AU2019101242A4 - Filtration System and Method - Google Patents

Abstract

-7 Abstract A filtration system for use with a heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit, the filtration system comprising a plurality of cartridges, wherein each cartridge 5 comprises a replaceable filter. Each cartridge may be isolated from the other cartridges so that a filter may be replaced while the filtration system is in use. The plurality of cartridges may be connected by a reverse return arrangement. Fig. 1 11778916_1 (GHMatters)P111647.AU 11/10/19 N--I N-

Description

FILTRATION SYSTEM AND METHOD

Technical Field

Embodiments relate to.

Background

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems typically use a liquid such as water to transfer thermal energy from location to location particularly in a large unit which can span many living or working units and floors of a building. When such units are first commissioned, it is necessary to flush the pipework to remove the dirt and debris in the system which has resulted from the construction process.

Furthermore, during the lifespan of the unit, debris can enter the pipework and the liquid may become fouled.

Summary of the Disclosure

An embodiment provides a filtration system for use with a heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit, the filtration system comprising a plurality of cartridges, wherein each cartridge comprises a replaceable filter.

Cartridge filters may have a much higher dirt holding capacity than bag type filters. Furthermore, cartridge filters may have a lower dynamic pressure drop throughout entire lifecycle of filtration compared to a bag filter. A bag filter pressure drop vs. flowrate relationship may be linear from clean to dirty. A cartridge filter pressure drop vs. flowrate relationship may be much flatter until the filter begins to load with contaminants and the pressure drop then may steeply increase allowing higher flowrates for a longer period of time.

Each cartridge may be isolated from the other cartridges so that a filter may be replaced while the filtration system is in use.

The plurality of cartridges may be connected by a reverse return arrangement.

The filtration system may further comprise a debris separator

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The system may comprise a plurality of similarly sized cartridges, each cartridge being adapted to house a replaceable filter. The debris separator may fit within one of said plurality of cartridges. The debris separator may comprise a baffle with a plurality of voids formed in the baffle to allow passage of liquid, but prevent 5 passage of debris.

The system may comprise one cartridge housing a debris separator and five cartridges housing replaceable filters. The system may have more than, or less than, five cartridges housing replaceable filters.

The filtration system may be transportable. The filtration system may be reused for different HVAC installations. The filtration system may be housed in a rig. The rig may have wheels.

A further embodiment relates to a method of flushing a heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit using a filtration system, the filtration system comprising a plurality of cartridges, wherein each cartridge comprises a replaceable filter.

The method may comprise isolating flow from one or more of said cartridges to allow replacement of a filter. The method may comprise replacing a filter while the filter system is in use.

The method may further comprise separating debris from water used in the heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit.

The method may comprise transporting the filtration system to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit. The method may comprise using the same filtrations system to filter a plurality of heating, ventilation and air conditioning units.

Description of the Drawings

Embodiments are herein described, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a filtration system according to an embodiment;

Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a cartridge in use with the filtration system of Figure 1; and

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-3Figure 3 is an illustration of a filtration system according to an embodiment.

Detailed Description of Specific Embodiment

Figure 1 illustrates a filtration system 10 according to an embodiment. The filtration system 10 includes an input 12 and an output 14. The input 12 and output

14 are connected to a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) piping system so that liquid (usually water) from the HVAC unit enters the filtration system 10 at input 12 and filtered water is returned to the HVAC unit via output 14.

The term HVAC is used in the art to refer to units which provide heating, ventilation and air conditioning. However, it is to be realised that embodiments of this invention are equally applicable to units which only provide one or more of the functions of heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning.

The filtration system comprises a plurality of cartridges 16A, 16B, 16C,..., 16E. In this embodiment the system 10 comprises six cartridges. The cartridges are described below in greater detail with reference to Fig.

Each cartridge includes a inlet 18A, 18B,..., 18F and (only 18A and 18F are labelled in Fig. 1) an outlet 20A, 20B,..., 20F (only 20A and 20F are labelled in Fig.

1). As illustrated in Fig. 1, each of the inlets 18A, 18B,..., 18F is connected to the system inlet 12 and each of the outlets 20A, 20B,..., 20F is connected to the system outlet 14.

In this embodiment, the cartridges are connected in a reverse return arrangement. The inlets of the cartridges are connected so that cartridge 18A receives the incoming fluid first, and the cartridge 18F receives the incoming fluid last. The outlets of the cartridges are connected so that the outflow from cartridge 18F is closest to the system outlet 14 and the outlet of cartridge 18A is furthest from the system outlet 18F. Such an arrangement, where the return header is connected to the most hydraulically remote load, is referred to as a ‘reverse return’.

The inlet and outlet of each cartridge has a corresponding inlet valve 24A, 24, 24B,..., 24F and outlet valve 26A, 26B,...., 26F. Furthermore, each cartridge includes a corresponding drain valve 28A, 28B, ..., 28F. Therefore, it is possible to isolate each cartridge from the flow of liquid, thereby ensuring that the cartridge can be renewed, as described below with reference to Fig. 2. For example, with

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-4 reference to cartridge 16A, by closing the inlet valve 24A and the outlet valve 26A, the cartridge can then be drained by opening drain valve 28A, and the contents of the cartridge (either a debris separator or filter) removed and cleaned or replaced, without interrupting the functioning of the entire system.

A reverse return arrangement for connecting the cartridges may provide for more equalised pressure and help to balance flows, particularly as the cartridges housing filters have reduced flow when the filters become more clogged.

A pump 22 is provided between the outlets 20A, 20B,..., 20F of the cartridges and the system outlet 14. The pump 22 provides the motive force for moving the liquid through the filters and debris separator provided in the cartridges.

A cartridge 16 is illustrated in further detail in Fig. 2. The cartridge comprises a body 30 which attaches via a screw thread to a cartridge head 32. A locking ring 34 and gasket 36 ensure that the attachment between the cartridge body 30 and cartridge head 32 remains secure and watertight.

The cartridge 16 comprises an inner housing 42 which here houses a cylindrical debris separator 40. In this embodiment, the debris separator comprises a cylindrical PVC tube with perforations 44 having a diameter of 10 mm formed therein. The water passing from the inlet 18 through to the outlet 20 passes through the perforations 44 creating a substantial loss in velocity causing heavier debris to separate and be removed via drain 38..

A further type of cartridge includes a removable cylindrical filter in place of the debris separator 44. Suitable cartridge filters are made by Purtrex and sold as model numbers PX01-20-YYP, PX03-30-XK or PX05-40-EHB.

In the embodiment of Fig. 1, cartridge 16A contains a debris separator and cartridges 16B through 16F contain filters. It may be advantageous to have the debris separator upstream from the filters so that the debris separator catches debris which might otherwise foul the filters.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 any of the cartridges may the isolated from the flow in the manner described and the debris separator removed for cleaning, or the corresponding filter replaced.

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Fig. 3 illustrates a filtration system 100 according to an embodiment. The filtration system 100 is provided as a rig attached to a trolley 102 having wheels 104. The wheels 104 facilitate transport of the system 100 so that it can be transported from one HVAC unit to another. Thereby, the system 100 can be used with multiple 5 HVAC units when needed.

Embodiments may assist in providing the following advantages:

less maintenance of the HVAC system required due to field cleaning of the filters, strainers, valves and other components will last longer without damage from debris and dirt, and decreased fouling of piping, particularly smaller-bore piping;

higher thermal efficiency within the system since heat exchangers within the HVAC unit which are clean and free of debris will exchange more heat;

more energy efficient operation of pumps - without field blockages the 5 pumps don’t need to run as hard;

debris within piping systems can cause damage to pipework and fittings, reducing the wall thickness of pipework leaving it to prone to rupture; and increase life span of pumps, chillers/boilers, valves, and all components within the HVAC unit.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description, except where the 25 context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments.

Claims (5)

1. Claims

   1. A filtration system for use with a heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit, the filtration system comprising a plurality of cartridges, wherein

   5 each cartridge comprises a replaceable filter.
2. 2. The filtration system according to claim 1 wherein each cartridge may be isolated from the other cartridges so that a filter may be replaced while the filtration system is in use.
3. 3. The filtration system according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the plurality of cartridges is connected by a reverse return arrangement.
4. 4. The filtration system according to any preceding claim further
5. 5 comprising a debris separator.

   5. A method of flushing a heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit using a filtration system, the filtration system comprising a plurality of cartridges, wherein each cartridge comprises a replaceable filter.