Twin air curtain system and method for using same

Abstract

An air curtain system for separating a gas or vapor from atmosphere is provided. The air curtain system includes a first channel, a second channel, a first blower, and a second blower. The second channel may be adjacent and parallel to the first channel and may include an inlet and an outlet. The first channel may be configured to form an essentially closed loop such that the first blower recirculates air through the first channel. The inlet of the second channel may be configured to allow the second blower to draw in atmospheric air. The first channel may have a first opening configured to open to a chamber or containment area. The first channel may have a second opening configured to open to the second channel. The second channel may have an opening configured to open to atmosphere.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An air curtain system for separating a gas or vapor from atmosphere, the air curtain system comprising:
 a first channel;   a second channel adjacent and parallel to the first channel, the second channel including an inlet and an outlet;   a first blower configured to direct airflow through the first channel; and   a second blower configured to direct airflow through the second channel;   wherein the first channel is configured to form an essentially closed loop such that the first blower recirculates air through the first channel;   wherein the inlet of the second channel is configured to allow the second blower to draw in atmospheric air;   wherein the first channel has a first opening configured to open to a chamber or containment area, wherein the first channel has a second opening configured to open to the second channel, and wherein the second channel has an opening configured to open to atmosphere.   
     
     
         2 . The air curtain system of  claim 1 , wherein a screen for reducing turbulence or for providing a resistance that enables a uniform flow is included in the first channel or the second channel. 
     
     
         3 . The air curtain system of  claim 1 , wherein the outlet of the second channel is configured to direct airflow to atmosphere. 
     
     
         4 . The air curtain system of  claim 1 , wherein the first blower includes a centrifugal impeller. 
     
     
         5 . An air curtain system comprising:
 a first air stream; and   a second air stream;   wherein the first air stream is directed to flow in a first direction, wherein the second air stream is directed to flow in a second direction, and wherein the first direction and the second direction are substantially parallel;   wherein the first air stream is configured to recirculate within an essentially closed loop system; and   wherein the second air stream is configured to pull in air from atmosphere.   
     
     
         6 . The air curtain system of  claim 5 , wherein the first air stream is configured to flow in a first channel, and wherein the second air stream is configured to flow in a second channel. 
     
     
         7 . The air curtain system of  claim 6 , wherein the first channel has a first opening configured to open to a chamber or containment area, wherein the first channel has a second opening configured to open to the second channel, and wherein the second channel has an opening configured to open to atmosphere. 
     
     
         8 . The air curtain system of  claim 7 , wherein the first air stream is propelled by a first blower, and wherein the second air stream is propelled by a second blower. 
     
     
         9 . The air curtain system of  claim 8 , wherein a screen for straightening airflow is included in the first air stream or the second air stream. 
     
     
         10 . The air curtain system of  claim 9 , wherein an air speed of the first air stream is configured to be between 0.85 to 1.15 times an air speed of the second air stream. 
     
     
         11 . A system for testing a gas or vapor, the system comprising:
 a chamber configured to at least partially contain the gas or vapor, the chamber including an opening; and   an air curtain system comprising:
 a first channel; 
 a second channel adjacent and parallel to the first channel, the second channel including an inlet and an outlet; 
 a first blower configured to direct airflow through the first channel; and 
 a second blower configured to direct airflow through the second channel; 
   wherein the first channel is configured to form an essentially closed loop such that the first blower recirculates air through the first channel;   wherein the first channel has a first opening adjacent to the opening of the chamber, wherein the first channel has a second opening adjacent to the second channel, and wherein the second channel has an opening configured to open to atmosphere.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a second air curtain system;
 wherein the chamber includes a second opening, and wherein the second air curtain system has an opening adjacent to the second opening of the chamber.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising an exhaust duct configured to carry away contaminated air from the outlet of the second channel. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the exhaust duct includes a filter, and wherein the filter is a carbon filter, a MERV filter, or a HEPA filter. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a spectroscopy or light emitting and detecting apparatus, wherein the detecting apparatus is located external to the chamber and directed to test properties of gas or vapor contained in the chamber. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the detecting apparatus is an FTIR. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , further comprising a supply duct configured to supply atmospheric air to the inlet of the second channel. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the supply duct is further configured to direct air at the first blower or the first channel for cooling. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the supply duct includes an active cooling system to cool the atmospheric air. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the air curtain system is a first air curtain system, wherein the system includes a second air curtain system, wherein the opening in the chamber is a first opening, wherein the chamber includes a second opening, wherein the first air curtain system is configured to prevent vapor from escaping the first opening of the chamber, wherein the second air curtain system is configured to prevent vapor from escaping the second opening of the chamber, and wherein there is a line-of-sight through the first air curtain system, the chamber, and the second air curtain system that is unobstructed by any physical barriers.