Method and apparatus for treating polluted air along auto traffic arteries

Claim 2

said plurality of washer basins being installed at such an angle of tilt as to form a spill lip at the forward edge of each washer basin thereby collectively producing a curtain of falling water across the air input entrance to said washer structure,

Claim 3

a scrubber spray manifold connected to supply water to each of the scrubber spray nozzles; H. an air washer structure having

Claim 4

hinge support means at or near the upper periphery of the valve panels,

Claim 5

a second air scrubber filter means constructed to spray water through the incoming columns of polluted air,

Claim 6

Air pollution treatment apparatus designed for use with conventional storm sewer lines as part of a system for cleaning and recirculating air along auto traffic thoroughfares, said apparatus comprising: A. a system of storm sewer lines employed as air passageways paralleling streets from which polluted air is to be treated and recirculated; B. self operating water - relief, air - seal valve means for isolating and limiting air flow through said storm sewer passageways to the area selected for treatment by a particular air treatment recirculating unit; C. air inlet means from the street and sidewalk area into said storm sewer passageways; D. air duct means from said storm sewer passageways into an area air treating and recirculating unit; E. an area air treating and recirculating plant with automatic means for washing and purifying contaminated air, including

Claim 7

flotation structures at the lower periphery of said valve panels to cause the valve panels to ride on the surface of the water so that water will be permitted to flow through the storm sewer line while air is prevented from flowing past the valve barrier; C. air inlet means from the street and sidewalk area into said storm sewer passageways; D. air duct means from said storm sewer passageways into an area treating and recirculating unit; E. an area air treating and recirculating plant with automatic means for washing and purifying contaminated air.

Claim 8

a basin drain orifice in the bottom of each air washer basin, and

Claim 9

Air pollution treatmEnt apparatus designed for use with conventional storm sewer lines as part of a system for cleaning and recirculating air along auto traffic thoroughfares, said apparatus comprising: A. a system of storm sewer lines employed as air passageways paralleling streets from which polluted air is to be treated and recirculated; B. self operating water-relief, air - seal valve means for isolating and limiting air flow through said storm sewer passageways to the area selected for treatment by a particular air treatment recirculating unit; C. air inlet means from the street and sidewalk area into said storm sewer passageways; D. air duct means from said storm sewer passageways into an area treating and recirculating unit; E. a housing structure to enclose said air treatment apparatus; F. a reservoir of water to be used for air scrubbing and air washing with conventional plumbing means for replacing such supply of water as it is used; G. air scrubber means having

Claim 10

flotation structures at the lower periphery of said valve panels to cause the valve panels to ride on the surface of the water so that water will be permitted to flow through the storm sewer line while air is prevented from flowing past the valve barrier; C. air inlet means from the street and sidewalk area into said storm sewer passageways; D. air duct means from said storm sewer passageways into an area treating and recirculating unit; E. a housing enclosure for said area treatment and recirculation unit; F. air scrubbing means at the input to the air treatment apparatus; G. air washing means; H. means for supplying water to the air scrubbing and air washing apparatus; I. replaceable absorption air filter means to further purify the scrubbed and washed air; J. suction - blower fan means for moving air from the storm sewer passageways and into and through the air treatment unit; K. programmed control means for regulating the operation of said air treatment apparatus; and L. output duct means for communicating said treated washed air back into street and sidewalk areas.

Claim 11

a third washer filter means,

Claim 12

Air pollution treatment apparatus designed for use with conventional storm sewer lines as part of a system for cleaning and recirculating air along auto traffic thoroughfares, said apparatus comprising: A. a system of storm sewer lines employed as air passageways paralleling streets from which polluted air is to be treated and recirculated; B. a plurality of spaced apart hinged automatically self operating water - relief, air - seal valves means for isolating and limiting air flow through said storm sewer passageways to the area selected for treatment by a particular air treatment recirculating unit, said valves having

Claim 13

a water supply input means to feed a substantially constant flow of water into said air washer structure; I. a power driven fluid pump with its input drawn from said reservoir to recirculate water to said air scrubber system and to the air wash system; J. a riser pipe to be connected in such a manner as to conduct water from the output of said fluid pump to the air scrubber manifold and to the water input into the air wash system; K. a replaceable activated charcoal filter installed perpendicular to the air flow route so that air coming out of the air wash system must flow through the activated charcoal filter; L. power driven suction - blower fan means for moving air in the storm sewer passageways and moving said air into and through the air treatment plant; and M. automated control means for starting, stopping and regulating the operation of air treatment apparatus.

Claim 14

an activated charcoal filter means,

Claim 15

a suction blower means for pulling contaminated air through the selected storm sewer passageway and into and through said air treatment plant,

Claim 17

motive power means to operate said suction-blower device, and

Claim 18

automated control means for starting, stopping and controlling the operation of said area treatment plant, and F. output duct means for communicating said treated washed air back into street and sidewalk areas.