Methods and systems for desiccant air conditioning
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
F25D-023/00
F24F-003/14
H01L-031/042
H01L-031/052
B01D-053/26
출원번호
US-0115745
(2011-05-25)
등록번호
US-9243810
(2016-01-26)
발명자
/ 주소
Vandermeulen, Peter F.
Hanoka, Jack I.
출원인 / 주소
7AC Technologies
대리인 / 주소
Vallabh, Rajesh
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
4인용 특허 :
103
초록▼
A desiccant air conditioning system treats an air stream entering a building space. The system includes a conditioner having multiple structures arranged in a substantially vertical orientation, each having at least one surface across which a liquid desiccant can flow. The air stream flows through o
A desiccant air conditioning system treats an air stream entering a building space. The system includes a conditioner having multiple structures arranged in a substantially vertical orientation, each having at least one surface across which a liquid desiccant can flow. The air stream flows through or between the structures such that the liquid desiccant dehumidifies the air stream in a warm weather operation mode and humidifies the air stream in a cold weather operation mode. Each structure further includes a desiccant collector at a lower end of the at least one surface for collecting liquid desiccant that has flowed across the at least one surface of the structure. A regenerator receives liquid desiccant from the desiccant collectors in the conditioner and causes the liquid desiccant to desorb water in the warm weather operation mode and to absorb water in the cold weather operation mode.
대표청구항▼
1. A desiccant air conditioning system operable in a warm weather operation mode and/or a cold weather operation mode for treating an air stream entering a building space, comprising: a conditioner including a plurality of structures arranged in a substantially vertical orientation, said structures
1. A desiccant air conditioning system operable in a warm weather operation mode and/or a cold weather operation mode for treating an air stream entering a building space, comprising: a conditioner including a plurality of structures arranged in a substantially vertical orientation, said structures being spaced apart from each other with an air stream gap between each pair of adjacent structures, each structure having at least one outer surface facing an air stream gap across which a liquid desiccant can flow, wherein the air stream flows through the air stream gaps between the structures such that the liquid desiccant dehumidifies the air stream in the warm weather operation mode and humidifies the air stream in the cold weather operation mode, each structure further includes a separate desiccant collector at a lower end of the at least one outer surface for collecting liquid desiccant that has flowed across the at least one outer surface of the structure, said desiccant collectors being spaced apart from each other to permit airflow therebetween;a regenerator connected to the conditioner for receiving liquid desiccant from the desiccant collectors in the conditioner, said regenerator causing the liquid desiccant to desorb water in the warm weather operation mode and to absorb water in the cold weather operation mode;an apparatus for moving the air stream through the conditioner; andan apparatus for circulating the liquid desiccant through the conditioner and regenerator. 2. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 1, further comprising a cold source for cooling the liquid desiccant to be used in the conditioner in the warm weather operation mode and a heat source for heating the liquid desiccant in the cold weather operation mode. 3. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of structures includes a passage through which heat transfer fluid can flow, and further comprising a cold source for cooling the heat transfer fluid in the warm weather operation mode and a heat source for heating the heat transfer fluid in the cold weather operation mode. 4. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 3, wherein the liquid desiccant and the heat transfer fluid flow in generally opposite directions in the conditioner. 5. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of structures are secured within the conditioner in a way that permits the structures to freely expand or contract in a direction that is generally parallel to the thermal gradient to alleviate thermal-induced stress on the structures. 6. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 1, further comprising a sheet of material positioned proximate to the at least one outer surface of each structure between the liquid desiccant and the air stream, said sheet of material guiding the liquid desiccant into a desiccant collector and permitting transfer of water vapor between the liquid desiccant and the air stream. 7. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 6, wherein the surface tension of the liquid desiccant and properties of the sheet of material facilitate transfer of the liquid desiccant to a desiccant collector. 8. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 6, wherein in each structure, a lower edge of the sheet of material is not fixedly connected to a lower portion of the structure to reduce pressure buildup of liquid desiccant. 9. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 6, wherein the sheet of material comprises a membrane or a hydrophilic material. 10. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 6, wherein the sheet of material comprises a hydrophobic micro-porous membrane. 11. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 6, wherein the sheet of material comprises a layer of hydrophobic material and a layer of hydrophilic material between the hydrophobic material and the at least one outer surface of the structure. 12. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 6, wherein each structure includes two opposite outer surfaces across which the liquid desiccant can flow, and wherein a sheet of material covers the liquid desiccant on each opposite outer surface, each sheet of material comprising an outer layer of a hydrophobic material and an inner layer of hydrophilic material, said inner layer facing one of the outer surfaces of the structure. 13. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 12, wherein each structure includes an internal passage through which a heat transfer fluid can flow for transfer of heat between the heat transfer fluid and the liquid desiccant or the air stream. 14. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 6, further comprising one or more vent holes in the sheet of material of each structure to enable liquid desiccant to freely flow between the sheet of material and the at least one surface of the structure and inhibit vacuum lock. 15. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of structures comprises a plurality of plate assemblies arranged in a substantially vertical orientation and spaced apart to permit flow of the air stream between adjacent plate assemblies. 16. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 15, wherein each plate assembly includes a convoluted plate. 17. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of structures comprises a plurality of tubular members arranged in a substantially vertical orientation, at least some of which include an annular passage through which the liquid desiccant can flow and a central passage surrounded by the annular passage through which the air stream can flow. 18. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 1, further comprising a humidifier for humidifying the air stream treated by the conditioner in the cold weather operation mode, and further comprising a photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) module for heating water used in the humidifier and generating electrical power used in operating the desiccant air conditioning system. 19. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 1, further comprising a photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) module for pre-heating the air stream supplied to the building space in the cold weather operation mode and generating electrical power used in operating the desiccant air conditioning system. 20. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 1, further comprising an apparatus for causing turbulence in the air stream flowing between the structures in the conditioner. 21. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein each structure comprises a thermally conductive plastic material. 22. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the conditioner further comprises a post-treatment apparatus for heating the air stream treated by the structures in the cold weather operation mode or cooling the air stream treated by the structures in the warm weather operation mode. 23. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 1, further comprising a tank connected to the conditioner for storing the liquid desiccant used in the conditioner, wherein the liquid desiccant varies in concentration along the height of the tank, and further comprising a mechanism for drawing liquid desiccant from the tank at different selected heights of the tank in order to obtain liquid desiccant having a given concentration. 24. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the regenerator includes a plurality of structures arranged in a substantially vertical orientation, each structure having at least one surface across which the liquid desiccant can flow, wherein the air stream flows through or between the structures causing the liquid desiccant to desorb water in the warm weather operation mode and causing the liquid desiccant to absorb water in the cold weather operation mode, each structure further includes a desiccant collector at a lower end of the structure for collecting liquid desiccant that has flowed across the at least one surface of the structure. 25. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 24, further comprising a heat source for heating the liquid desiccant in the warm weather operation mode. 26. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 24, wherein each of the plurality of structures in the regenerator includes a passage through which heat transfer fluid can flow, and further comprising a heat source for heating the heat transfer fluid in the warm weather operation mode. 27. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 26, wherein the liquid desiccant and the heat transfer fluid flow in generally opposite directions in the regenerator. 28. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 24, wherein the plurality of structures are secured within the conditioner in a way that permits the structures to freely expand or contract in a direction that is generally parallel to the thermal gradient to alleviate thermal-induced stress on the structures. 29. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 24, further comprising a sheet of material positioned proximate to the at least one surface of each structure in the regenerator between the liquid desiccant and the air stream, said sheet of material guiding the liquid desiccant into a desiccant collector and permitting transfer of water vapor between the liquid desiccant and the air stream. 30. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 29, wherein the surface tension of the liquid desiccant and properties of the sheet of material facilitate transfer of the liquid desiccant to a desiccant collector. 31. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 29, wherein in each structure, a lower edge of the sheet of material is not fixedly connected to a lower portion of the structure to reduce pressure buildup of liquid desiccant. 32. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 29, wherein the sheet of material comprises a membrane or a hydrophilic material. 33. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 29, wherein the sheet of material comprises a hydrophobic micro-porous membrane. 34. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 29, wherein the sheet of material comprises a layer of hydrophobic material and a layer of hydrophilic material between the hydrophobic material and the at least one surface of the structure. 35. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 29, wherein each structure includes two opposite surfaces across which the liquid desiccant can flow, and wherein a sheet of material covers the liquid desiccant on each opposite surface, each sheet of material comprising an outer layer of a hydrophobic material and an inner layer of hydrophilic material. 36. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 35, wherein each structure includes an internal passage through which a heat transfer fluid can flow for transfer of heat between the heat transfer fluid and the liquid desiccant or the air stream. 37. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 29, further comprising one or more vent holes in the sheet of material for each structure to enable liquid desiccant to freely flow between the sheet of material and the at least one surface of the structure and inhibit vacuum lock. 38. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 24, wherein said plurality of structures in the regenerator comprises a plurality of plate assemblies arranged in a substantially vertical orientation and spaced apart to permit flow of the air stream between adjacent plate assemblies. 39. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 38, wherein each plate assembly includes a convoluted plate. 40. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 24, wherein the plurality of structures in the regenerator comprises a plurality of tubular members arranged in a substantially vertical orientation, at least some of which include an annular passage through which the liquid desiccant can flow and a central passage surrounded by the annular passage through which the air stream can flow. 41. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 24, wherein the regenerator further comprises pre-treatment coils for cooling the air stream entering the structures in the cold weather operation mode or heating the air stream treated by the structures in the warm weather operation mode. 42. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 24, further comprising a heat pump to transfer heat between the heat transfer fluid exiting the structures in the conditioner and the heat transfer fluid exiting the structures in the regenerator. 43. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 24, further comprising a heat pump to transfer heat between the liquid desiccant exiting the structures in the conditioner and the liquid desiccant exiting the structures in the regenerator. 44. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 24, wherein the plurality of structures in the conditioner or the regenerator comprises a plurality of sets of structures, said sets of structures being vertically stacked to further treat the air stream or being horizontally stacked to increase capacity of the desiccant air conditioning system. 45. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 1, further comprising a photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) module connected to the conditioner and the regenerator for heating liquid desiccant to be introduced in the regenerator in the warm weather operation mode and for heating liquid desiccant to be introduced in the conditioner in the cold weather operation mode, the photovoltaic thermal module also including one or more photovoltaic cells for generating electrical power used in operating the desiccant air conditioning system. 46. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the air stream entering the building space flows in a generally horizontal direction through the conditioner and a return air stream from the building space or outdoor air flows in a generally horizontal direction through the regenerator. 47. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the air stream entering the building space flows in a generally vertical direction through the conditioner and a return air stream from the building space or outdoor air flows in a generally vertical direction through the regenerator. 48. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the regenerator and the conditioner are physically separated to form a split air conditioning system. 49. The desiccant air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the system is installable in a vehicle.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (103)
Rousseau Jean L. I. (Redondo Beach CA), Adsorption air conditioner.
Davidson Alexander P. (Shipston-on-Stour GBX) Thomas Michael P. (Westmount CAX) Summers Steven W. (Radford Semele GBX) Cowieson David R. (Newton GBX) Williams Peter J. (Frodsham GBX), Composite membranes.
Scarlatti Francesco (Genoa ITX), Contactor, particularly a vapour exchanger for the control of the air hygrometric content, and a device for air handling.
Arthur S. Kesten ; Sunita Satyapal ; Jack N. Blechner ; Chung-yi A. Tsai ; Rebecca Jarvis, Dehumidification process and apparatus using collodion membrane.
Herencia, Ignacio Valor; Juarez Galan, Juan Manuel, Device for drying a gas, in particular air, application thereof to a device, and method for collecting a gas sample.
Fletcher ; James C. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space ; Administration ; with respect to an invention of ; Ingham ; J ohn D. ; Lawson ; Daniel D., Dual membrane, hollow fiber fuel cell and method of operating same.
Walker David H. (Winchester MA) Gold Harris (Lexington MA) McKinney ; III George W. (Chestnut Hill MA) McCoy ; III John F. (North Chelmsford MA) Yu Xiaohong (Boston MA), Gel-based vapor extractor and methods.
Peterson John L. (1203 W. Creek Loop Round Rock TX 78681) Howell John R. (3200 Kerby La. Austin TX 78703), Hybrid vapor-compression/liquid desiccant air conditioner.
Potnis Shailesh V. ; Gurley Kevin ; McKittrick Phillip T. ; Baumann Robert ; Rao Srikant Ram ; Laurent ; Jr. Robert L., Liquid desiccant air conditioner.
Bonne Ulrich (Hopkins MN) Deetz David W. (Wexford PA) Lai Juey H. (Burnsville MN) Odde David J. (Minneapolis MN) Zook J. David (Burnsville MN), Membrane dehumidification.
Filburn Thomas P. (Granby CT) Huddleston John C. (Poquonock CT) Killelea Dean A. (Winsted CT), Method for improving water transport and reducing shrinkage stress in membrane humidifying devices and membrane humidify.
Benoit Robert (3 rue de Moscou 91300 Massy FRX) Machefer Jacques (46 rue Vital 75016 Paris FRX) Mauvisseau Jacques (45 rue Ribera 75016 Paris FRX) Plurien Pierre (37 Parc d\Ardenay 91120 Palaiseau FR, Method of separation of a gas from a gas mixture.
Coker Thomas G. (Waltham MA) La Conti Anthony B. (Lynnfield MA), Production of halogens by electrolysis of alkali metal halides in a cell having catalytic electrodes bonded to the surfa.
Slayzak,Steven J.; Anderson,Ren S.; Judkoff,Ronald D.; Blake,Daniel M.; Vinzant,Todd B.; Ryan,Joseph P., Using liquid desiccant as a regenerable filter for capturing and deactivating contaminants.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.