FIELD
OF
THE
INVENTION
The
present
invention
in
general
relates
to
an
improved
system
of
humidification
for
fermentation
of
natural
products
like
tea,
tobacco,
medicinal
plants,
herbs
and/or
parts
thereof
particularly
continuous
fermentation
machine
(hereinafter
referred
to
as
CFM
at
places)
or
in
particular
Trough
(gumla)
or
Floor
which
eliminates
the
requirement
of
conventionally
used
mist
chamber
and
spot
humidifier
yet
provides
better
and
consistent
humidification.
The
invention
more
particularly
relates
to
a
humidification
system
for
fermentation
applied
in
tea
industry.
BACKGROUND
OF
THE
INVENTION
Humidification
process
in
the
tea
industry
is
required
for
the
fermentation
process
of
the
tea
leaves.
There
are
two
broad
types
of
humidification
processes
-
ambient
humidification
(wherein
the
ambience
is
humidified)
and
CFM
humidification
(wherein
humidification
is
specifically
provided
into
the
CFM
or
Continuous
Fermenting
Machine)
Traditionally,
the
CFM
humidification
process
comprises
of
a
conveyor
belt
over
a
set
of
hoppers.
Tea
leaves
fed
to
one
side
of
the
CFM
are
collected
from
its
other
side,
with
the
help
of
the
moving
conveyor
belt
which
carries
the
leaves;
while
the
humidified
air
from
the
CFM
hoppers
leads
to
the
fermentation
of
tea
over
the
length
of
the
CFM.
Conventionally,
mainly
two
components
are
required
for
creating
mist
in
this
CFM
humidification.
One
is
spot
humidifier,
which
is
a
fan
with
a
centrifugal
plate
in
front,
to
which
water
is
supplied.
Using
centrifugal
force,
the
water
droplets
are
pushed
out
of
the
centrifugal
plate
and
made
to
cover
a
certain
area
with
the
help
of
the
fan's
throw.
Spot
humidifiers
have
been
used
for
humidifying
both
the
ambient
surroundings
of
a
tea
processing
area
as
well
as
the
inside
of
CFMs,
through
installation
in
the
mist
chamber The
mist
chamber
is
a
form
of
an
enclosed
space
or
room
in
which
concentrated
mist
is
created,
with
an
outlet
provision
for
drawing
out
the
mist,
which
is
done
with
the
help
of
an
induced
draft
fan.
The
mist
is
created
with
the
help
of
multiple
Spot
Humidifiers.
The
mist
from
the
Mist
Chamber
is
carried
along
with
the
air
of
the
10
fan
through
an
elaborate
ducting
structure
to
the
inlet
duct
of
the
CFM,
from
which
the
mist
is
distributed
to
all
the
hoppers
of
the
CFM,
with
the
connecting
duct.
Presently,
blowing
nozzle
and
hot
air
drier
are
being
widely
used
for
creating
mist.
Apart
from
that,
moistening
chamber,
steaming
drum
and
pneumatic
pump
are
also
used
to
get
the
desired
humidity
level
of
the
air
which
eventually
leads
to
the
fermentation
of
tea
leaves.
But
the
humidification
arrangement
available
in
market
have
been
found
complicated
and
expensive
as
well
and
often
require
a
large
amount
of
space
for
humidification
process.
The
Mist
Chamber
is
itself
quite
a
big
setup
and
is
required
to
be
constructed
outside
the
factory.
Due
to
this,
the
length
of
the
connecting
duct
between
the
Mist
Chamber
and
CFM
also
increases
substantially.
This
excess
space
consumption
results
in
higher
expenditure
and
installation
time.
Moreover,
the
conventional
spot
humidifiers
produce
large
sized
mist
droplets,
and
with
the
long
connecting
duct
there
is
a
substantial
loss
during
the
transfer
of
humidified
air
resulting
in
lesser
humidification
inside
the
CFM.
Apart
from
that,
this
large
sized
conventional
humidification
machines
often
require
high
amount
of
power
consumption.
Extensive
research
is
on
for
a
considerable
period
of
time
to
reduce
the
aforesaid
problems,
however,
significant
developments
in
that
respect
is
far
from
being
achieved.
Accordingly,
there
was
a
long
felt
need
to
provide
an
improved
low
cost
humidification
arrangement
for
the
CFM,
which
incorporates
lesser
space,
more
energy
efficient
and
most
importantly
which
would
overcome
the
above-mentioned
problems
in
the
art.
The
present
invention
aims
at
overcoming
the
drawbacks
discussed
above It
is
the
principal
object
of
the
present
invention
to
provide
an
improved
humidification
system
for
CFM
machine
or
Trough
(gumla)
or
Floor
without
spot
humidifiers
and
mist
chambers.
It
is
further
object
of
the
present
invention
to
provide
an
improved
humidification
system
for
CFM
machine
or
Trough
(gumla)
or
Floor,
which
reduces
the
length
of
the
connecting
duct
required.
It
is
another
object
of
the
present
invention
to
provide
an
improved
humidification
system
for
CFM
machine
or
Trough
(gumla)
or
Floor,
which
required
less
installation
time
and
hence
cost
effective.
It
is
yet
another
object
of
the
present
invention
to
provide
an
improved
humidification
system
for
CFM
machine
or
Trough
(gumla)
or
Floor,
with
smaller
size
than
the
conventional
humidification
system.
It
is
further
object
of
the
present
invention
to
provide
an
improved
humidification
system
for
CFM
machine
or
Trough
(gumla)
or
Floor,
which
consumes
substantially
lesser
power
and
hence
more
energy
efficient.
It
is
another
object
of
the
present
invention
to
provide
an
improved
humidification
system,
in
which
the
relative
humidity
of
the
air
is
maintained
more
than
or
equal
to
90%
through
the
length
of
the
CFM
machine
or
Trough
(gumla)
or
Floor.
Yet
another
object
of
the
present
invention
is
to
provide
an
improved
humidification
system
for
CFM
machine
or
Trough
(gumla)
or
Floor,
where
water
is
utilized
in
its
optimum
level,
thereby
reducing
wastage
of
water
substantially An
improved
humidification
system
for
fermentation
comprising
of:
a
plurality
of
modules
/
chambers
for
humidification;
a
truncated
connecting
duct
(2)
with
or
without
mist
eliminator
attached
to
the
modules/chambers(l)
an
ID
fan
(3);
a
high
pressure
pump
(4)
connected
along
with
misting
nozzles
(5)
through
high
pressure
hose
(8),
and
fitting
accessories
wherein
the
mist,
which
is
produced
through
misting
nozzles
at
inlet
and/or
outlet
of
the
ID
fan
(3)
are
transferred
into
the
individual
modules/chambers
(1)
with
the
help
of
branch
duct
(6)
and
the
excess
mist,
is
condensed
at
the
connecting
duct
(2)
is
removed
through
a
condensate
drainage
(7).
BRIEF
DESCRIPTION
OF
THE
ACCOMPANYING
DRAWING
Fig
1
illustrates
a
humidification
system
having
mist
nozzles
at
the
outlet
of
ID
fan.
Fig
2
illustrates
a
humidification
system
having
mist
nozzles
at
the
inlet
of
ID
fan.
Fig
3
illustrates
a
humidification
system
having
mist
nozzles
at
the
inlet
and
outlet
of
ID
fan.
Fig
4
illustrates
preferred
embodiment
of
the
humidification
system
according
to
the
present
invention
used
for
floor
fermentation
of
tea
leaves.
Fig
5
illustrates
testing
arrangements
of
the
system
having
nozzle
sets
and
a
high
pressure
pump Humidification
system
according
to
the
present
invention
creates
mist
without
the
help
of
Mist
chambers
and
spot
humidifiers,
thereby
leading
to
reduction
in
length
of
the
connecting
duct
(2).
Cooling
and
humidification
process
is
widely
used
in
various
industries
such
as
tea
industry.
This
system
comprises
of
a
pump
along
with
misting
nozzles,
related
high
pressure
hose
and
fitting
accessories.
The
Outdoor
Cooling
and
Humidification
System
works
on
the
principle
of
Flash
Evaporation,
wherein
very
fine
sized
mist
is
created
which
evaporates
immediately,
thereby
leading
to
cooling
in
open
areas
and
humidification
in
more
closed
set-ups.
The
cooling
system
in
attachments
used
in
the
invention
for
humidification
in
CFM,
Trough
(Gumla)
and
floor
Figure
1
shows
a
side
view
of
the
preferred
embodiment
of
the
CFM
and
Trough,
in
which,
a
truncated
connecting
duct
(2)
is
attached
to
the
modules/chambers
(1).
The
mist,
which
is
produced
through
misting
nozzles
(5)
are
transferred
into
the
individual
modules/chambers
(1)
with
the
help
of
branch
duct
(6).
The
excess
mist,
which
is
condensed
at
the
connecting
duct
(2)
is
removed
through
a
condensate
drainage
(7).
The
arrangement
has
an
ID
fan
(3),
which
draws
in
the
ambient
air
to
allow
mixing
with
the
mist
produced
by
the
misting
nozzles
(5).
The
number
of
misting
nozzle
may
vary
depending
on
the
number
of
modules
/chambers.
For
example,
11
modules
CFM
may
have
10
numbers
of
nozzles.
These
nozzles
can
be
installed
together
or
can
be
grouped
separately
in
different
suitable
combination
for
better
misting
and
humidification.
A
flat
metal
or
ring
structure
is
used
to
mount
these
nozzles
(5)
to
the
system With
the
help
of
fine
mist
nozzles
(5)
and
high
pressure
pump
(4),
finer
sized
mist
is
produced,
which
travels
a
shorter
distance
of
the
duct
and
thereby
results
in
substantially
high
amount
of
humidification
in
the
modules/chambers.
This
results
in
better
fermentation
of
the
tea
leaves.
In
the
present
system
there
is
also
a
provision
of
mist
eliminator
inside
the
duct
that
removes
excess
moisture
before
mist
reaches
the
CFM,
Trough
(Gumla)
module.
High
pressure
pump
(4)
is
attached
to
the
misting
nozzle
(5)
through
a
high
pressure
hose
(8)
to
generate
required
amount
of
mist,
which
are
then
directly
fanned
into
the
modules/chambers
(1)
present
in
the
main
body
of
the
CFM
and
Trough.
This
high
pressure
pump
(4)
operates
at
least
70
bar
(or
1000
psi)
pressure
to
convert
water
into
mist,
which
comes
out
from
the
nozzles
(5).
The
fine
orifice
of
the
nozzles
(5)
is
the
main
reason
for
fineness
of
the
mist.
Figure
2
explains
the
arrangement
of
nozzles
(5)
at
the
inlet
of
ID
fan
to
obtain
the
desired
results
for
shorter
length
ducts.
Figure
3
explains
the
optional
arrangement
of
nozzles
(5)
at
the
inlet
and
outlet
of
ID
fan
for
optimization
in
obtaining
desired
results.
Figure
4
explains
preferred
embodiment
of
the
humidification
system
according
to
the
present
invention
used
for
floor
fermentation
of
tea
leaves.
The
effectiveness
and
uniqueness
of
the
present
invention
have
been
exemplified
in
the
following
example,
which
is
by
way
of
understanding
only
and
not
by
way
of
any
sort
of
limitation.
Example
and
Results:
Figure
5
shows
a
testing
arrangement
of
the
system
having
nozzle
sets
and
a
high
pressure
pump.
Figures
1,
2
&
3
show
how
the
nozzles
are
installed
on
the
duct. Here
ID
fan
is
used
as
shown
in
Figure
5,
which
attracts
air
to
the
system.
The
air
is
passed
through
the
arrangements
of
nozzles
creating
mist
to
obtain
desired
relative
humidity
level.
The
ambient
condition
plays
an
important
role
in
the
resultant
RH
(Relative
Humidity)
of
air.
RH
normally
goes
down
with
an
increase
in
temperature.
Operation
of
the
number
of
nozzles
is
based
on
the
ambient
RH
and
is
controlled
manually
and/or
through
sensors
and
instrumentation
etc.
After
sWitching
on
the
nozzle
set
of
the
system,
percentage
RH
is
found
to
be
at
the
desired
level
across
the
modules/chambers
on
any
day.
As
the
new
system
does
not
require
a
mist
chamber
and
a
overhead
ducting
length
is
sUbstantially
less,
a
lot
of
space
can
be
saved.
Figure
4
illustrates
another
embodiment
of
the
humidification
system
useful
in
floor
fermentation,
in
which
an
over-head
duct
(2)
is
used
for
distributing
the
humidified
air
created
through
the
misting
nozzles
(5).
Floor
fermentation
is
required
for
distribution
of
the
humidified
air
over
a
wide
area.
Within
this
over-head
duct
(2),
some
evenly
spaced
vents
(9)
are
installed,
through
which
the
humidified
air
is
distributed
for
the
spread
of
tea
leaves
across
the
floor.
Parameters
Ideal
With
Existing
With
Difference
Value
System
Improved
System
Energy
----------
4
HP
0.75
HP
Consumption
(for
6
nos.
of
Spot
(for
12
nozzle
81.25%
Humidifiers,
each
+
1
Pump
Energy
having
0.75
HP
of
system,
Pump
Saving
motor)
motor
=
0.75
HP)
240
liters
per
Hour
48
liters
per
Hour
Water
----------
(for
6
nos.
of
Spot
80
%
Water
Consumption
Humidifiers,
each
(for
12
nozzle
Saving
consumes
system,
each
40Itrs/hr)
nozzle Having
reviewed
the
performance
of
the
CFM
system
vis-a
vis
the
conventional
system,
it
is
concluded
that
the
improved
CFM
according
to
the
present
invention
provides
substantial
amount
of
water
savings.
The
following
table
gives
an
idea
of
power
savings
achieved
with
the
new
system The
improved
continuous
process
of
humidification
to
the
conventional
mist
chamber
process
takes
into
consideration
the
ambient
RH
levels
and
operation
of
the
number
of
nozzles
either
manually
and/or
through
sensors
and
instrumentation,
thereby
utilizing
only
the
required
quantity
of
water
needed
for
the
purpose
of
humidification.
The
process
for
humidification
of
tea
or
like
substances
is
conventional
where
the
novelty
lies
on
the
selection
of
condition
and
parameters
to
obtain
the
desired
results.
Therefore
the
essential
parameters
for
carrying
out
the
humidification
process
are
as
follows
to
maintain
the
desired
result.
a.
Pump
inlet
pressure:
1-7
kg/cm.cm
b.
Pump
outlet
pressure:
At
least
1000
psi
c.
Ambient
RH:
lesser
than
90%
d.
Water
quality:
Hardness
lesser
than
200
ppm
and
iron
lesser
than
1
ppm
e.
Tubing
and
hosing:
To
withstand
at
least
2000
psi
test
pressure
f.
Nozzles:
Standard
The
following
are
the
non-limiting
advantages
with
regard
to
economic
significance
of
the
present
invention:
1.
Better
humidification
inside
CFM/Trough
(Gumla)/Floor.
2.
No
requirement
for
mist
chamber,
thereby
saving
space,
installation
time
and
money.
3.
More
energy
efficient,
due
to
the
removal
of
spot
humidifiers.
4.
Lesser
water
consumption.
5.
Maintaince
cost
lesser.
6.
Option
of
mist
eliminator
in
the
duct
to
remove
excess
moisture.
The
present
invention
has
been
described
with
reference
to
some
drawings
and
preferred
embodiments,
purely
for
the
sake
of
understanding
and
not
by
way
of
any
limitation
and
the
present
invention
includes
all
legitimate
developments
within
the
slope
of
what
has
been
described
herein
before