WO2012051987A1

WO2012051987A1 - Apparatus for cleaning waste air using uv radiation and method for cleaning the apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2012051987A1
Application number: PCT/DE2011/001815
Authority: WO
Inventors: Karlheinz Krenz
Original assignee: Karlheinz Krenz
Priority date: 2010-10-19
Filing date: 2011-10-07
Publication date: 2012-04-26
Also published as: DE102010048714A1; DE112011104196A5

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for the UV irradiation of gas streams, in particular waste air streams, comprising at least one carrier frame, wherein the carrier frame has at least one water-tight UV lamp and at least one water-tight electrical plug connection. Said invention also relates to a method for cleaning the apparatus, wherein (a) the electrical plug connection is decoupled, (b) the carrier frame is removed from a waste air system or a reactor housing, (c) the carrier frame is mechanically or manually cleaned, (d) the cleaned carrier frame is inserted into the waste air system or the reactor housing, and (e) the plug connection is coupled again.

Description

Device for exhaust air purification by means of UV radiation and method for cleaning the device

The invention relates to an improved system for purifying exhaust air by means of UV radiation in particular for the removal of organic substances such as fats and oils and for the removal of bacteria, fungi and other germs from gas and / or air streams. Above all, the system according to the invention simplifies and facilitates the cleaning and maintenance of UV lamps which are used for the irradiation of organically contaminated exhaust air, for example in kitchens, industry, healthcare facilities, etc.

For example, in catering establishments, the vapors produced during cooking are usually filtered and extracted by means of appropriate exhaust air systems. With the exhaust air, grease and oil residues are sucked off, which can be found in exhaust hoods, exhaust air ducts, fans,

Fire dampers, heat exchangers and others

Deposit components and pollute them. The greasy deposits reduce the performance, increase the risk of fire and lead to fouling

Microorganisms to unpleasant odors.

It is known to clean the exhaust air by UV irradiation, both organic residues removed and germs are inactivated. For disinfection radiation of wavelength 254 nm is usually used.

Wavelengths below about 200 nm are ozone-generating by photolysis of the atmospheric oxygen, so that organic compounds are oxidized. Normally, the UV lamps are located directly in the exhaust air stream, usually in the exhaust hoods themselves. It is therefore necessary to regularly clean the UV lamps in existing ventilation systems in accordance with the degree of soiling in order to ensure their function. The surrounding housing parts and receptacles for the UV lamps are exposed to the pollution by the exhaust air flow and must therefore be cleaned regularly.

The cleaning is usually done manually using wipes or paper towels by wiping and special cleaning agents. For manual cleaning, the UV lamps and other parts to be cleaned are removed from the system. For this purpose, all fittings and brackets must be solved and all electrical connections are separated. Each part including the UV lamps is then cleaned individually until the desired degree of cleaning is achieved. This manual cleaning is therefore time consuming and the

Consumption of cleaning agents, wipes and other is high. Also, the mechanical stress during cleaning regularly lead to the breakage of the UV lamps. Of

Further, by removing and cleaning the parts, the ventilation system is put out of operation for some time, so that the operation of e.g. in a

Commercial kitchen is severely affected.

The cleaning of the UV lamps by means of water jet is not possible in most systems for air or exhaust air treatment, because these systems are not designed to be watertight in the rule and therefore it to failure of the

Electrics would come. In addition, the use of water in the immediate vicinity of production facilities such as fryers lead to fat explosions.

The use of automatic cleaning systems, as they are known from water treatment and treatment, is in UV lamps, which are used directly in the air or exhaust air streams, is not readily possible. Here, the medium "water" is missing, which is necessary as a lubricant for a functioning wiping technique.

From DE 10 2005 043 605 a device and a method is known in which an aqueous surfactant solution is pumped as a cleaning agent through a chamber surrounding the UV lamp or UV tube and this chamber reciprocates along the length of the UV tube becomes. Due to the usually tight construction of the exhaust air systems retrofitting these systems is usually not possible due to lack of space. Moreover, with this comparatively expensive and maintenance-consuming process, only the UV lamps and not the plant and housing parts surrounding them can be cleaned.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide an improved device for the purification of exhaust air streams with the aid of UV irradiation available, which in particular allows easy and simple cleaning of the regularly polluting parts of the exhaust system.

This object is achieved by a device according to the main claim, their use for cleaning

Gas streams according to claim 8 and by a process for their purification according to claim 10. Further Embodiments of the invention are the subject of

Subclaims and / or are disclosed in the description.

The inventive device comprises at least one support frame, which has the UV lamps and a waterproof connector. The support element can be used in the construction of an exhaust system in the already provided on site and safely shielded from the outside components. The support frame according to the invention can be installed in any housing or system, which as

Reaction space can serve for UV lamps. This

Reaction space must be protected only against outward-acting UV radiation and have the usual safety devices that prevent the health hazards of personnel by UV rays and the leakage of ozone.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the device according to the invention further comprises a reactor housing, which serves to receive the support frame, so that the device according to the invention can be readily used in existing exhaust air systems. The reactor housing has a flap through which the

Support frame can be removed from the reactor housing. The flap is lockable to stop the operation of the

Exhaust air system especially not to disturb the exhaust air extraction. The reactor housing is preferably shielded against UV radiation to the outside. In addition, the reactor housing can accommodate other components such as air flow elements and filter elements as well as all associated electrical cables and electronic components. The support frame according to the invention has at least one waterproof UV lamp and at least one watertight electrical plug-in connection, wherein the watertight plug-in connection produces an electrical cable connection between the UV lamps and the electronic components located in the reactor housing. Before taking the

Support frame this electrical connection is interrupted by the connector is decoupled.

According to the invention, a watertight connector is used for coupling and decoupling the electrical connection. In the coupled state, the operation of the system is enabled and in the decoupled state, the simple removal of the carrier body is made possible with the UV lamps.

According to the invention, a special connector system is used for coupling the cable connection between the UV lamps in the support frame and the electronic ballasts as a connector. After decoupling, the support frame with the UV lamps the

Reactor housing removed and cleaned in a conventional manner, e.g. by machine in a commercial dishwasher or by hand in a sink

suitable size. Subsequently, the support frame is inserted back into the reactor housing, the

Connector coupled and the UV lamps of the

Rack again with the ballasts of the

Reactor housing connected. The invention

Cable connections are designed so that the coupling and decoupling only with a handle and without

additional tools to accomplish is. According to the invention waterproof UV lamps are fixed in the support frame. Tubular UV lamps are preferably used. The inclusion of UV lamps in the support frame is done by simple fixation in recesses preferably holes or holes, which are adapted to the diameters of the UV lamps. In a preferred Execute ^¬ ungsform the UV lamps are additionally fixed to one side by screwing in the supporting frame.

In a further preferred embodiment, a protective housing is further attached to the support frame, which receives the connections of the UV lamps and the cables or cables to the connector. For sealing and fixing the bushings, for example, special UV and heat-resistant silicone compositions

be used.

A first part of the waterproof, electric

Plug connection is on the support frame itself or on

Protective housing attached, a second part of

Plug connection on the reactor housing. The electric

Connection between UV lamps and electronic ballasts, which are housed in the reactor housing, is achieved via the watertight plug-in connection or the

Connector manufactured.

In a further preferred embodiment of the

present invention, a lid is attached to the connector or on the support frame itself, which can be placed on the dissolved, decoupled part of the connector, which is provided on the support frame. The lid is inventively designed so that it is the decoupled part of the connector on the support frame waterproof closes. In a further preferred embodiment, the lid is additionally provided with a locking or securing device which prevents unintentional opening of the lid. By placing the cover of the connector is waterproof even in the dissolved and decoupled state. As a result, the cable ends and the electronic components must not be made waterproof. In addition, the cover and protective housing additionally protect the electronic components against gross contamination and mechanical stress.

The support frame according to the invention serves to receive UV lamps. It is not with the reactor housing

screwed or otherwise firmly connected to allow easy removal from the housing and reuse in the housing. According to the invention

Support frame and reactor housing on special guiding and locking elements which hold and fix the support frame in the reactor housing.

For example, the support member on guide rails, can engage in the guide pins, which are attached to the corresponding locations in the reactor housing. All other means and elements familiar to the person skilled in the art are also suitable, which are the corresponding ones

Lead and / or locking the two parts.

Suitable materials for the invention

Devices are the metals and plastics known to those skilled in the art for use in exhaust ventilation systems.

According to the invention, materials are preferably used which are suitable for cleaning organically polluted exhaust air, especially kitchen exhaust air.

The support frame according to the invention can be installed as a single component in a reactor housing. It can also be several units of support frame and reactor housing as a modular complete system in single or

expandable modules according to

Performance requirements for air or exhaust air purification are used.

In a modular construction of the present invention, the modules consisting of reactor housing and

Support frame, preferably the same grid dimensions and the same structure. For the performance-oriented adaptation to existing air or exhaust air systems, the use of the required number of modules enables many conceivable applications in the air and exhaust air sector

will be realized.

Thus, for example, the inventive

Devices or modules in exhaust hoods

different sizes and dimensions are used. One or more modules are installed above the hood or laterally on the hood and connected to the exhaust air duct system. Lateral installation is preferred, for example, in ceiling hoods. The

For example, modules can be placed side by side to evenly distribute and purify the gas, air or exhaust air streams, and the cleaned ones

To divert gas streams into the exhaust air system. In a further preferred embodiment, the reactor housing in addition to the support frame further elements and components such as flow baffles and filter mounts. These components are also located directly in the gas or exhaust air flow, so that they also pollute during operation. According to the invention, these components can be removed from the reactor body without additional aids.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the device additionally has a device for signaling of cleaning operations. With the help of this device, every time the

Plug connection is disconnected or decoupled, forwarded a signal for evaluation. Thus, for the purpose of verification, the number of cleaning operations

be documented.

The stated object is also achieved by a method for cleaning the devices according to the invention for the UV irradiation of gas streams, the method comprising the following steps.

The watertight plug-in connection between reactor housing and carrier frame is loosened, thus decoupling the electrical connection between the two units.

separated. Subsequently, the support frame is the

Extracted exhaust system. According to the invention preferred

the support frame is located in a reactor housing and this can be removed by a suitably sized and placed flap. The support frame can now be cleaned in the usual manner, for example by machine with a commercial

Commercial dishwasher or by hand in a sink. Finally, the cleaned support frame is re-inserted into the reactor housing or the exhaust system and the electrical connection via the connector again made or coupled to the reactor housing.

In a preferred embodiment of the method is after uncoupling the lid on the part of the

Plug connector attached to the support frame or

closed and optionally locked. Before the

The cover is coupled from the connector part on

Carrier rack removed.

In the method according to the invention, the support frame on which the UV lamps are fixed and fixed, can be decoupled in a simple manner and with only one hand from the surrounding reactor housing and its electronic components contained therein, without screw and other fasteners must be solved. The present invention enables the operator of such systems or service technicians to remove the housing located within a reactor housing UV lamps completely without disassembly and screwing together with the associated support elements of the housing for the purpose of cleaning,

Maintenance, repair or replacement.

Furthermore, it is apparent from the present invention that maintenance and repair such as the replacement of the UV lamps requires only minimal time. This has the advantage that the production operation is not disturbed and the necessary maintenance of the UV system can be carried out outside the operation. Need to be replaced components like For example, the UV lamps so this work can also be performed by untrained personnel by the faulty UV frame is replaced by a working. The actual maintenance is then carried out by specialist personnel in the workshop or in an adjoining room.

The advantages lie not only in the time savings, but above all in the improvement of the operational safety and the function of the plants. Of the

comparatively low effort for the removal of the component according to the invention facilitates the required cleaning of the system parts and shortens the

needed time significantly. The fact that the systems can be kept clean without much effort, will continue to increase the efficiency of the entire Luftbeziehungsweise exhaust air system.

The coupling and decoupling of the associated electrical connections takes place according to the invention via a single, watertight plug connector. This makes it possible even for retrained personnel to carry out the cleaning of the support frame with the UV lamps therein quickly and efficiently. Also the others, im

Reactor housing located and the air flow

exposed mechanical components can so on

easiest way the reactor housing for the purpose of

Cleaning be removed.

Embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the drawings. FIGS. 1a and 1b show a device according to the invention in which the

Carrier rack in a compact reactor housing

is housed. Fig. La shows the reactor housing with closed flap. Fig. Lb shows the reactor housing with the flap open.

The reactor housing (1) has a flap (11), which is sealed off from the medium flowing through (air / exhaust air). The flap (11) can be more

contain electronic components. All necessary

Connections, lines or cables from the flap (11) lead into a part (7b) of the connector (7). The counterpart (7a) is mounted on the support frame (2), so that an electrical connection between UV lamps (3) and the electrical components in the flap (11) is produced by the coupling of the connector {7a, 7b). The support frame (2) has on at least one side a guide rail (6) and a secure locking. These devices are mounted so that they securely fix the support frame (2) on the flap (11) in the open and closed state.

In the support frame (2) tubular UV lamps (3) are mounted. The connections of the UV lamps (3) lie within a protective housing (10). The opposite ends of the terminals of the UV lamps (3) are mounted in recesses in the support frame. The recesses in this example are round and adapted to the diameter of the UV lamps.

An application according to the invention is shown in Fig. Lc

shown. In a typical commercial fryer (16) with an attached exhaust hood (15), which opens into an exhaust duct (17), the reactor housing (1) is installed between the exhaust hood and the exhaust duct. Fig. 2 illustrates the use of modules according to the invention. About the exhaust hood (15) two reactor housing (1) are mounted. Fig. 2 shows both reactor housings (1) side by side, one with open flap (14) and decoupled support frame (2). The support frame (2), with UV tubes (3), can be removed without further effort and cleaned in a commercial dishwasher or in the sink. Subsequently, the cleaned support frame (2) is inserted back into the reactor housing (1) and the connector (7) coupled.

List of reference numbers

1 reactor housing

2 support frame for UV lamps

3 waterproof UV lamp

4 electric cables

5 electronic components

6 guide rails

7, 7a, 7b waterproof connector

9 electronic ballasts

10 protective housing

11 flap

12 misuse

13 commercial dishwasher

14 Swing flap

15 exhaust hood

16 deep fryer

17 exhaust duct

Claims

claims

1. Apparatus for UV irradiation of gas streams

comprising at least one support frame (2), wherein the support frame (2) at least one waterproof UV lamp (3) and at least one waterproof

having electrical plug connection (7).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the support frame (2) in a reactor housing (1) is provided and the reactor housing (1) can be removed.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized

characterized in that the reactor housing (1) has at least one flap (11), wherein the one or more

Carrier racks (2) through the flap (11) the

Reactor housing (1) can be removed.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the support frame (2) a protective housing (10) is mounted, which contains the or the terminals of the UV lamps (3), electronic components and / or cables.

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the waterproof electrical connector (7) is mounted on the protective housing (10).

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reactor housing (1) and the one or more support racks (2) have guiding and locking elements.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical

Plug connection (7) has a cover, wherein the lid on the support frame (2) provided part of the connector (7a) is placed and seals it watertight.

8. Use of the device according to one of

preceding claims for the removal of

organic substances from gas streams and / or for inactivation of microorganisms in gas streams.

9. Use according to claim 7 for the purification of

Exhaust air flows in exhaust air systems.

10. A method for cleaning devices for UV irradiation of gas streams according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that

(a) the parts (7a) and (7b) of the electric

Plug connection (7) between the support frame (2) and the reactor housing (1) are decoupled,

(B) the support frame (2) is removed from the exhaust system or the reactor housing (1),

(c) the support frame (2) is cleaned by machine or by hand,

(D) the cleaned support frame (2) in the

Exhaust air system or the reactor housing (1) is inserted and

(E) the connector parts (7a) and (7b) are coupled again. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that in step (a) after the decoupling of the support frame (2) mounted part of

Plug connection (7a) is closed with the lid wi and in step (e) before the coupling of the cover from the connector part (7a) is removed.