Ambient Air Purifier with Humidification and Dehumidification

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         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.