A humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system (100) used for distilling pure fluid from impure fluid. The humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system (100) comprise an injection assembly (101), an evaporator (102), a condenser unit (103), a set of fans (104), a set of sensors (105) and a collection tank (106). The injection assembly (101) is configured to introduce a pre-determined amount of hot effluent into the evaporator (102). The evaporator (102) include a stack of pans that receives the a hot effluent and the hot effluent spreads across the surface of each pan, that results in maximization of an evaporation rate of the hot effluent and generation of humidified air along with a pre-determined amount of cold unevaporated effluent. The condenser unit (103) is connected to the evaporator (102) and the condenser unit (103) is configured to cool down and condense the humidified air into a fluid. The collection tank (106) receives the fluid from the condenser unit (103).

Description

[0001] “A HUMIDIFIER-DEHUMIDIFIER BASED FLUID TREATMENT SYSTEM”

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system used for distilling pure fluid from impure fluid.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Treatment of fluids had always been a topic of research ever since the harmful effects of use of contaminated liquid are exposed. The harmful effects related to consumption of impure water are one aspect that motivates on developing new technology for water purification. The other aspect that motivates towards development of new technology for fluid treatment is that a lot of fluids used for industrial purpose, if contaminated adversely, affect the operation and performance.

[0006] In addition, the effluents released in natural water bodies require treatment as they largely affect the environment. Some commonly used methods for effluent treatment include neutralization cum equalization, chemical coagulation, settling treatment, chemical coagulation and precipitation and biological treatment etc. One more concern that increases the importance of fluid treatment is that a lot of water bodies are found in nature which may be turned useful for human after it is treated and made fit for human use. Some of the natural water bodies are saline and hence desalination of this water makes it fit for human use.

[0007] One commonly used technique for fluid treatment is humidification and dehumidification of fluid, which separates the pure liquid from the dissolved impurities. In this technique, during humidification, the contaminated fluid is made to evaporate as humid air by using an air flow, leaving behind the dissolved impurities and during dehumidification, the humid air is condensed to obtain a pure fluid. Hence, this combination of humidification and dehumidification is useful in obtaining a pure fluid. However, there are some drawbacks of this technique such as need of controlled flow of liquid and air, timely emptying and filling of the reservoirs attached for providing fluid for evaporation and storing the condensed liquid. Also, on industrial level such systems have a large power consumption.

[0008] W02010 / 049971 discloses an apparatus for organic-wastewater treatment with which sewage, human waste, and other organic wastewater are purified. The apparatus can have a smaller size and is effective in reducing the amounts of consumable supplies for use in the water treatment, such as a coagulant and a filtration film, and in shortening the time necessary for wastewater treatment. A reduction in running cost can be attained. However, this invention does not provide a solution to maximize the evaporation rates.

[0009] JP5861547 discloses a water treatment system achieving continuous purification of water and basically not requiring exchange of an adsorbent. Further, this invention provides a waste water treatment system that cleans industrial waste water by efficiently removing organic compounds from industrial waste water containing the organic compounds discharged from various factories, research facilities, or the like. However, this invention fails to provide a solution to maximize the evaporation rates.

[0010] With the development in the treatment industry, several modifications were done in the effluent or waste water treatment system, however the currently available solutions consume a lot of power and are not able to maximize the evaporation rates.

[0011] Therefore, there is a need of improving the humidification-dehumidification based fluid treatment systems to overcome abovementioned drawbacks such as, less evaporation rates, improper flow of fluid and gases and large power consumption etc.

[0012] OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The main object of the present invention is to provide a humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method to humidify and dehumidify a carrier gas in a batch process.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved condenser for early cooling. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of automatic switching of humidification and dehumidification depending on the threshold level of humidity in air.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to introduce a purge cycle to allow the dehumidified air to be purged out and fresh air to be inducted if the target RH value is not achieved in a target time or energy goal.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to introduce a system of humidification dehumidification cycle with maximum energy efficiency.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to introduce a system of humidification dehumidification cycle with maximum productivity.

[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide an air flow straightener for the even flow of air over the humidification and dehumidification surfaces.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide an alternate channel over the evaporating surfaces so that a counter flow and a concurrent flow of air pass over the evaporating surfaces.

[0021] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an adsorbent in the flow of humidified air to optimize the use of purge cycles, to allow the use of the diurnal cycle to store humidity and to release it according to the optimization of the machine operations.

[0022] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide the humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system which operates between 5-20 degree Celsius above ambient for humidification and 5-20 degree Celsius below ambient for dehumidification.

[0023] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The present invention provides a humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system comprising of an evaporator unit acting as humidifier and a condenser unit acting as dehumidifier with intelligently controlled inlet of air / gases and liquid to efficiently separate the dissolved contents from liquid used and produces the pure liquid.

[0025] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system. The system comprises, an injection assembly, an evaporator, a condenser unit, a set of fans, a set of sensors, and a collection tank. The injection assembly is configured to introduce a pre-determined amount of hot effluent into the evaporator. The evaporator includes a stack of pans that receive the hot effluent and the hot effluent spreads across the surface of each pan that results in maximization of an evaporation rate of the hot effluent and generation of humidified air along with a pre -determined amount of cold unevaporated effluent. The condenser unit is connected to the evaporator and the condenser unit is configured to cool down and condense the humidified air into a fluid. The collection tank receives the fluid from the condenser unit.

[0026] Hence, the present invention provides an environment friendly humidifier- dehumidifier based fluid treatment system which is a closed system with maximized production of pure liquid.

[0027] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] An understanding of the humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the following drawings:

[0029] Figure 1 is a top view of the humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2 is a side view of the humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 3 is a top view of the humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 4 is a schematic view of the humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 5 is a side view of a pan present in the humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention will now be described hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiment set forth herein. Rather, the embodiment is provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0035] Many aspects of the invention can be better understood with references made to the drawings below. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Instead, emphasis is placed upon clearly illustrating the components of the present invention. Moreover, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts through the several views in the drawings. Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention are not limited in their application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The embodiments of the invention are capable of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0036] The present invention provides a humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system that combines use of an evaporator unit and a condenser unit with intelligently controlled inlet of air / gases and liquid, which efficiently separates dissolved contents from fluid and maximizes the production of pure fluid. The evaporation unit, the condenser unit and the humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system itself is powered by any available source of energy including renewable sources.

[0037] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system. The system comprises, an injection assembly, an evaporator, a condenser unit, a set of fans, a set of sensors, and a collection tank. The injection assembly is configured to introduce a pre-determined amount of hot effluent into the evaporator. The evaporator includes a stack of pans that receives the hot effluent and the hot effluent spreads across the surface of each pan that results in maximization of an evaporation rate of the hot effluent and generation of humidified air along with a pre -determined amount of cold unevaporated effluent. The condenser unit is connected to the evaporator and the condenser unit is configured to cool down and condense the humidified air into a fluid.

[0038] The collection tank receives the fluid from the condenser unit.

[0039] Referring to Figure 1, a top view of the humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system (100) is shown, which is in accordance to an embodiment of the present invention. The humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system (100) (10) comprises of an injection assembly (101), an evaporator (102) (depicted in Figure 4), a condenser unit (103), a set of fans (104), a set of sensors (105) (depicted in Figure 3) and a collection tank (106) (depicted in Figure 4).

[0040] The injection assembly (101) is configured to introduce a pre-determined amount of hot effluent into the evaporator (102). The pre-determined amount is set up an operator of the system, for example, 1.5T or IT. The injection assembly (101) works in a precise manner to ensure that the system operates efficiently and the injection assembly (101) delivers the exact quantity of effluent which is required to achieve an optimal evaporation and performance of the system.

[0041] The injection assembly (101) includes an inlet port for receiving the hot effluent from an effluent storage unit. The effluent is heated via a heating apparatus present within the humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system (100). The injection assembly (101) further includes a pump that maintains a flow of the hot effluent inside the injection assembly (101). The injection assembly (101) further includes a valve for regulating an amount of the hot effluent being injected. The injection assembly (101) further includes a nozzle for injecting the hot effluent into the stack of pans. The injection assembly (101) further includes a support framework for holding the inlet port, pump, valve and nozzle securely in place. The injection assembly (101) is controlled via a processor for injecting the pre-determined amount of hot effluent into the evaporator (102).

[0042] The evaporator (102) includes a stack of pans that receives the hot effluent and the hot effluent spreads across the surface of each pan that results in maximization of an evaporation rate of the hot effluent and generation of humidified air along with a predetermined amount of cold unevaporated effluent. The evaporator (102) heats the effluent present in the stack of pans for an evaporation process. The evaporator (102) is connected with a power supply unit for generation of heat for the evaporation process.

[0043] The evaporator (102) includes a heat exchanger for heating the effluent to facilitate the evaporation process. The heat exchanger includes a shell-and-tube heat exchanger or a plate heat exchanger. The evaporator (102) further includes an evaporation chamber, where the stack of pans are assembled. The evaporator (102) further includes a vapor separator that is configured to separate the vapor (i.e. humidified air) from the effluent residue after completion of the evaporation process.

[0044] The stack of pans (as depicted in Figure 5) is a flat and shallow tray that holds the hot effluent. The stack of pans are made of material that include stainless steel, aluminum. Further, the dimension of the stack of pans (107) described herein are not limited to any specific measurements. The scope of present invention may include various sizes of the stack of pans. The dimensions and placement of stack of pans may be adjusted or varied without deviating from the intended scope of the present invention.

[0045] The evaporator (102) includes a set of thin films which are arranged between the stack of pans that facilitates in smooth spread of the hot effluent across the surface area of each pan and maximization of the evaporation rate of the hot effluent. The set of thin films have thickness ranging from 10 to 5 millimeters. The evaporation rate is directly proportional to the surface area of the pans.

[0046] In other words, the stack of pans are arranged in a manner that allows the hot effluent to be evenly distributed across surface of each pan. As the hot effluent spreads across the surface, there is an increase in the evaporation rate, thereby promoting efficient heat transfer and effective generation of humidified air. Alongside the humidified air, the predetermined amount of cold unevaporated effluent is also produced, which is further processed or recirculated as per the requirement.

[0047] The condenser unit (103) is connected to the evaporator (102) and the condenser unit (103) is configured to cool down and condense the humidified air into a fluid. The predetermined amount of cold unevaporated effluent is circulated in the condenser unit (103) for cooling down the humidified air. The humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system (100) include a low lift heat pump that facilitates in cooling down of the humidified air and the low lift heat pump decreases a temperature of the humidified air in range from 5 to 0 degree Celsius. The set of fans (104) are configured to maintain an air flow within the humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system (100).

[0048] In other words, the humidified air that is generated in the evaporator (102) is then directed to the condenser unit (103). The condenser unit (103) is configured to cool down and condense the humidified air into the liquid form, thereby recovering the treated fluid from the effluent.

[0049] The collection tank (106) receives the fluid (i.e. treated water) from the condenser unit (103). The collection tank (106) collects and stored the fluid until the fluid is ready for discharge or reuse.

[0050] The humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system (100) is in a closed housing and includes an elliptical double walled structure or an elliptical structure with a separator wall in the center. The closed housing forms a closed loop to provide a humid gas out of evaporation and produce pure liquid out of condensation. The closed housing also includes a cover for capturing the maximum vapors from the evaporation unit.

[0051] The set of sensors (105) include a pair of temperature sensor for measuring an internal temperature within the humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system (100), a pair of humidity sensors for measuring a humidity level within the humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system (100).

[0052] The humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system (100) includes an intelligent air flow controller and a temperature management unit that controls an air flow in the evaporator (102) and facilitates the maximization of an evaporation rate of the hot effluent via processing the internal temperature and the humidity level received from the set of sensors (105).

[0053] Referring to Figure 2, a side view of the humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system (100) is shown, which is in accordance to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system (100) comprises of a closed housing (11), at least one evaporator (102) unit having a fluid reservoir and a heating apparatus, a condenser unit (103), a set of fans (104), at least one air / gas inlet, an injection assembly (101), and a plurality of liquid transmission lines. The heating apparatus utilizes energy to heat the liquid for evaporation.

[0054] The condenser unit (103) uses a cooling apparatus with an industrial refrigerant to maximize the performance and a fog catcher at the outlet end of the condenser unit (103) to maximize the condensation with use of any additional energy.

[0055] Referring to Figure 3, a sectional view of humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system (100) is shown which is in accordance to an embodiment of the present invention. As depicted in Figure 3, the injection assembly (101) is positioned above the stack of pans in the evaporator (102). The injection assembly (101) is configured to inject the hot effluent on to the stack of pans. Further the system include a circuit of live wires, data wires and ground wires. Further, a pair of flush sections are provided in the system for receiving an unevaporated effluent residue. The fans are also assembled near the evaporator (102) to transfer the humidified air to the condenser. Further the condenser then converts the humidified air to the fluid, which is the treated fluid. Additionally, the humidity is monitored by the humidity sensor for ensuring an optimal operation. The treated fluid is further collected in the collection tank (106).

[0056] Referring to Figure 4, a schematic view of the humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention. As depicted in Figure 4, the system is installed in a capsule shape, or in other words elliptical double walled structure or an elliptical structure with a separator wall in the center. The system comprises the injection assembly (101) assembled over the evaporator (102) having the stack of pans. Further the set of fans (104) are assembled near the evaporator (102) to transfer the humidified air to the condenser unit (103). Further, the unevaporated liquid is also transferred to the condenser unit (103) that is circulated in the condenser unit (103) for cooling down the humidified air.

[0057] EXAMPLE 1 Use Case Scenario

[0058] The present invention provides a humidifier-dehumidifier fluid treatment system (100). For example, the present invention is applicable in manufacturing industries which produces waste water or effluent. The effluent is stored in a reservoir or tank, further with the help of pump and a pipe assembly, the effluent is transferred to water heating apparatus. The water heating apparatus heats the effluent and transfers the hot effluent to the injection assembly (101) of the system, which introduces a precise amount of hot effluent to the stack of pans. For instance, the injection assembly (101) may inject 50 liters of hot effluent at temperature of 50 degrees every 4 hours.

[0059] Thereafter the hot effluent is distributed over each pan, the high surface area of the pan facilitates the rapid evaporation. The evaporation process generates humidified air and leave behind the cold unevaporated effluent which is collected and later recirculated or transferred to the condenser unit (103) or treated separately. For instance, if 50 liters of effluent is processed, then 40 liters is evaporated and 10 liters is left as cold unevaporated effluent.

[0060] The humidified air is then transferred from the evaporator (102) to the condenser unit (103). The condenser unit (103) cools the humidified air which causing the vapor to condense back into liquid form, which results in treated water which is free from many contaminants present in the original effluent. For instance, 40 liters of the effluent that was evaporated condenses into 30 % of the treated water. The treated water is stored in the collection tank (106).

[0061] Therefore the present invention provides a humidifier-dehumidifier fluid treatment system with maximized evaporation and condensation to efficiently separate the dissolved contents from the fluid used and maximize production of pure liquid using intelligently controlled inlet of gas / air and liquid in the system.

Claims

CLAIMSWe claim:

1. A humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system ( 100), comprises: an injection assembly (101); an evaporator (102); a condenser unit (103); a set of fans (104); a set of sensors (105); and a collection tank (106); wherein: the injection assembly (101) is configured to introduce a pre-determined amount of hot effluent into the evaporator (102); the evaporator (102) include a stack of pans (107) that receive the a hot effluent and the hot effluent spreads across the surface of each pan, that results in maximization of an evaporation rate of the hot effluent and generation of humidified air along with a pre-determined amount of cold unevaporated effluent; the condenser unit (103) is connected to the evaporator (102) and the condenser unit (103) is configured to cool down and condense the humidified air into a fluid; and the collection tank (106) receives the fluid from the condenser unit (103).

2. The humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system ( 100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the injection assembly (101) includes: i. an inlet port for receiving the hot effluent from a effluent storage unit, wherein the effluent is heated via a heating apparatus present within the humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system (100); ii. a pump that maintains a flow of the hot effluent inside the injection assembly (101);iii. a valve for regulating an amount of the hot effluent being injected; iv. a nozzle for injecting the hot effluent into the stack of pans; and v. a support framework for holding the inlet port, pump, valve and nozzle securely in place.

3. The humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system ( 100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the injection assembly (101) is controlled via a processor for injecting the pre-determined amount of hot effluent into the evaporator (102).

4. The humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system ( 100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the evaporator (102) includes a set of thin films which are arranged between the stack of pans that facilitate in smooth spread of the hot effluent across the surface area of each pan and maximization of the evaporation rate of the hot effluent.

5. The humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system ( 100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the set of thin films have thickness in rage from 10 to 5 millimeters.

6. The humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system ( 100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stack of pans are a flat and shallow tray that hold the hot effluent.

7. The humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system ( 100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the stack of pans are made of material that include stainless steel, aluminum.

8. The humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system ( 100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pre-determined amount of cold unevaporated effluent is circulated in the condenser unit (103) for cooling down the humidified air.

9. The humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system ( 100) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system ( 100) includes a low lift heat pump that facilitates in cool down of the humidified air and the low lift heat pump decreases a temperature of the humidified air in range from 5 to 0 degree Celsius.

10. The humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system ( 100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the set of fans (104) are configured to maintain an air flow within the humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system (100).

11. The humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system ( 100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system (100) is in a closed housing (108) with a cover (109) and include an elliptical double walled structure or an elliptical structure with a separator wall in the center.

12. The humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system ( 100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the set of sensors (105) include a pair of temperature sensor for measuring an internal temperature within the humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system (100), a pair of humidity sensors for measuring a humidity level within the humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system (100).

13. The humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system ( 100) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the humidifier-dehumidifier based fluid treatment system (100) include an intelligent air flow controller and a temperature management unit that controls an air flow in the evaporator (102) and facilitates in maximization of an evaporation rate of the hot effluent via processing the internal temperature and the humidity level received from the set of sensors (105).

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