Apparatus and process to condition a gas flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning systems face hygiene issues due to the growth of algae and bacteria from liquid water used in humidification, and are energy-inefficient, leading to high operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A room air composition changing device with a tube having a membrane that allows controlled exchange of gases and moisture, using a semi-permeable membrane to prevent liquid water from entering the air flow and utilizing a storage volume for desiccants or saline solutions to regulate humidity without direct liquid contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If liquid water is used for humidification in air conditioning systems, then humidification performance is improved, but hygiene problems arise due to algae and bacteria growth
Solution Approach 1:
A hydrophobic membrane is introduced as an intermediary between the liquid water reservoir and the air flow. The membrane allows water vapor to pass through while blocking liquid water and microorganisms, enabling humidification without direct contact between liquid water and the air stream, thus preventing biological contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
A hydrophobic membrane (thin film) is used to separate the liquid water phase from the gas phase. The membrane's hydrophobic properties prevent liquid water penetration while allowing vapor transmission, providing a physical barrier that eliminates the hygiene problems associated with liquid water in the air flow path.
2Productivity
If liquid water is evaporated for humidification, then moisture is supplied to the air flow, but considerable energy is required for evaporation
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical state parameter of water from liquid to vapor phase through the hydrophobic membrane without requiring complete evaporation. By utilizing the membrane's selective permeability, water can be transferred in vapor form at lower energy costs compared to traditional evaporation methods that require heating liquid water to its evaporation point.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional thermal evaporation process is replaced by a membrane-based mass transfer mechanism. Instead of using heat energy to evaporate liquid water, the system uses the hydrophobic membrane's selective permeability properties to allow vapor passage, substituting a thermal process with a physical barrier-based process that requires less energy.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a membrane is introduced to control substance transport, then hygiene is improved and energy efficiency increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A hydrophobic porous membrane is used to provide selective permeability. The porous structure allows water vapor molecules to pass through while the hydrophobic surface tension prevents liquid water and larger microorganisms from penetrating, achieving hygiene protection and energy efficiency without complex mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a composite structure combining a hydrophobic membrane material with the air conditioning system's existing components. The membrane's unique properties (hydrophobicity combined with porosity) create a composite solution that simultaneously addresses hygiene and energy efficiency concerns while integrating into the existing system architecture.
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 solution provides a hygienically safe and energy-efficient method for humidifying or dehumidifying air, preventing microbial contamination and reducing energy consumption by using membrane diffusion for moisture transfer, allowing precise control of humidity levels.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one opening is closed with a membrane in order to control the transport of substances between the storage volume and the inner cross section of the tube
Implementation Method 2
liquid water can be present in the storage volume, which is supplied in gaseous form through the membrane at a predeterminable rate to the gas flow
Implementation Method 3
liquid water can be present in the storage volume, which is supplied in gaseous form through the membrane
Implementation Method 4
The at least one opening is closed with a membrane in order to control the transport of substances between the storage volume and the inner cross section of the tube
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for conditioning a gas flow (80), comprising at least one tube (2) with a tube wall (20) that encloses an inner cross-section (21) in which the gas flow can be conducted. The tube wall (20) has at least one opening (25) in at least one longitudinal section of the tube (2), said opening being closed by a membrane (3) and connecting the inner cross-section (21) to a storage volume (4). The invention further relates to a method for conditioning a gas flow, wherein the gas flow is conducted in the inner cross-section (21) of at least one tube (2) with a tube wall (20). The tube wall (20) has at least one opening (25) in at least one longitudinal section of the tube (2), said opening being closed by a membrane (3), and material is exchanged with a storage volume (4) through the membrane (3).