SYSTEM AND METHOD OF WETTING ADIABATIC MATERIAL
A moisture recirculation system for evaporatively cooling air, the system including a moisture distribution arrangement which, in use, distributes moisture to an upper portion of moisture absorbent material; a trough disposed below the lower most portion of the moisture absorbent material for initially collecting moisture run-off; a sump in fluid communication with the trough for collecting and storing said run-off; and a pump in fluid communication with the sump which, in use, transfers moisture from the sump to the moisture absorbent material.
1 . A moisture recirculation system for evaporatively cooling air, the system including:
a moisture distribution arrangement which, in use, distributes moisture to an upper portion of moisture absorbent material;
a trough disposed below the lower most portion of the moisture absorbent material for initially collecting moisture run-off;
a sump in fluid communication with the trough for collecting and storing said run-off; and
a pump in fluid communication with the sump which, in use, transfers moisture from the sump to the moisture absorbent material.
2 . A moisture recirculation system according to claim 1 wherein the moisture transferred from the sump to the moisture absorbent material is effected by transferring moisture to the moisture distribution arrangement.
3 . A moisture recirculation system according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the volumetric moisture storage capacity of the sump is substantially less than the volumetric capacity of the trough.
4 . A moisture recirculation system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein an external source of make-up water is in fluid communication with the moisture recirculation system.
5 . A moisture recirculation system according to claim 4 wherein the supply of make-up water is controlled by a valve which is activated and deactivated in accordance with a control signal that is generated according to the moisture level in the sump.
6 . A water recirculation system according to either claim 4 or claim 5 wherein the make-up water is supplied directly to the moisture absorbent material.
7 . A moisture recirculation system according to claim 6 wherein the make-up water is supplied to the moisture distribution arrangement.
8 . A moisture recirculation system according to claim 5 wherein the control signal is generated by a float valve arrangement that monitors the moisture level in the sump to ensure that a positive head of moisture pressure is maintained at the pump intake.
9 . A moisture recirculation system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the sump includes a dump valve that, when activated, allows the egress of the contents of the sump for the purpose of emptying the sump of its moisture.
10 . A moisture recirculation system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the moisture is water.
11 . A moisture recirculation system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein additives are added to the moisture in order to improve the operation of the water recirculation system.
12 . A moisture recirculation system according to claim 11 wherein the additive includes an anti-microbial agent.
13 . A method of recirculating moisture for evaporatively cooling air including the steps of
applying moisture to an upper portion of a moisture absorbent material;
initially collecting moisture run-off in a trough disposed below the moisture absorbent material;
transferring run-off moisture from the trough to a sump for storage; and
transferring moisture from the sump to the moisture absorbent material.
14 . A method according to claim 13 including the step of supplying make-up moisture to the recirculating moisture by supplying moisture from an external source to the sump.
15 . A method according to claim 14 including the step of providing make-up moisture to the moisture absorbent material.
16 . A method according to any one of claim 13 , 14 or 15 including the step of activating a valve to supply make-up moisture to the recirculating moisture upon receipt of a control signal indicating a requirement for make-up moisture.
17 . A method according to claim 16 wherein the control signal is generated according to the moisture level in the sump which is generated to ensure that a minimum head of pressure is maintained at the intake of a pump that transfers moisture from the sump to the moisture absorbent material.
18 . A method according to any one of claims 13 to 17 wherein the moisture includes water.
19 . A method according to any one of claims 13 to 18 wherein the moisture includes additives to improve the operation of the water recirculation system.
20 . A method according to claim 19 wherein an anti-microbial agent is added to the moisture.