Warewasher Vapor Extraction With Steam Separation Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial dishwashers and warewashers release a significant amount of steam and hot air when the door is opened after a cleaning cycle, leading to safety issues, discomfort for operators, and the need for costly ventilation systems, which consume energy and result in HVAC-treated air loss.
Innovation Solution
A vapor extraction apparatus that includes a closed-wall housing with water-steam separation media, a blower, and a duct system to draw in hot, humid air from the wash chamber, dehumidify it, and release the cooled air into the ambient environment, eliminating the need for external ventilation hoods by locking the door during extraction and using ambient air for cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a door-type warewasher is used to clean large quantities of dishware, then cleaning capacity is improved, but steam and hot air are released into the workspace when the door is opened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful steam and hot air from the wash chamber by introducing a vapor extraction system with a blower that draws vapor through a separation media, removing the harmful factors before they can be released into the workspace when the door is opened
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a water-steam separation media as an intermediary substance between the hot humid vapor and the ambient environment. This media condenses the vapor and separates water from steam, preventing direct release of harmful factors while maintaining the cleaning function
2Object-affected harmful factors
If external ventilation hoods are installed to remove steam vapor, then indoor air quality is improved, but energy consumption increases and HVAC-treated air is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the warewasher self-sufficient by integrating a vapor extraction and condensation system directly into the unit. The system uses the warewasher's own resources (electricity for the blower, ambient air for cooling) to handle its own vapor management, eliminating the need for external ventilation infrastructure and associated energy losses
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition of water vapor to liquid water through condensation on the separation media. This natural physical process removes vapor from the air without requiring high-energy mechanical ventilation, significantly reducing energy consumption compared to traditional hood systems
3Ease of operation
If the door is opened immediately after a wash cycle to remove rack, then operator access is improved, but a blast of steam and hot air is released into the workspace
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary vapor extraction before the door is opened. The blower operates during or immediately after the wash cycle to remove accumulated vapor from the chamber, so that when the door is opened for rack removal, minimal steam blast occurs, maintaining both ease of operation and safety
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
Prevents the release of steam and hot air when the door is opened, reducing energy consumption, improving indoor air quality, and enhancing operator safety and comfort by eliminating the need for external ventilation systems.
Implementation Method 1
a blower located within the housing for drawing the hot, humid air, water vapor and steam into the housing and across the water-steam separation media
Implementation Method 2
an outlet adjacent the blower for air flowing through the housing and being dehumidified and cooled by the water-steam separation media to exit the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A vapor extraction apparatus for a warewasher includes a housing in which a water-steam separation media is mounted. The housing has an inlet for receiving hot, humid air, water vapor and steam from a washing chamber of a warewasher, a blower for drawing the hot, humid air, water vapor and steam into the housing across the water-steam separation media, and an outlet for air dehumidified and cooled by the water-steam separation media to exit the housing. A duct connects the inlet to a washing chamber of a warewasher, and a bypass damper can be connected to the duct. The bypass damper is operable in a first position to permit air, water vapor and steam from the washing chamber to be drawn into the housing and in a second position to permit ambient room air to be drawn into the housing for cooling the vapor extraction apparatus.