초록 ▼

The present invention utilizes a membrane cartridge that removes water vapor or fluid from air that passes through the cartridge. The longer the air remains within the cartridge, the more fluid is removed from the air. Consequently, as the air becomes "drier", the dew point temperature of the air al

The present invention utilizes a membrane cartridge that removes water vapor or fluid from air that passes through the cartridge. The longer the air remains within the cartridge, the more fluid is removed from the air. Consequently, as the air becomes "drier", the dew point temperature of the air also falls. The present invention permits decreases in the flow rate and system pressure while providing dehumidified air with the desired dew point temperature. These decreases in pressure and flow rate result from increased elevation or system wear. The decrease in system pressure and flow rate increases the residence time of the air in the membrane cartridge. As a result, the dew point temperature of the dehumidified air remains stable because increased residence time increases the amount of fluid removed from the air, which tends to reduce the dew point temperature of the dehumidified air.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] A method for dehumidifying a pressurized air stream at different elevations and associated ambient air pressures, said method comprising the following steps:(a) pressurizing ambient air to produce a pressurized air stream;(b) passing said pressurized air stream through a membrane ca

[ I claim:] [1.] A method for dehumidifying a pressurized air stream at different elevations and associated ambient air pressures, said method comprising the following steps:(a) pressurizing ambient air to produce a pressurized air stream;(b) passing said pressurized air stream through a membrane cartridge to remove moisture and to produce a dehumidified air stream;(c) setting the flow rate through the membrane cartridge at a level at which dehumidified air has a dew point below a predetermined temperature;(d) linking the flow rate and the pressure into the membrane cartridge such that a change in the pressure into the membrane cartridge results in an inversely proportional change in the flow rate so that the dew point is maintained below the predetermined temperature regardless of the pressure into the cartridge membrane, said pressure into the cartridge membrane being dependent on the ambient air pressure.