WO2016102634A1 - Traitement de l'air - Google Patents

Traitement de l'air Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2016102634A1
WO2016102634A1 PCT/EP2015/081098 EP2015081098W WO2016102634A1 WO 2016102634 A1 WO2016102634 A1 WO 2016102634A1 EP 2015081098 W EP2015081098 W EP 2015081098W WO 2016102634 A1 WO2016102634 A1 WO 2016102634A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
space
gas exchange
exchange unit
air
gas
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2015/081098
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Michael Martin SCHEJA
Original Assignee
Koninklijke Philips N.V.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Koninklijke Philips N.V. filed Critical Koninklijke Philips N.V.
Publication of WO2016102634A1 publication Critical patent/WO2016102634A1/fr

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F8/00—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying
    • F24F8/60—Treatment, e.g. purification, of air supplied to human living or working spaces otherwise than by heating, cooling, humidifying or drying by adding oxygen
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F7/00—Ventilation
    • F24F7/003—Ventilation in combination with air cleaning

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an apparatus and method for fresh air management in confined spaces, such as treatment of air in indoor spaces.
  • Factors with significant negative effect on indoor air quality and freshness include the presence and activity of the inhabitants, and the furnishings in the room.
  • Inhabitants continuously consume oxygen, produce C0 2 , and emit a large variety of vapors. Substances such as formaldehyde are released from insulation materials, pressed wood products etc..
  • HVAC heating, ventilation and air conditioning
  • pollen particles have a diameter in the range 10 to 100 ⁇
  • smog particles have a diameter in the range 0.01 to 1 ⁇
  • gaseous contaminants have a diameter below 0.01 ⁇ .
  • Many different types of particle can be classified according to their range of sizes, as will be well known to those skilled in the art.
  • gaseous contaminants are of smaller size that particulate contaminants.
  • fibrous materials, membranes and the like can be used for separation of target particles from a gas stream.
  • a filter with a certain pore size particles having a larger size can be excluded from crossing these filter layers while allowing gas molecules to pass.
  • the transport of gas molecules through membranes occurs either in the form of viscous type flow (convective/non-diffusive) in the case of porous membranes or by diffusion in non-porous membranes.
  • Fig. 2 shows the four main mechanisms for the flow of gas through pores and dense membranes, as shown in the PhD thesis Gas Transmission Through Microporous Membranes by Tacibaht Turel that discusses protective clothing material as a barrier against harmful gases or vapor while allowing moisture vapor and air passage through the material.
  • Fig. 2(a) shows viscous flow
  • Fig. 2(b) shows Knudsen flow
  • Fig. 2(c) shows surface flow (molecular sieving)
  • Fig. 2(d) shows diffusion through a material.
  • Transport is generally driven by concentration or pressure differences. In dense membranes, transport is driven by pure diffusion. In the case of fibrous materials and porous membranes, convective transfer, which is driven by a pressure difference, plays an important role in addition to diffusion.
  • opening the window represents one simple option to refresh the indoor air.
  • particle concentrations such as PM2.5 i.e. particles of 2.5 ⁇ diameter and less, PM10 i.e. particles of 10 ⁇ diameter and less, dust, pollen etc.
  • opening the window will rapidly increase the indoor concentration of these pollutants.
  • Fig. 1 shows in simplified form a fresh air intake system. Air enters the building through an air intake 10, and it then passes through a filter 12 driven by a fan 14. Air intake systems such as shown in Fig. 1 represent another option to refresh indoor air by guiding outdoor air into a building. Since high concentrations of particulates are often present in outdoor air, they are again introduced into the building together with the incoming "fresh" air. Particle filters can be used to remove these particles before introducing the air into the building. The disadvantage of this approach is that the lifetime of such filters is extremely limited, especially in environments with high particulate concentration in outdoor air (such as most cities in China).
  • an air treatment system comprising:
  • first passageway for extending between a first space and a second space
  • gas exchange unit coupled to the first passageway, and for mounting in the second space, the first passageway functioning as an input to the gas exchange unit
  • second passageway for extending between the second space and the first space, the second passageway functioning as an output from the gas exchange unit
  • This system enables an exchange of gas molecules between first and second spaces, but it can prevent particulates from passing between the spaces.
  • the spaces are preferably indoor and outdoor spaces.
  • the system enables refreshing of indoor air for example by rebalancing the relative concentrations of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
  • the gas exchange unit may function essentially by diffusion, and the materials used can be selected to prevent particulate material (larger than the gas molecules) from being exchanged. Thus, outdoor particulate pollution can be prevented from entering the indoor space.
  • the gas exchange unit is configured such that when a concentration of a particular gas in air present in the first space is higher or lower than a concentration of the particular gas in air present in the second space, the gas exchange unit ensures that concentration levels of that gas in the first and the second space are balanced.
  • the gas concentration gradient triggers the gas exchange to balance gas concentrations between the first and the second space.
  • the gas exchange unit is designed for that purpose.
  • a material permeable to the particular gas components present in the gas exchange unit allows this balancing of gas concentrations.
  • the gas exchange unit is further configured to block transport of particulates from the first to the second space and/or vice versa.
  • the proposed system allows ventilation of the first space without, for example, opening windows which would cause particulates to enter the first space.
  • the first space may be an indoor space and the second space may be an outdoor space. In this case, the gas exchange unit is mounted outside.
  • the first space may be an outdoor space and the second space may be an indoor space.
  • the gas exchange unit is mounted inside. The choice of which option is appropriate may depend on factors such as noise pollution, aesthetics etc..
  • the gas exchange unit preferably comprises a layered structure, wherein the layers extend in a plane parallel to the general direction of passage of air through the gas exchange unit.
  • the air thus passes along the surface of the layers, and diffusion takes place through the layers to tend towards balancing concentrations.
  • the layers may then have a large surface area compared to the cross sectional area of the passageways.
  • the layered structure may include at least one layer which is at least partially permeable to 0 2 and at least one layer which is at least partially permeable to C0 2 .
  • the layered structure may be formed of identical layers, or different layers which are selected for gas exchange of specific targets. Thus, one or more layers may be permeable to both C0 2 and 0 2 .
  • the gas exchange unit for example may comprise microporous membranes and/or fibrous materials.
  • the gas exchange unit may comprise a polybenzimidazole membrane or membranes and/or a silicon membrane or membranes.
  • a gas driving arrangement may be used for driving gas through the gas exchange unit. This may be a fan, compressor pump or other suitable means.
  • a controller is preferably provided for controlling the gas driving arrangement to alter the flow rate. Control of the flow rate may be used to control the gas transfer characteristics. For example the controller may enable positive pressure or negative pressure to be applied in a selective manner to the gas exchange unit. This can be used to promote increased flow between the indoor and outdoor spaces, or between the outdoor and indoor spaces. In embodiments, the controller is configured to apply a positive pressure or a negative pressure to the gas exchange unit in a selective manner. For example, the controller may be configured to sequentially apply a positive pressure followed by a negative pressure or vice versa.
  • the invention also provides an air treatment method, comprising: passing air from a first space to a second space; in the second space, passing the air through a gas exchange unit;
  • the method may further comprise:
  • controlling the gas driving arrangement to deliver a positive pressure in the gas exchange unit relative to outside the gas exchange unit at some times and a negative pressure at other times.
  • the ability to control the pressure in the gas exchange unit enables different modes of operation, for example for different gas flow characteristics or even a regeneration function.
  • Fig. 1 shows a known fresh air system
  • Fig. 2 shows known gas flow characteristics
  • Fig. 3 shows a first example of air treatment system in accordance with the present invention
  • Fig. 4 shows the system of Fig. 3 in more detail
  • Fig. 5 shows different ways to control the flow of air through the gas exchange unit
  • Fig. 6 shows a second example of air treatment system in accordance with the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
  • particulates may be pollen, dust, ash, bacteria or any other harmful material which may be present in air. These particulates are particularly larger than the gas components of which the concentration in air is balanced between the first and the second space.
  • the material present in the gas exchange unit may be adapted to allow passing through of particular gas components and blocking of such particulates.
  • the invention provides an air treatment system which uses a gas exchange unit between the air of first and second spaces. This enables an air refreshing function to be achieved without resulting in additional exposure to particulate contaminants.
  • Fig. 3 shows a first example of an air treatment system, comprising a first passageway 30 for extending between a first space 32 and a second space 34.
  • a gas exchange unit 36 is coupled to the first passageway 30 and is mounted in the second space 34.
  • the first passageway 30 delivers air to the gas exchange unit from the first space 32.
  • a second passageway 38 extends between the second space 34 and the first space 32 and returns air (after gas exchange) to the first space 32.
  • the gas exchange unit 36 comprises gas exchange layers 40.
  • a fan 42 provides an air flow through the gas exchange unit 36.
  • the fan is controlled by a control unit 43 which can perform various functions as described below.
  • the first space 32 is an indoor space and the second space 34 is an outdoor space (as represented schematically by the sun symbol), separated by an exterior wall 44 of a building.
  • the fan drives the intake of indoor air which is to be made fresher into the apparatus.
  • the fan 42 is located on the indoor side.
  • the indoor air is guided through the wall 44 and into the gas exchange unit 36 located on the opposite side of the wall (outdoors in this case).
  • the gas exchange unit 36 When passing through the gas exchange unit 36, the air flows in parallel with the gas exchange layers 40.
  • Fig. 4 shows the working principle in more detail and shows an enlarged portion of the gas exchange unit 36.
  • Three types of air constituent are shown.
  • One part is the oxygen (small open circles) associated with fresh air.
  • Another part is the gas components associated with indoor air which is no longer considered to be fresh, such as C0 2 (carbon dioxide) and VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
  • a third part is the particular matter "PM", including pollen, dust, ash, bacteria, etc..
  • the outdoor air has a higher concentration of oxygen and a higher concentration of particulate matter (such as pollution).
  • the indoor air has a higher concentration of C0 2 and some other gaseous components such as formaldehyde.
  • the two spaces are separated by the membranes within the gas exchange unit. Gases pass across the membranes, to tend to balance the concentrations.
  • the incoming air stream is guided into the gas exchange unit in parallel with the gas exchange layers 40.
  • the gas exchange layers comprise a thin interface which allows gas molecules to pass the membrane while holding back particulates.
  • dense membranes might be used in certain applications, it is preferred to use membranes such as microporous membranes. Other options such as fibrous materials, meshes, grids and the like may be also used in certain cases.
  • the flow will be primarily driven either by convection or by diffusion. Since gases such as C0 2 , odors, certain VOCs etc. are continuously produced by the inhabitants or released from other indoor sources, their indoor concentrations are higher compared to outdoor air. The resulting concentration gradient is used to drive the gas exchange and refresh the indoor air.
  • gas exchange can be driven by diffusion, a pressure difference (e.g. introduced by the fan) or by a combination of both.
  • the membranes preferably have high permeability to gases such as 0 2 and C0 2 and a thickness in the nanometer up to micrometer range.
  • the membranes may be polybenzimidazole (PBI - (poly[2,2'-(m- phenylen)-5,5'-bisbenzimidazole]) membranes and/or silicone membranes.
  • PBI polybenzimidazole
  • the membrane thickness and material will be selected to achieve a desired permeability for the target gases.
  • a suitable thickness may for example be around 1 mm.
  • the membrane thickness is likely to be in the range 0.1 mm to 5 mm.
  • the total area of all membrane sheets may for example be a number of square meters, for example around 10 m 2 . In general, the total area is likely to be in the range 0.5 to 50 m 2 .
  • the total area is achieved by stacking multiple membrane sheets, each of a size selected in dependence on the desired physical size of the gas exchange unit. For example for a desired total membrane area of 10 m 2 , there may be 10 gas exchange layers, each with an area of 1 m 2 , or 20 sheets each with an area of 0.5 m 2 , or 40 sheets each with an area 0.25 m 2 etc..
  • the passageways leading to and from the gas exchange unit for example have an area between 5 cm 2 (corresponding to a diameter of 2.5 cm) and 300 cm 2 (corresponding to a diameter of around 20 cm).
  • the permeability of the membranes should be selected to be high for the target gases, for example C0 2 and 0 2 .
  • the permeability is above 3000 Barrer, and for 0 2 , ideally the permeability is above 600 Barrer.
  • the SI unit of Barrer relates to the transport flux of a gas (rate of gas permeation per unit area), per unit trans-membrane driving force (e.g. pressure), per unit membrane thickness:
  • the membrane layers have a large surface area compared to the cross-sectional areas of the air inlet and air outlet.
  • the low cross-sectional areas of the air inlet and air outlet together with the relatively low mass transfer rates compared to an open window, significantly reduce the problem of a rapid drop or rise of room temperature to approach the outdoor temperature. It also helps to silence outdoor noise while allowing the exchange of gas molecules.
  • the air inlet and air outlet may also be arranged to form a heat exchanger, allowing the outflowing air to pre-heat the incoming air during winter or to pre- cool it during summer.
  • a conventional indoor air purifier can be used at the same time, in contrast to the situation where a window is open.
  • the fan 42 can also be used to generate and modulate the pressure gradient across the gas exchange layers. This will drive a convective flow and can be used to enhance the transport of gases through the pores.
  • the pressure difference can be varied by changing the fan speed.
  • An increase of the fan speed will increase the pressure inside the gas exchange unit 36, hence the pressure difference across the gas exchange layers as shown in Fig. 5(a).
  • Fig. 5(a) shows pressure versus time for a low fan speed (plot 50) and a high fan speed (plot 52) between fan turn on at time 54 and fan turn off at time 56.
  • An increase in pressure (referring to the configuration as shown in Fig. 4) will further increase the flow of indoor gases such as C0 2 across the gas exchange layers to the outside. Such an increase in pressure can be realized in a periodic way as shown in Fig. 5(b).
  • Negative pressure can be generated in the gas exchange unit, e.g. by reversing the direction of fan rotation.
  • the inflow of 0 2 from the outside can be further enhanced.
  • embodiments can be realized which enable a timed pattern with periods of enhanced influx of "fresh air components” followed by enhanced outflow of "un- fresh air components” as shown in Fig. 5(c).
  • the pressure difference across the gas exchange layer can also be modulated by other means than the fan, for instance by regulating the diameter of air outlet, which can be done e.g. by using an aperture-like structure.
  • Approaches may be taken to regenerate the gas exchange layer.
  • the air pressure inside the gas exchange unit may be reversed and raised to values above the normal operation pressure, for example as shown in Fig. 5(d).
  • the gas exchange unit as a whole may be removable from the device and washed.
  • the gas exchange layers can be attached to the gas exchange unit in a removable manner so that just the layers can be washed separately or exchanged against new ones.
  • the example above places the heat exchanger unit outside.
  • the gas exchange unit 36 may be placed at the indoor side 34 as shown in Fig. 6.
  • the fan 42 may be located in front of the air inlet at the outdoor side, but equally it may be located at the air outlet.
  • This arrangement may be of advantage when more powerful fans, compressors or vacuum pumps generating significant noise are used.
  • Modes of operation with negative pressure inside the gas exchange may be preferred (with the fan at the outlet side 38 rather than the inlet side 30 as shown in Fig. 6), especially when outdoor particulate concentrations are high. This will have a positive effect on the lifetime of the gas exchange layers.
  • the apparatus and method can be used to improve the freshness and quality of indoor air. It can work as a stand-alone solution, but also in combination with indoor air purifiers. In the latter case, it overcomes the dilemma of fresh air supply (0 2 inflow, C0 2 removal etc.) which usually occurs when an air purifier is used indoors. Furthermore, VOC filters of air purifiers could be simplified or removed, since VOCs originating from indoor sources can be transferred to the outside without the need of filtration.
  • the system of the invention can be used in domestic homes, but also in commercial buildings such as offices, hospitals and factories.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Separation Using Semi-Permeable Membranes (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne un système de traitement de l'air utilisant une unité d'échange de gaz (36) entre l'air d'un premier (32) et d'un second (34) espaces. Ce système permet d'obtenir une fonction de rafraîchissement de l'air sans entraîner d'exposition supplémentaire à des particules contaminantes.
PCT/EP2015/081098 2014-12-24 2015-12-23 Traitement de l'air WO2016102634A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CNPCT/CN2014/094774 2014-12-24
CN2014094774 2014-12-24
EP15158077.6 2015-03-06
EP15158077 2015-03-06

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2016102634A1 true WO2016102634A1 (fr) 2016-06-30

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ID=55027753

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PCT/EP2015/081098 WO2016102634A1 (fr) 2014-12-24 2015-12-23 Traitement de l'air

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WO (1) WO2016102634A1 (fr)

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1997003631A1 (fr) * 1995-07-21 1997-02-06 Hypoxico Inc. Systeme de chambre hypoxique et equipement destine a l'entrainement et a la therapie hypoxique
WO1998025687A1 (fr) * 1996-12-09 1998-06-18 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Systeme de transfert gazeux diffusionnel et procede d'utilisation
WO2006070182A2 (fr) * 2004-12-29 2006-07-06 Wellman Defence Limited Ameliorations pour conduits textiles
WO2007128584A1 (fr) * 2006-05-10 2007-11-15 Finanziaria Unterland S.P.A. Appareil et procede de traitement, de purification et de reconditionnement d'air dans des environnements clos avec presence humaine
US20100105309A1 (en) * 2007-04-26 2010-04-29 C'stec Corporation Clean unit, method of operating clean unit, and connected clean unit
US20110277490A1 (en) * 2010-05-17 2011-11-17 Udi Meirav Method and System for Improved-Efficiency Air-Conditioning

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1997003631A1 (fr) * 1995-07-21 1997-02-06 Hypoxico Inc. Systeme de chambre hypoxique et equipement destine a l'entrainement et a la therapie hypoxique
WO1998025687A1 (fr) * 1996-12-09 1998-06-18 Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company Systeme de transfert gazeux diffusionnel et procede d'utilisation
WO2006070182A2 (fr) * 2004-12-29 2006-07-06 Wellman Defence Limited Ameliorations pour conduits textiles
WO2007128584A1 (fr) * 2006-05-10 2007-11-15 Finanziaria Unterland S.P.A. Appareil et procede de traitement, de purification et de reconditionnement d'air dans des environnements clos avec presence humaine
US20100105309A1 (en) * 2007-04-26 2010-04-29 C'stec Corporation Clean unit, method of operating clean unit, and connected clean unit
US20110277490A1 (en) * 2010-05-17 2011-11-17 Udi Meirav Method and System for Improved-Efficiency Air-Conditioning

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