AIR CLEANING SYSTEM AND OPERATING METHOD THEREOF

Description

This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0165642, and all the benefits accruing therefrom under 35 U.S.C. § 119, the content of which in its entirety is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The disclosure relates to an air cleaning system installed in a purification space capable of fluid communication with an outdoor space, and an operating method of the air cleaning system.

2. Description of the Related Art

As air pollution caused by particulate matter (PM) and harmful gases becomes more severe, attempts have been made to purify air in a specific outdoor region for safe outdoor activities. As part of such outdoor air purification attempts, there is a method of enlarging existing indoor air purification devices and installing them outdoors, and an air circulation method of strengthening the air circulation between an outdoor space and a purification space.

However, according to the above-described methods, large air purification facilities are required to purify wide purification zones due to air flow in an open space outside, which may cause an excessive energy consumption problem. In addition, when the pollution level of external air is higher than that of the purification space due to events such as yellow dust, the pollution level of the purification zones may increase due to air circulation between the outdoor space and the purification area.

SUMMARY

Provided are an air cleaning system capable of efficiently forming a purification zone in an outdoor space and an operating method of the air cleaning system.

Provided are an air cleaning system capable of controlling an operation of an air purification device or a ventilation device by comparing a pollution level of air in an external space with a pollution level of air in a purification space and an operating method of the air cleaning system.

Provided are an air cleaning system capable of controlling an operation of an air purification device or a ventilation device by comparing a target pollution level of a purification space with a pollution level of air in a purification space according to the operations of the air purification device and the ventilation device and an operating method of the air cleaning system.

Provided are an air cleaning system capable of controlling an operation of an air purification device or a ventilation device in an environment in which polluted air is generated from an object disposed in a purification space and an operating method of the air cleaning system.

Provided are an air cleaning system capable of controlling an operation of an air purification device or a ventilation device in an open system in which external air in an external space flows into a purification space and an operating method of the air cleaning system.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the presented embodiments of the disclosure.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, an air cleaning system includes: a partition wall surrounding a purification space to define the purification space with respect to an external space and defining at least one opening through which the purification space communicates with the external space, a first sensor unit configured to measure a rate of generation of polluted air from an object disposed in the purification space, a second sensor unit configured to measure a first pollution level of external air in the external space, an air purification device configured to purify internal air inside the purification space and discharge purified air, a ventilation device configured to allow the external air in the external space to flow into the purification space through the at least one opening, and discharge the internal air inside the purification space into the external space, and a processor configured to control operations of the air purification device and the ventilation device.

A clean air delivery rate (“CADR”) of the air purification device may be determined based on a pollutant removal efficiency of the air purification device and a pass flow rate passing through the air purification device.

A second pollution level may be defined as a ratio of the rate of generation of the polluted air from the object to the CADR of the air purification device, and the processor may by compare the first pollution level with the second pollution level to determine whether to operate the ventilation device.

As the second pollution level exceeds the first pollution level, the processor may control the ventilation device to increase a ventilation flow rate.

The air cleaning system may further include a storage unit storing a target pollution level of the internal air in the purification space, and the processor may compare the first pollution level with the target pollution level stored in the storage unit to determine whether to operate the air purification device.

As the first pollution level exceeds the target pollution level, the processor may control the air purification device to increase a pass flow rate of the air purification device.

As the first pollution level exceeds the second pollution level, the processor may control the ventilation device to reduce a ventilation flow rate.

The air cleaning system may further include a storage unit storing a target pollution level of the internal air in the purification space, and the processor may by compare the second pollution level with the target pollution level stored in the storage unit to determine whether to operate the air purification device.

As the second pollution level exceeds the target pollution level, the processor may control the air purification device to increase a pass flow rate of the air purification device.

The volume of the purification space may be 40,000 cubic meters or less.

The air cleaning system may further include a blocking device configured to block the external air from entering the purification space from the external space through the at least one opening.

The air cleaning system may further include an opening/closing unit configured to open or block the blocking device.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, an operating method of an air cleaning system configured to surround a purification space defined with respect to an external space and purify the purification space includes: storing a target pollution level of internal air in the purification space, measuring a rate of generation of polluted air from an object disposed in the purification space, measuring a first pollution level of external air in the external space, determining a CADR of the air purification device based on a pollutant removal efficiency and a pass flow rate passing through the air purification device, calculating a second pollution level based on the CADR of the air purification device and the rate of generation of the polluted air from the object, comparing the first pollution level with the second pollution level, and controlling a ventilation device or the air purification device based on result of the comparing of the first pollution level with the second pollution level.

The operating method may further include comparing the first pollution level with the target pollution level, and the controlling of the ventilation device or the air purification device may include controlling the ventilation device to increase a ventilation flow rate of the ventilation device when the second pollution level exceeds the first pollution level and the target pollution level exceeds the first pollution level.

The operating method may further include comparing the first pollution level with the target pollution level, and the controlling of the ventilation device or the air purification device may include controlling the air purification device to increase the pass flow rate of the air purification device when the second pollution level exceeds the first pollution level and the first pollution level exceeds the target pollution level.

The operating method may further include comparing the second pollution level with the target pollution level, and the controlling of the ventilation device or the air purification device may include controlling the ventilation device to reduce a ventilation flow rate of the ventilation device when the first pollution level exceeds the second pollution level and the target pollution level exceeds the second pollution level.

The operating method may further include comparing the second pollution level with the target pollution level, and the controlling of the ventilation device or the air purification device may include controlling the air purification device to increase the pass flow rate of the air purification device when the first pollution level exceeds the second pollution level and the second pollution level exceeds the target pollution level.

At least one opening through which the purification space communicates with the external space may be provided, and the operating method may further include blocking the external air from entering the purification space from the external space through the at least one opening.

The volume of the purification space may be 40,000 cubic meters or less.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, provided is a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program for performing the operating method of the air cleaning system on a computer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain embodiments of the disclosure will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an air cleaning system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an air cleaning system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an air cleaning system including ventilation devices according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of an air cleaning system including an air purification device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating a correlation between an average pollution level of internal air in a purification space and ({dot over (m)}+Q_vc₁)/(Q_v+EQ_a);

FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating a correlation between the average pollution level of internal air in a purification space and a ventilation flow rate ventilated through a ventilation device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating a correlation between the average pollution level of internal air in a purification space and a ventilation flow rate ventilated through a ventilation device according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an operating method of an air cleaning system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an operating method of an air cleaning system according to an embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of an air cleaning system with a closed blocking unit, according to an embodiment; and

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of an air cleaning system with an opened blocking unit, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. In this regard, the present embodiments may have different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the descriptions set forth herein. Accordingly, the embodiments are merely described below, by referring to the figures, to explain aspects.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, “a”, “an,” “the,” and “at least one” do not denote a limitation of quantity, and are intended to include both the singular and plural, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For example, “an element” has the same meaning as “at least one element,” unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. “At least one” is not to be construed as limiting “a” or “an.” “Or” means “and/or.” As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” or “includes” and/or “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” “third” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, “a first element,” “component,” “region,” “layer” or “section” discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings herein.

Embodiments of the disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements, and sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of explanation.**

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an air cleaning system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically illustrating the air cleaning system according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the air cleaning system including ventilation devices according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the air cleaning system including an air purification device according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, according to an embodiment, an air cleaning system 1 may include an air purification device 100 purifying internal air A₂ in a purification space 10 into purified air A₃, ventilation devices 200 ventilating the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 and external air A₁ in an external space 20, a first sensor unit 510 measuring a pollution level of polluted air A_m generated from an object 40 in the purification space 10, a second sensor unit 520 measuring a first pollution level C₁ of the external air A₁ in the external space 20, a third sensor unit 530 measuring a pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10, a storage unit 700, and a processor 800 controlling operations of the air purification device 100 and the ventilation devices 200.

Herein, the external air A₁ including a pollutant, the internal air A₂, and the polluted air A_m generated from the object 40 refer to a mixed gas including air and at least one of particulate matter (PM), a water-soluble organic compound, or a water-insoluble organic compound. For example, the PM may include small PM of 10 μm or less and ultra PM of 2.5 μm or less. In addition, the water-soluble organic compound, which is a volatile organic compound, may include a gaseous material that may be collected and removed from water or an aqueous solution, such as ammonia (NH₃), acetaldehyde (CH₃CHO), and acetic acid (CH₃COOH). In addition, the water-insoluble organic compound, which is a volatile organic compound that is not collected in water or an aqueous solution, and may include, for example, benzene (C₆H₆), formaldehyde (CH₂O), toluene (C₆H₅CH₃), etc. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and arbitrary gas other than PM, the water-soluble organic compound, and the water-insoluble organic compound may be included in the external air A₁, the internal air A₂, and the polluted air A_m generated from the object 40.

The first sensor unit 510 may be disposed inside the purification space 10 and measure the rate of generation of the polluted air A_m from the object 40 disposed in the purification space 10. The object 40 may be an arbitrary target object disposed in the purification space 10 to generate polluted air. For example, when the purification space 10 is a bus terminal, the object 40 may be a bus, a passenger, etc. disposed in the bus terminal. The second sensor unit 520 may be disposed outside the purification space 10 and measure the first pollution level C₁ of the external air A₁ in the external space 20. The third sensor unit 530 may be disposed inside the purification space 10 and measure an average pollution level of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10.

The first sensor unit 510 to the third sensor unit 530 according to an embodiment may be provided in singular or plural depending on a measurement target. For example, when the purification space 10 occupies a relatively large volume and the average pollution level of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 needs to be measured, the third sensor unit 530 may be provided in plural. The plurality of third sensor units 530 are uniformly spaced apart over the entire area of the purification space 10, thereby measuring the average pollution level of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10.

The first sensor unit 510 to the third sensor unit 530 according to an embodiment may employ various types of sensors known in the related art. For example, when the first sensor unit 510 to the third sensor unit 530 include a PM sensor, the first sensor unit 510 to the third sensor unit 530 may include a flow meter unit that measures an air flow and a sensing unit that detects PM in the air.

The sensing unit may measure an amount of PM in the air by various detection methods, such as a light scattering method, a weight method, and an inertial mass method. The light scattering method measures an amount of PM by irradiating light to a measurement area through which air passes and receiving the light scattered by PM. The weight method collects PM by allowing air to pass through a filter in a sensor, and measures an amount of the collected PM. The inertial mass method measures the weight of PM indirectly by allowing the PM to settle in a specific location. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first sensor unit 510 to the third sensor unit 530 may each include a sensing unit detecting at least one of the water-soluble organic compound or the water-insoluble organic compound.

The air cleaning system 1 according to an embodiment may supply purified air to the purification space 10 separated from the external space 20 by using a partition wall 30. When the volume of the purification space 10 according to an embodiment is excessive, the installation cost of the air purification device 100 and the ventilation devices 200 for maintaining the air cleanliness of the purification space 10 excessively increases, which may reduce economic feasibility and efficiency. In view of this, the volume of the purification space 10 may be about 40,000 cubic meters or less. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the purification space 10 of various volumes may be applied.

The partition wall 30 according to an embodiment surrounds the purification space 10 to define the purification space 10 with respect to the external space 20. The partition wall 30 partially separates the purification space 10 from the external space 20. The partition wall 30 includes at least one opening 31 through which the purification space 10 communicates with the external space 20. The purification space 10 may be a space having an arbitrary volume that may be separated from the external space 20, for example, a bus stop, a playground, a rest space in a park, a bus terminal, a school playground, an outdoor sports stadium, a courtyard of a building, etc., but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

The partition wall 30 may be an artificial structure separating the purification space 10 from the external space 20. For example, the partition wall 30 may surround the bus stop, the playground, the bus terminal, and the rest space in the park to partially isolate the bus stop, the playground, the bus terminal, and the rest space in the park from the external space 20. In addition, the partition wall 30 may be implemented by a structure itself that requires the purification space 10. For example, in the case of the bus terminal, the partition wall 30 may be implemented by a structure including a wall surrounding the object 40 disposed in the center corresponding to the purification space 10, for example, a bus and a bus user, and the opening 31 that serves as an access road for the object 40 to enter the purification space 10. In the case of the courtyard of the building, the partition wall 30 may be implemented by a building structure surrounding the courtyard.

The purification space 10 is connected to the external space 20 by the at least one opening 31. That is, the openness of the purification space 10 is maintained by the opening 31. The opening 31 may have a size capable of ensuring the self-effectiveness of the purification space 10. For example, in the case of the bus terminal, the opening 31 may have a location, shape, and size that may function as a passage for the object 40, such as the bus and bus users, to enter from the external space 20 into the purification space 10 or vice versa. In the case of the playground, the rest space in the park, the outdoor sports stadium, etc., the opening 31 may have a location, shape, and size that functions as an access passage for users, and the additional opening 31 may be formed in the partition wall 30 such that the playground, the rest space in the park, the outdoor sports stadium, etc. are opened toward the sky. In the case of the courtyard of the building, the opening 31 may be formed in the partition wall 30 such that the courtyard is opened toward the sky. The opening 31 may be formed in the at least one partition wall 30 to maintain functionality and openness suitable for the purpose of use of facilities to which the air cleaning system 1 is applied.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the air purification device 100 according to an embodiment may purify pollutants included in the internal air A₂ of the purification space 10 to discharge the purified air A₃. For example, the air purification device 100 may purify the internal air A₂ of the purification space 10 by various purification methods such as a filter method, an electrostatic method, a plasma method, a catalyst method, an adsorption method, etc. The purified air A₃ is supplied to the purification space 10. A plurality of air purification devices 100 according to an embodiment may be provided and spaced apart from each other in the purification space 10. As the plurality of air purification devices 100 are spaced apart each other in the purification space 10, the internal air A₂ of the purification space 10 may be purified relatively uniformly.

In the air cleaning system 1 according to an embodiment, because the purification space 10 is not separated from the external space 20, the flow of the external air A₁ generated from the external space 20 passes through the purification space 10 as it is. Therefore, it is difficult to maintain the purified air A₃ in the purification space 10 even when the purified air A₃ is supplied to the purification space 10 by using the air purification device 100 disposed in the purification space 10, and it is difficult to maintain the air cleanliness of the purification space 10 because the purified air A₃ is mixed with the unpurified external air A₁ introduced from the external space 20. In addition, the capacity of the air purification device 100 required per unit volume of the available purification space 10 is very large, which makes it difficult to secure economic feasibility and efficiency.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, when the polluted air A_m is generated from the object 40 disposed in the purification space 10, the air cleanliness of the purification space 10 itself may deteriorate. In this case, the air cleanliness of the purification space 10 may be improved by ventilating the air of the external space 20 and the air of the purification space 10.

The ventilation devices 200 according to an embodiment may introduce the external air A₁ in the external space 20 into the purification space 10 through one or more openings 32 and 33, and discharge the internal air A₂ inside the purification space 10 into the external space 20. For example, the ventilation devices 200 may be pressurization devices capable of moving the external air A₁ in the external space 20 and the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 to other locations. For example, the ventilation devices 200 may be pumps respectively disposed in the first opening 32 disposed in one surface of the partition wall 30 and the second opening 33 disposed in the other surface of the partition wall 30. A plurality of ventilation devices 200 according to an embodiment may be provided and spaced apart from each other on the partition wall 30. As the plurality of air ventilation devices 200 are spaced apart from the partition wall 30, the external air A₁ in the external space 20 and the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 may be relatively uniformly ventilated.

According to an embodiment, due to an event such as yellow dust, the pollution level of the external air A₁ of the external space 20 may be higher than the pollution level of the internal air A₂ of the purification space 10. In this case, when the external air A₁ in the external space 20 and the internal air A₂ of the purification space 10 are ventilated using the ventilation devices 200, the pollution level of the internal air A₂ of the purification space 10 may increase. Therefore, it is necessary to ventilate the external air A₁ of the external space 20 and the internal air A₂ of the purification space 10 by comparing the pollution level of the internal air A₂ of the purification space 10 with the pollution level of the external air A₁ of the external space 20.

As described above, in the air cleaning system 1 according to an embodiment, the purified air A₃ discharged by the air purification device 100 is mixed with the unpurified external air A₁ introduced from the external space 20 so that the air cleanliness of the purified air A₃ may not be maintained. In addition, even though the external air A₁ in the external space 20 and the internal air A₂ of the purification space 10 are ventilated using the ventilation devices 200, when the pollution level of the external air A₁ is not lower than that of the internal air A₂, the pollution level of the purification space 10 may be rather increased by operations of the ventilation devices 200.

The processor 800 according to an embodiment may turn on/off the air purification device 100 and the ventilation devices 200 or control operation speeds of the air purification device 100 and the ventilation devices 200 by the correlation between the purified air A₃ discharged by the air purification device 100 and the unpurified external air A₁ mixed with the purified air A₃ and introduced from the external space 20, and relatively comparing between the pollution level of the external air A₁ and the pollution level of the internal air A₂.

FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating a correlation between an average pollution level of internal air in the purification space and ({dot over (m)}+Q_vc₁)/(Q_v+EQ_a). FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating a correlation between the average pollution level of the internal air in the purification space and a ventilation flow rate ventilated through the ventilation device according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a graph illustrating a correlation between the average pollution level of the internal air in the purification space and the ventilation flow rate ventilated through the ventilation device according to an embodiment.

Referring back to FIGS. 2 to 4, when the purification space 10 according to an embodiment is defined as an open system capable of fluid movement with the external space 20, a mass change rate of pollutants inside the purification space 10 may be expressed as Equation 1 below:

V ⁢ d ⁢ c i ⁢ n dt = - E ⁢ Q a - Q v ⁢ c i ⁢ n + Q v ⁢ c 1 + m ˙ Equation ⁢ 1

In Equation 1, V denotes the volume of the purification space 10, Q_a denotes a pass flow rate, which is volume of air passing through the air purification device 100 per unit time, Q_v denotes the total ventilation flow rate, ventilated through the ventilation devices 200, of air introduced from outside, C₁ denotes the first pollution level of the external air A₁ in the external space 20, C_in denotes the average pollution level of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10, {dot over (m)} denotes the rate of generation of polluted air from the object 40, and E denotes a 1-pass pollutant removal efficiency of the air purification device 100. A clean air delivery rate (“CADR”) of the air purification device 100 may be determined by a product EQ_a of the 1-pass pollutant removal efficiency E of the air purification device 100 and the pass flow rate Q_a through the air purification device 100.

When the purification space 10 according to an embodiment is defined as an open system capable of fluid movement with the external space 20, and is assumed in a steady state, Equation 1 is converted into Equation 2 below:

c i ⁢ n = ( m ˙ + Q v ⁢ c 1 ) / ( Q v + E ⁢ Q a ) Equation ⁢ 2

According to Equation 2 assuming the steady state, it may be seen that the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 and ({dot over (m)}+Q_vc₁)/(Q_v+EQ_a) linearly rise together as shown in FIG. 5.

The following four experimental examples have been conducted to confirm whether the correlation between the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 and ({dot over (m)}+Q_vc₁)/(Q_v+EQ_a) may also be applied to actual modeling.

Experimental Example 1

The total volume V of the purification space 10 is 31,230 cubic meters (m³), the first pollution level C₁ of the external air A₁ in the external space 20 is 23 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m³), the rate of generation {dot over (m)} of polluted air from the object 40 is 82.6 micrograms per second (μg/s), the CADR of the air purification device 100 is 0 cubic meters per hour (m³/h), and the total ventilation flow rate Q_v ventilated through the ventilation devices 200 and the external air is 181,491 m³/h. In this case, the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 is 26.9 μg/m³.

Experimental Example 2

Experimental Example 2 is the same as Experimental Example 1 in the remaining settings, except that the total ventilation flow rate Q_v ventilated through the ventilation devices 200 and the external air is 553,394 m³/h. In this case, the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 is 25.4 μg/m³.

Experimental Example 3

Experimental Example 3 is the same as Experimental Example 1 in the remaining settings, except that the total ventilation flow rate Q_v ventilated through the ventilation devices 200 and the external air is 229,425 m³/h, and the CADR of the air purification device 100 is 56,700 m³/h. In this case, the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 is 20.5 μg/m³.

Experimental Example 4

Experimental Example 4 is the same as Experimental Example 1 in the remaining settings, except that the total ventilation flow rate Q_v ventilated through the ventilation devices 200 and the external air is 560,207 m³/h, and the CADR of the air purification device 100 is 56,700 m³/h. In this case, the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 is 22.8 μg/m³.

Referring to FIG. 5, it may be seen that the correlation between the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 and ({dot over (m)}+Q_vc₁)/(Q_v+EQ_a) is linearly expressed according to Experimental Examples 1 to 4. Therefore, it may be seen that the correlation between the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 and ({dot over (m)}+Q_vc₁)/(Q_v+EQ_a) according to Equation 2 may also be applied in actual modeling.

Equation 2 may be converted again and expressed as Equation 3 below:

c i ⁢ n = c 1 + ( m ˙ - c 1 ⁢ E ⁢ Q a ) / ( Q v + E ⁢ Q a ) Equation ⁢ 3

In Equation 3, some terms may satisfy conditions as in Equation 4 below:

m ˙ - c 1 ⁢ E ⁢ Q a > 0 Equation ⁢ 4

Herein, a pollution level, for example, {dot over (m)}/EQ_a, which is a ratio of the rate of generation {dot over (m)} of polluted air from the object 40 to a CADR EQ_a of the air purification device 100, is defined as a “second pollution level” C₂. When Equation 4 is satisfied, as shown in FIG. 6, in Equation 3, it may be seen that the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 is reduced as the total ventilation flow rate Q_v ventilated through the ventilation devices 200 is increased. When the total ventilation flow rate Q_v ventilated through the ventilation devices 200 is infinitely increased, the minimum value of the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 may be substantially the same as the first pollution level C₁ of the external air A₁ in the external space 20.

In addition, in Equation 3, some terms may satisfy conditions as in Equation 5 below:

m ˙ - c 1 ⁢ E ⁢ Q a < 0 Equation ⁢ 5

When Equation 5 is satisfied, as shown in FIG. 7, in Equation 3, it may be seen that the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 increases as the total ventilation flow rate Q_v ventilated through the ventilation devices 200 is increased. When the total ventilation flow rate Q_v ventilated through the ventilation devices 200 is reduced to 0, the minimum value of the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 may be substantially the same as {dot over (m)}/EQ_a.

As may be seen in Equations 4 and 5, and FIGS. 6 and 7, the operations of the ventilation devices 200 may be determined according to the correlation between the first pollution level C₁ of the external air A₁ in the external space 20, the rate of generation m of polluted air from the object 40, and the second pollution level C₂ determined by the CADR EQ_a of the air purification device 100.

For example, when the second pollution level C₂ exceeds the first pollution level C₁ of the external air A₁ in the external space 20, the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 may be reduced as the total ventilation flow rate Q_v ventilated through the ventilation devices 200 is increased. In other words, when a condition in which the second pollution level C₂ exceeds the first pollution level C₁ of the external air A₁ in the external space 20 is confirmed, the air cleanliness of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 may be improved as the total ventilation flow rate Q_v ventilated through the ventilation devices 200 is increased. Therefore, when the condition in which the second pollution level C₂ exceeds the first pollution level C₁ of the external air A₁ in the external space 20 is confirmed, the processor 800 may control the ventilation devices 200 to increase the total ventilation flow rate Q_v ventilated through the ventilation devices 200.

As described above, when the total ventilation flow rate Q_v ventilated through the ventilation devices 200 is infinitely increased, the minimum value of the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 may be the first pollution level C₁ of the external air A₁. According to an embodiment, the storage unit 700 may previously store a target pollution level C_tar of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10. According to an embodiment, the processor 800 may compare the first pollution level C₁ of the external air A1 with the target pollution level C_tar stored in the storage unit 700 to determine whether to operate the air purification device 100.

For example, when the first pollution level C₁ of the external air A1 exceeds the target pollution level C_tar stored in the storage unit 700, the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 may not reach the target pollution level C_tar only by the operation of the ventilation devices 200. Therefore, in order for the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 to reach the target pollution level C_tar, the processor 800 needs to perform additional purification of the internal air A₂ by additionally operating the air purification device 100. Therefore, which a condition in which the first pollution level C₁ of the external air A₁ exceeds the target pollution level C_tar stored in the storage unit 700 is confirmed, the processor 800 may control the air purification device 100 to increase the pass flow rate Q_a of the air purification device 10.

In addition, for example, when the first pollution level C₁ of the external air A₁ in the external space 20 exceeds the second pollution level C₂, the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 may increase as the total ventilation flow rate Q_v ventilated through the ventilation devices 200 increases. Therefore, when a condition in which the first pollution level C₁ of the external air A₁ in the external space 20 exceeds the second pollution level C₂ is confirmed, the air cleanliness of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 may be improved as the total ventilation flow rate Q_v ventilated through the ventilation devices 200 is reduced. Therefore, when the condition in which the first pollution level C₁ of the external air A₁ in the external space 20 exceeds the second pollution level C₂ is confirmed, the processor 800 may control the ventilation devices 200 to reduce the total ventilation flow rate Q_v ventilated through the ventilation devices 200 or to make the total ventilation flow rate Q_v as zero (i.e., stop ventilation).

As described above, when the total ventilation flow rate Q_v ventilated through the ventilation devices 200 is reduced, the minimum value of the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 may be {dot over (m)}/EQ_a, which is the second pollution level C₂. According to an embodiment, the storage unit 700 may previously store the target pollution level C_tar of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10. According to an embodiment, the processor 800 may compare the second pollution level C₂ with the target pollution level C_tar stored in the storage unit 700 to determine whether to operate the air purification device 100.

For example, when the second pollution level C₂ exceeds the target pollution level C_tar stored in the storage unit 700, the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 may not reach the target pollution level C_tar only by the operations of the ventilation devices 200. Therefore, in order for the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 to reach the target pollution level C_tar, the processor 800 needs to perform additional purification of the internal air A₂ by additionally operating the air purification device 100. Therefore, when a condition in which {dot over (m)}/EQ_a, which is the second pollution level C₂, exceeds the target pollution level C_tar stored in the storage unit 700 is confirmed, the processor 800 may control the air purification device 100 to increase the pass flow rate Q_a of the air purification device 100.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an operating method of an air cleaning system according to an embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an operating method of an air cleaning system according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 8, according to an embodiment, the storage unit 700 may previously store the target pollution level C_tar of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10. (S110) The target pollution level C_tar according to an embodiment may be input through an input unit (not shown) and previously stored in the storage unit 700. The target pollution level C_tar may be differently determined according to the volume and the purpose of use of the purification space 10.

Next, the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 may be measured. (S120) For example, the third sensor unit 530 may be disposed in the purification space 10 and measure the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10.

Next, whether to operate the air cleaning system 1 may be determined by comparing the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 with the target pollution level C_tar. (S130) For example, when the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 is lower than the target pollution level C_tar, because the internal air A₂ of the purification space 10 is sufficiently purified, the air cleaning system 1 may not operate. However, when the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 is higher than the target pollution level C_tar, because purification of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 may be required, the next operation may be performed so that the air cleaning system 1 may operate.

Next, the rate of generation {dot over (m)} of polluted air from the object 40 disposed in the purification space 10 may be measured. (S210) For example, the first sensor unit 510 may be disposed inside the purification space 10 and measure the rate of generation m of the polluted air from the object 40 disposed in the purification space 10.

Next, the first pollution level C₁ of the external air A₁ in the external space 20 may be measured. (S220) For example, the second sensor unit 520 may be disposed outside the purification space 10 and measure the first pollution level C₁ of the external air A₁ in the external space 20.

Next, the CADR of the air purification device 100 may be determined by the pollutant removal efficiency E and the pass flow rate Q_a through the air purification device 100. (S230) For example, the pollutant removal efficiency E is the 1-pass pollutant removal efficiency of the air purification device 100. The CADR of the air purification device 100 may be determined by the product EQ_a of the 1-pass pollutant removal efficiency E of the air purification device 100 and the pass flow rate Q_a through the air purification device 100.

Next, the second pollution level C₂ may be calculated using the CADR m of the air purification device 100 and the rate of generation {dot over (m)} of polluted air from the object 40. (S240) For example, the processor 800 calculates the second pollution level C₂, which is {dot over (m)}/EQ_a by using a pollution level set by the CADR EQ_a of the air purification device 100 and the rate of generation EQ_a of polluted air from the object 40.

Next, the first pollution level C₁ and the second pollution level C₂ may be compared with each other. The processor 800 may compare the first pollution level C₁ with the second pollution level C₂ and confirm that the second pollution level C₂ exceeds the first pollution level C₁. (S250)

Next, the first pollution level C₁ may be compared with the target pollution level C_tar. (S260) For example, the processor 800 may compare the first pollution level C₁ with the target pollution level C_tar and confirm that the target pollution level C_tar exceeds the first pollution level C₁.

For example, when the second pollution level C₂ exceeds the first pollution level C₁ and the target pollution level C_tar exceeds the first pollution level C₁, the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 may be reduced as the total ventilation flow rate Q_v ventilated through the ventilation devices 200 is increased. (S270) In other words, when a condition in which the second pollution level C₂ exceeds the first pollution level C₁ of the external air A₁ in the external space 20 is confirmed, the air cleanliness of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 may be improved as the total ventilation flow rate Q_v ventilated through the ventilation devices 200 is increased.

For example, when as the total ventilation flow rate Q_v ventilated through the ventilation devices 200 is infinitely increased, the minimum value of the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 may be the first pollution level C₁ of the external air A₁. Therefore, when the target pollution level C_tar exceeds the first pollution level C₁, the total ventilation flow rate Q_v ventilated through the ventilation devices 200 is sufficiently increased, and thus the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 may be converted into a clean state lower than the target pollution level C_tar. When it is confirmed that the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 is converted into the clean state lower than the target pollution level C_tar, the operation of the air cleaning system 1 may end according to operation 130.

In addition, for example, the processor 800 may compare the first pollution level C₁ with the target pollution level C_tar and confirm that the first pollution level C₁ has exceeded the target pollution level C_tar.

For example, when the second pollution level C₂ exceeds the first pollution level C₁, and the first pollution level C₁ exceeds the target pollution level C_tar, the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 may not reach the target pollution level C_tar only by the operations of the ventilation devices 200. Therefore, in order for the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 to reach the target pollution level C_tar, the processor 800 needs to perform additional purification of the internal air A₂ by additionally operating the air purification device 100. Therefore, which a condition in which the first pollution level C₁ of the external air A₁ exceeds the target pollution level C_tar stored in the storage unit 700 is confirmed, the processor 800 may control the air purification device 100 to increase the pass flow rate Q_a of the air purification device 10. (S280)

Referring to FIG. 9, when comparing the first pollution level C₁ with the second pollution level C₂, the processor 800 may confirm that the first pollution level C₁ has exceeded the second pollution level C₂. (S251) Operations 110 to 130 and operations 210 to 240 are substantially the same as those of FIG. 8, and thus descriptions thereof will be omitted here.

Next, the second pollution level C₂ may be compared with the target pollution level C_tar. (S261) For example, the processor 800 may compare the second pollution level C₂ with the target pollution level C_tar and confirm that the target pollution level C_tar has exceeded the second pollution level C₂.

For example, when the first pollution level C₁ exceeds the second pollution level C₂, and the target pollution level C_tar exceeds the second pollution level C₂, the air cleanliness of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 may be improved as the total ventilation flow rate Q_v ventilated through the ventilation devices 200 is reduced. Therefore, when the condition in which the first pollution level C₁ of the external air A₁ in the external space 20 exceeds the second pollution level C₂ is confirmed, the processor 800 may control the ventilation devices 200 to reduce the total ventilation flow rate Q_v ventilated through the ventilation devices 200. (S271)

For example, when the total ventilation flow rate Q_v ventilated through the ventilation devices 200 is reduced, the minimum value of the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 may be {dot over (m)}/EQ_a, which is the second pollution level C₂. Therefore, when the target pollution level C_tar exceeds the second pollution level C₂, the total ventilation flow rate Q_v ventilated through the ventilation devices 200 is reduced, and thus the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 may be converted into a clean state lower than the target pollution level C_tar. When it is confirmed that the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 is converted into the clean state lower than the target pollution level C_tar, the operation of the air cleaning system 1 may end according to operation 130.

In addition, for example, the processor 800 may compare the second pollution level C₂ with the target pollution level C_tar and confirm that the second pollution level C₂ has exceeded the target pollution level C_tar.

For example, when the first pollution level C₁ exceeds the second pollution level C₂, and the second pollution level C₂ exceeds the target pollution level C_tar, the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 may not reach the target pollution level C_tar only by stopping the operations of the ventilation devices 200. Therefore, in order for the average pollution level C_in of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 to reach the target pollution level C_tar, the processor 800 needs to perform additional purification of the internal air A₂ by additionally operating the air purification device 100. Therefore, when a condition in which the second pollution level C₂ exceeds the target pollution level C_tar stored in the storage unit 700 is confirmed, the processor 800 may control the air purification device 100 to increase the pass flow rate Q_a of the air purification device 100. (S281)

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an air cleaning system with a closed blocking unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an air cleaning system with an opened blocking unit according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the purification space 10 according to an embodiment is partially isolated from the external space 20 by the partition wall 30. The internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 and the external air A₁ in the external space 20 are partially isolated by the partition wall 30. Therefore, as the purification space 10 and the external space 20 are isolated by the partition wall 30, a phenomenon in which the external air A₁ of the external space 20 and the internal air A₂ of the purification space 10 are mixed may be prevented. Accordingly, the influence of the external air A₁ of the external space 20 on the internal air A₂ of the purification space 10 may be reduced.

The at least one opening 31 disposed in the partition wall 30 may be required for entry and exit of the object 40 disposed in the purification space 10. For example, when the purification space 10 is a bus terminal, the partition wall 30 may include a wall surrounding the object 40 disposed in the center corresponding to the purification space 10, for example, a bus and bus users, and the opening 31 that serves as an access road for the object 40 to enter the purification space 10.

As described above, because the external air A₁ of the external space 20 and the internal air A₂ of the purification space 10 may be mixed by the at least one opening 31, a blocking device 35 reducing the influence of the external air A₁ of the external space 20 on the internal air A₂ of the purification space 10 may be disposed. For example, when the blocking device 35 closes the at least one opening 31, the external air A₁ of the external space 20 may be blocked from flowing into the purification space 10.

For example, referring again to FIG. 9, in operation 271, when the first pollution level C₁ exceeds the second pollution level C₂, and the target pollution level C_tar exceeds the second pollution level C₂, it may be seen that the air cleanliness of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 may be improved as the total ventilation flow rate Q_v ventilated through the ventilation devices 200 is reduced. Accordingly, when the at least one opening 31 through which the purification space 10 communicates the external space 20 is provided, the blocking device 3 blocks the external air A₁ from entering the purification space 10, from the external space 20 through the at least one opening 31, and thus the air cleanliness of the internal air A₂ in the purification space 10 may be improved.

For example, the at least one opening 31 may serve as an access road for a wall surrounding the object 40, for example, a bus and a bus user, and the object 40 to enter the purification space 10. Accordingly, an opening/closing unit 36 allowing the object 40 to enter the purification space 10 may be further disposed in the blocking device 35.

According to an embodiment, when the object 40 enters the purification space 10 as shown in FIG. 10, the processor 800 may control the opening/closing unit 36 to open the opening/closing unit 36. In addition, when the object 40 does not enter purification space 10 as shown in FIG. 9, the processor 800 may control the opening/closing unit 36 to block the opening/closing unit 36. As described above, the opening and closing of the opening/closing unit 36 is controlled by the processor 800, thereby minimizing a phenomenon in which the external air A₁ flows into the purification space 10.

Some embodiments of the disclosure may be implemented in the form of a recording medium including instructions executable by a computer, such as program modules executed by a computer. The computer-readable recording medium may be any available medium accessible by a computer and includes volatile and non-volatile media and separable and non-separable media. In addition, the computer-readable recording medium may include a computer storage medium and a communication medium. The computer-readable recording medium includes volatile and non-volatile media and separable and non-separable media, which are implemented by any method or technique for storing information, such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. The communication medium may typically include computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in modulated data signals.

In addition, a computer-readable storage medium may be provided in the form of a non-transitory storage medium. In this regard, the term ‘non-transitory storage medium’ only means that the storage medium does not include a signal (e.g., an electromagnetic wave) and is a tangible device, and the term does not differentiate between where data is semi-permanently stored in the storage medium and where the data is temporarily stored in the storage medium. For example, the ‘non-transitory storage medium’ may include a buffer for temporarily storing data.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, methods according to an embodiment of the disclosure of the disclosure may be included in a computer program product when provided. The computer program product may be traded, as a product, between a seller and a buyer. The computer program product may be distributed in the form of a machine-readable storage medium (e.g., compact disc (CD)-ROM) or distributed (e.g., downloaded or uploaded) on-line via an application store or directly between two user devices (e.g., smartphones). For online distribution, at least a part of the computer program product (e.g., a downloadable app) may be at least transiently stored or temporally generated in a machine-readable storage medium such as memory of a server of a manufacturer, a server of an application store, or a relay server.

According to the embodiments of the air cleaning system and the operating method of the air cleaning system described above, the purification space maintaining a sense of openness and somewhat isolated from the external space, and thus, efficient outdoor air purification is possible.

In addition, the air cleaning system capable of controlling an operation of an air purification device or a ventilation device by comparing a pollution level of air in an external space with a pollution level of air in a purification space and the operating method of the air cleaning system may be provided.

In addition, the air cleaning system capable of controlling an operation of an air purification device or a ventilation device by comparing a target pollution level of a purification space with a pollution level of air in a purification space according to the operations of the air purification device and the ventilation device and the operating method of the air cleaning system may be provided.

In addition, the air cleaning system capable of controlling an operation of an air purification device or a ventilation device in an environment in which polluted air is generated from an object disposed in a purification space and the operating method of the air cleaning system may be provided.

In addition, the air cleaning system capable of controlling an operation of an air purification device or a ventilation device in an open system in which external air in an external space flows into a purification space and the operating method of the air cleaning system may be provided.

It should be understood that embodiments described herein should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each embodiment should typically be considered as available for other similar features or aspects in other embodiments. While one or more embodiments have been described with reference to the figures, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope as defined by the following claims.