Air purification system

Abstract

A fluid purification system is provided for contaminated fluids such as airontaminated with a wide spectrum of chemical warfare agents which includes two adsorption chambers with adsorption medium suitable for effectively removing chemical warfare agents from a stream of air; a valve selection device adapted for directing a stream of contaminated air to one or the other of the adsorption chambers, for directing a stream of contaminant-free air from the adsorption chamber, for directing a stream of regeneration fluid to one or the other adsorption chambers requiring regeneration and for directing a fluid stream with a concentration of contaminants from a regenerated adsorption chamber; a fluid stream diverter device adapted for diverting a portion of contaminant-free fluid from one or the other adsorption chambers for use as a regeneration fluid stream for regeneration of the adsorption medium in one or the other adsorption chambers; and a temperature regulation device for heating the regeneration fluid stream to a temperature effective for regeneration of the adsorption medium in the adsorption chambers.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A process for the purification of a stream of contaminated fluid which comprises the steps of: a) providing a first adsorption medium means for adsorption of contaminants in a contaminated stream of fluid and a second adsorption medium means associated with said first adsorption medium means for adsorption of contaminants in said contaminated stream of fluid;   b) treating a stream of contaminated fluid with said first adsorption medium means for the time needed to form a stream of substantially contaminant-free fluid;   c) discharging said stream of contaminant-free fluid exiting from said first adsorption medium means after diverting a portion of said stream of contaminant-free fluid to provide a regeneration fluid stream;   d) heating said diverted regeneration fluid stream to a temperature high enough to desorb contaminants adsorbed by said second adsorption medium means from a stream of contaminated fluid treated thereby without causing ignition thereof;   e) treating said second adsorption medium means containing contaminants adsorbed from a stream of contaminated fluid with said heated regeneration fluid stream for the time necessary to regenerate said second adsorption medium means by desorbing and flushing contaminants from said second adsorption medium means;   f) discharging said regeneration fluid stream with a concentration of contaminants desorbed from said second adsorption medium means;   g) cooling said regenerated second adsorption medium means to a temperature effective for said second adsorption medium means to treat a stream of contaminated fluid;   h) treating a stream of contaminated fluid with said second adsorption medium means while said associated first adsorption medium means is regenerated using steps c) through g) hereof; and   i) repeating said steps b) through h) until terminated by an operator.   
     
     
       2. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stream of contaminated fluid is a stream of air contaminated with chemical warfare agents. 
     
     
       3. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said adsorption medium means includes activated charcoal. 
     
     
       4. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said regeneration fluid stream is heated to a temperature at least 300° F. 
     
     
       5. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein said regenerated second adsorption means is cooled to a temperature at or below ambient temperature. 
     
     
       6. The process as claimed in claim 1, wherein treatment of a stream of contaminated fluid by said first and second adsorption medium means is carried out at a temperature of from about 32° F. and 50° F. 
     
     
       7. Apparatus for the purification of a stream of contaminated fluid which comprises: a) a first adsorption chamber means having adsorption medium means for adsorption of contaminants from a stream of contaminated fluid and a second adsorption chamber means associated with said first adsorption chamber means having adsorption medium means for adsorption of contaminants from a stream of contaminated fluid;   b) adsorber switching valve means adapted for directing a stream of contaminated fluid to one of said first and second adsorption chamber means, for directing a stream of contaminant-free fluid from one of said first and second adsorption chamber means, for directing a stream of heated regeneration fluid to one of said first and second adsorption chamber means and for directing a stream of fluid with concentrated contaminants from one of said first and second adsorption chamber means;   c) fluid diversion means adapted for diverting a portion of a stream of contaminant-free fluid from a bulk of said stream of contaminant-free fluid and directing said diverted stream to a temperature regulation means;   d) temperature regulation means for heating a stream of contaminant-free fluid and for directing a stream of heated contaminant-free fluid to said adsorber switching means; and   e) temperature regulation means for directing said stream of cooled contaminant-free fluid to said adsorber switching means.   
     
     
       8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said temperature regulation means includes heat exchanger means. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the heat source for said heat exchanger is provided by exhaust gases from a vehicle engine. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said adsorption medium means includes a bed of activated charcoal.