Patent ID: 8562913
Filing Date: 2013-10-22
Classification: A61L,B03C,F24F

Abstract:
1. A system for filtering and purifying air drawn into a substantially enclosed environment, the system comprising: means for drawing in air that is to be filtered and purified into an air inlet end of the system, thence through an ordered sequence of air filtering and purifying stages of the system, and out an air outlet end of the system; a first stage, said first stage including an electrostatic pre-filter through which passes air that has been just been drawn into the system through the air inlet end, said pre-filter being adapted to attract and trap airborne particles; a second stage disposed downstream from the first stage, said second stage including a source of ultraviolet light; a third stage disposed downstream from the second stage and illuminated by ultraviolet light from said source, said third stage including a first catalytic surface comprising a catalyst effective for breaking down hydrocarbons at ambient room temperature, and said first catalytic surface being semitransparent to ultraviolet light and porous to air flow; a fourth stage disposed downstream from, and adjacent to, the third stage, and illuminated by ultraviolet light that passes through the first catalytic means, said fourth stage including a HEPA or other particulate filter medium for mechanically capturing airborne particulates; a fifth stage disposed downwind from the fourth stage, said fifth stage including a molecular filtration medium effective in removing volatile organic compounds from air passing through said fifth stage wherein the filtration medium of the fifth stage further includes a resin configured to reduce the pore size of the membrane and thereby make it more selective for the smaller hydrocarbon molecules and less selective for absorption of the larger water molecules; and a sixth stage disposed downwind from said fifth stage, said sixth stage including an ionization module; and electric power means to energize the means for drawing in air and to energize all six stages; whereby filtered, purified air is expelled from the air outlet end of the system.