Description:Field of the Invention
The proposed invention concerns to, eliminating the spread of Corona Virus and its variants in an air conditioned (AC) room. By using proper disinfectant fumigation, exhausting the contaminated indoor air and adding fresh air at regular interval can able to wipe out Corona virus in AC room.
Objectives of the invention
The objective of this invention is to develop a supporting kit for Corona free air conditioning system with disinfectant fumigation unit and air blowing units which are operated and controlled by a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC). The other objectives of this invention include the reduction of CO2 and maintaining the human comfort level inside the room.
Background of the Invention
Over the past two years, some Corona virus infected persons may not be exhibiting symptoms like cough and fever. The identification of such infected persons is not possible even through temperature monitoring. This may spread the Corona virus in various areas which uses air conditioning system continuously. Studies have shown that the aerosol containing Corona virus may live for hours in the air in insufficiently ventilated rooms and overcrowded waiting rooms (Kowalik et al. [2020], Cardiology, 27, p 99-114). SARS coronavirus and other variants can persist on inanimate surfaces like metal, glass or plastic for up to 9 days, but can be efficiently inactivated by surface disinfection procedures with 62–71% ethanol, 0.5% hydrogen peroxide or 0.1% sodium hypochlorite within a minute (Kampf et al. [2020], Hospital infection, 104, p 246-251). For airborne transmission inside the built environment, the implementation of UVC lamps, air renewal/filtration, disinfection, HEPA filtration and humidity control can be used to prevent contagion (Santos et al. [2020], Brazilian Archives of Biology and Technology, 63: e20200335 & Ding et al. [2020], Indoor and Built Environment, 29, p 1195-1201).
In addition to research studies, some researchers developed a guideline to limit the indoor airborne transmission of Corona virus in indoor and built area (Bazant and Bush [2021], PNAS, 118: e2018995118) and reviewed about the usage of portable air filters to reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory infections at home and workplaces (Hammond et al. [2021], PLoS ONE, 16: e0251049]. In those guideline and review, the circulation of fresh air, sanitization of surfaces and usage of air filters can prevent the spread of Corona virus in home and workplaces. The usage of HEPA filter in AC unit to prevent the spreading of Corona virus and in face piece was also researched and proved to be effective in elimination of Corona virus in indoor and outdoor area (Clapp et al. [2021], American Journal of Infection Control, 49, p 1206-1209). The role of air recirculation in the spread of COVID-19 in a cruise ship during a quarantine period was studied and reported the effectiveness in controlling spread by air recirculation (Almilaji [2021], Aerosol and Air Quality Research, 21: 2004955). As per the literature studies, in order to overcome the issues like recirculation of contaminated air, manual operation of disinfectant fumigation unit, reduction of CO2 level and more chances of spreading of CORONA virus in indoor places particularly in air-conditioned spaces, the proposed supporting kit for the Corona virus free air conditioning system is much helpful.
Description of Prior Art
Research findings on the fighting against the spreading of Corona virus have received considerable importance as patents because of its direct impact on the damages of human lungs and other parts, leading to end of a human life. One of the recent patents, describes about the intelligent heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system which protects the structure’s occupants from the airborne contaminant by changing the airflow through the structure. This HVAC system closes a shutter in the air duct, turns up a fan, or redirects airflow to a standby filtration system (US10907847B2). Another patent describes about the invention of Covid19 killer robot. It is an appliance able to sterilize anything that is suspected to contain covid19, viruses and bacteria. In this invention, short-wave ultraviolet rays used to destroy the DNA and RNA of Covid19, bacteria and viruses (IN202021022995).
Some of the other patents discuss about ultraviolet light-based disinfecting cabinet and disinfection tunnel for surface disinfection of objects (US009669122B1, EP2705858A1). The ultraviolet light based disinfecting cabinet is designed to be used by hair styling salons and barbershops as a replacement for dry cabinet disinfection. In another case, a surface disinfection tunnel with a speed controller which also employs ultraviolet light source to disinfect wooden pallets, cardboard, containers, boxes, bags, bottles and others. Through the methodical review of prior art in the area related to HVAC system, disinfection robot and disinfection tunnel/cabinet, there is still hope in the development of technologies required to achieve the eradication of Corona viruses in indoor areas other than surface disinfection.
Summary of the Invention
The proposed invention aims to eradicate the Corona virus and its variants in an air conditioned room.
The specific objective of this invention is to develop a supporting kit for Corona free air conditioning system with disinfectant fumigation unit and air blowing units which are operated and controlled by a PLC.
A further specific objective of the invention is to reduce CO2 and maintain human comfort level inside the room.
Detailed Description of the Invention
The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a supporting kit for an air conditioned room to eradicate the presence of Corona virus with the usage of disinfectant fumigation and air blower units which are controlled by a PLC as per the room dimension. The supporting kit was designed based on the following processes, i) Disinfecting the air and human interactive surfaces through fumigation process. ii) Exhausting the contaminated air through a blowing system after filtration. iii) Admitting fresh air after filtration through a blowing system.
With reference to the figure 1 the ‘Supporting Kit for Corona Free Air Conditioning System’ is provided in accordance to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A piping system with holes at uniform interval around the indoor space (1) is used to provide the uniform distribution of disinfectant fumigation. A fumigation unit is provided inside blowing system (2) used to exhaust the contaminated air. The fumigation unit will fumigate sodium hypochlorite solution. This type of disinfectant requires less contact time which is harmless to mucous membrane and skin. The fumes will circulate through the system and disinfects inside room air and surfaces.
In accordance to an embodiment of the disclosure, a blowing system (2) comprises of a blower which sucks contaminated air from the room and send it to the atmosphere after filtering through a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter. A second blowing system (3) is used to blow the fresh air from atmosphere through a HEPA filter to the room. These three systems and their processes are controlled by a PLC with optimum settings based on the size of the air conditioned room. The PLC unit is kept inside the blowing system (3).
The disinfectant fumigation, periodic addition of fresh air after proper filtration, ventilation of contaminated air from an air conditioned room will support the removal or degradation of Corona virus. At the same time recirculation of air in an air conditioning system become necessary to retain comfort temperature level and control energy costs. But the recirculation of indoor air will dilute the concentrations of viral particles. Hence limiting the recirculation of indoor air and exhausting more contaminated indoor air by replacing with fresh air may help in reduction of transmission risk.
The proposed supporting kit for Corona free air conditioning system with disinfectant fumigation unit and air blowing units will minimize or avoid the transmission of such virus through air and surface contact. A Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) based control unit is used to operate the disinfection fumigation unit and air blowing units for carrying out various processes like disinfecting, fresh air addition and exhausting the contaminated air. The disinfectant quantity, time duration of disinfectant addition, time duration of contaminated air ventilation and quantity of fresh air addition after filtration are controlled by PLC. Also the uniform distribution of disinfectant fumigation is taken care by providing a pipe with holes at uniform interval around the indoor space (room).
The same supporting kit may be used to remove the contaminated air and admit fresh air after filtration inside a closed space with no air conditioning system. The scope of the invention was not limited to its usage as a supporting kit for the corona free air conditioning system of a room and may be useful in AC coach of a train and in passenger airplane with suitable modifications.
5 Claims & 1 Figure
Brief Description of Drawing
The invention will be described in detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figure wherein:
Figure 1 is the pictorial representation of supporting kit for Corona free air conditioning system. , Claims:We claim the following from our invention,

Claim:
1. A supporting kit for Corona free air conditioning system comprising:
a) A piping system with holes at uniform interval around the indoor space (1) is used to provide the uniform distribution of disinfectant fumigation. It is attached with a fumigation unit kept inside the blowing system (2).
b) A blowing system (2) comprises a fumigation unit to fumigate sodium hypochlorite solution and a blower which sucks contaminated air from the room and send it to the atmosphere after filtering through a HEPA filter.
c) A second blowing system (3) is used to blow the fresh air from atmosphere through a HEPA filter to the room, also used to accommodate a PLC unit.
2. As mentioned in claim1, a piping system is fixed in three side walls at a suitable height other than the door side wall. This is responsible to avoid major wastage of disinfectant fumigation when door kept open for persons entering and leaving the hall.
3. According to claim 1, a blowing system (2) is used to suck the contaminated air from room at regular interval and send it to atmosphere after proper filtration, the process is controlled by a PLC.
4. As per claim 1, a second blowing system (3) is used to blow the fresh air after filtration into the room at the time of needy situation, the process is controlled by a PLC.
5. As per claim 1, the supporting kit for Corona free air conditioning system will eradicate the presence of Corona virus in indoor space with the usage of disinfectant fumigation and air blower units (2, 3) which are operated and controlled by a PLC for optimal working of the system and parameter settings.