An energy-saving air purification device suitable for laboratory animal centers
By introducing a return air duct system and sensor-controlled valves into the experimental animal center, the problem of high energy consumption in the air purification system was solved, achieving a balance between air quality and energy consumption, and reducing operating costs and carbon emissions.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ZHEJIANG MEDICAL COLLEGE
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-17
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-31
AI Technical Summary
The existing air purification systems in laboratory animal centers operate year-round, resulting in high energy consumption, high operating costs, and significant carbon emission pressures, failing to meet energy conservation requirements.
The system employs a supply air unit, an exhaust air unit, and a return air duct system, combined with sensor components and regulating valves. The filtered old air is introduced into the supply air unit through the return air duct, reducing the amount of fresh air input. Sensors are used to monitor and calculate the air volume adjustment, thereby reducing energy loss.
While ensuring air quality, it significantly reduces energy loss during air circulation, saves electricity costs, and reduces carbon emissions.
Smart Images
Figure CN224571983U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of biological experimental equipment, specifically to an air purification and energy-saving device used in experimental animal centers. Background Technology
[0002] The biotechnology-driven bio-industry will be a new growth point for economic development in the 21st century, and a crucial foundation for the development of biotechnology is laboratory animal resources. Animals, due to the similarities between their disease progression, clinical symptoms, and pathogenesis and those of humans, have become ideal models for research into human health and disease issues.
[0003] Laboratory animal centers are comprehensive research centers that integrate the breeding, dissection, experimentation, and harmless disposal of laboratory animals. Their biochemical safety must meet national standards. Therefore, the buildings of laboratory animal centers need to be equipped with air purification and energy-saving devices.
[0004] For example, Chinese patent document CN112296053A discloses a laboratory ventilation system with air purification function, which mainly includes a fan body and an air purification ventilation box connected to the fan body. The air purification in the laboratory is achieved by using an air filter set on the inner wall of the air purification ventilation box; however, this system can only meet the purification needs of laboratories with small indoor areas.
[0005] With the increasing scale of laboratory animal centers and the growing variety of animals housed, existing technologies have led operating units to introduce large-scale air conditioning and ventilation systems to meet the air purification needs of these large facilities. These systems are often capable of operating year-round, around the clock. Specifically, outdoor fresh air is supplied to the interior after undergoing deep temperature, humidity, and cleanliness treatment by the air supply unit, while exhaust air is discharged outdoors after being treated by the exhaust unit's high-efficiency filter and activated carbon adsorption. Because the animals housed are living organisms, the existing ventilation systems in laboratory animal centers often operate continuously 24 hours a day. During the continuous supply and exhaust of indoor air, energy consumption for cooling and heating sources, fans, reheating, and rehumidification is constantly generated. This results in the energy consumption per unit area of laboratory animal center buildings being 3 to 5 times that of ordinary office buildings, significantly increasing the operating costs and pressure on the operating units, as well as increasing carbon emissions and environmental pollution. Utility Model Content
[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide an air purification and energy-saving device suitable for laboratory animal centers. This device can scientifically regulate the air circulation process, significantly reduce energy loss during air circulation while ensuring the air quality requirements of the laboratory animal center, thereby significantly reducing the power consumption of the fresh air system, saving electricity costs, and reducing carbon emissions.
[0007] To achieve the above objectives, the specific technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows: An energy-saving air purification device suitable for laboratory animal centers includes a supply fan unit and an exhaust fan unit. The supply fan unit is connected to the outside via an air inlet duct, and the exhaust fan unit is connected to the outside via an air outlet duct. A return air duct is provided between the air inlet duct and the air outlet duct. The energy-saving air purification device also includes a sensor assembly, which includes a first wind speed sensor installed on the return air duct, a second wind speed sensor installed on the air inlet duct, and an ammonia concentration sensor and a CO2 concentration sensor installed on the air outlet duct. A regulating valve for controlling the return air volume is provided on the return air duct.
[0008] Therefore, this air purification and energy-saving device is installed entirely in the supply and exhaust fan room. The supply fan unit is used to deliver fresh outdoor air into the various functional areas of the experimental animal center and adjust the temperature and humidity of the incoming fresh air, a process that consumes energy. When the fresh outdoor air circulates through the various functional areas of the experimental animal center, it carries odorous substances produced by animal excrement, secretions, and feed volatiles, such as ammonia, sulfides, CO, dust particles, and even bacteria. The air containing these odorous substances is then drawn in by the exhaust fan unit and discharged outdoors. In existing technology, exhaust fan units typically have a filtration function, which uses materials such as activated carbon to adsorb odorous particles and other environmentally harmful components, significantly reducing the concentration of pollutants in the exhaust air and preventing pollution of the outdoor air. At this point, the quality of the exhaust air, after filtration by the exhaust fan unit, is better than the air in the various functional areas of the experimental animal center, but worse than the fresh outdoor air.
[0009] The supply air unit is connected to the outside through the air inlet pipe, and the exhaust air unit is connected to the outside through the air outlet pipe. In this utility model, a return air pipe is provided between the air inlet pipe and the air outlet pipe. The return air pipe is also located in the supply and exhaust air fan room. A regulating valve is provided on its pipe body. The regulating valve can be an electric valve, a pneumatic valve, or a hydraulic valve, etc., to control the opening degree of the return air pipe.
[0010] This air purification and energy-saving device also includes a sensor assembly. Specifically, an ammonia concentration sensor is installed on the air outlet duct, positioned between the connection point of the return air duct and the air outlet duct and the output port of the exhaust fan unit. If the ammonia concentration exceeds the standard, the regulating valve can be closed manually or automatically based on the data from the ammonia concentration sensor, reducing the amount of ammonia-laden return air reintroduced into the fan unit through the return air duct. Conversely (if the ammonia concentration is below the set threshold), the regulating valve can be opened wider, utilizing more return air to replace some of the fresh air input, thus reducing the amount of fresh air input. Since the return air is filtered "old air," its temperature and humidity are not significantly different from the air in the various functional areas of the experimental animal center. This allows it to replace outdoor fresh air in the indoor functional areas, reducing energy exchange between outdoor fresh air and indoor old air, thereby reducing energy loss during the circulation process.
[0011] As a biological laboratory, to meet the health and safety requirements of staff and animals, it is necessary to ensure a certain number of fresh air exchanges. Since the total air volume of each functional area in the experimental animal center is known, multiplying the target number of exchanges by the total volume yields the target outdoor fresh air volume. However, since the air returning through the return air duct is not outdoor fresh air, it is necessary to determine the actual outdoor fresh air input. A first anemometer is installed on the return air duct, and a second anemometer is installed on the intake air duct. It is known that the total intake air volume obtained by the second anemometer is the sum of the outdoor fresh air volume and the return air volume. Therefore, by obtaining the return air volume from the first anemometer and the total intake air volume from the second anemometer, the difference yields the outdoor fresh air volume data. Specifically, using the data from the two anemometers, based on time and duct diameter, the outdoor fresh air volume can be calculated, and the regulating valve can then be activated.
[0012] As a preferred embodiment of this invention, the diameter of the return air duct gradually decreases along the direction of return air flow.
[0013] As a preferred embodiment of this invention, the return air duct has multiple inclined flow-blocking sections arranged inside its wall along the return air flow direction.
[0014] As a preferred embodiment of this invention, the return air duct is surrounded by a heat insulation layer, which is used to reduce the heat exchange between the return air inside the return air duct and the outside environment.
[0015] As a preferred embodiment of this invention, the return air duct is further provided with a maintenance valve for physical closure.
[0016] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the sensor assembly further includes a carbon dioxide concentration detection sensor disposed on the air outlet duct for acquiring the carbon dioxide content in the exhaust air.
[0017] As a preferred embodiment of this invention, the air purification and energy-saving device further includes an alarm for early warning of biological hypoxia, which is connected to the carbon dioxide concentration detection sensor.
[0018] As a preferred embodiment of this invention, the air purification and energy-saving device further includes a controller connected to the sensor assembly.
[0019] As a preferred embodiment of this invention, the experimental animal center comprises multiple functional chambers, the air inlet of each functional chamber being connected to the air outlet duct of the blower unit, and the air outlet of each functional chamber being connected to the air inlet duct of the exhaust fan unit; each functional chamber is equipped with a static pressure differential sensor; and each functional chamber is equipped with a separate control valve at both its air inlet and air outlet.
[0020] In summary, this utility model has the following beneficial effects: 1. This air purification and energy-saving device uses the most critical ammonia index in the experimental animal center as a reference. By setting up a return air duct, some of the air filtered by the exhaust fan unit, which should have been completely discharged to the outside, is introduced into the supply fan unit. Since the temperature and humidity of this part of the air are not much different from the old indoor air, the energy consumption of the supply fan unit in adjusting the temperature and humidity can be reduced.
[0021] 2. This device, by installing a first wind speed sensor and a second wind speed sensor on the return air duct and the outlet air duct respectively, and by calculating with the help of known parameters, can accurately determine whether the required number of fresh air exchanges (air volume) for each functional area of the experimental animal center meets the requirements. If not, it can be improved by adjusting the opening and closing degree of the regulating valve on the return air duct.
[0022] 3. In the long-term operation of experimental animal centers, this device can significantly reduce energy loss during air circulation while ensuring the air quality requirements of the experimental animal centers. This, in turn, can significantly reduce the power consumption of the fresh air system, save on electricity costs, and reduce carbon emissions. Attached Figure Description
[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an air purification and energy-saving device suitable for laboratory animal centers; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the return air duct and the inclined flow-blocking part in the duct body.
[0024] In the diagram: 1. Inlet duct; 2. Outlet duct; 3. Return duct; 4. Sensor assembly; 41. First wind speed sensor; 42. Second wind speed sensor; 43. Ammonia concentration sensor; 44. Carbon dioxide concentration sensor; 5. Regulating valve; 6. Inclined flow obstruction part; 7. Inspection valve; 8. Static pressure sensor; 9. Sub-control valve. Detailed Implementation
[0025] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Any person may implement the present disclosure in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.
[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, this air purification and energy-saving device is installed entirely in the supply and exhaust fan room. The supply fan unit is used to deliver fresh outdoor air into various functional areas of the experimental animal center and adjust the temperature and humidity of the incoming fresh air, a process that consumes energy. When the fresh outdoor air circulates through the various functional areas of the experimental animal center, it carries odorous substances produced by animal excrement, secretions, and feed volatiles, such as ammonia, sulfides, CO2, dust particles, and even bacteria. The air containing these odorous substances is then drawn in by the exhaust fan unit and discharged outdoors. In existing technologies, exhaust fan units typically have a filtration function, which can adsorb odorous particles and other environmentally harmful components through materials such as activated carbon, significantly reducing the concentration of pollutants in the exhaust air and preventing pollution of the outdoor air. Therefore, after filtration by the exhaust fan unit, the quality of the discharged air is better than the air in the various functional areas of the experimental animal center, but worse than the fresh outdoor air.
[0027] The air supply unit is connected to the outside through the air inlet pipe 1, and the exhaust unit is connected to the outside through the air outlet pipe 2. In this utility model, a return air pipe 3 is provided between the air inlet pipe 1 and the air outlet pipe 2. The return air pipe 3 is also located in the air supply and exhaust fan room. A regulating valve 5 is provided on its pipe body. The regulating valve 5 can be an electric valve, a pneumatic valve, or a hydraulic valve, etc., to control the opening degree of the return air pipe 3.
[0028] This air purification and energy-saving device also includes a sensor assembly 4. Specifically, an ammonia concentration sensor 43 is installed on the air outlet duct 2, located between the connection point of the return air duct 3 and the air outlet duct 2 and the output port of the exhaust fan unit. If the ammonia concentration exceeds the standard, the regulating valve 5 can be closed manually or automatically based on the data from the ammonia concentration sensor 43, reducing the amount of ammonia-containing return air being reintroduced into the fan unit through the return air duct 3; conversely (if the ammonia concentration is below the set threshold), the regulating valve 5 can be opened wider, utilizing more return air to replace some of the fresh air input, thus reducing the amount of fresh air input. Since the return air is filtered "old air," its temperature and humidity are not significantly different from the air in the various functional areas of the experimental animal center. This allows it to replace outdoor fresh air being reintroduced into the indoor functional areas, reducing energy exchange between outdoor fresh air and indoor old air, thereby reducing energy loss during the circulation process.
[0029] As a biological laboratory, to meet biosafety regulations, it is necessary to ensure the required number of fresh air exchanges. Since the total air volume of each functional area in the experimental animal center is known, multiplying the target number of exchanges by the total volume yields the target outdoor fresh air volume. However, since the air returning through the return air duct 3 is not outdoor fresh air, it is necessary to determine the actual outdoor fresh air input. A first anemometer 41 is installed on the return air duct 3, and a second anemometer 42 is installed on the intake air duct 1. It is known that the total intake air volume obtained based on the second anemometer 42 is the sum of the outdoor fresh air volume and the return air volume. Therefore, by obtaining the return air volume through the first anemometer 41 and the total intake air volume through the second anemometer 42, the difference yields the outdoor fresh air volume data. Specifically, using the data from the two anemometers, based on time and duct diameter, the outdoor fresh air volume can be calculated, thereby instructing the regulating valve 5 to activate.
[0030] In another possible embodiment, the diameter of the return air duct 3 gradually decreases along the direction of the return air flow. By making the diameter of the return air duct 3 gradually decrease along the direction of the return air flow, the wind speed of the return air can be gradually increased, making it easier to be drawn through the return air duct.
[0031] In another possible embodiment, the diameter of the return air duct 3 gradually decreases with the direction of return air flow, and the return air duct 3 is wrapped with a heat insulation layer, which is used to reduce the heat exchange between the return air in the return air duct 3 and the outside.
[0032] In another possible embodiment, such as Figure 2 As shown, the return air duct 3 has multiple inclined flow-blocking sections 6 arranged inside its wall along the return air flow direction. The inclined flow-blocking section 6 is a ring-shaped or plate-shaped protrusion protruding from the inner wall of the return air duct 3, with its inclination direction consistent with the return air flow direction. This ensures that the smooth flow of return air from the exhaust fan unit to the supply fan unit is unaffected. However, if the exhaust fan unit malfunctions and its exhaust power decreases, causing the pressure on the inlet side to be higher than that on the exhaust side, the design of the inclined flow-blocking section 6 will obstruct the outdoor fresh air flowing in the opposite direction through the return air duct 3. This prevents the outdoor fresh air from entering the unit in the opposite direction through the exhaust fan unit's outlet, thus avoiding the backflow of pollutants from the pollutant absorption device built into the exhaust fan unit into the room, causing indoor air pollution.
[0033] In another possible embodiment, a maintenance valve 7 for physical shut-off is provided on the return air duct 3. As an important auxiliary duct connecting the supply and exhaust air ends, the unobstructed flow of the return air duct 3 requires additional assurance. The maintenance valve 7 allows for a secondary physical shut-off and sealing of the return air duct 3 when maintenance is needed, enabling testing or repair of the regulating valve 7 without affecting the existing air purification system.
[0034] In another possible embodiment, the sensor assembly 4 further includes a carbon dioxide concentration detection sensor 44 disposed on the exhaust duct 2 for acquiring the carbon dioxide content in the exhaust air. Excessive ammonia concentration does not pose a short-term life-threatening risk to the animals and staff in the experimental animal center; however, if the return air carries excessive carbon dioxide, it could cause a rapid increase in the carbon dioxide concentration and a decrease in the oxygen content in the air within the experimental animal center, posing a significant safety threat to both the animals and staff. Therefore, the additional carbon dioxide concentration detection sensor 44 can reduce the potential side effects of this system.
[0035] In another possible embodiment, the air purification energy-saving device also includes an alarm for biological hypoxia warning, connected to the carbon dioxide concentration detection sensor 44. Setting up the alarm and connecting it to the carbon dioxide concentration detection sensor 44 to provide warnings in the form of acoustic, optical, or other types of alerts can enhance safety.
[0036] In another possible embodiment, the air purification energy-saving device also includes a controller connected to the sensor assembly 4. The controller can be implemented using a microcontroller or industrial microprocessor, which can compare and calculate the various data collected by the sensor assembly 4 to control the regulating valve 5, thereby saving manpower and realizing unmanned live air purification in the experimental animal center.
[0037] In another possible embodiment, the experimental animal center includes multiple functional rooms, the air inlet of which is connected to the air outlet duct of the air supply unit, and the air outlet of which is connected to the air inlet duct of the exhaust unit; each functional room is equipped with a static pressure differential sensor 8; and each functional room is equipped with a separate control valve 9 at both the air inlet and air outlet.
[0038] Therefore, the experimental animal center includes multiple functional rooms, such as breeding rooms, auxiliary rooms, and dissection rooms. The air inlet of each functional room is connected to the air outlet duct of the air supply unit, and the air outlet of each functional room is connected to the air inlet duct of the exhaust unit. Each functional room is equipped with a static pressure differential sensor 8, which can obtain the current indoor air pressure and outdoor atmospheric pressure and calculate the pressure difference. The microprocessor in the prior art can compare the above real-time static pressure difference with the preset pressure difference value and generate control commands to control the sub-control valves 9 set at the air inlet and air outlet of the functional room, thereby realizing the independent and autonomous fresh air regulation of each functional room.
[0039] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Where there is no conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other. The structural materials, dimensions, shapes, etc., mentioned in the embodiments of this application are all illustrative descriptions and do not constitute strict or absolute limitations. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. An air purification energy-saving device suitable for an experimental animal center, comprising a supply fan unit and an exhaust fan unit, wherein the supply fan unit is in communication with the outside through an air inlet pipe (1), and the exhaust fan unit is in communication with the outside through an air outlet pipe (2); characterized in that, A return air duct (3) is provided between the air inlet duct (1) and the air outlet duct (2); the air purification energy-saving device also includes a sensor assembly (4), which includes a first wind speed sensor (41) installed on the return air duct (3), a second wind speed sensor (42) installed on the air inlet duct (1) and an ammonia concentration sensor (43) installed on the air outlet duct (2); a regulating valve (5) for controlling the return air volume is provided on the return air duct (3).
2. The air purification energy saving device for use in an experimental animal center according to claim 1, wherein The diameter of the return air duct (3) gradually decreases with the direction of return air flow.
3. The air purification and energy saving device for use in an experimental animal center according to claim 2, wherein The return air duct (3) has multiple inclined flow-blocking parts (6) arranged inside the duct wall along the return air flow direction.
4. The air purification and energy saving device for use in an experimental animal center according to claim 3, wherein The return air duct (3) is surrounded by a heat insulation layer, which is used to reduce the heat exchange between the return air inside the return air duct (3) and the outside.
5. The air purification and energy saving device for use in an experimental animal center according to claim 1, wherein The return air duct (3) is also equipped with a maintenance valve (7) for physical closure.
6. The air purification and energy saving device for use in an experimental animal center according to claim 1, wherein The sensor assembly (4) also includes a carbon dioxide concentration detection sensor (44) disposed on the air outlet duct (2) for obtaining the carbon dioxide content in the exhaust air.
7. An air purification and energy-saving device suitable for laboratory animal centers according to claim 6, characterized in that, The air purification and energy-saving device also includes an alarm for early warning of biological hypoxia, which is connected to the carbon dioxide concentration detection sensor (44).
8. An air purification and energy-saving device suitable for laboratory animal centers according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air purification and energy-saving device also includes a controller connected to the sensor assembly (4).
9. An air purification and energy-saving device suitable for laboratory animal centers according to claim 1, characterized in that, The experimental animal center contains multiple functional rooms. The air inlet of each functional room is connected to the air outlet of the blower unit, and the air outlet of each functional room is connected to the air inlet of the exhaust fan unit. Each functional room is equipped with a static pressure differential sensor (8). Each functional room is equipped with a separate control valve (9) at both the air inlet and air outlet.