US 8,496,735 B2 · Method and apparatus for control and elimination of undesirable substances

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for reducing or eliminating undesirable air-borne substances, such as odors, bacteria, viruses, fungi, and toxins, are provided. A filter containing nanocrystalline metal oxide or metal hydroxide particles may be installed within an air handling apparatus such as an existing HVAC unit located within a building, and particularly within a home, or a portable air processor or purifier. The air handling apparatus comprises a blower which pulls air containing various undesirable substances from within the enclosed environment and directs it through a filtering device containing the nanocrystalline particles. The undesirable substances are sorbed by the nanocrystalline particles thereby creating a deodorized stream of air that may then be directed back into various portions of the enclosed environment or vented to the atmosphere.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system for controlling and eliminating undesirable substances in an enclosed environment comprising:

an air handling apparatus including a blower which acts as a motive force for the flow of air within the enclosed environment;
and
an air filtration cartridge positioned so as to come into contact with the flow of air caused by said air handling apparatus,
said filtration cartridge comprising a filter media, said filter media consisting essentially of:
(a) nanocrystalline particles consisting of metal oxides or metal hydroxides capable of removing one or more undesirable substances from the air flowing through said air handling apparatus,
(b) one or more fibers selected from the group consisting of cellulose fibers, cotton fibers, wool fibers, polyethylene fibers, polypropylene fibers, polyester fibers, polyimide fibers, and glass fibers, and
(c) optionally activated carbon.

4 more elements

A method of controlling and eliminating undesirable substances from within an enclosed environment using an air handling apparatus including a blower which acts as a motive force for the flow of air within the enclosed environment being located within the enclosed environment, said method comprising the steps of:

providing an air filtration cartridge positioned so as to come into contact with the air flow generated by said air handling apparatus,
said filtration cartridge comprising a filter media, said filter media consisting essentially of:
(a) nanocrystalline particles consisting of metal oxides or metal hydroxides capable of removing at least one undesirable substance from the air flowing through said air handling apparatus,
(b) one or more fibers selected from the group consisting of cellulose fibers, cotton fibers, wool fibers, polyethylene fibers, polypropylene fibers, polyester fibers, polyimide fibers, and glass fibers, and
(c) optionally activated carbon;
and
using said blower to direct air containing said at least one undesirable substance through said filtration cartridge in order to remove at least a portion of said at least one undesirable substance from the air thereby producing a flow of purified air.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for control and elimination of undesirable substances

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for control and elimination of undesirable substances

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20