Aerosol Trapping Duct Wall Separation for Low Pressure Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Household drying devices face challenges in separating hygroscopic liquid droplets from air without significant pressure differences, leading to increased energy consumption and flow resistance, as smaller droplets form aerosols that are difficult to separate efficiently.
Innovation Solution
The use of the air duct wall as a separation surface, with a bundle of tubes arranged inclined and beveled to enhance separation surface area and contact, reduces pressure loss and flow resistance, allowing efficient liquid separation without increasing energy requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a large contact surface is provided between hygroscopic liquid and air to improve separation efficiency, then liquid separation performance is improved, but pressure loss and flow resistance increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The separating element is designed as a bundle of multiple small tubes instead of a single large surface, dividing the separation function into numerous small channels that collectively provide large contact area while maintaining low flow resistance
Solution Approach 2:
The tubes are arranged inclined relative to horizontal orientation and beveled on the downward side, utilizing gravitational field direction to facilitate liquid flow along the separation surface and into collection, adding a dimensional aspect to liquid removal
2Productivity
If smaller liquid droplets are formed to increase contact surface area, then evaporation efficiency is improved, but droplet separation from dried air becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The tube bundle creates numerous small channels that generate fine droplet dispersion for efficient evaporation, while the inclined arrangement and bevels provide gravitational guidance for separating even these fine droplets from the air stream
Solution Approach 2:
The tube walls act as an intermediary surface that facilitates both droplet formation for evaporation and subsequent separation through gravitational flow along the inclined beveled surfaces
3Productivity
If large pressure differences are applied to overcome flow resistance in liquid separation, then separation performance is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined tube arrangement aligns with gravitational field direction, using gravity as a free energy source to drive liquid flow along the separation surface and into collection, eliminating the need for additional pressurization energy
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple small tubes create low-resistance flow paths that minimize the pressure differences needed to maintain air flow through the separation element
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
This design effectively separates liquid droplets from air with minimal pressure loss and flow resistance, improving energy efficiency and facilitating the return of separated liquid to a storage depot, while maintaining low energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
The arrangement of a separating surface inclined in this way is not only advantageous when using a bundle of tubes, but generally also for any channel wall used according to the invention that forms a separating surface. The inclined arrangement means that there is a distinct flow direction for the separated liquid, so that the return of the separated liquid to a liquid reservoir is facilitated.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
AI summary
According to the invention, a household appliance with a drying device, such as a dishwasher, a clothes dryer, a washing machine or the like, is shown, wherein a contact zone (8) for removing moisture from air originating from a working chamber (11) of the household appliance is provided by means of contact of the air with a hygroscopic liquid (4) in a contact chamber (8) and wherein a separation element (14) for separating hygroscopic liquid (4) from the air is provided, characterized in that a separation surface is formed by the surface of the wall of an air duct (14) in the direction of flow behind the contact chamber (8).