Evaporative Humidifier Self-Cleaning Using Sensor-Based Fluid Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Evaporative humidifiers and cooler apparatuses suffer from mineral, salt, bacteria, and fungi buildup, leading to deposits and reduced performance, necessitating a cleaning method that adapts to the condition of the cooling and humidification media.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a sensor device to determine the condition of the media, supplying appropriate cleaning fluids based on detected characteristics such as pH-value, hardness, turbidity, and presence of bacteria/fungi, ensuring efficient cleaning and extending the media's service life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If continuous operation of evaporative humidifier is maintained, then humidification and cooling function is provided, but mineral and salt deposits accumulate on the media reducing performance
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic cleaning cycles where the humidifier operates normally for a set period, then pauses to introduce cleaning fluid through the distribution system. The control unit monitors operation time and automatically initiates cleaning at predetermined intervals, allowing the media to be regenerated without manual intervention while maintaining continuous overall functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own fluid distribution infrastructure to deliver cleaning fluid through the same channels used for water distribution. The pump and distribution network that normally deliver water to the media are repurposed to deliver cleaning solution, eliminating the need for separate cleaning equipment and enabling the system to clean itself autonomously.
2Reliability
If manual cleaning of the media is performed, then deposits are removed, but system operation is interrupted and maintenance complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically monitors its own operation parameters and initiates cleaning cycles without user intervention. The control unit tracks media usage, detects when cleaning is needed based on predetermined criteria, and automatically introduces cleaning fluid through the distribution system, eliminating the need for manual cleaning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit continuously monitors system operation and media condition parameters, using this feedback to determine when cleaning cycles should be initiated. The system adjusts its operation based on this feedback, automatically scheduling cleaning at optimal intervals to maintain media performance while minimizing disruption to overall system productivity.
3Reliability
If cleaning fluid is supplied frequently, then media condition is maintained, but fluid consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit monitors media condition parameters and fluid characteristics, using this feedback to determine the optimal timing and duration of cleaning cycles. The system adjusts cleaning frequency and intensity based on actual media condition rather than following a fixed schedule, ensuring cleaning is performed only when necessary to maintain media performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies cleaning fluid in controlled, partial amounts rather than continuous or excessive quantities. Cleaning cycles are designed to deliver just enough fluid to effectively clean the media surface without over-saturating or wasting material. The cleaning process is interrupted and resumed in stages to ensure thorough coverage while minimizing total fluid consumption.
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 method effectively cleans the evaporative humidifier and cooler apparatus by using environmentally friendly cleaning fluids, maintaining media cleanliness and prolonging its service life.
Implementation Method 1
determining the condition of the cooling and humidification media based on data from a sensor device arranged in fluid communication with the fluid downstream of the cooling and humidification media
Implementation Method 2
As warm and dry air passes through the evaporative media, it evaporates a proportion of the water and thus produces cold, humidified air
Implementation Method 3
The energy that is needed for the evaporation of the fluid is taken from the air itself. The air that leaves the apparatus is therefore humidified and cooled simultaneously without any external energy supply for the evaporation due to an adiabatic cooling process
Implementation Method 4
When there is a humidity and cooling demand, a pump starts and circulates the fluid over the evaporative media via the fluid distribution element
Implementation Method 5
The warm and dry air may be directed through the evaporative media by means of a forced air flow, which is generated by a fan
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method, performed by a control device (100), for cleaning an evaporative humidifier and cooler apparatus (1) for humidification and cooling of air, the apparatus (1) comprises: a cooling and humidification media (2), which is configured to receive and evaporate a fluid (4); a fluid distribution element (6), which is configured to distribute the fluid (4) to the cooling and humidification media (2); and a tray (8) arranged to collect fluid (4) downstream of the cooling and humidification media (2), wherein the fluid (4) distributed by the fluid distribution element (6) is collected from the tray (8). The method comprises: determining (s101) the condition of the cooling and humidification media (2) based on data from a sensor device (10) arranged in fluid communication with the fluid (4) downstream of the cooling and humidification media (2); and supplying (s102) at least one cleaning fluid (12; 14) to the cooling and humidification media (2) dependent on the condition of the cooling and humidification media (2). The invention also relates to a system (200) comprising an evaporative humidifier and cooler apparatus (1) for humidification and cooling of air, a control device (100) and a sensor device (10) arranged in communication with the control device (100).