Environmental control device and a method of removing chemical species from an enclosed space
There is provided an environmental control device that increases one or more chemical species removal from an enclosed space. The environmental control device comprises a series of longitudinal cells that are arranged in a honeycomb formation, each having a first material positioned in a lower part and a second material positioned in an upper part of each cell. The longitudinal cells are angled by their bases on a support structure, and thus, when the environmental control device is turned vertically and hung, the angling of the longitudinal cells is directed in an upward direction from a ground. This upward angling of the cells prevents the one or more chemical species that accumulate in each of the cells from contacting a water-vapor transmissible, liquid water-impermeable material that overlays the top of the longitudinal cells.
1 . A control device, comprising:
a plurality of cells, wherein each cell of the plurality of cells comprises a closed base and an open upper end, wherein each cell is surrounded by adjacent cells, wherein each cell comprises a hexagonal cross-sectional shape, and wherein the plurality of cells form a honeycomb structure;
a first material placed within an interior lower portion of each cell;
a second material placed within an interior upper portion of each cell;
a planar support base configured to receive the plurality of cells; and
a layer of a third material sealing the open upper end of each cell,
wherein the first material comprises at least one of a sponge, a water pond filter, and a large particle water filter,
wherein the second material comprises at least one of a calcium chloride, a powdered iron, and a molecular sieve, and
wherein the third material comprises at least one of: an air permeable membrane, and a water vapor-transmissible and liquid water-impermeable material that comprises a Tyvek material.
2 . The control device of claim 1 , wherein each cell is angled between 50 degrees and 75 degrees relative to the planar support base.
3 . The control device of claim 1 , further comprises:
an extension portion connected to the planar support base, wherein the extension portion comprises a hanging component configured to suspend the control device with the plurality of cells angled upward.
4 . The control device of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the planar support base and the plurality of cells are made from a polymer selected from polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate.
5 . The control device of claim 1 , wherein each cell of the plurality of cells is formed from a plastic sheet using a thermoforming technique.
6 . The control device of claim 1 , wherein the lower portion of each cell comprises three-quarters of a total length of the cell, and the upper portion of each cell comprises one-quarter of the total length of the cell.
7 . The control device of claim 1 , wherein each cell comprises at least one of: a flat base, a rounded base, and an angled base.
8 . A method of controlling an environment of an enclosed space, comprising:
providing a control device comprising:
a plurality of cells, each cell comprises a closed base, an open upper end, a first material in an interior lower portion of each cell, a second material in an interior upper portion of each cell, a planar support base supporting the plurality of cells, and a layer of a third material sealing the open upper end of each cell, wherein each cell is surrounded by adjacent cells, wherein each cell comprises a hexagonal cross-sectional shape, and wherein the plurality of cells form a honeycomb structure, wherein the first material comprises at least one of a sponge, a water pond filter, and a large particle water filter, wherein the second material comprises at least one of a calcium chloride, a powdered iron, and a molecular sieve, and wherein the third material comprises at least one of: an air permeable membrane, and a water vapor-transmissible and liquid water-impermeable material that comprises a Tyvek material;
placing the control device in the enclosed space;
exposing the control device to one or more chemical species present in the environment of the enclosed space; and
collecting the one or more chemical species within the control device when the one or more chemical species interact with the control device.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the one or more chemical species comprises at least one of water vapor, oxygen, and ethylene.
10 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
suspending the control device in a vertical orientation using a hanging component attached to the planar support base.
11 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
removing the layer of the third material, the second material, and the first material from the open upper end of each cell after the cell has fully absorbed the one or more chemical species;
drying and cleaning the removed first material;
refilling each cell with a fresh second material and the dried and cleaned first material; and
resealing the open upper end of each cell with a new layer of the third material.
12 . The method of claim 8 , wherein each cell is angled between 50 degrees and 75 degrees relative to the planar support base during the placement in the enclosed space.
13 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the enclosed space comprises at least one of a shipping container, a storage room, a bathroom, a basement, a crawl space, and a vehicle interior.
14 . A hanging device, comprising;
a series of longitudinal cells, wherein each longitudinal cell comprises a closed base, an open upper end, and an enclosed shaft extending from the closed base to the open upper end, wherein each cell of the serious of longitudinal cells comprises a hexagonal cross-sectional shape, wherein the series of longitudinal cells are connected along exterior surfaces to form a honeycomb formation, and wherein each longitudinal cell is positioned with the closed base secured to a planar support base at an angle from about 50 degrees to about 75 degrees relative to the planar support base;
a first material placed within an interior lower portion of each cell;
a second material placed within an interior upper portion of each cell;
a layer of a third material sealing the open upper end of each cell; and
an extension portion connected to the planar support base, wherein the extension portion comprises a hanging component configured to suspend the hanging device in a vertical orientation with the series of longitudinal cells angled upward;
wherein the first material comprises at least one of a sponge, a water pond filter, and a large particle water filter,
wherein the second material comprises at least one of a calcium chloride, a powdered iron, and a molecular sieve, and
wherein the third material comprises at least one of: an air permeable membrane, and a water vapor-transmissible and liquid water-impermeable material that comprises a Tyvek material.