초록 ▼

A desiccant dehumidifier is provided in which a desiccant material is applied to a first end of a heat pipe heat exchanger. During the sorption phase, a supply air stream is exposed to the desiccant material on the first end of the heat pipe heat exchanger and a second air stream, which could be amb

A desiccant dehumidifier is provided in which a desiccant material is applied to a first end of a heat pipe heat exchanger. During the sorption phase, a supply air stream is exposed to the desiccant material on the first end of the heat pipe heat exchanger and a second air stream, which could be ambient atmosphere, is exposed to the second end of the heat pipe heat exchanger. The moisture from the supply air stream is transferred to the desiccant material. However, the heat pipe heat exchanger acts as a heat sink and adsorbs the heat generated by the moisture transfer and transfers it to the second end of the heat pipe heat exchanger. At the second end of the heat pipe heat exchanger, the heat is transferred to the second air stream. As a result, both the supply air stream and the desiccant material remain at a substantially constant temperature during the sorption phase. During the desorption phase, a heated air stream is exposed to the second end of the heat pipe heat exchanger, and a regeneration air stream is exposed to the first end of the heat pipe heat exchanger. The heat from the heated air stream is transferred to the heat pipe heat exchanger, and then from the heat pipe heat exchanger to the desiccant material. As a result, the surface vapor pressure of the desiccant material rises, and the moisture from the desiccant material is transferred to the regeneration air stream. In addition, in accordance with a further embodiment, after the heated air stream is cooled as it is transfers heat to the heat pipe heat exchanger, it is also used as the regeneration air stream.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A dehumidifier comprising:a supply air stream passage, a second air stream passage, a third air stream passage, and a heated air stream passage;a heat pipe heat exchanger having a first end and a second end, the first end of the heat pipe heat exchanger having a desiccant

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A dehumidifier comprising:a supply air stream passage, a second air stream passage, a third air stream passage, and a heated air stream passage;a heat pipe heat exchanger having a first end and a second end, the first end of the heat pipe heat exchanger having a desiccant material applied thereon;a drive mechanism coupled to the heat pipe heat exchanger, the supply air stream passage, the second air stream passage, the third air stream passage, and the heated air stream passage, the drive mechanism operating, during a sorption process, to expose the first end of the heat pipe heat exchanger to the supply air stream passage and the second end of the heat pipe heat exchanger to the second air stream passage, and operating, during a desorption process, to expose the first end of the heat pipe heat exchanger to the third air stream passage and the second end of the heat pipe heat exchanger to the heated air stream passage. [18.] An adiabatic desiccant humidification process, comprising the steps of:performing a sorption process by applying a supply air stream to a first, desiccant coated end of a heat pipe heat exchanger while applying a second air stream to a second end of the heat pipe heat exchanger to dehumidify the supply air stream while maintaining a substantially constant supply air stream temperature;performing a desorption process by applying a heated air stream to the second end of the heat pipe heat exchanger while applying a regeneration air stream to the first end of the heat pipe heat exchanger in order to maintain a temperature of the desiccant on the first end of the heat pipe heat exchanger at a substantially constant temperature. The adiabatic desiccant humidification process of claim 18, further comprising the step of heating the heated air stream to a temperature in a range of 50.degree. F. to 150.degree. F. prior to applying the heated air stream to the second end of the heat pipe heat exchanger.