WO2022259165A1

WO2022259165A1 - Air sanitizing device

Info

Publication number: WO2022259165A1
Application number: PCT/IB2022/055321
Authority: WO
Inventors: Enrico BORGHETTI
Original assignee: Aersafe Srl
Priority date: 2021-06-08
Filing date: 2022-06-08
Publication date: 2022-12-15
Also published as: EP4351668A1; IT202100014948A1

Abstract

The air sanitizing device (1) comprises at least one treatment compartment (14) provided with: at least one inlet opening (2) of an air flow to be sanitized (3) comprising pollutants and/or pathogens; at least one outlet opening (4) of the sanitized air flow (5); purification means (6, 7, 15) of the air flow to be sanitized (3) positioned between the inlet opening (2) and the outlet opening (4); washing means (10) of the purification means (6, 7, 15) comprising at least one washing liquid (L) adapted to allow solubilization and/or dispersion of the pollutants and/or pathogens; and sterilization means (19) of the used washing liquid (L) adapted to allow sterilization of the used washing liquid (L) exiting the purification means (6, 7, 15), the used washing liquid (L) comprising at least one liquid phase and at least one solid phase suspended in the liquid phase.

Description

AIR SANITIZING DEVICE

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an air sanitizing device.

Background Art

With particular reference to the sanitizing devices integrated into, or used independently of, air ventilation and/or conditioning systems, it is well known that air purification is a key aspect within the health management of epidemics and pandemics.

Indeed, it is well known that among the various routes of bacteriological or viral infection is the direct contact with respiratory secretions of infected individuals. Consequently, in the face of enclosed environments shared by several people, it is essential to have air sanitizing devices to minimize the risk of infection spread.

The sanitizing devices of known type comprise a treatment compartment provided with an inlet opening through which the air flow to be sanitized enters and an outlet opening through which the sanitized air flow exits.

In addition, such devices are provided with purification means of the type of fabric membrane elements configured to be traversed by the air flow to be sanitized and adapted to retain pollutants and/or pathogens present in the air flow.

However, such devices have some drawbacks, among which is the fact that the aforementioned filtration means do not ensure the retention of viral pathogens. This is compounded by the fact that the membrane elements, once saturated, need to be replaced, thus greatly increasing the maintenance costs of the device. Alternatively, purification devices of the cyclone type are known wherein the air flow to be sanitized is treated by applying the principle of the centrifugal force thereto.

However, even this type of device is not without its drawbacks.

In fact, this type of device is efficient against pollutant particles larger than 10 pm being, on the other hand, unsuitable for the retention of bacterial and/or viral pollutants. An additional drawback of known sanitizing devices is that it is necessary to periodically subject the treatment compartment and the purification means contained therein to sanitization treatments.

This is because the prolonged use of such devices causes the accumulation of pollutants and/or pathogens, retained by the purification means, within the treatment compartment increasing the risk of their spread to the surrounding environment and the formation of bacterial colonies within the treatment compartment itself.

The aforementioned sanitization treatments therefore require action on known devices by temporarily and periodically discontinuing their operation.

It should also be appreciated that the known devices need to be sanitized periodically.

In fact, such sanitization treatments require large amounts of sanitizing products and energy, representing a non-negligible source of resource waste, all the more so if the required maintenance jobs are frequent.

Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to devise an air sanitizing device which allows ensuring both the sanitization of the air itself and of the device by removing from the latter the presence of pollutants of the bacterial and/or viral type.

Another object of the present invention is to devise an air sanitizing device which allows greatly reducing the maintenance costs by allowing the filtration means to be restored and preventing the device itself from shutting down.

A further object of the present invention is to devise an air sanitizing device which allows greatly reducing the waste associated with sanitizing the device itself.

Another object of the present invention is to devise an air sanitizing device which allows the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art to be overcome within the framework of a simple, rational, easy and effective to use as well as affordable solution.

The aforementioned objects are achieved by this air sanitizing device having the characteristics of claim 1.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of an air sanitizing device, illustrated by way of an indicative, yet non-limiting device in the accompanying tables of drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an axonometric view of the device according to the invention in accordance with a first embodiment;

Figure 2 is a side view of the device according to the invention in accordance with the first embodiment in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a top view of the device according to the invention in accordance with the first embodiment in Figure 1 and in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a side view of the device according to the invention in accordance with a second embodiment;

Figure 5 schematically illustrates a part of the device according to the invention; Figure 6 is a side view of the device according to the invention in accordance with a third embodiment still;

Figure 7 is a top view of the device according to the invention in accordance with the third embodiment in Figure 6;

Figure 8 schematically illustrates a part of the device according to the invention in accordance with a fourth embodiment;

Figure 9 schematically illustrates a part of the device according to the invention in accordance with a fifth embodiment;

Figure 10 is an axonometric view of a detail in Figure 8 and in Figure 9;

Figure 11 is an axonometric, cross-sectional view of another detail of the device according to the invention.

Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral 1 globally indicates an air sanitizing device.

It is specified that, in the context of this disclosure, the term “sanitizing device” refers to a device which is adapted to enable air purification and usable in an integrated manner with air ventilation and conditioning systems or independently and separately from them to purify ambient air, i.e., not requiring integration with an aeration or air conditioning system.

The device 1 comprises at least one treatment compartment 14 provided with: at least one inlet opening 2 of an air flow to be sanitized 3 comprising pollutants and/or pathogens; at least one outlet opening 4 of the sanitized air flow 5; purification means 6, 7, 15 of the air flow to be sanitized 3 positioned between the inlet opening 2 and the outlet opening 4.

It is specified that, in the context of this disclosure, the term “pollutants and/or pathogens” refers to substances that, directly or indirectly, produce pollution constituting a danger to human health or the environment.

In detail, this expression also refers to bacterial, viral and fungal agents.

The device 1 according to the invention comprises: washing means 10 of the purification means 6, 7, 15 comprising at least one washing liquid L adapted to allow solubilization and/or dispersion of the pollutants and/or pathogens; and sterilization means 19 of the used washing liquid L adapted to allow sterilization of the used washing liquid L exiting the purification means 6, 7, 15.

Specifically, the washing liquid L is a water-based liquid.

This means that the washing liquid L consists of an aqueous solution.

It cannot however be ruled out from the scope of this disclosure that the washing liquid L is added with scented substances or liquids.

In detail, the used washing liquid L comprises at least one liquid phase and at least one solid phase (i.e., solid particulate matter) suspended in the liquid phase.

In other words, the expression “used washing liquid” refers to a heterogeneous mixture wherein, as a result of the contact between the purification means 6, 7, 15 and the washing liquid L, contaminants such as microbes and dirt in general are entrained and suspended in the latter. Conveniently, the purification means 6, 7, 15 comprise at least one mechanical filter 15 comprising: pocket filter, sleeve bag filter, cartridge filter, candle filter, panel filter, cyclone and multi-cyclone filter.

Alternatively, the purification means 6, 7, 15 comprise at least one electrostatic filter 6, 7.

Preferably, the purification means 6, 7, 15 comprise a plurality of electrostatic filters 6, 7 operatively connected to the washing means 10.

Advantageously, the device 1 comprises two electrostatic filters 6, 7. Specifically, the electrostatic filter 6, 7 comprises a plurality of collection electrodes 6 for collecting the pollutants and/or pathogens.

In more detail, the collection electrodes 6 are located at least partly in the proximity of the outlet opening 4.

The collection electrodes 6 are made of a conductive metal material. Advantageously, the collection electrodes 6 are made at least partly of copper. Specifically, the collection electrodes 6 comprise a plurality of plate- shaped elements 8 arranged in series parallel to each other.

In addition, the electrostatic filter 6, 7 comprises a plurality of charging electrodes 7 adapted to ionize the air flow to be sanitized 3.

In this way, the pollutants and/or pathogens are attracted by the collection electrodes 6 by electrostatic attraction and, leaving the air on which they were carried, cause it to be sanitized.

In detail, the charging electrodes 7 are arranged in the proximity of the inlet opening 2.

By doing so, the air flow to be sanitized 3 is ionized as soon as it enters the treatment compartment 14.

The charging electrodes 7 are fed by the power supply means 9 adapted to allow the ionization of the air flow to be sanitized 3.

The power supply means 9 are configured to allow the delivery of voltages suitable for the operation of the device 1 ; these voltages are maintained thanks to the isolation means configured to prevent them from being discharged to the ground. Thus, the potential difference created between the charging electrodes 7 and the collection electrodes 6 allows the electrostatic attraction of pollutants and/or pathogens onto the collection electrodes themselves.

In addition, the device 1 comprises filtration means 17, 18 comprising a first filtering element 17 arranged in the proximity of the inlet opening 2 and a second filtering element 18 arranged in the proximity of the outlet opening 4. Specifically, the first filtering element 17 is configured to allow uniformity of the air flow to be sanitized 3 and, at the same time, the second filtering element 18 is configured to allow the retention of any residual pollutants and/or pathogens contained in the sanitized air flow 5 by the washing liquid L.

In order to allow the sanitization of the device 1, the washing means 10 are configured to allow washing the purification means 6, 7, 15 and/or the filtration means 17, 18.

Usefully, the washing means 10 are configured to allow washing at least one of either the collection electrodes 6 or the charging electrodes 7, the first filtering element 17 or the second filtering element 18.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the device 1 , the washing means 10 are configured to allow washing both the purification means 6, 7, 15 and the filtration means 17, 18.

In addition, the washing means 10 comprise a plurality of nozzles 11 arranged in the proximity of the purification means 6, 7, 15 and/or of the filtration means 17, 18.

Preferably, the nozzles 11 are arranged in the proximity of the charging electrodes 7 and of the collection electrodes 6.

Specifically, the nozzles 11 are associated with the supporting means 12 adapted to allow for the precise and effective delivery of the washing liquid L onto the plate- shaped elements 8 and onto the charging electrodes 7.

Specifically, the washing means 10 are arranged above the purification means 6, 7, 15; in this case, the washing means 10 are arranged above the charging electrodes 7 and the collection electrodes 6.

In this way, the delivery of the washing liquid L from above allows homogeneous washing the treatment compartment 14, the charging electrodes 7 and the collection electrodes 6.

Additionally, the washing means 10 are placed between the inlet opening 2 and the purification means 6, 7, 15 and between the latter and the outlet opening 4. Specifically, the nozzles 11 are located between the charging electrodes 7 and the inlet opening 2 and between the collection electrodes 6 and the outlet opening 4.

In fact, the nozzles 11 are arranged: between the charging electrodes 7 and the first filtering element 17; between the collection electrodes 6 and the second filtering element 18; and above the charging electrodes 7 and the collection electrodes 6.

This configuration ensures homogeneous washing of the treatment compartment 14, preventing portions of the latter remaining unwashed by the washing liquid L.

This means that the contact between the washing liquid L and the pollutants and/or pathogens instantly allows the latter to be entrained into solution, eliminating the risk of them being spread into the sanitized air flow 5 exiting the device 1.

In this way, among other things, pollutants and/or pathogens are removed from the plate- shaped elements 8 allowing them to be restored so that the efficiency of the electrostatic attraction remains unchanged over time.

Preferably, the device 1 comprises collection means 22, 23 of the used washing liquid L falling from the purification means 6, 7, 15 comprising at least a first collection tank 22 adapted to collect the used washing liquid L.

Conveniently, the first collection tank 22 is provided with at least one inlet opening 2 of the used liquid.

It cannot also be ruled out that the first collection tank 22 is provided with an upper opening 27, i.e., that it is open-air.

In a first preferred embodiment, the sterilization means 19 are arranged above the first collection tank 22. Preferably, the sterilization means 19 are arranged at the upper opening 27.

In detail, as visible in Figure 2, the sterilization means 19 comprise at least one UV source.

Preferably, the sterilization means 19 comprise a plurality of UV sources. Advantageously, the UV sources are of the UV lamp type.

Specifically, the UV sources are spaced from each other so that a transit port of the washing liquid L falling from the purification means 6, 7,15 is defined between them.

In other words, the UV sources are arranged equidistant from each other so that the used washing liquid L passes through the transit port and can be collected in the collection means 22, 23.

In this way, the used washing liquid L is sterilized immediately after its collection in the collection means 22, 23, i.e., as soon as it is stored in the first collection tank 22, thanks to the germicidal action of the UV lamps.

In this way, the washing liquid L can therefore be readily reused.

In addition, the sterilization means 19 are associated with the treatment compartment 14 by means of the fixing means 20, 21.

Preferably, the sterilization means 19 are associated with the treatment compartment 14 by interlocking.

Different embodiments cannot, however, be ruled out, wherein the sterili ation means 19 are not associated with the treatment compartment 14 but with the first collection tank 22.

In addition, the fixing means 20, 21 comprise, e.g., at least one pair of bracket elements 21 associated externally and inferiorly with the treatment compartment 14.

In particular, the bracket elements 21 have substantially an L-shaped conformation.

Again, the bracket elements 21 are associated with the treatment compartment 14 by interposition of screws 20.

In more detail, each UV source is positioned between a pair of bracket elements 21 and fixed to both. In accordance with a second embodiment, the collection means 22, 23 comprise at least a second collection tank 23 adapted to collect the sterilized washing liquid L from pollutants and/or pathogens, the sterilization means 19 being positioned between the first collection tank 22 and the second collection tank 23.

Usefully, the device 1 comprises at least one hydraulic circuit 26 configured to allow the recirculation of the washing liquid L from the treatment compartment 14 to the first collection tank 22 and from the second collection tank 23 to the treatment compartment 14, thus defining a direction of flow S of the washing liquid L.

Preferably, the device 1 comprises pumping means 24 adapted to allow pumping of the used liquid from the first collection tank 22 to the second collection tank 23, the sterilization means 19 being arranged in the proximity of the pumping means 24.

Conveniently, the pumping means 24 are associated with the sterilization means 19.

In other words, the washing liquid L is taken from the first collection tank 22 via the pumping action of the pumping means 24 and sterilized as it passes through the sterilization means 19 reaching the second sterilized collection tank 23.

Optionally, the first and second pumping means 24 are provided between which the sterilization means 19 are located.

Specifically, with respect to direction of flow S, the first pumping means 24 are located downstream of the first collection tank 22 and upstream of the sterilization means 19, and the second pumping means 24 are located downstream of the second collection tank 23 and upstream of the treatment compartment 14.

Conveniently, the device 1 comprises at least one connecting duct 25 of the first collection tank 22 and of the second collection tank 23; in detail, the sterilization means 19 are associated with the connecting duct 25 so that the washing liquid L exiting the first collection tank 22 is subjected to sterili ation along the connecting duct 25, the second collection tank 23 being adapted to collect the sterilized washing liquid L.

Conveniently, the hydraulic circuit 26 comprises the connecting duct 25, so that the washing liquid L is enabled to undergo the entire sterilization cycle and reintroduction into the treatment compartment in a substantially continuous manner.

In other words, the hydraulic circuit 26 is associated, along its path, with the first and second collection tanks 22, 23, with the pumping means 24 and with the sterili ation means 19.

In this way, the washing liquid L carries out the entire sterilization and reintroduction cycle fully automatically, i.e., without an attendant having to intervene manually by removing the used washing liquid L and preparing the new washing liquid L.

At this point, it is important to specify that, in order to purify the washing liquid L even more effectively before its reuse, the device 1 comprises settling means 28 shown in detail in Figure 10.

Specifically, the settling means 28 are located at the outlet of the treatment compartment 14 and/or of the collection means 22, 23 and are adapted to allow the separation of the solid and liquid phases of the used washing liquid L.

In particular, the settling means 28 comprise at least one collection compartment 29 of the used washing liquid L provided with at least one upper port 30 for the introduction of the used washing liquid L and with at least one bottom wall 31.

In actual facts, the used washing liquid L is introduced into the collection compartment 29 by passing through the upper port 30 and, once this is done, it eventually spills over the bottom wall 31, thus gradually filling the collection compartment 29.

Preferably, the collection compartment 29 comprises a plurality of sidewalls 32 defining a corresponding plurality of separation portions 33 of the used washing liquid L arranged in sequence to each other and connected to each other in a fluid- operated manner. Precisely, the sidewalls 32 are arranged substantially orthogonal with respect to the bottom wall 31.

Hence, the used washing liquid L accesses the first separation portion 33 (i.e., the separation portion 33 that the liquid encounters first in its flow along the direction of flow S) by passing through the upper port 30 and is, at that point, conveyed through each of the subsequent separation portions 33.

At the crossing of the various sidewalls 32, therefore, the solid phase present in the washing liquid L is progressively reduced, causing the washing liquid L to be purified as it progresses from one separation portion 33 to the other.

To allow the flow of the washing liquid L between the various separation portions 33, the settling means 28 comprise a plurality of transit openings 34 which can be passed through by the washing liquid L and each formed on a respective sidewall 32.

The transit openings 34 substantially define a forced path for the washing liquid L as it flows through the various separation portions 33.

Specifically, the transit openings 34 are formed on the sidewalls 32 at different heights to each other.

Even more specifically, the transit openings 34 are formed on the sidewalls 32 alternately where the bottom wall 31 and the upper port 30 are located (see Figure 10 in this regard).

In actual facts, each transit opening 34 formed where the bottom wall 31 is located is followed by a transit opening 34 formed where the upper port 30 is located, and vice versa.

It should be explained that this particular expedient allows both floating-type and settling-type particulate matter to be separated from the liquid phase of the used washing liquid L.

Specifically, the transit openings 34 arranged where the bottom wall 31 is located allow, thanks to their location, separating the floating particulate from the liquid phase, while the transit openings 34 arranged where the upper port 30 is located allow the transit of the used washing liquid L by surface runoff, thus allowing the separation of the settling particulate from the liquid phase. It is easy to appreciate, therefore, that the combination of the technical effects ensured by the different placements of the transit openings 34 makes it possible to ensure an absolutely effective filtration of the used washing liquid L, which enables its ready reuse.

In this regard, the settling means 28 comprise at least one drain channel 35 of the washing liquid L formed passing through the bottom wall 31 and connected to the connecting duct 25 in a fluid- operated manner.

Specifically, the drain channel 35 is located in the last separation portion 33 (i.e., the separation portion 33 that the liquid encounters last in its flow along the direction of flow S); therefore, the washing liquid L is channeled into the drain channel 35 and conveyed externally to the settling means 28 only following its complete settling.

The washing liquid L exiting the drain channel 35 is, therefore, channeled back along the connecting duct 25 so that it can be subsequently treated with the sterilization means 19 and be perfectly employable for subsequent washing operations.

Advantageously, the device 1 comprises an additional treatment compartment 14 provided with the respective purification means 6, 7, 15.

Conveniently, the device 1 has: one of the treatment compartments 14 wherein the electrostatic filter 6, 7 is active to allow the attraction of the pollutants and/or pathogens on the collection electrodes 6, the washing means 10 are inactivated and the sterilization means 19 are activated; and the other of the treatment compartments 14 wherein the electrostatic filter 6, 7 is inactive, the washing means 10 are activated to allow the washing of the inactivated collection electrodes 6 and the sterilization means 19 are inactivated.

In other words, when one electrostatic filter 6, 7 is inactive to allow washing thereof, the other electrostatic filter 6, 7 is active.

This means that the electrostatic filters 6, 7 can be activated alternately with each other. It cannot however be ruled out from the scope of this disclosure that the electrostatic filters 6, 7 be arranged aligned with each other along the forward direction of the air flow to be sanitized 3.

This characteristic greatly increases the functional value of the device 1, particularly when the latter is integrated with room ventilation and/or air conditioning systems.

It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects.

In fact, it is pointed out that the device according to the invention provides air purification means and washing means which allow achieving sanitization of the incoming air and sanitization of the device itself, respectively.

It is also emphasized that the special expedient of providing sterilization means of the washing liquid makes it possible to simultaneously reduce costs and waste related to the device maintenance, by being able to reuse the same washing liquid for several successive washing cycles.

In addition, the fact of providing sterilization means consisting of UV lamps allows for the inactivation of bacterial and viral agents, thus destroying the genetic information contained in their DNA and RNA.

Claims

1) Air sanitizing device (1) comprising at least one treatment compartment (14) provided with: at least one inlet opening (2) of an air flow to be sanitized (3) comprising pollutants and/or pathogens; at least one outlet opening (4) of the sanitized air flow (5); purification means (6, 7, 15) of said air flow to be sanitized (3) positioned between said inlet opening (2) and said outlet opening (4); characterized by the fact that it comprises: washing means (10) of said purification means (6, 7, 15) comprising at least one washing liquid (L) adapted to allow solubilization and/or dispersion of said pollutants and/or pathogens; and sterilization means (19) of said used washing liquid (L) adapted to allow sterilization of said used washing liquid (L) exiting said purification means (6, 7, 15), said used washing liquid (L) comprising at least one liquid phase and at least one solid phase suspended in said liquid phase.

2) Device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it comprises collection means (22, 23) of said used washing liquid (L) falling from said purification means (6, 7, 15) comprising at least a first collection tank (22) adapted to collect said used washing liquid (L).

3) Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises settling means (28) located at the outlet of said treatment compartment (14) and/or of said collection means (22, 23) and are adapted to allow the separation of said solid and said liquid phases of said used washing liquid (L), said settling means (28) comprising at least one collection compartment (29) of said used washing liquid (L) provided with at least one upper port (30) for the introduction of said used washing liquid (L) and with at least one bottom wall (31).

4) Device (1) according to claim 3, characterized by the fact that said collection compartment (29) comprises a plurality of sidewalls (32) defining a corresponding plurality of separation portions (33) of said used washing liquid (L) arranged in sequence to each other and connected to each other in a fluid- operated manner.

5) Device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized by the fact that said settling means (28) comprise a plurality of transit openings (34) which can be passed through by said washing liquid (L) and each formed on a respective said sidewall (32).

6) Device (1) according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that said transit openings (34) are formed on said sidewalls (32) at different heights to each other.

7) Device (1) according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that said transit openings (34) are formed on said sidewalls (32) alternately where said bottom wall (31) and said upper port (30) are located.

8) Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said sterilization means (19) are arranged above said collection means (22, 23).

9) Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said collection means (22, 23) comprise at least a second collection tank (23) adapted to collect said sterilized washing liquid (L) from said pollutants and/or pathogens, said sterilization means (19) being positioned between said first collection tank (22) and said second collection tank (23).

10) Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises pumping means (24) adapted to allow pumping of said used liquid from said first collection tank (22) to said second collection tank (23), said sterilization means (19) being arranged in the proximity of said pumping means (24).

11) Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one connecting duct (25) of said first collection tank (22) and of said second collection tank (23), said sterili ation means (19) being associated with said connecting duct (25) so that said washing liquid (L) exiting said first collection tank (22) is subjected to sterilization along said connecting duct (25), said second collection tank (23) being adapted to collect said sterilized washing liquid (L).

12) Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said sterilization means (19) comprise at least one UV source.

13) Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one hydraulic circuit (26) configured to allow recirculation of said washing liquid (L) from said treatment compartment (14) to said first collection tank (22) and from said second collection tank (23) to said treatment compartment (14), thus defining a direction of flow (S) of said washing liquid (L).

14) Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said purification means (6, 7, 15) comprise at least one mechanical filter (15) comprising: pocket filter, sleeve bag filter, cartridge filter, candle filter, panel filter, cyclone and multi-cyclone filter.

15) Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said purification means (6, 7, 15) comprise at least one electrostatic filter (6, 7).

16) Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said electrostatic filter (6, 7) comprises a plurality of collection electrodes (6) for collecting said pollutants and/or pathogens.

17) Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said electrostatic filter (6, 7) comprises a plurality of charging electrodes (7) adapted to ionize said air flow to be sanitized (3), said pollutants and/or pathogens being attracted by said collection electrodes (6) by electrostatic attraction.

18) Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it comprises an additional treatment compartment (14) provided with said respective purification means (6, 7, 15).

19) Device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that it has: one of said treatment compartments (14) wherein said electrostatic filter (6, 7) is active to allow the attraction of said pollutants and/or pathogens on said collection electrodes (6), said washing means (10) are inactivated and said sterilization means (19) are activated; and the other of said treatment compartments (14) wherein said electrostatic filter (6, 7) is inactive, said washing means (10) are activated to allow the washing of said inactivated collection electrodes (6) and said sterilization means (19) are inactivated.