Low-Cost, Regenerable Air Filter for Efficient Gaseous Pollutants Removal

Precision Combustion, Inc. (PCI) proposes to develop a regenerable, low-cost, high-efficiency pollution control technology for removal of gaseous pollutants from contaminated air streams. This innovative air filter technology will combine our novel proprietary Microlith® support elements with sorbent nanomaterials that can be tailored to capture a variety of targeted gaseous pollutants. Originally developed for spacecraft and space station cabin atmosphere revitalization systems, Microlith®-based adsorbers have been demonstrated to be superior (i.e., lower powerconsumption, lighter and smaller size) to existing technologies, such as pellets and monoliths. Additionally, this technology offers the benefits of low pressure drop, rapid in situ regeneration, high adsorbent utilization, longer adsorbent life, design modularity and adsorbent flexibility, as wellas tunability and control of desorption rate and adsorbent bed temperature. These features will support a system offering reliably high air quality at a lower lifecycle cost than is achieved with disposable filter-based systems, and in a form factor that is suitable for retrofit installation. In Phase 1, a bench-scale adsorbent air cleaner filter will be developed to demonstrate thermal stability and ability to maintain>90 percent adsorption activity following exposures to chemical contaminants, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in ambient air for multiple adsorption­desorption cycles. The prototype’s ability to capture and release the VOCs with tunable adsorption and regeneration kinetics will be demonstrated. PCI’s regenerable air cleaner module faces target entry markets in building systems where high air quality is a critical concern, filter change-outs are limited and existing regenerable systems are too large and/or consume too much energy. The approach offers a cost-saving route to improved indoor air quality in industrial and commercial buildings, and potentially in homes.