Surface-Modified Carbon and Sorbents for Improved Efficiency in Removal of Gaseous Contaminants

Abstract

A material, and filters and other structures exposed to flowing gas that have the material therein, which removes VOCs, such as formaldehyde, from the gas. The material is a porous sorbent impregnated by a metal oxide, such as manganese oxide (MnOx) nano particles. The sorbent may be activated carbon, and the manganese oxide may catalyze formaldehyde to water and carbon dioxide while the carbon may adsorb formaldehyde, both mechanisms of which remove the VOC from the air to prevent or reduce inhalation of the same by humans. The material may be combined with an untreated sorbent or sorbent treated with ionic alkaline salts.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 416,899 filed Nov. 3, 2016; U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 463,144 filed Feb. 24, 2017; and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 422,943 filed Nov. 16, 2016. The above prior applications are hereby incorporated by reference.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT[0002](Not Applicable)THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT[0003](Not Applicable)REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX[0004](Not Applicable)BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0005]The invention relates generally to materials used to remove contaminants from a gas, and more particularly to materials used to remove contaminant gases, such as aldehydes, from air.[0006]Aldehydes are highly reactive organic compounds, and include formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, propionaldehyde, butyraldehyde, benzaldehyde, cinnamaldehyde, tolualdehyde, and retinaldehyde, among others. Formaldehyde is harmf...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a method of using surface-modified carbons, such as activated carbon, that have been impregnated with transition metals or metal oxides to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde from air. These modified carbons can be added to HVAC filters or placed in air ducts to capture and oxidize the VOCs, resulting in higher filtration efficiency and longer filter life. The patent also describes a fibrous structure coated with metal oxide and ionic suspensions that create catalytic sites on the filter for the oxidation of VOCs. The immobilized carbon in this media has higher adsorption and catalytic activity, allowing for faster and more effective filtration of air.

Problems solved by technology

Formaldehyde is harmful if inhaled by humans at sufficient levels and is considered a volatile organic compound, or VOC.

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