Aerosol separator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air purifiers used in commercial settings, particularly in institutional kitchens, face challenges in complying with fire penetration standards like EN 16282-6 while maintaining low pressure drop to reduce energy consumption and prevent fire spread.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a fire blocking air purifier with a housing of baffles and V-shaped fire blockers that redirect airflow in a helical motion, maximizing heat exchange and minimizing pressure drop, using perforations and materials like stainless steel to effectively block flames without increasing energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fire blocking elements are added to prevent fire penetration, then fire safety is improved, but pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fire blocking elements incorporate perforations that allow airflow through the fire blocking structure. These perforated surfaces provide fire resistance while maintaining air permeability, thus preventing fire penetration without creating excessive pressure drop across the air purifier.
Solution Approach 2:
The fire blocking elements combine different functional properties in a single component: fire resistance from the solid material structure and airflow capability from the integrated perforations. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of fire safety and low pressure drop.
2Reliability
If fire blocking elements with high fire resistance are used, then fire penetration prevention is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The perforated fire blocking elements enable airflow through the fire resistance barrier, reducing the work required by the exhaust fan compared to solid blocking structures. This maintains fire penetration prevention while minimizing the energy penalty associated with air movement resistance.
3Reliability
If solid fire blocking structures are used, then fire penetration is prevented, but airflow resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fire blocking elements utilize perforated surfaces that provide fire resistance while allowing air to pass through. The pattern and density of perforations are designed to maintain structural fire blocking capability while minimizing resistance to airflow, thus preserving exhaust system productivity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively prevents fire penetration while maintaining low pressure drop across the air purifier, ensuring compliance with industry standards and reducing energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
the fire blocker effecting heat exchange with the exhaust air flow to prevent flames from passing beyond the fire blocker
Implementation Method 2
baffles and V-shaped fire blockers that redirect airflow in a helical motion, maximizing heat exchange
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
An air purifier for an exhaust system includes a grease filter assembly with a housing enclosing multiple baffle chambers each having an air inlet that connects to a baffle cavity that extends along an entire length of the baffle chamber and terminates with outlet openings at two opposite sides of the housing. At least one fire blocker is positioned at least at one side of the two opposite sides of the housing, such that exhaust air that has flowed into said each baffle chamber through its respective inlet opening flows out an outlet opening of said each baffle chamber and subsequently through the fire blocker before exiting the air purifier into the exhaust system. The fire blocker may have various shapes and effects heat exchange with the exhaust fumes to suppress or prevent flames from passing through.