Ambient Air Purifier with Humidification and Dehumidification
Indoor air is purified using a purifying solution in an arrangement capable of removing formaldehyde and other pollutants, such as, for example, particulates. The arrangement can prevent re-vaporization of volatile compounds and can generate air that has been humidified or dehumidified. In one approach, incoming air is contacted with the purifying solution in a packed bed.
1 . A system for purifying indoor air, the system comprising:
a packed column for contacting an incoming air stream with a purifying solution to produce an outgoing air stream;
one or more devices for cooling or maintaining the incoming air stream, the purifying solution, the outgoing air stream or any combination thereof to or at a temperature at which the vapor pollutants are in a liquid phase;
an optional filter for removing particulates entrained in the outgoing air stream; and
an apparatus for adding water vapors to the outgoing air stream to produce a purified. air exhaust that is humidified.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus for adding water vapors to the outgoing air includes a humidifying solution reservoir and a vaporizer.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the packed column receives the incoming air stream and the purifying solution in a countercurrent arrangement.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the packed column receives the incoming air stream at the bottom of the column and the purifying solution at the top or the column.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the packed column is lit by LED lighting.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the packed column contains a packing material providing one or more additives, or wherein the packed column is in fluid communication with an auxiliary reservoir containing one or more additives or both.
7 . An arrangement comprising the system of claim 1 coupled with a unit for testing the quality of ambient indoors air.
8 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising sensors and controls for automated operation.
9 . A system for purifying indoor air, the system comprising:
a purifying solution;
at least one device for cooling or maintaining one or more of an incoming air stream, an outgoing air stream, or the purifying solution to or at a temperature at which vapor pollutants are in a liquid phase;
an optional filter for removing particulates entrained in the outgoing air stream; and
an apparatus for adding water vapors to the outgoing air stream to produce a purified air exhaust that is humidified.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the at least one cooling device is a condenser cooled by a Peltier device.
11 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the purifying solution is held in a purifying solution reservoir and the apparatus for adding water vapors to the outgoing air stream includes a humidifying solution reservoir and a vaporizer.
12 . The apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising an auxiliary reservoir.
13 . An arrangement, including:
a system for purifying indoor air, the system comprising:
a purifying solution,
at least one device for cooling or maintaining one or more of an incoming air stream, an outgoing air stream, or the purifying solution to or at a temperature at which vapor pollutants are in a liquid phase,
an optional filter for removing particulates entrained in the outgoing air stream, and
an apparatus for adding water vapors to the outgoing air stream to produce a purified air exhaust that is humidified; and
a unit for testing the quality of ambient indoors air which is coupled to the system.
14 . The arrangment of claim 13 , wherein the at least one cooling device is a condenser cooled by a Peltier device.