Air-Purification System Utilizing Humidity Swings

A regenerable, low-power air-purification system has been proposed for (1) removing toxic gases from solid-waste-incinerator exhaust and/or (2) removing trace contaminants from breathable air. The system would include a primary gas adsorber that would be regenerated in a closed-loop humidity-swing desorption cycle to ensure the destruction of contaminants before the gas stream under treatment was vented to breathable air. In comparison with a traditional thermal desorption cycle, the humidity-swing desorption cycle would consume less power. The system was conceived to be part of a life-support system in an enclosed habitat (e.g., a spacecraft or submarine); it could also be adapted to treatment of industrial and municipal incinerator exhaust streams.