Field of the invention:

The present invention relates to the system and method for reducing air pollution and more particularly to a smog removal machine for reducing toxic pollutants from the air.

Background of the invention:

Most of the toxic air pollutants are generated from automobile sources such as cars, trucks, buses and all types of vehicles. Further, stationary sources such as factories, refineries, power plants and indoor sources such as building materials, cleaning solvents, agriculture waste fire, forest fires also produce air pollutants.

Vehicle exhaust, coal power plant and factory emission releases nitrogen oxide. Gasoline, paints and many cleaning solvents releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs). When sunlight reacts with the nitrogen oxide and at least one volatile organic compound (VOC) in the atmosphere, it forms airborne particles and smog.

The surrounding area and sky appears grey due to the dense smog. This in turn increases the AQI (Air quality index) and reports health hazards to living systems. Thick smog density decreases the visibility on road, railway, airport and shipping transportation. This especially generates serious crisis in winter season every year. Considering this problem as a prime concern, there is a need of low carbon and healthier lifestyle.

Accordingly, there is a need of advancement in the air pollution reducing system which can provide continuous removal of the smog from the atmosphere, Objects of the invention:

An object of the present invention is to remove smog from the air.

Yet another object of the present invention is to improve healthier lifestyle by reducing carbon from the air.

Summary of the invention

Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention provides a system for removal of smog to reduce air pollution. The system comprises an air inlet chamber provided with air inlet vents; an ionization chamber fitted there below receiving inlet air therefrom and having a plurality of ionization units vertically fitted therein. Each ionization unit of the plurality of ionization units is a hollow rectangular body fitted with an air suction fan at the top a second filter of an electrically conductive material at the bottom, and an ozone suppression unit below the second filter. A plurality of discharge electrodes having sharp pointed tips are disposed on two opposing inner surfaces of the ionization unit in a planner configuration. The plurality of discharge electrodes are connected to a high voltage direct current source supplying voltage either in increasing order or in decreasing order in a range between 3 kV to 25 kV. In an embodiment, the ionization unit is fitted with a plurality of unipolar discharge electrodes, wherein the unipolar discharge electrodes in the upper part are supplied with positive DC voltage and the unipolar discharge electrodes in the lower part are supplied with negative DC voltage. In another embodiment, the ionization unit is fitted with a plurality of bipolar discharge electrodes. The plurality of discharge electrodes create an electrostatic field inside the ionization unit and ionize the particulate matter in the air. A grid having a flat, grilled surface is fitted between two opposing surfaces in a zigzag manner and provided with a ground potential to trap and bind the ionized particles. Optionally a first filter of electrically conductive material having pore size larger than the pore size of the second filter is fitted in the middle, dividing the ionization unit in an upper part and a lower part. An air outlet chamber is fited below the ionization chamber receiving clean air therefrom and having plurality of air exit vents fited between a first partition and a second partition. A power and control circuit is enclosed in a panel enclosure in a lower chamber fited below the air outlet chamber, supplying a high output voltage to the plurality of discharge electrodes and supplying power to the air suction fan. The power and control circuit provided with an earthing arrangement and a lightening conductor, generates the high output voltage by using a power source, an isolation transformer, an auto transformer, and a high voltage neon transformer and converts the into DC voltage by using a bridge rectifier circuit and a high voltage capacitor.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a system for removal of smog to reduce air pollution. In first step method comprises switching on the air suction fan thereby sucking the ambient air to be cleaned into a plurality of ionization units. In next step, the plurality of electrodes are supplied with Itage either in increasing order or in decreasing order in a range between 3 kV to 25 kV, thereby creating an electrostatic field inside the ionization unit to ionize the particulate mater in the air and transporting the air flow through a plurality of discharge electrodes. In next step, the ionized particles are agglomerated on a grid provided with ground potential. The agglomerated particles collected on a first filter and a second filter are then removed to clean the ionization chamber and the clean air is passed out the system through air exit vents.

Brief description of the drawings:

The objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when the disclosure is read in conjunction with the following figures, wherein

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a smog removal system, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 shows top view of the smog removal system, in accordance with the present invention; Figures 3A and 3B show details of an ionization unit of in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention;

Figure 4 shows details of construction of the smog removal system, in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 5 shows paths and the forces acting upon particulates passing through different charged regions of the smog removal system, in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 6 shows of the smog removal system, in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments:

The foregoing objects of the present invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art, techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiment. The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The present invention provides a system and method for removing smog from the atmosphere by means of a smog removal machine. The smog removal machine is a sturdy tall tower surrounded by light weight operable flex glass flaps for purifying air continuously. For development of ion generator a high voltage power supply is designed and developed indigenously. The high output voltage is developed by using isolation transformer, autotransformer, and high voltage neon transformer and it is converted into DC voltage by using Wheatstone bridge circuit and high voltage capacitor.

The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. These reference numbers are shown in bracket in the following description and in the table below.

Table:

Referring to the figures 1 to 6, a system (100) for removal of smog (hereinafter referred as ‘the system (100)’) to reduce air pollution is disclosed. The system (100) comprises an air inlet chamber (10), an ionization chamber (40), an air outlet chamber (60) and a lower chamber (70) enclosing a power and control circuit (90). The system (100) constructed in steel/ aluminum is mounted on a mounting base (80) preferably constructed in concrete. The air inlet chamber (10) is provided with air inlet vents (5) for letting the outside air in. In an embodiment, the air inlet vents (5) are the operable louvers made in FRP.

The ionization chamber (40) is fitted below the air inlet chamber (10) to receive the inlet air therefrom. The ionization chamber (40) is a rectangular chamber and provided with ionization chamber doors (50) for accessing the inner space thereof. A plurality of ionization units having a hollow rectangular body are vertically fitted inside the ionization chamber (40) on a first partition (75). In a preferred embodiment, four ionization units (30) are fitted inside the ionization chamber (40). Each ionization unit (30) from the plurality of ionization units is fitted with an air suction fan (15) at the top, a second filter (28B) at the bottom and an ozone suppression unit (20) below the second filter (28B). In an embodiment, foldable staircase is provided for accessing the plurality of ionization chambers.

A plurality of discharge electrodes are disposed on two opposing inner surfaces of the ionization unit (30) in a planner configuration. Each discharge electrode from the plurality of discharge electrodes is connected to a high voltage direct current source through a high voltage module fitted thereto and mounted on outside wall of the ionization unit (30). The plurality of discharge electrodes are supplied with voltage either in increasing order or in decreasing order in a range between 3 kV to 25 kV, thereby creating an electrostatic field inside the ionization unit (30) and ionizing the particulate matter in the air. A plurality of grids provided with ground potential is fitted between two opposing surfaces in a zigzag manner to trap and bind the ionized particles. Each grid (26) from the plurality of grids is a flat, grilled surface constructed with two parallel rods and a mesh joining thereto of a conducting material selected from copper and steel; and coated with carbon fiber mat of woven material. A first filter (28A) having pore size larger than the pore size of the second filter (28B) is optionally fitted in the middle, dividing the ionization unit (30) in an upper part and a lower part. In an embodiment, the first filter (28A) and the second filter (28B) are made of layers of any material selected from carbon fiber, glass fiber, cotton fiber and mixture thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the first filter (28A) and the second filter (28B) are made from alternative layers of carbon fiber, glass fiber and cotton fiber.

In an embodiment, the ionization unit (30) is fitted with a plurality of unipolar discharge electrodes (22), wherein the unipolar discharge electrodes (22) in the upper part are supplied with positive DC voltage through a unipolar high voltage module (24) mounted on outside wall of the ionization unit (30), either in increasing order or in decreasing order in a range between 3 kV to 25 kV and the unipolar discharge electrodes (22) in the lower part are supplied with negative DC voltage through a unipolar high voltage module (24) mounted on outside wall of the ionization unit (30), either in increasing order or in decreasing order in a range between 3 kV to 25 kV. In an exemplary embodiment, voltages of the electrodes in the upper part from top to bottom are respectively ~5kV, ~10kV, ~15kV and ~20kV; and voltages of the electrodes in the lower part from top to bottom are respectively ~5kV, ~10kV, ~15kV and ~20kV. The plurality of discharge electrodes having sharply pointed tips develop high charge density near the pointed tip. In this way, a positive region is formed in the upper part of the ionization unit (30) due to discharge of positive potential through unipolar discharge electrodes (22) therein while a negative region is formed in the lower part of the ionization unit (30) due to discharge of negative potential through unipolar discharge electrodes (22) therein.

In another embodiment, the ionization unit (30) is fitted with a plurality of bipolar discharge electrodes (32) supplied with high voltage DC current through a bipolar high voltage module (34) mounted on outside wall of the ionization unit (30), either in increasing or in decreasing manner in a range between 3 kV to 25 kV.

The ozone suppression unit (20) is fitted with sensors for detecting ozone and operably connected to the high voltage direct current source for automatically adjusting the voltage when the ozone level is beyond the preset limit as per EPA norms. Discharge electrodes emit charging current and provide voltage that generates an electrical field between the discharge electrodes and the grounded grid (26). Ambient Air contains all types of particulates and contaminants having different charges (+ve, -ve, inert) on them. When ambient air enters the ionization unit (30), negatively charged particulates are adsorbed on positively charged air ions, get deactivated and settle on the grid. At the same time the entered positive charges are repelled in this region towards lower negative region and get adsorbed on negative air ions thereby getting deactivated and separated from air. The electrical field forces dust and other pollutant particles in the air stream to migrate towards the grid (26). Referring to figure 5, paths of the positively charged particles in air and the negatively charged particles in air are illustrated in an exemplary embodiment, for understanding working of the ionization unit (30). Ambient air along with particulate matter and contaminants enters into the ionization unit (30) through the air suction fan (15). The particles in the air include positively charged particles and negatively charged particles. For the purpose of understanding, a negatively charged particle is denoted by ‘N’ in red color and a positively charged particle is denoted by ‘P’ in red color. The negatively charged particle follows a curved path till it is attracted towards the positively charged unipolar discharge electrode (22) in the upper part. Positions of the positively charged particle (P) are denoted by ‘P 1 to P5 ’ in red color and path of the particle P is shown with dotted lines along with vector notation representing force and velocity. In position P2, the only factor affecting the velocity of particle is the velocity of air column entering the ionization chamber (30). After passing the first grid (26A) in position P3, the proximity of the second positively charged unipolar discharge electrode (22B) results in a repulsive force thereby causing the particle P to pass through the second grid (26B) with an accelerated velocity shown by downward vector. Again due to proximity of third positively charged unipolar discharge electrode (22C) resulting in a repulsive force, the particle P follows path towards position P4. The repulsive forces between the third positively charged unipolar discharge electrode (22C) results in velocity vector leading the particle P to pass through the third grid (26C) and ultimately get attracted towards the first negatively charged unipolar discharge electrode (22D) in the lower part of the ionization unit (30). The pollutants and particles in the air get agglomerated and neutralized. The agglomerated particles get trapped on the first filter (28A) and the second filter (28B)

The number of discharge electrodes in the plurality of discharge electrodes and the number of grinds in the plurality of grids (26) is determined depending upon velocity of the air column entering the ionization unit (30) and the designated percentage of the particulates passing there through.

The air outlet chamber (60) is fitted below the ionization chamber (40) receiving clean air therefrom and having plurality of air exit vents (78) fitted between a first partition (75) and a second partition (76).

The power and control circuit (90) is enclosed in a panel enclosure (85) in the lower chamber (70) fitted below the air outlet chamber (60), supplying a high output voltage to the plurality of discharge electrodes and supplying power to the air suction fan (15). The power and control circuit (90) generates the high output voltage by using a power source (91), an isolation transformer (92), an auto transformer (93), and a high voltage neon transformer (94) and converts the into DC voltage by using a bridge rectifier circuit (95) and a high voltage capacitor (96).

The pollutant particulate separated by the ionization units (30) get accumulated on the inner wall of ionization units (30) and on the nearby hard surfaces available. Hence periodic cleaning is essential of the SRM (100).

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method (200) for removal of smog to reduce air pollution. In first step, the method (200) comprises receiving the air to be cleaned into a plurality of ionization units (30) by air suction fan (15). In next step, the method (200) comprises transporting the air flow through a plurality of discharge electrodes disposed on two opposing inner surfaces of the ionization unit (30) in a planner configuration and connected to a high voltage direct current source supplying voltage either in increasing order or in decreasing order in a range between 3 kV to 25 kV, thereby creating an electrostatic field inside the ionization unit (30) and ionizing the particulate matter in the air. In next step, the ionized particles are agglomerated on a grid (26) provided with ground potential; and finally the agglomerated particles are removed from a first filter (28A) and a second filter (28B).

The system (100) of the present invention is further illustrated by the following example. The example is given by way of illustration and should not be construed to limit the scope of present invention. Reduction of smoke collected in the closed container was experimentally checked with the help of ion generator. The high output voltage for ionizer was developed by using isolation transformer, autotransformer, and high voltage neon transformer and it was converted into DC voltage by using Wheatstone bridge circuit and high voltage capacitor. By adjusting -8.5 kV electric voltage to discharge electrode, the performance of this circuit was tested for removal of mosquito coil smoke and petrol smoke collected in closed glass container. Various runs were carried out. The light intensity was measured for each run as a function of time, in presence and absence of negative air ions generated by the discharge electrode of the designed ion generator. After operating this device continuously for 6 minutes, 98% of the aerosol particles were removed from container in addition to the natural decay effect. The particle removal efficiency increases with increasing ion emission rate and the time of emission

Advantages of the invention

The system (100) provides a versatile smog cleaner.

The system (100) provides a machine to clear out up to 78 % of particle as big as 15pm and as small as 10 nanometres. The system (100) can be set up at main squares in city, local parks, factory premises, highways, airports and number of places in metro cities to provide pollution free clean air

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the scope of the claims of the present invention.