GB2526571A

GB2526571A - Deodorising device

Info

Publication number: GB2526571A
Application number: GB1409436.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Frank Kvasnik
Original assignee: HYDRO X WATER TREAT Ltd
Current assignee: HYDRO X WATER TREAT Ltd
Priority date: 2014-05-28
Filing date: 2014-05-28
Publication date: 2015-12-02
Also published as: GB201409436D0

Abstract

A deodorising device 10 for deodorising air; the device comprising: a housing defining an inlet chamber 22; an ozone generator 26 in fluid flow communication with the inlet chamber 22: and an electrostatic filter (50) arrangement downstream of the inlet chamber; wherein the ozone generator and filter are configured such that, in operation, the filter reduces the ozone concentration in the air from more than 0.1 ppm entering the filter to 0.1 ppm or less exiting the filter. The device may further comprise optional features such as a fan 28 , internal or external ozone concentration sensors and filter maintenance sensors. The device may further comprise an outlet chamber 24, optionally arranged vertically to or above the inlet chamber. The device may further comprise a lid (21), which optionally includes an interlock to disable the device if the lid or filter is removed. The ozone generator may be a corona discharge generator.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Application No. GB1409436.1 RTTVT Date:4 November 20t4 The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Zigbee Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.govuk Deod orising device

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a deodorising device. Particularly, but not exclusively, it relates to a device for use in an institutional or commercial setting, such as hospitals and &derly care homes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of ozone to remove odours from air within buildings is known, This is due to the third oxygen atom present in ozone detaching and reacting with the odour tO generating compounds in air, However, high concentrations of ozone are considered harmful to health if inhaled, so limits ranging between 0.05 and 0.iOppm (parts per million) have been recommended as atmospheric limits safe for human exposure.

For an ozone generator to be effective in removing odours, it requires a greater concentration of ozone to be generated than is suitable for prolonged human exposure.

One approach to generating sufficient ozone is to use a corona discharge device.

However, previous devices using this approach have either been insufficiently powered to effectively deodorise, or have faced problems with emitting excess ozone, The present invention seeks to overcome or at least mitigate the problems of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the invention provides a deodorising device for deodorising air; the device comprising: a. a housing defining an inlet chamber; b. an ozone generator in fluid flow communication with the inlet chamber; and an electrostatic filter arrangement downstream of the inlet chamber; wherein the ozone generator, and filter are configured such that, in operation, the filter is required to reduce the ozone concentration in the air from more than 0.1 ppm entering the filter to 0. lppm or less exiting the filter. Advantageously, this ensures effective deodorisation, but safe exhaust gas from device The device may further comprise a fan arrangement located within the device.

The device may optionally comprise an outlet chamber.

The electrostatic filter may be downstream of the outlet chamber.

The fan arrangement may be arranged to move air from the inlet chamber to the outlet chamber.

In an embodiment, the outlet chamber and inlet chamber arranged vertically.

Advantageously this provides a compact layout.

The outlet chamber may be above the inlet chamber.

The filter arrangement may comprise a sheet of filter material, which advantageously may permit easy fitting/removal.

The device may comprise a guide such that the sheet may be slid into position for fitting and removal to further ease fitting and removal.

The sheet may be slid in a direction substantially transverse to a direction of air flow through the filter, which may advantageously provide a secure mounting arrangemenfl The sheet is preferably arranged to be substantially upright.

The filter arrangement preferably encircles the outlet chamber. This advantageously provides a high surface area in compact arrangement.

More preferably, the filter arrangement comprises four sheets of filter material, each defining a face of the device. This has been found to be particularly space efficient.

There further may comprise a second filter arrangement to filter air entering the inlet chamber. Advantageously this filters out particles before entering device to minimise contaminants entering inlet and outlet chambers.

The second filter arrangement preferably comprises the same filter sheet or sheets as the filter arrangement. Advantageously this may fhrther enhance ease of maintenance.

The device may further comprising a lid or cover, wherein the device is configured such that the filter arrangement may only be removed upon removal of the lid or cover. Advantageously, this helps prevent accidental or unauthorised removal of the filter arrangement.

The device optionally further comprises an interlock to disable operation of the device if the filter arrangement is sensed as not being present. Advantageously, this improves safety by preventing operation when excess ozone may escape.

The device may further comprise an interlock to disable operation of the device if the lid or cover is sensed as not being present. Advantageously this may improve safety by preventing operation when excess ozone may escape.

The device may frirther comprise a sensor to detect the need for maintenance on the filter. Advantageously this may further improve safety by preventing operation when excess ozone may escape, and ensures device is operating efficiently.

The device may further comprise an ozone sensor located within the inlet or outlet chamber. Advantageously this ensures device is generating ozone in use and therefore is deodorising as expected.

The device may further comprise an ozone sensor located outside the device. This may improve safety by detecting if device is not functioning to as expected, to prevent ozone escaping.

In operation, air flow through the device may be controlled to assist in reducing the concentration of ozone to 0. lppm of or less exiting the filter.

The filter assembly may comprise at least one high air flow (HAF) filter.

Advantageously such filters are effective at removing particulates and causing ozone to decompose with a minimal pressure drop across filter.

The ozone generator is preferably a corona discharge ozone generator.

Advantageously this is an efficient mechanism for generating ozone.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a method of generating ozone to deodorise air; comprising the steps of a. generating ozone within the housing of a device, the concentration of ozone being greater than 0.1 ppm within the housing; b.

passing the air and ozone through an electrostatic filter arrangement of the device to reduce the ozone concentration in the air from more than 0. Ippm entering the filter to 0.1 ppm or less exiting the filter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a simplified cutaway isometric view of a deodori sing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a detail view illustrating a filter support of the device of figure 1; Figure 3 is a detail view of an ozone generator of the device of figure 1; Figure 4 is an electrical circuit diagram of the device of figure 1; and FigureS is an isometric view of a fully assembled device of figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODiMENT(S)

With reference to Figure 1, a deodorising device 10 that is able to deodorise air within an enclosed space by generating of ozone (03) according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in a partially cut-away state.

The device 10 is generally cuboid in shape, being constructed from four upright corner frame members 12 (three shown in Figure 1), joined at their top and bottom by four horizontal top frame members 14 (two visible in Figure 1) and four horizontal boftom members 16(two visible in Figure).

S

The frame members 12, 14, 16 are secured together, e.g. by use of bolts or other suitable fasteners, or by spot welding to form the structure of the device 10. In other embodiments adhesive or other connecting methods may be used.

In this embodiment the frame members 12, 14, and 16 support a bortom shelf member 18 and a middle shelf member 20. The bottom and middle shelf members extend across the full area of the device and serve to divide it into an inlet chamber 22 and an outlet chamber 24 of broadly equal volume (although this need not be the case in other embodiments). Referring to Figure 5, the device also further comprises a lid 21 arranged to fit over the top of the device.

The bottom shelf 18 supports an ozone generating unit 26, discussed in more detail below. Additionally mounted to the underside of the bottom shelf and shown in broken lines is a box housing a control system 64 for the device 10, also discussed in more detail below.

The middle shelf 20, in this embodiment, mounts the three electrically powered axial IS flow fans 28. The fans 28 are configured so as to draw air from the inlet chamber 22 into the outlet chamber 24 and represent substantially the only path for air to pass between the two zones.

With reference to Figure 1 in conjunction with Figure 2, it can be seen that each upright frame member 12 has an additional angled plate assembly mounted to the corner thereof and arranged to act as a filter support 30, Two filter supports 30 are visible in Figure 1, but four are provided on the device, one at each corner.

With reference to Figure 2, it can be seen that the filter support 30 is constructed from two angle section portions formed from aluminium or other suitable metallic, plastics or other material. In this embodiment, the support 30 comprises a first angle section 32 comprising a web 37 and flange 38. The web 37 is intended for attachment to the upright frame member 12 by spot welds 34 at suitable intervals, The support further comprises a second angle portion 36 mounted at 90° to a flange 38 of the first portion 32 such that a free end of the flange abuts the corner between a flange 40 of the second angled portion and a web 42 thereof Again, spot welds 44 are used at suitable intervals to secure together the first and second angle portions 32 and 36. The flanges and webs of the two portions are dimensioned so as to define a first U-shaped recess 46 for receiving one edge of a filter, and together with the upright frame member 12 (shown in broken lines in Figure 2) to define a second U-shaped recess 48 for a second filter to be arranged at 9Q0 to the first, Thus, when such filter supports 30 are mounted to each corner of the unit, suitably dimensioned filters 50 (see Figure 5) may be slid downwardly from above to be arranged against each vertical face of the unit 10 and held in place.

With reference to Figures 1 and 3, the construction of the ozone generating unit 26 is shown in more detail. The unit 26 comprises an ozone generator 52, which in this embodiment operates using a corona discharge principle. Suitable generators include those manufactured by Sihon Electronics Co. Limited of Anhui, China, for example those in the SOG-LCP range, such as the SOG-LCP 100 MG. The generator 52 comprises a transformer 53 housed within a pressed steel box, which in this embodiment is formed from an upper and lower U-shaped profile 54 and 56. The upper profile 54 has a corona discharge plate 60 of the ozone generator 52 is mounted thereon and connected to the transformer 53. The lower U-shaped profile 56 has mounting holes to mount the transfoimer 53 thereto and apertures 62 on the right wails thereof through which the power supply cables of the ozone generator 52 may pass. The entire unit 26 is releasably secured to the bottom shelf 18 of the device 10.

With reference now to Figure 4 which illustrates the control system 64 of the device to, in a schematic form, It can be seen that in this embodiment only a relatively simple control system is required for safe operation. A control box 25 of the system 64 comprises a ifised mains inlet 66 which incorporates an on/off switch. This feeds power to a junction box 68 on the lower shelf 18, which is in turn connected to the ozone generating unit 26 and to a second junction box 70 on the middle shelf 20, which in turn supplies power to the fans 28.

Additionally, the first junction box 70 is connected to four interlock switches 72 arranged in series to detect the presence of filters within each of the filter mounting locations and to cause the unit to switch off if any one of those filters is not present. A further interlock switch 74 is provided to detect the presence of the lid 21 and also switch off the device 20 if this is removed. Finally, the control system is suitably earthed on the control box 25, lower shelf 18 and middle shelf 20 to guard against the build-up of static electricity.

Figure 5 illustrates the fully assembled device 10 in this embodiment. It can be seen that suitable handles 76 are provided on the lid 21 for removal of the lid to enable the filters to be removed arid replaced as required, and to gain access to the interior of the device for inspection and maintenance purposes. The device may be mounted on suitable castor-type wheels (not shown) to enable it to be moved easily.

In this embodiment, the filter media is a high air flow (HAF) type air filter of the type supplied by 3M of Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. Filters of this type offer low air flow resistance, but have a micro-stmcture and electro-static charge that nevertheless are effective at retaining micron level particulates. Since the ozone generator also has the effect of charging particulate matter in the air, this may further enhance the ability of the filter to electro-statically capture such particulates, In addition, the filters have the ability to accelerate the decomposition of ozone to standard oxygen molecules, so as to lower the risk of ozone being expelled from the device into the atmosphere outside.

In this embodiment, 20mm thick panels of filter material 50 are used. Whilst the filter media is self-supporting, it is preferred that it is secured to a metallic mesh material 78 to protect the media from impact whilst the device is in use. However, the mesh is selected to be suitably open so as not to significantly impede air flow through the filters 50.

In operation, when the device is powered and switched on, the ozone generator 52 starts operation and the fans 28 commence the generation of air flow through the device, Air is sucked through the lower half of the filters 50 into the inlet chamber 22 of the device thus, a certain proportion of particulate matter in the ambient air may be removed before it enters the inlet chamber 22 which minimises the internal cleaning of the device that will be needed. The ozone generator 52 will convert a proportion of the oxygen in the air within chamber 22 into ozone, thereby commencing the deodorising process. The air and ozone then passes through the fans 28, generating a turbulent flow to enhance the mixing thereof within the outlet chamber 24. The ozone reacts by an oxidation process with the volatile organic compounds and/or free radicals in the air, which are the cause of unpleasant odours, and the air is then forced out via the upper portions of the filters 50. The filters capture a significant proportion of the reacted particulates and excess ozone is caused to decompose such that the air expelled from the device 10 is substantially deodorised and has ozone at a sufficiently low level (less or equal to 0. ippm) not to pose a risk to human and animal health.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the cuboid design of the device described above in which multiple faces are provided with filter media thereon provides a unit which is on the one hand compact for its given deodori sing capability, but is nevertheless effective in view of the high filter surface area for the given volume. This in turn enables lower power and quieter fans to be used to force air through the unit since the pressure drop across the filters is relatively low. In addition, the above described layout enables the filter media, which represent the parts requiring most regular maintenance, to be quickly and easily replaced once clogged with particulates. Additionally, the device is designed to be inherently safe, in view of the provision of interlocks to ensure that the filter media in the lid are in place before the device will operate.

Although the invention has been described above with reference to one or more preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that various changes or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims, For example, the size of the unit may be scaled up arid down so as to be sized for the particular environment to which it is intended to be used, and the number and size of fans and the output of the ozone generator may be adjusted accordingly. Additionally, the device may be altered such that fewer than four faces of the device are provided with filter media or not the entirety of each face is formed from filter media. Conversely, the lid and/or base may also be constructed at least partially with filter media, The shape of the device may be altered to, for example, be triangular, hexagonal or other numbers of faces. The direction of airflow may be top to bottom instead of bottom to top, The chambers may be arranged side-by-side instead of with one above the other. The device may be adapted for fitting in ventilation ducting, In this instance the device may not require forced air flow of its own, but instead rely on fan(s) or other forms of airflow generator provided elsewhere in the ventilation system to force air through the filters and to come into contact with ozone. The control unit may nevertheless be configured to control the rate of airflow generated by the airflow generator.

Different types of filter media may be used, such as high-efficiency particle absorption (FIEPA) filters. The device may be configured so that the filter media may be replaced by being slid in horizontally in a direction transverse or parallel to the air flow direction, upwardly, or in a pivoting motion, for example. The inlet and outlet filters may be separate and replaceable independently from each other.

The unit may be provided with additional sensors to further ensure the safe and reliable operation thereof For example, pressure or air flow sensors may be provided to indicate when the filter media is clogged with material and therefore requires changing. Ozone sensors may be provided either within the unit or for placement within the room in which the unit is to be operated to ensure the ozone generator is generating ozone as expected and/or to ensure that ozone within the room itself is at a safe level. The control unit may be programmed to alter the rate of generation of ozone, and/or the rate of air flow generated by the fans based upon the ozone levels being sensed and or the pressure/air flow sensors to optimise the operation of the device for particular operating conditions. Further, the control unit may be provided with a communication and reporting module such that the operating parameters of the device may be transmitted to a remote location. For example, the device may be provided with a cellular telecommunications module operable using a suitable protocol such as GPRS, UIMTS or LTE to remotely transmit such data using radio communications, Further, or alternatively the device may communicate using a local or wide area network communication protocol, either using a built in Wi-Fi transmitter using the Zigbee or 802,1 ib, g, n or ac standard or a cabled LAN connection. Such remote communications may enable a service provider to install such a device remotely within, for example, a hospital or care home and only go on site to maintain the device as required (e.g. by replacing filters). Such remote reporting may enable such a service provider to monitor the level of usage of the device, and charge for rental for example on this basis.

Claims

Claims I A deodorising device for deodorising air; the device comprising: a. A housing defining an inlet chamber; b. An ozone generator in fluid flow communication with the inlet chamber; and c, An electrostatic filter arrangement downstream of the inlet chamber; wherein the ozone generator, and filter are configured such that, in operation, the filter is required to reduce the ozone concentration in the air from more than 0. Ippm entering the filter to 0. lppm or less exiting the filter.
2. A deodorising device according to claim 1 further comprising a fan arrangement located within the device.
3, A deodorising device according to claim I or claim 2 wherein the device further comprises an outlet chamber.
4. A deodorising device according to claim 3 wherein the electrostatic filter is downstream of the outlet chamber.
5. A deodorising device according to claim 3 when dependent upon claim 2, or claim 4 wherein the fan arrangement is arranged to move air from the inlet chamber to the outlet chamber.
6. A deodorising device according to any one of claims 3 to 5 wherein the outlet chamber and inlet chamber are arranged vertically.
7. A deodorising device according to claim 6 wherein the outlet chamber is above the inlet chamber.
8. A deodorising device according to any preceding claim wherein the filter arrangement comprises a sheet of filter material. 1]
9. A deodorising device according to claim 8 wherein the device comprises a guide such that the sheet may be slid into position for fitting and removal.
10. A deodorising device according to claim 9 in which the sheet may be slid in a direction substantially transverse to a direction of air flow through the filter.
ii. A deodorising device according to any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein the sheet is arranged to be substantially upright.
12. A deodorising device according to any preceding claim wherein the filter arrangement encircles the outlet chamber.
13. A deodorising device according to claim 12 wherein the filter arrangement comprises four sheets of filter material, each defining a face of the device.
14. A deodorising device according to any preceding claim wherein there further comprises a second filter arrangement to filter air entering the inlet chamber.
15, A deodorising device according to claim 14 when dependent upon any one of claims 8 to 13 wherein the second filter arrangement comprises the same filter sheet or sheets as the filter arrangement.
16. A deodorising device according to any preceding claim further comprising a lid or cover, wherein the device is configured such that the filter arrangement may only be removed upon removal of the lid or cover.
17. A deodorising device according to any preceding claim further comprising an interlock to disable operation of the device if the filter arrangement is sensed as not being present.
18. A deodorising device according to claim 16 further comprising an interlock to disable operation of the device if the lid or cover is sensed as not being present.
19. A deodorising device according to any preceding claim further comprising a sensor to detect the need for maintenance on the filter.
20. A deodorising device according to any preceding claim further comprising an ozone sensor located within the inlet or outlet chamber.
21. A deodorising device according to any preceding claim further comprising an ozone sensor located outside the device.
22. A deodorising device according to any preceding claim wherein in operation, air flow through the device is controlled to assist in reducing the concentration of ozone to 0.1 ppm of or less exiting the filter.
23. A deodorising device according to any preceding daim wherein the filter assembly comprises at least one high air flow (HAF) filter.
24. A deodorising device according to any preceding claim wherein the ozone generator is a corona discharge ozone generator.
25, A method of generating ozone to deodorise air; comprising the steps of a. generating ozone within the housing of a device, the concentration of ozone being greater than 0. lppm within the housing; b. passing the air and ozone through an electrostatic filter arrangement of the device to reduce the ozone concentration in the air from more than 0. Ippm entering the filter to 0. Ippm or less exiting the filter.
26. A deodorising device or method substantially as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to the accompanying drawings.