WO2009061462A1 - Filtration system for purification cabin air - Google Patents

Filtration system for purification cabin air Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009061462A1
WO2009061462A1 PCT/US2008/012558 US2008012558W WO2009061462A1 WO 2009061462 A1 WO2009061462 A1 WO 2009061462A1 US 2008012558 W US2008012558 W US 2008012558W WO 2009061462 A1 WO2009061462 A1 WO 2009061462A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
filtration system
source
accordance
media
radiation
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Application number
PCT/US2008/012558
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French (fr)
Inventor
Hal Alper
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Mycelx Technologies Corporation
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Publication of WO2009061462A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009061462A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • B01D53/02—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by adsorption, e.g. preparative gas chromatography
    • B01D53/04—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by adsorption, e.g. preparative gas chromatography with stationary adsorbents
    • B01D53/0407—Constructional details of adsorbing systems
    • B01D53/0438—Cooling or heating systems
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D46/00—Filters or filtering processes specially modified for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours
    • B01D46/0027—Filters or filtering processes specially modified for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours with additional separating or treating functions
    • B01D46/0028—Filters or filtering processes specially modified for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours with additional separating or treating functions provided with antibacterial or antifungal means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D46/00—Filters or filtering processes specially modified for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours
    • B01D46/0027—Filters or filtering processes specially modified for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours with additional separating or treating functions
    • B01D46/0036—Filters or filtering processes specially modified for separating dispersed particles from gases or vapours with additional separating or treating functions by adsorption or absorption
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2253/00—Adsorbents used in seperation treatment of gases and vapours
    • B01D2253/10—Inorganic adsorbents
    • B01D2253/102—Carbon
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2253/00—Adsorbents used in seperation treatment of gases and vapours
    • B01D2253/20—Organic adsorbents
    • B01D2253/202—Polymeric adsorbents
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2257/00—Components to be removed
    • B01D2257/20—Halogens or halogen compounds
    • B01D2257/206—Organic halogen compounds
    • B01D2257/2064—Chlorine
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2257/00—Components to be removed
    • B01D2257/70—Organic compounds not provided for in groups B01D2257/00 - B01D2257/602
    • B01D2257/702—Hydrocarbons
    • B01D2257/7027—Aromatic hydrocarbons
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2257/00—Components to be removed
    • B01D2257/70—Organic compounds not provided for in groups B01D2257/00 - B01D2257/602
    • B01D2257/708—Volatile organic compounds V.O.C.'s
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2257/00—Components to be removed
    • B01D2257/80—Water
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2257/00—Components to be removed
    • B01D2257/90—Odorous compounds not provided for in groups B01D2257/00 - B01D2257/708
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2257/00—Components to be removed
    • B01D2257/91—Bacteria; Microorganisms
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2259/00—Type of treatment
    • B01D2259/40—Further details for adsorption processes and devices
    • B01D2259/40083—Regeneration of adsorbents in processes other than pressure or temperature swing adsorption
    • B01D2259/40088—Regeneration of adsorbents in processes other than pressure or temperature swing adsorption by heating
    • B01D2259/40094—Regeneration of adsorbents in processes other than pressure or temperature swing adsorption by heating by applying microwaves
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2259/00—Type of treatment
    • B01D2259/40—Further details for adsorption processes and devices
    • B01D2259/40083—Regeneration of adsorbents in processes other than pressure or temperature swing adsorption
    • B01D2259/40088—Regeneration of adsorbents in processes other than pressure or temperature swing adsorption by heating
    • B01D2259/40098—Regeneration of adsorbents in processes other than pressure or temperature swing adsorption by heating with other heating means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2259/00—Type of treatment
    • B01D2259/45—Gas separation or purification devices adapted for specific applications
    • B01D2259/4566—Gas separation or purification devices adapted for specific applications for use in transportation means
    • B01D2259/4575—Gas separation or purification devices adapted for specific applications for use in transportation means in aeroplanes or space ships
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2259/00—Type of treatment
    • B01D2259/80—Employing electric, magnetic, electromagnetic or wave energy, or particle radiation
    • B01D2259/802—Visible light
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2259/00—Type of treatment
    • B01D2259/80—Employing electric, magnetic, electromagnetic or wave energy, or particle radiation
    • B01D2259/804—UV light
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D2259/00—Type of treatment
    • B01D2259/80—Employing electric, magnetic, electromagnetic or wave energy, or particle radiation
    • B01D2259/806—Microwaves
    • 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
    • Y02A50/2351—Atmospheric particulate matter [PM], e.g. carbon smoke microparticles, smog, aerosol particles, dust

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to air filtration, and more specifically relates to devices and methods for removing undesired contaminants and pollutants from the air volumes contained and/or circulated within the enclosed cabins of aircraft, automobiles and other vehicles.
  • Airplane and automobile commuters and passengers are exposed to high concentrations of gasoline and diesel fumes, products of incomplete combustion and particulate matter. These pollutants generally exist as aerosolized liquid droplets or as particulates, including neutrally buoyant particulate matter in which can be incorporated bacteria and fungal spores.
  • Current cabin air filtration technology addresses particulate matter and in some cases gaseous volatile organic compounds, but generally lacks an ability to capture and immobilize aerosolized hydrocarbons which are one of the predominant constituents of air pollution.
  • cabin air filtration systems are often septic due to growth of the mentioned microbial matter such as fungus and bacteria. This growth is facilitated by the constant presence of water on filters due to condensation, especially when air conditioning units are operated. There currently is no single cabin air filtration device, which can address all of the cited issues.
  • a composite cabin air filtration system which is capable of removing particulate matter, aerosolized hydrocarbons, and gaseous volatile hydrocarbons, while preventing microbial and fungal growth on the filters.
  • the composite system consists of first, a primary infused air filter of the type disclosed in the present inventor's U.S. Patents Nos. 6,805,727; 6,475,393; 6,180,010); 5,437,793; 5,698,139; 5,837,146; and 5,961823 (all of which disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference).
  • such filter is produced from a fluid-pervious filtration media, which has been infused with an absorbtion composition of the type disclosed in the patents.
  • the function of this filter is removal and immobilization of hydrocarbon aerosols and most types of bacteria and fungal spores, in addition to odor causing agents.
  • the infused filtration media is able to capture microbial matter and prevent reproduction of captured microbes by interference with the gluco polysaccharide matrix which microbes must exude in order to facilitate cell anchoring.
  • a second component in the system includes a source of radiant heating energy which is disposed to render the heating energy incident at the filtration media of the primary filter, to keep the filter media dry during operation and subsequent to operation of the cabin air cooling, thereby depriving microbes of available condensed moisture to inhibit microbial growth on the filter media; and a source of radiant sterilizing radiation for rendering the sterilizing radiation incident at the filtration media during and subsequent to operation of the cabin air cooling, for directly killing the microbial growth on the filter media.
  • the removal of water from the filter media by the incident heating energy not only deprives the microbes of the moisture without which they cannot reproduce, but moreover facilitates penetration of the sterilizing radiation at the microbial growth to better enable the killing effects thereof.
  • the heating energy source can be activated through use of a timing device, thereby depriving microbes of available moisture.
  • the third component of the system is a filter incorporating a carbon impregnated filtration media, the purpose of which is removal of additional gaseous volatile organic compounds and odor causing agents.
  • the source of radiant heating energy may generate IR radiation or radiation at appropriate microwave wavelengths.
  • the source of sterilizing radiation can typically generate UV radiation. That ultraviolet radiation is capable of directly killing microbial matter is well established, especially at 254-350 nanometers.
  • the source of radiant heating energy and the source of sterilizing radiation energy can be completely separate, or can be commonly contained, as for example in a single bulb or other envelope which is pervious to both the heating and sterilizing radiations.
  • the filtration media may comprises a fluid-pervious filtration media which has been infused with an absorbtion composition comprising a homogeneous thermal reaction product of an oil component selected from the group consisting of glycerides, fatty acids, alkenes, and alkynes, and a methacrylate or acrylate polymer component.
  • an oil component selected from the group consisting of glycerides, fatty acids, alkenes, and alkynes, and a methacrylate or acrylate polymer component.
  • FIGURE is a simplified schematic view of a filtration system in accordance with the present invention.
  • the cabin air 12 to be treated is first passed through a primary filter 14.
  • Filter 14 is based upon a fluid-pervious filtration media 16 which has been infused with an absorbtion composition comprising a homogeneous thermal reaction product of an oil component selected from the group consisting of glycerides, fatty acids, alkenes, and alkynes, and a methacrylate or acrylate polymer component; the contaminants being thereby immobilized at the media.
  • Filter configurations incorporating the above described compositions may be based on various fluid permeable substrates, such as shredded, spun or otherwise configured polypropylene or shredded or spun cellulose, which substrates are infused or otherwise treated with the absorbent compositions, which are then cured. These substrates may then be packed or otherwise disposed in any convenient form such as the relatively flat configuration shown in the Figure, or in a cartridge or canister filter; or can be formed into cured and infused bag filters which can be emplaced in canisters through which the contaminated air is flowed.
  • substrates such as shredded, spun or otherwise configured polypropylene or shredded or spun cellulose, which substrates are infused or otherwise treated with the absorbent compositions, which are then cured.
  • These substrates may then be packed or otherwise disposed in any convenient form such as the relatively flat configuration shown in the Figure, or in a cartridge or canister filter; or can be formed into cured and infused bag filters which can be emplaced in canisters through which the contaminated air is flowed.
  • the said absorbent compositions can be incorporated into or upon other filtering substrates and media, such as paper, including compressed pulp materials, particulate porous foamed plastics, mineral particulates such as perlite and vermiculite, and particulate, fibrous or porous ceramic or porous (e.g. sintered) metal substrates and media.
  • filtering substrates and media such as paper, including compressed pulp materials, particulate porous foamed plastics, mineral particulates such as perlite and vermiculite, and particulate, fibrous or porous ceramic or porous (e.g. sintered) metal substrates and media.
  • the primary filter 14 can be of the various types discussed in my aforementioned 6,805,727 and other patents,
  • the filters can also be of the types disclosed in the present inventor's U.S. patents Nos. 7,264,721 and 7,264,722.
  • Various types of filters based on filtration media 16 are commercially available from the Mycelx Corporation, assignee of the present invention, Oil droplets as small as one micron, are captured and immobilized by the primary filter.
  • dispersed organics such as benzene, isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane, ethyl benzene, heptachlor, heptachlor expoxide, napthalene, phenols, pthalate esters, toluene, trichlorobenzene and trichloroethane.
  • these filtration media are able to capture microbial matter and prevent reproduction of captured microbes by interference with the gluco polysaccharide matrix which microbes must exude in order to facilitate cell anchoring.
  • the secondary filter 18 in the drawing consists of a relatively conventional device, comprising a filtration media which contains or has been impregnated with finely divided carbon, preferably activated carbon. As is well known in the art, this filter serves to remove various gaseous volatile organic compounds and odor causing agents.
  • filter 18 is shown to be downstream of filter 14, although inversion in the order of the two filters can also be used.
  • a key aspect of the present invention involves use of one or more radiation devices such as radiation device 20, to render radiant heat energy and radiant sterilizing energy incident at the filter media 16 of primary filter 14.
  • Device 20 in the Figure is illustratively assumed to generate for these purposes both IR and UV radiation.
  • Device 20 can comprise separate radiation sources respectively adapted to generate the IR and UV radiations, which can be contained in a single envelope or bulb which is pervious to such radiations. These radiations serve two purposes.
  • the IR radiation keeps the filter media dry during operation and subsequent to operation of the cabin air cooling and filtration system. The drying achieved deprives microbes of available moisture. Microbes cannot reproduce when moisture is not available and therefore microbial growth on filter media 16 is inhibited.
  • the ultraviolet component is capable of directly killing microbial matter, as is well established, especially at 254-350 nanometers.
  • the cooling unit of the cabin air-cooling and filtration system operates intermittently to maintain a given temperature.
  • the resulting flow of cooled air is a major source of moisture condensed at the filtration media, and thus a typical mode of operation of the IR source can be activation by a timer, either at set intervals or at a specific interval following shut off of the cooling of the cabin air.
  • the device 20 is schematically shown as a simple bulb assumed to contain the source for both the IR and UV radiation, in practice completely separate sources, not contained in a single envelope, may be more conveniently used for the IR and for the UV radiation, especially since the differing radiations are not usually operated on a simultaneous basis.
  • the filtration system 10 may include timer means 22 for intermittingly activating the heating source as a function of the cabin air being cooled, to dissipate moisture accumulated at the filtration media as a result of the cooling.
  • the positioning of the sources for maximum effectiveness is dependent on the type of structure used for filter 14.
  • the source of heating radiation can be one which functions at microwave wavelengths, it being appreciated that in the terminology used to characterize the electromagnetic spectrum, one end of the far infrared range is often considered to encompass microwaves.

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Disinfection, Sterilisation Or Deodorisation Of Air (AREA)

Abstract

A composite filtration system for use in filtering the cabin air in an aircraft, or an automobile or the like, which is capable of removing particulate matter, aerosolized hydrocarbons, and gaseous volatile hydrocarbons, while preventing microbial and fungal growth on the filter system.

Description

FILTRATION SYSTEM FOR PURIFICATION OF CABIN AIR
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates generally to air filtration, and more specifically relates to devices and methods for removing undesired contaminants and pollutants from the air volumes contained and/or circulated within the enclosed cabins of aircraft, automobiles and other vehicles.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Airplane and automobile commuters and passengers are exposed to high concentrations of gasoline and diesel fumes, products of incomplete combustion and particulate matter. These pollutants generally exist as aerosolized liquid droplets or as particulates, including neutrally buoyant particulate matter in which can be incorporated bacteria and fungal spores. Current cabin air filtration technology addresses particulate matter and in some cases gaseous volatile organic compounds, but generally lacks an ability to capture and immobilize aerosolized hydrocarbons which are one of the predominant constituents of air pollution. Additionally, cabin air filtration systems are often septic due to growth of the mentioned microbial matter such as fungus and bacteria. This growth is facilitated by the constant presence of water on filters due to condensation, especially when air conditioning units are operated. There currently is no single cabin air filtration device, which can address all of the cited issues.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Now in accordance with the present invention, a composite cabin air filtration system is disclosed which is capable of removing particulate matter, aerosolized hydrocarbons, and gaseous volatile hydrocarbons, while preventing microbial and fungal growth on the filters. The composite system consists of first, a primary infused air filter of the type disclosed in the present inventor's U.S. Patents Nos. 6,805,727; 6,475,393; 6,180,010); 5,437,793; 5,698,139; 5,837,146; and 5,961823 (all of which disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference). As taught in these patents, such filter is produced from a fluid-pervious filtration media, which has been infused with an absorbtion composition of the type disclosed in the patents. The function of this filter is removal and immobilization of hydrocarbon aerosols and most types of bacteria and fungal spores, in addition to odor causing agents. The infused filtration media is able to capture microbial matter and prevent reproduction of captured microbes by interference with the gluco polysaccharide matrix which microbes must exude in order to facilitate cell anchoring.
A second component in the system includes a source of radiant heating energy which is disposed to render the heating energy incident at the filtration media of the primary filter, to keep the filter media dry during operation and subsequent to operation of the cabin air cooling, thereby depriving microbes of available condensed moisture to inhibit microbial growth on the filter media; and a source of radiant sterilizing radiation for rendering the sterilizing radiation incident at the filtration media during and subsequent to operation of the cabin air cooling, for directly killing the microbial growth on the filter media. The removal of water from the filter media by the incident heating energy not only deprives the microbes of the moisture without which they cannot reproduce, but moreover facilitates penetration of the sterilizing radiation at the microbial growth to better enable the killing effects thereof. The heating energy source can be activated through use of a timing device, thereby depriving microbes of available moisture.
The third component of the system is a filter incorporating a carbon impregnated filtration media, the purpose of which is removal of additional gaseous volatile organic compounds and odor causing agents.
The source of radiant heating energy may generate IR radiation or radiation at appropriate microwave wavelengths. The source of sterilizing radiation can typically generate UV radiation. That ultraviolet radiation is capable of directly killing microbial matter is well established, especially at 254-350 nanometers.
The source of radiant heating energy and the source of sterilizing radiation energy can be completely separate, or can be commonly contained, as for example in a single bulb or other envelope which is pervious to both the heating and sterilizing radiations.
In accordance with the teaching of the above mentioned patents, the filtration media may comprises a fluid-pervious filtration media which has been infused with an absorbtion composition comprising a homogeneous thermal reaction product of an oil component selected from the group consisting of glycerides, fatty acids, alkenes, and alkynes, and a methacrylate or acrylate polymer component.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING
The invention is diagrammatically illustrated, by way of example, in the drawing appended hereto, in which:
The FIGURE is a simplified schematic view of a filtration system in accordance with the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the system 10 of the invention illustrated in the simplified schematic drawing, the cabin air 12 to be treated is first passed through a primary filter 14. Filter 14 is based upon a fluid-pervious filtration media 16 which has been infused with an absorbtion composition comprising a homogeneous thermal reaction product of an oil component selected from the group consisting of glycerides, fatty acids, alkenes, and alkynes, and a methacrylate or acrylate polymer component; the contaminants being thereby immobilized at the media. Filter configurations incorporating the above described compositions (hereinafter referred to as "absorbent compositions") may be based on various fluid permeable substrates, such as shredded, spun or otherwise configured polypropylene or shredded or spun cellulose, which substrates are infused or otherwise treated with the absorbent compositions, which are then cured. These substrates may then be packed or otherwise disposed in any convenient form such as the relatively flat configuration shown in the Figure, or in a cartridge or canister filter; or can be formed into cured and infused bag filters which can be emplaced in canisters through which the contaminated air is flowed. Similarly the said absorbent compositions can be incorporated into or upon other filtering substrates and media, such as paper, including compressed pulp materials, particulate porous foamed plastics, mineral particulates such as perlite and vermiculite, and particulate, fibrous or porous ceramic or porous (e.g. sintered) metal substrates and media.
It should be appreciated that the use herein of the term "absorbent composition" is one of convenience for identifying the compositions of my aforementioned patents. The specific mechanism by which the noxious contaminants are removed from the air streams by conjunctive use of the "absorbent compositions" is not completely understood, and could include attachment and/or fixation of such contaminants by mechanisms that technically involve various physical and/or chemical interactions. The term "absorbent" as used herein is intended to encompass all of these possible mechanisms.
The primary filter 14 can be of the various types discussed in my aforementioned 6,805,727 and other patents, The filters can also be of the types disclosed in the present inventor's U.S. patents Nos. 7,264,721 and 7,264,722. Various types of filters based on filtration media 16 are commercially available from the Mycelx Corporation, assignee of the present invention, Oil droplets as small as one micron, are captured and immobilized by the primary filter. In addition, however, a wide variety of dispersed organics can be thereby removed such as benzene, isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane, ethyl benzene, heptachlor, heptachlor expoxide, napthalene, phenols, pthalate esters, toluene, trichlorobenzene and trichloroethane. Furthermore these filtration media are able to capture microbial matter and prevent reproduction of captured microbes by interference with the gluco polysaccharide matrix which microbes must exude in order to facilitate cell anchoring.
The secondary filter 18 in the drawing consists of a relatively conventional device, comprising a filtration media which contains or has been impregnated with finely divided carbon, preferably activated carbon. As is well known in the art, this filter serves to remove various gaseous volatile organic compounds and odor causing agents. In the Figure filter 18 is shown to be downstream of filter 14, although inversion in the order of the two filters can also be used.
A key aspect of the present invention involves use of one or more radiation devices such as radiation device 20, to render radiant heat energy and radiant sterilizing energy incident at the filter media 16 of primary filter 14. Device 20 in the Figure is illustratively assumed to generate for these purposes both IR and UV radiation. Device 20 can comprise separate radiation sources respectively adapted to generate the IR and UV radiations, which can be contained in a single envelope or bulb which is pervious to such radiations. These radiations serve two purposes. Primarily the IR radiation keeps the filter media dry during operation and subsequent to operation of the cabin air cooling and filtration system. The drying achieved deprives microbes of available moisture. Microbes cannot reproduce when moisture is not available and therefore microbial growth on filter media 16 is inhibited. Secondarily the ultraviolet component is capable of directly killing microbial matter, as is well established, especially at 254-350 nanometers. Typically in an aircraft or an automobile cabin the cooling unit of the cabin air-cooling and filtration system operates intermittently to maintain a given temperature. The resulting flow of cooled air is a major source of moisture condensed at the filtration media, and thus a typical mode of operation of the IR source can be activation by a timer, either at set intervals or at a specific interval following shut off of the cooling of the cabin air.
While in the Figure the device 20 is schematically shown as a simple bulb assumed to contain the source for both the IR and UV radiation, in practice completely separate sources, not contained in a single envelope, may be more conveniently used for the IR and for the UV radiation, especially since the differing radiations are not usually operated on a simultaneous basis. Illustrative of the last point, the filtration system 10 may include timer means 22 for intermittingly activating the heating source as a function of the cabin air being cooled, to dissipate moisture accumulated at the filtration media as a result of the cooling.
Also the positioning of the sources for maximum effectiveness is dependent on the type of structure used for filter 14. As has also been discussed, the source of heating radiation can be one which functions at microwave wavelengths, it being appreciated that in the terminology used to characterize the electromagnetic spectrum, one end of the far infrared range is often considered to encompass microwaves.
While the present invention has been set forth in terms of specific embodiments thereof, the instant disclosure is such that numerous variations upon the invention are now enabled to those skilled in the art, which variations yet reside within the scope of the present teaching. Accordingly, the invention is to be broadly construed and limited only by the scope and spirit of the present disclosure and the claims now appended hereto.

Claims

1. For use in filtering the cabin air in an aircraft, or an automobile or the like, a composite filtration system which is capable of removing particulate matter, aerosolized hydrocarbons, and gaseous volatile hydrocarbons, while preventing microbial and fungal growth on the filters; comprising
a primary filter including a fluid-pervious filtration media which has been infused with an absorbtion composition for removal and immobilization of hydrocarbon aerosols and bacteria and fungal spores, in addition to odor causing agents;
a source of radiant heating energy for rendering said heating energy incident at the filtration media of said primary filter, to keep the filter media dry during operation and subsequent to operation of the cabin air cooling, thereby depriving microbes of available condensed moisture to inhibit microbial growth on the filter media;
a source of radiant sterilizing radiation for rendering said sterilizing radiation incident at the filtration media during and subsequent to operation of the cabin air cooling, for directly killing the microbial growth on the filter media; the removal of water from said filter media by said incident heating energy facilitating penetration of the sterilizing radiation at the microbial growth to better enable the killing effects thereof.
2. A composite filtration system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said source of radiant heating energy generates IR radiation.
3. A composite filtration system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said source of radiant heating energy generates microwave radiation.
4. A composite filtration system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said source of sterilizing radiation generates UV radiation.
5. A composite filtration system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said source of radiant heating energy and said source of sterilizing radiation energy are commonly contained.
6. A composite filtration system in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the filtration media comprises a fluid-pervious filtration media which has been infused with an absorbtion composition comprising a homogeneous thermal reaction product of an oil component selected from the group consisting of glycerides, fatty acids, alkenes, and alkynes, and a methacrylate or acrylate polymer component.
7. A composite filtration system in accordance with claim 6, further including a carbon impregnated filtration media for additional removal of gaseous volatile organic compounds and odor causing agents.
8. A composite filtration system in accordance with claim 7, further including means for intermittingly activating said heating source as a function of the cabin air being cooled, to dissipate moisture accumulated at the said filtration media as a result of the cooling.
9. A composite filtration system in accordance with claim 8, wherein said intermittent activating means comprises a timer.
PCT/US2008/012558 2007-11-09 2008-11-07 Filtration system for purification cabin air WO2009061462A1 (en)

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US253507P 2007-11-09 2007-11-09
US61/002,535 2007-11-09

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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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US9402392B2 (en) 2011-06-13 2016-08-02 Mycelx Technologies Corporation Advanced viscoelastic antimicrobial compositions and methods
CN110772890A (en) * 2018-07-30 2020-02-11 天津大学 Ferroferric oxide-loaded SiC foamed ceramic and preparation method and application thereof
FR3110683A1 (en) 2020-05-20 2021-11-26 Safran Electrical&Power Device and method for purifying cabin air
EP3945022A1 (en) * 2020-07-31 2022-02-02 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation Multifunctional composite microwave air purifier

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Cited By (7)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012173978A1 (en) 2011-06-13 2012-12-20 Mycelx Technologies Corporation Viscoelastic antimicrobial compositions and methods
US9102549B2 (en) 2011-06-13 2015-08-11 Mycelx Technologies Corporation Process for producing compositions for use in removal of dispersed, solubilized and/or emulsified undesired species from water and gases
US9402392B2 (en) 2011-06-13 2016-08-02 Mycelx Technologies Corporation Advanced viscoelastic antimicrobial compositions and methods
CN110772890A (en) * 2018-07-30 2020-02-11 天津大学 Ferroferric oxide-loaded SiC foamed ceramic and preparation method and application thereof
CN110772890B (en) * 2018-07-30 2021-11-19 天津大学 Ferroferric oxide-loaded SiC foamed ceramic and preparation method and application thereof
FR3110683A1 (en) 2020-05-20 2021-11-26 Safran Electrical&Power Device and method for purifying cabin air
EP3945022A1 (en) * 2020-07-31 2022-02-02 Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation Multifunctional composite microwave air purifier

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