Section2: Testing
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Testing - Water Flow:
This test was meant to show the actual performance of the pump and nozzles when in operation and to compare that data to the performance rating given by the components. The pump has a rated capacity of 1 gpm (gallons per minute), the misting nozzle has a rated capacity of 2 gph (gallons per hour). It is necessary to see if the configuration set up for the transfer of water from the pump through the nozzles and into the device matches expected values based on performance ratings.
The test consisted of placing 10 nozzles into a tank of known volume with 10X2=20gph or 0.33gpm capacity. So, the pump has enough capacity to fill these nozzles. For the misting system, there are two mesh grid filters to hold the misting water. So basically, all malodor molecules are washed when they penetrate the filters. Meanwhile, these two mesh grid filters plus mist play other function role – dehumidify. Because, when intake air meet with mesh filters, water molecules (very tine) was absorbed by other large water molecules group, and vapor state change to liquor state as well. Then, this liquor droplet becomes bigger, finally, dropping into reservoir. This procedure is very similar with rain generation loop. My testing result indicates 80%~100% humidify intake air was dehumidified to 60~70% humidify (outtake air).
Testing – Odor Remove:
As with the odor remove test, this test was designed to measure the effective performance of the system vs. malodor materials such as pyrrole, pyridine etc.
The test env is listed as following:
1) one plastic box as misting system’s tank, the box size is: 2(W)X3(L)X2(H) feet. The reason I use a rather small plastic box as reaction tank, is to make the test env more tougher.
2) Malodor source is: 5 fish (3 pounds) and two pounds cabbage. I don’t owe a 3KW growroom . So I can just use other materials to simulate weed’s odor smell. Rotten fish and cabbage are emit same materials like the weeds’. The materials are Piperidine, Pyridine and Pyrrole. Actually, Marijuana’s skunk smell is very similar with rotten cabbage. The reason is: both of them contain same chemical materials – piperidine, pyridine and pyrrole. These 5 fish and 2 pound cabbage were put into a glass jar and exposing under sunlight for 8 hours and then let them rotten for 10 days. You can image how skunk they are. Based on RedPlate testing method (detail referred to #3section), the odor concentration is around 2~5ppm. For a marijuana odor concentration, it will never up to 0.5ppm. Normally 0.05ppm is very sensitive for human beings. When piperidine concentration is up to 5ppm, it will be very danger for people (you will go into a coma under the odor for 10~30sec).
3) Testing Method is called Red Plate method; A white soft pinewood plate oozing with Hydrochloric Acid. This white plate will become red when it met piperidine/pyridine/pyrrole air. More high concentration piperidine/pyridine/pyrrole, few time from white to red. There are 2 timers for evaluating odor remove performance; Timer#1 is the time for original odor source air’s Red Plate testing time, and Timer#2 is the time for exhausting air(via Misting system) Red Plate testing time. The #1 timer is 5~10 second, and #2 timer is 30 minutes (the white plate is still white). So, it prove the Misting Solution is very efficient for Piperidine odor remove.
4) Fan selection: Because it don’t need high static air pressure, we just install a normal vent fan as entire system’s ventilation fan. In my test, an adjustable fan was adopted (max 1000cfm, min 200cfm). If I want to air move slowly (take more time in the reaction tank), a smaller cfm was selected. It make whole world more easier.
Testing - Cooling:
A Canadian team give a detail misting/water Evaporative Cooling Theory, Design , construction and testing results. You can get more info from their websites.
Residential Evaporative Cooling - Project Testing
Results show that an approximate cooling rate of 7 degrees with an increase in relative humidity of 61%. Overall temperature and humidity change in a small room (approximate room volume 882 ft3) was 5~7 degrees cooling and 60~70% relative humidity. This was measured after the device was let run for approximately 50 minutes, increasing this time will lead to an overall increase in humidity and a decrease in temperature.
My testing Results (Section Conclusion)
1) Odor Control: Nearly 100%Odor Erasing (2PPM IN vs 0.00PPM OUT)
2) Cooling Testing: 5 Degree fall for a small room volume (882ft3)
3) Humidity Control: Keep Hum around 60~70%.
Finally, I will represent my design concept figures and testing pictures as end of this thread. The final product is still under Engineering Testing period, so it should be posted on next thread. Thanks!
P.S. Here are some photos and pics related to testing
http://www.icmag.com/gallery/data/50...pe_Nozzles.JPG
Misting system's Pipes&Nozzles(partial)
http://www.icmag.com/gallery/data/50...S_CTRLUNIT.JPG
Misting system's Pump&Control Unit, Black ABS box is Res.
http://www.icmag.com/gallery/data/50...stTestTank.JPG
The Testing Tank (Small Size)
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http://www.gardenscure.com/420/imagehosting/thum_4844546a34deec03d5.jpg[/img]
GrowRoom's Vent Demo Pic
The conception for Misting System (Odor Control)
