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WO2012141979A1 - Déshumidificateur à rapport de compression - Google Patents

Déshumidificateur à rapport de compression Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012141979A1
WO2012141979A1 PCT/US2012/032474 US2012032474W WO2012141979A1 WO 2012141979 A1 WO2012141979 A1 WO 2012141979A1 US 2012032474 W US2012032474 W US 2012032474W WO 2012141979 A1 WO2012141979 A1 WO 2012141979A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
air
expander
compressor
heat exchanger
air stream
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2012/032474
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Max Sherman
Iain Walker
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
University of California Berkeley
University of California San Diego UCSD
Original Assignee
University of California Berkeley
University of California San Diego UCSD
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by University of California Berkeley, University of California San Diego UCSD filed Critical University of California Berkeley
Publication of WO2012141979A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012141979A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F5/00—Air-conditioning systems or apparatus not covered by F24F1/00 or F24F3/00, e.g. using solar heat or combined with household units such as an oven or water heater
    • F24F5/0085—Systems using a compressed air circuit
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F3/00—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems
    • F24F3/12—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling
    • F24F3/14—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by humidification; by dehumidification

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a method and apparatus for dehumidification, and more particularly to an improved dehumidifler tha relies upon the psychrometric properties of compressed air to dehumidify indoor air to comfortable levels.
  • surface condensation can lead to stmctural degradation such as rotting wood and peeling paint. The effect of this degradation can be both stmctural and aesthetic.
  • surface condensation and high humidity can lead to mold growth on surfaces which presents negative health and durability consequences.
  • indoor humidity contributes to mold and mite growth in general posing significant health risks, particularly with sensitive populations, such as the asthmatic.
  • high indoor humidity is uncomfortable for occupants, often leading them to reduce thermostat setpoints to induce additional dehumidification from the cooling system,
  • Typical air conditioner systems use a refrigerant in a closed cycle.
  • the refrigerant gets cold and that cold is used to cool down the air via a heat exchanger.
  • CCD Compression-ratio Dehumidifier
  • compressing moist air can cause condensation of liquid water.
  • the liquid water can be removed and then the air re-expanded to provide dry, but not cooled, air.
  • This air cycle has been used in air conditioning systems by cooling the hot compressed air and then re-expanding it adiabatically. While this cycle works, it is far less energy efficient than conventional, refrigerant systems.
  • CRD is optimized for dehumidifieation and recovers the energy in the compressed air and thus has the potential to be a more energy efficient dehumidifieation system. It is an open cycle (i.e. there is no "working fluid” other than the air itself). Instead, a change in pressure (rather than temperature) is used to get the water out of the air. So the physical principles and the limitations are completely different from the standard approach.
  • a compressor and an expander are provided, disposed on a common shaft, which shaft is driver by a common motor.
  • high pressure air from the compressor is directed to a heat exchanger where it undergoes cooling.
  • This lower temperature, high pressure air steam is then directed to the expander where the energy of expansion is captured (in one embodiment by driving the turning of the blades of a turbine type expander), and returned to the system, contributing to the energy available for driving the common shaft, which in turn serves to reduce the power requirements placed on the common motor.
  • the cooling fluid of the heat exchanger can be pro vided by the exhaust from the expander.
  • the cooling fluid of the heat exchanger can be provided by a cooling tower, or depending upon its temperature, outdoor air.
  • the cooling fluid of the heat exchanger can be provided by cooled air from an associated air conditioning system.
  • Fig. I is a schematic of a CRD system according to one aspect of the invention.
  • the CRD unit is a stand-alone unit that takes in humid ambient air and produces warmed but dried air. This air can be used directly, for example, as a Direct Outdoor Air System.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic of an alternative embodiment of the invention in which an external source of cool or ambient air can be used to change the thermal properties of the outgoing air. This embodiment may be useful to eliminate the need for other air conditioning for example when the space requires a small amount of cooling.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic of yet another embodiment of the invention in which the CRD is fully integrated into a conventional HVAC system and thus allows maximum and independent control of both temperature and humidity.
  • the invention consists of a compression section (e.g. a compressor), an expansion section (e.g. an expander) and optional heat exchangers.
  • a compression section e.g. a compressor
  • an expansion section e.g. an expander
  • optional heat exchangers ambient air directed to the compression section is compressed to or past the point where moisture condenses. The condensed water is then drained away, and hot, dry high pressure air from the compressor section is directed to the expansion section.
  • the air need not be compressed all the way but close to the point of condensation, the heat exchanger cooling the compressed air stream to below its dew point such that moisture in the air condenses, the condensed water removed at the exchanger. Thereafter, in the expander the energy of compression is recovered.
  • the air can be passed through a final heat exchanger before it is delivered to an occupied space or to a standard HVAC system.
  • the compression section and expansion sections may be integrated or separate. They are shown as separate but linked in Fig. 1, but this is not intended to be restrictive. Both the compressor and expander shown in the figure are depicted as being single-stage, but they could also be multistage.
  • the CRD system can comprise in its major components a motor 102, a compressor 104, and an expander 106, all three components on a common shaft 108, such that the energy recovered in the expander helps drive the compressor, thus reducing the energy required to run motor 104,
  • optional heat exchanger 1 10 is used as an external moisture separator.
  • the motor can be electric, a compressed air turbine or power take off from an internal combustion engine or turbine, and is used to drive compressor 104 via shaft 108.
  • the compressor and expander in addition to being turbines can comprise rotary epitrochoids or reciprocating devices. In the embodiment employing a rotary
  • the compressor and expander are combined in a single device, in one housing (thereby making the CRD smaller), and includes a central eccentric rotor to pump air. Air enters the compression chamber, is compressed and then exits the chamber to the external moisture separator. It is then returned via an inlet of the expansion chamber where it expands before leaving the epitrochoid device.
  • humid air enters the CRD at inlet 112 to compressor 104.
  • the humid air is adiabatically compressed at compressor 104, and leaves the compressor at a higher temperature and pressure via conduit 114, the compressed air close to or at saturation (i.e., the air is close to or at 100% relative humidity).
  • the hot, high pressure air is carried by conduit 1 14 to heat exchanger 110 which cools the air below its dew point, and the moisture extracted from heat exchanger 110 removed via drain 116.
  • Warm high pressure air leaving heat exchanger 1 10 via conduit 118 is transported to expander 106 where it is adiabatically expanded. The energy of compression recovered during expansion is returned to drive shaft 108, thus reducing the load on motor 102.
  • cool dry air exiting expander 106 is directed via conduit 120 to heat exchanger 1 10 where it is used to cool the incoming hot, high pressure entering via conduit 1 14.
  • warm dry air leaves heat exchanger 1 10 via conduit 122, where it can be discharged into an environment,
  • the CRD system 200 comprises in its major components a motor 202, a compressor 204, and an expander 206, all three components on a common shaft 208, such that the energy recovered in the expander helps drive the compressor, thus reducing the energy required from the motor to drive compressor 204.
  • the motor 202 driving common shaft 208 can he electric, a compressed air turbine or a power take off from an internal combustion engine or turbine, rotary epitrochoid, and the like.
  • Heat exchanger 210 is used to aid in moisture removal.
  • humid air to be dried enters system 200 at compressor 204 via inlet 212.
  • the air is adiabaticaily compressed and leaves compressor 204 at higher temperature and pressure via conduit 214 at or close to saturation.
  • the hot high pressure air enters heat exchanger 210 where it is cooled to below its dewpoint and the moisture extracted from the heat exchanger via drain 216.
  • Heat exchanger 210 is cooled by a working fluid (commonly air from outside the system or a cooling fluid such as water from a cooling tower) directed to heat exchanger 210 via conduit 224, the working fluid entering at a lo temperature and leaving at a high temperature via conduit 222.
  • a working fluid commonly air from outside the system or a cooling fluid such as water from a cooling tower
  • the warm high pressure air leaving heat heat exchanger 210 is directed to expander 206 via conduit 218.
  • the warm high pressure air undergoes adiabatic expansion, the energy recovered from expansion used to drive shaft 208, thus reducing the load on motor 202.
  • cool dry air leaves expander 206 via conduit 220 where it can be directed to condition an enclosed space
  • treated air can be delivered cooler than in the embodiment of Fig. 1.
  • different applications may desire different air delivery temperatures, which differences can be addressed by variations in CRD system set up such as illustrated in Fig. 2, this variation being just one of several alternati ve embodiments.
  • CRD system 300 is integrated with an existing or to be installed air conditioning system to dehumidifv outdoor supply air.
  • the system includes a motor 302, a compressor 304, and an expander 306, all on a common shaft 308, such that the energy recovered in the expander serves to help drive the compressor, thus reducing the energy required for common motor 304.
  • This system in turn is connected to the components of an air conditioning (AC) system, as further described below,
  • the motor 304 driving common shaft 308 can be electric, a compressed air turbine or a power take off from an internal combustion engine or turbine,
  • Humid outdoor supply air enters the system through intake 332.
  • Valve 334 is used to adjust the fraction of outdoor air tha t is fed to the dehumidification system via inlet 312, or directly into the return air stream 346 of the AC system.
  • Air to be dehumidified enters the CRD system at inlet 312 leading to compressor 304.
  • humid air is adiabatically compressed and leaves the compressor at a high temperature and pressure via conduit 314 at or close to saturation.
  • This hot, high pressure air is fed into a heat exchanger 310 where it is cooled below its dewpoint and the moisture taken off from the heat exchanger at drain 316.
  • air from the air conditioning system is used as the cooling medium.
  • Warm high pressure air leaves heat exchanger 310 via conduit 318 and enters the expander 306.
  • the warm high pressure air is adiabatically expanded in expander 306, energy recovered in the expansion process helping to drive common shaft 308.
  • Concurrently cold, dry air leaving expander 306 via outlet 320 is delivered to the air conditioning system at a preselected point along transport conduit 350.
  • Moisture at cold coil 348 may be removed via drain line 352.
  • cooler air can be mixed with cold dry air from the CRD system (introduced via transport line 320) to produce cool air at a controlled humidity.
  • the CRD reduces the need for cold coil 348 to be so cold as to be able to remove humidity itself. This reduces the cooling energy requirements of coil working fluid 352.
  • the combined cool dryer air and cool controlled humidity air pass through blower 354 and then on to heat exchanger 310 via transport conduit 356.
  • Warmer, controlled humidity air leaves heat exchanger 310 via conduit 358, where it can then be introduced into heat exchanger 360.
  • the delivered temperature of the supply air in conduit 362 is controlled by hot heat exchanger 360, heated by a working fluid 364, such as water or phase change refrigerant, to achieve the desired delivered air conditions.
  • the energy used to reheat the air in the heat exchanger 360 is reduced compared to a non CRD system because the entering air is at a higher temperature than if cold heat exchanger 348 had been used to cool the air to the temperature required for the desired humidity level.
  • supply air leaves the system via transport conduit 362 at the desired controlled humidity and temperature.
  • the temperature/ humidity of the exiting air can be modified (e.g., cooling the compressed air with outdoor air means that the re-expanded air will be colder and dryer, leading to low sensible heat ratio (SHR) cooling— albeit at an efficiency cost).
  • SHR sensible heat ratio
  • the efficiency loss is made up for by eliminating the conventional air conditioner completely.
  • heat is added from a solar thermal device, it could be possible to make the CRD operate and mn like a sterling engine as a Zero Energy Dehumidifier (ZED).
  • ZED Zero Energy Dehumidifier
  • the CRD system of this invention can easily be integrated with home ventilation systems. It can dehumidify outside air before it is supplied to the home (requiring less energy to dehumidify high humidity air in hot humid climates) or connected to a heat recovery ventilator such that air leaving a home can be used to cool the hot compressed air of the CRD.
  • Compression Ratio dehumidification technology addresses a growing concern as energy efficiency standards became broadly adopted nationwide. These standards reduce the allowable amounts of energy which may be used to control indoor temperatures. While this approach reduces energy use by lowering an HVAC unit's heating or cooling load, it removes a natural source of dehumidification. As a result, buildings have seen a rise in moisture, which leads to mold growth, water damage, personal discomfort and/or health problems. Building occupants and owners will want to address moisture issues with an energy efficient technology such as CRD,
  • the compression ratio dehumidifier takes a completely different approach to removing moisture from air.
  • the key to its potential for high performance is the recovery of the pressure used to force the moisture out of the air. If this can be reco vered with any reasonable efficiency, then the only power requirements are those to move the air. Thus there are substantial potential savings in operating costs,
  • the CRD system of this invention does not require market restructuring. It can be designed to function the same way as existing dehumidifiers in that it can be designed to run on standard 120 V household power, can be of similar dimensions and weight to existing systems, and can be distributed and sold through existing channels. It can also be rated using the same metrics and test methods as existing dehumidifiers; important because the same rating methods that currently exist, such as ENERGY STAR labels can be applied. Further, there are no regulator ⁇ ' barriers to the introduction of this technology, though regulations requiring better performance from dehumidifiers may accelerate market acceptability and desirability. The environmental issues are substantially less than the current state-of-the-art refrigerant-and desiccant-based systems because no chemicals are required for operation, In addition, production should be straightforward because the technology uses existing manufacturing processes.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Sustainable Development (AREA)
  • Drying Of Gases (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur un déshumidificateur perfectionné permettant d'obtenir une approche plus économe en énergie pour la déshumidification des immeubles, qui repose sur les propriétés psychométriques de l'air comprimé. Avec un compresseur et un détendeur montés sur un arbre commun, un moteur accouplé à l'arbre est utilisé pour entraîner le compresseur. L'humidité est éliminée de l'air comprimé adiabatiquement à un point de saturation ou à proximité de ce point, et l'air déshydraté est renvoyé au détendeur, l'énergie du courant d'air comprimé étant utilisée pour contribuer à entraîner le compresseur, réduisant ainsi la charge énergétique exercée sur le moteur.
PCT/US2012/032474 2011-04-13 2012-04-06 Déshumidificateur à rapport de compression Ceased WO2012141979A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201161475166P 2011-04-13 2011-04-13
US61/475,166 2011-04-13

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2012141979A1 true WO2012141979A1 (fr) 2012-10-18

Family

ID=47009648

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2012/032474 Ceased WO2012141979A1 (fr) 2011-04-13 2012-04-06 Déshumidificateur à rapport de compression

Country Status (1)

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WO (1) WO2012141979A1 (fr)

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3919837A (en) * 1974-03-07 1975-11-18 Sterling Drug Inc Method and apparatus for startup of a wet air oxidation unit provided with rotating air compressors driven by rotating expanders
US5410998A (en) * 1991-05-21 1995-05-02 Paul; Marius A. Continuous external heat engine
US5947694A (en) * 1997-02-25 1999-09-07 Varian, Inc. Scroll-type vacuum pumping apparatus
US6672063B1 (en) * 2002-09-25 2004-01-06 Richard Alan Proeschel Reciprocating hot air bottom cycle engine
US20060236715A1 (en) * 2003-12-09 2006-10-26 Isao Nikai Air conditioning system
US20080272598A1 (en) * 2007-01-25 2008-11-06 Michael Nakhamkin Power augmentation of combustion turbines with compressed air energy storage and additional expander
US20100064697A1 (en) * 2006-12-01 2010-03-18 Holger Sedlak Heat Pump Comprising a Cooling Mode

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3919837A (en) * 1974-03-07 1975-11-18 Sterling Drug Inc Method and apparatus for startup of a wet air oxidation unit provided with rotating air compressors driven by rotating expanders
US5410998A (en) * 1991-05-21 1995-05-02 Paul; Marius A. Continuous external heat engine
US5947694A (en) * 1997-02-25 1999-09-07 Varian, Inc. Scroll-type vacuum pumping apparatus
US6672063B1 (en) * 2002-09-25 2004-01-06 Richard Alan Proeschel Reciprocating hot air bottom cycle engine
US20060236715A1 (en) * 2003-12-09 2006-10-26 Isao Nikai Air conditioning system
US20100064697A1 (en) * 2006-12-01 2010-03-18 Holger Sedlak Heat Pump Comprising a Cooling Mode
US20080272598A1 (en) * 2007-01-25 2008-11-06 Michael Nakhamkin Power augmentation of combustion turbines with compressed air energy storage and additional expander

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