EP3508794B1 - Apparatus for air humidification and method for air humidification - Google Patents

Description

Technical field of the invention

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

State of the art

Air humidification devices are known in which a humidification medium is arranged in an air stream and the air stream is humidified by means of water trickling down in the humidification medium and/or by spraying the humidification medium. Such known air humidification devices have proven themselves. However, when they are used, a considerable amount of wasted water is created which cannot be fed into the air stream and which must be collected and drained away using a water bath. Accordingly, a larger amount of fresh water must be fed in for humidification or a return of wasted water to the spray nozzles must be provided. The water bath can cause hygiene problems. The presence of a water bath means that the air stream must be guided horizontally over the water bath through the humidification medium, which limits the installation options for the air humidification device.

There are also air humidification devices that moisten an air stream directly with water through spray nozzles. However, these require demineralized water to prevent dust from entering the air.

There are also known air humidification devices that humidify an air stream directly by evaporating water. However, these require large amounts of energy.

Devices are also known in which a humidifying medium is partially immersed in a water bath and absorbs water there, which is then conveyed into an air stream by rotating the humidifying medium. Here too, the water bath can cause hygiene problems. Furthermore, the presence of a water bath means that the air stream must be guided horizontally over the water bath through the humidifying medium, which limits the installation options for the air humidification device.

EP1 519 118 discloses an air humidification device according to the preamble of claim 1.

Summary of the invention

The present invention is therefore based on the object of creating an improved air humidification device which reduces or does not have the aforementioned disadvantages.

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

This object is achieved by an air humidification device which can be installed vertically in a ventilation system, comprising an air duct section through which flow can pass vertically and at least one hydrophilic or hydrophobic, air-permeable humidifier medium arranged in the air duct section essentially perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, which is wetted with water by means of a water distribution, that the water supply is regulated according to the measured value of a return air sensor which is located in the return air flow, that a humidity sensor measures a supply air humidity in order to regulate the maximum water supply, wherein the amount of water to be applied is regulated in such a way that only as much water is applied as is necessary for humidifying the humidifier medium and no water escapes from the bottom of the humidifier medium.

• ▪ der Einbau in ein Lüftungssystem senkrecht erfolgen kann;
• ▪ kein Abwasser entsteht und daher kein Ablauf nötig ist;
• ▪ keine Wanne vorhanden ist, welche Hygieneprobleme ver ursachen 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 done vertically;
• ▪ no waste water is produced and therefore no drainage is necessary;
• ▪ there is no bathtub, which can cause hygiene problems;
• ▪ Raw water can be used;
• ▪ mains pressure can be used;
• ▪ no circulation pump is required;
• ▪ no steam needs to be generated; and
• ▪ no moving parts are required.

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

Short description of the drawings

Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated below with reference to the drawings, which are merely illustrative and are not to be interpreted as restrictive. Features of the invention which become apparent from the drawings are to be regarded 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
• Figur 4 eine vierte bevorzugte Ausführungsform der Erfindung, welche eingesetzt werden kann, falls die Rückluft abgekühlt werden soll und anschliessend durch einen nicht hygrophilen Wärmetauscher strömt, welcher die Abkühlung auf die Zuluft überträgt (sog. adiabatische Rückluftkühlung).

The drawings show:

• Figure 1 a first preferred embodiment of the invention, with an air humidification device with air direction from bottom to top;
• Figure 2 a second preferred embodiment of the invention, with an air humidification device with air direction from top to bottom;
• Figure 3 a third preferred embodiment of the invention, which can be used if the return air is to be humidified and then flows through a hygrophilic heat exchanger, which transfers the moisture to the supply air; and
• Figure 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

Figure 1 shows a first preferred embodiment of the invention, with an air humidification device with air direction from bottom to top. In Figure 1 In the air direction (5) a heater (6) is first drawn, 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 control (not shown) which regulates the heater (6). The humidifying medium (2) is in the embodiment in Figure 1 from bottom to top and the air flowing through is humidified.
At the same time, the air is cooled by this humidification. A water distributor (3) is used to distribute the required water to the humidification medium (2). The water supply (4) is 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.

Figure 2 shows a second preferred embodiment of the invention, with an air humidification device with air direction from top to bottom. In Figure 2 In the air direction (5) a heater (6) is also shown first, which preheats the air to a predetermined temperature. For this purpose a temperature sensor (8) is used again, which measures the temperature and transmits this information to a control (not shown), which then regulates the heater (6). The humidifying medium (2) is in the embodiment in Figure 2 from top to bottom and the air flowing through is humidified. At the same time, the air is cooled by this humidification. In this embodiment, a water distributor (3) is also used to distribute the required water to 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 presented.

Figure 3 shows a third preferred embodiment of the invention, which can be used if the return air is to be humidified and then flows through a hygrophilic heat exchanger, which transfers the moisture to the supply air. In Figure 3 In the air direction (5) a return air sensor (9) is first drawn, which is used to regulate the water supply (4). The heater (6), which also preheats the air, is regulated to a temperature which is measured by the temperature sensor (8). In this embodiment, the humidification medium (2) flows through from top to bottom and humidifies the air. At the same time, the air is This humidification is cooled. The water distribution (3) also distributes the water on the humidification medium (2) and the humidity sensor (7) is used to limit the maximum supply air humidity.

Figure 4 shows 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). In this embodiment, the humidification medium (2) is flowed through from top to bottom and the air is humidified in the process. At the same time, the air is also cooled by the humidification. The water distribution (3) again distributes the water on the humidification medium (2) and the humidity sensor (7) is used to limit the water supply (4) and the maximum humidity.

Finally, it should be pointed out again that the embodiments described here by way of example only represent possible implementations of the inventive ideas and should not be viewed as limiting in any way. The person skilled in the art will understand that other implementations of the invention and further elements are possible without neglecting the essential features of the invention.

For example, the water distributor (3) can have an atomizing device or a sprinkling device. The humidifying medium (2) can be circular-cylindrical or rectangular. It is also conceivable to use several humidifying media (2) instead of just one, which are advantageously arranged one behind the other in the air duct section (1) in the direction of air flow. The heater (6) can be an electric or a hot water heater. An air flow sensor installed before or after the humidifying medium (2) can prevent humidification from occurring without air flow.

In all embodiments, a safety tray can also be provided, which can collect the water, especially in the event of a malfunction of the humidification device. This safety tray can have a water detection device, which In an emergency, further humidification is prevented and/or an alarm is triggered. The safety tray can also be advantageously constructed in such a way that air can flow through this safety tray.

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

List of reference symbols

1

Air duct section

2

Humidifier medium

3

Water distribution

4

Water supply

5

Air direction

6

Heating

7

Humidity sensor

8th

Temperature sensor

9

Return air or room humidity sensor

Claims (14)

1. Air humidification apparatus (LB), able to be be installed vertically in a ventilation system, comprising an air duct section (1) able to be flowed through vertically and at least one hydrophilic or hydrophobic, air-permeable humidifier medium (2) which is arranged in the air duct section (1) substantially perpendicular to its longitudinal axis and which is wetted with water by means of a water distributor (3), and a humidity sensor (7) measures a supply air humidity in order to regulate the maximum water supply
   characterized in that

   the water supply (4) is regulated according to the measured value of a return air sensor (9) which is located in the return air flow,

   the amount of water to be applied is controlled in such a way that only as much water as necessary for humidifying the humidifier medium (2) is applied and no water escapes at the bottom of the humidifier medium (2).
2. Air humidification apparatus (LB) according to claim 1, whereby the water distribution (3) comprises a spraying device or a sprinkling device.
3. Air humidification apparatus (LB) according to claim 1 or 2, whereby the humidifier medium (2) is circular-cylindrical or rectangular in shape.
4. Air humidification apparatus (LB) according to one of the claims 1 to 3 comprising a plurality of humidifier media (2) which are arranged one behind the other in the air duct section (1) in the direction of air flow.
5. Air humidification apparatus (LB) according to one of the claims 1 to 4, whereby a heater (6) is provided before or after the humidifier medium (2).
6. Air humidification apparatus (LB) according to claim 5, whereby the heater (6) is an electric heater or a hot water heater.
7. Air humidification apparatus (LB) according to claim 5 or 6, whereby a temperature sensor (8) is provided, which is usable for regulating the heating power of the heater (6).
8. Air humidification apparatus (LB) according to one of the claims 1 to 7, whereby an air flow sensor is provided before or after the humidifier medium (2), which prevents humidification without air flow.
9. Air humidification apparatus (LB) according to one of the claims 1 to 8, whereby a safety trough is provided which catches the water in the event of a malfunction of the air humidification device (LB).
10. Air humidification apparatus (LB) according to claim 9, whereby the safety trough has a water detection device which prevents further wetting and/or triggers an alarm.
11. Air humidification apparatus (LB) according to claim 9 or 10, whereby the safety trough is constructed in such a way that the air can flow through the safety trough.
12. Air humidification apparatus (LB) according to one of the claims 1 to 11, whereby an air filter is installed before or after the humidifier medium (2), which air filter collects any dust from the humidifier medium (2).
13. Air humidification apparatus (LB) according to one of the claims 1 to 12, whereby, in order to control the humidification of the air flow, the humidity after the humidifier medium (2) is measured by a humidity sensor (7) and/or by a return air or room humidity sensor (9).
14. Method for air humidification by means of an air humidification apparatus (LB) according to one of the claims 1 to 13.

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