U.S. patent application number 11/564899 was filed with the patent office on 2008-06-05 for method and device for humidifying air with water vapor.
Invention is credited to Regina Nordmann.
Application Number | 20080131103 11/564899 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39862930 |
Filed Date | 2008-06-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080131103 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nordmann; Regina |
June 5, 2008 |
METHOD AND DEVICE FOR HUMIDIFYING AIR WITH WATER VAPOR
Abstract
A device for humidifying air with water vapor is provided, in
which water is brought to boil by means of electrical current and
evaporates. Minerals or dry residue contained in the water (4), in
particular, lime, become separated, and fresh water containing
minerals and dry residue is also refilled approximately according
to the amount of evaporated water. The minerals or dry residue, in
particular, lime, are removed from the container (2) that holds the
water (4) to be evaporated immediately after its formation or
during the evaporation. For this purpose, the water from the
container (2) is circulated in a closed external circuit, for
example, with a small pump (9). The circuit has a line (6), the
filter (7), and a return line (8), as well as a mixing container
(11), in which the fresh water enters via a line (12), so that it
is led together with the cleaned water via a common line (13) back
into the container (2). In this circuit, the water is filtered
mechanically and the separated lime collects outside of the
container (2), so that the container does not have to or rarely
needs to be cleaned. The separator or filter (7) can be flushed
continuously or at time intervals.
Inventors: |
Nordmann; Regina; (Aesch,
CH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VOLPE AND KOENIG, P.C.
UNITED PLAZA, SUITE 1600, 30 SOUTH 17TH STREET
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
US
|
Family ID: |
39862930 |
Appl. No.: |
11/564899 |
Filed: |
November 30, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
392/387 ;
392/403 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 6/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
392/387 ;
392/403 |
International
Class: |
F24F 6/02 20060101
F24F006/02 |
Claims
1. Method for humidifying air with water vapor, the method
including: boiling and evaporating water (4) using an electric
current in a heated container (2), and separating minerals or dry
residue contained in the water (4), refilling fresh water
containing additional minerals or dry residue into the heated
container approximately according to an amount of evaporated water,
during the evaporation, diverting a portion from the water (4) to
be boiled and evaporated, and cleaning and/or filtering the portion
that is diverted through separation of minerals or dry residue,
feeding back the portion of the cleaned and/or filtered water to
the water (4) to be boiled and evaporated in the heated container
(2), by guiding the portion of the cleaned and/or filtered water
into a collection or mixing container (11), into which the fresh
water for refilling is filled, and mixing the portion of the
cleaned and/or filtered water and the fresh water for refilling in
the collection or mixing container (11) prior to introduction into
the heated container (2).
2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the water diverted from the
boiling water (4) is fed by gravity and/or by a conveying device or
pump (9) to a separator or filter (7).
3. Method according to claim 2, wherein the diverted water is led
from a branch (15) at a greater height to a separator or filter (7)
located higher than the branch and is fed back into the heated
container (2) by gravity, after the cleaning and/or filtering.
4. Method according to claim 1, wherein the water to be cleaned
and/or filtered is diverted from the boiling water (4) at a
distance to a position at which the fresh water for refilling and
the cleaned and/or filtered water are introduced into the container
(2).
5. Method according to claim 1, wherein the cleaned and/or filtered
water and the fresh water are filled from below into the container
(2) and the water to be cleaned and/or filtered is diverted at a
distance above a water inlet.
6. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the separator
or filter (7) cleaning the diverted water is flushed or cleaned
continuously or at time intervals, and separately supplied flushing
water is forced against a direction of flow of the water to be
cleaned through the separator or filter (7) and is discharged
through a separate outlet (27) or wherein the flushing fluid is
guided in a direction of the water to be cleaned and/or filtered
into the separator or filter (7) and the minerals or dry residue
collected therein is washed over the top or side edge of the
separator or filter (7).
7. Device (1) for humidifying air with water vapor, comprising: an
electrically heatable container (2) for storing water (4), in which
the water is brought to a boil and evaporates, the container (2)
has a water inlet for refilling water (4) according to an amount of
evaporated water, wherein on the container (2) at least one
external circuit is provided with at least one line (6), which
leads to a separator or filter (7) arranged outside of the
container (2), from which a return line (8) leads back into the
container (2), and wherein a downwards slope or a conveying device
is provided in the at least one line (6) between the container (2)
and the separator or filter (7), wherein between the separator or
filter (7) or a container (10) housing the separator or filter (7)
and the heatable container (2) there is a collection container or
mixing container (11), into which open, on one side, the return
line (8) for cleaned and/or filtered water and, on the other side,
a supply line (12) for the water for refilling, and that a common
line (13) leads from the collection container (11) to the water
inlet (14) of the heatable container (2).
8. Device according to claim 7, wherein at least one pump (9) is
provided in the at least one line (6) between the container (2) and
the separator or filter (7) as a conveying device.
9. Device according to claim 8, wherein electrodes (16) are located
in the container (2) to be immersed in the water (4) to be heated
and evaporated, and a measurement device (17) is provided for
determining a power consumption of the electrodes (16), which
controls an amount of diverted water and the water to be cleaned
and/or filtered for increasing conductivity of the water (4)
through discontinuous or continuous diversion of a variable amount
of water.
10. Device according to claim 9, wherein the inlet into the branch
line (6) is arranged within the container (2) underneath the
electrodes (16) and above the supply for the water for refilling
and has a protective filter (21) at an inlet or in front of the
inlet thereof.
11. Device according to claim 7, further comprising a heating rod,
a resistance heater (26), or a heating coil located in the
container (2) so as to be immersed in the water (4) to be
evaporated, the container (2) has a level regulator (22) for
determining a fill height using sensors (23).
12. Device according to claim 7, wherein the common line (13) opens
from the mixing container (11) to the container (2) which holds the
water (4) to be evaporated in a top region thereof or at a top side
of the container (2) and has or forms a siphon (24).
13. Device according to claim 7, wherein the branch (15) and an
outlet from the heatable container (2) are arranged at
approximately the same height spaced apart from each other and
directed towards different sides.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The invention relates to a method for humidifying air with
water vapor, wherein water is brought to a boil and evaporates, in
particular, by means of electric current, and minerals or dry
residue, in particular lime, contained in the water are separated,
with fresh water containing minerals and dry residue being refilled
approximately according to the amount of evaporated water, wherein,
during the evaporation, a portion is diverted from the water to be
boiled and evaporated, cleaned and/or filtered by separating
minerals or dry residue, and then fed back to the water to be
boiled and evaporated.
[0002] The invention further relates to a device for humidifying
air with water vapor with, in particular, an electrically heatable
container for holding the water, in which the water is brought to a
boil and evaporates, wherein the container has a water inlet for
refilling water according to the amount of evaporated water,
wherein on the container at least one external circuit is provided
with at least one line that leads to a separator or filter, which
is arranged outside of the container and from which a return line
leads back into the container, and wherein a downwards slope or a
conveying device is provided in the line between the container and
separator or filter.
[0003] So-called steam humidifiers are used in the air-conditioning
industry for the purpose of humidifying the air. In such a steam
humidifier, water is brought to a boil and evaporates. Here, one
distinguishes essentially between two heating systems, namely those
with resistance heaters and those with electrodes. Both systems
function in different ways. The basic process of evaporation,
however, is identical in both systems, that is, water is boiled
usually under atmospheric pressure, whereby water vapor is
generated.
[0004] One problem of such steam humidifiers is the separation of
minerals or dry residue, in particular, of lime during operation.
Here, the term "lime" is understood to be all of the solids that
precipitate during the water evaporation. These can vary
greatly.
[0005] Steam humidifiers with resistance heaters are preferably
supplied with treated water, namely so-called softened or deionized
water, because the heating system functions independent of the
electrical conductivity of the water. For this processing and
heating system, it is usually recommended to use treated water, so
that the lime deposits can be reduced to a minimum. If, namely, tap
water is used, large amounts of lime are produced, which lead to
the incrustation of the heating elements. This incrustation can
lead to damage and combustion of the heating rods. Here, these
containers or tanks are relatively difficult to clean in terms of
construction. For these reasons, the mentioned recommendation to
use only treated water has already been stated.
[0006] This treatment or preparation of water, however, is
complicated, because, in particular a separate, expensive
preparation system is usually required for this purpose.
[0007] Steam humidifiers heated with electrodes can operate with
conductive water, that is, with drinking water, which contains lime
and which is hard, because the heating current between the
electrodes flows directly through the water. This is the essential
advantage of a steam humidifier with electrode heating. Water
preparation is not necessary.
[0008] Here, such steam humidifiers to be heated by means of
electrodes are usually constructed so that the
container--frequently called a "cylinder"--has an economical
construction and is usually made from plastic. The lime gradually
collects in this container, which is replaced as a whole after a
contingent operating period has elapsed. Cleaning work can be
prevented through the complete replacement of the container or
steam cylinder. However, the user must deal with a corresponding
replacement part. Here, the service life of such a container equals
about 800 to 2000 hours according to the hardness of the feed water
that is used.
[0009] In addition there are embodiments, in which the container is
comprised of at least two parts and can be opened for cleaning.
Cleaning work on containers of steam humidifiers with electrode
heating, however, is relatively complicated. The lime can collect
in the container as a slurry in the form of several kilograms and
must be removed and disposed of.
[0010] The deficiencies mentioned above can be counteracted with
the measures according to JP 2000304311 A, because a portion is
diverted from the water to be evaporated and cleaned and filtered
through the separation of minerals or dry residue and then can be
fed back to the water to be evaporated. In this way it can be
ensured that minerals or dry residue or "lime" is separated from
the water during the evaporation, instead of this "lime"
precipitating in the container itself.
[0011] Through a separate inlet, the amount of evaporated water is
simultaneously replaced by fresh water still containing minerals.
Thus, such minerals or dry residue is introduced back into the
container and at least two inlets are necessary on the container
itself.
SUMMARY
[0012] Therefore, there is the objective of creating a method and a
device of the type named above, in which the advantages of cleaning
the water to be evaporated during the evaporation process are
maintained, with which the necessity of disposing of a container or
cleaning device itself can be delayed and reduced considerably or
even avoided, but also simultaneously the supplied fresh water can
be diluted in terms of the dry residue contained in it.
[0013] To meet this apparently contradictory objective, the method
according to the invention provides that the cleaned and/or
filtered water is guided into a collection container, in which the
fresh water for refilling is poured, and that the cleaned and/or
filtered water and the water for refilling are introduced together
and/or mixed into the heated container. Thus, the fresh water still
containing dry residue is already diluted before it is introduced
into the container and this introduction of the fresh water into
the container can also be used simultaneously for feeding the
cleaned or filtered water back into the container.
[0014] Here, it is simultaneously provided that during the
evaporation a portion is preferably continuously diverted from the
water and is cleaned from minerals or dry residue or of "lime,"
instead of this "lime" precipitating in the container itself.
Simultaneously, in a known way the amount of evaporated water is
replaced by fresh water still containing minerals. Therefore, as a
whole the precipitation of such minerals or dry residue in the
container can be prevented or at least slowed down considerably.
The lime is removed from the container or cylinder practically
immediately after its formation during the evaporation. Thus,
manual cleaning of the container or its complete replacement can be
prevented and an increased service life of this vapor container can
be achieved for simultaneous reduction of the wear on all of the
parts in contact with the water.
[0015] Here, it is preferable when the water diverted from the
boiling water is fed to a separator or filter by means of gravity
and/or by a conveying device or pump. If gravity is used, the
separator or filter must be arranged lower than the branch from the
container. If a conveying device or pump is used, the separator or
filter can also be arranged higher than the container. Thus, as a
whole a circuit for this water can be used to separate and to
collect the lime or similar dry residue outside of the container,
wherein mechanical separation is possible, because the lime is
separated from the water during the evaporation. The external
circuit for this water is closed, in that it is fed back into the
container behind the cleaning or filtering point.
[0016] Here, it is preferable when the diverted water is fed from
the branch at a greater height to a separator or filter located
higher than the branch and is fed back into the heated container
after cleaning and/or filtering, in particular, by gravity. This
water can thus flow through the separator or filter and then can be
led back into the container practically automatically in the
accumulating amount.
[0017] The water to be cleaned and/or filtered can be diverted from
the boiling water at a distance from the point, at which the
refilling water and the cleaned and/or filtered water are
introduced into the container. In this way, it can be prevented
that a portion of the cleaned water is led back into the external
circuit and to the separator or filter and thus this separation of
"lime" is ineffective in the closed external circuit.
[0018] For example, the cleaned and/or filtered water and the fresh
water can be filled into the container from below and the water to
be cleaned and/or filtered can be diverted at a distance above this
water inlet. In this way, the fact that a greater amount of heat is
usually located at a greater height can also be taken into account,
that is, the water is diverted and/or discharged from the container
into a correspondingly hot area, where the evaporation process
promotes the separation of the "lime" accordingly.
[0019] For its part, the separator or filter cleaning the diverted
water can be flushed or cleaned continuously or at time intervals,
wherein a flushing water supplied, if necessary, separately is
forced through the separator or filter against the direction of
flow of the water to be cleaned and discharged through a separate
drain or wherein the flushing liquid is guided in the direction of
the water to be cleaned and/or filtered into the separator or
filter and the minerals or dry residue collected therein are washed
away over the top or side edge of the separator or filter. The
separator or filter can be flushed in reverse largely or completely
automatically and the lime can be fed to a water outlet, so that an
automatic, complete, and largely continuous cleaning of the
container or steam cylinder is enabled.
[0020] The device according to the invention, which meets the
objective, provides that between the separator or filter or a
container housing the separator or filter and the heatable
container, there is a collection container or mixing container,
into which opens, on one side, the return line for the cleaned
and/or filtered water and, on the other side, a supply line for the
refilling water, and that a common line leads from the collection
container to the water inlet of the heated container. Such a device
allows, for a relatively simple and economic construction, the
execution of the previously described method, that is, a largely
continuous removal of lime or dry residue from the water to be
evaporated, so that such residue cannot collect at all or only
slightly in the container itself and therefore this container gains
a longer service life and its complicated cleaning can be largely
avoided. These considerable advantages are achieved through a
simple attachable circuit line to the separator or filter, which,
in practice, does not increase the production expense of the
device, but simplifies the later operation and makes it
considerably more cost-effective over the time period.
[0021] In the line between the container and the separator or
filter, at least one pump, in particular, a hose pump, can be
provided as a conveying device. This can not only suction and dose
the water diverted from the container in a correspondingly good
way, but can also feed this water, in particular, continuously to a
separator or filter and also through these components.
[0022] Due to the device according to the invention, the fresh
water for refilling can be mixed with the cleaned or filtered water
and introduced with this water together into the container, so that
it is already "diluted" when it is introduced into the container.
Here, the pump or hose pump arranged between the container and the
separator or filter also has the advantage that the amount of
diverted water can be easily dosed.
[0023] For a device with a container, in which there are electrodes
immersed in the water to be heated or evaporated, preferably a
measurement device for the power consumption of the electrodes can
be provided, which controls the amount of diverted water and the
amount of water to be cleaned and/or filtered for increasing
conductivity of the water in the sense that a variable amount of
water can be diverted discontinuously or continuously. If the
amount of water in the container decreases due to evaporation and
therefore the concentration of minerals in this water increases,
then the conductivity rises. This measure of the increasing
conductivity can preferably be used to divert and to clean more
water accordingly and also to increase the supply of fresh water
accordingly.
[0024] Here, the inlet into the branch line can be arranged within
the container underneath the electrodes and above the inlet for the
refilling water and can have a protective filter on its inlet or in
front of its inlet. Thus, impurities that could damage the pump can
be kept away from the pump.
[0025] For a device with a heating rod, resistance heater, or a
heating coil immersed in the water to be evaporated, the container
can include level regulation via sensors for its fill height. In
this way, it can also be guaranteed that the amount of evaporated
water is replaced by a corresponding amount of fresh water.
[0026] The connection line from the mixing container to the
container housing the water to be evaporated can open into the
upper region or at the top side of the container and can have or
form a siphon. Thus, the reverse feed of the cleaned water and the
refilling of the fresh water can be performed at the greatest
possible distance to a branch line from the container, wherein the
siphon can prevent the generated vapor from escaping through the
return line and the mixing container.
[0027] The branch and an additional, preferably still provided
outlet from the heatable container can be arranged directed towards
different sides and spaced apart from each other approximately at
the same height. Thus, the container can also be emptied
occasionally via the outlet even when it is not in use.
[0028] Primarily in the combination of one or more of the
previously described features and measures, lime can be removed
from the container or steam cylinder immediately after its
formation or during the evaporation, in that the water of the
container is circulated in a closed external circuit, for example,
with a small pump with a pumping capacity of a few cubic
centimeters per second and is filtered in this external circuit, in
particular, mechanically. The lime collects in a filtering system
outside of the container and not in this container itself. In this
way, mechanical removal is possible, because the lime is separated
during the evaporation. The water without lime can be fed back to
the container together with fresh water, so that this method
maintains the necessary fill height practically constantly. Manual
cleaning of the container is not necessary, which reduces the
maintenance costs. Simultaneously, an increased service life is
produced for the container and all of the parts coming in contact
with the water, because the wear is reduced.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] Embodiments of the invention are described in more detail
below with reference to the drawings. Shown in schematic
representation are:
[0030] FIG. 1 is a view of a device according to the invention for
humidifying air with water vapor from a container, which can be
heated electrically by means of electrodes and from which a portion
of the water is diverted during the evaporation and is fed to a
separator or filter in an external circuit and is fed back to the
container after being cleaned together with fresh water, wherein a
measurement device for the power consumption of the electrodes is
provided for controlling the amount of diverted water and the
amount of supplied, fresh water, and
[0031] FIG. 2 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1, in which a
resistance heater is provided as an electric heating system for the
water in the container and a level regulator is provided for
controlling the amount of diverted water and the amount of fresh
water fed into the container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] In the description of the embodiments below, parts that are
essentially identical in function receive the same reference
symbols, even if they have different constructions.
[0033] A device designated as a whole with 1 is used for
humidifying air with water vapor and has primarily an electrically
heatable container 2 with an upper vapor outlet line 3. This
container 2 holds water 4, which is brought to a boil and is
evaporated with the help of the heating device, so that the vapor
can escape through the outlet line 3. In a way still to be
described, the container 2 also has a water inlet for refilling
fresh water according to the amount of evaporated water, wherein
the essential parts of this water inlet are a feed line 12 and a
supply inlet valve 5.
[0034] In both embodiments, an external circuit is provided with a
line 6, which leads to a separator or filter 7 arranged outside of
the container 2, with a return line 8 leading back into the
container 2 from this separator or filter, whereby this external
circuit is closed. In the line 6, a downwards slope for the flow of
water could be provided between the container 2 and separator or
filter 7, but in both embodiments, a conveying device constructed
as a pump 9, in particular, as a hose pump, is provided in this
line 6. The pump 9 draws a corresponding amount of boiling water
from the container 2 and feeds it to the separator or filter 7.
[0035] Thus, with both devices a portion can be diverted during the
evaporation from the water 4 to be boiled and evaporated, can be
cleaned and/or filtered through the separation of minerals or dry
residue or lime, and can then be fed back to the water to be boiled
and evaporated 4.
[0036] Here, one sees in both embodiments a collection container or
mixing container 11, into which opens, on one side, the return line
8 for the cleaned or filtered water and, on the other side, the
supply line 12 for the refilling water, between the separator or
filter 7 or a container 10 housing the separator or filter 7 and
the heatable container 2. A common line 13 leads from the
collection container 11, in which the filtered water and the fresh
water for refilling come together and are thus mixed, to the water
inlet 14 of the heated container 2.
[0037] The water diverted from the boiling water 4 via the line 6
with the help of the pump 9 can thus be led to the separator or
filter 7, wherein this diverted water is led from the branch 15,
which is located in the interior of the container 2, at a greater
height to a separator or filter 7 located higher than this branch
and is fed back into the heated container 2 after the cleaning or
filtering, for example, via gravity, wherein first, however, it is
led into the collection or mixing container 11, into which the
water for refilling is also filled via the supply line 12. The
filtered water and the water for refilling are thus combined in
this container 11 and therefore mixed and then introduced into the
heated container 2 via the common line 13.
[0038] In FIG. 1, an embodiment is shown, in which the device 1 is
provided with a container 2, in which electrodes 16 are provided
immersed in the water 4 to be heated and evaporated. The water 4
has sufficient conductivity to produce a current flow between the
two electrodes 16. Through evaporation of a portion of the water 4,
the concentration of the minerals and solids in the water 4
increases, so that its conductivity rises. Therefore, in the
current supply to the electrodes 16, a measurement device 17 is
provided for the power consumption of the electrodes 16, which
determines this increasing current flow for decreasing water level
in the container 2 and controls the amount of diverted water and
the amount of water to be cleaned and/or filtered for increasing
conductivity of the water 4 through control electronics 18 in the
sense that a greater amount of water can be diverted
discontinuously or continuously. Simultaneously, the control
electronics 18 can also change, for example, increase, the amount
of fresh water for refilling via the inlet valve 5 into the supply
line 12. Here, if the conductivity decreases too much, the control
electronics 18 can also temporarily decrease the amount of water 4
within the container 2 via an outlet valve 20 in the region of the
water inlet 14 or underneath this water inlet 14.
[0039] Here, the inlet into the branch line 6, that is, the actual
branch 15 is arranged within the container 2 underneath the
electrodes 16 and above the supply for the water for refilling,
that is, above the water inlet 14. Simultaneously, one sees a large
protective filter 21 at the inlet or before the inlet into the
branch 15.
[0040] The water to be cleaned and/or filtered can thus be diverted
from the boiling water 4 at a distance to the position, at which
the water for refilling and the cleaned or filtered water are
introduced into the container 2, wherein, in the embodiment
according to FIG. 1, the branch 15 is arranged at a distance above
the water inlet 14 accordingly.
[0041] The cleaned or filtered water and the fresh water are
refilled at the bottom at the lowest point in the container 2,
while the water to be cleaned and filtered is branched at a
distance above this water inlet 14 or the water inlet.
[0042] In the embodiment according to FIG. 2, the device 1 has a
resistance heater 26 immersed in the water 4 to be evaporated, so
that the conductivity of the water 4 plays no role.
[0043] Therefore, in this embodiment the container 2 has a level
regulator 22 for measuring a fill height using several sensors 23,
which can display, for example, a lowest, a middle, and a highest
fill height.
[0044] This level regulator or level controller 22 can interact, in
turn, with control electronics 18, which control the pump 9, an
inlet valve 5 in the supply line 12, and also an inlet valve 24
still to be described for the flushing of the filter 7, as well as
finally the outlet valve 20 of the container 2. Thus, the level
within the container 2 can be adapted to the generated amount of
steam and the resulting fluid loss via a corresponding opening and
closing of the valves 5, 20, and 24 and a corresponding increase or
decrease in the rotational speed of the pump 9.
[0045] Here, one sees in the embodiment according to FIG. 2 that
the common connection line 13 opens from the mixing container 11 to
the container 2 containing the water 4 to be evaporated in the
upper region or at the top side of this container 2 and has or
forms a siphon 24, which prevents water vapor from escaping through
this common line 13. The branch 15 and the outlet valve 20 for an
outlet from the heatable container 2 lie approximately at the same
height and are spaced apart from each other and directed towards
opposite sides.
[0046] In the two embodiments, it is possible that the separator or
filter 7 for cleaning the diverted water is flushed or cleaned
continuously or at time intervals, wherein flushing water fed
through a flushing line 25 is forced against the direction of flow
of the water to be cleaned by the separator or filter 7 and can be
drained through a separate outlet 27, as provided in both
embodiments, wherein the flushing fluid is guided in the direction
of the water to be cleaned and filtered into the separator or
filter 7 and the minerals or dry residue collected therein are
washed away over the top or side edge of the separator or filter 7
into the outlet 27. Here, one sees at the start of the flushing
line 15 the already mentioned inlet valve 24 for this filter
flushing. This can also be controlled by the control electronics
18.
[0047] For humidifying air with water vapor, water is brought to
boil and evaporates via the electric current. Minerals or dry
residue, in particular, lime, contained in the water 4, wherein
fresh water containing minerals and dry residue is also refilled
again approximately according to the amount of evaporated water.
Here, the minerals or dry residue, in particular, lime, is removed
from the container 2 containing the water 4 to be evaporated
immediately after the formation or during the evaporation. For this
purpose, the water of the container 2 is circulated in a closed
external circuit, for example, with a small pump 9. The circuit has
a line 6, the filter 7, and a return line 8, as well as a mixing
container 11, in which the fresh water enters via a line 12, so
that it is led back into the container 2 together with the cleaned
water via a common line 13. In this circuit, the water is filtered
mechanically and the separated lime collects outside of the
container 2, so that this has to be cleaned not at all or only very
rarely.
* * * * *