WO2020026183A1

WO2020026183A1 - Apparatus for treating air

Info

Publication number: WO2020026183A1
Application number: PCT/IB2019/056563
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ermanno Faggin; Manuel Faggin; Erik Faggin
Original assignee: 2Zeta S.R.L.
Priority date: 2018-08-02
Filing date: 2019-08-01
Publication date: 2020-02-06
Also published as: IT201800007762A1; CN112739388A; CN112739388B; EP3829661A1

Abstract

An apparatus (1) for treating air, comprising a plurality of treatment devices (10) for treating an air stream travelling therethrough, an extraction device (11) for extracting air from an environment and generating an air flow along a treatment path (P) that passes through the treatment devices of said plurality of treatment devices (10) and releasing treated air into said environment, wherein said plurality of treatment devices comprises at least one ultraviolet lamp (21) for irradiating said air and reducing the bacterial load thereof, a filtration unit (30) for filtering said air and reducing the particulate content thereof, which is arranged downstream of said ultraviolet lamp (21) along said treatment path (P), and a generator (35) for generating silver ions and introducing them into said air, said generator (35) being arranged downstream of said filtration unit (30).

Description

Apparatus for treating air

Technical field

The present invention relates to an apparatus for treating air having the features mentioned in the preamble of the main claim, the apparatus for treating air being, in particular, but not exclusively, for treating air in operating theatres or generally in environments in which it is essential to keep the quality of the circulating air high,.

Technological background

In hospital environments, it is necessary to keep the quality of the air high in order to avoid spreading infections.

Hospitals have specific regulations with regards to the quality of the air in the various environments depending on the activities carried out therein.

The risk of contracting infections in hospitals is high and, in contrast, must be minimised in order to protect the patients present therein.

As is known, bacteria are transported by means of particulate, and it is therefore necessary to reduce the particulate content in the air circulating in hospital regions so as to consequently reduce the bacterial load.

This problem is particularly felt in operating theatres in which the bacterial load needs to be low in order to reduce the risk of infection post-operation.

The bacterial load in operating theatres directly relates to the risk of the patient developing an infection immediately post-operation.

98 % of the bacteria come from the air and, of those, 30 % are deposited from the air directly onto the patient while the remaining 70 % reaches the wound by means of the surgical instruments.

As the surgical work commences, the air in operating theatres becomes increasingly contaminated by the presence of the operators themselves. The air transports germs towards the surgical wound and onto all the sterile objects that are connected on the operating table and come into contact with the tissue of the patient.

Hospital environments are provided with air filtration systems that provide air from the environment to be treated and filter it by re-introducing purified air into said environment.

Filtration systems release an air hourly quantity W expressed in m³/h of air into the hospital environment and are calibrated to carry out a prefixed number of hourly exchanges N, in which N = W/V, in which V indicates the volume of the hospital environment to be treated.

Filtration systems in operating theatres are designed to introduce purified air directly onto the operating table so that air having a higher quality than that of the extracted air reaches said operating table.

In particular, the area introduced has a lower particulate content than that of the extracted air.

Depending on the type of hospital environment, the law provides that filtration systems carry out a set number of air hourly exchanges of air so as to namely guarantee a certain limit for the particulate content.

The Decree of the President of the Republic of 14/1/1997 stipulates an hourly exchange number N>15 for the operating theatre, using only ambient air, in order to limit the concentration of anaesthetic agents and other environmental contaminants.

Furthermore, the standard UNI EN ISO 146441-1 establishes the limits on the quality of the air in terms of particles per cubic metre of air (particles/m³ air) according to the dimensions of the particles and the type of work that is to be carried out in the operating theatre.

When varying the work to be carried out in the operating theatre, the number of particles of the various permissible dimensions will vary.

In surgical prosthesis operating theatres, for example heart surgery, transplants, orthopaedics, neurosurgery and vascular surgery, also called ISO-5, the bacterial load has to be very low in order to reduce the risk of infection post-operation. These systems must therefore guarantee the number of hourly exchanges N within the zone directly affected by the column of air of the system, which needs to be greater than 15.

These systems introduce air at the operating table by means of a unidirectional or laminar flow.

One drawback of the known systems is that they offer little flexibility in respect of changes in the environmental conditions present in the operating theatre to be treated.

Furthermore, these systems are only fixed and dimensioned on the basis of the dimensions of the room they are installed in.

One drawback of these systems is that they do not allow for effective treatment of the air that is at a distance from the operating theatre.

Furthermore, these systems do not allow for effective exchange of the air in the entire environment of the operating theatre.

In fact, these systems release air above the operating table, the air diffuses in a laminar fashion and, after having occupied the most sensitive part of the room, that is the operating table itself, disperses, thereby losing speed and lifting force and not managing to reach areas further away from the operating table. The efficiency of these systems at a distance from the operating table is also compromised by the operators themselves and by their movements around the operating table.

Description of the invention

One object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for treating air, which makes it possible to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the cited prior art.

In particular, one object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for treating air, which can be installed in different environments to be treated and which allows the air in each of said environments to be effectively treated.

This problem is solved and this object is achieved by means of a treatment apparatus that is formed in accordance with the claims that follow.

Brief description of the drawings

The features and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the detailed description of a preferred embodiment, illustrated by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the attached drawings, in which :

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a treatment apparatus according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a lateral schematic view of a variant of the apparatus in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus in Fig. 1 in which a few parts have been removed for reasons of clarity;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a detail of the apparatus in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a block diagram of the operation of the apparatus according to the invention; and

Fig. 6 and 7 are schematic views of a treatment unit that is obtained by means of the apparatus in Fig. 1.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

In the drawings, 1 indicates a treatment apparatus as a whole, which is formed in accordance with the present invention.

The treatment apparatus according to the invention makes it possible to treat the air in an environment in which said apparatus is installed by releasing treated air into the environment itself, which air has a smaller particulate and bacterial content than the extracted air.

Particulate is the pollutant that is considered to have a greater impact in urban areas today, and is composed of solid and liquid particles dispersed in the atmosphere, which particles have a diameter of from just a few nanometres up to 500 pm and above.

In particular, the treatment apparatus 1 is suitable for reducing the content of PM2.5, that is particulate formed of particles having a diameter of less than 2.5 pm.

PM2.5 particulate is inhalable and able to penetrate deep into the lungs, especially when breathing through the mouth.

This particulate is particularly dangerous and the content thereof in the air needs to be reduced as much as possible.

The apparatus 1 comprises a box-type body 2 that is practically parallelepiped- shaped and delimited by a lower base 2A that faces the ground, or the bearing surface of the apparatus 1, when in use, an opposite upper base 2B and four lateral walls 3.

At least one of the lateral walls 3 of the body 2 can be removed for inspecting the inside of the body 2 and for carrying out potentially necessary maintenance and replacements.

The apparatus 1 is also provided with wheels 4 that are coupled to the lower base 2A and allow the apparatus 1 to move towards a desired zone of use. The wheels 4 are removable from the apparatus 1 so that they can be removed from the apparatus 1, for example in order to stack several treatment apparatuses on top of one another. The wheels 4 are provided with a brake or locking element, which is not shown in the drawings, in order to be locked to prevent unwanted movements of the apparatus 1.

Furthermore, the treatment apparatus 1 comprises a plurality of treatment devices 10 that are housed inside the body 2 and treat the air in an environment in which the apparatus is positioned, as explained in more detail below.

An inlet 5 is provided in at least one of the lateral walls 3 of the body 2, which allows air to enter inside the body 2.

An outlet 6 is provided in the upper wall 2B, which allows treated air to leave the body 2, as indicated by the arrow F in the drawings. The outlet 6 is provided with a plurality of deflectors 7 for directing the flow of air leaving the apparatus 1.

In other versions, the inlet or the outlet can be provided in different walls to those indicated, in particular outlets can be provided in the lateral walls of the body 2.

In other versions of the treatment apparatus, separate inlet may be provided, which are arranged on the body 2 in different positions and allow air to enter the treatment apparatus 1.

A control interface 8 is provided on one lateral wall 3 of the body 2 for setting the operation of the apparatus 1.

Furthermore, the filtration apparatus 1 comprises a control unit (not visible in the figures), which is operatively connected to the interface 8 and to the treatment devices provided in the apparatus 1 in order to control the operation thereof.

A plurality of buttons are provided on the control interface 8 for setting the operation of the treatment apparatus.

The plurality of buttons comprises a power button 83 for turning the treatment apparatus 1 on/off.

The plurality of buttons 81 also comprises an adjustment button 82 for adjusting the number of hourly exchanges N to be generated in the environment in which the apparatus is arranged.

This makes it possible to adapt the apparatus to different types of hospital regions that require a different number of air exchanges.

The plurality of buttons 81 also comprises a selection button 84 for selecting and setting at least one threshold value VI at which the treatment apparatus 1 is activated/deactivated, as explained in more detail in the following.

In this way, it is possible to vary the quality of the air achievable by means of the apparatus 1 and, therefore, to make the treatment apparatus 1 suitable for use in environments that require an air quality, that is having different particulate contents.

The plurality of buttons 81 also comprises another selection button 85 for selecting and setting a second threshold value V2 at which an electrostatic filter of the treatment apparatus 1 is activated/deactivated, as explained in more detail in the following.

The second threshold value V2 is greater than the first threshold value VI

In another version (not shown), the second threshold value V2 can be selected using the selection button 84. In another version (not shown), the second threshold value V 2 can be preset on the basis of the features of the filters present in the treatment apparatus in order to prevent said filters from malfunctioning, as explained in more detail in the following.

The buttons of the plurality of buttons 81 are operatively connected to the control unit in order to regulate the operation of the treatment apparatus 1.

The treatment apparatus 1 also comprises an actuation sensor 80 for measuring the particulate concentration, in particular PM2.5, which is present in the air in the environment in which the apparatus 1 is installed.

The actuation sensor 80 is operatively connected to the control unit.

When the level of particulate recorded by the actuation sensor 80 in the environment is greater than a first preset threshold value VI, the control unit activates the treatment apparatus 1 in order to treat the air in said environment. In contrast, when the level of particulate recorded by the actuation sensor 80 in the environment is smaller than the first threshold value VI, the control unit deactivates the treatment apparatus 1 by interrupting the operation.

The apparatus of the invention also comprises at least one environmental sensor 50 that measures the dimensions of the environment in which the treatment apparatus 1 is positioned.

The environmental sensor 50 is preferably a laser sensor and measures the dimensions of the environment in which the apparatus 1 is positioned.

In a version (not shown), the apparatus comprises a plurality of environmental laser sensors.

The environmental sensor 50 is a laser sensor that emits low-intensity laser radiation, the environmental sensor 50 emits three direct laser signals along the three separate axes of a Cartesian reference and measures the distance of the sensor from the first obstacle, for example a wall, along the three Cartesian axes.

In this way, it is possible to measure the greatest distance of the environmental sensor 50 from the walls, and, therefore, the approximate volume of the environment in which the treatment apparatus 1 is positioned.

The environmental sensor 50 is operatively connected to the control unit so as to vary the rate at which air is extracted, and therefore emitted, from the apparatus of the invention, based on the measurement carried out.

The control unit of the apparatus 1 receives the measured signal from the environmental sensor 50 and adapts the extraction rate, and therefore the stream of air emitted from the apparatus 1, depending on the dimensions measured.

This adjustment is made in order to guarantee the number of hourly exchanges N preset by the user by means of the selection button 82.

In a preferred version, the control unit is provided for operating the apparatus 1 at three different extraction rates on the basis of the dimensions of the region that are measured by the sensor 50 and on the number of hourly exchanges N preset by the user.

This makes it possible to adapt the operation of the apparatus 1 to the actual dimensions of the environment in which it is installed and to also guarantee the number of hourly exchanges N, which are preset by the user, in environments that have different dimensions to one another.

In other versions, the apparatus 1 can be operated at several extraction rate values. In a preferred version, the environmental sensor 50 is provided on a telescopic arm 51 that is positioned on the outside of the body 2.

The telescopic arm 51 is fixed at a first end thereof to the body 2 and bears the environmental sensor 50 at a second end that is longitudinally opposite the first end.

The telescopic arm 51 can move between an extended measuring configuration, in which the environmental sensor 50 is actuated in order to measure the dimensions of the environment in which the apparatus 1 is positioned, and a retracted resting configuration, in which the telescopic arm is contracted and the environmental sensor is arranged close to the body 2.

In one version, the telescopic arm is positioned in a cavity in the body 2 such that, when contracted, it does not project from the overall dimensions of the body 2.

This protects the environmental sensor 50 when it is not in use.

When the apparatus is turned on, the telescopic arm 51 is automatically guided into the extended measuring configuration such that the dimensions of the environment in which the apparatus is positioned can be measured and the function of the apparatus 1 itself can consequently be modulated.

After having measured said dimensions, the telescopic arm 51 is retracted into the retracted resting configuration.

Furthermore, the apparatus according to the invention comprises an extraction device 11, which is positioned inside the body 2 and extracts air via the inlet 5 and moves air along a treatment path P via the treatment devices of the plurality of treatment devices 10 such that the air can be treated.

The extraction device 11 is preferably positioned near to the extraction opening 5.

Furthermore, the treatment apparatus 1 comprises a drive motor for actuating the extraction device 11 and/or for operating the treatment apparatus 1.

In a version (not shown), the apparatus of the invention also comprises a ventilation device that is positioned at the outlet 6 and pushes the treated air out of the apparatus 1.

The air to be treated enters the body 2 via the above-mentioned inlet 5 by means of the extraction device 11, is guided along a treatment path P by means of the treatment devices of the plurality of treatment devices 10 that are provided inside the body 2 of the apparatus 1 so as to be filtered and treated, and is therefore released from the body 2 by means of the outlet 6.

Each treatment device of the plurality of treatment devices 10 carries out a different operation for treating the air to be treated so as to transfer to the outside, via the outlet 6, treated air having a lower bacterial content than the inlet air and having a lower particulate content than that of the inlet air.

The plurality of treatment devices 10 comprises a UV lamp 21 that is arranged so as to irradiate the air moving along the treatment path P in order to reduce the bacterial load thereof.

In a preferred version, the ultraviolet lamp 21 is a UV-C lamp.

In one version, the apparatus can be provided with a plurality of ultraviolet lamps positioned to treat the extracted air inside the body 2.

The UV radiation, and in particular the UV-C radiation, has an effective germicidal action against the pathogenic agents present in the extracted air.

The ultraviolet radiation is electromagnetic radiation having shorter wavelengths than visible light. UV light can be divided into various categories, the short category (UV-C) and, at specific wavelengths, exerts a germicidal action and makes it possible to destroy bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms.

At a wavelength of 2,537 angstroms (254 nm), the ultraviolet radiation destroys the molecular bonds of the DNA of the microorganisms, thereby producing thymine dimers in the microorganisms' DNA and destroying them, making them harmless or preventing them from growing and reproducing.

The presence of the UV lamps having a germicidal effect is particularly important for reducing the bacterial load in the air to be treated.

In fact, it is particularly important to guarantee the correct hygiene of the air circulating in the internal environments in hospital buildings or care homes.

The ultraviolet lamp makes it possible to achieve a microbiological abatement efficiency of 99.999 %.

The ultraviolet lamp 21 makes it possible to inactivate the Gram-negative and Gram-positive microorganisms and to reduce the presence of streptococci and staphylococci that are especially present in hospital environments.

The ultraviolet lamp 21 therefore makes it possible to destroy various microorganisms, such as viruses, that are responsible for the transmission of diseases such as flu; Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria that are responsible for various illnesses; allergens and pathogens from mites that are responsible for rhinitis, coughs, asthma, etc.; plant and tree pollens; mould spores.

The plurality of treatment devices 10 also comprises a filtration unit 30 for filtering the air to be treated in order to reduce the content of particulate therein. The apparatus 1 also comprises a prefilter 22 arranged upstream of the filtration unit 30 for optimising the air flow entering the filtration unit 30 so as to maximise the diffusion of the air through the filtration unit 30 and to maximise the filtration action itself.

The flow of air travelling in the treatment apparatus 1 passes through the prefilter 22, which causes the flow of air to be turbulent or semi-turbulent upstream of the filtration unit 30. This makes it possible to maximise the filtration action.

The filtration unit 30 also comprises a HEPA filter 31 (High Efficiency Particulate Air filter) that has a degree of efficiency, measured in accordance with the standard UNI EN 1822, of between H10 and H14 and filters the air to be treated. The HEPA filter makes it possible to filter the air by treating the polluting solid particles present in the air to be treated.

HEPA filters are classified on the basis of the filtration efficiency of particles of 0.3 pm, in accordance with the standard UNI EN 1822, and are grouped into 5 classes (from H10 to H14) having growing performance characteristics.

In the apparatus of the invention, a highly efficient HEPA filter, preferably having a filtration efficiency of between 85 % (H10) and 99.995 % (H14), is preferably used.

The apparatus 1 also comprises another HEPA filter 32 that is arranged downstream of the HEPA filter 31 along the treatment path P.

The additional HEPA filter 32 is provided with a filtration element made of activated carbon.

When the air to be treated passes through the additional filter 32, said filter treats the odours present in said air and catalyses the amount of ozone released by the electrical systems present in the environment to be treated.

Therefore, the additional filter 32 makes it possible to reduce the odours and the ozone content in the air to be treated.

The filtration unit 30 also comprises an electrostatic filter 33, preferably comprising plates. These types of filters usually have effective filtering performance and good aeraulic characteristics.

An electrostatic filter having high microparticle separation efficiency (< 1 micron) is used to intercept the particulate, even if it has minimal dimensions, present in the air to be treated.

An electrostatic filter having modest drops in pressure, preferably< 20 Pa in 2 m/s, is advantageously selected.

Laboratory tests have shown that electrostatic filters are highly efficient at destroying bacteria, in particular Micrococcus luteus, Rhodotorula rubra and moulds.

Electronic and electrostatic filters make it possible to separate the microparticles present in air by ionising said microparticles, thereby creating electric fields formed by opposite surfaces that are subjected to suitable electrical voltages.

The electrostatic filter 33 is advantageously an electrostatic filter having two stages through which the air to be filtered successively travels.

In the first stage, through which the air to be filtered firstly travels, a strong electric field is generated, which is achieved by means of plates having a high potential difference.

As the dust particles pass through this stage, they are positively charged.

The positive ions generated by the corona discharge of the polarising electrode intercept the polluting particles travelling in the air to be treated by providing them with a positive charge, which will promote the separation of said particles from the flow of air and the consequent adhesion thereof to the subsequent foils that have opposite polarity.

The air then reaches the second stage, in which a plurality of plates having a negative potential are provided. In the second stage, the potential difference between the plates gathers the particles that are positively charged in the first stage.

This simultaneously prevents the formation of ozone in the flow of air, which is unacceptable in air-conditioning systems in which the air is released into the environment.

In the electrostatic filter 33 of the invention, metal plates are preferably used that are arranged side by side in the direction of the treatment path of the air to be treated and positioned at a predetermined distance that is selected on the basis of the voltage applied.

The polluting particles that pass between the plates are attracted to and treated on the plates themselves as a result of having an opposite charge to the plates. The structures of the first stage of the electrostatic filter 33 are advantageously fixed to the body 2 of the apparatus 1 or are integral therewith.

The plates of the second stage, which receive and treat the particulate and therefore get dirty, can be moved with respect to the structure of the body 2.

In this way, the plates can be easily removed from the apparatus 1 in order to be cleaned, thereby in fact regenerating the electrostatic filter 33.

When the plates of the electrostatic filter are saturated with particles, it is possible to remove them and clean them using normal detergents, thereby simply regenerating the filtration capacity of the electrostatic filter 33.

The plates are generally made of aluminium, preferably extruded aluminium. The electrostatic filter 33 is positioned inside the filtration unit 30 so as to be operatively arranged between the ultraviolet lamp 21 and the filter 31 in order to receive the air from the ultraviolet lamp 21 and to send it to the filter 31.

The electrostatic filter 33 is operatively connected to the control unit so as to be activated/deactivated on the basis of the measurements made by the actuation sensor 80.

When the actuation sensor 80 measures a particulate level in the environment in which the apparatus is positioned that is greater than a second threshold value V2, the control unit activates the operation of the electrostatic filter 33.

In contrast, when the particulate level measured by the actuation sensor 80 in the environment is smaller than the second threshold value V2, the control unit deactivates the operation of the electrostatic filter 33.

The first threshold value VI at which the apparatus is activated/deactivated is smaller than the second threshold value V2 at which the electrostatic filter 33 is activated/deactivated .

In this way, when the values for the PM2.5 concentration are greater than the first threshold value VI, the apparatus 1 is activated, if these values are also greater than the second threshold value V2, the electrostatic filter 33 is also activated, otherwise filtration is not carried out with the electrostatic filter.

In particular, when the particulate content in the air to be treated is smaller than the second threshold value V2 set by the user, the electrostatic filter 33 is not used and the air to be treated does not pass through the electrostatic filter 33 but is sent from the ultraviolet lamp 21 directly to the filter 31.

In contrast, when the particulate content in the air to be treated is greater than the second threshold value V2, the air to be treated is firstly passed through the electrostatic filter 33 in order to be filtered, and then through the filter 31. This increases the filtration efficiency of the filtration unit 30, thus avoiding blockages in the filter 31 and ensuring the effective destruction of the particulate present in the air to be treated.

The presence of the electrostatic filter upstream of the filter 31 makes it possible to prevent damage and very frequent blockages of the filter 31.

At the same time, by deactivating the electrostatic filter 33 when the particulate content is smaller than the second threshold value V2, useless drops in pressure of the filtration unit 30 are avoided.

For this purpose, the treatment apparatus 1 comprises a diversion upstream of the electrostatic filter 33 for passing the air to be treated through the electrostatic filter 33 or for stopping the air from passing through the electrostatic filter 33 and sending it directly to the filter 31.

The HEPA filter 31 is positioned so as to receive the air from the electrostatic filter 33, should said filter be used, or to receive the air directly from the ultraviolet lamp 21.

The filtration unit 30 also comprises a generation device 35 for generating silver ions in the air stream moving in the filtration unit 30.

The generation device 35 is positioned close to the outlet 6 so as to generate silver ions in the air stream leaving the outlet 6.

The generation device 35 comprises a battery and a silver wire tightened between two opposite electrodes in order to generate silver ions as the stream of air passes therethrough.

These ions are introduced into the air leaving the outlet 6.

This makes it possible to reduce the bacterial load that may be present in the outlet air. The presence of electric fields makes it possible to increase the antibacterial action of the electrodes having silver nanostructures.

In the version shown in Fig. 2, the apparatus of the invention also comprises a connection 70 that is positioned on the upper base 2B of the body 2.

The connection 70 can be fixed to the upper base 2B or removably coupled thereto.

The connection 70 is hollow on the inside to allow for the passage of air. The connection 70 has a rounded shape so as to divert the flow of air leaving the outlet 6.

In the version shown, the connection 70 is shaped so as to divert the flow of air in order to generate a flow having a substantially horizontal direction, as indicated by the arrow FI.

By varying the shape and position of the connection 70, it is possible to generate a flow having a desired introduction direction.

The use of the deflector 70 is particularly advisable in cases in which the apparatus 1 is positioned close to an operating table in order to generate a flow of treated air directly towards the operating table.

The apparatus 1 of the invention is a modular apparatus, which is provided with connecting elements for connecting a plurality of treatment apparatuses 1 to one another.

The various treatment apparatuses can be side by side or arranged one on top of the other in order to form a unit 100 for treating air, which has a desired number of treatment apparatuses according to the invention, for example the treatment units 100, 100' shown in Fig. 6 and 7, respectively.

This makes it possible to generate greater flows of air and therefore to effectively treat the air in environments of large dimensions, too.

To this end, connecting elements may be provided that connect the apparatuses to one another so as to generate a treatment path P' for the air that passes through a desired number of treatment apparatuses.

In other versions, the treatment apparatuses of the same treatment unit 100, 100' can operate independently of one another.

The apparatus of the invention makes it possible to purify the air by drastically decreasing the content of fine and ultra-fine dust (< 1 pm) and of the bacterial components present in the environment.

The apparatus of the invention is suitable for use in environments having different dimensions, preferably having surfaces that are no larger than 200 mq. The combined action of the filtration devices 10 present in the apparatus 1 of the invention makes it possible to extract contaminated air from the environment in which the apparatus is installed, to filter it and reduce the bacterial load thereof, and introduced contaminated air into said environment.

The apparatus of the invention can be installed in any zone of the environment to be treated, in particular it can be positioned on the walls of the environment and/or of the extraction intakes and/or pressure taps installed in the environment. This makes it possible to treat the air in zones that are difficult to reach by centralised systems.

The apparatus of the invention makes it possible to achieve these effects without substantially modifying the operating theatres or systems present therein.

Furthermore, this placement makes it possible to make use of the action of the extraction intakes in order to increase the air-changing effects achievable by means of the apparatus of the invention. The filtration efficiency achievable using the apparatus of the invention makes it possible to avoid the use of ambient air.

In other words, the environment from which the apparatus draws air is the same as the one into which it reintroduces filtered air after having filtered that air. This advantage is achieved by simultaneously maintaining a concentration of pollutants at levels that do not represent a risk to the health of the occupants, even for high rates of internal production.

All of this also saves a considerable amount of energy as a result in particular of the conditioning and treatment of smaller volumes of ambient air and therefore having smaller dimensions of the thermal unit in environments in which the apparatus of the invention is positioned.

The apparatus of the invention is suitable for placement in operating theatres in addition to, or instead of, the air filtration system that is already there.

By varying the number of air exchanges generated by the treatment apparatus, it is possible to adapt the apparatus to various hospital regions that require different degrees of quality of the air.

The invention therefore solves the technical problem addressed and makes it possible to achieve numerous advantages, including those set out above.

Claims

1. Apparatus (1) for treating air, comprising a plurality of treatment devices (10) arranged for treating an air stream travelling therethrough, an extraction device (11) for extracting air from an environment and generating an air flow along a treatment path (P) that passes through the treatment devices of said plurality of treatment devices (10) and releasing treated air (F, FI) into said environment, wherein said plurality of treatment devices comprises at least one ultraviolet lamp (21) for irradiating said air flow and reducing the bacterial load thereof, a filtration unit (30) for filtering said air flow and reducing the particulate content thereof, said filtration unit (30) being arranged downstream of said ultraviolet lamp (21) along said treatment path (P), and a generator (35) for generating silver ions and introducing them into said air, said generator (35) being arranged downstream of said filtration unit (30).

2. Apparatus (1) for treating air, comprising a plurality of treatment devices (10) for treating an air stream travelling therethrough, an extraction device (11) for extracting air from an environment and generating an air flow along a treatment path (P) that passes through the treatment devices of said plurality of treatment devices (10) and releasing treated air (F, FI) into said environment, wherein said plurality of treatment devices comprises at least one ultraviolet lamp (21) for irradiating said air flow and reducing the bacterial load thereof, a filtration unit (30) for filtering said air flow and reducing the particulate content thereof, said filtration unit (30) being arranged downstream of said ultraviolet lamp (21) along said treatment path (P), and a generator (35) for generating silver ions and introducing them into said air, said generator (35) being arranged downstream of said filtration unit (30), wherein said treatment apparatus also comprises an environmental sensor (50) for measuring the dimensions of said environment.

3. Apparatus according to either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said filtration unit (30) comprises an HEPA filter (31), preferably an H10-H14 filter, for reducing the particulate content in said air.

4. Apparatus according to the preceding claim, wherein said filtration unit

(30) comprises another HEPA filter (32) arranged downstream of said filter (31) and provided with activated carbon for reducing the ozone content and odours in said air.

5. Apparatus according to either claim 3 or claim 4, wherein said filtration unit (30) comprises an electrostatic filter (33) arranged upstream of said filter

(31) for reducing the amount of particulate in said air.

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims and further comprising a control unit for controlling the operation of said apparatus (1).

7. Apparatus according to the preceding claim, wherein said control unit operates said apparatus at three different extraction rates on the basis of the dimensions of the region that are measured by said environmental sensor (50) and on a desired number of preset hourly exchanges (N) of air.

8. Apparatus according to the preceding claim and further comprising an actuation sensor (80) for measuring the quantity of particulate present in the environment in which said apparatus is positioned, said actuation sensor (80) being operatively connected to said control unit in order to activate/deactivate the operation of said apparatus (1) if the particulate content measured is greater/smaller than a threshold value (VI).

9. Apparatus according to claim 7 when claim 6 is dependent on claim 5, wherein said control unit is operatively connected to said electrostatic filter (33) in order to activate/deactivate the operation of said electrostatic filter (33) if the particulate content measured by said actuation sensor (80) is greater/smaller than another threshold value (V2) that is greater than said threshold value (VI). 10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said environmental sensor (50) is a laser sensor, said environmental sensor (50) being operatively connected to said control unit in order to modulate the operation of said apparatus (1) on the basis of the measurements carried out by said environmental sensor (50).

11. Apparatus according to the preceding claim, wherein said environmental sensor (50) is positioned on a telescopic arm (51) that is positioned on the body (2) of said apparatus.

12. Apparatus according to the preceding claim, wherein said telescopic arm (51) can move between an extended measuring configuration, in which said environmental sensor (50) is actuated, and a retracted resting configuration, in which said telescopic arm is contracted and said environmental sensor (50) is arranged close to said body (2).

13. Treatment unit (100, 100') for treating air in an environment in which said unit is installed, comprising a plurality of interconnected treatment apparatuses (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.