Portable Water Treatment Module for Low-Charge Humidification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air humidification systems require frequent maintenance and service to maintain optimal humidity levels, which can be cumbersome and costly, especially when dealing with demineralized water that can cause electrostatic charging and water damage due to its low conductivity.

Innovation Solution

A modular, transportable water treatment device that includes a reverse osmosis module, low-pressure and high-pressure pump modules, and an electrical control module, allowing for flexible adaptation to different applications and service needs, with an optional conditioning module to increase water conductivity and prevent electrostatic charging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If demineralized water is used for humidification, then precipitation and deposits on nozzles are avoided, but electrostatic charging occurs causing water damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecipitation and deposits on nozzlesVSAvoidelectrostatic charging and water damage
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the electrical conductivity parameter of the water by adding electrolytes (salts, acids, or bases) to the demineralized water. This adjustment allows the water to conduct electricity better, preventing electrostatic charging of the aerosol while still maintaining low mineral content to avoid precipitation and deposits on nozzles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If conventional air humidification systems are used, then humidity control is achieved, but frequent maintenance and service are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehumidity controlVSAvoidmaintenance and service frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the humidification system into separate functional modules: a water treatment module (portable, can be serviced independently) and a humidification module (stationary). The water treatment module contains the reverse osmosis system and electrolyte addition system, which can be removed, serviced, and replaced without disturbing the stationary humidification unit, thereby reducing maintenance complexity and frequency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If fully demineralized ultrapure water is used, then precipitation is prevented, but aerosol becomes electrostatically charged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecipitation loadingVSAvoidelectrostatic charge stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts the electrical conductivity parameter of fully demineralized water by adding small amounts of electrolytes (salts, acids, or bases). This parameter change prevents electrostatic charging of the aerosol while maintaining the low mineral content necessary to prevent precipitation and deposits on nozzles and in the humidification environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Facilitates easier maintenance and adaptation to varying humidity requirements, reduces service effort, and prevents water damage by ensuring the water treatment system is compact, cost-effective, and easily accessible for maintenance, while maintaining optimal humidity levels.

Implementation Method 1

the water used is freed from disruptive ingredients by means of reverse osmosis water treatment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReverse osmosis: Reverse Osmosis

Implementation Method 2

These are mainly high-pressure jet humidifiers, which convert the supplied water into tiny droplets and nebulize them as an aerosol in the room or other environment to be humidified

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHigh-pressure atomization:

Implementation Method 3

There the droplets evaporate and increase the humidity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 4

this can be carried out by means of a conditioning module for increasing the conductivity of the water treated by the reverse osmosis device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConductivity increase through electrolyte addition:

Data Source

PatentEP3214387B1Transportable water treatment device for humidification and stationary part of the humidification device
Publication Date: 2018.09.26 CONDAIR GRP
  • EP3214387B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3214387B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3214387B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Transportable water treatment device (1) for detachable connection to a stationary part of an air humidification system, comprising: • a carrier (2), • at least one first interface (19) for feeding held on the carrier (2) and accessible from the outside of the carrier (2). and discharge of fluid, which is designed to be releasably connected to a second interface (39) on a stationary part of an air humidification system, • a reverse osmosis module (9) held on the carrier, • a low-pressure pump module (10) held on the carrier, • an am Carrier-held high-pressure pump module (14), • an electrical control module (30) held on the carrier, • wherein the water treatment device (1) is designed as a transportable unit. Stationary system part of an air humidification system comprising a support bracket (38) for accommodating a transportable water treatment device and a second interface (39).