WO2021124232A1

WO2021124232A1 - A method for treating atmospheric air pollution by using shock waves

Info

Publication number: WO2021124232A1
Application number: PCT/IB2020/062163
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mohammad Hossein HASSANI; Seyed ali AGHAYAN; Arash KHAJEH
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-12-19
Filing date: 2020-12-18
Publication date: 2021-06-24
Anticipated expiration: 2022-06-19

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a method for treating the atmospheric air pollution by using the shock waves. The method may include a shock wave generator; which can be installed on the ground surface or at the height same as the inversion layer. Therefore shock waves can be shot vertically toward the mixture of cold air molecules and pollutants below the inversion layer and/or horizontally forward to the interface between the inversion layer and mixture of cold air molecules and pollutants below that. The shock waves should be shot frequently, at least two times, and with proportional intervals to be provided sufficient momentum for particle movement. The power level of the shock waves may be higher than 120dB.

Description

A method for treating atmospheric air pollution by using shock waves

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from Iranian Patent Application Ser. No. 139850140003008625, filed on Dec. 19, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to the technical field of controlling atmospheric air pollution, in particular to a method for accelerating the vertical convective movement of the atmosphere by using shock waves.

BACKGROUND ART

[0003] In an increasingly industrialized society, environmental problems have become more and more serious. The emission of industrial waste gas, the burning of living fuels, and the emission of automobile exhausts have caused more and more pollution to the atmospheric environment, especially in cities where population and industrial facilities are concentrated. Air pollution can significantly affect the health of humans and other organisms. Many diseases are related to environmental pollution, such as respiratory diseases, blood system diseases, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.

[0004] Under normal climatic conditions, pollutants are gradually circulated into the atmosphere. However, under inversion temperature, the air with low temperature is actually lower, leading to the stay of pollutants and cannot be discharged in time. The inversion layer hinders the vertical convection movement of the air, causes the air near the ground to be stationary and the deposition of pollutants with a large proportion. Therefore, reducing air pollution, in addition to strictly controlling pollutants in cold seasons is more important. Furthermore efforts to create or accelerate air flow and increase the rate of removal of pollutants in the atmosphere can result in significant environmentally sound improvements.

[0005] Generally, different methods are used to control the air pollution. For example, by using a high-pressure spray device that moves on the vehicle, mist is sprayed into the air which combines with harmful dust particles before falling as water droplets and make the air cleaner. This method is limited in height, generally only a few tens of meters, and can only reduce the pollution in a small area for a short time. Also, other devices such as chimney or electromagnetic filter are used in some big cities. But these equipment are expensive, their process is time consuming and also the volume of purified air is limited.

[0006] Thus, there exists a need for developing a method for treating atmosphere air pollution, which specifically address to the problem of atmospheric pollution caused by the inversion layer.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0007] This summary is intended to provide an overview of the subject matter of the present disclosure, and is not intended to identify essential elements or key elements of the subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to determine the scope of the claimed implementations. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. The proper scope of the present disclosure may be ascertained from the claims set forth below in view of the detailed description below and the drawings.

[0008] The technical problem solved by the present invention is to treat atmospheric air pollution especially caused by the inversion layer. Appearance of the inversion layer prevents the air circulation which reduces the concentration of the pollutants near the cities. The technical solution proposed by the present invention is:

[0009] In one general aspect, the present disclosure describes a method for treating the air pollution by using shock waves. In an exemplary embodiment, the shock waves are generated by using a shock wave generator which is installed in the desired location. The shock wave generator can be placed on the ground surface and/or on the higher height especially same as the inversion layer height. The shock waves can be shot vertically or horizontally regarding to the location of the shock wave generator.

[0010] In one embodiment, the shock waves have at least 120dB power level which can be generated by anti-hail device as a result of loud explosion.

[0011] In one general aspect, the shock waves move the cold air molecules and pollutants, which leads to subversion of the inversion layer. Moreover, the air and pollutants flow to the higher height will be possible which causes a reduction in the concentration of the pollutants particles.

[0012] While most of the existing technologies for solving air pollution are indirect passive treatment solutions, which have not been effective and have huge social and economic costs, the present invention is low cost and more effective.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0013] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present disclosure, the method, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the present disclosure will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure. Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example in association with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0014] Fig. 1A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed method comprising a shock wave generator placed on the ground surface near a power plant and polluted environment;

[0015] Fig. IB illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed method comprising a shock wave generator placed on the ground surface in which the inversion layer has been destroyed by vertical shot shock waves;

[0016] Fig. 1C illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed method comprising a shock wave generator placed on the ground surface in which cold air and pollutant flow to the higher altitude is formed due to the shock waves;

[0017] Fig. ID illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed method comprising a shock wave generator placed on the height same as the inversion layer; and

[0018] Fig. IE illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the disclosed method comprising a shock wave generator placed on the height same as the inversion layer in which the inversion layer has been destroyed by horizontal shot shock waves, which eventually leads to cold air and pollutant flow to the higher altitude.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT

[0019] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth by way of examples to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings related to the exemplary embodiments. However, it should be apparent that the present teachings may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, components, and/or circuitry have been described at a relatively high-level, without detail, in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present teachings.

[0020] The following detailed description is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the methods and devices disclosed in exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. For purposes of explanation, specific nomenclature is set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required to practice the disclosed exemplary embodiments. Descriptions of specific exemplary embodiments are provided only as representative examples. Various modifications to the exemplary implementations will be plain to one skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations and applications without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the implementations shown, but is to be accorded the widest possible scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

[0021] It must be noted that, as used in this specification, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0022] As used herein, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “constituting,” “containing,” “consisting of,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.

[0023] Reference herein to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “one or more embodiments,” “one exemplary embodiment,” “an exemplary embodiment,” “some exemplary embodiments,” and “one or more exemplary embodiments” indicate that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection or association with the embodiment can be included in at least one of such embodiments. However, the appearance of such phrases in various places in the present disclosure do not necessarily refer to a same embodiment or embodiments.

[0024] The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term “embodiments of the invention” does not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation.

[0025] The term ” intended target” as used in the present disclosure may be used to refer to the pollutants, pollutants particles, layer of concentrated pollutants below the inversion layer, interface between the inversion layer and cold layer below that.

[0026] The terms ” pollution particle” and “PM2.5” as used in the present disclosure may be used interchangeably to refer to the pollutants. The term “PM2.5” in air pollution, is known to those skilled in the art.

[0027] The present disclosure relates to an exemplary method for treating air pollution by using the shock waves, specifically addresses to the problem of atmospheric pollution caused by the inversion layer; the method disclosed herein includes one or more shock waves generator(s), producing and shooting the shock waves toward the intended target.

[0028] In one embodiment, a shock wave generator is used to produce shock waves and shoots toward the intended target. The power level of the generated shock waves are more than 120dB at a distance of 10 meters higher than the generator. It should be mentioned that the shock wave as a kind of longitudinal wave, causes PM 2.5 oscillate after colliding with them. It should be mentioned that the 120dB power level does not limit the shock waves with lower power level which can make the desired momentum for the particles and they are also within the scope of the present invention. [0029] In one or more embodiments, the shock waves can be produced by a loud explosion. As an example, loud explosion can be made by detonating acetylene gas. Exemplary embodiments consist of an anti-hail device in which the shock waves are achieved by the explosion of the acetylene gas and a large conical barrel is used to direct the sound waves upward. It should be mentioned that the anti-hail device and gas explosion as shock waves generator do not limit other ways of obtaining shock waves, and they are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0030] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1A illustrates exemplary embodiments of the using shock waves for treating the air pollution near a power plant 101. As can be seen, the shock wave generator 102 can be placed on the ground so that the shock waves 103 are shot upward, toward the inversion layer 104, PM 2.5 105, and cold air molecules 106.

[0031] In accordance with FIG. 1A, and exemplary embodiments, for treating the air pollution, the shock wave generator 102 is turned on and frequently shooting the shock waves 103 upward. As one embodiment, shock waves 103 can produced by 10 to 30 seconds intervals, repeating for at least 10 minutes. It should be noted that the mentioned frequency of shock waves generation does not limit other schedules for shock waves generation and they are also within the scope of the present invention.

[0032] In exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIG. IB, thanks to the shock waves 103, each PM 2.5 105 oscillating and moving upward, which simultaneously hit about thousands of cold air molecules 106 and the collision steadily continues. The cold air molecules 106 received momentum in the vertical direction, which is transferred to the other cold air molecules 106 during the perpendicular displacement. In one embodiment, because of shooting the shock waves 103 for the first time, about billions of cold air molecules 106 in 200 and 500 meters height move to the 10 and 1.5 meters higher, respectively. It may be understandable to those skilled in the art that air molecules above the inversion layer is colder 107 than the air molecules 106 below that. In an exemplary embodiment, an intermittent shooting of the shock waves 103 results in much more displacement of the cold air molecules 106. For example, shooting the shock waves 103 every 30 seconds for 10 minutes, transports billions of cold air molecules 106 in 200 meters height to the higher and imported to the inversion layer 104.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 1C, in an embodiment, because of cold air molecules 106 entering the inversion layer 104, its temperature decreases, and more cold air molecules 106 have been directed to this area, accelerating the cooling rate of the inversion layer 104 and entry rate of the cold air molecules 106 into the layer. In another embodiment, the presence of much more cold air molecules 106 in the inversion layer 104 is responsible for the inversion layer subversion, transferring cold air molecules 106 to the colder layer 107. As can be seen in FIG. 1C, in an exemplary embodiment, the PM 2.5 105 are transferred higher as a result of inversion layer 104 destruction. It is worth mentioning that all the events are due to the frequently shock waves shot.

[0034] Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 D and E illustrate another exemplary embodiments of the using shock waves for treating the air pollution near a power plant 101. As can be seen, the shock wave generator 102 can be placed on the height 108 same as the inversion layer 104, so the shock waves 103 are shot horizontally forward, toward the interface between the inversion layer 104 and PM 2.5 105, and cold air molecules 106 below that. It is worth noted that the mentioned location of the shock wave generator does not limit both other forms of placing the shock wave generator and shooting directions, and they are also within the scope of the present invention. In other word, especially in the latter position of the shock wave generator, at high height and horizontal shooting, a little bit higher or lower is not so important, but the shock waves should increase the entropy of the both air molecules and pollutants, causing succeeding collision and destroying the inversion layer.

[0035] As can be seen in FIG. IE, horizontal shooting the shock waves 103 toward the interface between the inversion layer 104 and the mixture of the cold air molecules 106 and PM 2.5 105 results in increasing the entropy of the both air molecules and pollutants, making a turbulency and irregularity. Consequently, the inversion layer’s boundaries are destroyed, the cold air molecules 106 and PM 2.5 105 penetrate to the inversion layer 104 causes reducing the inversion layer temperature which it makes possible the transferring of the cold air molecules 106 and PM 2.5 105 to the colder layer 107.

Claims

Claims What is claimed is:

[Claim 1] A method for treating air pollution by using shock waves, the method comprising:

Using a shock wave generator;

Installing the shock wave generator in a location; and

Shooting the shock waves at least for two times.

[Claim 2] The method of treating air pollution according to claim 1, wherein the shock waves are generated by loud explosion.

[Claim 3] The method of treating air pollution according to claim 1, wherein the shock waves generator is an anti-hail device, anti-hail gun or anti-hail rocket.

[Claim 4] The method of treating air pollution according to claim 1, wherein the shock waves have power level at least 120 dB at a distance of 10 meters.

[Claim 5] A method for treating air pollution by using shock waves, the method characterizing the shock wave generator placed on the ground surface, vertically shooting the shock waves towards the high altitudes.

[Claim 6] The method of treating air pollution according to claim 5, wherein the shock waves generator is an anti-hail gun.

[Claim 7] The method of treating air pollution according to claim 5, wherein the shock waves have power level at least 130 dB at a distance of 10 meters.

[Claim 8] The method of treating air pollution according to claim 5, further comprising the step of repeating the shooting of the shock waves at least for two times.

[Claim 9] A method for treating air pollution by using shock waves, the method characterizing the location of the shock waves generator is the same as the inversion layer in height.

[Claim 10] The method of treating air pollution according to claim 9, wherein the shock waves horizontally shot to the interface between the inversion layer and cold air below it.

[Claim 11] The method of treating air pollution according to claim 9, wherein the shock waves generator is an anti-hail gun.

[Claim 12] The method of treating air pollution according to claim 9, wherein the shock waves have power level at least 130 dB at a distance of 10 meters.

[Claim 13] The method of treating air pollution according to claim 9, further comprising the step of repeating the shooting of the shock waves at least for two times. |