Patent ID: 8454729

Claim:
A system for purifying indoor air comprising: a filter bed comprising a growing medium with at least one growing plant rooted therein and configured to be capable of sustaining an airflow therethrough between a top surface thereof and a bottom surface thereof, said filter bed comprising a substantially horizontal portion thereof; an irrigation system comprising a plurality of irrigation source outlets for delivering water to said filter bed in a substantially-uniform fashion; an active region of said filter bed comprising that region of said filter bed configured so as to substantially have said airflow flowing therethrough; and said irrigation system configured such that water therefrom is capable of being projected so as to reach at least 50% of said top surface of said active region and top down moisturizing said active region; wherein: at least some of said irrigation source outlets are situated below a predominant leaf line of said plants so as to ensure a projection of water substantially unobstructed by the plant leaves, at least some of said outlets projecting water above said top surface of said active region; at least some of said irrigation source outlets are capable of projecting water emanating therefrom over a radius of at least two inches therefrom; the filter bed and at least one plant rooted therein are situated such that air purified can be recirculated via an HVAC system of an interior space; said filter bed can be used in a free standing arrangement; and the need for both incoming outdoor air and exhaust venting of interior air to the outside if passing through the HVAC system is substantially reduced due to interior air purification by the filter bed.