Air humidification
AssigneeFraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
InventorsNorbert Stroh, Eckehard Walitza
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Abstract
The present invention relates to an air humidifier and to a method for humidifying air, the use of special devices enabling air to be humidified with sterile water. A large contact area between water and air is combined with low losses of flow pressure. A membrane contactor having at least one tube membrane embedded in a hydrophilic, porous body comprises the air humidifier. The present invention enables use of coarse filters to ensure that the water is dispersed over a large surface area.
Claims23
An air humidifier comprising:
- a membrane contactor comprising a hydrophilic porous body with an air inlet surface and an air outlet surface;
- and
- a tube membrane embedded in the body and extending through the body for carrying liquid and delivering liquid through the membrane to the body;
- whereby air passing into the inlet surface and exiting the outlet surface may pick up moisture from the body.
A method for sterile humidification of air using a humidifier comprising:
- a membrane contactor comprising a hydrophilic porous body with an air inlet surface and an air outlet surface;
- and
- a tube membrane embedded in the body and extending through the body for carrying liquid and delivering liquid through the membrane to the body;
- the method comprising passing water along the tube membrane such that the water passes through the porous membrane and into the porous body for dispersing water in the body;
- and
- flowing air through the body from the inlet surface through the outlet surface, for the air to take up water from the porous body as air exits the outlet surface.
The method of claim 23, wherein the air introduced perpendicular to the axis of the tube membrane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.