Compressor-driven air quality systems, devices and working methods

Description

2

[0003] Assuch,theinventorshavefoundthereisaneedforamoreefficientsolutionto regulateairconditioningwithoutexcessiveenergyconsumptionandcontributionto greenhousegasemissions.Theinventorshavealsofoundthereexistsaneedforamore efficientairqualitymanagementsystemthatiscapableofconditioningincreasedvolumesof outdoorairtocomplywithASHRAEstandardswhilecombattingthecontinuousinfluxof5 moistairinhumidclimates.

[0004] Moreover,traditionalAHUsrequirelargeamountsofductworkandmaterialsto conditiontheairwithinbuildings(e.g.,hotels).Largerductsrequiremoreupfrontcostsand presentotherissuesincludingspacerestrictions,noiselevel,capacityforexpansion,and appearance.Theselargeductscanalsobelimitedbythesheetwidthsstockedbycontractors,10 andtheirjointscanbemoredifficulttoseal.Furthermore,theductscanrequireextrainsulation whenexternallywrappedtomaintainthetemperatureofthecirculatingair,andspecial attachmentpointsarerequiredtosecuretheductstoceilinglevelswithinbuildings.Assuch,therealsoexistsaneedforacompact,simplifiedsolutionthancanefficientlytreatand conditiontheairwithinsuchbuildings.15 SUMMARY

[0005] Toaddressthesechallenges,thepresentdisclosuredescribesanddetailsanairquality managementsystem(andmethod)thatrecyclesindoorairandreducesdependencyonoutdoor airintakebyusingacompressorsystem.Theproposedsysteminvolvesthefollowing principles:20 -AirRecycling:Insteadofrelyingsolelyonoutdoorair,thesystemrecyclesairfrom withintherooms,significantlyreducingthevolumeofairthatneedstobeconditioned. -CoolingandDehumidification:Therecycledairiscooledanddehumidifiedusingan advancedadsorptionsystem,whichefficientlyremovesexcessmoistureandCO2. -EnergyEfficiency:Byminimizingtheneedtoconditionoutdoorair,thesystem25 achievessubstantialenergysavings,loweringoperationalcostsandreducingthe environmentalimpact. BE2026 / 7044 3 -CompliancewithASHRAEStandards:Thesystemisdesignedtomeetorexceed ASHRAEventilationrequirements,ensuringoptimalindoorairqualitywithoutcompromisingenergyefficiency.

[0006] Thisinnovativeapproachdisclosedhereinnotonlyaddressesthehighenergy consumptionandinefficiencyoftraditionalAHUsbutalsoalignswithsustainabilitygoalsby5 reducingthecarbonfootprintofHVACoperationsinhotelsandsimilarestablishments.

[0007] Systemsandmethodsareprovidedforcirculatingairandcontrollingairqualityofan interiorlocation.Thesystemincludescompressorsystem,adesiccantsystem,andoneormore expansiondevices.Thecompressorsystemisconfiguredtoreceiveairfromtheinterior locationorfromanoutdoorlocationandfurtherconfiguredtocompresstheairandsupply10 compressedairthroughapipingnetworkconnectingthecompressorsystem,desiccantsystem, andexpansiondevices.Becausethecompressorsystemgeneratesheat,thecompressedairis suppliedtoacooler(e.g.,aftercooler)toreducethetemperatureofthecompressedair.A knockoutdrumcanalsobeprovidedandoperablyconnectedbetweenthecoolerandthe desiccantsystemtoreceivethecompressedairconfiguredtoseparateandremoveliquids15presentinthecompressedairfromthecooler.

[0008] Thedesiccantsystemreceivesthecompressedaire.g.,fromthecoolerandfunctionsto drytheairand / orremovepollutants(e.g.,CO2)fromtheair.Thedesiccantsystemcaninclude amulti-towerarrangementtoswitchbetweenoperatingtowersforadsorptionanddesorption. Eachtowermayincludeoneormoreadsorbentmaterials(e.g.,adsorbentbeads)toadsorb20 moistureand / orpollutantsfromthecompressedair.Thedesiccantmaterialinthesystemcan beadaptedtotheapplication.Forexample,thedesiccantmaterialcanbedesignedforCO2 captureorreservedforwatervaporcapture.Thedesiccantmaterialcanbeforoilvapor adsorption,and / oranyotheradsorbent,andanycombinationthereof.Themoistureand pollutantsthatareadsorbedinthedesiccantsystemcanbecapturedandfurtherstoredupon25 desorption.

[0009] Thedesiccantsystemcapturesandexpelsthemoistureandpollutantsfromthe desiccantsystemandsuppliestheregulatedair(e.g.,dry,andclean)tooneormorecompressed airexpansiondevices.Theoneormoreexpansiondevicesarearrangedbetweenthedesiccantsystemandtheinteriorlocationandareconfiguredtoreceivethecompressedairfromthe30 BE2026 / 7044 4 desiccantsystemandtoprovidetheregulatedairofatmospherelevelbacktotheinterior location.

[0010] Desiccantsystemscanbebasedonpressureswingortemperatureswingprinciples, e.g.,atowertobedesorbedisopenedtoatmosphere,avacuumpumpcanbeusedforpressure regulation,anelectricheatercanbeusedtoheatthetower,and / ortheheatofthecompression5 systemcanbeusedtoassistthedesiccantsystem.

[0011] Thecompressorsystemcanincludeafirstcompressorarrangedtocompresstheair receivedfromtheinteriorlocationandasecondcompressorarrangedtocompresstheair receivedfromanoutdoorlocation.Thefirstcompressorcanbeanoil-freeaircompressor; however,oneskilledintheartwillrecognizethatothertypesofcompressorsmaybeutilized10 dependingonsystemrequirements.

[0012] Becausethecompressedairistransferredthroughapipingnetwork,thesizeofthe systemismorecompact,andfewmaterialsarerequiredtotransfertheairthroughoutbuildings.Forexample,anexpansiondevicecanbelocatedproximallytotheinteriorlocationforlocal airexpansion.Alternatively,expansiondevicescanbelocateddistallyfromtheinterior15 locationand / orarrangedtoconnectthepipingnetworktopreexistingductworkofanHVAC system.Theairexpansionthroughvalve(s)oranyotherapparatuscanbecentral(e.g.,after thecompressorsystem)ordecentral(e.g.,perfloororroom).

[0013] Thesystemcanfurthercompriseacontrolsystem,orcontroller,havingatleastone sensorconfiguredtomeasureoneormorelevelsofCO2,humidity,temperature,andvolatile20 organiccompoundswithintheinteriorlocation.Insidetherooms / spacestherearesensors (CO2,humidity,temperature,and / orothers)tomeasureandmonitortheairqualitysituation. Thesemeasurementsareprocessedinacontrolsystemtoregulatethecompressorsystemto obtaincorrectCO2,humidity,temperature,andotherparameters.Thecontrolsystemcanalso measureoneormorelevelsoftheairqualityfromtheoutdoorlocationandautomaticallyadjust25theratioofrecycledcompressedairtofresh,outdoorairsuppliedtothecompressorsystem.

[0014] Inanembodiment,thesystemfurtherincludesatleastoneheatexchangerconfigured totransferheatgeneratedfromthecompressorsystemtooneormoreheatingimplementations. Suchisbeneficialforsanitarywaterapplication,andfurtherimprovestheenergyefficiencyof BE2026 / 7044 5 thesystembyusingtheheatgeneratedbythecompressorsysteminapracticalmanner.Other heatingimplementationsincludesanitarysystems,swimmingpools,orotherheatinguses.The atleastoneheatexchangercanbearrangedtotransferthegeneratedheatfromthecompressor systemtothedesiccantsystemforregeneratingdesiccantmaterialusedtodrytheairand / or removingpollutantsfromtheair.5

[0015] Afirstheatexchangermaybeoperablyconnectedbetweenthecompressorsystemand thedesiccantsystemandasecondheatexchangermaybeoperablyconnectedbetweenthe desiccantsystemandtheinteriorlocation.Additionally,thefirstheatexchangerandthesecondheatexchangerareoperablyconnectedandconfiguredtotransferheatbetweeneachotherand toeffectivelytransferthermalenergytodifferentlocationsofthesystem.10

[0016] Tofurtherpromoteenergyefficiencyandrecovery,atleastoneoftheoneormore compressedairexpansiondevicesisconnectedtoanelectricitygeneratorforrecoveringenergy generatedfromtheoneormorecompressorairexpansiondevices.Inthesimplestexecution, theexpansionofthecleanairhappenswitharestriction / valve;however,recoveringenergyby usingtheair-expanderconnectedtotheelectricgeneratorprovidesforamoreefficient15 solution.

[0017] Advantageously,thenetworkofductworkand / orpipesconnectingcomponentsofthe airqualitymanagementsystemisreducedinsizecomparedtothetraditionalAHUsbecause farlessairhastobecirculated.Thecompressorsystemutilizessmallcompressedairpipes, whicharesubstantiallysmallerincross-sectionalareacomparedtotraditionalductwork,e.g.,20 being1.5to50,5to25,6to15orgenerally8to10timessmallerincross-sectionalareacomparedtotraditionalductwork.Forexample,ductworkcross-sectionalareasintraditional, commercialHVACsystemscanrangefrom0.05to115squaremeters,e.g.,0.25to75square meters,0.5to50squaremeters,or1to10squaremeters.Accordingly,thedistributionofclean, regulatedairthroughoutthebuildingcanbedonewithamorecompactnetworkofpipes.The25 ductwork / pipesgoingtowardsthecompressorsystemcanbesignificantlyreducedinsize becausefarlessairiscirculated.Alternatively,existingductworkcanbeused.

[0018] Theproposedsystemfocussesoncompressingtheairgenerallynear,at,andpreferably above1barg.Theoneormorecompressorsofthecompressorsystemcanbeoilfree,oil lubricated,waterlubricated,orthelike.Thecompressorcanbepiston,screw,scroll,turbo,or30 BE2026 / 7044 6 thelike.Thecompressorcanalsobesinglestageormultistage.Thecompressorcanhave intercoolingbetweenthestagesornot.Inaparticularlypreferredembodiment,anoilfreeair compressorisprovided.Advantageously,thehightemperatureinthecompressor(orderofmagnitude180°C)eliminatesthebacteriaandviruses.

[0019] Theclean(pressurized)airafterthesystemcanbebroughttothedestinationwithsmall5 (pressurized)pipesandexpandedlocally.Thisreducedtheneedforlargeventilationducts. Alternatively,theclean(pressurized)aircanbeimmediatelyexpandedafterthesystemand injectedintoexistingductwork.Oracombinationofbothapproachesmaybeused.Theaircan betransferredtoindividualrooms,toanentirefloororinthegeneralductsystem,asthereis nolimitationonwheretobringthecleanairbackintothehotelorindoorenvironment.10

[0020] Thecompressor(s)canbecentralized(basement / roof),ordecentralized (floor / chamber).Thecompressor(s)canbefixedspeedorvariablespeed.Incasetherearetwo ormorecompressors,theamountofairintakefromtheroomsandtheamountoffreshairfrom outsidecanbeindividuallyadapted.Inembodimentshavingonecompressor,theamountof airfromoutsidewillbecontrolledbyarestriction / valvesystemtothesameinletofthe15 compressorthatistakinginairfromtherooms.Asolutionisprovidedtoallowtheintakeoffresh(outside)airintothecompressor.Thisistomakeuptheoxygenbalanceandcompensate forlossofairinthehotel.

[0021] Theseandotherfeatures,aspects,andadvantagesofthepresentdisclosurewillbecome betterunderstoodregardingthefollowingdescription,appendedclaims,andaccompanying20 drawings. BRIEFDESCRIPTIONOFTHEDRAWINGS

[0022] Thedrawingfiguresarenotnecessarilydrawntoscale,butinsteadaregenerally schematicanddrawntoprovideabetterunderstandingofthecomponentsthereof,andarenot intendedtobelimitinginscope,buttoprovideexemplaryillustrations.Thefiguresillustrate25 exemplaryconfigurationsofcompressedairsystems,devices,andmethods,andinnoway shouldbeconsideredtolimitthestructuresorconfigurationsaccordingtothepresent disclosure.

[0023] FIG.1isablockdiagramillustratinganairconditioningsystemofrelatedart. BE2026 / 7044 7

[0024] FIG.2isablockdiagramillustratingacompressor-driverairqualitysystemofthe presentdisclosure.

[0025] FIG.3illustratesablockdiagramofacompressorsystemfortheairqualitysystem.

[0026] FIG.4isablockdiagramofthecompressor-driverairqualitysystem.

[0027] FIG.5isablockdiagramofthecompressor-driverairqualitysystemwithaheat5 exchangertoextracthightemperatureheat.

[0028] FIG.6isablockdiagramofthecompressor-driverairqualitysystemwithaheat regenerateddesiccantsystem.

[0029] FIG.7isablockdiagramofthecompressor-driverairqualitysystemwithanexpander andcompressorheatrecovery.10

[0030] FIG.8isablockdiagramofthecompressor-driverairqualitysystemwithanexpander andcompressorheatrecovery. DEFINITIONS

[0031] Adescriptionofafewtermsisnecessaryforeaseofunderstandingthedisclosed embodimentsofthedisclosedmethodandsystemelements.15

[0032] Theterm“compressor”referstoamachineorsystemthatdrawslow-pressuregasfrom auxiliarystorageasrawinputandthenoutputshigh-pressuregasforstorageortofeedother processes.Theterms“compressor”and“compressorelements”arenotintendedtobelimiting inscopeandmayrefertopositivedisplacementcompressorsand / orturbocompressorsand / or individualcomponentsofcompressors.20

[0033] Theterm“computerstoragemedia”or“hardwarestoragedevice”referstophysical storagemediathatstorecomputer-executableinstructionsand / ordatastructures.Storage media,suchasadigitaldatacarrier,includescomputerhardware,suchasrandom-access memory(RAM),read-onlymemory(ROM),electricallyerasableprogrammableROM (EEPROM),solidstatedrives(SSDs),flashmemory,phase-changememory(PCM),optical25 diskstorage,magneticdiskstorage,andthelike.

[0034] Theterm“controller”generallyreferstoacomponentthatmanagesandregulatesthe behaviorofotherpartsofasystem.Thecontrollermayincludecontrolcircuitryand / ora BE2026 / 7044 8 computerizedcommandterminal.Thecontrollermaycompriseorreceiveinputfromsensors andelectricalcomponentstoregulatevariouscompressorinstrumentsorelements,e.g., variablespeeddrives(VSDs).Ingeneral,controllersincludeorareelectricallyconnectedtoat leastonemaincomputingunitwithagraphicalinterfaceandareadaptedtomonitorthe instrumentationofvariouscompressorcomponents(e.g.,motors,rotors,filters,bearings,5valves,pressuresensors,temperaturesensors),includingmultiplecompressors.Exemplary controllersoperatetocollectdatafromsensorswithintheVSDand / ormotor,processingsaid anddeliveringanoverview.Controllersmaybeconnectedtomobiledevices,suchastablets andsmartphones,toallowformobilemonitoringoverasecurenetwork,orindeedcontrollers maybeorincludemobiledevices,suchastabletsorsmartphones.Controllersmayalsoallow10 forover-the-airupdatesfromaserviceorcloudenvironment.Thecontrollerofthesystemmay beeitherremoteorlocal,ormaybebothremoteandlocaltothesystem.

[0035] Theterm“desiccantsystem”or“desiccantdryersystem”canincludesingle‑or multi‑towerconfigurations,withoptionalvacuumblowersandinternalheaters;mayinclude heatlessdesiccantdryers,heatedpurgedesiccantdryers,heatedblowerpurgedesiccantdryers,15 and / orthelike;mayusesilicagel,activatedalumina,molecularsieves,activatedcarbon, amine‑functionalizedsorbents,polymericorfiberadsorbents,monoliths,and / orbeads;andmayoperatebasedonpressureswingadsorption,temperatureswingadsorption,vacuumswing adsorption,and / ortemperaturevacuumswingadsorption.

[0036] Theterm“network”referstooneormoredatalinksthatenablethewiredorwireless20 transportofelectronicdatabetweencomputersystemsand / orcloudenvironmentsand / or modulesand / orotherelectronicdevices.Theterm“cloud”or“cloudenvironment”refersto allcloudofferingsandinfrastructure-as-a-service(IaaS),aswellasallplatform-as-a-service (PaaS)andsoftware-as-a-service(SaaS)applications.Acloudenvironmentmayencompass hardware,software(includinghardwareandsoftwareconfiguration),networking,and25 executingworkloads.Theterm“cloudenvironment”mayalsoencompassacloudstorageor cloudservicestorage,whichenablesconvenient,on-demandnetworkaccesstoconfigurable computingresources(e.g.,networks,servers,applications)thatcanberapidlyexecutedwith minimalmanagementorproviderinteraction. BE2026 / 7044 9

[0037] Theterm“processor”or“computingunit”referstooneormoredevices,circuits,and / orprocessingcoresorprocessingcircuitryconfiguredtoprocessdata,suchascomputerprogram instructions,andincludespersonalcomputers,computingunits,desktopcomputers,laptop computers,messageprocessors,hand-helddevices,multi-processorsystems,microprocessor- basedorprogrammableconsumerelectronics,networkPCs,minicomputers,mainframe5 computers,mobiletelephones,PDAs,tablets,pagers,routers,switches,andthelike.Unless otherwisestated,referencestoafirstprocessormayalsoapplytoasecondprocessorandvice versa.

[0038] Theterm“service”referstoanautomatedprogramthatperformsdifferentactions basedoninput.Asusedherein,theterms“executablemodule,”“executablecomponent,”10 “component,”“module,”“service,”or“engine”canrefertohardwareprocessingunitsorto softwareobjects,routines,ormethodsthatmaybeexecutedonwiththesystem.

[0039] Theterm“software”generallyreferstocomputer-executableinstructions,code,data, applications,programs,programmodules,orthelike,e.g.,computerprogramproduct,maintainedinoronanyformortypeofcomputer-readablemediathatisconfiguredforstoring15 computer-executableinstructionsorthelikeinamannerthatisaccessibletoacomputing device.

[0040] Asusedherein,referencetoanymachinelearningorartificialintelligencemayinclude anymachinelearningalgorithmordevice,convolutionalneuralnetwork(s),multilayerneural network(s),recursiveneuralnetwork(s),recurrentneuralnetwork(s),deepneuralnetwork(s),20 decisiontreemodel(s)(e.g.,decisiontrees,randomforests,andgradientboostedtrees)linear regressionmodel(s),logisticregressionmodel(s),supportvectormachine(s)(SVM),artificial intelligencedevice(s),oranyothertypeofintelligentcomputingsystem.Anytrainingdata maybeused(andperhapslaterrefined)totrainthemachinelearningalgorithmtoperformthe disclosedoperationsdynamically.25

[0041] Whenintroducingelementsintheappendedclaims,thearticles“a,”“an,”“the,”and “said”areintendedtomeanthereareoneormoreoftheelements.Theterms“comprising,”“including,”and“having”areintendedtobeinclusiveandmeanthattheremaybeadditional elementsotherthanthelistedelements. BE2026 / 7044 10 DETAILEDDESCRIPTION

[0042] Thepresentdisclosurerelatestoasystemforcirculatingairandcontrollingairquality ofaninteriorlocation,thesystemcomprising:acompressorsystemconfiguredtoreceiveair fromoutsidetheinteriorlocationandfromtheinteriorlocation,thecompressorsystembeing configuredtocompresstheairandsupplycompressedairtoacooler;adesiccantsystem5 arrangedtoreceivethecompressedairfromthecoolerandtosubsequentlydrytheairand / or removeCO2fromtheair;andoneormorecompressedairexpansiondevicesconfiguredto receivethecompressedairfromthedesiccantsystemandtoprovideregulatedairof atmospherelevelbacktotheinteriorlocation.

[0043] FIG.1illustratesanairconditioning(AC)system10accordingtorelatedart.The10 system10pullsinhotandhumidoutdoorair12,whichcontainsdust,fineparticles,andother airpollutants,withafreshairhandlingunit16,andthendrivestheairthroughoneormoreducts20toafancoolerunit18,whichdistributesairtoaninteriorlocation14.Theinterior location14canincludeasingleroom,apluralityofrooms,asinglefloor,apluralityoffloors, abuilding,orothersimilarlocationorstructureseparatedfromtheoutdoorair12.Boththe15 freshairhandlingunit16andfancoolerunit18areconnectedtoachiller28,andanenergy meter30,byoneormorelinesofchilledwatersupply32andchilledwaterreturn34.The system10usuallyventsoutcold,dryairfromthefreshairhandlingunit16.Additionally, whilethesystem10willsometimesrecycletheventedairforenergysavings,thisleadstoan increaseinvolatileorganiccompoundsandbacteriainsidethesystem10.20

[0044] Traditionalfreshairhandlingunits16canalsoincreaseenergycostswithexcesswater condensation.Andwaterdrippingfromthefancoolerunit18canalsocausemaintenance problemsandmoldgrowth.Whilethesystem10canreducetheamountoffreshairusedand increasetheamountofrecycledairtosaveenergy,thisincreaseshumidityandmoldgrowthwithintheducts20,22,24,26.Themoldpresentintheducts20,22,24,26isusuallycaused25 byincreasedhumidityandCO2intheairbeingcirculatedinthesystem10.Thechiller28of thesystem10mayalsoresultinincreasedenergycostsbecausesuchsystemsuse60–70%of abuilding’senergyconsumptiontocooltheinteriorlocation14.

[0045] Whilesuchasystem10canemployatraditionalbuildingmanagementsystem36to communicatewithboththefreshairhandlingunit16andthechiller28toregulatetheenergy30 BE2026 / 7044 11 expendedbythesystem10,relatedorknownsystemsdonotadequatelyaddressthepresence ofCO2,volatileorganiccompounds,andhealthproblemspresentwithintheinteriorlocation 14.Inotherwords,whilethesystem10canchillorcooltheairwithinaninteriorlocation14, thequalityoftheairwithintheinteriorlocation14isneitherimprovednorconditionedto provideahealthyenvironment.5

[0046] Thepresentdisclosureprovidesacompressedairqualitysystemarrangedtoprovidea healthyenvironmentwithinaninteriorlocationthatiscontinuouslymonitoredandcontrolled.Thecompressor(s)ofthesystemcanbeanysizeofcompressor,dependingonthesizeofthe areatobecleaned.Acooler(e.g.,aftercooler)isprovideddownstreamfromthecompressors, whichcoolstheairfromthecompressor.Thecoolercanbecooledbyachillerandhelplower10 compressedairtemperaturestobelowanambienttemperaturelevel.Thesystemcaninclude anintegratedoraseparateaftercooler,whichisconnectedtoachilledwatersupplyanda chilledwaterreturn.Advantageously,thecoolerrequiressignificantlylessenergythan previousairconditioningsystemstocooltheair.Aftercoolingtheairdowntoadesired temperature,thesaturatedair,i.e.,relativehumiditybeingapproximately100%,aknockout15 drumcanbeprovidedtoknockoutanyfreewaterormoisturebeforetransferringthe compressedairtoadesiccantsystemoftheairqualitysystem.

[0047] Whilethepresentdisclosuredescribestheuseofacooler,thedisclosedsystemsand methodscanincludecompressor(s)havingabuilt-inoradjacentdryerconfiguredtoreducethe levelofhumidity.Typically,suchdryerscanbeofair-cooled,refrigerationtypes,butother20typesofdryersarecontemplatedinthescopeofthepresentdisclosure.Thecompressor(s)with built-indryersaretypicallyair-cooledtomakesthattheairtemperaturestaysaboveambient temperaturelevel.Ifthedryersarewatercooled,thedewpointcanbefurtherreduced.

[0048] Thedesiccantsystemmaybeadryermachinethatfeaturesoneormoretower containingadsorbentmaterial.Forexample,thefirstlayerinthebottomofatowercouldbe25 beadsthatattractwater,suchassilicagel.Advantageously,thesilicagelisadhesiveto moistureandadsorbsthehumidityfromthecompressedair.Anotherlayerofbeadscouldbe ofanothertypeofmaterialthatattractspollutants(e.g.,CO2).Inswitchingthetowers,the airflowisguidedtoanothertower,whereinthefirsttowerisdisconnectedand(beingconnected totheexternalatmosphere)depressurized.Bydepressurizing,thecapturedpollutantsand30 BE2026 / 7044 12 moisturearereleasedfromthetower.Thetemperatureoftheaircanbemaintainedthroughthe desiccantsystem;however,bothpressureswingandtemperatureswingprinciplescanbeappliedtoimprovetheefficiencyofthedesiccantsystem.Inotherwords,heatcanbesupplied tothedesiccantsystemtoevaporatemoisture.

[0049] Additionally,theprinciplesoftemperatureswingandpressureswingadsorptionalso5 includeaspectsofthepresentdisclosurewheresometypesofadsorptionordesiccantsystems useexpandedcompressedairtopurgethesaturatedtower.Theexpanded(dry)compressedair iscapableofremovingthehumidityinthe“regenerating”tower.Whilesuchanembodiment losescompressedairfromthesystem,thistypeofadsorptionsystemiscontemplated,e.g.,for heatlessdesiccantdryersystems.10

[0050] Inoneaspectofthepresentdisclosure,Itisalsotobenotedthatthe(regenerative) towercanbesubjectedtovacuum(e.g.,withavacuumpump)toreleasemoreoftheadsorbed components.Thevacuumcoolingusedduringtheregenerationprocesscanenhancethe efficiencyofdesiccantsystem.Forexample,insteadof(orinadditionto)usingheatedairto15 removemoisture,thedesiccantbedofadsorbentmaterialcanbeexposedtoavacuum.Thereducedpressurelowerstheboilingpointofthemoisturetrappedintheadsorbentmaterial, causingthemoisturetovaporizeatalowertemperature.Thisvaporizationprocesshelps removemoisturefromtheadsorbentmaterialandreduces(oreliminates)theneedforasmuch externalheat.Themoisture-ladenairisthenremovedfromthedesiccantsystembythevacuum20 pump.

[0051] Theairisthenprovidedtooneormorepressurereductiondevicesorvalvesand / or expanderdevicesthatbringtheairbacktoanatmosphericlevel.Theregulatedair(e.g.,clean, anddry)cansubsequentlybeintroducedbackintheinteriorlocationand / oroneormoreducts goingintoabuilding,rooms,and / orfloorsoftheinteriorlocation.Additionally,becausesuch25 cleanaircanbeprovidedbackintotheductsrequiresfarlessamountsofairtobesupplied.A primarybenefitofthedisclosedsystemandmethodincludesenergysavingsfromtheneedto condensemassiveamountsofhumidityfromtheoutsideair.Anotherprimarybenefitis reducedlevelsofpollutants(e.g.,CO2)beingintroducedintothesystem.Additionally,whilethesystemandmethodcanbeimplementedandintegratedwithexistingductsofbuildings,30 BE2026 / 7044 13 thesmallerpipingusedtocirculatethecompressedairprovidesacompactimplementationthat requireslessspaceforinstallation.

[0052] AsillustratedinFIG.2,theairqualitysystem100comprisesacompressorsystem arrangedtoreducetheaircarbondioxidecontentandcostofheating,coolingandventilating buildingswhileensuringhealthyindoorenvironments.Advantageously,thepresentsystem5 100requireslimitedairfromanoutdoorlocation102tointroduceintothefreshairhandling unit106.Thishelpseliminatefineparticulateandpollutantintake.Andwiththeventairbeing closed(i.e.,thecleaned,recycledairbeingcirculatedinagenerallyclosedloop),thereisnoor approximatelyzerolossofenergyfromthefreshairhandlingunit106orsignificantlylessloss ofenergyfromthefreshairhandlingunit106.10

[0053] Thefreshairhandlingunit106isconnectedtothefancoolerunit108.Andboththe freshairhandlingunit106andfancoolerunit108areconnectedtothechiller118,andanenergymeter120,byoneormorelinesofchilledwatersupply122andchilledwaterreturn 124.However,becausethesystem100iscompressor-driven,theducts110,112,114,116,117 areprovidedwithdry,disinfectedairanddonotrequireahighvelocitytocirculatetheair15 withinthesystem100.Thisprovidesthebenefitofreducedmaintenanceandfacilitationof mold-freeducts.Theducts110,112,114,116,117canbesignificantlyreducedinsizeand resembleanetworkofpipesratherthanductworkwithlargesheetmetalpieces.Additionally, intheabsenceofthehumidity,thefancoolerunit108isnotpronetodripping,whichlikewise reducestherequiredmaintenanceofthesystemformoreefficientcooling.20

[0054] Thesystem100furtherincludesanetwork128connectedtovariouselementsofthe system100,includingoneormoresensorsormeters130,132,134arrangedtoreadindoorair quality,expelledorexhaustedairquality,andthecompressedairqualitytobettermanagethe efficiencyofthesystem100.Thenetwork128isincommunicationwithanairqualitymanagementsystem126configuredtocontinuouslymonitorandcontroltheenvironmentof25 theinteriorlocation104,suchasoneormorerooms,offices,orspacesinabuilding.For example,theairqualitymanagementsystem126automaticallyactivatesthecompressor system101inresponsetothemeasuringlevelsofatleastoneofCO2,humidity,temperature, andvolatileorganiccompoundsoutsideofapredeterminedthresholdtoimproveairquality withintheinteriorlocation104.Inanembodiment,thecompressorsystem101advantageously30 BE2026 / 7044 14 expelsCO2-richairandprovidesCO2-freeandvolatileorganiccompound-freeairbacktothe freshairhandlingunit106.

[0055] FIG.3illustratesanembodimentofthecompressorsystem101oftheairqualitysystem 100.Thecompressorsystem101includesoneormoreaircompressors136,137arrangedto receiveairfrombothanoutdoorlocation102andrecycledair(e.g.,ventair135)fromthe5 interiorlocation104.Tomakeuptheoxygenbalanceandcompensateforlossofairinthe indoorlocation104,thecompressorsystem101isconfiguredtoallowtheintakeoffresh(outside)airfromtheoutdoorlocation102intothecompressor136.Accordingtothepresent disclosure,referencetoasinglecompressor136canapplytotheoneormorecompressors136, 137individuallyorcollectively.10

[0056] Inanembodiment,afirstaircompressor136isconfiguredtocompresstheairreceived fromtheinteriorlocation104andasecondcompressor137isconfiguredtocompresstheair receivedfromtheoutdoorlocation102.Inanembodiment,thecapacityofthefirstair compressorisbetween10m3hto1,000m3h,e.g.,50m3hto800m3h,or100and400m3h,and thecapacityofthesecondaircompressorisbetween5m3hto500m3h,e.g.,25m3hto40015 m3h,or50and200m3h.Inanotherembodiment,thecapacityofthefirstaircompressoris between10and4,000m3h,andthecapacityofthesecondaircompressorisbetween5and 2,000m3h.

[0057] Anairqualitymanagementsystem126canbeconfiguredtoautomaticallyadjustthe ratioairsuppliedbythefirstaircompressor136andthesecondaircompressor137depending20 onairqualityoftheoutdoorlocation102and / orindoorlocation104.Inembodimentshavingtwoormorecompressors136,137,theamountofairintakefromtheinteriorlocation104and theamountoffreshairfromoutdoorlocation102canbeindividuallyadapted.Inan embodimenthavingonecompressor136,theamountofairfromtheoutdoorlocation102will becontrolledbyarestriction / valvesystemtothesameinletofthecompressor136thatis25 receivingairfromtheindoorlocation104.

[0058] Theoneormoreaircompressors136,137areconfiguredtocompressthereceivedair generallynear,at,andpreferablyabove1barg.Additionally,theoneormorecompressors 136,137ofthecompressorsystem101canbeoilfree,oillubricated,waterlubricated,orthe like.Inapreferredembodiment,anoilfreeaircompressorisprovided.Theoneormore30 BE2026 / 7044 15 compressors136,137canbepiston,screw,scroll,turbo,orthelike.Moreover,theoneor moreaircompressors136,137canbecentralized(e.g.,installedinabasementorontheroof ofabuilding)ordecentralized(e.g.,inthefloororchamberofthebuilding).

[0059] Theoneormorecompressors136,137canalsobesinglestageand / ormultistage.Inanembodiment,theoneormorecompressors136,137canhaveintercoolingbetweenthe5 stagestoreducetemperatureandimproveefficiency,resultinginahigherfinalpressureand reducedworkloadrequiredforcompression.Furthermore,theoneormoreaircompressors 136,137canbefixedspeedand / orvariablespeed.Advantageously,embodimentshavinga variablespeedcompressorallowforfine-tuningthespeedofthecompressorsystemto input / outputrequirements.10

[0060] Inanexemplaryembodiment,theoneormorecompressors136,137generatewarm, compressedair,generallyabove25°C,e.g.,approximately40°C,oratorabove50°C,60°C, 70°C,80°C,or90°C.However,inanotherembodiment,hightemperaturesaregeneratedin theoneormorecompressors136,137(e.g.,orderofmagnitudegreater,forexample,ator above100°C,oratorabove120°C,oratorabove150°C,oratorabove180°C,oratorabove15 190°C,oratorabove200°C,oratorabove210°C,oratorabove25°C),whicheliminatesthe bacteriaandvirusespresentinthereceivedairfromtheoutdoorlocation102and / orindoorlocation104.Thetemperaturegeneratedintheoneormorecompressorsisintherangeof 100°Cto250°C,or150°Cto225°C,or180°Cto200°C.Inapreferredembodiment,high temperaturesaregeneratedintheoneormorecompressors136,137atornear180°C.As20 depictedinFig.3,thecompressedairfromtheoneormorecompressors136,137istransferred throughacompressedairpipingnetwork103toacooler138(e.g.,aftercooler)toreducethe temperatureofthecompressedair.Thecooler138mayreceiveachilledmaterial,forexample, acoolingliquid,suchaschilledwaterfromachilledwatersupply140,andthechilledwater lowersthetemperatureofthecompressedairbyheatabsorption.Thewaterissubsequently25 pumpedfromthecooler138throughachilledwaterreturn142,andthiswatercanthenbe cooledagainandcycledbacktothechilledwatersupply140.

[0061] Thechilled,compressedairfromthecooler138istransferredtoasystemconfigured toremoveorseparatetheliquidfromthecompressedair,suchas,forexample,asystemthat includesaknockoutdrum,ascrubber,afilter,acoalescer,amisteliminator.Inapreferred30 BE2026 / 7044 16example,suchasystemincludesaknockoutdrum144.Theknockoutdrum144isconfigured toremoveliquiddropletsfromtheair.Theknockoutdrum144ensuresacleanerprocessand improveefficiencyofthedesiccantsystem146forthecompressorsystem101.Theknockout drum144slowsdownthegasflow,allowsliquidstosettleoutbeexpelled,e.g.,througha drain145,duetogravityorothermeans.Theknockoutdrum144canincludeinternal5 components,e.g.,baffles,impingementplates,and / ordemisterpads,toimprovetheliquid separation.Theknockoutdrum144furthertransferstheprocessed,compressedairtothe desiccantsystem146throughthepipingnetwork103.

[0062] Thedesiccantsystem146isarrangedtoreceivethecompressedairfromthecooler138 andtosubsequentlydrytheairand / orremoveCO2fromtheair.Thecapacityofthedesiccant10 systemisadaptedtotheaircompressorsystemupfront.Inanembodiment,thecapacityofthe desiccantsystem146isbetween100and400m3h.Thedesiccantsystem146canbeallocated foratleastoneofCO2capture,watervaporcapture,oilvaporadsorption,captureofanotheradsorbent,andanycombinationthereof.Inanembodiment,thedesiccantsystem146isfurther configuredtoremovevolatileorganiccompounds,sulfuroxides,radon,nitrousoxides,and15 carbonmonoxidefromthecompressedair.

[0063] Inanembodiment,thedesiccantsystem146maybeconfiguredasamulti-tower structurecontaininganadsorbentsubstancetoadsorbliquidand / orpollutants(e.g.,CO2).The descantsystem146includesatleasttwotowers,whereonetowerisconfiguredtoregenerate whiletheothertowerisactivelyadsorbingmoistureandpollutantsfromthesuppliedair.The20 adsorbentsubstancecanincludesilicagel,activatedalumina,and / ormolecularsievematerials. Accordingtosomeembodiments,theadsorbentsubstancecomprisesatleastoneof:activated carbon,carbonparticlesand / orfibers,polymerparticlesand / orfibers,andsolidsupported amine.Theadsorbentsubstancemaybeformedasbeads,agel,afoam,oranothertypeof structure.Inanembodiment,Thedesiccantsystem146mayincludeoneormorebead-like25 materialstoattractmoistureand / orattractCO2.

[0064] Inanembodiment,thedesiccantsystem146includesalayeredarrangementof adsorbentsubstances.Afirstlayerisprovidedinatowerhavingafirstadsorbentstructurefor attractingwaterandadsorbinghumidityofthecompressedair.Asecondlayerisprovidedin thetowerhavingasecondadsorbentstructureforattractingandadsorbingCO2molecules.In30 BE2026 / 7044 17 exemplaryembodiments,thedesiccantsystem146isarrangedtoreducetheamountofCO2 presentinthecompressedair.Inoneembodiment,thedesiccantsystem146isarrangedto reducetheamountofCO2presentinthecompressedairtotherangeof1,000to0.1ppm.In anotherembodiment,thedesiccantsystem146isarrangedtoreducetheamountofCO2 presentinthecompressedairtotherangeof900to1ppm,orinanotherembodiment,inthe5 rangeof500to2ppm.Inanotherembodiment,toarangeof250to3ppm.Inyetanother embodiment,theCO2presentinthecompressedairisreducedtotherangeof50to5ppm.In apreferredembodiment,thedesiccantsystem146isarrangedtoreducetheamountofCO2 presentinthecompressedairtolessthanorequalto10ppm.

[0065] Followingsaturationoftheoneormoreadsorbentstructureswithinafirsttower,the10 desiccantsystem146isarrangedtoswitchairflowofthepipingnetwork103toasecondtower, whichcontainsunsaturatedadsorbentstructures,disconnectthefirsttowerfromtheairflowof thepipingnetwork103,andexpeltheadsorbedmoistureandpollutantsfromthefirsttower backintotheatmosphere(e.g.,outdoorlocation102).Themulti-towerarrangementofthe desiccantsystem146thencyclesthroughuntiltheadsorbentstructureswithinthesecondtower15 aresaturated,atwhichpointthedesiccantsystem146isarrangedtoswitchairflowofthe pipingnetwork103backtothefirsttower,disconnectthesecondtowerfromtheairflow,and expeltheadsorbedmoistureandpollutantsfromthesecondtowerbackintotheatmosphere.

[0066] Inotherwords,thedesiccantsystem146isarrangedtoswitchthefunctionofthe towers,whileensuringthatatleastonetowerthatisworkingtocapturemoistureand / orCO220 asanothertoweristheregenerationprocesstoexpelmoistureandpollutants.Theoneormoreadsorbentstructurescanbeusedrepeatedly,i.e.,thesameoneormoreadsorbentstructures canbeusedwithinthedesiccantsystem146for5,000to50,000hours,morepreferablyfor 10,000to40,000hours,andevenmorepreferablyfor15,000to40,000hours.Advantageously, theoneormoreadsorbentstructurescanbeusedrepeatedly,i.e.,thesameoneormore25 adsorbentstructurescanbeusedwithinthedesiccantsystem146inapreferredembodiment forupto24,000hours,orapproximately3years.Theexhaust147expelledfromthedesiccant system146includestheadsorbedmoistureand / orpollutants.

[0067] Afterthecompressedairistreatedbythedesiccantsystem146,compressedairis transferredthroughthepipingnetwork103tooneormorecompressedairexpansiondevices30 BE2026 / 7044 18 148,150.Theairexpansiondevices148,150mayincludeoneormoremechanicalvalves(e.g., ballvalvesorabutterflyvalves).Inanembodiment,thecompressedairexpansiondevices 148,150arepressurereductionvalves.Afirstexpansiondevice148canbeprovidedasa15bar(input)to1.5bar(output)pressurereductionvalvetoreduceahigh-pressureinlettoa lower,regulatedoutlet.Inapreferredembodiment,thefirstexpansiondevice148canbe5 providedasa10bar(input)to1.5bar(output)pressurereductionvalvetoreduceahigh- pressureinlettoalower,regulatedoutlet.Inanevenmorepreferredembodiment,thefirst expansiondevice148canbeprovidedasan8bar(input)to2bar(output)pressurereduction valvetoreduceahigh-pressureinlettoalower,regulatedoutlet.Asecondexpansiondevice 150canbeprovidedasa5bar(input)to0.01bar(output)pressurereductionvaletofurther10 reducetheairpressuretoanevenlowerregulatedoutletsuitableforHVACsystems.Ina preferredembodiment,secondexpansiondevice150canbeprovidedasa3bar(input)to0.05 bar(output)pressurereductionvalvetofurtherreducetheairpressuretoanevenlower regulatedoutletsuitableforHVACsystems.Inanevenmorepreferredembodiment,the secondexpansiondevice150canbeprovidedasa2bar(input)to0.1bar(output)pressure15reductionvalvetofurtherreducetheairpressuretoanevenlowerregulatedoutletsuitablefor HVACsystems.Theoneormorecompressedairexpansiondevices148,150areconfigured toprovideclean,regulatedair151ofatmosphericlevelsbacktotheinteriorlocation104.In anembodiment,theoneorexpansiondevices148,150arelocatedproximallytotheinterior location104forlocalairexpansion.Oneormoredampeningdevices(e.g.,soundinstallation20 foam)canfurtherbeprovidedwiththeoneormoreexpansiondevices148,150toquietthe noisegeneratedbytheoneormoreexpansiondevices148,150.

[0068] Becausesuchcleanairisnowbeingsuppliedintotheductwork(e.g.,ducts112,116), farlessairisrequiredforpropercirculationandventilation,i.e.,theenergyneededtocondense themassiveamountsofhumidairfromtheoutdoorlocation102isdramaticallyreducedand25 theregulatedaircontainsfarfewerpollutants(e.g.,CO2)comparedtotheairintheoutdoor location102.Forexample,whilelevelsofCO2between400and900ppmareconsideredgoodlevelsofairquality,thecompressorsystem101furtherbringsthisamountdowntonearzero (e.g.,lessthanorequalto10ppm). BE2026 / 7044 19

[0069] Advantageously,thecompressorsystem101fortheairqualitysystem100requires muchlessairtoprocess,andthecompressorsystem101furtherdoesnotrequiremassive amountsofenergytospendcondensewaterforproperlycoolinglargercommercialbuildings.

[0070] FIGS.4-8areblockdiagramsofacompressor-driverairqualitysystem200according tothepresentdisclosure.AsdepictedinFIG.4,thesystem200isprovidedwithacompressor5 system206,adesiccantsystem210,andoneormoreexpansiondevices212,214connected byacompressedairpipingnetwork203.Thecompressorsystem206includesoneormore compressorsconfiguredtoreceiveairfromanoutdoorlocation202andaninteriorlocation 204andfurtherconfiguredtocompressthereceivedairtoabove1bargorabove2barg,or above3barg,orabove5barg.Thecompressorsofthecompressorsystem206canbeofthe10 typedescribedwithrespecttotheaforementionedcompressorsystem101.Thecompressorsystem206canalsoincludeoneormorecompressionstages.andsupplycompressedairtoa cooler(138,208).

[0071] Thecompressorsystem206transfersthecompressedair,whichhasbeenelevatedin temperature,throughthecompressedairpipingnetwork203toacompressedaircooler20815 (e.g.,anaftercooler)toreducethetemperatureofthecompressedair.Thecooler208is suppliedwithachilledwatersupply207andchilledwaterreturn209tosupplyaconstantlevel ofcoolingfluidtothecooler208,e.g.,thewaterfromthechilledwaterreturn209cancooled andsuppliedagaintothechilledwatersupply207.Thecoolercanbeexternallylocatedfrom orintegratedwiththesystem200.20

[0072] Thecompressedairistransferredfromthecooler208tothedesiccantsystem210, whichcanbeofthetypedescribedwithrespecttotheaforementioneddesiccantsystem146. Thedesiccantsystem210separatesmoistureandfurthermayalsoseparatepollutants211from thecompressedairandsuppliesdryandcleanairtotheoneormoreexpansiondevices212, 214throughthecompressedairpipingnetwork203.Thedesiccantsystem210canoperateby25pressureswingadsorption,andthedesorptionofthedesiccantsystem210canfurtherbe improvedbyincludingavacuumblower.Theoneormoreexpansiondevices212,214canbe ofthetypedescribedwithrespecttotheaforementionedexpansiondevices148,150.The decompressed,regulatedairfromtheoneormoreexpansiondevices212,214isthensupplied totheinteriorlocation204.30 BE2026 / 7044 20

[0073] Inanembodiment,thesystem200furtherincludesacontroller205configuredto automaticallymonitorandregulatetheairqualitywithintheinteriorlocation204.The controller205isconfiguredtoreceivemeasurementsfromoneormoresensorswithinthe interiorlocation204,processthemeasurements(e.g.,usingacomputingunithavinga processor),andcontrolthesystem200toproduceanacceptableconditionofairwithinthe5 interiorlocation204.Forexample,thecontroller205automaticallyactivatesthecompressor system206inresponsetothemeasuringlevelsofatleastoneofCO2,humidity,temperature, andvolatileorganiccompoundsoutsideofapredeterminedthresholdtoimproveairquality withintheinteriorlocation204.

[0074] Thecontroller205mayincludeoruseaspecial-purposeorgeneral-purposecomputer10 system,oracomputingsystemthatincludescomputerhardware,suchas,forexample,a processorormorethanoneprocessorandsystemmemory.Thecontrollermayalsobea softwaremodulestoredonamemorydeviceandoperatedonacomputersystembyoneor moreprocessorsofthecomputersystem.Orthecontrollermaybehardware-basedcircuit system.Thecontroller205maymanagetherunning,switching,andidlecostsofthe15 compressorsystem206,desiccantsystem210,andoneormoreexpansiondevices212,214of thesystem200,therebyreducingthewearofcomponentsofthedifferentdeviceswhile reducingorotherwiseimprovingtheenergyconsumptionofthesystem200.Tothisend,the controller205maybeconfiguredtoscheduletheoperationofcomponentsofthesystem200 inanoptimalmanneraccordingtovaryingembodimentsofthepresentdisclosure.20

[0075] Inanembodiment,thecontroller205comprisesaprocessor(e.g.,amicroprocessor),a memorystorage,anoutputinterface,andaninputinterface.Thecontroller205maybeatorproximaltotheinteriorlocation204,butmayalsobelocatedataremotepositioncomparedto othercomponentsofthesystem200whileremainingconnectedtoanetwork(e.g.,network 128).Thecontroller205canbeconfiguredasanairqualitymanagementsystem126described25 above.Thecontroller205maybeinrelativelycloseproximitytotheinteriorlocation204and receivehardwireorwirelesssignalsfromothercomponentsofthesystem200andsend hardwireorwirelesssignalstoothercomponentsofthesystem200.Alternatively,controller 205maybearrangedremotelyfromothercomponentsofthecompressorsystemandmay receivesignalsfromothercomponentsofthecompressorsystem,includingfromonemore30 BE2026 / 7044 21 sensorsprovidingdataindicativeofoneormoreoperatingcharacteristicsinthesystem200, andtransmitsignalstoothercomponentsofthesystemoveranetwork,suchasalocalarea network(LAN)oranothersafelocalnetwork.

[0076] FIG.5illustratesthecompressor-driverairqualitysystem200furthercomprisingheat exchanger216configuredtotransferhightemperatureheatgeneratedbythecompressor5system206tooneormoreheatingimplementations217.Becausethecompressorsystem206 cangeneratelargeamountsofheat(e.g.,greaterthan200°C),theenergyofthecompressor system206canberecoveredtoheatwaterforsanitarywatersystems,pools,spaceheating, andotherheatingimplementations217.

[0077] FIG.6illustratesthecompressor-driverairqualitysystem200,whereintheheat10 exchangers216isoperablyconnectedtothedesiccantsystem210,therebyprovidingaheat regenerateddesiccantsystem.Becausedesorptionofthedesiccantsystem210ispressure dependentandtemperaturedependent,desorptionofthedesiccantsystem210isfurther improvedbyusingheatgeneratedbythecompressorsystemtoevaporatethemoisture(e.g., adsorbedbyoneormoreadsorbentstructures)withinoneormoretowersofthedesiccant15 system210.

[0078] FIGS.7and8illustratethecompressor-driverairqualitysystem200furthercomprising oneormoreexpanderdevices220,e.g.,eachhavingoneormorestages,toreducethe compressedairpressuretoanacceptableatmosphericlevelforsupplyingtotheinteriorlocation204.Inanembodiment,theoneormoreexpanderdevices220areoperablycoupled20 toanelectricgenerator222forenergyrecoveryduringthepressurereductionphase,e.g.,from 7to8barggaugeto0.1to0.5barg,forexample,from15barggaugeto0.05barg,orfrom10 barggaugeto0.1barg.InFIG.7,theheatofthecompressor(s)istransferredtoaheat exchanger218positionedupstreamfromtheoneormoreexpanders220torecaptureboth pressureenergyandthermalenergybackfromthesystem200beforeexpansion.This25 arrangementhelpstomaximizeenergyrecovery,e.g.,thesystem200recapturesup50%ofthe electricenergybeforeexpansion,whichcoolstheair.InFIG.8,theheatofthecompressor(s) istransferredtoaheatexchanger218positioneddownstreamfromtheoneormoreexpanders 220toexpelcolderairfromtheexpander220. BE2026 / 7044 22

[0079] RegardingFIG.8,ifnoheat(orthermalenergy)isaddedbeforeortransferredtoa locationupstreamtheairexpander220andgenerator222,theairaftertheexpander220will beverycold.Thiscoldaircanbeusedtocooldownfluidsthatnormallywouldgothroughacooler208.Thisisanotherformofenergyrecoveryprovidedbythesystem200.Theverycold airaftertheexpander220willgetwarmeduptothedesiredtemperaturebythefluidsthatcool5 down.Andevenmoreenergycanberecoveredbybringingtheheatofcompressorsystem206 tothepressurizedcleanairbeforeorupstreamtheairexpander220.Theairtransferred downstreamtheexpander220isthaneitheratthedesiredtemperatureorneedsadjustment (extracoolingorextraheating)toreachthedesiredtemperature.Furthermore,thecoldaircan alsobeusedforcold-energystorage.Withthecoldthatispresentintheexpandedair,a10 reservoirwithfluid,awater-glycoltank,icetank,etc.canbecooleddownandstoredascold energy. ENUMERATEDEMBODIMENTSANDEXAMPLESOFCOMPRESSORDRIVENAIR QUALITYSYSTEMSANDMETHODS

[0080] 1.Asystem(100,200)forcirculatingairandcontrollingairqualityofaninterior15 location(104,204),thesystemcomprising: acompressorsystem(101,136,137,206)configuredtoreceiveairfromtheinteriorlocation (104,204),thecompressorsystem(101,136,137,206)beingconfiguredtocompresstheairandsupplycompressedairtoacooler(138,208); adesiccantsystem(146,210)arrangedtoreceivethecompressedairfromthecooler(138,20 208)andtodrytheairand / orremovepollutantsfromtheair;and oneormorecompressedairexpansiondevices(148,150,212,214,220)arrangedbetweenthe desiccantsystem(146,210)andtheinteriorlocation(104,204)andconfiguredtoreceivethe compressedairfromthedesiccantsystem(146,210)andtoprovideregulatedair(151)of atmospherelevelbacktotheinteriorlocation(104,204).25

[0081] 2.Thesystemaccordingtoexample1,whereinthecompressorsystem(101,136,137, 206)isfurtherconfiguredtoreceiveairfromanoutdoorlocation(102,202).

[0082] 3.Thesystemaccordingtoexamples1or2,whereinthecompressorsystem(101) includesafirstcompressor(136)arrangedtocompresstheairreceivedfromtheinterior BE2026 / 7044 23 location(104)andasecondcompressor(137)arrangedtocompresstheairreceivedfrom outside(102)theinteriorlocation.

[0083] 4.Thesystemaccordingtoexample3,whereinthefirstcompressor(136)isanoil-free aircompressor.

[0084] 5.Thesystemaccordingtoanyoneofexamples1-4,whereinatleastoneoftheoneor5 morecompressedairexpansiondevices(148,150)islocatedproximallytotheinteriorlocation (104)forlocalairexpansion.

[0085] 6.Thesystemaccordingtoanyoneofexamples1-5,furthercomprisingacontrol system(126)havingatleastonesensor(130)configuredtomeasureoneormorelevelsof CO2,humidity,temperature,andvolatileorganiccompoundswithintheinteriorlocation(104).10

[0086] 7.Thesystemaccordingtoanyoneofexamples1-6,furthercomprisingatleastone heatexchanger(216,218)configuredtotransferheatgeneratedfromthecompressorsystem tooneormoreheatingimplementations(217).

[0087] 8.Thesystemaccordingtoexample7,whereintheatleastoneheatexchanger(216, 218)isarrangedtotransferthegeneratedheatfromthecompressorsystem(206)tothe15 desiccantsystem(210)forregeneratingdesiccantmaterialusedtodrytheairand / orremoving pollutantsfromtheair.

[0088] 9.Thesystemaccordingtoexample7,whereinafirstheatexchanger(216)isoperablyconnectedbetweenthecompressorsystem(206)andthedesiccantsystem(210)andasecond heatexchanger(218)isoperablyconnectedbetweenthedesiccantsystem(210)andtheinterior20 location(204),andwhereinthefirstheatexchanger(216)andthesecondheatexchanger(218) areoperablyconnectedandconfiguredtotransferheatbetweeneachother.

[0089] 10.Thesystemaccordingtoexample9,whereinatleastoneoftheoneormore compressedairexpansiondevices(220)isconnectedtoanelectricitygenerator(222)for recoveringenergygeneratedfromtheoneormorecompressorairexpansiondevices(220).25

[0090] 11.Thesystemaccordingtoanyoneofexamples1-10,furthercomprisingaknockout drum(144)operablyconnectedbetweenthecooler(138,208)andthedesiccantsystem(146, BE2026 / 7044 24 210)andarrangedtoreceivethecompressedairconfiguredtoseparateandremoveliquids presentinthecompressedairfromthecooler(138,208).

[0091] 12.Amethodofusingthesystemaccordingtoanyoneofexamples1-11.

[0092] 13.Amethodforcirculatingairandcontrollingairqualityofaninteriorlocation(104,204),themethodcomprising:5 compressingairreceivedfromanoutdoorlocation(102,202)andfromtheinteriorlocation (104,204)withacompressorsystem(101,136,137,206),thecompressorsystem(101,136, 137,206)compressingtheairandsupplyingcompressedairtoacooler(138,208); receivingthecompressedairfromthecooler(138,208)atadesiccantsystem(146,210)and drytheairand / orremovingpollutantsfromtheair;and10 expandingthecompressedairbyoneormorecompressedairexpansiondevices(148,150, 212,214,220)thatreceivethecompressedairfromthedesiccantsystem(146,210)and provideregulatedair(151)ofatmospherelevelbacktotheinteriorlocation(104,204); whereinthecompressorsystem(101)includesafirstcompressor(136)arrangedtocompress theairreceivedfromtheinteriorlocation(104)andasecondcompressor(137)arrangedto15 compresstheairreceivedfromoutside(102)theinteriorlocation.

[0093] 14.Themethodaccordingtoexample13,whereinthestepofcompressingairreceived fromtheoutdoorlocation(102,202)andfromtheinteriorlocation(104,204)includes:compressingtheairreceivedfromtheinteriorlocation(104)withafirstcompressor(136)and compressingtheairreceivedfromoutside(102)theinteriorlocationwithasecondcompressor20 (137).

[0094] 15.Themethodaccordingtoexample13or14,furthercomprisinglocallyexpanding theairwithatleastoneoftheoneormorecompressedairexpansiondevices(148,150) proximaltotheinteriorlocation(104).

[0095] 16.Themethodaccordingtoanyoneofexamples13-15,furthercomprisingmeasuring25 levelsatleastoneofCO2,humidity,temperature,andvolatileorganiccompoundslevels withintheinteriorlocation(104). BE2026 / 7044 25

[0096] 17.Themethodaccordingtoexample16,furthercomprisingautomaticallyactivating thecompressorsystem(101,136,137,206)inresponsetothemeasuringlevelsofatleastone ofCO2,humidity,temperature,andvolatileorganiccompoundsoutsideofapredetermined thresholdtoimproveairqualitywithintheinteriorlocation(104).

[0097] 18.Themethodaccordingtoanyoneofexamples13-17,furthercomprising5transferringheatgeneratedfromthecompressorsystem(101,136,137,206)tooneormore heatingimplementations(217)usingatleastoneheatexchanger(216,218).

[0098] 19.Themethodaccordingtoexample18,whereintheatleastoneheatexchanger(216, 218)isarrangedtotransferthegeneratedheatfromthecompressorsystem(206)tothe desiccantsystem(210)forregeneratingdesiccantmaterialusedtodrytheairand / orremoving10 pollutantsfromtheair.

[0099] 20.Themethodaccordingtoexample18,furthercomprisingtransferringheatbetween afirstheatexchanger(216)andasecondheatexchanger(218),whereinthefirstheatexchanger (216)isoperablyconnectedbetweenthecompressorsystem(206)andthedesiccantsystem (210)andthesecondheatexchanger(218)isoperablyconnectedbetweenthedesiccantsystem15 (210)andtheinteriorlocation(204).

[0100] 21.Themethodaccordingtoexample20,furthercomprisingrecoveringenergy generatedfromtheoneormorecompressorairexpansiondevices(220),whereinatleastone oftheoneormorecompressedairexpansiondevices(220)isconnectedtoanelectricitygenerator(222)arrangedtorecovertheenergygeneratedfromtheoneormorecompressorair20 expansiondevices(220).

[0101] 22.Asystem(100,200)comprising: acomputingunithavingaprocessor;and oneormorehardwarestoragedevices; whereintheoneormorehardwarestoragedevicesstoreinstructionsthatareexecutablebythe25 system(100)forcarryingoutthemethodofanyoneofexamples12-21.

[0102] 23.Acomputerprogramproductcomprisinginstructionsoracomputer-readable mediumhaveinstructionsstoredthereon,which,whenexecutedbyoneormoreprocessorsof BE2026 / 7044 26 acomputingunit,causetheoneormoreprocessorstocarryoutthestepsofthemethodofany oneofanyoneofexamples12-21.

[0103] 24.Asystem(100,200)forcirculatingairandcontrollingairqualityofaninterior location(104,204),thesystemcomprising: acompressorsystem(101,136,137,206)configuredtoreceiveairfromtheinteriorlocation5 (104,204)andfromanoutdoorlocation(102,202),thecompressorsystem(101,136,137, 206)beingconfiguredtocompresstheairandsupplycompressedairtoacooler(138,208);adesiccantsystem(146,210)arrangedtoreceivethecompressedairfromthecooler(138, 208)andtodrytheairand / orremovepollutantsfromtheair; oneormorecompressedairexpansiondevices(148,150,212,214,220)arrangedbetweenthe10 desiccantsystem(146,210)andtheinteriorlocation(104,204)andconfiguredtoreceivethe compressedairfromthedesiccantsystem(146,210)andtoprovideregulatedair(151)of atmospherelevelbacktotheinteriorlocation(104,204);and anaircompressorpipingnetwork(103)connectingthecompressorsystem(101,136,137, 206)tothedesiccantsystem(146,210)andthedesiccantsystem(146,210)totheoneormore15 compressedairexpansiondevices(148,150,212,214,220); whereinthecompressorsystem(101,136,137,206)isfurtherconfiguredtoreceiveairfrom anoutdoorlocation(102,202).

[0104] 25.Thesystemaccordingtoexample24,whereinthecompressorsystem(101)includes afirstcompressor(136)arrangedtocompresstheairreceivedfromtheinteriorlocation(104)20 andasecondcompressor(137)arrangedtocompresstheairreceivedfromoutside(102)the interiorlocation.

[0105] 26.Thesystemaccordingtoexample25,whereinthefirstcompressor(136)isanoil- freeaircompressor.

[0106] 27.Thesystemaccordingtoanyoneofexamples24-26,whereinatleastoneoftheone25 ormorecompressedairexpansiondevices(148,150)islocatedproximallytotheinterior location(104)forlocalairexpansion. BE2026 / 7044 27

[0107] 28.Thesystemaccordingtoanyoneofexamples24-27,furthercomprisingacontrol system(126)havingatleastonesensor(130)configuredtomeasureoneormorelevelsof CO2,humidity,temperature,andvolatileorganiccompoundswithintheinteriorlocation(104).

[0108] 29.Thesystemaccordingtoanyoneofexamples24-28,furthercomprisingatleastone heatexchanger(216,218)configuredtotransferheatgeneratedfromthecompressorsystem5 tooneormoreheatingimplementations(217).

[0109] 30.Thesystemaccordingtoexample29,whereintheatleastoneheatexchanger(216, 218)isarrangedtotransferthegeneratedheatfromthecompressorsystem(206)tothe desiccantsystem(210)forregeneratingdesiccantmaterialusedtodrytheairand / orremoving pollutantsfromtheair.10

[0110] 31.Thesystemaccordingtoexample29,whereinafirstheatexchanger(216)is operablyconnectedbetweenthecompressorsystem(206)andthedesiccantsystem(210)and asecondheatexchanger(218)isoperablyconnectedbetweenthedesiccantsystem(210)and theinteriorlocation(204),andwhereinthefirstheatexchanger(216)andthesecondheat exchanger(218)areoperablyconnectedandconfiguredtotransferheatbetweeneachother.15

[0111] 32.Thesystemaccordingtoexample31,whereinatleastoneoftheoneormore compressedairexpansiondevices(220)isconnectedtoanelectricitygenerator(222)for recoveringenergygeneratedfromtheoneormorecompressorairexpansiondevices(220).

[0112] 33.Thesystemaccordingtoanyoneofexamples24-32,furthercomprisingaknockout drum(144)operablyconnectedbetweenthecooler(138,208)andthedesiccantsystem(146,20 210)andarrangedtoreceivethecompressedairconfiguredtoseparateandremoveliquids presentinthecompressedairfromthecooler(138,208).

[0113] 34.Thesystemaccordingtoexample28,whereinthecontrolsystem(126)isfurther co

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