U.S. patent application number 11/316425 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-05 for heating recycling system for regenerating the absorptive materials.
Invention is credited to Yiu Wai Chan, Sui Chun Law.
Application Number | 20070074717 11/316425 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35998586 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070074717 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Law; Sui Chun ; et
al. |
April 5, 2007 |
Heating recycling system for regenerating the absorptive
materials
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.
Inventors: |
Law; Sui Chun; (Shatin,
HK) ; Chan; Yiu Wai; (Tin Shui Wai, HK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JONES DAY
222 EAST 41ST ST
NEW YORK
NY
10017
US
|
Family ID: |
35998586 |
Appl. No.: |
11/316425 |
Filed: |
December 21, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
126/618 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02P 20/10 20151101;
C09K 5/063 20130101; F28D 20/003 20130101; Y02E 60/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
126/618 |
International
Class: |
F24J 2/34 20060101
F24J002/34 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 22, 2004 |
CN |
200410061599.6 |
Claims
1. A heat recycling system consisting of: a compartment holding
thermal storage materials; a compartment or holder contains
absorptive materials, with temperature maintained at a constant
level for a sustainable period of time by absorbing the heat
transfer from the heated thermal storage materials; and the
compartments for holding the thermal storage materials and for
holding the absorptive materials are in contact directly or
indirectly; the said thermal storage materials having a greater
heater storage capacity in comparing with that of the absorptive
materials.
2. The heat recycling system according to claim 1 where the
absorptive materials contain different sizes of pores.
3. The heat recycling system according to claim 2 where the
absorptive materials comprise zeolite, zeolitic materials,
activated carbon, or molecular sieves.
4. The heat recycling system according to claim 3 where the
absorptive materials comprise metal oxide framework, transition
metal oxide frameworks, or any other crystalline oxide framework
materials.
5. The heat recycling system according to claim 1 where the
absorptive materials may be in any shape and format, ranged from
pellet shape, cylindrical shape, irregular shape, liquid format,
solid format, paste format and gel format.
6. The heat recycling system according to claim 1 where the
absorptive materials are previously doped or charged up with
non-toxic volatile organic compounds for medicinal used.
7. The heat recycling system according to claim 1 where the
absorptive materials are previously doped or charged up with aroma,
essential oil, or any chemical molecules which give out pleasant
scent.
8. The heat recycling system according to claim 1 incorporated into
an air purification system.
9. The heat recycling system according to claim 1 further
comprising a heating system or a heater.
10. The heat recycling system according to claim 1 employed as an
air purifier, a transparent surface coating with photocatalytic
oxidation (PCO) materials is integrated into the heat recycling
system and at its surrounding or at the downstream position of the
absorptive materials.
11. The heat recycling system according to claim 1 wherein a solar
cell device as an added on device is integrated.
12. The heat recycling system according to claim 1 wherein a fan or
a ventilation system as an added on device is integrated.
13. The heat recycling system according to claim 1 wherein the
compartments containing the holding absorptive materials and
thermal storage materials have a high thermal conductivities
14. The heat recycling system according to claim 1 wherein the
compartments containing the holding absorptive materials and
thermal storage materials are made of metal, such as aluminum, tin,
iron, silver, copper, gold, lead.
15. The heat recycling system according to claim 1 where external
color of the compartment for holding the thermal storage materials
is black or dark color, and the internal color of the compartment
for holding the thermal storage materials according is silver or
shiny color.
16. The metal oxide framework, transition metal oxide frameworks,
or any other crystalline oxide framework materials according to
claim 4 is of 2 dimensional framework structures or 3 dimensional
framework structures.
17. The heat recycling system according to claim 1 further
comprising a temperature indicator, temperature sensor, or
temperature logging system for sensing the temperature of the
absorptive materials or the temperature of the thermal storage
materials or both.
18. The heat recycling system according to claim 1 wherein a timer
with or without logging system is included as an added on
device.
19. The heat recycling system according to claim 1 further
comprising a light intensity meter.
20. The heat recycling system according to claim 1 wherein a prism,
or convex lens, or concave mirror, or mixture of thereof is
included as an added on device
21. The heat recycling system according to claim 1 wherein the
absorptive materials is previously soaked or doped with volatile
organic compounds.
22. The heat recycling system according to claim 1 wherein the
absorptive materials are previously soaked or doped with volatile
organic medicine for therapy application.
23. The heat recycling system according to claim 1 wherein the
absorptive materials and the compartment holding the absorptive
materials can be detached from the system and replaced by a new one
easily whenever the user think it is necessary to do so.
24. The heat recycling system according to claim 1 where the
insulation materials are installed; the insulation materials are
installed at a position surrounding the part of compartment for
holding the thermal storage materials; when the absorptive
materials are being regenerated, heat lost to the surround can be
prevented by aligning the insulation materials to enclose the part
of the compartment holding the thermal storage materials; when the
thermal energy is being absorbed into the thermal storage
materials, the insulation materials are chosen to align in a
direction which least of it is in contact with the compartment
holding the thermal storage materials.
25. The heat recycling system according to claim 1 where the
insulation materials is any materials which if of low thermal
conductivity; the insulation materials may be fiberglass,
petrochemicals in foam plastic insulation, and cellulose
insulation.
26. The heat recycling system according to claim 24 where the
alignment of the insulation materials is driven manually or
automatically by a light intensity meter or timer or temperature
sensor according to claim 22, claim 23 and claim 24.
27. The heat recycling system according to claim 1 is employed
inside a vehicle system.
28. The heat recycling system according to claim 1 is employed as a
zeolite regeneration oven
29. The heat recycling system according to claim 1 is employed as
an aroma releasing system.
30. The heat recycling system according to claim 1 is employed as a
mosquitoes repelling device.
31. The heat recycling system according to claim 1 is modified as
an air cleaning device for rubbish bin placing at the outdoor
environment.
32. The heat recycling system according to claim 1 is employed in
device chemical reactions which are required to be carried out at
specific temperature condition.
33. Thermal storage materials according to claim 1 may be 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.
34. Thermal storage materials according to claim 1 is 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.
35. Thermal storage materials according to claim 1 is 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.
36. Thermal storage materials according to claim 1 is 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.
37. Thermal storage materials according to claim 1 contain a
positive or negative temperature of fusion. The temperature
mentions in this claim is refer to a unit of Degree Celsius.
38. The thermal storage materials according to claim 1 may refer to
one or more then one type of materials. Single type of thermal
storage material allows the absorptive materials to be regenerate
at a single temperature. When more than one type of thermal storage
materials are employed, multi constant temperature can be achieved.
Different chemical molecules can be released during different
regeneration temperature and different period.
39. When more than one type of thermal storage materials are
employed as claim 1 in an aroma releasing system; different scents
will be released at different regeneration temperatures for
different periods.
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.degree. 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.degree. C.-62.degree. 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.degree. C.-31.degree. 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.degree. 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.degree. C.-62.degree. C. During it phase change;
the mosquito'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.degree. C.-36.degree. 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.sup.3 per hour. (c) When a system which
contain only 100 g of zeolite was used. The air flow rate was 120
m.sup.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.
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