RU2475270C2 - System for disinfection of air in buildings - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: medicine.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to devices of air purification in closed premises, preferably, multi-storey or apartment buildings. Device for air disinfection in buildings contains multitude of photo-catalytic reactors for air disinfection, placed in ventilation boxes, at least, one pulse lamp, power source, capacitive storage element, former of high-voltage pulses, microprocessor control unit, unit of ventilator control, sensors, sound and light announcers, bus bar, interface card, remote control, which contains microprocessor, display and keyboard. Sensors are taken from group, which consists of: air rate sensor, sensor which fixes light intensity, temperature sensor and their combinations.

EFFECT: increase of system functional possibilities, improvement of announcement about emergency situations.

13 cl, 2 dwg, 2 ex

Description

Technical field

The claimed invention relates to air purification devices in enclosed spaces, preferably multi-story or multi-apartment buildings.

State of the art

The provision of vital human needs for clean water and clean air is one of the most important areas for the development of new technologies. It is known that indoors, the concentration of pathogens, the concentration of gaseous organic and inorganic compounds released by decoration materials or household items, as a rule, is higher than on the street. Biological and chemical terrorism, outbreaks of the spread of influenza infections - all this made the critical problem of providing people clean air.

Currently, the removal of pathogens and toxic chemicals from the air is mainly associated with the effectiveness of ventilation. Ensuring effective ventilation is a key factor in ensuring comfort at the workplace and in the apartment, since many people spend more than 2/3 days in rooms.

There are a fairly large number of technical solutions related to air disinfection systems in ventilation systems using ultraviolet irradiation of the air flow. Designs of known systems for cleaning and disinfecting air in ventilation chambers using continuous irradiation of air with ultraviolet light can be divided into several groups.

The first group includes inventions that describe technical solutions for installing ultraviolet lamps inside ventilation ducts. In this group of inventions, technical solutions relate to the mechanical structures of boxes [1], lamp mounts [2], designs of reflective screens, or the arrangement of lamps [3].

The second group includes devices in which work efficiency is increased due to the combined effect on microorganisms. The invention [4] proposes a combined effect of water vapor and ultraviolet radiation on passing air. Other solutions involve the use of ultraviolet radiation in combination with a photocatalytic filter. This is the widest group of inventions, since there are many design options, namely: a) a certain position of the filters and lamps relative to each other [5], b) choosing the shape of the chamber in which the lamps are located, for example, in the form of an ellipsoid [6] , c) the choice of material covering the inner surface of the chamber, for example, from polished aluminum [7], d) the use of a modular design for attaching filters and lamps [8], e) the choice of the number of filters and the creation of complex installations for air sterilization for several rooms ests [9]. The disadvantage of the first and second groups of inventions is the solution of a very narrow range of problems without taking into account the problems associated with the maintenance of devices operating in ventilation systems.

The third group includes inventions in which the main technical problem is solved by electronic-software control of air sterilization units. In the descriptions of the inventions are block diagrams of devices based on computers and microprocessors, to which the sensors are connected, with which they determine the air flow rate in the ventilation duct. Using software and measuring circuits, the temperature of the air to be sterilized is measured and controlled. The various systems used for building ventilation systems are described in the following applications and patents: [10, [11] [12], [13]. However, such systems mainly relate to specific independent devices built into the ventilation system and do not solve the problems of creating ventilation systems in multi-storey buildings. It should be noted that the technical solutions discussed above are associated with the use of ultraviolet lamps with continuous radiation. In most cases, this leads to insufficient effectiveness of the effects of weak ultraviolet fluxes on microbial or viral air pollution.

A new direction in the construction of air sterilizers in ventilation systems is the use of powerful flash lamps to create broadband ultraviolet peaks. A powerful ultraviolet stream breaks the outer shells of microorganisms and biopolymers. In addition, ultraviolet activates the work of activators deposited on the surface of the filters, and cleaning of contaminants is more efficient. At the same time, the most dangerous pathogens and chemicals are destroyed.

A technical solution is known [14], in accordance with which a flash lamp, an ozone generator, and a water atomizer are placed in the ventilation system. The disadvantage of this system is the need for expensive operation associated with the replacement of water or its supply to the ventilation system. In addition, it should be borne in mind that tap water usually contains inorganic salts that will be sprayed onto the outer shell of the lamp and the surface of filters and reflectors, which will lead to a decrease in the level of ultraviolet radiation and, consequently, to a decrease in efficiency. Radiated ozone, which did not have time to react with water vapor, enters the room and its high level can have a negative effect on the human body.

A known US patent [15], which proposed a system of air purification in buildings. In this invention, pathogens are exposed to ozone or ultraviolet light. The system contains distributed ozone generators located inside the supply air ducts. To reduce ozone levels, ozone generators are placed at a considerable distance from each other, however, this does not eliminate the increased ozone content in the supply air, which limits the possibility of using the unit for disinfecting rooms in the presence of people.

In addition, such a system does not provide for the ability to control the intensity of processing of polluted air due to the difficulty of setting new parameters in devices located inside the boxes. The system is not equipped with sound and light annunciators, which make it possible to determine the occurrence of an emergency and as a result, it is rather difficult for the operator servicing the system to determine whether all ozone generators are operating in operating mode. This can lead to the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms from the environment in the event of an emergency.

The technical result, the achievement of which the invention is directed, includes increasing the functionality of the system due to the integrated solution of several technical problems. One task is to improve emergency notification and the system to provide audible and visual signals of a malfunction of system components. Another task is to ensure quick reconfiguration of equipment for different levels of danger, for example, with the threat of microbiological pollution of the environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The claimed technical result is achieved due to the fact that the system for disinfecting air in buildings contains many photocatalytic reactors for disinfecting air installed in ventilation ducts, where each reactor contains at least one flash lamp, a high-voltage pulse shaper, sensors, a fan, and optionally filter, in addition, the device includes a power source, capacitive storage, a microprocessor control and monitoring unit that processes sensor signals, miruet triggers flash lamp generates signals notifying the fault of the photocatalytic reactor, and to a microprocessor control unit connected to and controlling the first sound and the second light sirens.

List of figures

Figure 1. Structural diagram of a system for disinfecting air in buildings, with the removal of exhaust air from the building.

Figure 2. Block diagram of a photocatalytic reactor and a control and monitoring unit.

Description of the invention

Figure 1 shows one of the structural diagrams of a system for disinfecting air in buildings using pulsed ultraviolet radiation. This option includes, but does not limit other options for the location of the main system components.

Building 1 contains many living rooms or workrooms 2, at least on one floor 3. In the above embodiment, a ventilation scheme with a common air intake through the central unit 4 with the possibility of optional pre-conditioning with a heat exchanger 5 by heating, (for example, using a liquid heat exchanger associated with hot water) or cooling (for example, using a heat exchanger associated with the supply of chilled water or coolant when working with additional m fridge).

At the output of the central unit 4, the inlet air passes through an optional preliminary air purification, for example, using a central photocatalytic reactor 6 connected to a light 8 or sound siren 9 and / or at least one filter 7. Air enters each of the rooms 2 through a branch from the common ventilation channel 10. The photocatalytic reactor 12 for cleaning and disinfecting air is installed in the ventilation channel 10 with different placement options: a) one reactor in several rooms, b) dynes reactor for each space, c) in combination variants a) and b). Figure 1 shows the placement option when the photocatalytic reactor is installed according to option b). Exhaust air from the rooms is collected in the exhaust ventilation duct 11 and leaves the building through at least one outlet 13, using a natural or active (for example, using a fan) exhaust.

Figure 2 shows one of the structural diagrams of the photocatalytic reactor 12. The reactor 12 contains at least one flash lamp 16 and optionally a catalytic or passive filter 17. For example, titanium dioxide is used as the photocatalytic material.

A flash lamp 16 is connected to the first and second outputs of the high-voltage pulse former 18, the first input of the former 18 is connected to the first output of the power supply 19, the second output of which is connected to the capacitive storage unit 20, which charges the capacitor bank to a voltage of 1.0 kV. The second input of the shaper of high-voltage pulses 18 is connected to the first output of the microprocessor control and monitoring unit 21, the third input of the shaper 18 is connected to the output of the capacitive storage 20. A random access memory (RAM) 22 is connected to the first input of the control and monitoring unit 21, and the second input is connected reprogrammable memory 23 (ROM) for recording microprocessor control programs 21 in accordance with the selected mode of operation of the photocatalytic reactor 12. In addition to the third input At least one of the sensors located inside the photocatalytic reactor 12, which are selected from the group consisting of a temperature sensor 26, a sensor measuring light intensity 27, and a sensor of microprocessor control and monitoring unit 21 are optionally connected via corresponding nodes for signal matching 24 air velocity 29. The second output of the microprocessor control and monitoring unit 21 through the block 25 is connected to the fan 28. The third and fourth outputs of the microprocessor control and monitoring unit 21 are connected cheny respectively to the first sounder 14 and the first light siren sounder 15. The first audio signal 14 outputs a continuous or pulsed alarm signal, and the first LED 15 produces a continuous or pulsed light. In addition to the fourth input of the microprocessor control and monitoring unit 21, an interface board 31 is connected via bus 30, which serves to transmit and receive data from external devices. Moreover, the interface is configured to connect to its input a remote control that contains a microprocessor, a display 34 and a keyboard 35. The selected information containing the parameters of the photocatalytic reactor settings is received from the output of the remote control 32 through the interface to a common bus 30 of the microprocessor control and monitoring unit 21 which, upon request, generated by the microprocessor of the remote control 32, provides information on the operating time of the flash lamp and other parameters that determine the operability of the photocat alitic reactor.

The microprocessor control unit can be placed outside the working area of the duct 10, which houses the photocatalytic reactor 12.

The device operates as follows. After installing the photocatalytic reactor 12 in the ventilation duct 10, a unit is connected to it, which includes: a high-voltage pulse former 18, a power supply 19 and a capacitive storage 20, as well as a microprocessor control and monitoring unit 21. Then, its operation mode is selected based on the volume of the room and the power used at least one flash lamp 16 and the speed of the fan 28 and the efficiency of the disintegration of microorganisms. To set the air disinfection mode, a remote control 32 is connected to the socket 33, the operation mode of the microprocessor control and monitoring unit 21 is switched to receive commands from the remote control 32, parameters are entered that are converted by the microprocessor 21 and stored in ROM. The value of the set parameters is controlled using the display 34.

Using the remote control 32, it is possible to carry out prophylactic monitoring of the photocatalytic reactor 16. Before starting the reactor 12, the exact time value is entered using the remote control 32, which allows you to control the life of the flash lamps. The program of operation of the microprocessor 21 monitors the operating time of the flash lamps and issues a command to turn on the sound or light signals in cases where the operating time of the reactor exceeds the maximum permissible service life of the flash lamp 16.

In the process of operation of the photocatalytic reactor, the microprocessor control and control unit 21 generates control signals supplied to the input of the high-voltage pulse generator 25. In addition, the microprocessor control and control unit 21 converts the signals from the sensors, converts them into digital form, processes them according to the specified program, and generates a signal about the health or inoperability of the unit, produces an emergency shutdown of the photocatalytic reactor in case of violation of the work program s and forms a command to turn on the sound and light signals.

In the event of a threat of microbiological pollution of the environment, the operator using the remote control 32 sets new parameters for the operation of all reactors 12 located on all or selected floors of the building. The operator can increase the intensity of air disinfection in rooms at night, to conduct more efficient ventilation and remove those pathogens that accumulated in the room during the daytime, for example, in the emergency rooms of hospitals or clinics.

The design of photocatalytic reactors depends on the tasks involved in creating ventilation systems. The shape of the photocatalytic reactors may be predominantly cylindrical or square, or rectangular. The number and power of flash lamps is determined by the volume of the premises, the mode of operation and the quality parameters of the destruction of microorganisms, viruses, fungi and can be selected as a percentage of 80%, 90%, 95%, 100%.

The inner surfaces of photocatalytic reactors are predominantly in the form of a reflective surface. To this end, it is preferable to use polished aluminum in the form of sheets or polished aluminum deposited on a film with an adhesive surface.

When choosing lamps, preference is given to xenon flash lamps, which can generate a broadband ultraviolet spectrum in the range from 100-400 nm, preferably from 200-350 nm, more preferably from 205 to 315 nm with a frequency of from 0.1 to 100 bits per second. Preferably with a frequency of from 1 to 5 Hz. The frequency is determined when starting photocatalytic reactors depending on the power of the lamps, the volume of the room and the speed of the air flow.

Examples

The following are examples of the placement and interaction of system components for different versions of buildings or structures, which include, but are not limited to other options that can be developed based on knowledge known in the field of construction of ventilation systems and air conditioning and air disinfection systems.

Example 1. An example of a system in a multi-story building. The central block of external air intake 4 is located on the technical floor, which can be located in the lower (basement) or upper (under the roof) part of the building. The exhaust air through the duct system 11 is partially returned to the central unit 4, and the air entering the supply ventilation 10 consists of a mixture of external and recirculated air. The flow ratio between recirculation and supply air depends on the period of the year (winter-summer). To compensate for the supply air from the rooms of the bathrooms and the kitchen, a separate exhaust ventilation is provided. Air cooling in summer is carried out using water or freon air coolers, and air heating in winter is carried out using water or electric heaters. Photocatalytic reactors 12 are placed inside ventilation ducts 10, either one reactor for several rooms, or one reactor for each room. The microprocessor control and monitoring unit 21 can be placed next to the supply air inlet in which the photocatalytic reactor 12 is installed or next to the ventilation duct 10. A photocatalytic reactor 6 and a filter 7 can be installed in the central air intake unit as additional components that carry out preliminary air purification.

Example 2. An example of the floor placement of the system in a multi-story building. External air intake is carried out individually on each floor with the help of a ventilation unit equipped with filters for cleaning external air from dust. The supply air is distributed through the supply ducts 10 and enters the inlet of the photocatalytic reactors 12 located before the air enters the room. The microprocessor control and monitoring unit can be placed next to the ventilation inlet of the supply air, in which the photocatalytic reactor 12 is installed. Exhaust air is discharged outside the building on the opposite side of the air intake for supply ventilation. This arrangement of the system allows you to adjust the degree of air purification in low-visited auxiliary rooms or technical floors in comparison with work or residential premises.

The proposed technical solution allows its application to provide effective disinfection of indoor air, to ensure the safety of people in it.

Literature

1. Huffman F. Air filtration system. US Patent 6,849,107 (February 1, 2005).

2. Borodin I.V. et al. DEVICE FOR DESTRUCTION OF MICRO-ORGANISMS IN THE AIR. RF patent 2112031 (1998.05.27).

3. Fend F.B. Reducing odors with a germicidal lamp. US Patent Applic. 20030198568 (October 23, 2003).

4. Wen S.H. Apparatus and method for purifying air in a ventilation system. US Patent 6,673,137 (January 6, 2004).

5 Tillman Jr. Air purification unit. US Patent 6,783,578 (August 31, 2004).

6. Matschke A.I. Apparatus and method for germicidally cleaning air in a duct system. US Patent 6,022,511 (February 8, 2000).

7. Bigelow W. Air actinism chamber apparatus and method. US Patent 6,500,387 (December 31, 2002).

8. Reisfeld B. et al. Modular photocatalytic air purifier. US Patent Applic. 20040175304 (September 9, 2004).

9. Goswami D.Y. Photocatalytic air disinfection. US Patent 5,933,702 (August 3, 1999)

10. Lentz T.L. et al. System and method for controlling an ultraviolet air treatment device for return air duct applications. US Patent Applic. 20050118054 (June 2, 2005).

11. Doshi R. System and method for treating microorganisms within motor vehicle heating, ventilation, and air conditioning units. US Patent Applic, 20040141875 (July 22, 2004).

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15. Balkany Apparatus and method for treating air in a building. US Patent 5,752,878 (May 19, 1998)

Claims (13)

1. Device for disinfecting air in buildings, containing many photocatalytic reactors for disinfecting air installed in ventilation ducts, characterized in that the reactor contains at least one flash lamp that is connected to the first and second outputs of the high-voltage pulse shaper, the first input which is connected to the first output of the power source, the second output of the power source is connected to the input of the capacitive storage, the output of which is connected to the third input of the shaper high pulses, the second input of which is connected to the first output of the microprocessor control and monitoring unit, the second output of which is connected to the fan control unit, the third and fourth outputs of which are connected respectively to the first sound siren and second light siren, and the first and second inputs of the microprocessor control unit and control respectively connected to the RAM and ROM, and the fourth input of the microprocessor control and monitoring unit is connected via a common bus to the interface board, Rich interface is adapted to connect to the input of a remote console which includes a microprocessor, a display and a keyboard. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that as a flash lamp use a lamp that forms ultraviolet light in a wide frequency range, effective for the destruction of microorganisms. 3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that a xenon lamp is used as a lamp. 4. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that the frequency range lies in the range from 100 to 400 nm. 5. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that the frequency range lies in the range from 205 to 315 nm. 6. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the frequency of the lamp is in the range from 0.1 to 100 Hz. 7. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the frequency of the lamp is in the range from 1 to 5 Hz. 8. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises sensors, the outputs of which are connected via signal matching nodes to the third inputs of the microprocessor control and monitoring unit, while the sensors installed in the photocatalytic reactor are selected from the group consisting of: speed sensor air, light intensity sensor, temperature sensor, or combinations thereof. 9. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the working surface of the photocatalytic reactor is made in the form of a reflective surface. 10. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the photocatalytic reactor contains photocatalytic material. 11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the photocatalytic material is titanium dioxide. 12. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sirens of sound or light signals give a continuous or pulsating signal. 13. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the photocatalytic reactor is installed in the ventilation duct in front of each ventilated room and / or installed in the duct at the inlet of the central unit.

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