Modular, high-throughput air treatment system

Abstract

Air treatment modules, systems and methods for removing contaminants from indoor air are provided. Device embodiments may include one or more air inlets, one or more air outlets and a plurality of inserts which each include at least one adsorbent material. The inserts may be arranged separate from each other to form a plurality of substantially parallel air flow paths between the one or more air inlets and one or more air outlets. The adsorbent material may be arranged for regeneration within the air treatment module using thermal swing desorption and/or pressure swing desorption. Related systems, methods and articles of manufacture are also described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An air treatment module for removing contaminants from indoor air, the module comprising:
 one or more air inlets;   one or more air outlets; and   a plurality of inserts which each include at least one adsorbent material and are arranged separate from each other to form a plurality of substantially parallel air flow paths between the one or more air inlets and one or more air outlets,
 wherein the at least one adsorbent material is arranged for regeneration within the air treatment module using at least one of thermal swing desorption and pressure swing desorption. 
   
     
     
         2 . The air treatment module of  claim 1 , further comprising a support frame having one or more structural support members for supporting the plurality of inserts, wherein:
 the one or more air inlets and one or more air outlets are formed by the support frame and the plurality of inserts.   
     
     
         3 . The air treatment module of  claim 1 , wherein the air treatment module is configured for incorporation within a heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning system. 
     
     
         4 . The air treatment module of  claim 3 , further comprising one or more valves configured to control the amount of indoor air flowing between the air treatment module and the heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning system. 
     
     
         5 . The air treatment module of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of inserts are positioned within the support frame at an angle relative to the plurality of substantially parallel air flow paths between the one or more air inlets and one or more air outlets. 
     
     
         6 . The air treatment module of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more air inlets and one or more air outlets are offset from each other to force air flowing between the one or more air inlets and one or more air outlets to flow through the at least one adsorbent material. 
     
     
         7 . The air treatment module of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one adsorbent material is selected from the group consisting of zeolite, activated charcoal, silica gel, porous alumina and metal-organic-framework materials. 
     
     
         8 . The air treatment module of  claim 2 , wherein
 the support frame includes an inlet side and an outlet side; and   the one or more air inlets are formed in the inlet side and the one or more air outlets are formed in the outlet side.   
     
     
         9 . The air treatment module of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more air inlets and the one or more air outlets are formed adjacent to each other along one side of the support frame. 
     
     
         10 . The air treatment module of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one adsorbent material removes carbon dioxide or volatile organic compounds from the indoor air. 
     
     
         11 . An air treatment system for removing contaminants from indoor air, the system comprising:
 a plurality of air treatment modules, each air treatment module having:
 one or more air inlets; 
 one or more air outlets; and 
 one or more inserts which each include at least one adsorbent material, the at least one adsorbent material being arranged for regeneration within each of the plurality of air treatment modules using at least one of thermal swing desorption and pressure swing desorption, 
   wherein the plurality of air treatment modules are aligned adjacent to each other and in communication with a common inlet plenum and a common outlet plenum and the one or more inserts of the plurality of adjacent air treatment modules form a plurality of substantially parallel air flow paths between the one or more air inlets and one or more air outlets.   
     
     
         12 . The air treatment system of  claim 11 , further comprising a support frame having one or more structural support members for supporting the plurality of inserts, wherein:
 the one or more air inlets and one or more air outlets are formed by the support frame and the one or more inserts.   
     
     
         13 . The air treatment system of  claim 11 , wherein the air treatment system is configured for incorporation within a heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning system. 
     
     
         14 . The air treatment system of  claim 13 , further comprising one or more valves configured to control the amount of indoor air flowing between the air treatment system and the heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning system. 
     
     
         15 . The air treatment system of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more inserts are positioned within one or more of the plurality of air treatment modules at an angle relative to the plurality of substantially parallel air flow paths between the one or more air inlets and one or more air outlets. 
     
     
         16 . The air treatment system of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more air inlets and one or more air outlets are offset from each other to force air flowing between the one or more air inlets and one or more air outlets to flow through the at least one adsorbent material. 
     
     
         17 . The air treatment system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one adsorbent material is selected from the group consisting of zeolite, activated charcoal, silica gel and porous alumina. 
     
     
         18 . The air treatment system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one adsorbent material removes carbon dioxide from the indoor air. 
     
     
         19 . A method of removing contaminants from indoor air, the method comprising:
 providing a plurality of air treatment modules, each air treatment module having:
 one or more air inlets; 
 one or more air outlets; and 
 one or more inserts which each include at least one adsorbent material, the at least one adsorbent material being arranged for regeneration within each of the plurality of air treatment modules using at least one of thermal swing desorption and pressure swing desorption, 
   arranging the plurality of air treatment modules adjacent to each other, wherein the one or more inserts of the plurality of air treatment modules form a plurality of substantially parallel air flow paths; and   directing the flow of the indoor air from an air inlet plenum into the one or more air inlets of the plurality of air treatment modules, through one or more of the plurality of substantially parallel air flow paths, through one or more of the at least one adsorbent material and through the one or more air outlets into an air outlet plenum.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the air inlet plenum and air outlet plenum are configured for communicating with a heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning system.