TWI606860B - Air purification method - Google Patents

Description

Air purification method

The present invention relates to an air purification method, and more particularly to a plasma air purification method.

The impact of indoor air quality on health has become an international concern. About 80% to 90% of the time per person per day is in an indoor environment, including in a home, office or other building. The quality of indoor air quality is directly Affect the quality of life and work efficiency. Contaminants present in the indoor environment include aerosols, odors, volatile and semi-volatile organic substances, formaldehyde, microorganisms, and the like.

Generally, indoor air purification devices use high efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA filter) to filter suspended particles, allergens, and planktonic microorganisms, and use activated carbon or other adsorbents to adsorb odor and volatility in the air. Organic matter and formaldehyde. Although such an approach has an air purifying effect, the filter screen only filters out harmful bacteria or pathogens and does not have any bactericidal function. In addition, the efficiency of the filter or adsorbent will decrease with the increase of the use time, and must be replaced when it reaches saturation, which will result in a lot of operating costs and is not environmentally friendly.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an air purification method which utilizes a pollutant adsorption element to filter pollutants in the air, as well as microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses and dust mites, and to utilize a partial region covering the pollutant adsorption member. A plasma generator to form a plasma processing zone. When the pollutant adsorption element rotates and passes through the plasma treatment zone, the high-energy substance in the plasma directly destroys the cell membrane of the microorganism, and the high-level active substance in the plasma has a surface modification function, and the protein of the microorganism can be modified. And cause microbial inactivation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an air purification method in which a plasma can destroy organic molecules attached to a surface of a pollutant adsorption member, thereby allowing a pollutant adsorption member to achieve a regeneration effect and recovering adsorption efficiency of the pollutant adsorption member. In turn, the service life of the pollutant adsorbing element can be prolonged.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an air purification method in which a pollutant adsorbing member can be coated with a photocatalytic material having self-cleaning properties, and the plasma can provide ultraviolet light to activate the photocatalyst. When the photocatalyst is irradiated with high-energy light, electrons and holes can be generated. These high-energy electrons and holes can initiate a chemical reaction on the surface of the catalyst to achieve self-cleaning effect. Therefore, the use of the characteristics of the photocatalyst material and the purification function of the plasma itself can achieve a highly efficient cleaning effect of the pollutant adsorbing element.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an air purification method in which the plasma generator covers only a partial area of the pollutant adsorbing element, and therefore the method has the advantage of saving electricity and energy.

According to the above object of the present invention, an air purification method is proposed. In this method, a plurality of adsorbed air are adsorbed by the pollutant adsorbing element Contaminants and multiple microorganisms. A plasma processing zone is formed by the plasma generator to utilize the plasma of the plasma processing zone to decompose and/or oxidize contaminants on the pollutant adsorbing element, and to destroy the cell membrane of the microorganism and to modify the protein of the microorganism.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the forming of the plasma processing zone by the plasma generator comprises arranging the plasma processing zone to cover a partial region of the pollutant adsorption component, and circulating the pollutant adsorption component relative to the plasma generator. Pass the plasma treatment zone.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plasma processing zone is formed by using the plasma generator to include a distance between the surface of the plasma generator and a surface of the contaminant adsorption component of 2 mm to 30 mm, and the plasma generator The power is less than or equal to 30W.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the rotating the pollutant adsorbing element relative to the plasma generator comprises controlling a turning timing, a rotating frequency, and a rotating speed of the pollutant adsorbing element by using the control circuit board.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the pollutant adsorption element comprises a high efficiency filter, a photocatalyst high efficiency filter, an ultra low penetration air (ULPA) filter, or a deodorizing filter.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the high-efficiency filter, the photocatalyst high-efficiency filter and the ultra-low permeability air filter are made of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or glass fiber. .

According to an embodiment of the invention, the photocatalyst high-efficiency filter material comprises titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ), zinc oxide (ZnO), tin dioxide (SnO ₂ ) or zirconium dioxide (ZrO ₂ ).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the pollutant adsorbing element comprises a photocatalyst high-efficiency filter, the plasma of the plasma processing zone is used to decompose and/or oxidize pollutants on the pollutant adsorbing element, and further includes utilizing electricity. The plasma of the pulp treatment zone provides ultraviolet light to activate the photocatalyst of the photocatalyst high efficiency filter.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the material of the deodorizing filter is an inorganic material, and the inorganic material comprises activated carbon, zeolite, permanganate-reinforced zeolite-activated carbon composite (CPZ), and hydroxyapatite ( Hydroxylapatite) or sepiolite.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the pollutant adsorbing element comprises a deodorizing filter, the contaminant comprises a volatile organic substance, and the plasma in the plasma processing area is used to decompose and/or oxidize the pollution on the pollutant adsorbing element. In addition, the plasma is used to destroy volatile organic compounds.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the plasma generator is an atmospheric plasma device, and the plasma generated by the plasma generator comprises a corona discharge, a plasma jet, a dielectric. Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) or plasma torch.

100‧‧‧ steps

102‧‧‧Steps

200‧‧‧Air purification device

202‧‧‧Contaminant adsorption components

204‧‧‧ Plasma generator

206‧‧‧The plasma processing area

208‧‧‧Rotating device

210‧‧‧ drive

212‧‧‧Control Board

The above and other objects, features, advantages and embodiments of the present invention will become more <RTIgt; </ RTI> <RTIgt; </ RTI> <RTIgt; </ RTI> <RTIgt; Flow chart; FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an air purifying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 and FIG. 2, FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing an air purifying method according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an air purifying device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The air purification method of the present embodiment is a plasma-assisted air purification method, and the method can be performed by the air purification device 200 of FIG.

In some examples, as shown in FIG. 2, the air purification device 200 primarily includes a pollutant adsorption element 202 and a plasma generator 204. In some exemplary examples, the pollutant adsorbing element 202 can comprise a high efficiency screen, a photocatalyst high efficiency screen, an ultra low permeability air filter, or a deodorizing screen. The material of the high efficiency filter, the photocatalyst high efficiency filter and the ultra low permeability air filter may, for example, comprise polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate or glass fiber. The material of the photocatalyst high efficiency filter may, for example, comprise titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, tin dioxide or zirconium dioxide. The material of the deodorizing filter is an inorganic material, which may, for example, comprise activated carbon, zeolite, permanganate-reinforced zeolite-activated carbon composite, hydroxyapatite or sepiolite.

The pollutant adsorbing member 202 may be disposed in a path through which the airflow passes to adsorb contaminants and microorganisms in the air when the air flows, and may even adsorb odors in the air. Contaminants may, for example, contain particulates, pollen or organic matter in the air, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are harmful to humans. The microorganism may, for example, contain bacteria, viruses, dust mites, and the like. In some demonstration examples The contaminant adsorption member 202 may have a flat shape as shown in FIG. 2 or may have a cylindrical shape.

The plasma generator 204 can be disposed adjacent to the contaminant adsorption element 202 or, as shown in FIG. 2, can be disposed on the contaminant adsorption element 202. The plasma generator 204 is configured to produce a plasma whereby a plasma processing zone 206 is formed. In some examples, when the plasma generator 204 is utilized to form the plasma processing zone 206, the plasma processing zone 206 is formed to encompass a localized region of the pollutant adsorbing element 202. For example, the plasma generator 204 can be disposed directly on a localized area of the pollutant adsorbing element 202 and encompass a localized area of the pollutant adsorbing element 202. In some exemplary examples, the distance between the plasma generator 204 and the surface of the localized region of the pollutant adsorbing element 202 can be controlled from about 2 mm to about 30 mm. The plasma generator 204 can be an atmospheric plasma device, and the plasma generated by the plasma generator 204 can include a corona discharge, a jet plasma, a dielectric shield discharge, or a plasma torch.

In some examples, air purification device 200 can further include a rotating device 208. This rotating device 208 is configured to rotate the pollutant adsorbing element 202 relative to the plasma generator 204 such that a localized area of the pollutant adsorbing element 202 covered by the plasma processing zone 206 changes as the pollutant adsorbing element 202 rotates. Thereby, each region of the pollutant adsorbing element 202 can circulate through the plasma processing zone 206 as it rotates, and the plasma of the plasma processing zone 206 can be utilized to sequentially process the entire pollutant adsorbing element 202.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the rotating device 208 can include, for example, the drive device 210 and the control circuit board 212. The drive device 210 is coupled to the contaminant adsorption element 202 to drive the contaminant adsorption element 202 to rotate. Drive device 210 It can be, for example, a motor. The control circuit board 212 is coupled to the driving device 210 to control the driving device 210 to further control the timing of rotation, the rotational frequency, and the rotational speed of the pollutant adsorbing element 202. The user can control the pollutant adsorbing element 202 to rotate or periodically rotate through the control circuit board 212 as needed.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 simultaneously, when performing air purification, step 100 may be performed to utilize the pollutant adsorption component 202 of the air purification device 200 to adsorb many pollutants and microorganisms in the air, wherein the pollutant adsorption component 202 is disposed. In the path of air flow, to facilitate adsorption and filtration of these pollutants and microorganisms in the air. Although the pollutant adsorbing element 202 can filter bacteria such as bacteria and viruses in the air, it does not have a bactericidal function. In addition, the efficiency of the screen or adsorbent in the pollutant adsorbing element 202 will decrease as the adsorbed contaminants and microorganisms increase, and must be replaced when saturated.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, after step 100, step 102 may be performed to generate plasma by using the plasma generator 204 of the air cleaning device 200 to form the plasma processing zone 206. Also, the plasma of the plasma processing zone 206 is utilized to decompose and/or oxidize contaminants on the pollutant adsorbing element 202, destroy the cell membrane of the microorganism, and modify the protein of the microorganism. Since the high-energy substance in the plasma can directly break the cell membrane of the microorganism, and these high-energy substances have the function of surface modification, the protein of the microorganism can be modified to inactivate the microorganism and achieve the sterilization effect. In addition, the plasma can decompose and oxidize contaminants, such as decomposing and oxidizing organic molecules in the contaminants, thereby reducing contaminants on the contaminant adsorption element 202 and eliminating organic molecules. The odor is achieved, the regeneration effect of the pollutant adsorption component 202 is achieved, and the service life of the pollutant adsorption component 202 is effectively extended. The form of the plasma may include a corona discharge, a jet plasma, a dielectric shield discharge, or a plasma torch.

In some examples, forming the plasma processing zone 206 with the plasma generator 204 includes causing the formed plasma processing zone 206 to encompass a localized region of the pollutant adsorbing element 202 and causing the pollutant adsorbing element 202 to be generated relative to the plasma. The device 204 rotates such that a localized area of the pollutant adsorbing element 202 covered by the plasma processing zone 206 changes as the contaminant adsorbing element 202 rotates, such that each region of the contaminant adsorbing element 202 can be circulated through the plasma processing zone 206. The plasma of the plasma processing zone 206 can be utilized to sequentially process the entire pollutant adsorption component 202. In some exemplary examples, forming the plasma processing zone 206 with the plasma generator 204 includes maintaining a distance between the plasma generator 204 and a surface of a localized region of the pollutant adsorbing element 202 of between about 2 mm and about 30 mm, and The power of the plasma generator 204 is less than or equal to about 30W. Further, when the pollutant adsorbing element 202 is rotated with respect to the plasma generator 204, the timing, the rotational frequency, and the rotational speed of the pollutant adsorbing element 202 can be controlled by the control circuit board 212 via the driving device 210. The user can control the pollutant adsorbing element 202 to rotate or periodically rotate through the control circuit board 212 as needed.

Since the plasma generator 204 covers only a partial area of the pollutant adsorbing element 202, in general, while the plasma generator 204 is activated, the pollutant adsorbing element 202 that has adsorbed contaminants and microorganisms begins to rotate. When the pollutant adsorbing member 202 with contaminants and microorganisms hits the plasma, the plasma purification treatment starts, so that the pollutant adsorbing member 202 has passed The purified filter material or adsorbent of the plasma processing zone 206 can continue to filter or adsorb more contaminants and microorganisms in the air.

In the example where the pollutant adsorbing element 202 comprises a photocatalyst high efficiency filter, the method can further utilize the plasma of the plasma processing zone 206 to provide ultraviolet light to activate the photocatalyst high efficiency filter photocatalyst. Since the photocatalytic material has self-cleaning properties, the ultraviolet light provided by the plasma activates the photocatalyst. When the photocatalyst is irradiated with high-energy light, electrons and holes can be generated. These high-energy electrons and holes can initiate a chemical reaction on the surface of the catalyst to achieve self-cleaning effect. Therefore, the cleaning effect of the highly efficient pollutant adsorbing element 202 can be achieved by utilizing the characteristics of the photocatalytic material and the purifying function of the plasma itself.

In the example in which the pollutant adsorbing element 202 comprises a deodorizing filter, the method can further utilize the plasma of the plasma processing zone 206 to destroy volatile organic compounds, thereby not only eliminating odor, but also allowing the pollutant adsorbing element 202 to achieve regeneration. The efficiency of the pollutant adsorbing element 202 is restored.

It can be seen from the above embodiments that one of the advantages of the present invention is that the air purification method of the present invention utilizes a pollutant adsorption element to filter pollutants in the air, as well as microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses and dust mites, and reuses the pollutant adsorbing elements. A plasma generator in a localized area forms a plasma processing zone. When the pollutant adsorption element rotates and passes through the plasma treatment zone, the high-energy substance in the plasma directly destroys the cell membrane of the microorganism, and the high-level active substance in the plasma has a surface modification function, and the protein of the microorganism can be modified. And cause microbial inactivation.

It can be seen from the above embodiments that another advantage of the present invention is that the plasma used in the air purification method of the present invention can be destructively attached to The pollutant adsorbs the organic molecules on the surface of the component, so that the pollutant adsorption component can achieve the regeneration effect, restore the adsorption efficiency of the pollutant adsorption component, and thereby prolong the service life of the pollutant adsorption component.

It can be seen from the above embodiments that another advantage of the present invention is that the pollutant adsorbing element used in the air purifying method of the present invention can be coated with a photocatalytic material having self-cleaning properties, and the plasma can provide ultraviolet light to activate the photocatalyst. . When the photocatalyst is irradiated with high-energy light, electrons and holes can be generated. These high-energy electrons and holes can initiate a chemical reaction on the surface of the catalyst to achieve self-cleaning effect. Therefore, the use of the characteristics of the photocatalyst material and the purification function of the plasma itself can achieve a highly efficient cleaning effect of the pollutant adsorbing element.

It is to be understood from the above-described embodiments that the plasma generator used in the air purification method of the present invention covers only a partial region of the pollutant adsorbing member, and therefore the method has the advantages of energy saving and energy saving.

While the present invention has been described above by way of example, it is not intended to be construed as a limitation of the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

100‧‧‧ steps

102‧‧‧Steps

Claims (10)

An air purification method comprising: adsorbing a plurality of pollutants and a plurality of microorganisms in the air by using a pollutant adsorption component; and forming a plasma treatment zone by using a plasma generator to utilize the plasma of the plasma treatment zone Decomposing and/or oxidizing the contaminants on the contaminant adsorption element, and destroying the cell membrane of the microorganisms and modifying the proteins of the microorganisms, wherein the plasma processing zone is formed by using the plasma generator The plasma processing zone covers a localized region of the contaminant adsorption element and circulates the contaminant adsorption element relative to the plasma generator for circulation through the plasma processing zone. The air purification method of claim 1, wherein the plasma processing zone is formed by using the plasma generator to include a distance between the plasma generator and a surface of the partial region of the pollutant adsorbing element of 2 mm. Up to 30 mm, and the power of the plasma generator is less than or equal to 30W. The air purification method according to claim 1, wherein the rotation of the pollutant adsorption member relative to the plasma generator comprises controlling a rotation timing, a rotation frequency, and a rotation speed of the pollutant adsorption member by using a control circuit board. . The air purification method of claim 1, wherein the pollutant adsorption element comprises a high efficiency filter, a photocatalyst high efficiency filter, an ultra low permeability air filter, or a deodorizing filter. The air purification method according to claim 4, wherein the high efficiency filter, the photocatalyst high efficiency filter and the ultra low permeability air filter comprise polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate or glass fiber. . The air purification method according to claim 4, wherein the photocatalyst high-efficiency filter material comprises titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, tin dioxide or zirconium dioxide. The air purification method of claim 4, wherein when the pollutant adsorbing element comprises the photocatalyst high efficiency filter, the plasma of the plasma processing zone is utilized to decompose and/or oxidize the pollutant adsorbing element. In the case of some contaminants, the photocatalyst is activated by using the plasma of the plasma treatment zone to provide ultraviolet light to activate the photocatalyst high efficiency filter. The air purification method according to claim 4, wherein the material of the deodorizing filter is an inorganic material comprising activated carbon, zeolite, permanganate-reinforced zeolite-activated carbon composite material, hydroxyphosphorus Stone or sepiolite. The air purification method of claim 4, wherein when the pollutant adsorbing element comprises the deodorizing filter, the pollutants comprise a volatile organic substance, and the plasma of the plasma processing area is used to decompose and/or Or oxidizing the pollutants on the pollutant adsorbing element, further comprising using the plasma of the plasma processing zone to destroy the volatile organic matter. The air purification method of claim 1, wherein the plasma generator is an atmospheric plasma device, and the plasma generated by the plasma generator comprises a corona discharge, a jet plasma, and a dielectric shield. Discharge or plasma torch.