Patent Application
20190032934
The present invention relates to a humidifier and an air-conditioning apparatus.
To provide appropriate humidity is an important factor for providing a comfortable indoor air atmosphere. When the humidity is deficient, there may be caused adverse influences such as human health hazard, deterioration of objects, and generation of static electricity. To provide appropriate humidity, for example, in the Building Sanitation Control Act, it is determined that, in specific buildings such as commercial facilities and offices having floor areas of 3,000 m2 or more, the temperature is required to be maintained at 17 degrees Celsius to 28 degrees Celsius, and the relative humidity against the temperature is required to be maintained at 40% to 70% as control standard values for the air environment. Further, in American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), it is clearly specified that the relative humidity is from 30% to 60% as a humidity criterion.
As an indoor space humidification method of humidifying an indoor space, there has been known an evaporative method. The evaporative method is a method of performing humidification by preparing a water absorbing humidifying material having water absorption capability, supplying water to the water absorbing humidifying material, and causing air to pass through the water absorbing humidifying material. When the air is caused to pass through the water absorbing humidifying material, the water contained in the water absorbing humidifying material is subjected to heat exchange with an air current, to thereby cause vaporization and evaporation. In this manner, the indoor space is humidified (for example, Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2).
Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 3-230037 A
Patent Literature 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012-93059
When mineral components are contained in the water to be supplied to the water absorbing humidifying material having water absorption capability, these mineral components react with carbon dioxide, so that a sparingly soluble substance that is hardly soluble to the water may be generated. The sparingly soluble substance thus generated deposits and transforms along with the vaporization and evaporation, and precipitates as scales.
Tap water is generally used as water to be supplied to the water absorbing humidifying material. However, mineral components, such as calcium carbonate, magnesium, and silica, are contained in tap water, and hence there is a high risk of scale precipitation. When the scales precipitate on the filter, the water absorption capability of the water absorbing humidifying material is degraded, and hence it is required to replace the water absorbing humidifying material.
In an evaporative humidification method for an indoor space, in general, air is caused to pass through the water absorbing humidifying material from one end side to the other end side. In this manner, vaporization and evaporation are promoted. When the air is caused to pass through the water absorbing humidifying material as described above, a vaporization and evaporation rate at a portion on the one end side of the water absorbing humidifying material, onto which the air is directly blown, is extremely larger than a vaporization and evaporation rate at a portion on the other end side of the water absorbing humidifying material.
When the vaporization and evaporation rate at the portion on the one end side of the water absorbing humidifying material is extremely larger than the vaporization and evaporation rate at the portion on the other end side of the water absorbing humidifying material, the scales may precipitate earlier at the portion on the one end side of the water absorbing humidifying material than at the portion on the other end side of the water absorbing humidifying material. When the scales precipitate at the portion on the one end side of the water absorbing humidifying material, the water absorption capability at the portion on the one end side is degraded, and the vaporization and evaporation rate at the portion on the one end side is degraded. As a result, the vaporization and evaporation rate is significantly degraded in the entire water absorbing humidifying material, and, consequently, the humidification performance is degraded. Consequently, when the scales precipitate at the portion on the one end side of the water absorbing humidifying material, it is required to replace the water absorbing humidifying material even when the scales do not precipitate at the portion on the other end side of the water absorbing humidifying material. That is, a replacement cycle of the water absorbing humidifying material is shortened.
The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a humidifier having an extended replacement cycle of a water absorbing humidifying material to the extent possible, and an air-conditioning apparatus including the humidifier.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a humidifier including a water absorbing humidifying material having a plate shape, and made of a water absorbing material, a supply unit configured to supply water to the water absorbing humidifying material, and an air-sending device configured to send air from one end side to the other end side of the water absorbing humidifying material in an airflow direction perpendicular to a plate thickness direction of the water absorbing humidifying material. The water absorbing humidifying material has a plurality of openings penetrating through the water absorbing humidifying material, and the humidifier is configured to perform humidification through vaporization and evaporation of the water supplied to the water absorbing humidifying material by the air sent by the air-sending device.
The air-conditioning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a heat exchanger configured to subject sent air to heat exchange, and the above-mentioned humidifier. The humidifier humidifies the air subjected to the heat exchange by the heat exchanger. In this manner, the air-conditioning apparatus performs air conditioning.
In the humidifier and the air-conditioning apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of openings are distributed on a flat plate surface of the water absorbing humidifying material having a plate shape. The contact area with the air is increased in the openings opened in a plate thickness direction of the water absorbing humidifying material. Consequently, the vaporization and evaporation rate is enhanced. The plurality of openings are cut so that the distribution density is non-uniform in the airflow direction in which the air is sent to the water absorbing humidifying material. Thus, the vaporization and evaporation rate on the other end side opposite to the one end side, on which the air is directly blown, of the water absorbing humidifying material can be increased, and, consequently, the relative vaporization and evaporation rate on the one end side of the water absorbing humidifying material, on which the air is directly blown, can be reduced. As a result, such a situation that the scale precipitation is locally caused on a region on the one end side can be prevented to the extent possible, so that a surface load of the scale precipitation on one surface of the water absorbing humidifying material can be smoothed, and thereby a replacement cycle of the water absorbing humidifying material can be extended to the extent possible.
Details of a humidifier and an air-conditioning apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Still further, in the following drawings, the size relationship among the components sometimes differs from the actual relationship.
The supply portion 2 is configured to reserve humidifying water 1 used for humidifying a humidification space to be humidified, and serves as a supply unit configured to supply the humidifying water 1 to the water absorbing humidifying materials 4. The nozzles 3 are each an example of a water supply unit configured to supply the humidifying water 1 from the supply portion 2 to the water absorbing humidifying materials 4. The water absorbing humidifying materials 4 are configured to absorb the humidifying water 1 supplied from the supply portion 2. When air is caused to pass through the water absorbing humidifying materials 4, the absorbed humidifying water 1 is evaporated by vaporization. In this manner, the humidification space is humidified. The drain pan 6 is placed below the water absorbing humidifying materials 4 in a vertical direction, and is configured to receive surplus water from the water absorbing humidifying materials 4.
The water absorbing humidifying materials 4 are each made of a water absorbing material having a plate shape, and a plurality of water absorbing humidifying materials 4 are arrayed in a short axis direction with clearance spaces. In
The air-sending device 8 is configured to cause air 7 to flow from one end side to the other end side of the water absorbing humidifying materials 4 in an airflow direction perpendicular to a plate thickness direction and an arraying direction of the water absorbing humidifying materials 4. The airflow direction is different from the vertical direction. The air 7 flows through the clearance spaces between the water absorbing humidifying materials 4 that are adjacent to each other, and thus vaporization and evaporation of the humidifying water 1 absorbed by the water absorbing humidifying materials 4 are promoted.
It is only required that the supply portion 2, the nozzles 3, the water absorbing humidifying materials 4, the air-sending device 8, and the drain pan 6 are each fixed by, for example, a predetermined supporter. A configuration of the supporter is not particularly limited, and only is required to be selected as appropriate depending on the usage of the humidifier 9.
The humidifying water 1 of Embodiment 1 is used for the purpose of humidifying the space to be humidified, and tap water is used as an example of the humidifying water 1. When mineral components such as calcium carbonate, magnesium, and silica contained in water, such as tap water, react with carbon dioxide, a sparingly soluble substance that is hardly soluble to water is generated. The sparingly soluble substance thus generated are deposited along with the vaporization and evaporation, and are transformed into scales. When such scales are generated in the water absorbing humidifying material 4, there is a fear in that the voids 10 may be clogged to degrade water absorbability. When the water absorbability is degraded, the vaporization and evaporation rate is degraded, with the result that humidification performance is degraded. Consequently, as the humidifying water 1, water containing a small amount of mineral components is preferred, but soft water, hard water, or other water may be used.
The supply portion 2 is configured to reserve the humidifying water 1, and to supply the humidifying water 1 to the water absorbing humidifying materials 4. The supply portion 2 is configured to supply the humidifying water 1 by dripping the humidifying water 1 from the nozzles 3 to a portion above the water absorbing humidifying materials 4 using a drive unit such as a pump. Further, it is only required that the drive unit is capable of transporting the humidifying water 1, and, for example, the drive unit is a non-positive displacement pump or a positive displacement pump, and is not particularly limited. Further, the drain pan 6 to which the humidifying water 1 is supplied from the nozzles 3 may serve as the supply portion 2. There may be employed a configuration in which, for example, one end of each of the water absorbing humidifying materials 4 is provided in the drain pan 6 so that the humidifying water 1 is sucked up by capillary forces of the water absorbing humidifying materials 4 to be supplied.
The nozzles 3 are installed on the portions above the water absorbing humidifying materials 4, which are in regions at which the humidification performance is the highest, and are configured to supply the humidifying water 1 transported from the supply portion 2 by dripping the humidifying water 1 from the portions above the water absorbing humidifying materials 4. Further, the humidifying water 1 may be supplied from the nozzles 3 to the supply portion 2.
The nozzles 3 each have a hollow shape, and the outer diameter and the inner diameter of the nozzle 3 only are required to be selected depending on the size and thickness of the water absorbing humidifying material 4. Further, the distal end of the nozzle 3 may have any shape, such as a triangular pyramid shape, a quadrangular pyramid shape, a circular tube shape, and a square tube shape. In this case, a shape in which the distal end has a triangular pyramid shape and an outlet of the nozzle 3 has a hole diameter of 0.5 mm is preferred. This is because, when the nozzle 3 has an acute distal end, water droplets are well dripped off the nozzle 3. It is preferred that the nozzle 3 have an acute distal end, but when the distal end is excessively acute, the nozzle 3 is difficult to handle and reduced in strength. For this reason, it is preferred that the angle of the distal end fall within a range of from 10 degrees to 45 degrees.
When the hole diameter of the outlet of the nozzle 3 is excessively large, there is a fear in that the humidifying water 1 may be excessively supplied, so that the amount of unrequired water is increased. Meanwhile, when the hole diameter of the outlet of the nozzle 3 is excessively small, the outlet of the nozzle 3 may be liable to be clogged with particles or scales mixed into the humidifying water 1. For this reason, it is preferred that the hole diameter of the nozzle 3 fall within a range of from 0.1 mm to 0.6 mm. Further, a material of the nozzle 3 may be metals, such as stainless steel, tungsten, titanium, silver, and copper, a resin, such as PTFE, polyethylene, polypropylene, or other appropriate materials. In a case in which an inexpensive copper pipe is used as a water discharge pipe to which the nozzle 3 is connected, when polypropylene is used as a material of the nozzle 3, the polypropylene is degraded due to a catalyst action of copper. Consequently, when a resin is selected in such a case, it is preferred to select PTFE or polyethylene.
When the length of the water absorbing humidifying material 4 in the airflow direction (length from the one end side to the other end side of the water absorbing humidifying material 4 in the airflow direction) is large, a plurality of nozzles 3 may be provided for one water absorbing humidifying material 4. For example, when the length in the airflow direction is 60 mm or less, one nozzle 3 may be enough for one water absorbing humidifying material 4. However, when the length in the airflow direction is more than 60 mm, a plurality of nozzles 3 may be provided for one water absorbing humidifying material 4.
It is required that a water supply amount of the humidifying water 1 is larger than a water amount to be used for actual humidification. However, supply of a surplus amount of the humidifying water 1 leads to increase in surplus water. For this reason, it is desired that the water supply amount of the humidifying water 1 be controlled to be an appropriate amount. For example, a case is assumed where the water absorbing humidifying material 4 has a humidification performance per unit area of 2,000 mL/h/m2 and a size of 200 mm×50 mm, and both front and back sides of the water absorbing humidifying material 4 can be humidified. In this case, the humidification amount of the one water absorbing humidifying material 4 is 40 mL/h. Consequently, it is desired that the humidifying water 1 be supplied by an amount within a range of from 60 mL/h to 200 mL/h, which is 1.5 times to 5 times as large as the humidification amount.
When a plurality of water absorbing humidifying materials 4 are provided, the number of the nozzles 3 is increased, and there is a fear in that the water supply amounts from the respective nozzles 3 may become non-uniform. Consequently, a water absorbing material made of a fiber, a resin, or a metal may be provided between the nozzle 3 and the water absorbing humidifying material 4 to be brought into contact with the water absorbing humidifying material 4. Even when the plurality of water absorbing humidifying materials 4 are arranged, the water absorbing materials are provided to be brought into contact with the water absorbing humidifying materials 4, and thereby the humidifying water 1 can be reliably supplied.
The water absorbing humidifying material 4 has, for example, a shape having a three-dimensional mesh structure. In this case, the three-dimensional mesh structure refers to a structure similar to that of a resin foam having high water absorption property, such as a sponge. As illustrated in
When the water absorbing humidifying material 4 is made of a metal, there may be used, for example, a metal such as titanium, copper, and nickel, a precious metal such as gold, silver, and platinum, and an alloy such as a nickel alloy and a cobalt alloy. These kinds of the metals may be used alone, or in combination of two or more kinds. Among these kinds of metals, zinc, nickel, tin, chromium, copper, silver, and gold are preferred, because zinc, nickel, tin, chromium, copper, silver, and gold, which reduce the generation of a sparingly soluble substance, have excellent resistance to electric corrosion and electric abrasion, and retain the shape of the water absorbing humidifying material 4 over a long period of time to enable stable humidification.
When the water absorbing humidifying material 4 is made of ceramic, for example, alumina, zirconia, mullite, cordierite, silicon carbide, or other materials, may be used. However, the kinds of ceramic are not limited to these kinds as long as a material that absorbs water and has a capillary structure is employed.
When the water absorbing humidifying material 4 is made of a resin, polyethylene, polypropylene, an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, or other materials may be used. However, the kinds of resin are not limited to these kinds as long as a material that absorbs water and has a capillary structure is employed.
When the water absorbing humidifying material 4 is made of fiber, as a material of the water absorbing humidifying material 4, acetate, polyester, nylon, or other materials may be used. However, the kinds of fiber are not limited to these kinds as long as a material and a structure that absorbs water is employed. Further, a fiber obtained by coating a porous substance made from a resin with metal powder may also be used.
The surface layer of the water absorbing humidifying material 4 may be subjected to hydrophilic treatment from the viewpoint of increasing the amount of the humidifying water 1 to be retained and preventing degradation of water absorption capability. The types of method of hydrophilic treatment are not limited as well. For example, the hydrophilic treatment may be performed by coating with a hydrophilic resin, or by corona discharge.
The thickness of the water absorbing humidifying material 4 may be adjusted as appropriate depending on the size of the humidifier 9 to be manufactured. For example, a sheet-like water absorbing humidifying material 4 having a thickness of 0.5 mm or more and 2 mm or less may be manufactured and then processed into a desired shape by cutting. The processing method is not particularly limited, and for example, various methods such as wire cutting, laser cutting, press stamping, shaving, manual cutting and bending may be employed.
The water absorbing humidifying material 4 has a plurality of openings 5 opened to be penetrated through the water absorbing humidifying material 4 in a plate thickness direction of the water absorbing humidifying material 4 having a plate shape (short axis direction). The plurality of openings 5 are arrayed in the airflow direction perpendicular to the arraying direction in which the plurality of water absorbing humidifying materials 4 are arrayed (short axis direction). That is, the plurality of openings 5 are distributed on a flat surface portion of the water absorbing humidifying material 4.
In an example as illustrated in
The drain pan 6 is configured to receive the humidifying water 1 that is not evaporated from the water absorbing humidifying materials 4, and to discharge the humidifying water 1 through a drain outlet when a certain or more amount of the humidifying water 1 is accumulated.
The air-sending device 8 is configured to cause the air 7 to flow through the space, in which the water absorbing humidifying materials 4 are arrayed, from the one end side to the other end side of each of the water absorbing humidifying materials 4, and selection may appropriately be made from a sirocco fan, a propeller fan, a line flow fan, or other fan. The air 7 sent from the air-sending device 8 flows from the one end side to the other end side of each of the water absorbing humidifying materials 4 to be substantially parallel.
Next, with reference to
The humidifying water 1 reserved in the supply portion 2 is transported to the nozzles 3. The nozzles 3 each having the humidifying water 1 transported to the nozzle 3 is caused to drip the humidifying water 1 from above the one end side of each of the water absorbing humidifying materials 4 on a windward side of the water absorbing humidifying materials 4. In this manner, the humidifying water 1 is supplied to the water absorbing humidifying materials 4. The water absorbing humidifying materials 4 each have a capillary force, and the gravity of the humidifying water 1 can be utilized. Consequently, the humidifying water 1 is dispersed in the water absorbing humidifying material 4 through the voids 10 of the water absorbing humidifying material 4.
As illustrated in
A dispersing phenomenon of water vapor into air from the water absorbing humidifying materials 4 containing the humidifying water 1 is dominated by a dispersion speed Na. When a dispersion coefficient is represented by De, a water concentration (water contained amount) in the air 7 is represented by Ca, a water concentration (water contained amount) in the water absorbing humidifying material 4 is represented by Co, and a saturation boundary film thickness of the water vapor is represented by δ, the dispersion speed Na is determined by Expression (1).
Na=De×(Co−Ca)/δ (1)
When a depth length 16 of the water absorbing humidifying material 4 is represented by L, the Prandtl number is represented by Pr, an air density is represented by ρ, and kinetic viscosity is represented by V, a saturation boundary film thickness δ of the water vapor at the time of laminar flow is determined by Expression (2).
δ=L/(0.644×Pr1/3×(ρ×U×L/V)1/2) (2)
With reference to the saturation boundary film equation of Expression (2), as air velocity U of the air 7 is increased, the saturation boundary film thickness δ of the water vapor is reduced. Thus, as the air velocity U of the air 7 is increased, the dispersion speed Na is increased as indicated by Expression (1), thereby enhancing the humidification performance.
The saturation boundary film thickness δ of the water absorbing humidifying material 4 is the thinnest on the one end side on the windward side in the airflow direction of the air 7. Thus, high humidification performance is exerted on the one end side including the flat surface portion on the windward side and the one end side of the water absorbing humidifying material 4. However, on the one end side, the humidification performance is higher than on the other end side, so that the vaporization and evaporation rate is also high. Thus, the one end side is a portion on which the precipitation of the scales is promoted most. Further, the saturation boundary film thickness δ on the leeward side of the water absorbing humidifying material 4 is large. Thus, low humidification performance is exerted on the other end side including the flat surface portion on the leeward side and the other end side of the water absorbing humidifying material 4. On the other end side, the humidification performance is lower than on the one end side, so that the vaporization and evaporation rate is also low. Thus, the other end side is a portion at which the precipitation of the scales is relatively less likely to be caused. That is, the precipitation amount of the scales is large on the one side, whereas the precipitation amount of the scales is small on the other side. Consequently, the precipitation amount of the scales is uneven in the entire water absorbing humidifying material 4. Consequently, even in a case in which the scales do not precipitate at a portion on the other end side of the water absorbing humidifying material 4, when the scales precipitate at a portion on the one end side of the water absorbing humidifying material 4, it is required to replace the water absorbing humidifying material 4, with the result that there is a fear in that a replacement cycle of the water absorbing humidifying material 4 may be shortened.
The humidification performance when the openings 5 are cut in each of the water absorbing humidifying material 4 is described. In
In
The openings are cut in the flat plate surface of the water absorbing humidifying material 4 to be opened in the plate thickness direction of the water absorbing humidifying material 4. Thus, the humidification performance at the portion at which the humidification performance is low can be enhanced. Consequently, the openings 5 are cut in the water absorbing humidifying material 4 to have a distribution. Thus, the portion at which the scales precipitate can be controlled, and thereby the humidifying efficiency of the water absorbing humidifying material 4 can be uniformized.
As illustrated in
As described above, in the humidifier 9 and the air-conditioning apparatus 14 including the humidifier 9 according to Embodiment 1, the openings 5 that are non-uniformly distributed are cut in the flat surface portion on the leeward side of the water absorbing humidifying material 4, on which the humidifying efficiency is low, and thereby the humidifying efficiency of the water absorbing humidifying material 4 can be uniformized. Further, with the above-mentioned configuration, the scale can be caused to precipitate not only on the one end side including the flat surface portion on the windward side and the one end side, but also on the other end side including the flat surface portion on the leeward side and the other end side, and thereby a load can be applied also to the other end side. Consequently, it is possible to provide the humidifier 9 of which a frequency of replacement of the water absorbing humidifying material 4 can be reduced while the humidification performance is enhanced, and the air-conditioning apparatus 14 including the humidifier 9.
A humidifier 9 and an air-conditioning apparatus 14 including the humidifier 9 according to Embodiment 2 is described focusing on differences from Embodiment 1.
As described also in Embodiment 1, when the air 7 is to be caused to flow through the water absorbing humidifying materials 4, the air 7 to be caused to flow through the water absorbing humidifying materials 4 is the driest on the one end side of the water absorbing humidifying material 4 on the windward side. Consequently, the humidification performance per unit area is enhanced at the flat surface portion on the windward side. However, the concentration of the water (contained amount of the water) contained in the air 7 at the vicinity of the interface of the water absorbing humidifying material 4 is increased toward the leeward side along with the humidification effect, and hence the humidification performance per unit area at the flat surface portion on the leeward side is degraded. Consequently, scale components are liable to precipitate on the windward side, and the precipitation amount is reduced toward the leeward side. Consequently, to enhance the humidification performance per unit area on the other end side including the flat surface portion on the leeward side and the other end side of the water absorbing humidifying material 4, and to uniform the humidification performance and the vaporization and evaporation rate in the entire water absorbing humidifying material 4, the plurality of openings 5 are cut so that the distribution density of the openings 5 is high on the leeward side of the water absorbing humidifying material 4.
As illustrated in
In practical use, the supply portion 2, the nozzles 3, the water absorbing humidifying materials 4, the air-sending device 8, and the drain pan 6 only are required to be fixed by, for example, the predetermined supporter. The configuration of the supporter is not particularly limited, and only is required to be selected as appropriate depending on the usage of the humidifier 9.
Operations of the humidifier 9 and the air-conditioning apparatus 14 including the humidifier 9 according to Embodiment 2 are the same as those of Embodiment 1, and hence description of the same operations is omitted.
As described above, the distribution density of the openings 5 is reduced on the windward side of the water absorbing humidifying material 4, and is increased on the leeward side. Thus, the humidification performance and the vaporization and evaporation rate at the region on the leeward side, at which the humidification performance per unit area and the vaporization and evaporation rate are low in the related art, can be enhanced. Consequently, the scales that locally precipitate at the flat surface portion or the one end side on the windward side of the water absorbing humidifying material 4 can be caused to precipitate also on the leeward side. Thus, the surface load of the water absorbing humidifying material 4 caused by the scales that precipitate can be uniformized to the extent possible, and thereby a replacement cycle of the water absorbing humidifying material 4 can be extended.
A humidifier 9 and an air-conditioning apparatus 14 including the humidifier 9 according to Embodiment 3 is described focusing on differences from Embodiment 3.
The air 7 flows into and flows out from the openings 5 of the water absorbing humidifying material 4, and thus the vaporization and evaporation rate is enhanced. To enhance the vaporization and evaporation rate on the leeward side of the water absorbing humidifying material 4 and to uniform the scale precipitation in the entire water absorbing humidifying material 4, the interval of the openings 5 adjacent to each other on the leeward side is smaller than the interval of the openings 5 adjacent to each other on the windward side.
The openings 5 may be cut in a matrix pattern, or further, may be cut in a staggered pattern. Further, the openings 5 of one water absorbing humidifying material 4 and the openings 5 of an adjacent water absorbing humidifying material 4 can be cut not to overlap with each other.
In Embodiment 3, the supply portion 2, the nozzles 3, the water absorbing humidifying materials 4, the air-sending device 8, and the drain pan 6 only are required to be fixed by, for example, the predetermined supporter. The configuration of the supporter is not particularly limited, and only is required to be selected as appropriate depending on the usage of the humidifier 9.
Operations of the humidifier 9 and the air-conditioning apparatus 14 including the humidifier 9 according to Embodiment 3 are the same as those of Embodiment 1, and hence description of the same operation is omitted.
As described above, the interval of the adjacent openings 5 is increased on the windward side of the water absorbing humidifying material 4, and is reduced on the leeward side. Thus, the humidification performance and the vaporization and evaporation rate at the region on the leeward side, at which the humidification performance per unit area and the vaporization and evaporation rate are low in the related art, can be enhanced. Consequently, the scales that locally precipitate at the flat surface portion or the one end side on the windward side of the water absorbing humidifying material 4 can be caused to precipitate also on the leeward side. Thus, the surface load of the water absorbing humidifying material 4 caused by the scales that precipitate can be uniformized to the extent possible, and thereby a replacement cycle of the water absorbing humidifying material 4 can be extended.
A humidifier 9 and an air-conditioning apparatus 14 including the humidifier 9 according to Embodiment 4 is described by focusing on differences from Embodiment 1.
The air 7 flows into and flows out from the openings 5 of the water absorbing humidifying material 4, and thus the vaporization and evaporation rate is enhanced. As the opening area of one of the openings 5 is increased, turbulence of the air 7 flowing into the openings 5 is caused, and hence the vaporization and evaporation rate is enhanced. Consequently, to enhance the humidification performance and the vaporization and evaporation rate on the leeward side of the water absorbing humidifying material 4, on which the humidification performance per unit area and the vaporization and evaporation rate are low, the opening area of one of the openings 5 opened in the plate thickness direction of the water absorbing humidifying material 4 is increased from the windward side to the leeward side along the airflow direction of the air 7, which is directed from the one end side to the other end side of the water absorbing humidifying material 4.
The openings 5 may be cut in a matrix pattern, or further, may be cut in a staggered pattern. Further, the openings 5 of one water absorbing humidifying material 4 and the openings 5 of the adjacent water absorbing humidifying material 4 can be cut not to overlap with each other.
In Embodiment 4, the supply portion 2, the nozzles 3, the water absorbing humidifying materials 4, the air-sending device 8, and the drain pan 6 only are required to be fixed by, for example, the predetermined supporter. The configuration of the supporter is not particularly limited, and only is required to be selected as appropriate depending on the usage of the humidifier 9.
Operations of the humidifier 9 and the air-conditioning apparatus 14 including the humidifier 9 according to Embodiment 4 are the same as those of Embodiment 1, and hence description of the same operations is omitted.
As described above, the opening areas of the openings 5 that are arranged are increased from the windward side to the leeward side of the water absorbing humidifying material 4. Thus, it is possible to enhance the humidification performance and the vaporization and evaporation rate at the region on the leeward side, at which the humidification performance per unit area and the vaporization and evaporation rate are low in the related art. Consequently, the scales that locally precipitate at the flat surface portion or the one end side on the windward side of the water absorbing humidifying material 4 can be caused to precipitate also on the leeward side. Thus, the surface load of the water absorbing humidifying material 4 caused by the scales that precipitate can be uniformized to the extent possible, and thereby replacement cycles of the water absorbing humidifying material 4 can be extended.
The present invention is not limited to the specific details as mentioned and described above and the representative embodiments. Modified examples and effects easily derived by a person skilled in the art are also included in the present invention. Thus, various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general concept of the present invention defined by the scope of claims and equivalents of the claims.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2016/053822 | 2/9/2016 | WO | 00 |
