Systems, apparatus and methods for purifying air
Systems, apparatus and methods for disinfection of airflow. An apparatus for disinfecting air-conditioned airflow in a confined space includes: a modular housing; and a disinfection chamber enclosed within the housing. The disinfection chamber includes a plurality of disinfection sheets. Each disinfection sheet comprises a plurality of ultraviolet (UV) light sources. The airflow is configured to be routed along a serpentine pathway within the housing to expose microorganisms in the airflow to far UV-C light emitted by the UV light sources for an extended and optimal duration.
1. A process for disinfecting airflow in an airplane, comprising:
transferring cooled/heated atmospheric air and cabin air to an air mixing unit;
routing air from the air mixing unit to a HEPA filter for filtration;
connecting a disinfecting apparatus to the filter, wherein the apparatus comprises:
a modular housing comprising:
a disinfecting chamber, wherein the disinfecting chamber includes a plurality of disinfection layers, each disinfection layer comprising a plurality of tubular ultraviolet (UV) light sources;
directing the filtered air from the filter to the apparatus;
routing the filtered air along a serpentine pathway over each of the plurality of layers; and
exposing microorganisms in the filtered air to far UV-C/UV-C light emitted by the plurality of tubular ultraviolet (UV) light sources,
wherein the filtered and disinfected air is routed directly from the disinfecting apparatus to a cabin in the airplane.
2. The process according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is positioned inline with the air mixing unit.
3. The process according to claim 1 , further comprising:
totally discarding used air from the cabin outside the airplane using a bi-directional valve,
wherein the bi-directional valve is set to an open position.
4. The process according to claim 3 , wherein the bi-directional valve is set to an open position upon the condition that cabin pressure is maintained at a pre-determined level.