GB2549730B - Motor vehicle cabin air improvement system - Google Patents

Motor vehicle cabin air improvement system Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2549730B
GB2549730B GB1607238.1A GB201607238A GB2549730B GB 2549730 B GB2549730 B GB 2549730B GB 201607238 A GB201607238 A GB 201607238A GB 2549730 B GB2549730 B GB 2549730B
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
air
improvement system
motor vehicle
air improvement
reservoir
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
GB1607238.1A
Other versions
GB2549730A (en
Inventor
Fearns Liberty
Loughlin Kyle
Carroll Ben
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ford Global Technologies LLC
Original Assignee
Ford Global Technologies LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ford Global Technologies LLC filed Critical Ford Global Technologies LLC
Priority to GB1607238.1A priority Critical patent/GB2549730B/en
Priority to DE102017108252.2A priority patent/DE102017108252A1/en
Priority to RU2017114028A priority patent/RU2729119C2/en
Priority to MX2017005381A priority patent/MX2017005381A/en
Priority to CN201710277576.6A priority patent/CN107617329A/en
Publication of GB2549730A publication Critical patent/GB2549730A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2549730B publication Critical patent/GB2549730B/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
    • B60H3/00—Other air-treating devices
    • B60H3/0007—Adding substances other than water to the air, e.g. perfume, oxygen
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
    • B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
    • B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
    • B60H1/00642—Control systems or circuits; Control members or indication devices for heating, cooling or ventilating devices
    • B60H1/00735—Control systems or circuits characterised by their input, i.e. by the detection, measurement or calculation of particular conditions, e.g. signal treatment, dynamic models
    • B60H1/008—Control systems or circuits characterised by their input, i.e. by the detection, measurement or calculation of particular conditions, e.g. signal treatment, dynamic models the input being air quality
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F8/00—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying
    • F24F8/10—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying by separation, e.g. by filtering
    • F24F8/117—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying by separation, e.g. by filtering using wet filtering
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F8/00—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying
    • F24F8/10—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying by separation, e.g. by filtering
    • F24F8/117—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying by separation, e.g. by filtering using wet filtering
    • F24F8/133—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying by separation, e.g. by filtering using wet filtering by direct contact with liquid, e.g. with sprayed liquid
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F8/00—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying
    • F24F8/60—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying by adding oxygen
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
    • B60H3/00—Other air-treating devices
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F2110/00—Control inputs relating to air properties
    • F24F2110/50—Air quality properties
    • F24F2110/65—Concentration of specific substances or contaminants
    • F24F2110/70—Carbon dioxide
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A50/00—TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE in human health protection, e.g. against extreme weather
    • Y02A50/20—Air quality improvement or preservation, e.g. vehicle emission control or emission reduction by using catalytic converters
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B30/00—Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]
    • Y02B30/70—Efficient control or regulation technologies, e.g. for control of refrigerant flow, motor or heating

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Apparatus Associated With Microorganisms And Enzymes (AREA)
  • Cooling, Air Intake And Gas Exhaust, And Fuel Tank Arrangements In Propulsion Units (AREA)
  • Exhaust Gas After Treatment (AREA)
  • Air-Conditioning For Vehicles (AREA)

Description

Motor Vehicle Cabin Air Improvement System
Background
Driver drowsiness is thought to account directly for 10 to 30% of all motor vehicle collisions.
Some car manufacturers have developed systems to detect when a driver has become drowsy and alerts the driver to take a break. This can be of advantage on long, monotonous journeys.
However, the quality of air in the motor vehicle cabin has a significant impact on the driver, even on shorter journeys. If the carbon dioxide (CO2) level in a motor vehicle cabin increases above normal background or ambient levels, the driver’s alertness will decrease. Further CO2 level increases can cause a driver to become drowsy. A drowsy driver has reduced attention and reduced reaction speeds, increasing the likelihood of a collision. Furthermore, prolonged exposure to an environment of elevated CO2 can cause headaches and nausea in the shortterm and other health problems in the longer term.
In some locations opening a motor vehicle window or switching off the recirculate setting on the motor vehicle’s climate control system would be a solution. However, this is not always feasible. Firstly, if driving through an area of unpleasant smells or dusty conditions a motor vehicle driver will not want to bring in external air and so will select to close windows and recirculate cabin air. This will lead to increasing CO2 levels in the cabin. The cabin levels of CO2 will increase more rapidly as the number of people in the motor vehicle increases. Secondly, if driving through an area of high pollution, or waiting in stationary or slow moving traffic in a long tunnel, the CO2 levels both inside and outside the motor vehicle can be high enough to reduce driver alertness and cause drowsiness and even headaches and nausea. In this situation opening a window or using the motor vehicle’s climate control system to bring in external air will not solve the problem of high CO2.
Furthermore in some situations a driver may not realise that he/she has reduced alertness or has become drowsy. Consequently, the driver may not take steps to open a window or to switch off the recirculate setting on the motor vehicle’s climate control system.
Existing motor vehicle climate control systems are known to heat or cool cabin air and allow the driver to select whether to recirculate cabin air or bring in external air. Some climate control systems are fitted with a filter to remove particulate matter or air borne chemicals when bringing in external air. However, none of these climate control systems overcome the problem of high CO2.
Therefore there remains a need to improve in-cabin air in a motor vehicle to enhance driver alertness and improve road safety.
Summary
The present invention provides a motor vehicle air improvement system, as defined in the claims, to improve driver alertness and/or to improve the health of the driver and passengers by both reducing cabin CO2 levels and optionally increasing cabin O2 levels. Maintaining driver alertness is important for improving road safety. This is provided by a motor vehicle air improvement system configured to pump air through a reservoir containing an algal culture and transmit gases released from the algal culture into the vehicle cabin.
The present invention also provides a motor vehicle fitted with an air improvement system of the present invention, as defined in the claims.
In other aspects the present invention provides a method for improving in-vehicle air quality, a method for maintaining or improving alertness of a motor vehicle driver, and a method for maintaining or improving health of a person in a motor vehicle, as defined in the claims.
Figures
Figure 1 shows a representation of a motor vehicle 10 fitted with an embodiment of the air improvement system of the present invention.
Figure 2 shows a demonstration apparatus used to demonstrate algal photosynthesis as a method of reducing CO2 in an enclosed airspace according to the present invention.
Description
Algae are simple, autotrophic plants that reproduce rapidly using light, water, CO2 and a few inorganic nutrients to photosynthesize and grow.
Algae have been harnessed previously in large and stationary bioreactors, for example in water treatment plants where they are used to break down organic material in waste water, and in the production of biomass which can be used as animal feedstock. Attempts have been made to use algae to produce gaseous fuels such as hydrogen and methane. NASA has proposed that life on Mars could be sustained within biodomes in which breathable oxygen could be provided by algae rather than needing to ship containers of oxygen from Earth to the red planet.
Prior to the present invention algae have not been used to improve the air in a motor vehicle driven from one location to another. Algae have not previously been used to improve driver alertness, to improve road safety or to improve driver and passenger health.
The present invention relates to an air improvement system which harnesses the ability of algae to convert CO2 into O2 during photosynthesis. To apply this natural benefit of algae to a motor vehicle, the motor vehicle has a reservoir in which an algal culture can photosynthesize and grow. Air pumped through the algal culture has a reduced level of OO2 and an enriched level of O2 compared with the air prior to contact with the algal culture.
This disclosure relates to a motor vehicle air improvement system configured to pump air through a reservoir containing an algal culture and transmit gases released from the algal culture into the vehicle cabin.
In particular the present invention provides a motor vehicle air improvement system configured to pump air through a reservoir containing an algal culture and transmit gases released from the algal culture into a vehicle cabin, wherein the air improvement system is configured to pump air from the vehicle cabin and/or pump air drawn in from outside the vehicle cabin through the reservoir and wherein the reservoir comprises one or more ducts provided beneath one or more body panels of the motor vehicle which are transparent or selectively transparent and wherein the air improvement system is configured to convert the one or more body panels above the ducts from an opaque state to a transparent state when operation of the air improvement system is required.
The air improvement system can be part of the motor vehicle climate control system, and so share mechanisms to control cabin air movement and air intake with the climate control system, alternatively the air improvement system can be a separate system.
The air improvement system can pump air from the motor vehicle cabin through the reservoir. This can be advantageous if the climate control system is set to recirculate air and there is a risk of CO2 levels increasing in the vehicle cabin.
The air improvement system can pump air drawn in from outside a motor vehicle cabin through the reservoir. This can be beneficial when external air has a high CO2 level or is polluted.
The air improvement system is configured to pump air from a motor vehicle cabin and/or pump air drawn in from outside a motor vehicle cabin through the reservoir. This can be valuable to ensure that whether the driver is breathing recirculated air, or air drawn in from outside, the driver does not experience high CO2 levels.
Optionally, the air improvement system of the present invention is constitutively active when the motor vehicle is switched on to ensure that the driver has good alertness at all times.
Alternatively, to reduce the energy consumption of the air improvement system of the present invention, the air improvement system can be activated when there is a risk of the driver breathing air with a high CO2 level.
The air improvement system of the present invention can include one or more CO2 sensors or detectors. The air improvement system can comprise an in-cabin CO2 sensor. The air improvement system can comprise a CO2 sensor for air external to the motor vehicle. The air improvement system can comprise both an in-cabin CO2 sensor and a CO2 sensor for air external to the motor vehicle.
The air improvement system of the present invention can be activated when the driver’s air source, whether external air or recirculated air, is detected to have a high level of CO2.
Optionally, as an energy saving measure the air improvement system of the present invention can be deactivated when the driver’s air source, whether external air or recirculated air, is detected to have a low level of CO2.
Levels of CO2 considered to be normal background concentrations in outdoor ambient air are 250-350 parts per million (ppm). A low level of CO2 is 350ppm or less.
Concentrations of CO2 typical of occupied indoor spaces with good air exchange are often 350-1,000ppm. Therefore acceptable CO2 levels are 350-1,000ppm.
Concentrations of CO2 which lead to complaints of drowsiness or poor air quality are at or above 1,000ppm of CO2. Therefore a high CO2 level is 1,000ppm or above. Optionally a high CO2 level is 900ppm or above, further optionally a high CO2 level is 800ppm or above. Reduction in driver alertness can be caused by high CO2 levels such as above 1,000ppm.
Concentrations of CO2 above 2,000ppm are thought to cause headaches, sleepiness, loss of concentration. This level of CO2can also cause increased heart rate and nausea.
The air improvement system of the present invention may comprise a nutrient source to support algal growth. Optionally the nutrients comprise a nitrogen source which may be an organic or inorganic nitrogen source. Further optionally the nutrients comprise a phosphorus and/or a potassium source. Preferably, the nitrogen source is urea. Diesel motor vehicles can have a source of urea as part of an exhaust treatment system addressing the issue of NOx gases in diesel vehicle exhaust. The air improvement system can be in fluidic communication with a diesel exhaust fluid tank for a selective catalytic reduction exhaust treatment system, wherein the diesel exhaust fluid tank provides a nitrogen source for algal growth.
The reservoir contains the algal culture. Algae may be supported in or on liquid, solid or semi-solid culture medium and algae may grow in suspension or as a biofilm.
Optionally the reservoir contains algae in liquid culture media. Air pumped through the reservoir can be bubbled through a liquid culture medium. The movement created in the culture medium by air bubbling through it improves nutrient access for the algae.
Preferably, algae used in the air improvement system of the present invention are microalgae or planktonic algae. More preferably the algae comprise Chlorella, advantageously, the algae comprise Chlorella vulgaris.
Algae require light for photosynthesis. The algae used in the air improvement system of the present invention can receive natural light. Use of natural light to enable algal photosynthesis reduces the energy consumption of the air improvement system. To receive natural light the reservoir can be located at an external surface of the motor vehicle.
The algae used in the air improvement system of the present invention may receive artificial light. An artificial light source can be advantageous for night time driving, driving during dim light or through tunnels. Use of artificial light allows the reservoir to be internally installed in the motor vehicle such that it is not externally visible and to preserve the original aesthetics of the motor vehicle.
The algae used in the air improvement system of the present invention may receive both natural and artificial light, simultaneously or alternately.
Optionally the reservoir containing an algal culture used in the present invention has a heater and/or a cooling system to maintain the algal culture at a suitable temperature for algal photosynthesis and O2 production. Algae tolerate a wide range of temperatures. Preferably the algal culture is maintained at 16-27°C and more preferably 18-24°C.
The present invention also provides a motor vehicle comprising an air improvement system as described herein. The motor vehicle has a reservoir containing an algal culture.
This disclosure further provides an air improvement system suitable for a motor vehicle comprising a first conduit through which air can be pumped to a reservoir containing an algal culture, the reservoir is attached to a second conduit though which gases released from the culture can be transmitted.
The reservoir is of sufficient size to contain a quantity of algae in culture media that, when photosynthesizing, is able to reduce the CO2 level in a vehicle cabin to a low level or to an acceptable level and/or maintain the CO2 level in a vehicle cabin at a low or an acceptable level. The reservoir is of sufficient size and contains sufficient media to support algal growth during the motor vehicle inter-service period.
The reservoir size can be proportional to the motor vehicle cabin size. The reservoir size can be proportional to the passenger capacity of the motor vehicle. The reservoir capacity is from 500ml_ to 10L, optionally from 750ml_ to 5L, preferably from 1L to 3L.
The reservoir is substantially enclosed to prevent leakage of algal culture media. The reservoir has a plurality of ports for attachment of conduits.
The reservoir can be located in the engine bay under the bonnet/hood, in the boot/trunk, in the spare wheel cavity, beneath the passenger cabin, under the seats or within the bodywork of the vehicle. Preferably the reservoir is located under the bonnet/hood.
The reservoir can comprise a portion which is not visible externally and a portion which is or can be visible externally. The reservoir can comprise a tank which is not visible externally on the motor vehicle in fluid connection with ducts which are at the motor vehicle surface to receive natural light, an embodiment of which is as shown in Figure 1. The motor vehicle 10 has a reservoir 2 containing an algal culture. The reservoir 2 comprises a tank 4 within the bodywork at the rear of the vehicle 10 and ducts 6 located in the roof of the vehicle 10 where it is exposed to natural light. Circulation of algal culture media within the reservoir 2 allows algae to receive natural light. The air improvement system also comprises a pump. Air can be pumped through the reservoir 2 containing the algal culture and gases released from the algal culture are transmitted into the vehicle cabin. A motor vehicle comprising the air improvement system of the present disclosure has a reservoir comprising one or more ducts provided on or beneath one or more body panels of the motor vehicle. In the present invention, the ducts are provided beneath the one or more body panels and the body panels are selectively transparent. In the present invention, the air improvement system is configured to convert the one or more body panels above the one or more ducts from an opaque state to a transparent state when operation of the air improvement system is required. Conversion between opaque and transparent body panels allows a driver to select whether to show the reservoir ducts and whether to use natural or artificial light as the algal light source.
Continued use of the air improvement system of the present invention will result in algal growth in the reservoir which may reach a biomass level that reduces the effectiveness of the system. This is addressed during the motor vehicle’s service. A reservoir can be drained and subsequently the algal culture media replaced.
Alternatively, the air improvement system comprises a replaceable portion of the reservoir, the replaceable portion being replaceable during servicing of the motor vehicle to replenish or replace the algal culture.
Further alternatively, the reservoir is replaced at motor vehicle servicing. The reservoir being replaceable during servicing of the motor vehicle to replenish or replace the algal culture. The conduits through which air can be pumped into the reservoir, and through which gases released from the culture can be transmitted, are detached from the reservoir which is then removed from the motor vehicle. A replacement reservoir is installed and the conduits reconnected.
Therefore a further aspect of this disclosure provides an enclosed water impermeable container, for installation in a motor vehicle, wherein the container contains dehydrated algae and nutrients for algal growth, and wherein the container comprises at least two portals for attachment of conduits.
Water can be introduced into the container containing the dehydrated algae and the nutrients for algal growth to rehydrate dormant algae and to produce algal growth media. The container can then installed in the motor vehicle. In such versions the container is the reservoir.
The present invention provides a method for improving in-vehicle air quality comprising detecting a CO2 level in a motor vehicle cabin, and if the CO2 level detected is 1,000ppm or higher, switching on an air improvement system of the present invention.
The present invention also provides a method for maintaining or improving alertness of a motor vehicle driver comprising detecting a CO2 level in the driver’s motor vehicle cabin, and if the CO2 level is 1,000ppm or higher, switching on an air improvement system of the present invention.
The present invention additionally provides a method for maintaining or improving health of a person in a motor vehicle comprising detecting a CO2 level in the motor vehicle cabin, and if the CO2 level is 1,000ppm or higher, switching on an air improvement system of the present invention.
Examples
Example 1
Testing was performed using the demonstration apparatus shown in Figure 2.
The demonstration apparatus includes a 10L control tank 12, a 10L active tank 14 (to simulate a motor vehicle cabin) and a 2L reservoir containing an algal culture 16. The reservoir 16 has adjacent light source 18. Each of the control tank 12 and the active tank 14 have vents 20 to prevent pressure build up in the tanks. The demonstration apparatus includes a first conduit 22 and associated pump 24, to pump air from the active tank 14 through the reservoir containing an algal culture 16, and a second conduit 26 to transmit gases released from the algal culture into the active tank 14. The demonstration apparatus further includes a CO2 source 28 in fluid communication, controlled by valves 30, with the control tank 12 and the active tank 14. CO2 sensors 32 provide CO2 level readings in the control tank 12 and active tank 14.
The test was performed as follows: 1) Valves 30 and vents 20 were opened and CO2 allowed to flow into the active and control tanks 12 and 14 to a level of approximately 6,000ppm in each tank. 2) The valves 30 were then closed. 3) The pump 24 and light source 18 were activated. 4) CO2 level readings were taken using the CO2 sensors 32 in each of the control tank 12 and active tank 14 at twelve minute intervals.
Table 1 shows the average results obtained from three tests performed as described above.
Table 1
These data show that the level of CO2 in the active tank 14 was rapidly reduced from a level much higher than expected in a motor vehicle cabin to an acceptable level in an hour.

Claims (16)

Claims
1. A motor vehicle air improvement system configured to pump air through a reservoir containing an algal culture and transmit gases released from the algal culture into a vehicle cabin, wherein the air improvement system is configured to pump air from the vehicle cabin and/or pump air drawn in from outside the vehicle cabin through the reservoir and wherein the reservoir comprises one or more ducts provided beneath one or more body panels of a motor vehicle which are selectively transparent and wherein the air improvement system is configured to convert the one or more body panels above the one or more ducts from an opaque state to a transparent state when operation of the air improvement system is required.
2. The air improvement system of claim 1, further comprising an in-cabin CO2 sensor.
3. The air improvement system of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a CO2 sensor for air external to the motor vehicle.
4. The air improvement system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the reservoir contains algae in liquid culture medium.
5. The air improvement system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the algae receive natural light.
6. The air improvement system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the reservoir is to be at least partially located on an external surface of the motor vehicle.
7. The air improvement system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the algae receive artificial light.
8. The air improvement system of any of the preceding claims further comprising nutrients to support algal growth.
9. The air improvement system of claim 8, wherein the nutrients comprise a nitrogen source.
10. The air improvement system of claim 9, wherein the nitrogen source comprises urea.
11. The air improvement system of claim 9, wherein the air improvement system is in fluidic communication with a diesel exhaust fluid tank for a selective catalytic reduction exhaust treatment system wherein the diesel exhaust fluid tank provides a nitrogen source for algal growth.
12. The air improvement system of any of claims 1 to 11, further comprising a replaceable portion of the reservoir, the replaceable portion being replaceable during servicing of the motor vehicle to replenish or replace the algal culture.
13. A motor vehicle comprising an air improvement system according to any of the preceding claims.
14. A method for improving in-vehicle air quality comprising detecting a CO2 level in a motor vehicle cabin, and if the CO2 level detected is 1,000ppm or higher, switching on the air improvement system according to any of claims 1 to 12.
15. A method for maintaining or improving alertness of a motor vehicle driver comprising detecting a CO2 level in a vehicle cabin, and if the CO2 level is 1,000ppm or higher, switching on the air improvement system according to any of claims 1 to 12.
16. A method for maintaining or improving health of a person in a motor vehicle comprising detecting a CO2 level in a vehicle cabin, and if the CO2 level is 1,000ppm or higher, switching on the air improvement system according to any of claims 1 to 12.
GB1607238.1A 2016-04-26 2016-04-26 Motor vehicle cabin air improvement system Expired - Fee Related GB2549730B (en)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1607238.1A GB2549730B (en) 2016-04-26 2016-04-26 Motor vehicle cabin air improvement system
DE102017108252.2A DE102017108252A1 (en) 2016-04-26 2017-04-19 cleaning
RU2017114028A RU2729119C2 (en) 2016-04-26 2017-04-24 Cleaning
MX2017005381A MX2017005381A (en) 2016-04-26 2017-04-25 Purify.
CN201710277576.6A CN107617329A (en) 2016-04-26 2017-04-25 Cleaning system

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1607238.1A GB2549730B (en) 2016-04-26 2016-04-26 Motor vehicle cabin air improvement system

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB2549730A GB2549730A (en) 2017-11-01
GB2549730B true GB2549730B (en) 2019-10-30

Family

ID=59997513

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB1607238.1A Expired - Fee Related GB2549730B (en) 2016-04-26 2016-04-26 Motor vehicle cabin air improvement system

Country Status (5)

Country Link
CN (1) CN107617329A (en)
DE (1) DE102017108252A1 (en)
GB (1) GB2549730B (en)
MX (1) MX2017005381A (en)
RU (1) RU2729119C2 (en)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
IT201800002673A1 (en) * 2018-02-14 2019-08-14 Luciano Forlani DEVICE FOR AIR PURIFICATION IN A CLOSED ENVIRONMENT
DE102020207133A1 (en) 2020-06-08 2021-12-09 Mahle International Gmbh Motor vehicle
WO2022118241A1 (en) * 2020-12-04 2022-06-09 Alos S.R.L. Method for purifying the air of an indoor environment and simultaneous production of oxygen using an algal culture
IT202000029957A1 (en) * 2020-12-04 2022-06-04 Alos S R L METHOD FOR PURIFICATION OF THE AIR AND SIMULTANEOUS PRODUCTION OF O2 THROUGH ALGAL CULTURE

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN104783155A (en) * 2014-12-30 2015-07-22 甘肃德福生物科技有限公司 A vehicle-mounted rescue nutrient solution supplying system
KR101539257B1 (en) * 2014-10-08 2015-07-28 지랜드 주식회사 Apparatus for controlling air quality of indoor by using algae cultivation and controlling method thereof

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
SU1716268A1 (en) * 1989-10-12 1992-02-28 Институт технической теплофизики АН УССР Method and phytoclimatic chamber for air-conditioning
RU2433963C2 (en) * 2009-04-08 2011-11-20 Поль Эмануилович Бланк Method of medium treatment by its saturation with useful substances released by plants and device for its realisation

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR101539257B1 (en) * 2014-10-08 2015-07-28 지랜드 주식회사 Apparatus for controlling air quality of indoor by using algae cultivation and controlling method thereof
CN104783155A (en) * 2014-12-30 2015-07-22 甘肃德福生物科技有限公司 A vehicle-mounted rescue nutrient solution supplying system

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE102017108252A1 (en) 2017-10-26
CN107617329A (en) 2018-01-23
MX2017005381A (en) 2018-11-22
GB2549730A (en) 2017-11-01
RU2017114028A (en) 2018-10-26
RU2017114028A3 (en) 2020-06-26
RU2729119C2 (en) 2020-08-04

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
GB2549730B (en) Motor vehicle cabin air improvement system
US20230220319A1 (en) Photo-bioreactor device and methods
KR101539257B1 (en) Apparatus for controlling air quality of indoor by using algae cultivation and controlling method thereof
ES2611501T3 (en) Methods and systems for CO2 absorption and conversion into gaseous oxygen by microorganisms
CN104030457A (en) Method and fluidized bed for purifying eutrophic water by using microorganism filler
CN106380045A (en) Cycling water integrated excrement treatment toilet
US20130095536A1 (en) Carbon dioxide capture box
Mona et al. Prolonged hydrogen production by Nostoc in photobioreactor and multi-stage use of the biological waste for column biosorption of some dyes and metals
CN104560703A (en) Photobioreactor system for air purification
CN203637738U (en) Air exchange control system for vehicle
CN105601050A (en) Biological fermentation-heavy metal sedimentation purifying method
CN203319995U (en) Algae culture device
CN203474790U (en) Production device for carrying out purifying treatment on livestock and poultry breeding wastewater by utilizing microalgae
JP2000320041A (en) External facing material with carbon dioxide decomposability, for building
CN106731772A (en) A kind of superior microorganism treatment methyl mercaptan, the system and method for methyl sulfide waste gas
CN203537922U (en) Edible mushroom liquid fermentation tank
CN102174378A (en) Biogas fermentation device
CN202364618U (en) Vehicle greening system
CN104670120A (en) Automotive ventilation control system
CN103316582A (en) Carbon fixation method through biological enzyme, and apparatus
CN106268290A (en) The method for designing of a kind of gas disposal device and device thereof
JPH1099642A (en) Gas cleaning device
CN206244597U (en) A kind of cycling use of water lavatory
CN202192965U (en) System for guaranteeing clean air in automobile
CN201924015U (en) Biogas fermentation device

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20210426