Filtration device using absorption for the removal of gas phase contaminants

A cabin air filtration system for removing unwanted gases comprising:

• a cavity;
• a liquid reservoir;
• a gas absorbing liquid within the reservoir;
• an air flow path through the cavity;
• an internally wicking fibrous material having a plurality of elongated strands which are aligned to define a mesh within the cavity, said strands each having a hollow internal region extending longitudinally along said strand connected to an outer surface through at least one radial opening extending longitudinally along said strand, said hollow internal region transferring said gas absorbing liquid along a path transverse to the air flow path within the cavity to move liquid from the reservoir into the air flow path without significantly restricting the air flow path as unwanted gases are absorbed by said gas absorbing liquid after passing through said radial openings;
• and
• means for circulating air from a cabin through the mesh in the cavity along the air flow path and back into the cabin.

A cabin air filtration system comprising:

• a cavity;
• an air flow path through the cavity;
• a liquid inlet into the cavity;
• a liquid outlet from the cavity;
• an internally wicking fibrous material having a plurality of elongated strands which are aligned to define a mesh within the cavity, said strands each having a hollow internal region extending longitudinally along said strand connected to an outer surface through at least one longitudinal slot extending longitudinally along said strand, said hollow internal region transferring liquid from the inlet to the outlet without wetting said outer surface;
• means for supplying an air-borne material absorbing liquid to the inlet;
• means for conveying the air-borne material absorbing liquid and any absorbed materials therein from the liquid outlet;
• and
• means for freely circulating air from a cabin, through the cavity along the air flow path and back into the cabin without appreciable adsorption of air-borne material on said mesh, said air-borne material absorbing liquid absorbing of air-borne material communicated through said slot such that circulated air returned to said cabin is essentially free of said air-borne material.

Apparatus for removing molecules from a fluid stream comprising:

• a plurality of elongated fibers each having a longitudinally extending hollow internal cavity including an opening extending longitudinally along said fiber from the internal cavity to the outer fiber surface;
• a liquid which can absorb the molecules disposed within the internal cavities of said plurality of elongated fibers;
• a flow path for the fluid stream, containing the molecules to be removed, directed over a portion of said plurality of elongated fibers whereby the molecules to be removed are absorbed by said liquid;
• means for directing said fluid stream along said flow path and,
• removing means for removing the absorbed molecules from said liquid at a position on said plurality of elongated fibers displaced from said flow path.