초록 ▼

An air conditioning apparatus and method are disclosed. The apparatus includes a chemical dehumidifier which employs an aqueous hygroscopic solution of glycol and a solar energy collector for use in regenerating the solution. Air to be conditioned is circulated through a contactor of the chemical de

An air conditioning apparatus and method are disclosed. The apparatus includes a chemical dehumidifier which employs an aqueous hygroscopic solution of glycol and a solar energy collector for use in regenerating the solution. Air to be conditioned is circulated through a contactor of the chemical dehumidifier, in contact with cooled glycol solution. Concentrated hygroscopic glycol solution is circulated from a regenerator to the contactor, while dilute solution is circulated from the contactor to the regenerator. Energy from the solar collector is transferred to facilitate concentration thereof. In one disclosed embodiment energy from the solar collector is also transferred to the generator of heat-powered refrigeration apparatus, e.g., absorption or rankine engine driven refrigeration apparatus. The condenser of the refrigeration apparatus may operate to heat the glycol solution in the regenerator of the dehumidifier and the evaporator may cool the concentrated glycol solution in the contactor and/or may supply chilled fluid to a heat exchanger for cooling the dehumidified air. In a modified embodiment, a diesel engine drives the refrigeration apparatus. Waste heat from the diesel engine either augments the solar energy for regenerating the glycol solution or regenerates desiccant from a second stage of dehumidification.

대표청구항 ▼

Apparatus for conditioning air comprising, in combination, a contactor, means for circulating air to be conditioned to said contactor in contact with a regenerated hygroscopic material, a regenerator for the hygroscopic material, means for circulating air to and through said regenerator in contact w

Apparatus for conditioning air comprising, in combination, a contactor, means for circulating air to be conditioned to said contactor in contact with a regenerated hygroscopic material, a regenerator for the hygroscopic material, means for circulating air to and through said regenerator in contact with hygroscopic material therein and then from said regenerator, an absorption refrigerator including a generator and an evaporator, a solar collector, means for transferring heat from said solar collector to said generator and to regenerate hygroscopic material in said regenerator whereby moisture from the spent hygroscopic material is removed by air circulated in contact therewith, and means for transferring heat of sorption developed in said contactor to the evaporator of said absorption refrigerator, and from thence to a heat sink.