초록 ▼

A hybrid air conditioning system which simultaneously dehumidifies and cools air using standard vapor-compression equipment and aqueous solutions of liquid desiccant. By using a circulating liquid desiccant and an adiabatic humidifier, a more efficient refrigerant cycle is utilized. Moreover, condit

A hybrid air conditioning system which simultaneously dehumidifies and cools air using standard vapor-compression equipment and aqueous solutions of liquid desiccant. By using a circulating liquid desiccant and an adiabatic humidifier, a more efficient refrigerant cycle is utilized. Moreover, conditioned air can be delivered at the same temperature and absolute humidity as conventional vapor-compression systems but without overworking the compressor.

대표청구항 ▼

A hybrid air conditioning system comprising: a refrigerant; a liquid desiccant; an evaporator for receiving liquid desiccant, refrigerant, and warm moist air, and for expelling liquid desiccant, refrigerant, and cool dry air; an evaporator housing having a first and second opening defining a horizon

A hybrid air conditioning system comprising: a refrigerant; a liquid desiccant; an evaporator for receiving liquid desiccant, refrigerant, and warm moist air, and for expelling liquid desiccant, refrigerant, and cool dry air; an evaporator housing having a first and second opening defining a horizontal evaporator air flow path through said evaporator; a first fan mechanism placed within said evaporator air flow path near said second opening for horizontally drawing warm moist air into the evaporator at said first opening and for horizontally drawing cool dry air from the evaporator at said second opening; a first entrainment separator configured within said evaporator air flow path near said second opening, said first entrainment separator having means for separating liquid desiccant from air within said evaporator air flow path; a humidifier configured within said evaporator air flow path between said first entrainment separator and said first fan mechanism, said humidifier having means for adding moisture to air within the horizontal evaporator air flow path; a condenser for receiving liquid desiccant, refrigerant, and dry air, and for expelling liquid desiccant, refrigerant, and hot moist air; a condenser housing having a first and second opening defining a horizontal condenser air flow path through said condenser; a second fan mechanism placed within said condenser air flow path near said second opening for horizontally drawing dry air into the condenser at said first opening and for horizontally drawing hot moist air from the condenser at said second opening; a second entrainment separator configured within said condenser air flow path near said condenser, said second entrainment separator having means for separating liquid desiccant from air within said condenser air flow path; each of said evaporator and condenser having a heat and mass exchanger comprising: (I) a plurality of horizontally extending refrigerant tubes extending the length of said condenser or evaporator through which refrigerant is circulated; (II) a plurality of substantially planar fins extending the height of said condenser or evaporator, the planar surface of each fin being perpendicularly traversed by said plurality of refrigerant tubes; (III) a horizontal air flow path extending perpendicular to said horizontally extending refrigerant tubes and along the planar surface of each said planar fin; (IV) a distribution media configured above said refrigerant tubes and said fins for distributing said liquid desiccant vertically down and across the surface of said fins; (V) a sump configured below said refrigerant tubes and said fins for receiving downward flowing liquid desiccant; means for circulating said refrigerant within the horizontally extending refrigerant tubes and between said condenser and evaporator; and means for pumping said liquid desiccant within said evaporator and within said condenser and between the sump of said evaporator and the sump of said condenser.