EP3508794A1 - Apparatus for air humidification and method for air humidification - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an air humidification device comprising an air duct section (1) and at least one in the air duct section (1) substantially perpendicular or oblique to the longitudinal axis arranged hydrophilic or hydrophobic, air-permeable humidifier medium (2) by means of a water distribution (3) Water is wetted, wherein the amount of water to be applied is controlled so that only as much water as necessary for the humidification of the humidifier (2) is applied and no water at the bottom of the humidifying medium (2) emerges. The present invention also relates to a method of air humidification by means of such a humidification device.

Description

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to an air humidification device. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for humidification.

State of the art

Air humidification devices are known in which a humidifier medium is arranged in an air stream and the air stream is humidified by water trickling down in the humidifier medium and / or by spraying the humidifier medium. Such known humidification devices have proven themselves. In their application, however, creates a considerable proportion of water loss, which can not be supplied to the air flow, and which must be collected and removed by means of a water bath. Accordingly, a larger amount of fresh water for humidification must be supplied or there is a return of loss of water to provide the spray nozzles. The water bath can cause hygienic problems. Due to the presence of a water bath, the air flow must be routed horizontally through the water bath through the humidifier medium, which limits the mounting options of the humidifier.

Also, humidification devices are known which humidify an air flow directly through spray nozzles with water. However, these need demineralized water, so that no dust goes into the air.

Further, air humidification devices are known which humidify an air flow directly by evaporation of water. However, these require large amounts of energy.

Devices are also known in which a humidifier medium is partially immersed in a water bath and there absorbs water which is conveyed by rotation of the humidifier in an air flow. Here, too, hygienic problems can arise through the water bath. Furthermore, due to the presence of a water bath, the air flow must also be guided horizontally across the water bath through the humidifier medium, which restricts the mounting options of the humidification device.

Summary of the invention

The present invention is therefore based on the object to provide an improved humidification device, which reduces or does not have the disadvantages mentioned.

According to the present invention, these objects are achieved above all by the elements of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are also evident from the dependent claims and the description.

This object is achieved in particular by an air humidification device, comprising an air duct section and at least one hydrophilic or hydrophobic, air-permeable humidifier medium arranged in the air duct section substantially perpendicular or oblique to its longitudinal axis, which is wetted with water by means of a water distribution, the amount of water to be applied being regulated in such a manner, that only as much water as necessary for humidifying the humidifier medium is applied and that no water escapes from below the humidifying medium.

• ▪ der Einbau in ein Lüftungssystem senkrecht erfolgen kann;
• ▪ kein Abwasser entsteht und daher kein Ablauf nötig ist;
• ▪ keine Wanne vorhanden ist, welche Hygieneprobleme verursachen kann;
• ▪ Rohwasser verwendet werden kann;
• ▪ mit Netzdruck gearbeitet werden kann;
• ▪ keine Umlaufpumpe nötg ist;
• ▪ kein Dampf erzeugt werden muss; und
• ▪ keine beweglichen Teile benötigt werden.

The advantage of the invention is in particular that:

• ▪ the installation in a ventilation system can be vertical;
• ▪ no waste water is generated and therefore no process is necessary;
• ▪ no tub is present which can cause hygiene problems;
• ▪ raw water can be used;
• ▪ can be operated with network printing;
• ▪ no circulation pump is necessary;
• ▪ no steam must be generated; and
• ▪ no moving parts are needed.

The object of the present invention is also achieved by a method for air humidification by means of such an inventive humidification device.

Brief description of the drawings

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, which are given by way of illustration only and are not to be construed as limiting. Features of the invention which will become apparent from the drawings are to be considered as part of the disclosure of the invention.

• Figur 1 eine erste bevorzugte Ausführungsform der Erfindung, mit einer Luftbefeuchtungsvorrichtung mit Luftrichtung von unten nach oben;
• Figur 2 eine zweite bevorzugte Ausführungsform der Erfindung, mit einer Luftbefeuchtungsvorrichtung mit Luftrichtung von oben nach unten;
• Figur 3 eine dritte bevorzugte Ausführungsform der Erfindung, welche eingesetzt werden kann, falls die Rückluft befeuchtet werden soll und anschliessend durch einen hygrophilen Wärmetauscher strömt, welcher die Feuchte auf die Zuluft überträgt; und

In the drawings show:

• FIG. 1 a first preferred embodiment of the invention, with a Luftbefeuchtungsvorrichtung with air direction from bottom to top;
• FIG. 2 a second preferred embodiment of the invention, with a Luftbefeuchtungsvorrichtung with air direction from top to bottom;
• FIG. 3 a third preferred embodiment of the invention, which can be used if the return air to be moistened and then flows through a hygrophile heat exchanger, which transmits the moisture to the supply air; and

FIG. 4 a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention, which can be used if the return air is to be cooled and then flows through a non-hygrophilic heat exchanger, which transfers the cooling to the supply air (so-called adiabatic return air cooling).

Preferred embodiments of the invention

FIG. 1 shows a first preferred embodiment of the invention, with an air humidifying device with air direction from bottom to top. In FIG. 1 is in the direction of air (5) first a heater (6) located, which preheats the air to a predetermined temperature. For this purpose, a temperature sensor (8) is used, which measures the air temperature and transmits this information to a controller (not shown), which controls the heater (6). The humidifier medium (2) is used in the embodiment in FIG FIG. 1 flows through from bottom to top and the air flowing through it is moistened. At the same time the air is cooled by this moistening. A water distribution (3) is used to distribute the required water on the humidifier medium (2). The water supply (4) is hereby regulated according to the measured value of a return air sensor (9), which is located in the return air flow. A humidity sensor (7) advantageously measures the supply air humidity, which is used to regulate the maximum water supply.

FIG. 2 shows a second preferred embodiment of the invention, with an air humidifier with air direction from top to bottom. In FIG. 2 is in the direction of air (5) also first a heater (6) located, which preheats the air to a predetermined temperature. For this purpose, a temperature sensor (8) is again used, which measures the temperature and transmits this information to a controller (not shown), which then controls the heater (6). The humidifier medium (2) is used in the embodiment in FIG FIG. 2 flows through from top to bottom and the air flowing through it is moistened. At the same time the air is cooled by this moistening. Also in this embodiment, a water distribution (3) is used to distribute the required water on the humidifier medium (2). The water supply (4) is also regulated here according to the measured value of a return air sensor (9), which is located in the return air flow. A humidity sensor (7) advantageously measures the supply air humidity, which is used to regulate the maximum water supply.

In Figures 3 and 4 Two further embodiments of the present invention are shown.

FIG. 3 shows a third preferred embodiment of the invention, which can be used if the return air to be moistened and then flows through a hygrophilic heat exchanger, which transmits the moisture to the supply air. In FIG. 3 is in the direction of air (5) first a return air sensor (9) shown, which is used to regulate the water supply (4). The heater (6), which also preheats the air, is controlled to a temperature which is measured by the temperature sensor (8). The humidifier medium (2) is flowed through in this embodiment from top to bottom, thereby moisturizing the air. At the same time the air is cooled by this moistening. The water distribution (3) also distributes the water on the humidifier medium (2) and the humidity sensor (7) is used to limit the maximum supply air humidity.

FIG. 4 shows a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention, which can be used if the return air to be cooled and then flows through a non-hygrophilic heat exchanger, which transfers the cooling to the supply air (so-called adiabatic return air cooling). The humidifier medium (2) is flowed through in this embodiment from top to bottom and the air is humidified. At the same time the air is also cooled by the moistening. The water distribution (3) again distributes the water on the humidifier medium (2) and the humidity sensor (7) is used to limit the water supply (4) and the maximum humidity.

Finally, it should again be noted that the embodiments described here by way of example only possible implementation represent the inventive ideas and should not be considered limiting. Those skilled in the art will understand that still other implementations of the invention and other elements are possible without neglecting the essential features of the invention.

For example, the water distribution (3) may include a sputtering device or a sprinkler device. The humidifier medium (2) may be circular-cylindrical or rectangular. It is also conceivable to use several instead of one humidifier media (2), which are advantageously arranged one after the other in the air duct section (1) in the air flow direction. The heater (6) can be an electric or a hot water heater. By means of a built-in before or after the humidifier medium (2) air flow sensor can be prevented that the humidification happens without air flow.

In all embodiments, a safety tub can be provided, which can catch the water in particular in case of malfunction of the humidifier. Namely, this safety sump may have a water detection device which prevents further wetting in an emergency and / or triggers an alarm. The safety trough can also be arranged in such a way that the air can flow through this safety trough.

It is also conceivable to install an air filter before or after the humidifier medium (2) which catches any dust from the humidifier medium (2).

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Air duct section

2

Befeuchtermedium

3

water distribution

4

water supply

5

air direction

6

heater

7

humidity sensor

8th

temperature sensor

9

Return air or room humidity sensor

Claims (14)

Air humidifying device (LB), comprising an air duct section (1) and at least one hydrophilic or hydrophobic, air-permeable humidifier medium (2) arranged in the air duct section (1) substantially perpendicular or oblique to its longitudinal axis, which is wetted with water by means of a water distribution (3),
characterized,
that the amount of water to be applied is controlled so that only as much water as necessary for the humidification of the humidifier (2) is applied and no water at the bottom of the humidifying medium (2) emerges. An air humidifying apparatus (LB) according to claim 1, wherein the water distribution (3) comprises a shattering device or a showering device. Air humidifying device (LB) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the humidifier medium (2) is formed circular cylindrical or rectangular. Air humidifying device (LB) according to one of claims 1 to 3 comprising a plurality of humidifier media (2), which are arranged in the air duct section (1) in the air flow direction one behind the other. Air humidification device (LB) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a heater (6) is provided before or after the humidifier medium (2). An air humidifier (LB) according to claim 5, wherein the heater (6) is an electric or a hot water heater. Air humidifying device (LB) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a temperature sensor (8) is provided which can be used to control the heating power of the heater (6). An air humidifier (LB) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein an air flow sensor is provided before or after the humidifier medium (2), which prevents humidification without air flow. An air humidifying apparatus (LB) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein there is provided a safety tub which catches the water in case of malfunction of the air humidifying apparatus (LB). The humidification device (LB) of claim 9, wherein the safety tub has a water detection device that prevents further humidification and / or triggers an alarm. An air humidifier (LB) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the safety tub is constructed so that the air can flow through the safety tub. Air humidifying device (LB) according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein before or after the humidifier (2), an air filter is installed, which catches any dust from the humidifier (2). An air humidifying device (LB) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein, to control the humidification of the air flow, the humidity downstream of the humidifier medium (2) is measured by a humidity sensor (7) and / or by a return air or room humidity sensor (9). Air humidification method by means of an air humidification device according to one of claims 1 to 13.

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