Abstract:
A heat recycling system that regenerates absorptive materials for a sustainable period of time with the help of thermal storage materials. The system may contain absorptive materials and thermal storage materials which absorb wasted thermal energy from the surroundings.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention is related to a regeneration system for absorptive materials. In the invention, the thermal storage materials are used. It is aimed at regenerate the absorptive materials under a constant temperature for a sustainable period and recycling the unused thermal energy. When operate, the thermal energy is being absorbed and stored into the thermal storage materials. It is then transferred to kinetic energy for chemicals molecules which are resided in the pores of the absorptive materials. Subsequently, the released chemical molecules may be further be decomposed if it is an air cleaning device, or for other functional usage according to the design of the product.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     For many years, absorptive and absorptive materials are employed to adsorb and absorb some target substance which may be either desirable or non-desirable to mankind. For example, molecular sieves, zeolites or activated carbon materials are employed to adsorb or absorb the volatile organic compounds out from the ambient environment, for the purpose of air cleaning. In another example, desiccant are used to absorbed water moisture from the environment. Most of these materials are regenerable and can be reused, upon regeneration.  
         [0003]     Nevertheless, regeneration processes of these absorptive materials are usually energy consumption. Besides, the regeneration temperatures are usually hard to control. Background on regenerating the absorptive materials found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,348,362, a burner, which required huge amount of external energy, is employed for adsorbent carbon. During such regeneration processes, high temperature will also decompose and destroy the cellulose structure of the adsorbent carbon. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,343,765 employed an external ozone generator at the upstream position of the absorptive materials such as the support bed. Though, the adsorptive materials can be regenerated continuously, the method is not environmentally sound as power is consumed continuously.  
         [0004]     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,968,235, the used adsorbent material is periodically regenerated with heated air. Stable temperature may not able to achieve for such regeneration, as the sources of heat are not described. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,033,638, the used adsorbent materials are regenerated by desorbing the VOCs and destroy it by combustion. Accumulation of VOCs at the downstream position and ignite it by combustion create potential fire hazard.  
         [0005]     In U.S. Pat. No. 6,051,199, a rotar is used and continuous supply of oxygen is required for the continuous regeneration of the adsorbent materials. The regeneration method is not handy and economical viable since electricity is required for the continuous operation of this device. Moreover, the generation of oxygen gas is expensive.  
         [0006]     In U.S. Pat. No. 6,121,179, contaminated adsorbent particles are regenerated in water at supercritical conditions. They are mixed in water prior to treatment. The mixture is then heated to a temperature at least about 482° C. and pressurized to a pressure sufficient to achieve supercritical conditions for water. The processes are clumsy, energy and time consuming, as a very high temperature and pressure are required.  
         [0007]     In U.S. Pat. No. 6,358,374, an enclosure with fixed volume is created around the adsorbent bed. The adsorbent bed is heated to release the contaminants into the fixed volume and this process creates a high concentration of contaminants within the fixed volume. Deep UV irradiation at a wavelength 250 nm is employed for the decomposition of the contaminants. In this invention, potential hazard of leakage of contaminant would be induced, as high concentration of contaminant in a fixed volume is created.  
         [0008]     In U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,605,132, 6,372,018, heating to a high temperature is required for the desorbing of the contaminant from the adsorptive materials. In most of this type of procedure, the regeneration rate varies, as the temperatures transfer to the adsorptive materials is not always constant.  
         [0009]     Apart from this, the above-mentioned regeneration processes are not handy and must carried out under the present of complicated setup.  
         [0010]     The context of the above patents is incorporated herein by reference for background.  
         [0011]     In the present invention, thermal energy can be obtained by either through electrical power supply, or absorbed from the more heated surround, is stored into thermal stored materials, which have a desirable freezing point. It was then transfer to the treated absorptive/adsorptive materials. The chemical molecules adsorbed or absorbed in the absorptive or adsorptive materials are then released gradually at a constant temperature for a sustainable period of time. The setup is simple to perform, environmental clean. The device can be turn to operate in anywhere at anytime, even under the condition where the external heat sources, or power supplies are used up or extinct.  
         [0012]     The present invention relates to a heat recycling system, which is capable to regenerate the absorptive materials at a sustainable period of time with the help of thermal storage materials.  
         [0013]     In the system, wasted thermal energy is absorbed from the more heated surrounding and stored in some thermal storage materials, which the temperatures of fusion are the same as the regeneration temperatures of the absorptive materials. When the thermal storage materials are brought in contact with the absorptive materials and reach to the temperatures of fusion, i.e., the regeneration temperatures of the absorptive materials, the chemical molecules which previous adsorbed or absorbed will be released.  
         [0014]     In another embodiment, the system may be modified such that the system contains photo catalytic oxidation materials (PCO). The released volatile organic compounds, which previously reside in the absorptive materials, will be released and be decomposed by the PCO materials.  
         [0015]     In another embodiment, the system may recycle the unused thermal energy from a vehicle which it is parked outdoor. When parked outdoor, the thermal energy inside a vehicle is absorbed into a thermal storage materials and it is further transferred to the kinetic energy of the chemical molecules, which previously resided in the absorptive materials.  
         [0016]     The inventions can be applied by integrating into a car air freshener system, air-cleaning device, zeolite regeneration oven, pharmaceutical treatment system, and other aroma-releasing system, odor removal device for rubbish bin located at outdoors. When used in an enclosed environment, the heat recycling system has an added on function of stabilizing the temperature of the environment during operating  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]     The present invention has the principal object of regenerating the absorptive materials by employing the thermal storage materials.  
         [0018]     The present invention has a further object of maintaining a constant temperature for a sustainable period of time during regeneration of the absorptive materials.  
         [0019]     The present invention has a further object of recycling the unwanted thermal energy.  
         [0020]     The present invention has a further object of stabilizing temperature of the environment, when it is applied in an enclosed condition.  
         [0021]     At the temperature of fusion, the thermal storage materials keep on absorbing thermal energy from the surround at a constant temperature until all the “solid phase” thermal storage materials is completely melted.  
         [0022]     When in contact with the absorptive materials, the thermal energy from the thermal storage materials will be transferred to absorptive materials until all the “liquid phase” thermal storage materials crystallized. Energy is released in this process. The energy is then absorbed by the absorptive materials for regeneration.  
         [0023]     The system can be integrated with solar cell. It can also be backed up with a heater equipped with an external power supply. It can also be equipped with a temperature loggers or timer, such that the regeneration condition can be viewed by the users. A fan, which helps to circulate the air around, can be installed together with a transparent enclosure containing coating of photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) materials. The chemical molecules released from the absorptive materials can be decomposed by the PCO materials immediately. Insulating materials wraps around the thermal storage materials can help to preserving the thermal energy for regeneration. However, it can be chosen to “to keep least contact with the thermal storage materials” when the thermal storage materials is absorbing thermal energy from the surround.  
         [0024]     Heat energy is easily generated as a “side-product” when converting one form of energy to another. It can be economically viable if this “side-product” is wisely recycled. The present invention is an innovative technology related to the recycling of heat energy. It is of is of high commercial value as it can be applied in many products related to daily life.  
         [0025]     It can be applied into quality personal and home care products such as air cleaning devices, which could be used in use in vehicle. There are abundant of unused thermal energy inside a vehicle when it is parked outdoor. This invention allows improving in-vehicle air quality while no input of extra energy is required.  
         [0026]     The invention can be applied in medical therapy system or insecticide system; chemical molecules of the medicine or insecticide with pre-set value can be pre-absorbed into absorptive materials. They can be released gradually at a designed period of time for specific uses.  
         [0027]     The invention can also be applied in some public facilities such as air cleaning device for public toilet, refuse collection point and even be integrated into the standalone rubbish bin.  
         [0028]     It present invention is beneficial to fundamental scientific research and some manufacturing production line. Most chemical reaction can only be carried out at specific temperature conditions. Starting reagents can be pre-absorbed into absorptive materials. They are then released for reaction at a specific temperature for a sustainable period.  
         [0029]     The invention combined the concepts of environmental protection and knowledge of frontier science. The invention is applicable in various fields and different products. By converting this invention into products, productivity and competitiveness enhancement will be the immediate beneficial outcomes. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0030]      FIG. 1  schematic diagram of heat recycling system to claim  1 ;  
         [0031]      FIG. 2  schematic diagram of the heat recycling system where a heating device is added as an added on device according to claim  9 ;  
         [0032]      FIG. 3  schematic diagram of the heat recycling system where solar cell is installed as an added on device according to claim  12 ;  
         [0033]      FIG. 4  schematic diagram of the heat recycling system where a fan is installed as an added on device according to claim  13 ;  
         [0034]      FIG. 5  schematic diagram of the heat recycling system with the prism, convex lens or concave mirror being included according to claim  25 ;  
         [0035]      FIG. 6  schematic diagram of the heat recycling system when the insulating layer is aligned to wrap around the compartment holding the thermal storage materials;  
         [0036]      FIG. 7  schematic diagram of the heat recycling system when the insulating layer is aligned in a way which least induced least contact with the compartment holding the thermal storage materials;  
         [0037]      FIG. 8  schematic diagram of the heat recycling system where a surface is coated with photocatalytic oxidation materials;  
         [0038]      FIG. 9  schematic diagram of the heat recycling system when installed with timer, temperature sensor, light intensity meter;  
         [0039]      FIG. 10  indicates the temperature different applying and not applying the heat recycling system inside a vehicle;  
         [0040]      FIG. 11  indicates the air quality upon the application of air freshener which contain the heat recycling system of this invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0041]      FIG. 1  illustrates a basic setup for this invention, absorptive materials ( 105 ) is put into a compartment, enclosing it is the compartment ( 101 ) containing the thermal storage materials ( 104 ). The materials of the whole setup shall be made of stainless steel or any materials which resist to the chemical change. The compartment ( 101 ) for holding the thermal storage materials is preferably of a shinny internal surface ( 103 ). It is preferably to have a dark and rough outer surface ( 102 ). In such case, the internal shinny surface help to improve preservation heat by enhancing the internal radiation, while the black and dark outer surface improves the heat absorptivity.  
         [0042]     The materials of the compartment for holding absorptive materials and thermal storage materials shall be made of metal, such as aluminum, tin, iron, silver, copper, gold, lead or any metals or materials that have a high thermal conductivities. They can be of any shapes and sizes.  
         [0043]     Thermal storage materials ( 104 ) is Carbonate salt. Such as: Lithium Carbonate, Hydrates of Lithium Carbonate, Sodium Carbonate, Hydrates of Sodium Carbonate, Potassium Carbonate, Hydrates of Potassium Carbonate, Magnesium Carbonate, Hydrates of Magnesium Carbonate, Calcium Carbonate, Hydrates of Calcium Carbonate, Beryllium Carbonate, Hydrates of Beryllium Carbonate, Aluminum Carbonate, Hydrates of Aluminum Carbonate, and mixtures thereof.  
         [0044]     Thermal storage materials could also be hydrated salts of Lithium Chloride, Magnesium Chloride, Magnesium Sulfate, Sodium Sulfate, Aluminum Oxide, Aluminum Sulfate, Aluminum Fluoride, Aluminum Nitrate, Lithium Nitrate, Sodium Borate, Beryllium Sulfate, Sodium Phosphate, Calcium Chloride, Zinc Sulfate, Aluminum Chloride, Zinc Chloride and mixtures thereof.  
         [0045]     Thermal storage materials could also be salt of an organic acid is selected from the group consisting of lithium formate, a hydrate of lithium formate, beryllium formate, a hydrate of beryllium formate, sodium formate, a hydrate of sodium formate, magnesium formate, a hydrate of magnesium formate, aluminum formate, a hydrate of aluminum formate, potassium formate, a hydrate of potassium formate, calcium formate, a hydrate of calcium formate, ammonium formate, a hydrate of ammonium formate, lithium acetate, a hydrate of lithium acetate, beryllium acetate, a hydrate of beryllium acetate, sodium acetate, a hydrate of sodium acetate, magnesium acetate, a hydrate of magnesium acetate, aluminum acetate, a hydrate of aluminum acetate, potassium acetate, a hydrate of potassium acetate, calcium acetate, a hydrate of calcium acetate, ammonium acetate, a hydrate of ammonium, lithium propionate, a hydrate of lithium propionate, beryllium propionate, a hydrate of beryllium propionate, sodium propionate, a hydrate of sodium propionate, magnesium propionate, a hydrate of magnesium propionate, aluminum propionate, a hydrate of aluminum propionate, potassium propionate, a hydrate of potassium propionate, calcium propionate, a hydrate of calcium propionate, ammonium propionate, a hydrate of ammonium propionate, lithium butyrate, a hydrate of lithium butyrate, beryllium butyrate, a hydrate of beryllium butyrate, sodium butyrate, a hydrate of sodium butyrate, magnesium butyrate, a hydrate of magnesium butyrate, aluminum butyrate, a hydrate of aluminum butyrate, potassium butyrate, a hydrate of potassium butyrate, calcium butyrate, a hydrate of calcium butyrate, ammonium butyrate, a hydrate of ammonium butyrate, and mixtures thereof.  
         [0046]     Thermal storage materials ( 104 ) could also be selected from a group of hydrocarbon alkane consists of 14 carbons, 15 carbons, 16 carbons, 17 carbons, 18 carbons and 19 carbons, and mixtures thereof.  
         [0047]     More than one type of thermal storage materials could be employed in the system.  
         [0048]     The absorptive materials ( 105 ) could be any materials which belong to metal oxide framework, transition metal oxide frameworks, or any other crystalline oxide framework materials, they could be in any shape and format, ranged from pellet shape, cylindrical shape, irregular shape, liquid format, solid format, paste format and gel format. They could be of 2 dimensional framework structures or 3 dimensional framework structures.  
         [0049]     The aroma, pleasant scents chemical molecules and VOCs adsorbed into the absorptive materials ( 105 ) and will be released to the environment upon elevation of temperature. The pores inside the absorptive materials shall be small enough to retain the aroma or VOCs molecules, while large enough to release it upon elevation of temperature.  
         [0050]     The absorptive materials ( 105 ) can be put on or detached from the device according to the need of the user. When in use, the thermal storage materials ( 104 ) will absorb the heat from the more heated surrounding. When bring in contact with the heated thermal storage materials ( 104 ), the absorptive materials ( 105 ) which previously treated with chemical molecules will started to regenerate.  
         [0051]     In one embodiment ( FIG. 2 ), a heating device ( 201 ) is integrated into the system. The heating device may be driven to operate by connecting its wires ( 202 ) to a power source ( 203 ). The voltage of the heating device shall be, but not limited to 220V, 200V, 110V, 100V, or 12V electrical power supply. The heating device is an added on device for this heat recycling system. When the thermal energy stored in the thermal storage materials is below the regeneration temperature of the absorptive materials, user may choose to connect the heating device to the power supply. In such case, the regeneration of the absorptive materials can still be carried on. When in use, thermal storage materials will be heated up until its temperature of fusion is reached, then the temperature will be come constant and the thermal storage materials will start to melt. When all the thermal storage materials are melted, its temperature will rise again. The circuit shall able to cut off automatically before the “liquid phase” of thermal storage materials vaporized.  
         [0052]     In another embodiment ( FIG. 3 ), the heating device ( 201 ) may also be driven to operate by connecting its wires ( 301 ) to a solar cell system ( 302 ). In such case, when the device is applied inside a vehicle which is parked outdoor, the light and heat energy can be utilized at the same time.  
         [0053]     In another embodiment ( FIG. 4 ), a fan ( 401 ), which is of in-line type or centrifugal type, can be connect by its wires ( 402 ) to the external power source. When operate, the fan can be circulate the air around the device. The chemical molecules released from the absorptive materials ( 105 ) will be diluted immediate when they are just released. The method can enhance and speed up the rate of regeneration, by prevent the concentration of chemical molecules around the absorptive materials become saturated.  
         [0054]     In another embodiment ( FIG. 5 ), a convex lens, or concave mirror ( 501 ) is installed to the heat-recycling device. When operate, the convex lens or concave mirror ( 501 ) may help to concentrate and direct the thermal energy or solar energy to the compartment holding thermal storage materials ( 104 ). The convex lens or concave mirror maximizes the thermal and solar energy to be adsorbed by the thermal storage materials ( 104 ).  
         [0055]     In one embodiment ( FIG. 6 ), insulating materials ( 601 ) is installed at a position surround the part of compartment ( 101 ) for holding the thermal storage materials ( 104 ). When the absorptive materials are being regenerated, heat lost to the surround can be prevented by aligning the insulation materials ( 601 ) to wrap around the part of the compartment holding the thermal storage materials ( 104 ).  
         [0056]      FIG. 7  illustrates during the time when the thermal energy is being absorbed into the thermal storage materials ( 104 ) from the surrounding, the insulation materials ( 601 ) is aligned in a direction which least of it is in contact with the compartment holding the thermal storage materials ( 104 ). In such case, the thermal storage materials ( 104 ) can absorb the maximum amount heat from its surrounding.  
         [0057]     In another embodiment, an enclosure ( 801 ) with hollow space ( 803 ) is put around the absorptive materials ( 105 ). The enclosure is make of transparent materials such as glass and coated with photocatalytic oxidative (PCO) materials in the inner surface ( 804 ). When in use, the VOCs emitted from the absorptive materials will then be released to the hallow space ( 803 ). They can then be decomposed by the PCO materials. By doing so, the system is functioned as an air cleaning device.  
         [0058]     In another embodiment, light sensor ( 905 ), temperature sensor ( 904 ) and timer ( 903 ) are connected to the solar cell ( 302 ) and external power supply ( 303 ) in parallel circuit. Temperature sensor ( 902 ) for measuring the temperature at the absorptive materials or temperature sensor ( 901 ) for measuring the temperature at the thermal storage materials ( 104 ) may also be added. The insulating materials ( 601 ) are chosen to align in a preferential direction either manually or automatically by the feed back signal ( 906 ) from the sensors.  
       EXAMPLE 1  
     The Heat Recycling System is Employed in an Air Freshening System In-vehicle  
       [0059]     The designs of  FIG. 1  to  7  are employed in this example. The absorptive materials contains 100 g zeolite 4A which was pretreated by soaking into 30 g of aroma solution (10-40% lavender oil and 60-90% isopropanol) followed by air drying. The thermal storage materials contain of 50-65 g Magnesium Nitrate and 35-50 g water. The mixture was allowed to heat until all magnesium nitrates was dissolved.  
         [0060]     The phase change temperature for the thermal storage materials is 55° C.-62° C. During it phase change; the aroma oil will be released slowly and stably to the environment.  
       EXAMPLE 2  
     The Heat Recycling System is Employed in an Air Freshening System In-vehicle  
       [0061]     The designs of  FIG. 1  to  7  are employed in this example. The absorptive materials contains 100 g zeolite 4A which was pretreated by soaking into 30 g of aroma solution (10-40% rose oil and 60-90% isopropanol) followed by air drying. The thermal storage materials contain of 17-25% calcium chloride and 17 to 25% water. The mixture was allowed to heat until all calcium chloride was dissolved.  
         [0062]     The phase change temperature for the thermal storage materials is 27° C.-31° C. During it phase change; the aroma oil will be released slowly and stably to the environment.  
         [0063]      FIG. 10  indicates the temperature conditions when the heat recycling system was employed in a vehicle which was packing out door. Since the vehicle was irradiated by the outdoor sunshine, the longer wavelength infra-red light was not able to escape after entered into the vehicle. The temperature inside the vehicle therefore increased continuously. Upon employment of the heat recycling system inside the vehicle, the temperature inside the vehicle could be maintain at a constant level, which was about 28-29° C.  
       EXAMPLE 3  
     Mosquitoes Repelling Device  
       [0064]     The designs of  FIG. 1  to  7  are employed in this example. The absorptive materials contains 100 g zeolite 13A which was pretreated by soaking into 5 g of mosquitoes repelling solution (20-40% citronella oil, 5-10% diethyl-m-toluamide and 50-70% isopropanol) followed by air drying. The thermal storage materials contain of 50-65 g Magnesium Nitrate and 35-50 g water. The mixture was allowed to heat until all magnesium nitrates was dissolved.  
         [0065]     The phase change temperature for the thermal storage materials is 55° C.-62° C. During it phase change; the mosquito&#39;s repelling solution will be released slowly and stably to the environment.  
       EXAMPLE 4  
     Heat Recycling System is Employed in an Air Purifier  
       [0066]     In this example, the designs of  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9  were employed. The absorptive materials contained 100 g zeolite (13X zeolite: 4A zeolite in ratio of 70% to 30%) were used. The thermal storage materials contain of 200 g of mixture of alkanes chain (alkane with 14 carbon atoms: 33-35%, alkane with 15 carbon atoms: 40-45%, alkane with 17 carbon atoms: 20-27%) The mixture was allowed to heat until all were dissolved. The inner surface of the enclosure ( 801 ) was painted with a layer of photocatalytic materials, e.g. titanium dioxide, zirconium dioxide, etc.  
         [0067]     When the system was applied in a location where it was irradiated with light, the thermal storage materials would undergone a phase changing at 32° C.-36° C. During the phase changing, the heat released will be used to heat up the zeolite. The adsorbed volatile organic compounds inside the pores of the zeolite will be released and be decomposed by the photcatalytic materials simultaneously.  
         [0068]      FIG. 11  indicates the air quality when the system mentioned in example 4 was employed in a new decorated room (size: 300 sq ft, head room 9 ft). Experimental results with the following scenarios are shown: (a) when there was no air purifier, (b) when air purifier with the design of  FIG. 9  of this invention was employed. The air flow rate was 120 m 3  per hour. (c) When a system which contain only 100 g of zeolite was used. The air flow rate was 120 m 3  per hour.  
         [0069]     The concentration of formaldehyde was found to accumulate when no air purifier was employed. Upon the used of a system which contains only 100 g of zeolite, the concentration of formaldehyde was first decreased from 150 ppb to 50 ppb. Nevertheless, the concentration gradually built up again when the zeolite was saturated. This is caused by the release of formaldehyde from the new furniture. When the air purifier with the design of  FIG. 9  of this invention was employed, the concentration of formaldehyde decreased without any further increment.