Suction Blower and Dehumidifier Arrangement for Floor Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for drying water-damaged sandwiched floor structures with concrete flooring and air-permeable isolating layers are inefficient due to poor airflow permeability, leading to overheating of dehumidifiers and potential air contamination with bacterial spores.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a suction blower to create a high suction force within the isolating layer, combined with a dehumidifier in a reversed serial arrangement, to efficiently dry the floor structure while minimizing air escape and maximizing heat utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a blower is used to force dehumidified air into the inlet opening, then the dehumidifier can draw moist air from the outlet opening, but the dehumidifier will overheat due to poor airflow permeability through the isolating layer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by placing the dehumidifier at the inlet opening and the blower at the outlet opening. This reversal allows the dehumidifier to receive ambient air and deliver dehumidified air directly into the isolating layer, while the blower draws the air through the layer and expels it outside, preventing overheating by ensuring proper airflow direction and pressure distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by using a blower with adjustable speed to create optimal pressure differential across the isolating layer. The blower is controlled to maintain sufficient airflow through the poorly permeable layer without creating excessive pressure that would cause air leakage, thus regulating the temperature and flow rate to prevent dehumidifier overheating.
2Productivity
If blower pressure is increased to increase airflow through the isolating layer, then drying efficiency improves, but heated air escapes to adjoining structures and room environment spreading bacterial spores
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the positions of the blower and dehumidifier, the patent ensures that the blower is located at the outlet opening where it can effectively draw air through the isolating layer and expel it outside. This creates a controlled negative pressure that prevents heated air containing bacterial spores from escaping into the room environment, while still maintaining sufficient airflow for effective drying.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback control where the blower speed and dehumidifier operation are regulated based on the airflow requirements and temperature conditions. This feedback mechanism ensures that the blower pressure is optimized to maintain airflow through the isolating layer without creating excessive pressure differential that would cause air leakage and bacterial spore spread.
3Loss of time
If the floor structure is dried quickly by increasing temperature, then drying time is reduced, but more process air escapes to the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The inverted arrangement with dehumidifier at inlet and blower at outlet creates a controlled airflow path that minimizes air escape. The dehumidifier delivers dehumidified air at controlled temperature and pressure into the isolating layer, while the blower at the outlet draws the air through the layer and expels it outside, preventing heated air from escaping into the room environment and reducing energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the temperature and pressure parameters of the process air by using a controlled dehumidification process and adjustable blower speed. This allows achieving effective drying temperature without creating excessive pressure differential that would cause air leakage, thus reducing both drying time and energy loss from air escape.
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 method achieves rapid and efficient drying of the floor structure with minimal air leakage, preventing bacterial spore spread and improving energy efficiency by reusing heat generated by the suction blower.
Implementation Method 1
the suction blower draws air from the outlet opening by the suction blower, and forcing air into the inlet opening by the dehumidifier
Implementation Method 2
a very high suction force can be obtained in the isolating layer
Implementation Method 3
The suction blower is also capable of heating the moist air, increasing the efficiency of the drying process
Implementation Method 4
a dehumidifier in serial connection
Implementation Method 5
The energy efficiency is achieved by the fact that a large amount of the heat is generated by the suction blower. That heat would otherwise be delivered to the environment from the suction blower including its motor and suction and pressure conduits. In the common heat insulated casing the heat can be expediently delivered to be used by the dehumidifier
Implementation Method 6
The suction blower and the dehumidifier may be contained in a common casing having a sound and heat insulation therein
Data Source
AI summary
A method and arrangement for drying a water damaged sandwiched floor structure including a top concrete layer, an air permeable isolating layer and a concrete subfloor, comprising providing an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening through the concrete layer, and continuously in a closed loop flowing air through the isolating layer via the openings by a blower and a dehumidifier in serial connection. According to the invention the blower is a suction blower, whereby air is drawn from the outlet opening by the suction blower, and dry air is forced into the inlet opening by the dehumidifier.