enters the device through an air inlet opening having an external cover to block the entry of large objects, e.g. pests, insects, leaves, birds, etc. into the device. The same purpose is served by an air outlet opening with its own second external cover, next to the main air outlet opening from the device. A gated inlet stream restrictor is mounted downstream of the external cover to adjust the amount of incoming air. It can be mentioned that the gated inlet stream restrictor can completely close the air flow through the device during washing, precipitation and dust of an anomalous nature that may damage or block the device. The air flow is enhanced by a fan. On the wall of the air duct on the side of the impact of centrifugal forces, openings have been made, into which particles of pollutants enter, especially those as large as sand, tyre particles, soot particles and so on. It is preferable to use an electrostatic dust filter because the air has undergone an inertial preliminary purification and the electrostatic filter does not require replacement and disposal of the filter element, which is a major problem for other filters such as HEPA. Further, downstream of the dust filter, a UV light source is arranged in the air duct to illuminate the catalyst. The catalyst is preferably coated with T1O2. Under the influence of UV light, free radicals OH, O₂ ^", H₂O_2, ¹0₂, or O2, mainly the hydroxyl radical, are produced on the surface of the T1O₂- coated catalyst. Radicals, especially hydroxyl radicals, have very strong oxidising properties, as a result of which all kinds of organic pollutants, e.g. oils, fats, exhaust gases, car exhaust, gases with undesirable odours (malodours), are broken down and microorganisms, fungi, bacteria, viruses are neutralised. Under the influence of UV light, oxidation reactions take place on the catalyst, leading to the breakdown of harmful substances such as benzene, phenol, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and others, as well as oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide. The microorganisms are additionally killed by direct UV radiation, so they are disposed of in two stages. The final product of photocatalysis is the conversion of harmful compounds to inert products such as water and carbon dioxide. Filtering of particles (PM1 to PM 10), as mentioned, is provided by the waste chamber. It is designed to block as many particulates as possible which, over time, albeit counted in months, even years, would deposit on the panels of the photocatalyst, gradually impeding its operation. Only a photocatalytic filter is able to purify the atmosphere from unwanted air-polluting particles, compounds found in exhaust gases, other gaseous pollutants and viruses, fungi, mould and bacteria. Thus, the waste chamber and dust filter in combination with photocatalysis comprehensively purify the air stream flowing through the device. The flow-through air purifier according to the invention thus owes its effectiveness and uniqueness to the synergy of various technological solutions incorporated in a single device.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

The invention is presented in an embodiment as shown on the drawing, in which Fig. 1 shows a single-stream device with a variable course of air to be purified, located on a vehicle in a first embodiment, in a schematic-functional sectional view from the side, Fig. 2 shows a single-stream device with a variable course of air to be purified, permanently mounted as a landscape architectural element, in a second embodiment, in a schematic-functional sectional view from the top, Fig. 3 shows a double-stream device with a variable course of air to be purified, permanently mounted as a landscape architectural element, in a third embodiment, in a schematic-functional sectional view from the top.

METHODS FOR IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION

The following examples are included only to illustrate the invention and to explain particular aspects thereof and not to limit it, and should not be treated as the entire scope of the invention, which is defined in the appended claims.

EXAMPLES

Example 1.

The flow-through air purifier has a housing 1, has an air duct 2, arranged in this housing 1, with a variable air flow direction and has a filtration system 3 for purifying gases and for capturing and collecting particulates and dust. The air duct 2 has at least one, one in this embodiment, air inlet opening 4 with an external cover 5 and a gated inlet stream restrictor 6 and at least one, one in this embodiment, air outlet opening 7 with the external cover 5, while the filtration system 3 is provided with a particulate filter 8 and a dust filter 9, at least one of each type, in this embodiment one of each type, both with a high efficiency of filtration, and downstream, in the air duct 2, a photocatalytic filter 10 with a UV lamp 11 as a gas purifier 12 which breaks down organic and inorganic pollutants and has an antimicrobial effect. There is a fan 13, as well as at least one, one in this embodiment, chamber 14 in the air duct 2 in the air circulation path. The particulate filter 8 is far apart from the dust filter 9, and constituting a waste chamber 14' is located in a blinded branch of the air duct 2, the air duct 2 has at least one, one in this embodiment, constriction 15 located on a curvature 16 of the air duct 2, the waste chamber 14' being located downstream of the constriction 15, on the opposite side of an internal arch 16’ of the curvature 16 of the air duct 2, and is separated from it by an openwork screen 17 of adjustable clearance. Only at the end of the air duct 2, upstream of the main outlet opening T of the air duct 2, there is the dust filter 9, wherein the waste chamber 14’ is used for the collection of particulates with a granularity of PM10 to PM1.

The angle measure of the internal arch 16’ of the curvature 16 of the air duct 2 has a value greater than 90°, this time 95°, and the angle measure of the external arch 16" of the curvature 16 of the air duct 2 has a value greater than 45°, this time 60°.

The fan 13 is located between the dust filter 9 and the gas purifier 12 in the form of a photocatalytic filter 10 with a UV lamp 11. The dust filter 9 is located downstream of the last curvature 16 of the air duct 2. The dust filter 6 is one in this embodiment. The gated inlet stream restrictor 6 is a screen having an adjustable inlet air stream flow area. The openwork screen 17 has a slotted pattern and the slots are elongated. The openwork screen 17 is a hinged louvre, directed inwards to the waste chamber 14’. The waste chamber 14’ is located in front of the constriction 15, simultaneously downstream of and next to the air duct 2. The waste chamber 14’ is divided into pockets 18, where each successive pocket in the sequence, along the air flow path in the air duct 2, is used to separate particles of progressively smaller granularity. The air duct 2 is elliptical in its cross-section. In this embodiment, the flow-through air purifier is provided with sensors 19, an overfilling sensor 19’ located in the waste chamber 14’ and/or in the dust filter 9 and a filtered air quality sensor 19” located in the inlet opening 4 and in the main outlet opening 7'. The gas purifier 12 has a flat metal support and a catalyst in the form of a titanium dioxide coating applied onto the support, preferably in the form of a crystalline structure of a combination of anatase and rutile. The UV lamp 11 propagates ultraviolet radiation with wavelengths in the range of 200nm to 400nm, in this embodiment approx. 300nm. The dust filter 9 is a purifiable electrostatic filter. The external cover 5 is a mesh. A compressed air reservoir 20, constituting a pressure cavity 20', located between the air duct 2 and the housing 1 is mounted in the housing 1 , the reservoir 20 having an outlet 21 to the air duct 2, the outlet 21 being a controllable valve 2T and also a controllable nozzle 21". The reservoir 20, which is a pressure cavity 20', is located upstream of the constriction 15, preferably behind the wall of the air duct 2 in the line of its straight course. The air duct 2 is led internally from the inlet opening 4 to the main outlet opening 7’, wherein it has a serpentine course line, longitudinally and vertically through its housing 1 , and each waste chamber 14’ and the reservoir 20 are complementary to the air duct 2 in the housing 1. The housing 1 is provided with photovoltaic panels 22 which are a source of current supply for its electric loads, for the UV lamp 11 , the control system 23, the fan 13, the openwork screen 17, the valve 21', the nozzle 21". The housing 1 is provided with an autonomous rechargeable battery power source 24 which is also a source of current supply for its electric loads, for the UV lamp 11 , the control system 23, the fan 13, the openwork screen 17, the valve 21', the nozzle 21". The flow-through air purifier is provided with a GSM modem 27 and/or a GPS receiver 25. The flow-through air purifier has one carbon dioxide absorber 26, mounted in the air duct 2 between the dust filter 9 and the gas purifier 12. The flow-through air cleaner is a part of the vehicle's equipment that is detachably mounted on the outside of the vehicle, this time on the roof of the vehicle. The flow-through air purifier is in the shape of a regular solid, a cuboid, with a length from the inlet opening 4 to the outlet opening 7 of not more than 5m, a width of not more than 2.5m and a height of not more than 0.25m, with a mass of not more than 10kg.

Example 2.

The flow-through air purifier was manufactured as in Example 1 with the following changes.

The angle measure of the internal arch 16’ of the curvature 16 of the air duct 2 has a value of 150°, and the angle measure of the external arch 16" of the curvature 16 of the air duct 2 has a value of 75°. The waste chamber 14' is not divided into pockets 18. The air duct 2 is circular in its cross-section. The catalyst 10 is in the form of a titanium dioxide coating in a crystalline anatase structure. The UV 11 lamp propagates ultraviolet radiation with a wavelength of 200nm. The external cover 5 is a truss. The air duct 2 has a serpentine course line, longitudinally and horizontally through its housing 1. The waste chamber 14' and/or the dust filter 9 has an outlet opening which is an auxiliary outlet opening 7”, the opening of the outlet opening being triggered by a control system 23 based on the signal from a filter bed overfilling sensor 19’ and/or by filtered air quality sensors 19". The flow-through air purifier is mounted undetachably, in the open air as part of urban architecture.

Example 3.

The air duct 2 has two air outlet openings 7 with an external cover 5, while the filtration system 3 is provided with a particulate filter 8 and a dust filter 9, two pieces of each. The air duct 2 has two constrictions 15 located on the curvature 16 of the air duct 2, arranged symmetrically on both sides of the housing 1, vis a vis, the air duct 2 being thus separated into two air streams, with a reservoir 20 located between the two constrictions 15. As mentioned, there are two waste chambers 14' located according to the same principle downstream of each constriction 15, but this time the openwork screen 17 has a fixed clearance without adjustment. The angle measure of the internal arch 16’ of the curvature 16 of the air duct 2 has a value of 135°, and the angle measure of the external arch 16" of the curvature 16 of the air duct 2 has a value of 55°. There are two dust filters 9 and they are sequentially placed with respect to each other. The openwork screen 17 has a hole pattern, the holes being elliptical and rectangular in shape, the openwork screen 17 not being turned towards the interior of the waste chamber 14'. The waste chamber 14’ is located in front of the constriction 15, only downstream of the air duct 2, and not next to it. The waste chamber 14' is not divided into pockets 18. The air duct 2 is rectangular its cross-section. There are not any filtered air quality sensors 19”. The catalyst 10 is in the form of a titanium dioxide coating in a crystalline rutile structure. The UV 11 lamp propagates ultraviolet radiation with a wavelength of 400nm. The compressed air reservoir 20 is located between the two air ducts 2, centrally in the housing 1, the compressed air reservoir 20 having an outlet 21 to both particulate filters 8 and one dust filter 9, the outlet 21 being in this embodiment always a controllable valve 2T. The air duct 2 is divided into two ducts having a serpentine course line, longitudinally and horizontally through its housing 1 . The reservoir 20 is detachably mounted in the housing 1. The flow-through air purifier is mounted undetachably, as a stationary element in the open air as part of urban architecture. LIST OF DESIGNATIONS:

1 housing

2 air duct

3 filtration system

4 inlet opening

5 external cover

6 gated restrictor

7 outlet opening

7’ main outlet opening

8 particulate filter

9 dust filter

10 photocatalytic filter / catalyst

11 UV Iamp

12 gas purifier

13 fan

14 chamber

14’ waste chamber

15 constriction

16 curvature

16’ internal arch of the curvature

16” external arch of the curvature

17 openwork screen

18 pockets

19 sensor

19’ overfilling sensor

19” filtered air quality sensor

20 compressed air reservoir

20’ pressure cavity

21 outlet

21 ’ controllable valve (outlet from)

21” controllable nozzle (outlet from)

22 photovoltaic panels

23 control system

24 power source

25 GPS receiver

26 carbon dioxide absorber

27 GSM modem

Claims

1. A flow-through air purifier, having a housing, with an air duct, arranged in this housing, with a variable air flow direction and which has a filtration system for purifying gases and for capturing and preferably collecting particulates and dust, wherein the air duct has at least one air inlet opening with an external cover and a gated inlet flow restrictor and at least one air outlet opening with the external cover, while the filtration system is provided with a particulate filter and a dust filter, at least one of each type, both with a high efficiency of filtration, and downstream, in the air duct, a photocatalytic filter with a UV lamp as a gas purifier, wherein there is a fan, as well as at least one chamber in the air duct in the air circulation path, characterised in that, the particulate filter (8) is far apart from the dust filter (9), and constituting a waste chamber (14') is located in a blinded branch of the air duct (2), and the air duct (2) has at least one constriction (15) located on a curvature (16) of the air duct (2), wherein the waste chamber (14') is located downstream of the constriction (15), on the opposite side of an internal arch (16’) of the curvature (16) of the air duct (2), and is separated from it by an openwork screen (17), preferably of adjustable clearance, and only at the end of the air duct (2), upstream of the main outlet opening (7’) of the air duct (2), there is the dust filter (9), wherein the waste chamber (14’) is used for the collection of particulates with a granularity of PM10 to PM1.

2. The flow-through air purifier according to claim 1 , characterised in that the angle measure of the internal arch (16’) of the curvature (16) of the air duct (2) has a value greater than 90°.

3. The flow-through air purifier according to claim 1-2, characterised in that the angle measure of the external arch (16’) of the curvature (16) of the air duct (2) has a value greater than 45°.

4. The flow-through air purifier according to claim 1-3, characterised in that the fan (13) is located between the dust filter (9) and the gas purifier (12) in the form of a photocatalytic filter (10) with a UV lamp (11).

5. The flow-through air purifier according to claim 1-4, characterised in that the dust filter (9) is located downstream of the last curvature (16) of the air duct (2).

6. The flow-through air purifier according to claim 1-5, characterised in that there is more than one dust filter (9) and they are sequentially placed with respect to each other.

7. The flow-through air purifier according to claim 1-6, characterised in that the dust filter (9) is a purifiable electrostatic filter.

8. The flow-through air purifier according to claim 1-7, characterised in that the gated inlet stream restrictor (6) is a screen having an adjustable inlet air stream flow area.

9. The flow-through air purifier according to claim 1-8, characterised in that the openwork screen (17) has a hole pattern and/or a slotted pattern, wherein the holes are circular, or elliptical, or rectangular, and the slots are elongated.

10. The flow-through air purifier according to claim 1-9, characterised in that the openwork screen (17) is a hinged louvre, preferably directed inwards to the waste chamber (14').

11. The flow-through air purifier according to claim 1-10, characterised in that the waste chamber (14’) is located in front of the constriction (15), downstream of or next to the air duct (2).

12. The flow-through air purifier according to claim 1-11, characterised in that the waste chamber (14’) is divided into pockets (18), where each successive pocket in the sequence, along the air flow path in the air duct (2), is used to separate particles of progressively smaller granularity.

13. The flow-through air purifier according to claim 1-12, characterised in that the air duct (2) is circular, or elliptical, or rectangular in its cross-section.

14. The flow-through air purifier according to claim 1-13, characterised in that it is provided with sensors (19), an overfilling sensor (19’) located in the waste chamber (14’) and/or in the dust filter (9), and/or a filtered air quality sensor (19”) located in the inlet opening (4), and/or in the main outlet opening (7’).

15. The flow-through air purifier according to claim 1-14, characterised in that the gas purifier (12) has a flat metal support and a catalyst (10) in the form of a titanium dioxide coating applied onto the support, preferably in the crystal structure of anatase, rutile or a combination thereof.

16. The flow-through air purifier according to claim 1-15, characterised in that the UV lamp (11) propagates ultraviolet radiation with wavelengths between 200nm and 400nm,

17. The flow-through air purifier according to claim 1-16, characterised in that the external cover (5) is either a mesh or a truss.

18. The flow-through air purifier according to claim 1-17, characterised in that a compressed air reservoir (20) is mounted in the housing (1), preferably constituting a pressure cavity (20’), located preferably between the air duct (2) and the housing (1 ), the reservoir (20) having an outlet (21) to the air duct (2), or having an outlet (21) to a particulate filter (8) and/or a dust filter (9), the said outlet (21) being preferably a controllable valve (2T) and/or a controllable nozzle (21”).

19. The flow-through air purifier according to claim 1-18, characterised in that the reservoir (20), which is a pressure cavity (20'), is located upstream of the constriction (15), preferably behind the wall of the air duct (2) in the line of its straight course.

20. The flow-through air purifier according to claim 1-19, characterised in that the air duct (2) is led internally from the inlet opening (4) to the main outlet opening (7), wherein it has a serpentine course line, longitudinally through its housing (1), preferably vertically, and each waste chamber (14’) and possibly the reservoir (20) are complementary to the air duct (2) in the housing (1 ).

21. The flow-through air purifier according to claim 1-20, characterised in that the waste chamber (14’) and/or the dust filter (9) has an outlet opening which is an auxiliary outlet opening (7”), the opening of the outlet opening preferably being triggered by a control system (23) or by a filter bed overfilling sensor (19') and/or by a filtered air quality sensor (19”).

22. The flow-through air purifier according to claim 1-21, characterised in that the waste chamber (14') and/or the reservoir (20) are detachably mounted in the housing (1 ).

23. The flow-through air purifier according to claim 1-22, characterised in that the housing (1) is provided with photovoltaic panels (22) which are a source of current supply for its electric loads, preferably for the UV lamp (11), the control system (23), the fan (13), the openwork screen (17), the valve (2T), the nozzle (21"), the outlet openings (7").

24. The flow-through air purifier according to claim 1-23, characterised in that the housing (1) is provided with autonomous rechargeable battery power sources (24) which are a source of current supply for its electric loads, preferably for the UV lamp (11), the control system (23), the fan (13), the openwork screen (17), the valve (2T), the nozzle (21"), the outlet openings (7").

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25. The flow-through air purifier according to claim 1-24, characterised in that it is provided with a GSM modem (27) and/or a GPS receiver (25).

26. The flow-through air purifier according to claim 1-25, characterised in that it has at least one carbon dioxide absorber (26), preferably mounted in the air duct (2) between the dust filter (9) and the gas purifier (12).

27. The flow-through air purifier according to claim 1-26, characterised in that it is mounted undetachably, preferably as a stationary element in the open air as part of architecture, preferably urban architecture.

28. The flow-through air purifier according to claim 1-27, characterised in that it constitutes a vehicle's equipment, preferably detachably mounted on the outside of the vehicle, preferably mounted on the roof of the vehicle, more preferably underneath the vehicle.

29. The flow-through air purifier according to claim 1-28, characterised in that is in the shape of a regular solid, preferably a cuboid, with a length from the inlet opening to the outlet opening of not more than 5m, a width of not more than 2.5m and a height of not more than 0.25m, and a mass of not more than 10kg.

30. Method for purifying gases from pollutants comprising a step in which the polluted gas is passed through the flow-through air purifier as defined in claims 1-29, wherein the gas to be purified is preferably polluted air, preferably air in urban agglomerations.

31. Use of the flow-through air purifier as defined in claims 1-29 for purifying gases from pollutants, wherein the gas to be purified is preferably polluted air, preferably air in urban agglomerations.

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