Pool Gutter Exhaust Plenum for Contaminant Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Swimming pool facilities face challenges with high levels of contaminants like chloramine and humidity, which irritate individuals and cause structural issues, leading to continuous operation of HVAC systems for dehumidification and air circulation, resulting in increased costs and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A combined gutter assembly with an exhaust air plenum and surge tank system that uses an exhaust fan to create below-atmospheric pressure, drawing contaminated air and water vapor from the pool surface through a water-air line, effectively evacuating contaminants and humidity while integrating with a filtration system for efficient air and water management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the HVAC system runs continuously to dehumidify and circulate air, then contaminant levels and humidity are controlled, but energy consumption and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts contaminated air directly from the pool surface using a dedicated exhaust system with an exhaust fan, plenum, and grate. This separates the contaminant removal function from the general HVAC system, allowing the HVAC system to operate less frequently and at lower capacity, thereby reducing energy consumption while effectively controlling contaminant levels and humidity.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the HVAC system runs continuously to circulate air, then air quality is maintained, but system efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts contaminated air directly from the pool surface using a dedicated exhaust system with an exhaust fan, plenum, and grate. This separates the contaminant removal function from the general HVAC system, allowing the HVAC system to operate less frequently and at lower capacity, thereby reducing energy consumption while effectively controlling contaminant levels and humidity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a separate exhaust system is added to remove contaminants, then air quality improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the exhaust system with the existing gutter assembly. The exhaust plenum is integrated into the gutter structure, and the grate serves dual purposes as both a safety cover and an air intake. This merging approach adds contaminant removal functionality while minimizing increases in overall system complexity by utilizing existing structural elements.
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 solution reduces contaminant levels and humidity, enhancing HVAC system efficiency, creating a more comfortable environment and lowering operational costs by effectively managing air and water vapor within the pool enclosure.
Implementation Method 1
An exhaust fan is connected to the surge tank, and the exhaust fan generates below atmospheric pressure within the surge tank and the exhaust air plenum so that the contaminated air on the pool surface is drawn through the grate and into the exhaust air plenum
Data Source
AI summary
A pool perimeter assembly extending along a portion of a pool perimeter includes a combined gutter assembly having a gutter conduit and a grate supported above the gutter conduit. The combined gutter assembly also has a partition dividing the gutter conduit to form an exhaust air plenum on one side of the partition. A surge tank is fluidly connected to through a modified converter box and a water-air line to the exhaust air plenum. An exhaust fan is connected to the surge tank and generates below atmospheric pressure so that the contaminated air on the pool surface is drawn through the grate and into the exhaust air plenum, through the water-air line, into the surge tank, and of the surge tank through the exhaust fan.