Systems and Methods for Controlling Algal Growth in Air Conditioning Systems

Abstract

Systems and methods for controlling algal growth in a condensate drain line. In one embodiment a temperature value is acquired which is indicative of an ambient temperature about the drain line. One or more volumes of algaecide are calculated for injection one or more times per day into the drain line.

The claimed invention is: 
     
         1 . A method for controlling algal growth in a condensate drain line comprising:
 acquiring a temperature value indicative of an ambient temperature about the drain line; and   calculating a volume of algaecide for injection one or more times per day into the drain line.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein each injection is a volumetric calculated dose based on an acquired temperature value, the method further including providing one or more injections to reduce the rate of algal growth in the condensate drain line. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein multiple volumes of algaecide are injected into the drain during a one day period. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein multiple different volumes of algaecide are injected into the drain line during a one day period. 
     
     
         5 . A method for controlling algal growth in a condensate drain, comprising
 acquiring and storing temperature values over a series of time intervals;   determining a temperature value based on a combination of the stored temperature values; and   calculating a volumetric algaecide dose based on the combination of the stored temperature values.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further including injecting a plurality of the volumetric algaecide doses into the drain line during a one day period. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for controlling algal growth in a condensate drain line, comprising:
 a device providing temperature data for a location that is representative of an ambient temperature near the drain line;   a processing unit connected to receive the temperature data and configured to calculate doses of algaecide with the temperature data for injection into the drain line; and   a pumping system configured to inject variable doses of algaecide into the drain line wherein a dose volume is based on calculations by the processing unit.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the device measures an ambient temperature near the drain line. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the device comprises electronic interface circuitry through which temperature data is received into the processing unit, and where the temperature data is representative of ambient temperature about the drain line. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the electronic interface circuitry comprises electronics for receiving the temperature data from a remote source through the internet or a Wi-Fi link. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  where the remote source provides location specific temperature data based on postal codes, physical address information of other location information. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus for controlling algal growth in a condensate drain line, comprising:
 a processing unit connected to receive the temperature data from a device and configured to calculate doses of algaecide to individually inject doses into an air conditioning condensate drain line based on the temperature data; and   a pumping system configured to inject variable doses of algaecide into the drain line based on one or more dose calculations performed by the processing unit.   
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  where the pumping system is configured to inject variable doses of algaecide into the drain line. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  where the variable doses are determined by pump-on and pump-off durations.