WO2021216008A1

WO2021216008A1 - Ozone sterilizer with air regeneration

Info

Publication number: WO2021216008A1
Application number: PCT/SK2021/050003
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marián Mitka
Original assignee: Mitka Marian
Priority date: 2020-04-23
Filing date: 2021-03-01
Publication date: 2021-10-28
Also published as: SK289094B6; SK432020A3; EP4138936A1

Abstract

Ozone sterilizer with air regeneration refers to an air-conditioning unit. In the airtight enclosed case (1) a fan (3) is fitted and is electrically connected to the operational control unit (12) by an inlet (17) connected to the power supply and a display element (13), while under the suction of the fan (3) in the case (1) at least one ultraviolet lamp (7) is located above the electrostatic filter (6) and below the electrostatic filter (6) a dust filter (5) is mounted behind at least one of the suction inlets (4). In the discharge part of the fan (3), a catalytic filter (8) is placed in the case (1) behind at least one exhaust outlet (10), the sensor (15) and the gas filter (9) and next to the catalytic filter (8) a switching damper (16) with an actuator (11) is fitted, wherein the sensor (15) is electrically separately connected to the fan (3), the electrostatic filter (6), the ultraviolet lamp (7) and the actuator (11) via the operating control unit (12).

Description

Ozone sterilizer with air regeneration

Field of technology

The invention relates to an air-conditioning device for sterilization of air, the environment, and objects by ozone with automatic subsequent regeneration of ozone- degraded air by means of sensors, filtration, electrostatic and catalytic reaction.

Background Art

The polluted atmosphere greatly affects public health. It causes a sudden onset of diseases such as cancer, asthma, allergies or irritations, rhinitis, COVID viruses, SARS, and MERS. A person spends up to 70% of the time indoors (in apartments, work, school, etc.). Therefore, the pollution of this space is a serious threat to human health. The human immune system defends itself when it encounters these harmful elements and produces an excessive amount of white blood cells, which depletes the body and health is therefore at risk. The causes of an overloaded immune system most often include fatigue, allergies, and diseases. Air pollution in enclosed spaces occurs usually in form of large, small, and gaseous particles.

Large particles are transferred, especially on clothing, shoes or are blown inside through doors or windows, possibly from the decomposition of building materials, carpets, clothes and sewn materials. They are also a by-product of humans, animals, and plants (dropping of particles of dead skin, hair, pollen, etc.). They can also be found in the indoor environment created by human activity, such as vacuuming, cutting, grinding, cooking (flour-baking ...), or powdering and the like. Small particles are carried and blown in the form of smoke, pollen, bacteria, viruses, spores, fungi, and the like. They are also created by smoking, cooking, burning in a fireplace, by lighting candles, etc.

Gas particles are found in the air in the form of molecules (formaldehyde, odors, benzenes, phthalates ...), which are carried by the flow of people, changes in temperature or pressure. They are created by the release of materials and human activity. A commonly known filter devices use a filter cloth and these can filter out coarse impurities but cannot filter out fine and gaseous impurities.

Other commonly known devices are those which, by means of an electrostatic effect, can filter fine and coarse particles but cannot filter gases, while producing ozone harmful to human health, which remains in the room and is therefore used mainly in industry sector to filter airflow from rooms.

Other known filter devices based on activated carbon absorption remove harmful gaseous particles from the air but are unable or only insufficiently able to absorb fine particles and viruses.

Other devices are also known which, using ultraviolet radiation, destroy living fine particles such as viruses and bacteria in the air and on the surfaces of various objects, but have no effect on other large, small, and gaseous particles.

Also known are ozone generators, which use high electrical voltage to produce ozone into the interior in order to remove viruses, bacteria, and spores from the surfaces of objects. However, ozone is dangerous at certain concentrations, so it is necessary to ventilate the area for a long time after application.

Various devices described below are also known, which combine several of the aforementioned methods.

A technical solution according to DE19902825 is known, which relates to a reactor for the decomposition of ozone (03), which is created in e.g. in photocopiers, ultraviolet sterilizers, and similar electrical equipment. The solution is also intended for the removal of 03 from room air (e.g. pools disinfected with 03), by introduction manganese dioxide (Mn02)) and/or lead oxide (Pb02), and/or a similar catalyst suitable for the catalytic conversion of 03 to oxygen (02) into air conditioning and ventilation systems. The disadvantage of the technical solution is that it does not allow the cleaning of mechanical impurities and gases from the air.

According to the patent KR200399653, a sterilizer is known for air purification, or air flowing through this sterilizer to the outside environment through a photocata lytic filter and an ultraviolet lamp for sterilization and to remove odor (smell). In the absence of ozone, the sterilizer sterilizes and cleans the air, or air e.g. in a motor vehicle, while being able to sterilize bacteria adhered to objects with ozone. The sterilizer consists of an ozone generation module with a safety device located on one side of the air outlet; an anion generating module located on the other side thereof and an operating button unit electrically connecting the ozone generating module and the ozone sensor. It contains a high-capacity battery which is portable, for example in a vehicle, and a motor-driven fan. The disadvantage of this technical solution is its structural complexity and the impossibility of cleaning of mechanical impurities and gases from the air.

According to US2005207951, a device for ozone-efficient deodorizing or sterilizing of a target space contaminated with a virus, bacteria, fungi, and the like above a reference value is known without adversely affecting the human body. The present invention includes an ozone generating unit subjected to ON/OFF control, a control unit for controlling different safety devices which affect the effective control of ozone concentration in the target space, a functional air filter unit having air purification and residual ozone removal function, and a fan for air circulation in the target area. According to the present invention, viruses, bacteria, and fungi floating in the air can be removed more effectively than with a conventional air purifier even with the removal of odors. The disadvantage of this technical solution is that it does not allow the cleaning of gases from the air.

Furthermore, according to JP2013188447, sterilization is known in conventional factories of food or similar products using organic acids in their operation. During such long-term operation, resistant bacteria or similar substances appear, as well as dust and bacteria in the atmosphere deposited on the air filter, circulating air in the room, whereby such bacteria grow and lead to secondary contamination. An air filter for solid dust particles is built into the sterilizer, which also has a sterilizing effect. Dust and bacteria from the atmosphere settle on its air filter. The deposited bacteria are further sterilized by the sterilizing effect of an air filter. The clean air passing through the air filter is mixed with ozone and sprayed by rotating the discharge opening by 360 degrees to sterilize the airborne bacteria and adhesive bacteria. The disadvantage of this technical solution too is that it does not allow the cleaning of gases from the air.

The common disadvantage of all the above technical solutions is that they do not allow the removal of coarse, fine and gaseous particles and at the same time removal of viruses, bacteria and spores from the air and surfaces of materials without the need for ventilation.

Background of the invention

These disadvantages are eliminated by the ozone sterilizer with air regeneration according to this invention. It consists of a case, fan, at least one suction inlet and outlet, dust filter, electrostatic filter, ultraviolet lamp, catalytic filter, gas filter, switching damper with actuator, modified air sensor, display element, operational control unit with supply connected to the power supply and remote-control router. The background of the invention is that a fan is seated in an airtight case with the fan electrically connected to the operational control unit and the display element. Below the fan suction, at least one ultraviolet lamp is located above the electrostatic filter and below the electrostatic filter a dust filter is mounted behind at least one of the suction inlets.

In the discharge part of the fan, a catalytic filter is placed in the case behind at least one exhaust outlet, the sensor and the gas filter and next to the catalytic filter a switching damper with an actuator is fitted. The sensor is electrically separately connected to the fan, the electrostatic filter, the ultraviolet lamp, and the actuator via the operating control unit (12).

It is preferable if the case is equipped with at least one rotating wheel.

It is also preferable if the dust filter is equipped with at least one suction inlet in the form of a block.

At the same time, it is preferable if the operational control unit with the display element is attached to one side of the case.

It is further preferable if the operational control unit is remotely connected to the display element and a router.

It is also preferable if the case is formed of at least two parts which are coaxially connected to one another in an airtight manner.

It is also advantageous if an additional case 18 with at least one suction inlet 4 or exhaust outlet 10 is mounted on at least one outer side of the case 1 and in this additional case an operational control unit with a display element can be mounted.

The aim of the invention is to remove large, small, and gaseous harmful particles from the indoor environment air with one air-conditioning device and at the same time to remove viruses, bacteria and spores from the surfaces with the use of ozone at the necessary intervals without the presence of persons without the need for ventilation and at the same time prevent risks to humans and animals from residual gases from ozonation.

Brief description of drawings

Specific embodiments of an ozone sterilizer with air regeneration according to the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows an ozone sterilizer with air regeneration in the basic embodiment in axonometry,

Fig. 2. shows an ozone sterilizer with air regeneration of Fig. 1 in cross section view, Fig. 3 shows the flow direction of the purified air in the ozone sterilizer with air regeneration of Fig. 2 with open switching damper,

Fig. 4 shows the detailed top part of the ozone sterilizer with air regeneration of Fig. 3 with open switching damper,

Fig. 5 shows the flow direction of the purified air in the ozone sterilizer with air regeneration of Fig. 2 with closed switching damper,

Fig. 6 shows the detailed top part of the ozone sterilizer with air regeneration of Fig. 5 with closed switching damper,

Fig. 7 shows a functional electrical air distribution of an ozone sterilizer with air regeneration,

Fig. 8 shows a functional air cleaning distribution scheme of an ozone sterilizer with air regeneration, and

Fig. 9 shows an ozone sterilizer with air regeneration, the case of which has rotating wheels and is formed of two parts connected to each other with a frontal airtight coaxial connection with the attached additional cases. The drawings illustrating the present invention and the following examples of a specific embodiment thereof in no way limit the scope of protection set forth in the claims, but merely explain the background of the invention.

Description of embodiments

In a basic embodiment, the invention is illustrated in Fig. 1 to 6. The ozone sterilizer with air regeneration in this basic embodiment shown consists of a case 1, a radial fan 3 with side suction and an outlet to the top, a suction inlet 4 and an outlet 10, which are terminated by an unmarked commonly used wall grille, a dust filter 5, formed by e.g. filter cloth G3/G4 according to EN779 mounted in the frame, electrostatic filter 6, ultraviolet lamp 7, e.g. formed by a product of the UV-FAN type series, catalytic filter 8, e.g. formed from a catalyst based on Mn02+Cu0 in the frame weave, a gas filter 9, e.g. formed by activated carbon in the form of pellets with larger dimensions than the mesh openings of the gas filter 9 mounted in the frame, switching damper 16 with actuator 11, combined sensor 15 of temperature, humidity, C02 content and ozone content of modified air, display element 13, operational control unit 12 with a supply 17 connected to a power supply, preferably e.g. to a common 230V/50Flz AC mains and remote control router 14. In the airtight enclosed case 1 a fan 3 is fitted and is electrically connected according to Fig. 9 to the operational control unit 12 and the display element 13 mounted on the side of the case 1, while under the suction of the fan 3 in the case 1 an ultraviolet lamp 7 is located above the electrostatic filter 6 and below the electrostatic filter 6 a dust filter 5 is mounted behind at least one of the suction inlets 4. In the discharge part of the fan 3, a catalytic filter 8 is placed in the case 1 behind at least one exhaust outlet 10, the sensor 15 and the gas filter 9 and next to the catalytic filter 8 a switching damper 16 with an actuator 11 is fitted. According to Fig. 9 the sensor 15 is electrically separately connected to the fan 3, the electrostatic filter 6, the ultraviolet lamp 7 and the actuator 11 via the operating control unit 12.

According to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, the ozone sterilizer with air regeneration is started with command from the operational control unit 12 after it is connected to a power source and mechanically set up by the operator, either to its automatic and complete or one of two shorter air cleaning cycles controlled by control signals from the combined sensor 15, i.e. if it detects that the values in the external environment of the ozone sterilizer with air regeneration, e.g. the temperature, humidity, C02 content and ozone content are outside the set reference safe concentration.

In case of switchover of the operational control unit 12 to the complete automatic cleaning cycle, according to Fig. 2 and Fig. 5 to Fig. 8, the operational control unit 12 simultaneously activates the fan 3, the electrostatic filter 6, the ultraviolet lamp 7 and the actuator 11 by an electric command (current), which opens the switching damper 16 away from the catalytic filter 8 - see Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. The air cleaning is performed by suction by the fan 3 through the air suction inlet 4 and the dust filter 5, which traps large particles of dirt from the purified air. The air is then cleaned by an electrostatic filter 6, where small particles are negatively charged with high electrical voltage and adhered to its grounded tubular frame, which is preferably made of stainless steel. Subsequently, the purified air passes through the ultraviolet lamp 7, where the next stage of the elimination of viruses, bacteria and spores takes place. Air cleaned of large, small particles, including viruses, bacteria and spores, further passes through a fan 3, which pushes it through an ozone-to-oxygen modifying catalytic filter 8 and an activated carbon gas filter 9, removing gaseous pollutants contained in the air, through a mechanically adjustable directional exhaust air outlet 10 back to the outside environment. During the entire filtration cycle, the sensor 15 reads the values of temperature, humidity, C02 content and ozone content in the air. The measured values are simultaneously displayed by the display element 13 and evaluated with their reference value set by the control program in the form of a recommendation to the operator.

In the case of the switchover of the operational control unit 12 to the 1st stage of the shorter automatic cleaning cycle according to Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, intended for cases with the need of only ozonation of air and/or surfaces of objects, by means of the operational control unit 12 by electric command (current) the fan 3, electrostatic filter 6, ultraviolet lamp 7 and actuator 11 are simultaneously activated, which tilts the switching damper 16 towards catalytic filter 8 - see Fig. 3 and Fig. 4.

The actuator 11 changes the air ventilation path in the ozone sterilizer with air regeneration. The intake of the oxygen-containing air continues through mechanically adjustable directional supply air suction inlets 4 and a dust filter 5, where large particles are trapped, into an electrostatic filter 6, where so-called corona discharges are generated by high electrical voltage, which decompose oxygen to ozone. Further the purified air in the ozone sterilizer with air regeneration passes through the ultraviolet lamp 7, where the next stage of the elimination of viruses, bacteria and spores takes place. The air, free of large, small particles, including viruses, bacteria and spores, is then led out to the outside environment via a mechanically adjustable directional exhaust air outlet 10. During the entire cycle of air-to-ozone modification, the values of temperature, humidity, C02 content and ozone content are monitored. The values are displayed by a display element 13, compared with a set reference value by a control program in the operational control unit 12, and based on these the air cleaning cycle in the ozone sterilizer with air regeneration continues only after reaching the set reference concentration required for ozonation of the surfaces in the enclosed spaces. In order to avoid endangering persons and animals by ozone poisoning, this cleaning phase is carried out without their presence. Subsequently in the ozone sterilizer with air regeneration, the device automatically switches the air path by the actuator 11, by tilting the switching damper 16 away from the catalytic filter 8 and the previously described automatic cleaning cycle according to Fig. 3 and Fig. 6 to Fig. 9 commences. Following the reduction of the ozone concentration in the area to a set reference level which does not endanger persons and animals, the ozone sterilizer with air regeneration in the operational control unit 12 is switched off.

In the case of switchover in the operational control unit 12 to the 2nd stage of the shorter automatic cleaning cycle according to Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, if the use of an electrostatic filter 6 is not required in case of rapid cleaning of the air with little elimination of viruses, bacteria and spores, where the so-called corona discharges, which decompose oxygen to ozone, are generated by high electrical voltage, and the ultraviolet lamp 7, where the next stage of elimination of viruses, bacteria and spores occurs, the fan 3 and the actuator 11 are started simultaneously by means of the operational control unit 12 by electric command (current), which tilts the switching damper 16 towards the catalytic filter 8 - see Fig. 3 and Fig. 4. The actuator 11 changes the air ventilation path in the ozone sterilizer with air regeneration. The intake of the oxygen-containing air through the mechanically adjustable directional supply air suction inlets 4 continues through a dust filter 5, where large particles are trapped, and the mechanically adjustable directional exhaust air outlet 10 feeds it back to the outside environment. During the entire cycle of air-to-ozone modification, the values of temperature, humidity, C02 content and ozone content are monitored. The values are displayed by a display element 13, compared with a set reference value by a control program in the operational control unit 12, and based on these the air cleaning cycle in the ozone sterilizer with air regeneration continues only after reaching the set reference concentration required for ozonation of the surfaces in the enclosed spaces. Subsequently, in order to avoid endangering persons and animals by ozone poisoning, in the ozone sterilizer with air regeneration, the device automatically switches the air path by the actuator 11, by tilting the switching damper 16 away from the catalytic filter 8 and the previously described automatic cleaning cycle according to Fig. 2 and Fig. 5 to Fig. 8 commences. After the reduction of the ozone concentration in the area to a level which does not endanger persons and animals, the ozone sterilizer with air regeneration in the operational control unit 12 is switched off.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 9, where an ozone sterilizer with air regeneration, the case 1 of which has rotating wheels 2 attached from the bottom part and is formed of two parts connected to each other with a frontal airtight coaxial connection with the attached additional cases 18. The internal construction and operation of this ozone sterilizer with air regeneration is identical to its basic description.

The described and illustrated embodiments are not the only possible embodiments of the presented invention, as the number of suction points may be different from those shown, the case 1 may be provided with a different number of rotating wheels 2 (not shown), the dust filter 5 may be provided with several suction inlets 4 and formed with these inlets in the form of a block. The operational control unit 12 may be remotely connected to the display element 13 and a router 14. Alternatively, the operational control unit 12 can be mounted outside the easel in the additional case 18. The fan 3 may be of a different construction and its discharge part and the switching damper 16 may have a different shape and position as shown. Also the shape, the central suction pipe from the production machines can be led through an ozone sterilizer with air regeneration directly into the air and the like.

Industrial applicability

The ozone sterilizer with air regeneration according to the invention is versatile in various enclosed spaces which are intended for cleaning of the air from harmful substances, odors, viruses, bacteria, and the like, e.g. in military buildings and means of transport, in hospitals, waiting rooms, conference and production halls, offices, schools, in passenger vehicles, e.g. in aircraft, ships, long-distance and urban means of public transport, etc. The invention can also be applied to the cleaning of surfaces of objects with ozone with the subsequent removal of harmful substances on their surface after cleaning without the presence and intervention of persons and operators.

Claims

1. Ozone sterilizer with air regeneration, consisting of case (1), fan (3), at least one suction inlet (4) and outlet (10), dust filter (5), electrostatic filter (6), ultraviolet lamp (7), catalytic filter (8), gas filter (9), switching damper (16) with actuator (11), modified air sensor (15), display element (13), operational control unit (12) with inlet (17) connected to the power supply and remote control router (14), characterized in that a fan (3) is fitted in the airtight enclosure in the case (1), electrically connected to the operational control unit (12) and the display element (13), wherein at least one ultraviolet lamp (7) is placed in the case (1) below the suction of the fan (3) and above the electrostatic filter (6) and a dust filter (5) behind at least one of the suction inlets (4) below the electrostatic filter (6) and in the discharge part of the fan (3) in the case (1) a catalytic filter (8) is located behind at least one exhaust outlet (10), the sensor (15) and the gas filter (9) and next to this catalytic filter (8) a switching damper (16) with an actuator (11) is fitted, while the sensor (15) is electrically separately connected to the fan (3), the electrostatic filter (6), the ultraviolet lamp (7) and the actuator (11) via the operational control unit (12).

2. Ozone sterilizer with air regeneration according to claim 1, characterized in that the case (1) is provided with at least one rotating wheel (2).

3. Ozone sterilizer with air regeneration according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the dust filter (5) is provided with at least one suction inlet (4) in a form of a block.

4. Ozone sterilizer with air regeneration according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the operational control unit (12) with the display element (13) is fixed to one side of the case (1).

5. Ozone sterilizer with air regeneration according to claims 1 or 2 to 4, characterized in that the operational control unit (12) is remotely connected to the display element (13) and the router (14).

6. Ozone sterilizer with air regeneration according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the case (1) is formed of at least two parts which are coaxially connected to each other in an airtight manner.

7. Ozone sterilizer with air regeneration according to claims 1 to 6, characterized in that an additional case (18) with at least one suction inlet (4) or exhaust outlet (10) is mounted on at least one outer side of the case (1).

8. Ozone sterilizer with air regeneration according to claim 7, characterized in that the operational control unit (12) with the display element (13) is mounted in at least one additional case (18).