Methods and means for energy-efficient ventilation systems for buildings
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventilation systems in buildings face challenges in achieving energy efficiency and fire safety compliance while being cost-effective, especially in retrofitting and new installations, due to the need for separate ducts and high air exchange rates, which increase installation costs and reduce floor space.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation system incorporating a fireproof air transfer unit with a heat exchanger that recovers thermal energy from stale air and uses a heat-sensitive damper to prevent fire and smoke propagation, maintaining pressure differentials to ensure air flow and safety, and can be installed using repurposed infrastructure like garbage chutes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate ventilation systems are provided for each fire cell, then fire safety is improved, but installation cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple ventilation functions (fresh air supply, stale air exhaust, heat exchange, and fire safety) into a single integrated ventilation system that serves multiple fire cells simultaneously. The system uses common ventilation ducts and a single air treatment apparatus to provide both ventilation and fire safety functions, eliminating the need for separate systems for each fire cell while maintaining regulatory compliance.
2Loss of energy
If heat exchangers are installed in existing buildings to recover thermal energy, then energy efficiency is improved, but installation cost and structural disruption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation system is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: providing fresh air, exhausting stale air, recovering thermal energy through heat exchange, and ensuring fire safety. This multi-functional design allows the system to be installed in existing buildings without requiring separate systems for each function, reducing overall installation complexity and cost while achieving energy efficiency goals.
3Productivity
If new ventilation ducts are installed in existing buildings, then ventilation performance is improved, but installation cost and floor space reduction increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges fresh air supply and stale air exhaust functions into a single integrated ventilation pathway, allowing both air streams to be managed through shared infrastructure. This consolidation reduces the total amount of ductwork required compared to completely separate systems, lowering installation costs and minimizing impact on floor space in existing buildings.
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 system achieves energy savings of 30-40% and up to 80% with geothermal heating, while meeting fire safety regulations, and can be installed at minimal cost with minimal disruption to existing structures.
Implementation Method 1
the original design of the ventilation system needs to be replaced by another solution providing higher energy efficiency. Given the high levels of air exchange dictated by building regulations, obtaining the desired level of energy efficiency in practice dictates recycling the thermal energy present in the stale air ventilated out using a heat exchanger.
Implementation Method 2
a fireproof air transfer unit with a heat-sensitive damper to prevent fire and smoke propagation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A ventilation system for a building (1)comprising a stairwell (2);a fire cell (3) separated from said stairwell (2) by a wall (4). Said ventilation system comprises an fresh air intake (5); a stale air exhaust (6);a means for providing air flow (7) in the ventilation system;a heat exchanger (8) arranged to exchange thermal energy between fresh air coming in from the air intake and stale air going out to the exhaust;a ventilation duct (9) arranged for transferring stale air from the fire cell (3) to the stale air exhaust (6) via the heat exchanger (8);a ventilation duct (10) arranged for transferring fresh air from the fresh air intake (5) to the stairwell (2) via the heat exchanger (8);a fire proof air transfer unit (100) arranged as a conduit for transferring air between the stairwell (2) and the fire cell (3). Fire proof air transfer unit suitable for said ventilation system, and uses thereof.