Humidification and evaporative-cooling ventilation system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing humidification and evaporative-cooling ventilation systems face inefficiencies in water absorption, leading to condensation, corrosion, bacterial proliferation, and limited supersaturation capacity, with conventional systems failing to utilize the full amount of introduced water without causing dripping or precipitation.

Innovation Solution

An adiabatic system using inductive air diffusion with nebulized water introduction into a laminar air flow, protected by outflow nozzles that ensure complete water absorption without condensation, featuring aligned diffusion holes and outflow nozzles with fluid-thread straighteners to maintain laminar airflow and directionality, enhancing supersaturation capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If water is introduced into the air flow for humidification, then the humidification efficiency is improved, but condensation and water dripping occur when saturation levels are exceeded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveamount of water absorbed by airVSAvoidcondensation and water dripping
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the air flow by creating a laminar flow regime with specific velocity profiles and introducing hot air to raise the temperature. This increases the air's capacity to absorb water vapor without reaching saturation, allowing up to 40 g of water per kilogram of air to be absorbed without condensation or dripping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system preliminarily prepares the air flow by establishing laminar flow conditions and heating the air before water introduction. This preliminary action creates optimal conditions for water absorption, preventing condensation from occurring in the first place rather than trying to manage it afterward.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If saturated air is conveyed through distribution ducts, then the humidification capacity is improved, but corrosion and bacterial proliferation occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehumidity of treated airVSAvoidduct corrosion and bacterial growth
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains the air temperature above the dew point throughout the distribution ducts by continuously introducing hot air and maintaining laminar flow. This parameter control ensures that even though the air has high humidity (up to 40 g water per kg air), it remains in a supersaturated state without condensation, preventing corrosion and bacterial growth in the ducts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If conventional humidification systems are used, then the system complexity is reduced, but the supersaturation capacity is limited to around 1 g per kilogram of air

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem structureVSAvoidsupersaturation capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic recirculation of hot air through the distribution ducts to continuously refresh the air and maintain its water-absorbing capacity. This periodic action allows the system to sustain high supersaturation levels (40 g/kg) without requiring complex additional humidification equipment, achieving enhanced capacity with relatively simple system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

4Quantity of substance

If water is sprayed at high pressure for micronisation, then the water absorption efficiency is improved, but the system complexity and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater absorption efficiencyVSAvoidcompressed air consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes pneumatic principles by introducing hot air flow that creates a low-pressure zone, drawing water into the air stream without requiring high-pressure compression. The laminar flow dynamics and temperature differential naturally facilitate water evaporation and absorption, achieving high water absorption efficiency (40 g/kg) with minimal energy input compared to high-pressure spray systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 high humidification efficiency with up to 40 g of water per kilogram of air, significantly surpassing conventional systems, while preventing condensation and dripping, ensuring safe and efficient operation by maintaining airflow laminarity and directionality.

Implementation Method 1

The system is based upon adiabatic treatment of the air, namely, upon the capacity of the evaporating water to transform the sensible heat of the air into latent heat of vaporization, without on the other hand changing the total thermal content thereof (isenthalpic treatment).

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdiabatic cooling: Adiabatic Cooling

Implementation Method 2

the capacity of the evaporating water to transform the sensible heat of the air into latent heat of vaporization

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

The holes are characterised by an air-outlet speed such as to generate localised microturbulence and consequent areas of negative pressure, a well-known inductive effect that recalls air from the environment towards the outer surface of the ducts

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInductive effect: Induction Heating

Implementation Method 4

a system for introducing nebulised water directly into the flow of induced air but protected in a secondary air flow capable of ensuring complete absorption of the water

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaminar flow: Laminar Flow

Data Source

PatentEP3604962B1Humidification and evaporative-cooling ventilation system
Publication Date: 2020.10.07 AERIS GRP HLDG SRL
  • EP3604962B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

An inductive-humidification and evaporative-cooling ventilation system comprising: means for generating a flow of air; a channel (10) for conveying said flow of air, said channel (10) comprising a plurality of inductive holes (11) for transferring said flow of air into the environment, said channel (10) further comprising at least one outflow mouth (17) for expelling said flow of air, which has a three-dimensional structure open both at the back and at the front, and a fluid-thread straightener (21) set at the rear end of said at least one outflow mouth (17), which recalls a flow of air (31) from the environment surrounding said channel (10); and at least one humidification device (16) for introducing nebulised water into the environment; wherein said at least one humidification device (16) is set within said at least one diffusion mouth (17), and said plurality of holes (11) are arranged in a number of rows (12) aligned longitudinally along the ducts (10).