Method for producing a stream of air
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing air flow through a volume of liquid suffer from low energy efficiency and limited air flow rates, with previous solutions either having low energy yields or being inefficient in heat exchange and air flow management.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a device with a closed enclosure containing a volume of liquid, where air is injected below the surface and guided through baffles to manage turbulence and prevent liquid projection, allowing for high air flow rates and efficient heat exchange while maintaining a controlled liquid volume, thus enhancing energy efficiency and reducing device size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If air is passed through a curtain of fine liquid droplets or through an air-permeable exchange surface containing liquid, then heat exchange between liquid and airflow occurs, but energy efficiency is very low and airflow rates are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the liquid from the airflow path, placing it in a separate chamber below the airflow. Air passes through the liquid volume without direct contact, eliminating the need for curtains or permeable surfaces while maintaining efficient heat exchange through the liquid volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid volume acts as an intermediary heat exchange medium. Instead of direct contact between air and liquid surfaces, the liquid mediates heat transfer by being positioned in the airflow path, allowing thermal energy transfer while maintaining phase separation.
2Use of energy by moving object
If air is passed directly through a volume of liquid contained within a chamber, then higher energy efficiencies in heat exchange are achieved, but liquid droplets are projected and carried by the airflow to the discharge opening
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful liquid droplets are extracted from the airflow path by positioning the liquid volume in a separate chamber. The liquid remains contained while still providing heat exchange, eliminating droplet projection to the discharge opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The turbulence that would normally cause harmful droplet projection is converted into a beneficial mixing mechanism within the liquid volume. The air stream creates turbulence that enhances heat exchange efficiency, while the liquid containment prevents droplet ejection.
3Productivity
If high airflow rates are achieved through direct liquid contact methods, then productivity increases, but device size and enclosure volume must be large
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses the air stream itself as a flexible containment boundary for the liquid volume. The airflow path defines the effective volume needed, allowing compact enclosure design while maintaining high airflow rates through efficient heat exchange in the liquid volume.
4Use of energy by moving object
If turbulence is increased to enhance heat exchange, then energy efficiency improves, but liquid droplets are more easily projected outside the enclosure
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid is extracted from the direct airflow path and placed in a separate chamber. Turbulence can be freely generated in the liquid volume to maximize heat exchange efficiency without the risk of droplet projection, as the liquid is contained within the chamber boundaries.
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 approach enables high air flow rates and efficient heat exchange, allowing for effective heating, cooling, humidification, or dehumidification of air, while maintaining a small device size and preventing liquid projection, thus improving energy efficiency and operational effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
Heating or cooling the airflow can, for example, aim to produce air with a controlled temperature and/or a controlled absolute humidity
Implementation Method 2
Using the thermal conductivity and latent heat of a liquid, such as water, to heat or cool an airflow through heat exchange between the liquid and the airflow
Implementation Method 3
the production of an airflow with controlled temperature and/or controlled absolute humidity
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for producing a stream of air (F'), wherein said device comprises an enclosure (10), which is intended for containing a volume of liquid (V), and which comprises at least one air-discharge opening (101), air-injection means (12) which make it possible to create and pass an incoming stream of air (F) from the outside of the enclosure into a volume of liquid (V) contained in the enclosure, by injecting said incoming stream of air (F) into said volume of liquid (V) underneath the surface of said volume of liquid (V), such that an outgoing stream of air (F'), treated by direct contact with the volume of liquid, is discharged from said enclosure by passing through the air-discharge opening (101) of the enclosure. The enclosure comprises one or more baffles (14; 14'; 14") which are positioned between the volume of liquid (V) and said discharge opening (101), and which make it possible to circulate the stream of air (F') exiting the volume of liquid until the discharge opening (101), causing same to undergo one or more changes of direction such as to prevent the spraying of liquid through the air-discharge opening (101).