Ventilation Module with Biofilter and Heat Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air purification systems for indoor environments that use plant-based filters recirculate air, leading to energy losses and increased costs due to the need for separate air conditioning and aeration with outdoor environments, resulting in inefficient energy and environmental performance.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation module with a biological purification system that includes a heat exchanger and biofilter, allowing for the exchange of indoor and outdoor air while minimizing thermal losses and integrating air purification, conditioning, and heat recovery within a single device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If air is recirculated inside the environment using plant-based filters, then air purification efficiency is improved, but energy losses increase due to the need for separate air conditioning and aeration systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the air purification function (biofilter with plants) and the heat exchange function (heat exchanger) into a single integrated ventilation module. This merging eliminates the need for separate air conditioning systems, reducing energy losses while maintaining purification efficiency. The heat exchanger recovers thermal energy from exhaust air, and the biofilter simultaneously purifies the air, achieving both functions in one system.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation module performs multiple functions simultaneously: it purifies air through the biofilter, exchanges heat through the heat exchanger, and provides ventilation. This multi-functionality allows the system to replace separate air conditioning and purification systems, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective air treatment.
2Reliability
If air is recirculated inside the environment, then air purification from pollutants is improved, but separate air conditioning systems are required increasing design complexity and costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the biofilter and heat exchanger into a single ventilation module with a unified structure. The housing contains both components, with the heat exchanger positioned to receive air from inlet openings and direct it to the biofilter. This integration simplifies the overall system design by eliminating the need for separate air conditioning equipment and reducing installation complexity.
3Reliability
If indoor air is recirculated for purification, then pollutant removal is improved, but thermal losses occur when stale air is released outside
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger recovers thermal energy from the exhaust air (stale air) before it is discharged outside. By extracting heat from the outgoing air stream and transferring it to the incoming fresh air, the system minimizes thermal losses while maintaining effective pollutant removal through the biofilter. This recovery process prevents energy waste that would otherwise occur when releasing conditioned air outdoors.
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 module effectively purifies indoor and outdoor air, reduces energy losses, and enhances thermal-hygrometric comfort by maintaining a constant temperature, optimizing energy-environmental performance and simplifying system design and costs.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger arranged such to receive air from the two inlet openings and let an air flow to flow out from the heat exchanger towards the purification chamber
Implementation Method 2
a purification chamber where a biofilter is placed for purifying an air flow entering the module
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
The invention relates to a module for ventilation equipped with a biological system for purification of indoor and/ or outdoor air of an environment comprising: a box body comprising a first (2) and a second (4) wall facing each other, and at least one of the first and the second wall comprising a sheet made of a material transparent to light; a pair of sidewalk (6) each one connected to the first (2) and second wall (4) and adapted to close the box body laterally; a base (3) and a lid (5) each one connected to the pair of sidewalk (6) and to the first (2) and second (4) wall to close the box body at the bottom and at the top respectively; a purification chamber (30) where a biofilter (10) is arranged for purifying an input air flow (A) entering the module (1); two inlet openings (8', 8") to allow the air flow that has to be purified to enter in the purification chamber (30), each one of the openings (8', 8") being formed in one of the first (2) and second (4) wall respectively; an outlet opening (9) adapted to allow a purified air flow (P) to flow out from the module into the purification chamber (30). The module further comprises a heat exchanger (20) arranged so as to receive air from the two inlet openings (8', 8") and let an air flow to flow out from the heat exchanger towards the purification chamber. The invention relates also to the relevant method for ventilation of an environment and for biological purification of indoor air of the environment and/or outdoor air introduced in such environment The module and the method according to the present invention are preferably and advantageously used in buildings for residential use, business use, industrial use and in accommodation facilities, both for new constructions and for renovation of existing buildings; the present invention is particularly suitable for being used in contaminated areas.