Installation unit for a device for treating a useful fluid with a working fluid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid treatment devices, such as humidifiers and coolers, face challenges in optimizing fluid flow resistance and surface contact area between mat elements, which affects the efficiency of gas treatment and cooling processes.
Innovation Solution
The installation device features mat elements with a thickness gradient, allowing for vertical alignment and application of water as a working fluid, which flows and drips along the surface, creating an enlarged contact area with the treated fluid in counter-current or cross-current flow configurations, utilizing corrugated or lattice structures to enhance surface exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If mat elements are arranged with constant thickness, then manufacturing is simple, but flow resistance increases and surface contact area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mat elements are designed with a thickness gradient, where the thickness varies continuously from one side to the other. This local variation in thickness optimizes the flow properties by reducing flow resistance in thicker regions and increasing surface contact area in specific zones, while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through extrusion or molding processes that can accommodate gradual thickness changes.
2Ease of operation
If mat elements are arranged vertically aligned, then installation is simplified, but surface contact area with working fluid is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mat elements are designed with a thickness gradient that introduces a dimensional variation along the vertical alignment. While the elements remain vertically aligned for easy installation, the varying thickness creates additional surface area exposure to the working fluid, effectively utilizing the thickness dimension to increase contact area without compromising installation simplicity.
3Productivity
If working fluid flows parallel to mat elements, then flow resistance is low, but surface contact time is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The thickness gradient creates a curved or inclined surface profile on the mat elements rather than a flat parallel surface. This curvature causes the working fluid to follow a more extended path along the mat element surface, increasing contact time while maintaining relatively low flow resistance. The gradual thickness variation guides the fluid flow smoothly along the inclined surfaces.
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
This design reduces flow resistance and increases the exposed surface area for fluid treatment, improving the efficiency of humidification, cleaning, and cooling processes by ensuring optimal contact between the working fluid and the treated gas.
Implementation Method 1
A gas is cooled with the aid of such devices according to the principle of adiabatic cooling (evaporative cooling)
Implementation Method 2
A gas is cooled with the aid of such devices according to the principle of adiabatic cooling (evaporative cooling)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an installation unit for a device for treating, in particular humidifying and/or cleaning a useful fluid, in particular a gas, using a working fluid, in particular a liquid, and in particular for cooling water vapour using water spray and/or drops, comprising at least one installation body (10) having multiple layers arranged on top of one another and formed by a respective at least one pad element (12) per layer. Each pad element (12) has a thickness dimension and is bordered by a peripheral edge (20). When viewed from the side, at least one pad element (12) has a thickness gradient on the edge (20) thereof, wherein the thickness varies from a point on the edge (20) or from a region of the edge (20) to the opposite point or region of the edge (20).