System and method of wetting adiabatic material

Abstract

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.