METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PROCESSING AIR

Abstract: The object of the invention is a method and device for processing indoor air. According to the invention, the air is directed in the form of air jets (a) against the surface (3a) of a liquid (3), such as water. The direction of the air is preferably implemented near the liquid surface (3a) as air jets (a) essentially perpendicular to the liquid surface (3a). In this way, detrimental ingredients, such as detrimental particles can be removed from the air. When water is used as the liquid, it is also possible to moisten or dry the air that is processed.

Description: Method and device for processing air The object of the invention is a method according to the preamble of Claim 1 for processing air, indoor air in particular. Another object of the invention is a device according to the preamble of Claim 11 for processing air, indoor air in particular. The use of the method and/or device is also an object of the invention. Methods and devices are known from before for cleaning indoor air, based on mechanical or electric filtration of air. A problem with these devices, among others, is that impurity particles accumulate in the filter elements, from where they must be removed or the filter elements must be replaced in connection with maintenance. If maintenance is not carried out often enough, odour and hygiene problems occur in the devices and their efficiency decreases. Such mechanical filters form an excellent culture medium for bacteria, among others, which might result in bacteria spreading in the indoor air, which, in turn, may cause possibly severe illnesses for the people in the room. One disadvantage of electric filters is that very detrimental ozone is generated in connection with them, which easily spreads in the room. Another problem in both mechanical and electric filters is that, if not maintained on a regular basis, the performance of the filters decreases. Another disadvantage of these devices is also that, because of the filters, the flow resistance of the air is very high and processing large quantities of air thus requires a great deal of energy. Methods and devices for air dampening are known from before, in which water is evaporated or sprayed into the air. Electric resistors, for example, are used to evaporate water, but the large consumption of energy constitutes a problem The purpose of the invention is to eliminate the disadvantages related to the methods and devices described above. Another purpose of the invention is to provide a new method and device for processing air, indoor air in particular, which can be used to process the indoor air effectively and in a versatile way, when needed. In this context, processing indoor air refers to changing the moisture content of the air, for example, by either humidifying or drying, and cleaning the air of either detrimental gases or impurity particles, such as inorganic dust and/or particles of an organic origin, such as bacteria, mould spores, pollen, and the like. The method according to the invention for processing air is characterized in that, which is presented in Claim 1. The device according to the invention for processing air is characterized in that, which is presented in Claim 11. Preferable embodiments of the invention are presented in the dependent claims. In the method according to the invention for processing air, indoor air in particular, the air is directed in the form of air jets against the surface of a liquid, water in particular. The invention is based on the interaction between the air jets and the liquid; water in particular. When directed at the liquid surface, the surface of water in particular, an adequately strong air jet quickly decelerates when colliding with it, disperses and spreads into the environment in the vicinity of the water surface without breaking the surface of water. A strong deceleration is directed at the air jet and the particles in it, preferably in the order of 1000 G. In this case, the particles, which are many orders heavier than air, continue their travel, irrespective of the deflection of the air jet, and are hurled into the liquid. One advantage of the invention is that different particles of various sizes can effectively be cleaned from the air that is processed, with diameters of 0.1 μm, and even under, at a πimimum. Another advantage of the invention is that, when hitting a liquid medium, such as water, which is dense and heavy in proportion to the air, organic particles, such as bacteria, are destroyed. Consequently, bacteria do not survive in such high decelerations, which are directed at the particles, when air is processed in accordance with the invention. When an air jet is directed at the liquid surface, gases are removed from the air and bound to the liquid under suitable conditions and/or, correspondingly, ingredients are evaporated into the air from the liquid. When the air jet has met the liquid surface, the temperature of the exiting air is essentially the same as that of the liquid. The relative humidity of the air increases to nearly 100%, when the liquid used is water. By adjusting the temperature of the liquid in proportion to the ambient air temperature, the gasification and/or evaporation of the liquid can be influenced and, correspondingly, the absorption of the gaseous ingredients of the air into the liquid. One advantage of the invention is that it can be used to remove detrimental gases and/or vapours from the air to be processed. For example, when water is used as the liquid, humidity can be removed from the processed air. Another advantage of the invention is that, by using it, useful gases and/or vapours can preferably be added to the air to be processed. For example, when water is used as the liquid, humidity can be added to the processed air. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the air, which has been directed against the liquid surface in the form of jets, is removed by following the liquid surface and covering it by an air curtain, from the area or pressurized space, into which the air jets are formed. An advantage of the invention is that this strong air stream, which is directed away from the target area of the air jets, also makes the surface layer of the liquid move and thus the liquid is brought into a circular motion in the liquid space. Thus, the liquid is mixed, while the air jets flush its surface. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the air is directed from the vicinity of the liquid surface back to the environment along a circuitous route. In the most preferred embodiment, the flowing air is constricted in connection with the circuitous route to increase its flow rate, and the air stream is preferably directed towards the liquid surface. While the air jets directed against the liquid surface constitute the first one, this stage constitutes the second air processing stage. An advantage of the embodiment of the invention described above is that, in this way, the liquid droplets and impurities, such as possible particles, which were in the air that was in contact with the liquid in the first processing stage and remained in it, can be removed from the air. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the liquid is changed either continuously or at suitable intervals during the processing of the air. An advantage of the embodiment of the invention described above is that the liquid remains clean and it cannot be saturated by the gases and/or particles transferring into it from the air. Another advantage of the invention is that the gases and/or other impurities transferred from the air into the liquid can be removed along with the change of liquid without separate processing. An advantage of the device according to the invention is that it can be implemented from simple parts that are easy to manufacture. Another advantage is that the operating expenses of the device are low and the device contains neither replaceable parts nor parts that require maintenance, such as filters. The use of the method and/or device according to the invention is characterized in that, which is described in Claims 28, 29, and/or 30. In the following, the invention is described in detail with reference to the appended drawings, in which Fig. 1 shows diagrammatically a device according to the invention in cross-section; Fig. 2 shows an enlarged detail of the nozzle member of the device in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows an enlarged detail A of the device in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 shows diagrammatically another device according to the invention; Fig. 5 shows diagrammatically a third device according to the invention; Fig. 6 shows diagrammatically a fourth device according to the invention; and Fig. 7 shows diagrammatically a fifth device according to the invention. In the device according to the invention for processing air, indoor air in particular, the air is directed against the surface of a liquid, preferably water, in the form of air jets. Fig. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention. The equipment of the device in Fig. 1 for directing air against the surface of a hquid, preferably water, in the form of air jets comprises an air impeller 1, a pressurized space 2, a liquid space 10, in which liquid 3 is arranged, when air is to be processed, and a nozzle member 4. The air impeller 1 is used to produce pressurized air from the environment in the pressurized space 2. The nozzle member 4 is fitted between the pressurized space 2 and the liquid space 10 particularly above the predefined level of the liquid surface 3 a of the liquid 3. The nozzle member 4 is used to form and direct air jets from the pressurized space 2 at an angle, preferably perpendicularly, towards the liquid surface 3 a. All parts of the device: the air impeller 1, the pressurized space 2, the nozzle member 4, and the liquid space 10 are preferably fitted inside a body 5 of the device. Instead of the air impeller 1, an air pump can be used or, generally, a similar device, which produces pressurized air and which can be arranged outside the actual body 5 as well. The air impeller 1 is used to take air from a room H and the air is fed (the arrows in Fig. 1) into the pressurized space 2, which is arranged inside a jacket 6. The jacket 6 is shaped, for example, like a cylinder, such as a cylinder with a round bottom. On the contrary, the liquid space 10 is arranged in the lower part of the pressurized space 2 and, at the same time, of the body 5. By using the nozzle members 4, the air jets are implemented as a large group of air jets close to one another, which are arranged in a restricted area, the so-called target area 8 of the air jets. At least in the initial stage, the diameter of individual air jets is small. The nozzle member 4 comprises a nozzle body 4a comprising, at a short distance e from one another, nozzle channels 4b, preferably straight holes with a round cross- section, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. By using the nozzle channels 4b and through them, the air jets a are formed and directed against the liquid surface 3a. The nozzle body 4a comprises a surface 40, which, at least on the side of the liquid surface 3a, is essentially planar. The nozzle body 4a is preferably a straight plate, preferably with a constant thickness. The nozzle body 4a is fitted at a short distance n (cf. Fig. 3) from the predefined liquid surface 3a. Generally, this distance n is within 2-15 mm, even longer. The diameter h of the nozzle channels 4b and, at the same time, the initial diameter of the air jets a is preferably within 0.1-5.0 mm. The distance e of the nozzle channels 4b from one another is in the order of two times the diameter h of the nozzle channels 4b, preferably within 1-10 mm. Generally, the total cross-sectional area of the nozzle channels 4b is preferably 5-15% of the overall area of the nozzle body 4a. The initial velocity of the air jets a is arranged to be relatively high, preferably within 1-20 m s, most preferably within 5-15 m/s. This is carried out by adjusting the air pressure in the pressurized space 2 to a suitable value and the pressure drop across the nozzle member 4 to a suitable value. The velocity of the air jets is adjusted so that the liquid, preferably water, neither splashes nor effervesces, and air is not essentially mixed with it in the form of bubbles; at the most, the liquid surface vibrates and slightly sags in the target area 8 of the air jets. The nozzle members 4, as described above, can be used to effectively implement a number of strong air jets a, which have a small diameter, a short length, and a high velocity and which, in addition, meet the liquid surface 3a as jets that essentially neither scatter nor break the liquid surface. The air corning along with the air jets a directed at the liquid surface 3a is removed in the form of a preferably triin layer of air that travels at the edges of the target area 8 of the air jets near the liquid surface 3 a. In the application of Fig. 1, the jacket 6 of the pressurized space 2 is arranged to extend near the liquid surface 3a that is arranged at a predefined height, so that a small slot 7 is formed between the edge 6a of the jacket and the predefined level of the liquid surface 3 a. The air is directed, in the form of air jets, from the pressurized space 2 and through the nozzle member 4 against the liquid surface 3a (cf. Fig. 3) and, further, so that it essentially sweeps the liquid surface 3a, through the slot 7 from the edge formed by the nozzle member 4 and, at the same time, by the target area 8 of the air jets, and outward into an intermediate space 9, where there is a lower pressure than in the target area 8 of the air jets. The height k of the slot 7 and the thickness of the air layer exiting through the slot are preferably within 1-10 mm, most preferably 4 to 6 mm. The distance n of the nozzle body 4a, its surface 40 in particular, from the liquid surface 3a is preferably in the same order as or as large as the height k of the slot 7. The air is directed from the intermediate space 9 through the openings 11 in the body 5 back to the room. The openings 11 are preferably arranged at as long a distance as possible from the liquid surface 3 a. It should be noted that, when an air jet a meets the liquid surface, it scatters in a controlled way and spreads in the form of an air curtain along the essentially unbroken liquid surface and discharges to the sides of the target area 8 of the air jets. In this case, the particles in the air jet, which are many times heavier than the air, continue their travel and run into the water. We could estimate that when the nozzle member 4 is arranged at the distance n, is within 6-10 mm from the liquid surface and the diameter h of the nozzle channels 4b is about 5 mm, and the velocity of the air jet is 10 m/s, about a 1000 G deceleration is provided for the particles in the air jet. This deceleration is multiplied, when the particles meet the liquid surface. It should be noted in particular that because of the intense deceleration, any organic particles, such as bacteria that are possibly in the air are crushed. The target of cleaning of the device according to the invention in relation to the particles contained by the air is dependent on the diameter h of the nozzle channels 4b of the nozzle member 4. When h = 5 mm, particles of a diameter of 5 μm or more, at least, remain in the liquid. The cleansing result decreases for particles of a diameter of less than 5 μm. Correspondingly, when h = 1 mm, the diameter of the particles is 1 μm, and when h = 0.1 mm, the diameter of the particles is 0.1 μm. There is a linear relation between the diameter h of the nozzle channels 4b and the diameter of the particles: when the diameter h of the openings is reduced to a half, the diameter of the particles separated into the liquid is also reduced to a half. The distance n of the nozzle member 4 from the liquid surface 3 a is not critical for the cleansing effect of the particles. At its best, the distance n is 3-8 mm. However, it should be noted that the smaller the diameter of the nozzle channels 4b, the closer to the liquid surface 3 a the nozzle member, its lower surface 40 in particular, should be arranged. The air jets a with a small initial diameter (i.e., the diameter of the nozzle channels 4b) scatter easily at a relatively long distance n, whereby the cleansing result decreases. The velocity of the air jet also affects the cleansing result. The velocity of the air jet should be high enough: lm/s could be considered the rninimum value of the velocity; this should be the velocity, at which the air jet meets the hquid surface. The velocity of the air jet is dependent on the diameter of the nozzle channels 4b of the nozzle member 4 and the air pressure across the nozzle member 4. It should be noted that, when the velocity of the air jets is to be doubled, the pressure across the nozzle member 4 should be quadrupled. In the target area 8 of the air jets, the air is removed from the air jets, which are directed against the liquid surface 3 a, in the form of an air curtain that follows the hquid surface. This strong air stream, which is directed away from the centre of the target area 8, also makes the surface layer of the liquid move against the walls of the hquid space and, thus, the liquid is brought into a circular motion in the Hquid space, as indicated by arrows, among others, in Fig. 1 (and Figs. 4 and 5). Thus, the hquid is mixed at the same time as the air jets wash its surface. As a consequence, the hquid is evenly saturated by gases and/or contaminated by particles. The particles separated from the air accumulate in the liquid space 10 of the device and sediment on its bottom, from where they can easily be flushed out from time to time. Fig. 4 shows a second preferred embodiment according to the invention for processing air. This device has a corresponding structure as the air processing device shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, but its intermediate space 9 has been improved so as to function better. In this application, the same reference numbers are used for the same parts as in Fig. 1. The air coming to the intermediate space 9 from the target area 8 of the air jets and through the slot 7 is directed out into the environment along a circuitous route and, preferably in the same connection, the air flowing through is constricted to increase its flow rate; in addition, it is preferably directed towards the liquid surface 3 a. By doing this, the liquid droplets and/or residual particles that possibly come from the target area 8 of the air jets can effectively be separated from the air stream and directed to the liquid. In the device of Fig. 4, a means is arranged in the intermediate space 9 for directing the air exiting the target area 8 of the air jets out along the circuitous route, as indicated by the arrows. This means is preferably implemented in the form of a particle trap 12, which comprises the constricting member 13 of the air stream in particular. In this application, the particle trap 12 comprises a first wall 14 fitted around the jacket 6 at a distance from it, the lower edge 14a of the wall extending into the Hquid space 10 below the liquid surface 3a. The space between the jacket 6 and the first wall 14 is a first partial intermediate space 15. The slot 7 leads from the target area 8 of the air jets to this partial intermediate space 15. A second wall 16, in turn, is fitted around the first wall 14 and the space between the two is a second partial intermediate space 17. The lower edge 16a of the second wall 16 is above the liquid surface 3 a. The upper edge 14b of the first wall extends upwards near the body 5 of the device, for example. Above the upper edge 14b or in connection with it, there are one or more first openings 18 leading from the first partial intermediate space 15 to the second partial intermediate space 17. The upper edge 16b of the second wall 16 extends upwards to the body 5. Between the lower edge 16a of the second wall 16 and the first wall 14, there are one or more second openings 19. The space between the outer jacket 20 of the body and the second wall 14 is a third partial intermediate space 22. Hi the outer jacket 20 of the body, at a distance from the Hquid surface 3 a, there are one or more third openings 21 leading from the device out into the environment. The air stream proceeds from the target area 8 of the air jets and through the slot 7 to the first partial intermediate space 15, moves upwards and exits through the first openings 18 to the second partial intermediate space 17, where the air stream turns downwards and exits through the second openings 19 to the third partial intermediate space 22. Here, the air stream again turns up and exits the upper part of the third partial intermediate space 22 through the third openings 21 and out into the environment. In this example, the constricting member 12 is implemented with the aid of the second partial intermediate space 17, i.e., the first wall 14 and the second wall 16. In this case, the first openings 18 corning to the second partial intermediate space 17 have clearly larger surface-areas than the second openings 19 leaving from the second partial intermediate space, and the first wall 14 and the second wall 16 are arranged to strongly converge downwards, i.e., the second partial intermediate space 17 converges between the openings 18, 19. Thus, the air stream running through the second partial intermediate space 17 is constricted and its velocity increases to 5-15 m/s, for example. Furthermore, the second openings 19 are directed against the liquid surface 3a, so that the constricted, fast air jet meets the liquid surface and scatters. In this way, any possible liquid droplets and/or other particles in the air stream collide with the liquid and remain in it. The device according to the invention in Fig. 4 processes air in two stages. At the first stage, the air is blown in the form of air jets through a densely perforated nozzle member 4 essentially at right angles to the liquid surface 3a, and the majority of the particles are cleaned off. At the second stage, the air is directed to the particle trap 12, to the constricting member 13 of the air stream in particular, in which tht velocity of the air is again increased to a high value and it is cleaned of possible Hquid droplets, such as water drops, and particles, which are possibly still in the air and which are separated into the liquid 3. Fig. 5 shows a third embodiment of the device according to the invention. The structure of this device corresponds to that of the device in Fig. 4, and the same reference numbers are used for the same parts. In the device, the distance n of the liquid surface 3a (cf. Fig. 3) from the initial plane of the air jets, i.e., the basic plane 40 of the nozzle member is kept at a predefined standard value. Thus, when air is processed, the Hquid surface 3 a is kept at a constant level. The device in Fig. 5 comprises a means for keeping the liquid surface at a constant level. In this embodiment, the means comprises a pneumatic liquid feeding device 23. It comprises a fluid container 24, such as a water tank, and a valve 25, which is fitted into the bottom 24a of the fluid container. The fluid container 24 can be detached from its place in the body 5 of the device and filled with water. The fluid container 24 is arranged above the liquid space 10, the liquid surface 3 a in particular, and connected to the liquid space 10 by using the valve 25. The valve 25 is arranged to open, when the container 24 fiUed with water or some other liquid is replaced in the body 5, so that the opening member 31 of the valve, such as a tap arranged in a suitable spot in the liquid space, pushes the valve 25 open. The valve 25 is preferably implemented so that it comprises a closing member 26 with seals, an axis 27 and spring 29 of the closing member. The axis 27 is fitted through the bottom 24a. The closing member 26 is fastened to the first end of the axis 27 inside the container 24, and a bellying 28 or the like is arranged at the second free end outside the container 24. The spring 29 is fitted onto the axis 27 outside the bottom 24 of the container between the bellying 28 and the bottom 24? of the container 24. In the range of the closing member 26, there are one or more openings 30, which penetrate the bottom 24a. The spring 29 presses the closing member 26 against the bottom 24a of the container, when the container 24 has been detached from its place in the body 5, so that the container 24 can be filled with liquid. When the container 24 is set in place in the body 5 (shown in Fig. 5), the axis 27 meets the closing member 31 of the valve and this pushes the axis 27 and, at the same time, the closing member 26 towards the inside of the container 24, so that the valve 25 opens. When the valve 25 is open, liquid is allowed to flow from the container 24 through the openings 30 and into the liquid space 20 under certain conditions. When the liquid surface 3a lowers in the liquid space 10, air is allowed to discharge through the openings 30 of the valve 25 into the liquid container 24 and, correspondingly, liquid is allowed to discharge out of the container 24 and into the liquid space 10. When the liquid surface 3 a has risen to a predefined height, it covers the openings 30 of the valve 25, and air is prevented from entering the fluid container 24 through there, and the discharge of Hquid through the valve 25 into the liquid space 10 ends. In this way, the Hquid surface 3 a can be kept at an essentially predefined level. The spring 29 of the valve 25 is preferably also arranged to lift the container 24 from its place, when the Hquid has been drained from the container 24. A switch, such as a micro-switch 32, which is connected to the control circuit of the air impeller 1, is preferably also provided in connection with the fluid container 24 and the body 5. The micro-switch 32 is used to switch off the operation of the air impeUer 1, when the container 24 has been emptied of liquid and it is Hfted from its place with the aid of the spring 29. When the liquid 3 is water, the device shown in Fig. 5 is especially well suited to cleaning the air (as described in connection with Figs. 1 and 4, among others) and to humidifying the air. For hurmdifying the air, for example, the device works as follows. Let us assume that the indoor air temperature is 20°C and the relative humidity 20%. In the device, the air is humidified by water, the temperature of which does not change. In this case, the heat for evaporating the water is taken from the air, so that the air cools down at the same time, until the saturation point is reached. The air exits the device at a temperature of 9°C and at a humidity of 100%, for example. When the air temperature increases back to the room temperature, its relative humidity settles at 50%. If we also assume that the blasting power of the air impeller 1 is 60 litres of air per second, i.e., 280 kg/h, then the amount of water consumed is 1.2 kg/h. In the device of Fig. 5, this water is taken from the fluid container 24. A fourth preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 6. When complemented with certain accessories, the device corresponds to the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 4. In this case, too, the same reference numbers are used for the same parts as before. In this device, liquid 3 is changed either continuously or at suitable intervals during the processing of the air. Hi the device of Fig. 6, the liquid space 10 is connected, through a feed pipe 33 and a control valve 34 that is instaUed in the pipe, to a suitable source of Hquid, such as a water distribution system. The liquid space 33 is further connected to an overflow pipe 35, through which the liquid 3 can exit the liquid space 10 as soon as the predefined liquid level, i.e., the level of the liquid surface 3a is exceeded. Hi this way, the liquid surface 3 a can always be kept at a constant level. In addition, the stream flow can be adjusted by opening and/or closing the control valve 34. In the embodiment of the invention described above, the liquid 3 is changed in the Hquid space 10. In this case, there is the advantage that the solid matter, which is formed by particles and which comes to the liquid as a result of cleaning the air, moves out of the device at least largely along with the stream flow and the device remains clean. Another advantage is that the gases that are possibly absorbed into the liquid from the air cannot saturate it. One advantage is also that, because of the flow, the temperature of the liquid keeps at least almost on the level of the coming liquid. The temperature of the coming liquid can be adjusted to a suitable value for each application. This is important, for example, when talking about removing moisture from the air. The device shown in Fig. 6 is well suited especially to cleariing air (as explained in connection with Figs. 1 and 4, among others) and drying air, and to cooling air, when the liquid 3 is water. For drying and cooling the air, for example, the device operates as follows. Let us assume that the room temperature is 25 °C and the relative humidity 70%. The temperature of the water in the liquid space 10 is set at 8°C. In the device, the air is cooled and it reaches a humidity of 100%. The air exits the device at a low temperature, at the temperature 8°C of the water at the minimum, and at a humidity of 100%. When the air temperature increases back to the room temperature 25°C, its relative humidity has decreased to 33%. If we also assume that the blasting power of the air impeller 1 is 60 litres of air per second, then the amount of humidity the device removes from the air is 2.1 kg/h. Correspondingly, the indoor air is cooled at a power of 9800 kJ/h. The fifth preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 7. The device corresponds to the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 4, but a liquid temperature control device 36 is added in connection with it. Hi also this case, the same reference numbers are used for the same parts as before. In this device, the temperature of the liquid 3 is adjusted. The liquid temperature can be kept at a constant value, which is either lower or higher than the ambient temperature. It is possible to set the temperature of the liquid 3 at a desired value also during the processing of the air. The liquid temperature control device 36 comprises a cooling and/or heating element 37 and a temperature detector 38, the both being suitably fitted into the Hquid space 10, below the surface 3 a of the liquid 3 in particular and, in addition, preferably so that the liquid 3 can circulate in the Hquid space 10. The control device 36 comprises a control unit 39. The desired temperature of the liquid is fed into the control unit 39, the temperature generally being kept at a constant value during the processing of the air. The temperature of the liquid, such as water, is clearly lower than the ambient temperature 25°C, for example, 8°C, so that humidity can effectively be absorbed into the liquid from the air. In this application, the overflow pipe 35 is used to keep the liquid surface 3 a at a constant level. The temperature detector 38 is used to control the temperature of the liquid 3 and, on the basis of the temperature, the control unit 39 controls the cooling or heating by controUing the operation of the heating/cooling member. It is obvious that the heating/cooling member is alternatively intended for one function only, as an electric resistance element for heating or a cooling element for cooling. In addition to cleaning the air (as described in connection with Figs. 1 and 4, among others), the device in Fig. 7 is suitable for drying the air and cooling the air on the same principle as that, which was described above in connection with Fig. 6. The Hquid 3 is preferably water. With the aid of the temperature control device 36, the temperature of the liquid 3 can be kept at the desired value and, thus, it is easy to adjust the drying and cooling performance of the air. It should be noted that by using the method and device according to the invention, other gases that dissolve in liquid, water in particular, such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and ammonia are also removed from the air to be processed. Hi order for the gases to constantly dissolve from the air into the liquid, it is preferable to change the liquid, water in particular, in the liquid space 10, as described in the embodiment of Fig. 6, for example. Such a device can be used to clean combustion gases and particles off the air in smoking rooms, for example. Other combustion gases can also be cleaned off the air. The particles can be organic articles, such as bacteria, germs (mould fungi, among others), pollen particles or the like. The particles can also consist of mineral dust or other impurities in the air. The rate of change of the liquid, water in particular, depends on the gases that are to be removed from the air and on the efficiency of the device. Alternatively, as regards the device in Fig. 1, for example, the liquid in the liquid space 10, water in particular, can be changed at regular intervals. In the device according to the invention, in addition to cleaning the air, the air is moistened and freshened. Furthermore, the performance of the device according to the invention remains constant, provided that the liquid surface 3 a is kept at a constant level and that the Hquid is changed properly. In the embodiments of the invention described above, a mechanical filter 41 can be added to the side of the air intake of the air impeller 1, which is used to prevent solid pieces from entering the air impeller and to decrease contamination of the device. The device according to the invention can be used to clean and moisten a large amount of air with a low consumption of energy and, thus, the operating expenses can be minimized. It should be noticed that the method and device according to the invention could also be used to remove gases from the air into some other suitable Hquid than water. Hi one preferred embodiment, the liquid is alcohol, which easily absorbs many detrimental and often even toxic gases. The invention is not limited to the embodiment described above only, but many variations are possible within the inventive idea defined by the claims.

Claims: Claims 1. A method for processing air, room air in particular, characterized in that the air in the form of air jets (a) is directed against the surface (3a) of a liquid (3), preferably water. 2. A method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the air is directed near the liquid surface (3a) and essentially as perpendicular air jets (a) against the liquid surface (3 a). 3. A method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the air jets (a) are implemented as a large group of air jets close to one another, the diameter (h) of which at the initial stage is smaU, preferably within 0.1-5 mm. 4. A method according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the initial speed of the air jets is arranged at a relatively high value, preferably within 1-20 m/s, more preferably within 5-15 m/s. 5. A method according to any of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the distance (n) of the Hquid surface (3 a) from the initial plane (40) of the air jets is kept at a predefined constant value. 6. A method according to any of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the air of the air jets (a) directed at the Hquid surface (3a) is removed from the edges of the target area (8) of the air jets near the liquid surface (3a), preferably as a thin layer of air, the thickness of which is preferably within 1-10mm, most preferably 4- 6 mm. 7. A method according to Claim 6, characterized in that the air is directed from the vicinity of the liquid surface (3 a) back to the environment along a circuitous route. 8. A method according to Claim 7, characterized in that in connection with the circuitous route, the air flowing through is constricted to increase its flow rate and preferably directed towards the liquid surface (3 a). 9. A method according to any of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the liquid (3) is changed during the processing of the air. 10. A method according to any of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the temperature of the liquid (3) is adjusted during the processing of the air. 11. A device for processing air, indoor air in particular, characterized in that the device comprises a means for directing the air in the form of air jets (a) against the surface 3a of a liquid (3), preferably water. 12. A device according to Claim 11, characterized in that the means for directing the air in the form of air jets (a) against the surface (3a) of a liquid (3), preferably water, comprises: - An air impeller (1), an air pump or a similar device that produces pressurized air - A pressurized space (2), where the pressurized air is fed into by using the air impeller or the like - A liquid space (10), which is arranged in connection with the pressurized space (2), the liquid (3) being arranged into the liquid space (10) for processing the air, and - A nozzle member (4), which is fitted between the pressurized space (2) and the Hquid space (10) so that it is located above the level of a predefined liquid surface (3 a), the nozzle member (4) being used to form and direct the air jets (a), preferably perpendicular, against the liquid surface (3 a). 13. A device according to Claim 12, characterized in that the nozzle member (4) comprises a nozzle body (4a) comprising, at a short distance from one another, nozzle channels (4b), preferably straight holes with a round cross-section, the nozzle channels (4b) being used to form and direct the air jets (a), through the channels, and against the liquid surface (3a). 14. A device according to Claim 13, characterized in that the nozzle body (4a) comprises a surface (40) that at least on the side of the liquid surface (3 a) is essentially planar. 15. A device according to Claim 14, characterized in that the nozzle body (4a) is a straight plate. 16. A device according to Claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the nozzle body (4a) is fitted at a short distance (n) from the predefined liquid surface (3 a), the distance (n) preferably being within 5-15 mm. 17. A device according to any of the preceding Claims 13 to 16, characterized in that the diameter (h) of the nozzle channels (4b) is preferably within 0.1-5.0 mm. 18. A device according to any of the preceding Claims 13 to 17, characterized in that the distance (e) of the nozzle channels (4b) from one another is in the order of twice the diameter (h) of the nozzle channels (4b), preferably within 1-10 mm. 19. A device according to Claim 17 or 18, characterized in that the total cross- sectional area of the nozzle channels (4b) is preferably 10-15% of the total cross- sectional area of the nozzle body (4a). 20. A device according to any of the preceding Claims 11 to 19, characterized in that a slot (7) is arranged on the edges of the target area (8) of the air jets near the liquid surface (3 a), the height of the slot preferably being within 1-10 mm, most preferably 4-6 mm, and the air from the air jets (a) directed at the liquid surface (3 a) being removed through the slot. 21. A device according to any of the preceding Claims 11 to 20, characterized in that the device comprises a means (23; 34, 35) for keeping the liquid surface (3 a) essentially on a predefined level in the liquid space (10). 22. A device according to Claim 21, characterized in that the means for keeping the liquid surface (3a) on a predefined level comprises a pneumatic liquid feeding device (23). 23. A device according to any of the preceding Claims 11 to 22, characterized in comprising a means (34, 35) for changing the liquid (3) in the liquid space (10). 24. A device according to Claim 21, 22 or 23, characterized in that the means for keeping the liquid surface (3 a) on a predefined level and/or the means for changing the Hquid comprise a control valve (34) fitted into the feeder circuit of the liquid and an overflow pipe (35). 25. A device according to any of the preceding Claims 11 to 24, characterized in comprising a means for directing the air exiting the target area (8) of the air jets out along a circuitous route, the means preferably being implemented as a particle trap (12). 26. A device according to Claim 25, characterized in that the means for directing the air exiting the target area (8) of the air jets out along a circuitous route comprise a constricting member (13) of the air stream. 27. A device according to any of the preceding Claims 11 to 26, characterized in comprising a temperature control device (36) for the liquid (3). 28. The use of the method and/or device according to any of the preceding Claims for removing gases and/or vapours, such as combustion gases and/or humidity, from the air. 29. The use of the method and/or device according to any of the preceding Claims 1 to 27 for adding gases and/or vapours, such as humidity into the air. 30. The use of the method and/or device according to any of the preceding Claims 1 to 27 for removing particles, such as organic particles, such as bacteria, mould germs or the like in particular, from the air.

Inventors: HUHTA-KOIVISTO ESKO, TOIVIO ILKKA, HUHTA-KOIVISTO, ESKO, TOIVIO, ILKKA
Applicants: HUHTA KOIVISTO ESKO, INNOVATION TRUST LTD OY, TOIVIO ILKKA, HUHTA-KOIVISTO, ESKO, OY INNOVATION TRUST LTD., TOIVIO, ILKKA
Application year: 2000
Main classification: B01D47
IPC codes: B01D47, F24F3, F24F6