WO2015002654A1

WO2015002654A1 - Bio turbo technology of removing ethylene gas

Info

Publication number: WO2015002654A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/049370
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gerald Dean HAVEN
Original assignee: Miatech, Inc.
Priority date: 2013-07-03
Filing date: 2013-07-03
Publication date: 2015-01-08

Abstract

The present invention provides with a method of purifying air with significant content of ethylene gas. Bacteria, pathogens, molds, fungus and ethylene gas are removed by using ozone and air filtration technology. This process is useful for storage and production facilities where ethylene might be harmful for perishable products.

Description

BIO TURBO TECHNOLOGY OF REMOVING ETHYLENE GAS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention generally relates to systems and methods of purifying air by removing ethylene gas.

BACKGROUND

[002] This invention relates generally for using of filtration systems to eliminate ethylene gas and contaminates like bacteria, pathogens, molds, fungus from the storage environment which would adversely affect the perishable products. These devices are sometimes referred to as Ethylene Scrubbers.

[003] Ethylene gas (C₂H₄) is an odorless, colorless gas that exists in nature and is also created by man-made sources. Not easily detectable, it exists where produce is stored. In nature, the largest producers are plants and plant products (fruits, vegetables, and floral products) which produce ethylene within their tissues and release it into the surrounding atmosphere. It is a very small, simple molecule that exists as a gas at biological temperatures. Plants use ethylene as a hormone. It is also a by-product of man-made processes, such as combustion. Ethylene, also known as the 'death' or 'ripening hormone', plays a regulatory role in many processes of plant growth, development and eventually death. Fruits, vegetables, and flowers contain receptors which serve as bonding sites to absorb free atmospheric ethylene molecules. The common practice of placing a tomato, avocado or banana in a paper bag to hasten ripening is an example of the action of ethylene on produce. Increased levels of ethylene contained within the bag, released by the produce itself, serve as a stimulant after reabsorption to initiate the production of more ethylene. Even small amounts of ethylene gas during shipping and storage causes most fresh produce to deteriorate faster. The overall effect is to hasten ripening, aging, and eventually spoilage. Removing ethylene from the storage extends the life of produce.

[004] Molds are tiny microscopic organisms that digest organic matter and reproduce by releasing spores. The spores in turn need moisture to grow, reproduce and continue the cycle. Molds grow best in conditions of excess moisture, caused by either high humidity or water seeping into the storage area. Molds that develop within wineries may result in damage to walls and barrels, as well as producing unacceptable odors.

[005] The invention relates more particularly to the elimination of ethylene gas specifically from storage environment so that the immediate area surrounding the products in an enclosed area would be free of harmful ethylene concentration as well as bacteria, pathogens and mold spores.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[006] According to the main objectives provided herein, the teachings herein minimize the amount of ethylene gas and produce clean, healthy air in cold rooms, wineries and storage areas used for produce storing. The Bio Turbo ethylene removing technology described herein utilizes five stages of air cleaning and ethylene eliminating.

[007] At the beginning, cold room's (storage) air is pulled to Bio Turbo system for cleaning: the filters (air filter and demister filter) remove visible particles, bacteria, pathogens, molds and fungus. Then the primary purified air is pulled to reaction chamber. Ozone gas (O₃) generated in special ozone chamber also goes to the reaction chamber. The reaction between ethylene gas and ozone breaks the molecule of ethylene. The next stage is to break the ozone molecule O₃ which could remain. The Bio Turbo technology converts ozone molecule O₃ into oxygen 0₂ by using a catalyst.

[008] Finally, pure air free of ethylene and contaminants is pulled back into the storage. This circulation process continues constantly.

[009] There is a five-stage method of air cleaning and ethylene removing. Ambient air from the storage travels through the following separate five steps in the order listed:

(1) Air Filtration; (2) Cell Disruption;

(3) Removal of ethylene by ozone gas;

(4) Bio Clean Module (removing ozone gas by catalyst)

(5) Negative Ion Generation

Purified air return to the storage. This is a circulation process which continues constantly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] It will be appreciated that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed on illustrating the various aspects and features of embodiments of the invention, in which:

[0011] Figure 1 is a topside view of a filtration system.

[0012] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a filtration system.

[0013] Figure 3 is a schematic view of a circuit board of a preferred negative ion generator.

[0014] Figure 4 is a schematic view showing a filtration system in operable communication with a storage environment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Embodiments of the present invention are described below. It is, however, expressly noted that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but rather the intention is that modifications that are apparent to the person skilled in the art and equivalents thereof are also included.

[0016] The Bio Turbo technology described herein is a five stage process that purifies air and removes ethylene gas, airborne pathogens and bacteria from cold rooms (storages). This technology includes: air filtration by air filter, cell disruption by anti-microbial cell disrupter, elimination of ethylene gas by reaction between ozone and ethylene, converting ozone into oxygen by using catalyst, and generating negative ions. The five stages described below goes one by one and it shows the entire Bio Turbo technology process.

Stage 1 : Air Filtration [0017] At the beginning of Bio Turbo process, air from a storage environment 10 enters into a filtration system 200. Filtration system can include a generator 20, a reaction chamber 6, a catalytic converter 4, and a Controller 30. A particulate air filter 1 is used in order to prepare air to the next stages of its cleaning. Air filter 1, such as a pad, which is situated at the intake, removes solid particulates such as dust, pollen, mold, and bacteria from the air. The air filter 1 pad is a device composed of fibrous materials. Ambient air from storage environment is pulled into the system by a fan 7 located inside a unit through the air filter 1. The fan 7 is preferably positioned within the controller 30. Preferably, all visual and significant particles are removed from the air during this process. The air filter 1 can be positioned within the generator 20.

Stage 2: Cell Disruption

[0018] After primary purification by the air filter 1, the air can travel to the cell disrupter filter 2. An anti-microbial chemical is applied to the surface of a specially designed cell disrupter filter 2. This anti-microbial chemical works by piercing and rupturing the cell membranes of the cells that makes up airborne pathogens as they travel into the cell disrupter filter 2. The cell disruption process stops the normal life development and destroys the cell with high efficiency. This stage can be especially active on mold spores. After this stage, purified air with ethylene gas is drawn into the reaction chamber 6 for ethylene removal. The cell disrupter filter 2 can be positioned after the air filter 1 within the generator 20.

Stage 3: Removing Ethylene by Ozone Gas

[0019] At this stage the positive effects of ozone is used to eliminate ethylene gas. Ozone is proven to be very effective with 99.99% efficiency rate. The ozone can be generated by high voltage applied to one or more ozone plates 3 which preferably comprise a perforated stainless steel plate 11 attached to each side of a glass plate 12. This voltage can be an alternating current in the 6K volt range, 5.5- 6.5K, but can be between about 6-12K. As one example, voltage is generated by 115 Volts applied to the primary windings of a step up transformer. The secondary windings of the transformer produce 6000 volts to each plate causing the air to ionize producing the ozone. The ozone is then drawn into the reaction chamber 6 which can consist of a large aluminum box, or other suitable closed areas. The reaction between ethylene and ozone takes place in the reaction chamber 6. The reaction chamber 6 preferably has a partition 8 down the center, attached at the ozone generator end and extends to nearly the far end of the chamber. The partition does not attach at the far end but has a gap 9 for air flow, such as a .5 -2" gap, or more specifically a 1" gap. This causes the air to flow down one half of the chamber 6 and cross over to the other side of the chamber 6 and return down the other side. This allows for more contact time between the ethylene and the ozone to eliminate the maximum amount of ethylene after their reaction.

Stage 4: Bio Clean Module

[0020] Some amount of ozone gas may persist after ozone-ethylene reaction. Ozone (O₃) is a tri-atomic molecule consisting of three oxygen atoms. It is an allotrope of oxygen that is much less stable than 0₂. A high concentration of ozone is considered a pollutant at ground level and may have harmful effects on the respiratory systems of animals and humans. The purpose of this final stage is removing any ozone that might be present in air after ethylene-ozone reaction. Preferably, a catalyst 4, such as present from a catalytic converter, can be used to remove any remaining ozone. The catalyst 4 creates a reaction breaking down the ozone molecule. Because of the catalyst 4, ozone is broken down to oxygen. From here the clean oxygen can be released back into the environment. In this way, ozone is prevented from leaving the system. The purified air can then be later recirculated back into the storage area without ozone. Granulated manganese is used as a preferred catalyst 4, although other catalysts can be used as well, such as activated carbon, precious metal catalysts, and high temperatures, such as +300° C could be used to break down the ozone. The amount of catalyst 4 is determined by the amount of ozone generated and the size of the reaction chamber 6.

Stage 5: Negative Ion Generator

[0021] A Negative Ion Generator 5 can be installed near the exit of the filter system 200, or more preferably inside an electrical control cabinet ("controller") 30 next to the exit vent. The ions are vented into the controlled storage area where they aid in killing bacteria and molds, in addition to minimizing dust. Minimizing the dust is important to extending the life of the air filter 1. The circuitry of a preferred negative ion generator 5 is provided in Fig. 3. [0022] Negative ions help control odors, kill bacteria, and remove dust. A preferred type of ion generator 5 to be used herein is the Cockroft- Walton multiplier circuit, although other suitable voltage multipliers can be used as well. As one example, the circuit can use 110 Volts AC or 230 Volts AC for power. Each stage of diode and capacitor adds voltage to the previous stage which multiplies the voltage to approximately a negative 5000 Volts or between 4500-5500 Volts. This voltage can be sent to a plurality of pins, such as five pins, which produce negative ions.

[0023] The negative ion generator is used here to reduce any dust, molds, bacteria and microbes that escape the reaction chamber 6. Also, any additional ozone that may escape through the catalyst 4 would be eliminated by the negative ions.

[0024] The invention may be embodied in other specific forms besides and beyond those described herein. The foregoing embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects illustrative rather than limiting, and the scope of the invention is defined and limited only by the appended claims and their equivalents, rather than by the foregoing description.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method of eliminating solid particulates, airborne pathogens, and ethylene gas from air in a storage environment, the method comprising the steps of: a) filtering the air present in the storage environment through an air filter to provide primary purified air, wherein the air filter comprises fibrous materials, wherein the air present in the storage environment is pulled through the air filter by a fan, and wherein the air filter removes the solid particulates; b) filtering the primary purified air through a demister filter to provide secondary purified air and the ethylene gas, wherein the demister filter comprises a cell disruption filter having an anti-microbial chemical applied to its surface for piercing and rupturing the airborne pathogens' cell membrane, and wherein the demister filter removes the airborne pathogens; c) reacting the secondary purified air and the ethylene gas with ozone in a reaction chamber to provide tertiary purified air and ozone, wherein the ozone is generated by high voltage applied to a perforated stainless steel plate attached to each side of a glass plate, and wherein the ozone removes the ethylene gas; d) reacting the ozone in the tertiary purified air with a catalyst outside the reaction chamber to provide oxygen and clean air, wherein the tertiary purified air and ozone is passed through the catalyst; e) generating negative ions and emitting said negative ions into the storage environment; and f) returning the oxygen and clean air to the storage environment.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the solid particulates are selected from the group consisting of: dust, pollen, molds, and bacteria.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the airborne pathogens are selected from the group consisting of: bacteria, molds, and fungus.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the storage environment comprise products selected from the group consisting of: fruits, vegetables and floral products.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the storage environment is a room selected from the group consisting of: cold rooms, wineries, and storage areas used for storing produce.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the negative ions are generator by a voltage multiplier.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the voltage multiplier is a Cockcroft- Walton generator.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the voltage multiplier amplifies an initial voltage of between 110 to 230 Volts AC.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the voltage multiplier amplifies an initial voltage to between 4500-5550 Volts DC.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the voltage multiplier amplifies an initial voltage to 5000 Volts DC.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the catalyst is granulated manganese.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the catalyst is granulated manganese dioxide.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the reaction chamber has a partition positioned in the center, that traverses down the length of the reaction chamber from a first end and leaves a gap between .5 and 2 inches wide from a second end of the reaction chamber.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the catalyst is activated carbon.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the catalyst is a precious metal.