Separation plates, heat pump systems, and methods of filtering condensate

Abstract

A separation plate for a heat pump system includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a body extending from the proximal end to the distal end, with the distal end being elevated relative the proximal end such that the body is sloped. A plurality of walls are formed across the body, and a plurality of contaminant traps are formed on each of the plurality of walls. The condensate passively flows from the distal end of the body to the proximal end of the body, such that the condensate flows over each of the plurality of contaminant traps formed on each of the plurality of walls.

1 . A separation plate for a heat pump system, said heat pump system comprising:
 a first heat exchanger that forms a condensate;   a second heat exchanger positioned opposite the first heat exchanger; and   a condensation pan positioned downstream of the first heat exchanger and fluidly coupled to the separation plate, the condensation pan configured to collect the condensate formed by the first heat exchanger; and   said separation plate comprising:
 a proximal end, a distal end, and a body extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the distal end being elevated relative the proximal end such that the body is sloped; 
 a plurality of walls formed across the body; and 
 a plurality of contaminant traps formed on each of the plurality of walls; 
   wherein the condensate passively flows from the distal end of the body to the proximal end of the body, such that the condensate flows over each of the plurality of contaminant traps formed on each of the plurality of walls.   
     
     
         2 . The separation plate of  claim 1 , wherein the body further includes a minimum level of condensate stored within the body. 
     
     
         3 . The separation plate of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of contaminant traps include perforations. 
     
     
         4 . The separation plate of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of contaminant traps include mesh screens. 
     
     
         5 . The separation plate of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of contaminant traps include filter media. 
     
     
         6 . The separation plate of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of contaminant traps include baffle chambers. 
     
     
         7 . The separation plate of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of contaminant traps include magnetic traps. 
     
     
         8 . The separation plate of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of walls includes a first wall including a first plurality of contaminant traps and a second wall including a second plurality of contaminant traps that are different from the first plurality of contaminant traps. 
     
     
         9 . A heat pump system comprising:
 a first heat exchanger that forms a condensate;   a second heat exchanger positioned opposite the first heat exchanger;   a compressor positioned between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger;   a condensation pan positioned downstream of the first heat exchanger, the condensation pan configured to collect the condensate formed by the first heat exchanger;   a filtration system fluidly coupled to the condensation pan to receive the condensate collected by the condensation pan, the filtration system further including a separation plate, the separation plate comprising:
 a proximal end, a distal end, and a body extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the distal end being elevated relative the proximal end such that the body is sloped; 
 a plurality of walls formed across the body; and 
 a plurality of contaminant traps formed on each of the plurality of walls; and 
   a distribution system fluidly coupled to the proximal end of the separation plate;   wherein the condensate passively flows from the distal end of the body to the proximal end of the body, such that the condensate flows over each of the plurality of contaminant traps formed on each of the plurality of walls.   
     
     
         10 . The heat pump system of  claim 9 , wherein the distal end of the separation plate fluidly couples the filtration system to the condensation pan. 
     
     
         11 . The heat pump system of  claim 9 , further comprising a humidification system fluidly coupled to the distribution system. 
     
     
         12 . The heat pump system of  claim 9 , further comprising a misting nozzle fluidly coupled to the distribution system. 
     
     
         13 . The heat pump system of  claim 9 , wherein the body of the separation plate further includes a minimum level of condensate stored within the body. 
     
     
         14 . The heat pump system of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of walls includes a first wall having a first plurality of contaminant traps and a second wall having a second plurality of contaminant traps that are of a different type from the first plurality of contaminant traps. 
     
     
         15 . The heat pump system of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of contaminant traps include perforations. 
     
     
         16 . The heat pump system of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of contaminant traps include mesh screens. 
     
     
         17 . The heat pump system of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of contaminant traps include filter media. 
     
     
         18 . A method of filtering contaminants from a condensate, the method comprising:
 initiating a heating or cooling cycle of a heat pump system including a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, a condensation pan positioned downstream of the first heat exchanger, a distribution system, and a filtration system positioned between the condensation pan and the distribution system;   collecting condensate formed by the first heat exchanger in the condensation pan;   transferring the condensate collected by the condensation pan to the filtration system;   passively passing the condensate through a plurality of contaminant traps formed on a separation plate of the filtration system; and   transferring a filtered condensate to the distribution system of the heat pump system.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of contaminant traps are formed on a sloped body of the separation plate of the filtration system and the method step of passively passing the condensate through the plurality of contaminant traps further involves passing the condensate across the sloped body of the separation plate via gravity. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising transferring the filtered condensate from the distribution system to a humidification system or misting nozzle.