DE20220632U1 - Inhabitable room with ventilation plant, e.g. for sports exercises, has small excess pressure in room relative to ambient pressure - Google Patents

Abstract

The room has its air augmented continuously or at regular intervals with nitrogen or a gas mixture rich in nitrogen and poor in carbon dioxide. The oxygen content is less than 20.9 vol.% and the carbon dioxide less than 1, preferably less than 0.56 vol.%. A slight excess pressure over the ambient pressure is maintained in the room.

Description

The invention relates to a method for setting room air in a lounge where the room air continuously or at recurring time intervals through nitrogen or a nitrogenous, low carbon dioxide Gas mixture supplemented in this way is that the oxygen content of indoor air is less than 20.9% is. The invention also relates to a common room for people or animals, especially a sports exercise room that uses indoor air filled which has a lower oxygen partial pressure than an outside atmosphere surrounding the lounge. The invention relates finally a room air system for such a common room.

In the present case, lounge is used understood a space in which people or animals can stay. In particular a recreation room is also understood to mean a sports exercise room.

Exercise rooms, the indoor air of which opposes one the exercise room ambient atmosphere reduced Has oxygen partial pressure are known in principle. Likewise are Process known as such a reduced oxygen partial pressure is set in the lounge.

In the simplest case, the whole Air pressure in the lounge is reduced compared to the outside atmosphere. In this way similar pressure conditions occur in the common room, as they do at higher altitudes to rule. To lower the total air pressure in the lounge, however, the common room must be hermetically sealed become. This is very time-consuming. In the case of a sports exercise room the necessary air exchange is only possible with considerable effort.

Therefore, for example, in the EP 0 959 862 and the EP 0 789 546 proposed not to lower the total pressure in the lounge, but to lower the oxygen partial pressure in the lounge by increasing the nitrogen partial pressure. It has been found that the proposed methods all involve a high level of operational complexity and costly operation.

Based on this state of the art the present invention has the object of a method and a lounge and a room air system of the aforementioned Kind of offering the one as possible inexpensive Enable operation of a lounge, the indoor air of which has reduced oxygen content.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a Process of the type mentioned solved in the in the lounge at least a little overpressure across from an outside atmosphere surrounding the lounge is set. The percentage of carbon dioxide the indoor air is initially concentrated to below 0.04 vol% and then to a CO2 concentration below specified limits, but at most 1 to 0.65 vol% set. Setting the desired proportion of oxygen in the Indoor air as well as the desired Carbon dioxide content is done by regularly replenishing the room air, preferably in the recirculation mode of the room air.

The invention is based on the knowledge that only a slight overpressure, from 10 to 100 hPa, for example, a very moderately sealed room requires and leads to that remaining leaks in the common room a constant exchange bring about the air in the lounge by: Room air escapes through the leaks and through the room air supplied, conditioned ambient air from the outside atmosphere is replaced.

Preferably, the indoor air in the Recirculated air operation and in recirculation mode due to the nitrogenous, low carbon dioxide Gas mixture added. The Air exchange in the room air caused by the recirculation mode Lounge is preferably set so that in the lounge homogeneous atmosphere prevails.

The proportion of carbon dioxide in indoor air is preferably set in that the recirculation mode Indoor air A portion of the indoor air from low-carbon air the outside atmosphere is replaced. The air possesses the outside atmosphere a normal proportion of oxygen. The proportion of air recirculation exchanged room air is set so that the room air is a Carbon dioxide concentration initially less than 0.04 vol % and then a CO2 concentration below specified limits remains, at most but has 1 to 0.65 vol%.

Alternatively, it is possible to use the Carbon dioxide content in the air by chemical means, in particular through Lower activated carbon filtering.

It is preferably used in recirculation mode guided Indoor air treated by controlled ionization so that the indoor air with opposite the outside atmosphere Oxygen content and low carbon dioxide content over several Circulation cycles maintain high air quality. Through the regulated ionization in particular the proportion of hydrocarbons in the indoor air lowered. In this sense, the essential criterion of air quality is indoor air considered their hydrocarbon and germ content. The mixing of the gas mixture for the complement the room air is preferably at overpressure or underpressure.

The mixing is preferably carried out in a mixing chamber which contains the components of the gas mixture to be mixed depending on the desired composition of the gas mixture of the mixing chamber with positive or negative pressure are fed. If the gas mixture is mixed at overpressure, the components are fed to the mixing chamber at different overpressures. If there is negative pressure in the mixing chamber, the components of the gas mixture are supplied to the mixing chamber with different negative pressure. The components of the gas mixture are preferably air from the outside atmosphere on the one hand and nitrogen on the other.

Preferably at least one the properties of the circulating air, such as air humidity, air temperature or The like measured and adjusted regulated.

According to the invention, the aforementioned task also by a lounge of the type mentioned, in particular a sports exercise room solved, which is designed so that it at least for a short period of time a slight overpressure across from can maintain an outside atmosphere surrounding the lounge. The lounge is over an air intake and over an air outlet connected to a room air system, which is designed, the room air in the lounge so that its oxygen partial pressure is less than the oxygen partial pressure of the outside atmosphere.

Sensors are preferably in the common room for detecting the oxygen concentration or the oxygen partial pressure, the carbon dioxide concentration or the carbon dioxide partial pressure and the humidity, air quality, Ozone and air temperature are provided.

A room air system to solve the The aforementioned task includes a recirculation channel and at least a pump or blower for moving the circulating air in the circulating air duct. The air recirculation duct is and outlet openings to connect with a lounge of the aforementioned type. In the mixing air duct is connected to a mixing chamber, on the one hand Has air inlet and an air outlet for the circulating air as well on the other hand an inlet for Fresh air from the outside atmosphere and one Nitrogen inlet for the supply of nitrogen to the mixing chamber.

The essential properties and Advantages of the method according to the invention and the room air system according to the invention are summarized below:

• - The a simulated height appropriate oxygen concentration in training and recreation rooms according to the task to predetermined sizes low tolerance promptly controlled and regulated;
• - Intended changes in concentration can be carried out quickly and effectively;
• - The Is the concentration of carbon dioxide in training and recreation rooms Stable below specified limits, but at least below 0.65 Hold vol%;
• - The supplied The gas mixture volume can be flexibly adapted to the requirements become;
• - The air quality is maintained permanently;
• - The hypoxic atmosphere in the room is about the supply of two components - nitrogen (nitrogen content larger than 78 vol% maximum 100 vol%) and fresh air (oxygen content 20.9 Vol%) - generated, which are manufactured separately or taken from the outside air and volume flow controlled supplied become;
• - The Nitrogen is optionally used by an air separation plant used industrially (using different processes) on site in variable quantities (air separation plant with connected buffer) generated or made available via tanks; The Length of the nitrogen line between the air separation plant and the mixing chamber can vary that no additional Sound loads occur in the area of the hypoxia room;
• - The required composition of the gas mixture is generated before it is introduced into the room in a mixing chamber upstream of it (see 1 );
• - The separate generation of the individual components nitrogen and fresh air as well as their controlled feeding via electronic controlled valves enabled by the shutdown of a component while increasing the Volume flow of the other component either a rapid increase the equivalent amount (reduction the oxygen concentration in the room by supplying only Nitrogen) or a rapid decrease in the equivalent level (increase in the oxygen concentration through sole addition of fresh air); The period of time to manufacture the desired equivalent amount thereby opposite the supply of a constant gas mixture in the desired Final concentration can be reduced to a fraction, and the cost of manufacture the equivalent level decrease also considerable. The level of equivalence is that Height above Sea level, in which the air we breathe is about the same oxygen partial pressure as in the common room.
• - The variable controllability of the partial volume flows and thus the total volume flow on fed Hypoxic gas mixture from the mixing chamber allows one to increase the number of people in the room or if the intensity increases physical Immediately increase the gas mixture volume flow and thus preventing an increase in the carbon dioxide concentration;
• - A microelectronic control and regulation (eg DDC) makes it possible to regulate the partial volume flows in such a way that disturbances are immediately compensated for and a constant oxygen concentration is guaranteed. The oxygen consumption of passive and active people in the room is balanced by the appropriate addition of fresh air. Fresh air ingress through entering and leaving the room controlled by reducing the fresh air volume flow. As the carbon dioxide concentration in the room increases above the specified limit, the total volume flow is automatically increased by increasing both partial component volume flows. The increased volume flow causes an increased air exchange in the room and thus a reduction in the carbon dioxide concentration; The volume flow is increased until the carbon dioxide concentration is again below the specified limit values.
• - The intended air exchange (size of the gas mixture volume flow) alone does not ensure the desired air quality. This is through an additional recirculation system and controlled ionization installed in the hypoxia room reached in the circulating air circuit. In this system, the one in the hypoxia room air over Special filter and regulated ionizer conducts and leads back into the room primarily sweat and other pollutants (germs) eliminated. The air change through the inflowing gas mixture and outflowing The gas mixture mainly serves to reduce the carbon dioxide concentration;

The invention will now be based on the attached Drawing closer explained become. The drawing shows in:

1 : A lounge with a connected room air system for creating and controlling a hyperbaric hypoxic atmosphere in the lounge; and in

2 : a diagram for the supply and discharge of the gas mixture in and out of the lounge

The hypoxia system according to 1 comprises the following components: a lounge - in the following room 1 called - for storage and physical activities of humans and / or animals, a buffer tank 2 , a mixing chamber 3 , a humidity processing unit 32 , a temperature processing unit 33 , a regulated ionizer 4 , a particle filter 5 , a first pump 61 , a second pump 62 , electronically or otherwise adjustable flow valves (MFC or other) 71 to 79, an inlet for used room air 81 , an inlet 82 for nitrogen, a first inlet 83 for fresh air, a second inlet 84 for fresh air, an outlet 88 for used room air, a mixing chamber outlet 89 , a connecting line 90 , a distributor 91 for freshly mixed room air, a sensor and drain 92 for used room air, a second connection line 93 , a scrabber 12 for the chemical elimination of carbon dioxide, a 100 central unit for electronic control and regulation (DDC or others) and sensors 110 for oxygen, carbon dioxide, water vapor, temperature, air pressure, air quality and ozone.

The terms indoor air and atmosphere are treated as synonyms below and refer to the air in the room 1 and the associated room air system. A distinction must be made between space 1 surrounding outdoor atmosphere, which is formed by fresh air.

Operation of the hypoxia system according to 1 proceeds as follows:

The system either serves to produce an oxygen-reduced (<20.9 vol%) and low-carbon atmosphere (<0.04 vol%) in a closed or almost closed room 1 and / or the control of an oxygen-reduced (<20.9 vol%) and low-carbon atmosphere (<specified limit value) in a closed or almost closed room 1 when staying with or without physical activity of humans and / or animals.

As a passive company, the im referred to below described production of an oxygen-reduced atmosphere.

The creation of an oxygen-reduced (<20.9 vol%) and low-carbon atmosphere (<0.04 vol%) in the closed or almost closed room 1 , takes place in a passive mode as follows: By opening the valves 77 . 79 and 72 becomes nitrogen (vol% N ₂ >78; O ₂ <20.9; CO ₂ <0.04; H ₂ O towards 0) via the inlet 82 with the help of the pump 61 or by the intrinsic pressure of the nitrogen, when it is removed from a pressure vessel, via the connection 90 and special ventilation ducts 91 , which ensure a uniform mixing of the nitrogen with the atmosphere in the room, in the closed or almost closed room 1 directed. By means of the pump 62 or with the help of increased pressure in the room 1 is controlled by opening the valve 74 with the valve closed 75 via special ventilation ducts 92 , which ensure a uniform suction of the newly mixed room atmosphere, only as much room atmosphere via the exit 88 derived into the ambient atmosphere that overpressure is maintained in the room. This process is continued until in the room 1 the desired oxygen-reduced (<20.9 vol%) and low-carbon atmosphere (<0.65 vol%) is present.

The alternative or additional regulation for the production of an oxygen-reduced (<20.9 vol%) and low-carbon atmosphere (<specified limit value, e.g. 1 vol% or 0.65 vol%) in a closed or almost closed room 1 during the stay and / or physical activity of humans or animals in an active company takes place either in a partially closed air recirculation system or in a closed air recirculation system.

First, the active operation - the regulation the atmosphere - in one partially closed air recirculation system described.

The control of an oxygen-reduced (<20.9% by volume) and low-carbon atmosphere (<specified limit, e.g. 1% by volume or 0.65% by volume) in a closed or almost closed room 1 when staying and / or physically Human or animal activity occurs in active operation in a partially closed air recirculation system as follows: The air recirculation cycle is started completely. The valve 75 is opened so that the extracted atmosphere from the room 1 through a particle filter 5 and a regulated ionizer 4 , which removes all hydrocarbon-based pollutants from the atmosphere via the inlet 81 into the mixing chamber 3 arrives. Optionally, a scrabber 12 , which eliminates carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through chemical bonds, can be interposed in the air flow. About the entrance 82 become nitrogen and over the inlet 83 Ambient air, hereinafter referred to as fresh air, which is a particle filter 5 happens, in a volume ratio to each other, that of the desired reduced oxygen concentration in the room 1 corresponds, passed into the mixing chamber. About the entrance 84 a further amount of fresh air is passed through a particle filter 5 passed into the mixing chamber. This amount of fresh air equals the oxygen consumption in the room 1 people or animals. It stands in a certain relationship to the intensity of movement in the room 1 people or animals and is about the dynamics of oxygen consumption in the room 1 fixed and automatically regulated. The quantity of oxygen contained in the fresh air quantity must be greater than the quantity of oxygen consumed. The volume of nitrogen (inlet 82 ) and fresh air (inlets 83 and 84 ) corresponds to the sum of the volume of atmosphere consumed, which was previously via the outlet 85 was derived into the ambient atmosphere and the volume of the amount of atmosphere consumed, which is caused by existing leaks or by disturbances such as the introduction and removal of people or animals into and out of the room 1 escapes from the circuit into the surrounding atmosphere. The volume that is discharged to the ambient atmosphere or that is newly produced by mixing nitrogen and fresh air is determined by the dynamics of the carbon dioxide concentration and the specified limit concentrations of carbon dioxide in the room 1 fixed and automatically regulated so that there is a steady state or defined limit values are not exceeded. The oxygen-reduced (<20.9 vol%) and low-carbon atmosphere (<specified limit value, e.g. 1 vol% or 0.65 vol%) made in the mixing chamber from the used atmosphere and new proportions of nitrogen and fresh air is released before leaving the mixing chamber 3 Air conditioning processed so that the desired temperature and humidity in the room 1 is stable. In addition, in the room 1 a further climate-related processing of the atmosphere take place. From the mixing chamber, the processed atmosphere is discharged 89 and the valve 72 with the help of the pump 62 or through the internal pressure of the processed atmosphere either via a buffer tank 2 , which can store the processed atmosphere, or directly via the connecting line 90 and special ventilation ducts 91 , which ensure a uniform mixing of the nitrogen with the atmosphere in the room, directed into the closed or almost closed room. By controlled opening of the valves 74 and 75 is by means of the pump 62 or the increased pressure in the room via special ventilation ducts 92 , which ensure an even distribution of the used room atmosphere, so much room atmosphere via the outlet 88 derived into the ambient atmosphere, as is required to adhere to the specified limits for the carbon dioxide concentration in the room 1 and maintaining an overpressure in the room is required. The used room atmosphere, which is around the volume part that passes through the outlet 88 to the surrounding atmosphere is reduced, is via the particle filter 5 and the regulated ionizer 4 is passed into the mixing chamber for further processing. Optionally, the rest of the used room atmosphere can be scrubbered 12 for the additional elimination of carbon dioxide. The mixing process in the mixing chamber 3 can be done under low overpressure, high overpressure or underpressure. When mixing an oxygen-reduced (<20.9% by volume) and low-carbon atmosphere (<specified limit, e.g. 1% by volume or 0.65% by volume) with a slight excess pressure, the components used atmosphere, nitrogen and fresh air are at a pressure that is above the Pressure of the atmosphere in the room 1 is placed in the mixing chamber and the pressure of the newly created atmosphere via the valve 79 and the leads 90 and 91 so reduced that in the room 1 prevailing pressure remains constant. When mixing with negative pressure, an oxygen-reduced (<20.9% by volume) and low-carbon atmosphere (<specified limit, e.g. 1% by volume or 0.65% by volume) is generated discontinuously and continuously into the room via the buffer 1 directed. The pump 61 withdraws from the mixing chamber via the valve 79 manufactured atmosphere while the valves 75 . 76 . 77 and 78 are closed. By subsequently opening these valves in a controlled manner, the components used atmosphere, nitrogen and fresh air are fed into the mixing chamber in a differentiated manner in terms of time and quantity and processed into a new atmosphere. With the closing of the valves 75 . 76 . 77 and 78 this process is repeated. The pump 61 promotes the manufactured atmosphere in the buffer tank, through which a regulated continuous release of this manufactured atmosphere by means of the special ventilation ducts 91 he follows. When mixing with high overpressure, an oxygen-reduced (<20.9% by volume) and low-carbon atmosphere (<specified limit, e.g. 1% by volume or 0.65% by volume) is generated discontinuously and continuously into the room via the buffer 1 directed. The components used atmosphere, nitrogen and fresh air are over the inlets 81 . 82 . 83 and 84 with great overpressure differentiated in time and quantity into the mixing chamber while the valve 79 closed is. After closing the valves 75 . 76 . 77 and 78 becomes the valve 79 open. With the closing of the valve 79 this process is repeated. The pump 61 promotes the manufactured atmosphere in the buffer tank, through which a regulated continuous release of this manufactured atmosphere by means of the special ventilation ducts 91 he follows. The type of mixing - with low overpressure, high overpressure or underpressure - influences the quality of the atmosphere created and is dependent on the desired composition of the atmosphere in the room 1 , the required volume flow and the existing disturbance variables.

Now the active mode for a closed Air recirculation system described.

The control of an oxygen-reduced (<20.9% by volume) and low-carbon atmosphere (<specified limit, e.g. 1% by volume or 0.65% by volume) in a closed or almost closed room 1 when people and animals are staying and / or physically active, the active operation takes place in a closed air recirculation system as follows: The air recirculation is completely accomplished with the help of the pumps 61 and 62 set in motion. The valve 74 is closed and the valve 75 is opened so that the extracted atmosphere from the room 1 through a particle filter 5 and a regulated ionizer 4 , which removes all hydrocarbon-based pollutants from the atmosphere via the inlet 81 into the mixing chamber 3 , the connecting line 90 and the special ventilation ducts 91 back into the room 1 arrives. Optionally, a scrabber 12 , which eliminates carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through chemical bonds, can be interposed in the air flow. The closed system can be operated as long as the limit values of the carbon dioxide concentration are not exceeded and the oxygen concentration does not leave its normal range. These conditions apply to very large volumes. After the limit values have been reached, the atmosphere can either be completely replaced or the process can be switched to operating a partially closed air recirculation system.

For all operating modes, all hardware components are controlled via a central microelectronic control unit in the form of a DDC system and with the help of sensors for the oxygen, carbon dioxide, water vapor and pollutant concentration as well as for the volume flows used atmosphere, nitrogen, fresh air and manufactured atmosphere as well as Temperature in the room 1 are regulated to the desired setpoints.

2 shows the ventilation of the room 1 , From the reference numbers show:

• 1 - A gas mixture supply line with variable volume flow and outflow openings directed obliquely towards the front
• 2 - A suction of the air system close to the ground
• 3 - a pollutant removal system in the air recirculation system
• 4 - Outflow openings for the cleaned and carbon dioxide-enriched gas mixture
• 5 - A suction line with a controllable variable cross-section
• 6 - the training or lounge under hypoxia

A forced control is provided for the supply and discharge of the gas mixture. The amount of gas mixture, which varies according to the requirements, is slanted with a slight overpressure from the ceiling towards the bottom ( 2 ) blown in. After it has passed the exercising person, it is sucked in by a circulating air system close to the floor, which cleans the resulting mixed atmosphere of pollutants and is blown back into the room from the front and side walls for further use, so that a rearward air movement occurs. At the back of the room, the same amount of air is actively drawn off with a slight negative pressure, which corresponds to the excess pressure when blowing in. The roller-shaped air movement through the room ensures better removal of the carbon dioxide-laden gas mixture than with diffuse discharge through differently specified openings. Suction openings (cross-section) for the used gas mixture, which adapt flexibly to the inflowing gas mixture quantity, enable ongoing operation with different and changing numbers of people.

Claims (12)

Method for adjusting indoor air in one Room in which the room air is continuous or recurring Time intervals due to nitrogen or a nitrogenous, carbon dioxide poor gas mixture so complemented is that the oxygen content of the room air is less than 20.9 vol.% is and the carbon dioxide content of the room air is less than 1 vol% or preferably 0.65 vol%, with at least one in the room at the same time slight overpressure across from an outside atmosphere surrounding the room becomes. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the room air is conducted in recirculation mode. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that an air exchange of the room air caused by the recirculation mode in the lounge is set so that in the lounge a homogeneous atmosphere prevails. A method according to claim 2, characterized shows that a carbon dioxide share of the room air in air recirculation mode is replaced by replacing a part of the room air with low carbon dioxide air from the outside atmosphere with normal oxygen content, whereby the share of room air exchanged in air circulation mode is set so that the room air has a carbon dioxide concentration below specified limit values up to 0. 65 vol% retains. A method according to claim 2, that the carbon dioxide content the air circulation additionally by chemical means, e.g. is reduced by lime. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that the guided in recirculation mode Indoor air is treated as required by controlled ionization is that the indoor air with reduced oxygen content compared to the outside atmosphere and low carbon dioxide over several air circulation cycles maintains an air quality that is not significantly different of quality deviates from the outside atmosphere. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the mixing of the gas mixture for the supplementation of the room air in case of excess or Vacuum occurs. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the mixing of the gas mixture is carried out in a mixing chamber, which depends on the components of the gas mixture to be mixed of the desired one Gas mixtures are fed to the mixing chamber with positive or negative pressure. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the gas mixture of air from the outside atmosphere and nitrogen is mixed becomes. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that at least one of the properties of the circulating air, such as air humidity, Air temperature or the like measured and adjusted regulated becomes. Common room for people or animals, in particular Sport exercise room, which is filled with room air and is formed, at least for a short period of time a slight overpressure across from to keep an outside atmosphere surrounding the lounge, the lounge having a Air inlet and an air outlet opening with a room air system is connected, the room air in the lounge so set that their oxygen partial pressure is less than the oxygen partial pressure of the outside atmosphere. Air conditioning system for a lounge according to claim 1, with a recirculation duct and a pump or blower for moving circulating air in the circulating air duct, characterized by a mixing chamber connected in the recirculating air duct with an air inlet and an air outlet for the circulating air and with an inlet for ambient air from the outside atmosphere and one Nitrogen inlet for the Feed nitrogen into the mixing chamber.