Hydrophilic Heat Exchanger Coating for Cooling and Drying Hygiene
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Heat exchangers face challenges in maintaining antimicrobial and odor removal functions due to varying operational modes, such as cooling and drying, which existing solutions fail to address effectively, especially considering the unique environmental conditions of heat exchangers unlike injection-molded products.
Innovation Solution
A hydrophilic coating is applied to the heat exchanger's surface, containing specific transition metal oxides that exhibit antimicrobial activity through catalytic and photocatalytic reactions, ensuring continuous antimicrobial and odor removal performance across different operational modes by reacting with moisture during cooling and utilizing light during drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If inorganic antimicrobial substances are applied to heat exchangers, then long duration and high safety are achieved, but antimicrobial activity is weaker compared to organic substances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a composite coating containing both inorganic antimicrobial substances (such as silver oxide, zinc oxide, or titanium dioxide) and organic antimicrobial substances (such as triclosan or chlorhexidine) on the heat exchanger surface. This composite structure combines the long-lasting safety of inorganic materials with the strong initial antimicrobial activity of organic materials, resolving the contradiction between duration and effectiveness.
2Ease of operation
If heat is applied to evaporate condensate from the heat exchanger surface, then condensate removal is achieved, but additional energy consumption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs hydrophilic coating materials that naturally attract and facilitate condensate drainage through capillary action and surface tension effects. The coating enables the heat exchanger to remove condensate automatically without requiring external heating energy, achieving self-service operation that resolves the energy consumption issue while maintaining effective condensate removal.
3Temperature
If the heat exchanger operates in cooling mode, then cooling function is provided, but condensate formation promotes bacterial growth
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies antimicrobial coating materials specifically to the surface areas of the heat exchanger where condensate accumulates during cooling operation. This localized treatment ensures that the cooling function remains unaffected while the coated surfaces actively prevent bacterial growth in the condensate-prone regions, resolving the contradiction between cooling performance and bacterial prevention.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If organic antimicrobial substances are used, then strong antimicrobial activity is achieved, but safety issues and short duration occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent formulates a composite coating system where organic antimicrobial substances provide strong initial antimicrobial activity, while inorganic antimicrobial substances embedded in the coating matrix provide long-lasting protection and safety. The synergistic combination resolves the contradiction between strong activity and long duration, maintaining effectiveness throughout the operational lifecycle.
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 hydrophilic coating with transition metal oxides provides sustained antimicrobial activity and odor reduction, maintaining optimal performance by utilizing catalytic reactions during cooling and photocatalytic reactions during drying, effectively preventing bacterial growth and odor formation.
Implementation Method 1
a first type transition metal oxide that becomes acidic by reacting with moisture formed on the refrigerant pipe or the cooling fin to have antimicrobial activity when the heat exchanger is operated in the cooling operation mode
Implementation Method 2
a second type transition metal oxide or a post-transition metal oxide that has antimicrobial activity when the heat exchanger is operated in the drying operation mode
Implementation Method 3
a hydrophilic coating coated on a surface of at least one of the refrigerant pipe and the cooling fin
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 2D~2E
AI summary
A heat exchanger of the present disclosure is operated in a cooling operation mode in which a region to be heat-exchanged is cooled by the heat exchanger or in a drying operation mode in which the heat exchanger is supplied with wind from a blowing fan, and comprises: a refrigerant pipe which forms a flow path of a refrigerant; a cooling fin which is coupled to the refrigerant pipe; and a hydrophilic coating with which the surface of at least one of the refrigerant pipe and the cooling fin is coated, wherein the hydrophilic coating contains: a first type transition metal oxide which becomes acidic by reacting with water formed on the refrigerant pipe or the cooling fin, so as to have antimicrobial activity when the heat exchanger is operated in the cooling operation mode; and a second type transition metal oxide or a post transition metal oxide which has antimicrobial activity when the heat exchanger is operated in the drying operation mode.