Pool Overflow Channel Air Stripping for Chloramine Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for removing volatile disinfection by-products (DBPs) from swimming pool water, such as chloramines and halomethanes, are inefficient as they accumulate near the water surface and are not effectively addressed by traditional HVAC ventilation systems, leading to health issues for users and staff.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a main channel with air suction holes and an air insufflation device that forces the release of volatile substances into a confined space for efficient removal, using a suction duct to collect and discharge these substances outside the pool facility, integrated with the pool's overflow and deck water systems to treat all recirculating water and ambient air.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional HVAC ventilation systems are used to remove volatile substances, then the entire environmental volume is covered, but the volatile substances accumulate in the breath zone near the water surface and are not effectively removed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccumulation of volatile substances in breath zoneVSAvoidefficiency of volatile substance removal
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by positioning air suction holes specifically at the breath zone level near the water surface, rather than using uniform ventilation throughout the entire environmental volume. This localized approach concentrates removal capacity where DBPs accumulate most, improving efficiency without requiring system-wide increases in ventilation capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a new spatial dimension for volatile substance removal by placing suction holes at the water surface level (breath zone), creating a horizontal removal plane that complements traditional vertical HVAC airflow patterns. This dimensional addition allows direct interception of DBPs at their source accumulation point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Temperature

If air vents are located in the upper part of the facility for HVAC systems, then temperature and humidity regulation is achieved, but the vents are away from the region most affected by DBP accumulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature and humidity regulationVSAvoidDBP accumulation in breath zone
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the functions of temperature/humidity control and DBP removal by integrating air suction holes into the existing HVAC ventilation system structure. The same ventilation infrastructure that regulates environmental conditions now also captures volatile substances at the breath zone, combining two previously separate functions into one unified system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The ventilation system is enhanced to perform multiple functions: traditional temperature and humidity regulation plus targeted DBP removal at the breath zone. The air suction holes serve dual purposes by being positioned to both capture volatile substances and participate in the overall environmental air circulation required for thermal comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If environmental ventilation systems cover the entire environmental volume, then comprehensive air treatment is provided, but they are not efficient in removing volatile substances that remain near the free water surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage of environmental volumeVSAvoidremoval efficiency of volatile substances at water surface
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation function is segmented into two distinct components: traditional bulk environmental ventilation for overall air treatment, and localized air suction holes at the breath zone for targeted DBP removal. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the other, improving overall system efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The air suction holes perform preliminary action by capturing volatile substances at the breath zone before they can disperse throughout the entire environmental volume. This early interception at the source accumulation point prevents DBPs from mixing with the general ambient air, making removal more efficient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Effectively prevents the accumulation of harmful volatile substances in the 'breath zone' around swimming pools, ensuring safer conditions for users and staff, while being modular, economically competitive, and compatible with existing HVAC systems without increasing their size or complexity.

Implementation Method 1

generate a flow of air within the water present in the main channel adapted for the stripping of the gases dissolved in the water present in the main channel, so as to promote their passage from the liquid phase to the gaseous phase

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStripping: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

ventilation means configured to generate a suction flow of air from such suction holes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction flow: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3971142B1System for the removal of volatile products resulting from the disinfection of water in a swimming pool
Publication Date: 2024.01.31 A & T EURO
  • EP3971142B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3971142B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3971142B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a system (1) for the removal of volatile products resulting from the disinfection of water in a swimming pool, comprising: - a main channel (2) arranged at at least one edge of a pool (3) of a swimming pool facility and to collect overflowing water from said pool (3), - a first plurality of air suction holes (4) distributed along the extension direction of said main channel (2), said suction holes (4) of said first plurality of suction holes (4) facing the internal volume of said main channel (2) and being arranged at a height above the free water surface present in said main channel (2), - ventilation means (6) configured to generate a suction flow of air from said first plurality of suction holes (4), According to the invention, the system (1) comprises an air insufflation device (5) arranged in said main channel (2) at a height below the free surface of the water present in said main channel (2), said air insufflation device (5) generating a flow of air adapted to strip the gases dissolved in the water present in said main channel (2), from the liquid phase to the gaseous phase, and in that said first plurality of suction holes (4) sucks in said gases to remove them from said main channel (2).