High performance dehumidifier apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates to providing a dehumidifier apparatus with a desiccant wheel incorporating special adsorbent materials, which are highly porous, with surface area in a range of 500 m2 / g to 10000 m2 / g. These dehumidifier apparatuses having desiccant wheels incorporating special desiccant materials have demonstrated the ability to not only be regenerated well at temperatures of less than 100 degC to 120 degC, but have also shown greater than 15-25% higher adsorption performance (water removal), under similar operating conditions.

Description

[0001] HIGH PERFORMANCE DEHUMIDIFIER APPARATUS

[0002] FIELD OF INVENTION

[0003] This present invention relates to a dehumidifier apparatus including a desiccant wheel incorporating special adsorbent materials, such that the dehumidifier apparatus is ‘energy and performance’ optimized below 120 degC regeneration temperature.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] This section is intended to provide information relating to the field of the invention and thus, any approach or functionality described below should not be assumed to be qualified as prior art merely by its inclusion in this section.

[0006] A dehumidifier apparatus typically utilizes one or more desiccant wheel(s) carrying an adsorbent material, for adsorption purposes. Particularly, the desiccant wheel comprises a honeycomb matrix structure, wherein the adsorbent material(s) is formulated within and onto a porous substrate. The traditional materials used in the desiccant wheel of such dehumidifier apparatuses, are silica gels, molecular sieves and combinations thereof. In some limited cases, less than 1%, polymeric adsorbents have also been used. The apparatus of the present invention does not rely on such materials.

[0007] The dehumidifier apparatus is generally considered a part of an open cycle system.

[0008] Besides these 2 aforementioned materials, i.e. silica gel and molecular sieve, which are used in greater than 99% open cycle dehumidifier apparatuses in the world, there are no special materials currently in commercial use except some very narrow type of polymeric type materials coated on plastic substrates with its own accompanying drawbacks.

[0009] Silica gels, used in nearly 99% of open-cycle dehumidifier apparatus(es), are amorphous, but suffer from substantial drop in performance at high inlet air temperatures. Molecular sieves, on the other hand, while crystalline in nature, are essentially used where high inlet air temperatures are encountered, but have to pay the penalty of high energy use for reactivation.

[0010] Rotary silica gel-based desiccant dehumidifier apparatus(es) are generally regenerated at around 140 degC in most parts of the world, and in some relatively less humid areas at down to 120 degC, though, at temperatures lower than that the performance degrades rapidly. On the other hand, molecular sieves are generally regenerated at 160 degC to 200 degC. With waste heat and hot- water availability, the expectation of the industry is to seek in desiccant dehumidifier apparatus(es) which can be regenerated at temperatures lower than 120 degC, but more preferably at 80 degC or lower.

[0011] The open cycle desiccant dehumidifier apparatus(es) for moisture removal are applied to inlet air streams carrying very high moisture content (high specific humidity) to very low moisture content, with systems designed incorporating these desiccant dehumidifier apparatus(es) to achieve the target moisture removal and outlet dew points.

[0012] Desiccant dehumidifier apparatus(es) require considerable energy for the continuous reactivation of the desiccant wheel.

[0013] While the open-cycle dehumidifier apparatus(es) employ essentially silica gel family of material, though in limited cases molecular sieves are also used, and while these open-cycle desiccant dehumidifier apparatus(es) are honeycomb desiccant rotor type, there has been very limited advancement in performance, except for inventive approaches in flow configurations, including but not limited to, use of multiple rotors, combining with pre or intermediate cooling, control strategies, regeneration heat source inputs, etc. Hence, the current landscape seems to have eked out as much improved performance or energy reduction possibility.

[0014] Unites States Patent Application numbered US2016 / 0084541, teaches a tri-thermal adsorption cooling / heating system (ex. Heat exchangers) based on MOFs as solid adsorbents, in certain specific operating ranges, depending upon MOF used. This is essentially a closed cycle refrigeration system referred to as adsorption chiller in normal parlance.

[0015] PCT patent application numbered W02016170317, teaches about a rotary silica gel coated wheel being for a passive (building) ventilation system. This is essentially an energy recovery wheel in which energy, both thermal and latent / moisture is recovered / exchanged between two air streams of a building: one into the building and one out of the building. The wheel is being rotated at about 20 rpm (revolution / minute) which is typical of well-known energy recovery wheels, which in this patent is being referred to as a passive desiccant wheel. There is no thermal activation of the wheel in the application that is taught by this patent. This is not a thermally activated desiccant dehumidification wheel which typically rotate at less than 20 rph (revolution / hour).

[0016] United States Patent Application numbered US 2011 / 0067426, teaches the numerous combinations between metals and ligands which are fundamental to making any MOF as taught in fundamentals of Chemistry. It talks about the MOF material in different forms like pellet, powder, film, etc directly for use in the apparatus which is impracticable in current apparatuses.

[0017] United States Patent Application numbered US 20220260262A1, teaches the use of a desiccant wheel for commercial AHU (Air handling units) which are mainly used for commercial buildings, application wheels, passive dehumidification wheels, i.e., without any thermal activation, besides the adsorbents selected is having an adsorption and desorption band of 25% or lower relative humidity. The present invention focuses mainly on thermally activated desiccant wheel based dehumidification with special benefits of high performance using low regeneration temperature. United States Patent Application numbered US 20220390127A1, does not refer to or teach a thermally activated honeycomb desiccant wheel.

[0018] United States Patent numbered US 11874018- It mainly teaches and claims only the use of a metal plate fin heat exchanger, fully or partially coated with adsorbents. It also teaches water harvesting with a closed loop reactivation sector which is far from the present invention. It continues to teach the use of silica gel. The present invention is far removed from any of the above.

[0019] PCT patent application numbered WO2024118724 Al, teaches essentially a multi -wheel system comprising of atleast two or more wheels in cascade. It additionally focuses on type-IV and type- V adsorbents which are highly macroporous silica gels having very limited surface area. Our invention is focused on microporous novel materials having very high surface area.

[0020] United States Patent numbered US9303884, teaches essentially a system configuration of at least 3 sectors for an application limited to Low Dew Points for Lithium Battery cell production and relies on conventional desiccant materials like silica gel or molecular sieves. Its focus is on unique configuration where one sector is specially engineered to treat fresh air both for regeneration and additional space required fresh air.

[0021] United States Patent Application numbered US2024198313, teaches the use of microwave for regeneration of the desiccant system and does not have anything in common with the present invention.

[0022] PCT patent application numbered WO2023181058, teaches mainly a water harvesting device.

[0023] Although, a variety of adsorbent based wheel-type dehumidifier apparatus are well known in the art, there is a well felt need of a dehumidifier apparatus comprising a desiccant wheel including a honeycomb matrix loaded with desiccant material formulated on the honeycomb matrix, such that the desiccant wheel has improved water adsorption capacities, and reduced energy requirements, at regeneration temperatures less than 100 degC to 120 degC.

[0024] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0025] This section is intended to introduce certain objects of the disclosed system in a simplified form and is not intended to identify the key advantages or features of the present disclosure. One object of the present invention relates to providing a dehumidifier apparatus with a desiccant wheel incorporating special adsorbent materials, which are highly porous, and which are either crystalline or amorphous materials or both or multivariate, with surface area in a range of 500 m2 / g to 10000 m2 / g. These dehumidifier apparatuses having desiccant wheels carrying special desiccant materials have demonstrated the ability to not only be regenerated well at temperatures of less than 120 degC, but have also shown greater than 15-25% higher adsorption performance (water removal), under similar operating conditions when compared with dehumidifier apparatuses deploying desiccant wheel carrying benchmark materials (silica gels and molecular sieves).

[0026] Another object of the present disclosure relates to providing an open-cycle dehumidifier apparatus with a desiccant wheel incorporating special adsorbent materials, which are highly porous, which are either crystalline or amorphous or both or multivariate, with surface area in a range of 500 m2 / g to 10000 m2 / g, and a regeneration temperature of less than 120 degC, wherein the opencycle dehumidifier apparatus can be any of: dehumidifier apparatus with single or multiple rotors, dehumidifier apparatus with multiple flow sectors and arrangement, dehumidifier apparatus with pre or intermediate cooling, dehumidifier apparatus with control strategies, dehumidifier apparatus with regeneration heat source inputs, and the like.

[0027] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a desiccant apparatus. The desiccant apparatus comprises a desiccant wheel, a housing with internal baffles and air seals installed proximal to a face of the desiccant wheel, to create at least a regeneration sector and a process sector for passing air therethrough, and a wheel drive capable of rotating the desiccant wheel. In such embodiment, the desiccant wheel comprises a honeycomb matrix structure. The honeycomb matrix structure comprises a plurality of honeycomb flutes and is prepared by formulating a desiccant material onto and within a porous substrate, and thus configuring the desiccant loaded-substrate in the form of the desiccant wheel. The desiccant material is porous, and is selected from the group consisting of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs), Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework (ZIFs), an inorganic material, and / or combinations thereof, and the desiccant material is regenerated at a temperature <120 degC. Further, the desiccant material is selected, such that the energy requirement of the desiccant wheel with special desiccant material capable of being regenerated at < 120°C is at least 10% less, in terms of kW / kg of water removed, compared to desiccant wheel with silica gel-type desiccant material, at identical operating conditions. Moreover, the desiccant material is selected, such that the moisture removal capacity of the desiccant wheel with special desiccant material capable of being regenerated at < 120°C is at least 10% more, in terms of kg of water removal / kg of air, compared to desiccant wheel with silica-gel type desiccant material, at identical operating conditions. The two improvements, i.e. energy reduction and enhanced water-removal capacity, together have a compounding effect which gives this wheel a tremendous advantage and benefit. Further, the desiccant material has a surface area in a range of 500 m2 / g to 10000 m2 / g.

[0028] Some examples of the types of dehumidifier apparatus(es) in use are shown in the following drawings, incorporating the invention.

[0029] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030] In order to explain the technical solution in the embodiments of the present application more clearly, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It is obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the application. For those ordinarily skilled in the art, without any creative work, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0031] Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a dehumidifier apparatus, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of a dehumidifier apparatus, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of a dehumidifier apparatus, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 4a shows a fourth embodiment of a dehumidifier apparatus, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 4b shows a fifth embodiment of a dehumidifier apparatus, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 5 shows a sixth embodiment of a dehumidifier apparatus, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0037] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, various specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. Several features described hereafter can each be used independently of one another or with any combination of other features. An individual feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or might address only one of the problems discussed above. Some of the problems discussed above might not be fully addressed by any of the features described herein. Exemplified embodiments of the present invention are described below, as illustrated in various drawings in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings.

[0039] In the appended figures, the reference numbers are described as follows:

[0040] The terms ‘system’, 'apparatus’, and ‘dehumidifier apparatus’, ‘desiccant dehumidifier apparatus’, ‘desiccant apparatus’ interchangeably, refer to an arrangement of various components for adsorbing moisture from airstream.

[0041] The terms ‘air’, ‘airstream’, ‘airflow’, are interchangeably referred to each other, wherein the terms refer to a flowing air from which moisture is intended to be adsorbed / desorbed.

[0042] The terms ‘rotor’, ‘wheel’, and ‘module’, ‘desiccant ‘wheel’, ‘desiccant rotor’, ‘honeycomb matrix’, are interchangeably referred to each other, wherein the terms refer to a rotary desiccant wheel, such that moisture is adsorbed at one portion thereof while passing the air therethrough, while moisture is desorbed from another portion thereof while passing the air therethrough.

[0043] The terms ‘special material’, ‘novel material’, and ‘identified material’, are interchangeably referred to each other hereinafter, wherein the terms refer to the desiccant / adsorbent that carry special characteristics, including, has high porosity, is crystalline or amorphous or both or multivariate, has high surface area in a range of 500 to 10000 m2 / g, low regeneration temperature of less than 120 degC, improved kinetics, high water uptake, and high hydrothermal and hydrolytic stability.

[0044] The terms ‘outside air’, ‘outside airstream’, ‘ambient air’, and ‘ambient airstream’, are interchangeably referred to each other, wherein the terms refer to air generally available in outside environment.

[0045] Referring to figs. 1-5, there is shown various embodiments of the dehumidifier apparatus deploying the desiccant rotor with special materials. Although, the present disclosure describe various embodiments of the dehumidifier apparatus deploying the desiccant rotor with special materials, however, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to such embodiments. Details of such embodiments of the dehumidifier apparatus, will be discussed later in detail.

[0046] The honeycomb matrix structure comprises of a porous substrate, and a desiccant material formulated onto and within the porous substrate. The substrate is a porous substrate selected from the group consisting of glass fibers, ceramic fibers, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, biosoluble fibers, pulp and combination thereof, and optionally strengthened with 2 to 8% by weight of a rigidifying agent selected from the group consisting of silica sol, alumina sol, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, and acrylate. The desiccant is formulated onto and within the porous substrate. The ‘adsorbent sheet’ so prepared is then configured to form the honeycomb matrix structure. A weight ratio of the desiccant material to the porous substrate, in the adsorbent sheet, is 8: 1. The adsorbent sheets are configured to form the honeycomb matrix structure, with defined plurality of honeycomb flutes. The plurality of the honeycomb flutes has a polygonal or circular cross-section, wherein the polygonal cross-section is sinusoidal. In an embodiment, the honeycomb matrix structure comprises a single facer. In another embodiment, the honeycomb matrix structure comprises a plurality of stacked facers. In another embodiment, the honeycomb matrix structure has the desiccant material formulated onto and within its porosity where the matrix is made directly from the porous substrate.

[0047] In the present invention, the desiccant material possesses a combination of the following characteristics:

[0048] - High porosity: The desiccant material(s), deployed in the desiccant wheel of the dehumidifier apparatus of the present invention, have a high porosity characteristics. High porosity is reflective of high surface area. This helps the dehumidifier apparatus achieve high adsorption uptake.

[0049] - Increased overall surface area: The desiccant material(s), deployed in the desiccant wheel of the dehumidifier apparatus of the present invention, have increased surface area in a range of 500 m2 / g to 10000 m2 / g. This helps the dehumidifier apparatus achieve high adsorption performance.

[0050] - Low Regeneration Temperature: The desiccant material(s), deployed in the desiccant wheel of the dehumidifier apparatus of the present invention, have low regeneration temperature of less than 120 degC. This helps the dehumidifier apparatus achieve the desired performance levels with low reactivation energy requirements.

[0051] - Metal Ions: The desiccant material(s), deployed in the desiccant wheel of the dehumidifier apparatus of the present invention, have metal ions that are water-molecule friendly, e.g. Aluminium (Al), Zirconium (Zr), Chromium (Cr), Iron (Fe), Calcium (Ca), Nickel (Ni), Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn), Cobalt (Co), Copper (Cu), Magnesium (Mg), Titanium (Ti), and the like. This helps the dehumidifier apparatus achieve high performance efficiency in terms of specific performance of water removed per unit energy in inlet conditions identical to benchmark materials, e.g. silica gels. - Pore Size: The desiccant material(s), deployed in the desiccant wheel of the dehumidifier apparatus of the present invention, have a pore size less than 15 Angstrom, preferably less than 10 Angstrom, additionally being characterized with regeneration or desorption temperatures of less than 120 DegC, preferably less than 80 DegC, and further being characterized by large surface area between 500 m2 / g to 10000 m2 / g.

[0052] These desiccant material(s) formulated into the desiccant wheel, incorporated in the desiccant apparatus, can be doped with additives, selected from the category of Graphene, Titanium Salts, Silver Salts, Nano-carbon based desiccant material(s), to improve kinetics and / or performance, and impart anti-microbial properties.

[0053] In the present invention, the desiccant material is selected from the group consisting of CAU-10H, CAU-23, C AU-30, MIL-16O(A1), aluminum fumarate, aluminum terephthalate, UiO-66, UiO- 66-NH2, UiO-67, MOF-801, MOF-802, MOF-841, PCN-222, MIL-lOO(Fe), MIL-lOl(Fe), MIL- 53(Fe), MIL-lOl(Cr), MIL-lOO(Cr), MIL-53(Cr), HKUST-1, Cu-BDC, , MIL-125(Ti), NH2-MIL- 125(Ti), Ni-CPO-27, , MOF-808, NU-1000, NU-1200, MOF-802, C02CI2BTDD, Cr-soc-MOF-1, MOF-573, MOF-805, MOF-8O6, MOF-812, MIL-53(A1), Co-MOF-74, Mg-MOF-74, NOTT-400, MIL-121 , CAU-3, MFM-300, Al-NDC, Ga-soc-MOF, IRMOF-1, IRMOF-3, MOF-177, MOF- 205, MOF-210, PCN-124, MIL-68(In), MOF-DRIF2, Cu-TDPAT, Zn-TDPAT, UiO-68, MIL-88, PCN-333, NU-1400, MOF-525, SIFSIX , TIFSIX, Cu-BTTri, MIL-125(Ti), NFl2-MIL-125(Ti), MOF-573, MOF-525, Bio-MOF-11, Tb-mesoMOF, Cu-TCPP, Zr-NDC, BUT-17, FJI-HMOF , Al- MOF-235 , Al-MIL-69, Al-PMOF, MIL-47(V) , MIL-68(Ga), Fe-soc-MOF , Cu-MOF-505 , Cu- TZP, Cu-TPT, Cu-CPF-5, RE-fcu-MOFs, Ce-UiO-66, Ce-UiO-67, Yb-MOFs (Yb-MOF-76) , Mg- MOF-235, Zn-MOF-235, Bio-MOF-100 , UTSA-16 (Cu-TATB) , UTSA-60, DUT-67(Zr) , DUT- 4(A)) , [Ni2(dobdc)] , Zn - Tri azolate PCPs, MOF-DRIF1, MOROF-1, MOF-841(Sc) , CAU-21, CAU-36, ZrTUD-1 , InOF-1 , Ni-MOF-202 , Zn-MOF-74 , KMF-1 , CAU-26, FIR-53, UiO-611, UiO-67, UiO-68 , Ni8(OH)4(BDC)6(DUT-8(Ni)), Ti3-MIL-88B-NH2, CAU-13 , SBMOF-1 , SBMOF-2, MFU-4 , MFU-41 , FMOF-1 , FMOF-2 , CAU-13, IR-MOF-8, DMOF(Zn), CAU-21, CAU-26 , CAU-36 , MIP-200 (Al) , Al-PF-1 , ICR-2, ICR-7, PCN-777 (Zr) , BUT-66 (Zr) , PCN- 608 (Zr) , DUT-52 (Zr) , MIP-202(Zr) , IFP-1 , IFP-8, MAF-X27-Fe , MAF-X8-C0, DMOF-1 , NKMOF-l-Ni , CPL-2 , CPL-4 (Ni(pyz)(NO3)2) , InOF-1 , FIR-53, MOF-199 , MFM-300(In) , MIL-68(In)-BDC-NO2, Ti-CAT-5 , Ti-HTA-1 , CAU-22-Ln , MOF-76-Ln , PCP-Ln, MIL-96(A1) , MIL-140A(Zr) , Cu-BDC-BPY, Cu-BPyDC , Cu-QPTC , Zn-TBAPy , ZJU-28 , POST-66 , CAU- 24 , ALF-1, MOF-5, UiO-66-(OH)2, UiO-66-(COOH)2, UiO-66-Br, UiO-66-(CF3)2, MOF-303, UiO-67-NH2, UiO-67-(OH)2, MOF-801 -SO4, MOF-8O2-NH2, MOF-802-(OH)2, NU-1100, NU- 1101, NU-1103, MIL-12O(A1), MIL-122(A1), MIL-53-NH2(Al), MIL-53-(OH)2(Al), CAU-10- COOH, CAU-IO-OH, CAU-12, CAU-15, Al-TCPP-MOF, MIL-53-NH2(Fe), MIL-68(Fe), MIL- 127(Fe), PCN-250(Fe), Fe-BDC-NCh MOFs, Fe-BTC-NFF, Fe-BPDC, Cu-BTC-NFF, Cu-TATB , Cu-TPA, Cu-PMOF, Cu-HHTP , Cu-CP-MOFs , Zn-MOF-74-NH2 , Mg-dobpdc, Ni-dobpdc, Co- CUK-1, Co-MOF-253, JLU-Liu-10, JLU-Liu-20, AZMOF-1, AZMOF-2, FJI-MOF-8, FJI-MOF- 11, F JU-90, CPM-200-In, MIP-200-NH2, NENU-500, NENU-511, UiO-66-SO3H, UiO-67-SO3H, PCN-224, PCN-225, Mg2(dobpdc), TpPa-1, TpPa-2, COF-1, COF-5, COF-6, COF-8, TpBD, COF-LZU1, Tp-Azo, COF-300, TpTt, COF-42, COF-43, N-COF, TpNDI, COF-JLU6, TpBpy, COF-320, PyVg-COF, Tp-DANT-COF, COF-366, Tp-DMTP-COF, COF-PI, Tp-Eth, COF-OMe, COF-F, Tp-Ph, COF-BPDA, COF-TpPa-NH2, COF-TBD: COF-102, COF-103, COF-108, COF- 202, COF-203, COF-432, COF-505, TpPa-NO2,COF-DRIFl COF-506, COF-507, COF-508, COF-909, COF-910, COF-912, COF-919, COF-920, CTF-1, CTF-2, CTF-3, CTF-4, TAPT-COF, HT-COF, COF-F3, FCTF-1, PcPBBA, FCTF-2 , FCOF-1, FCOF-2, Porphyrin COF-366-Fe , Porphyrin-COF-367, COF-Porph-v2, Pc-COF, DhaTph COF, TpDha COF, COF-OH, TpPa(OH)- COF, TpBD-(NO2), (ICOF-1), ICOF-2, ICOF-3, Sulfated COFs, COF-150, COF-170, COF-1, COF-180, COF-200, COF-300, COF-300-MeNH2, COF-DHTA , COF-DAAQ ,COF-DRIF2, Azo-COF-1, Azo-COF-2, TFB-DHzD COF , COF-TpBD-(OH)2, COF-SDU1 , EB-COF-1, COF- TpDb , Py-COF, PyTTA-COF, DPP-COF-1, HNU-25, HNU-30, 3D-Py-COF, 3D-CuPc-COF, 3D- Salphen COF, TpPa-F4, COF-TTI, COF-TFPB, AA-COFs, COF-480, COF-482, TPB-DMTP- COF, COF-432, JUC-353, ZIF-7, ZIF-8, ZIF-67, ZIF-71, ZIF-90, ZIF-93, ZIF-94, ZIF-95, ZIF- 100, ZIF-300, ZIF-301, ZIF-302, ZIF-L, ZIF-4, ZIF-20, ZIF-25, ZIF-68, ZIF-69, ZIF-78, ZIF-81, ZIF-82, ZIF-204, ZIF-1, ZIF-2, ZIF-3, ZIF-DRIF2, ZIF-6, ZIF-10, ZIF-11, ZIF-12, ZIF-7 la, ZIF- 201, ZIF-202, ZIF-203, ZIF-DRIF1, ZIF-13, ZIF-15, ZIF-16, ZIF-17, ZIF-18, ZIF-19, ZIF-21, ZIF-22, ZIF-23, ZIF-24, ZIF-26, ZIF-27, ZIF-28, ZIF-29, ZIF-70, ZIF-DRIF1, ZIF-72, ZIF-73, ZIF-74, ZIF-76, ZIF-77 , ZIF-79 , ZIF-80 , ZIF-202a, ZIF-8-NTL , ZIF-8-SO3H , ZIF-8-COOH , ZIF-8-OH , ZIF-67-NTL, ZIF-L-NTL , ZIF-30, ZIF-31, ZIF-32, ZIF-33, ZIF-34, ZIF-35,ZIF-36, ZIF-37, ZIF-38, ZIF-39, ZIF-40, ZIF-41, ZIF-42, ZIF-DRIF2, ZIF-43, ZIF-44, ZIF-45, ZIF-46, ZIF-47, ZIF-48, ZIF-49, ZIF-50, ZIF-51, ZIF-52, ZIF-53, ZIF-54, ZIF-55, ZIF-56, ZIF-57, ZIF- 58, ZIF-59, ZIF-60, ZIF-61, ZIF-62, ZIF-63, ZIF-64, ZIF-65, ZIF-66, transition metal complexes, cyanometallates, and combinations thereof.

[0054] Furthermore, it may also be noted that these desiccant material(s) may be selected from the group consisting of Metal Organic framework (MOF) desiccant material, Covalent Organic Framework (COF) desiccant material, and Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework (ZIF) desiccant material, and inorganic materials, hybrid material, and multivariate materials. The said MOF is selected from the group consisting of CAU-10H, CAU-23, CAU-30, MIL-16O(A1), aluminum fumarate, aluminum terephthalate, UiO-66, U1O-66-NH2, UiO-67, MOF-801, MOF-802, MOF-841, PCN- 222, MIL-lOO(Fe), MIL-101(Fe), MIL-53(Fe), MIL-lOl(Cr), MIL-lOO(Cr), MIL-53(Cr), HKUST-1, Cu-BDC, , MIL-125(Ti), NIL-MIL- 125(Ti), Ni-CPO-27, , MOF-808, NU-1000, NU- 1200, MOF-802, C02CI2BTDD, Cr-soc-MOF-1, MOF-573, MOF-805, MOF-8O6, MOF-812, MIL-53(A1), Co-MOF-74, Mg-MOF-74, NOTT-400, MIL-121 , CAU-3, MFM-300, Al-NDC, Ga- soc-MOF, IRMOF-1, IRMOF-3, MOF-177, MOF-205, MOF-210, PCN-124, MIL-68(In), MOF- DRIF2, Cu-TDPAT, Zn-TDPAT, UiO-68, MIL-88, PCN-333, NU-1400, MOF-525, SIFSIX , TIFSIX, Cu-BTTri, MIL-125(Ti), NH2-MIL-125(Ti), MOF-573, MOF-525, Bio-MOF-11, Tb- mesoMOF, Cu-TCPP, Zr-NDC, BUT-17, FJLHMOF , Al-MOF-235 , Al-MIL-69, Al-PMOF, MIL- 47(V) , MIL-68(Ga), Fe-soc-MOF , Cu-MOF-505 , Cu-TZP, Cu-TPT, Cu-CPF-5, RE-fcu-MOFs, Ce-UiO-66, Ce-UiO-67, Yb-MOFs (Yb-MOF-76) , Mg-MOF-235, Zn-MOF-235, Bio-MOF-lOO , UTSA-16 (Cu-TATB) , UTSA-60, DUT-67(Zr) , DUT-4(A1) , [Ni2(dobdc)] , Zn-Triazolate PCPs, MOF-DRIF1, MOROF-1, MOF-841(Sc) , CAU-21, CAU-36, ZrTUD-1 , InOF-1 , Ni-MOF-202 , Zn-MOF-74 , KMF-1 , CAU-26, FIR-53, UiO-611, UiO-67, UiO-68 , Ni8(OH)4(BDC)6(DUT- 8(Ni)), Ti3-MIL-88B-NH2, CAU-13 , SBMOF-1 , SBMOF-2, MFU-4 , MFU-41 , FMOF-1 , FMOF-2 , CAU-13, IR-MOF-8, DMOF(Zn), CAU-21, CAU-26 , CAU-36 , MIP-200 (Al) , Al- PF-1 , ICR-2, ICR-7, PCN-777 (Zr) , BUT-66 (Zr) , PCN-608 (Zr) , DUT-52 (Zr) , MIP-202(Zr) , IFP-1 , IFP-8, MAF-X27-Fe , MAF-X8-C0, DMOF-1 , NKMOF-l-Ni , CPL-2 , CPL-4 (Ni(pyz)(NO3)2) , InOF-1 , FIR-53, MOF-199 , MFM-300(In) , MIL-68(In)-BDC-NO2, Ti-CAT- 5 , Ti-HTA-1 , CAU-22-Ln , MOF-76-Ln , PCP-Ln, MIL-96(A1) , MIL- 140 A (Zr) , Cu-BDC- BPY, Cu-BPyDC , Cu-QPTC , Zn-TBAPy , ZJU-28 , POST-66 , CAU-24 , ALF-1, MOF-5, UiO- 66-(OH)2, UiO-66-(COOH)2, UiO-66-Br, UiO-66-(CF3)2, MOF-303, U1O-67-NH2, UiO-67-(OH)2, MOF-8OI-SO4, MOF-802-NH2, MOF-802-(OH)2, NU-1100, NU-1101, NU-1103, MIL-12O(A1), MIL-122(A1), MIL-53 -NH^ Al), MIL-53-(OH)2(Al), CAU-IO-COOH, CAU-IO-OH, CAU-12, C AU-15, Al-TCPP-MOF, MIL-53-NH2(Fe), MIL-68(Fe), MIL-127(Fe), PCN-250(Fe), Fe-BDC- NO2MOFS, Fe-BTC-NH2, Fe-BPDC, Cu-BTC-NH2, Cu-TATB , Cu-TPA, Cu-PMOF, Cu-HHTP , Cu-CP-MOFs , Zn-MOF-74-NH2 , Mg-dobpdc, Ni-dobpdc, Co-CUK-1, Co-MOF-253, JLU-Liu- 10, JLU-Liu-20, AZMOF-1, AZMOF-2, FJI-MOF-8, FJLMOF-11, F JU-90, CPM-200-In, MIP- 200-NH2, NENU-500, NENU-511, UiO-66-SO3H, UiO-67-SO3H, PCN-224, PCN-225, Mg2(dobpdc), and combination thereof. Metal ions in the MOF material, as example of the desiccant material, may be selected from the group consisting of: Al, Co, Zr, Cr, Ca, Fe, Ni, Zn, Mn, Cu, Mg, Ti, Ni, Zr. The said COF is selected from the group consisting of TpPa-1, TpPa-2, COF-1, COF-5, COF-6, COF-8, TpBD, COF-LZU1, Tp-Azo, COF-300, TpTt, COF-42, COF-43, N-COF, TpNDI, COF-JLU6, TpBpy, COF-320, PyVg-COF, Tp-DANT-COF, COF-366, Tp- DMTP-COF, COF-PI, Tp-Eth, COF-OMe, COF-F, Tp-Ph, COF-BPDA, COF-TpPa-NH2, COF- TBD: COF-102, COF-103, COF-108, COF-202, COF-203, COF-432, COF-505, TpPa-N02,C0F- DRIF1 COF-506, COF-507, COF-508, COF-909, COF-910, COF-912, COF-919, COF-920, CTF- 1, CTF-2, CTF-3, CTF-4, TAPT-COF, HT-COF, COF-F3, FCTF-1, PcPBBA, FCTF-2 , FCOF-1, FCOF-2, Porphyrin COF-366-Fe , Porphyrin-COF-367, COF-Porph-v2, Pc-COF, DhaTph COF, TpDha COF, COF-OH, TpPa(OH)-COF, TpBD-(NO2), (ICOF-1), ICOF-2, ICOF-3, Sulfated COFs, COF-150, COF-170, COF-1, COF-180, COF-200, COF-300, COF-300-MeNH2, COF- DHTA , COF-DAAQ ,COF-DRIF2, Azo-COF-1, Azo-COF-2, TFB-DHzD COF , COF-TpBD- (OH)2, COF-SDU1 , EB-COF-1, COF-TpDb , Py-COF, PyTTA-COF, DPP-COF-1, HNU-25, HNU-30, 3D-Py-COF, 3D-CuPc-COF, 3D-Salphen COF, TpPa-F4, COF-TTI, COF-TFPB, AA- COFs, COF-480, COF-482, TPB-DMTP-COF, COF-432, JUC-353,, and combination thereof. The said ZIF is selected from the group consisting of ZIF-7, ZIF-8, ZIF-67, ZIF-71, ZIF-90, ZIF-93, ZIF-94, ZIF-95, ZIF-100, ZIF-300, ZIF-301, ZIF-302, ZIF-L, ZIF-4, ZIF-20, ZIF-25, ZIF-68, ZIF- 69, ZIF-78, ZIF-81, ZIF-82, ZIF-204, ZIF-1, ZIF-2, ZIF-3, ZIF-DRIF2, ZIF-6, ZIF-10, ZIF-11, ZIF-12, ZIF-71a, ZIF-201, ZIF-202, ZIF-203, ZIF-DRIF1, ZIF-13, ZIF-15, ZIF-16, ZIF-17, ZIF- 18, ZIF-19, ZIF-21, ZIF-22, ZIF-23, ZIF-24, ZIF-26, ZIF-27, ZIF-28, ZIF-29, ZIF-70, ZIF- DRIF1, ZIF-72, ZIF-73, ZIF-74, ZIF-76, ZIF-77 , ZIF-79 , ZIF-80 , ZIF-202a, ZIF-8-NH2 , ZIF- 8-SO3H , ZIF-8-COOH , ZIF-8-OH , ZIF-67-NH2, ZIF-L-NFL , ZIF-30, ZIF-31, ZIF-32, ZIF-33, ZIF-34, ZIF-35, ZIF-36, ZIF-37, ZIF-38, ZIF-39, ZIF-40, ZIF-41, ZIF-42, ZIF-DRIF2, ZIF-43, ZIF-44, ZIF -45, ZIF-46, ZIF-47, ZIF-48, ZIF-49, ZIF-50, ZIF-51, ZIF-52, ZIF-53, ZIF-54, ZIF- 55, ZIF-56, ZIF-57, ZIF-58, ZIF-59, ZIF-60, ZIF-61, ZIF-62, ZIF-63, ZIF-64, ZIF-65, ZIF-66,and combination thereof. Further, the desiccant material is selected, such that the energy requirement of the desiccant wheel with special desiccant material capable of being regenerated at < 120°C is at least 10% less, in terms of kW / kg of water removed, compared to desiccant wheel with silica gel-type desiccant material, at identical operating conditions. Moreover, the desiccant material is selected, such that the moisture removal capacity of the desiccant wheel with special desiccant material capable of being regenerated at < 120°C is at least 10% more, in terms of kg of water removal / kg of air, compared to desiccant wheel with silica-gel type desiccant material, at identical operating conditions. Therefore, it is clarified that usage of such desiccant material in the desiccant wheel of the dehumidifier apparatus, increases the overall adsorption performance while consuming less reactivation energy or both of the dehumidifier apparatus. Accordingly, not only high-performance requirements are achieved by the dehumidifier apparatus of the present invention, but also substantial energy savings are observed. The desiccant materials, deployed in the desiccant wheel of the dehumidifier apparatus of the present invention, achieve high adsorption performance in terms of water uptake and can be customized or optimized water uptake in different Relative Humidity (Rh) and application ranges.

[0055] Referring to fig. 1, there is shown a first embodiment of the dehumidifier apparatus, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure, the dehumidifier apparatus comprises the desiccant wheel (1); a wheel drive (4) for continuously rotating / driving the desiccant wheel (1); a housing provided with internal baffles and air seals proximate to the wheel face to create plenums or sectors and prevent air from leaking between adjacent sectors defined in the desiccant wheel (1) while creating air paths for air to pass through desiccant wheel (1); and one or more fans (5) to create airflows through the air paths (6, 7, 8, 9) defined by the housing. In the first embodiment of the dehumidifier apparatus, the desiccant wheel (1) comprises of two sectors for allowing air to pass therethrough, i.e. a process sector (2) and a reactivation sector (3). Notably, the air-paths (6, 7, 8, 9) defined, are a process inlet air-path (6), a process outlet air-path (7), a reactivation inlet air-path (8), and a reactivation outletair path (9).

[0056] Air flowing in the process inlet air-path (6) can be termed as ‘process inlet air’

[0057] Air flowing in the process outlet air-path (7) can be termed as ‘process outlet air’,

[0058] A combination of the ‘process inlet air’ and the ‘process outlet air’ is termed as ‘process air’.

[0059] Air flowing in the reactivation inlet air-path (8) can be termed as ‘reactivation inlet air’,

[0060] Air flowing in the reactivation outlet air-path (9) can be termed as ‘reactivation outlet air’, A combination of the ‘reactivation inlet air’ and the ‘reactivation outlet air’ is termed as ‘reactivation air’.

[0061] A first fan (not shown) is deployed to generate a flow of the process air, wherein the process inlet air (for example, room air from closed room space, or ambient air from external environment) is received through the process inlet air-path, passed through the process sector (2) of the desiccant wheel (1), and then the process outlet air is vent (for example, to the closed room space) through the process outlet air-path (7). It may be noted that since the process air is passed through the process sector (2) of the desiccant wheel (1), the process outlet air is low in humidity than the process inlet air. Particularly, the moisture in the process inlet air is adsorbed by the special adsorbent material carried in the process sector (2) of the desiccant wheel (1). In a preferred embodiment, the room air received from process outlet air-path (7), can be recirculated as the process inlet air in the process inlet air-path (6), for further dehumidification. Further, a second fan (5) is installed to generate reactivation air, wherein reactivation inlet air (for example, outside air from external environment) is received through the reactivation inlet air-path (8), passed through the reactivation sector (3) of the desiccant wheel (1), and then the reactivation outlet air is vent (for example, to external environment) through the reactivation outlet air-path (9). Furthermore, a heating unit (10) is installed within the reactivation inlet air-path (8) to heat the reactivation inlet air, before passing the reactivation air through the reactivation sector (3) of the desiccant wheel (1). The heating unit (10) can be either of an electric heating unit, a solar heating unit, a wasteheat utilization unit, and the like. By doing so, the moisture in reactivation sector (3) of the desiccant wheel (1) is desorbed from the special adsorbent material carried therein, and thus the reactivation outlet air is high in humidity than the reactivation inlet air. A placement / location of the fan in the figures is exemplary in nature, and does not limit a scope of the present disclosure.

[0062] In operation of the first embodiment of the apparatus, the first fan is operated to generate the flow of process air. Particularly, process inlet air passes (for example, room air from closed room space, or ambient air from external environment) is received through the process inlet air-path (6), to be further passed through the process sector (2) of the desiccant wheel (1), and to be later vent the process outlet air (for example, to closed room space) through the process outlet air-path (7). While passing the process air through the process sector of the desiccant wheel, moisture within the process air is adsorbed by the special material provided therein. Therefore, the process outlet air vent through the process outlet air-path (7) has relatively low humidity, as compared to the process inlet air entering through the process inlet air-path (6), thereby achieving dehumidification. Furthermore, the second fan (5) causes the reactivation inlet air (for example, outside air) in the reactivation inlet air-path (8), to be passed through the reactivation sector (3) of the desiccant wheel (1), and further vent the reactivation outlet air in the reactivation outlet air-path (9). It may be noted that passing the reactivation air through the reactivation sector (3) of the desiccant wheel (1), causes desorption of the moisture from the special material carried in the reactivation sector (3) of the desiccant wheel (1). Therefore, the desiccant wheel (1) is regenerated, to be reused again. In particular, the wheel drive (4) continuously rotates the desiccant wheel (1), for enabling various portions / sectors of the desiccant wheel (1) to be used and reused.

[0063] Advantages of the present invention relates to the dehumidifier apparatus deploying the desiccant wheel incorporating special adsorbent materials.

[0064] One advantage of the present invention can be clearly understood from the table below, which shows a comparison of output (both in terms of energy as well as performance) between a conventional dehumidifier apparatus deploying desiccant wheel incorporating benchmark material of ‘silica gel’, with respect to the dehumidifier apparatus deploying desiccant wheel incorporating desiccant material: The above table clearly brings about the advantage of the present invention, particularly with industry needs in the context of requiring lower reactivation temperatures of 80 degC or lower. As is shown in tabulation above, while keeping the inlet condition same, i.e. the regeneration temperature at 50 degC, the conventional dehumidifier apparatus (based on silica gel) achieved a moisture removal of 0.95 kg / h, while the present dehumidifier apparatus (based on special adsorbent materials, identified as MOF-DRIF 1 and MOF-DRIF2) achieved a moisture removal of 1.2 kg / h, 1.12 kg / h, respectively, at a regeneration temperature of 50 degC. This gain is identified by 26%, and 18%, extra gain, respectively, in adsorption performance by the present dehumidifier apparatus as compared to the conventional dehumidifier apparatus, at same regeneration temperature of 50 degC and reactivation heating energy requirements, particularly at similar inlet conditions. As is shown in tabulation above, while keeping the inlet condition same, i.e. the regeneration temperature at 60 degC, the conventional dehumidifier apparatus (based on silica gel) achieved a moisture removal of 1.14 kg / h, while the present dehumidifier apparatus (based on special adsorbent materials, identified as MOF-DRIF1 and MOF-DRIF2) achieved a moisture removal of 1.39 kg / h, 1.31 kg / h, respectively, at a regeneration temperature of 60 degC. This gain is identified by 22%, and 15%, extra gain, respectively, in adsorption performance by the present dehumidifier apparatus as compared to the conventional dehumidifier apparatus, at same regeneration temperature of 60 degC and reactivation heating energy requirements, particularly at similar inlet conditions.

[0065] As is shown in tabulation above, while keeping the inlet condition same, i.e. the regeneration temperature at 70 degC, the conventional dehumidifier apparatus (based on silica gel) achieved a moisture removal of 1.2 kg / h, while the present dehumidifier apparatus (based on special adsorbent materials, identified as MOF-DRIF1 and MOF-DRIF2) achieved a moisture removal of 1.45 kg / h, 1.41 kg / h, respectively, at a regeneration temperature of 70 degC. This gain is identified by 21%, and 18%, extra gain, respectively, in adsorption performance by the present dehumidifier apparatus as compared to the conventional dehumidifier apparatus, at same regeneration temperature of 70 degC and reactivation heating energy requirements, particularly at similar inlet conditions.

[0066] As is shown in tabulation above, while keeping the inlet condition same, i.e. the regeneration temperature at 80 Degree Celcius, the conventional dehumidifier apparatus (based on silica gel) achieved a moisture removal of 1.64 kg / h, while the present dehumidifier apparatus (based on special adsorbent materials, identified as MOF-DRIF1 and MOF-DRIF2) achieved a moisture removal of 2.01 kg / h, 1.82 kg / h, respectively, at a regeneration temperature of 80 degree Celcius. This gain is identified by 23%, and 11%, extra gain, respectively, in adsorption performance by the present dehumidifier apparatus as compared to the conventional dehumidifier apparatus, at same regeneration temperature of 80 degree Celcius and reactivation heating energy requirements, particularly at similar inlet conditions.

[0067] Another advantage of the present invention can be clearly understood from the table below, which shows a comparison of output (both in terms of energy as well as performance) between the conventional dehumidifier apparatus deploying desiccant wheel incorporating benchmark material of ‘silica gel’ with respect to the present dehumidifier apparatus deploying desiccant wheel incorporating special desiccant material (identified as MOF-DRIF1):

[0068] As is shown in tabulation above, while keeping the inlet condition same, the conventional dehumidifier apparatus (based on ‘silica gel’ desiccant material) achieved same moisture removal rate (2.01 kg / h) while consuming reactivation energy of 4.69 kW, while the present dehumidifier apparatus (based on ‘special desiccant material’ identified as ‘MOF -DRIFT) achieved the same moisture removal rate (2.01 kg / h) while consuming reactivation energy of 3.69 kW. This gain is identified by 21% reduction in reactivation energy requirements by the present dehumidifier apparatus as compared to the conventional dehumidifier apparatus, for providing same moisture removal rate, particularly at similar inlet conditions.

[0069] Similarly, while keeping the inlet condition same, the conventional dehumidifier apparatus (based on ‘silica gel’ desiccant material) achieved same moisture removal rate (3.9 kg / h) while consuming reactivation energy of 5.7 kW, while the present dehumidifier apparatus (based on ‘special desiccant material’ identified as ‘MOF -DRIFT) achieved the same moisture removal rate (3.9 kg / h) while consuming reactivation energy of 4.69 kW. This gain is identified by 18% reduction in reactivation energy requirements by the present dehumidifier apparatus as compared to the conventional dehumidifier apparatus, for providing same moisture removal rate, particularly at similar inlet conditions.

[0070] Referring to fig. 2, there is shown a second embodiment of the dehumidifier apparatus, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure, the dehumidifier apparatus comprises the desiccant wheel (1); a wheel drive (4) for continuously rotating / driving the desiccant wheel (1); a housing provided with internal baffles and air seals proximate to the wheel face to create plenums or sectors and prevent air from leaking between adjacent sectors defined in the desiccant wheel (1) while creating air paths for air to pass through desiccant wheel (1); and one or more fans (5) to create airflows through the air paths (6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 15) defined by the housing. In the second embodiment of the dehumidifier apparatus, the desiccant wheel (1) comprises of three sectors for allowing air to pass therethrough, i.e. a process sector (2), a reactivation sector (3), and a purge sector (14). Notably, the air-paths (6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 15) defined are a process inlet air-path (6), a process outlet air-path (7), a purge inlet air-path (13), a purge outlet air-path (15), a reactivation inlet air-path (8), and a reactivation outletair path (9). The definition are as follows:

[0071] Air flowing in the process inlet air-path (6) can be termed as ‘process inlet air’;

[0072] Air flowing in the process outlet air-path (7) can be termed as ‘process outlet air’;

[0073] A combination of the ‘process inlet air’ and the ‘process outlet air’ is termed as ‘process air’;

[0074] Air flowing in the purge inlet air-path (13) can be termed as ‘purge inlet air’;

[0075] Air flowing in the purge outlet air-path (15) can be termed as ‘purge outlet air’;

[0076] A combination of the ‘purge inlet air’ and the ‘purge outlet air’ is termed as ‘purge air’;

[0077] Air flowing in the reactivation inlet air-path (8) can be termed as ‘reactivation inlet air’;

[0078] Air flowing in the reactivation outlet air-path (9) can be termed as ‘reactivation outlet air’,

[0079] A combination of the ‘reactivation inlet air’ and the ‘reactivation outlet air’ is termed as ‘reactivation air’.

[0080] Further, a first fan (not shown) is deployed to generate a flow of the process air, wherein the process inlet air (for example, room air from closed room space, or ambient air from external environment) is received through the process inlet air-path (6), passed through the process sector (2) of the desiccant wheel (1), and then the process outlet air is vent (for example, to the closed room space) through the process outlet air-path (7). It may be noted that since the process air is passed through the process sector (2) of the desiccant wheel (1), the process outlet air is low in humidity than the process inlet air. Particularly, the moisture in the process inlet air is adsorbed by the special adsorbent material carried in the process sector (2) of the desiccant wheel (1). Further, a second fan (5) is deployed to generate purge airflow and reactivation air flow. Particularly, the second fan is operated to extract a portion of the ‘process inlet air’, and direct the same to the purge inlet airpath (13). This portion of the process inlet air is termed as ‘purge inlet air’. Further, the second fan causes the purge air, to pass through the purge sector (14) of the desiccant wheel (1), to supply purge outlet air in the purge outlet air-path (15). Now, the second fan (5) is operated to cause the purge outlet air to be transferred as the reactivation inlet air in the reactivation inlet air-path (8). Reactivation inlet air, also additionally includes, outside air. Thus, the second fan (5) is installed to generate reactivation air, wherein reactivation inlet air is received through the reactivation inlet air-path (8), passed through the reactivation sector (3) of the desiccant wheel (1), and then the reactivation outlet air is vent (for example, to external environment) through the reactivation outlet air-path (9). Furthermore, a heating unit (10) is installed within the reactivation inlet air-path (8) to heat the reactivation inlet air, before passing the reactivation air through the reactivation sector (3) of the desiccant wheel (1). The heating unit (10) can be either of an electric heating unit, a solar heating unit, a waste-heat utilization unit, and the like. By doing so, the moisture in reactivation sector (3) of the desiccant wheel (1) is desorbed from the special adsorbent material carried therein, and thus the reactivation outlet air is high in humidity than the reactivation inlet air. A placement / location of the fans in the figures are exemplary in nature, and does not limit a scope of the present disclosure.

[0081] In operation of the second embodiment of the apparatus, the first fan is operated to generate the flow of process air. Particularly, process inlet air passes (for example, room air from closed room space, or ambient air from external environment, or a mixture of already dehumidified air supplied to the room and outside air) is received through the process inlet air-path (6), to be further passed through the process sector (2) of the desiccant wheel (1), and to be later vent the process outlet air (for example, to closed room space) through the process outlet air-path (7). While passing the process air through the process sector of the desiccant wheel, moisture within the process air is adsorbed by the desiccant material provided therein. Therefore, the process outlet air vent through the process outlet air-path (7) has relatively low humidity, as compared to the process inlet air entering through the process inlet air-path (6), thereby achieving dehumidification. Further, the second fan (5) causes a portion of the process inlet air to be supplied as the purge inlet air in the purge inlet air-path (13), and further causes the purge air to be passed through the purge sector (14) of the desiccant wheel (1), to be later outlet through as the purge outlet air in the purge outlet airpath (15). Furthermore, the second fan (5) also causes the purge outlet air to be transferred as the reactivation inlet air in the reactivation inlet air-path (8). Moreover, the second fan (5) also causes the reactivation inlet air in the reactivation inlet air-path (8), to be passed through the reactivation sector (3) of the desiccant wheel (1), and further vent the reactivation outlet air in the reactivation outlet air-path (9). It may be noted that passing the reactivation air through the reactivation sector (3) of the desiccant wheel (1), causes desorption of the moisture from the desiccant material carried in the reactivation sector (3) of the desiccant wheel (1). Therefore, the desiccant wheel (1) is regenerated, to be reused again. In particular, the wheel drive (4) continuously rotates the desiccant wheel (1), for enabling various portions / sectors of the desiccant wheel (1) to be used and reused.

[0082] Referring to fig. 3, there is shown a third embodiment of the dehumidifier apparatus, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure, the dehumidifier apparatus comprises the desiccant wheel (1); a wheel drive (4) for continuously rotating / driving the desiccant wheel (1); a housing provided with internal baffles and air seals proximate to the wheel face to create plenums or sectors and prevent air from leaking between adjacent sectors defined in the desiccant wheel (1) while creating air paths for air to pass through desiccant wheel (1); and one or more fans (10, 20, 5) to create airflows through the air paths (6, 7, 8, 9) defined by the housing. In the third embodiment of the dehumidifier apparatus, the desiccant wheel (1) comprises of four sectors for allowing air to pass therethrough, i.e. a process sector (2), a reactivation sector (3), and two purge sectors namely a first purge sector (18a) and second purge sector (18b). Notably, the air-paths (6, 7, 8, 9) defined are a process inlet airpath (6), a process outlet air-path (7), a reactivation inlet air-path (8), and a reactivation outlet-air path (9). The definition are as follows:

[0083] Air flowing in the process inlet air-path (6) can be termed as ‘process inlet air’;

[0084] Air flowing in the process outlet air-path (7) can be termed as ‘process outlet air’;

[0085] A combination of the ‘process inlet air’ and the ‘process outlet air’ is termed as ‘process air’;

[0086] Air flowing in the reactivation inlet air-path (8) can be termed as ‘reactivation inlet air’;

[0087] Air flowing in the reactivation outlet air-path (9) can be termed as ‘reactivation outlet air’,

[0088] A combination of the ‘reactivation inlet air’ and the ‘reactivation outlet air’ is termed as ‘reactivation air’.

[0089] Further, a first fan (10) is deployed to generate a flow of the process air, wherein the process inlet air (for example, room air from closed room space, or ambient air from external environment) is received through the process inlet air-path (6), passed through the process sector (2) of the desiccant wheel (1), and then the process outlet air is vent (for example, to the closed room space) through the process outlet air-path (7). It may be noted that since the process air is passed through the process sector (2) of the desiccant wheel (1), the process outlet air is low in humidity than the process inlet air. Particularly, the moisture in the process inlet air is adsorbed by the special adsorbent material carried in the process sector (2) of the desiccant wheel (1). Further, a second fan (20) is deployed to circulate air between the first purge sector (18a) and the second purge sector (18b), to cause heat transfer from the second purge sector to the first purge sector (18a). Thereby, the portion of the desiccant wheel (1) is precooled before entering the process sector (2), while another portion of desiccant wheel (1) is heated before entering the reactivation sector (3). Further, a third fan (5) is installed to generate reactivation air, wherein reactivation inlet air (for example, outside air from external environment) is received through the reactivation inlet air-path (8), passed through the reactivation sector (3) of the desiccant wheel (1), and then the reactivation outlet air is vent (for example, to external environment) through the reactivation outlet air-path (9). Furthermore, a heating unit is installed within the reactivation inlet air-path (8) to heat the reactivation inlet air, before passing the reactivation air through the reactivation sector (3) of the desiccant wheel (1). By doing so, the moisture in reactivation sector (3) of the desiccant wheel (1) is desorbed from the special adsorbent material carried therein, and thus the reactivation outlet air is high in humidity than the reactivation inlet air. Additionally, a cooling unit (16a) is provided to precool the process inlet air in the process inlet air-path (6). Optionally, another cooling unit (16b) can be installed in the reactivation inlet air-path (8) before the heating unit (10), to dehumidify reactivation inlet air. A placement / location of the fan in the figures is exemplary in nature, and does not limit a scope of the present disclosure.

[0090] In operation of the first embodiment of the apparatus, the first fan (10) is operated to generate the flow of process air. Particularly, process inlet air passes (for example, room air from closed room space, or ambient air from external environment) is received through the process inlet air-path (6), to be further passed through the process sector (2) of the desiccant wheel (1), and to be later vent the process outlet air (for example, to closed room space) through the process outlet air-path (7). While passing the process air through the process sector of the desiccant wheel, moisture within the process air is adsorbed by the special material provided therein. Therefore, the process outlet air vent through the process outlet air-path (7) has relatively low humidity, as compared to the process inlet air entering through the process inlet air-path (6), thereby achieving dehumidification. Furthermore, the second fan causes circulation of air between the first purge sector (18a) and the second purge sector (18b), such that heat is transferred from the second purge sector (18b) to the first purge sector (18a). Furthermore, the third fan (5) causes the reactivation inlet air (for example, outside air) in the reactivation inlet air-path (8), to be passed through the reactivation sector (3) of the desiccant wheel (1), and further vent the reactivation outlet air in the reactivation outlet airpath (9). It may be noted that passing the reactivation air through the reactivation sector (3) of the desiccant wheel (1), causes desorption of the moisture from the desiccant material carried in the reactivation sector (3) of the desiccant wheel (1). Therefore, the desiccant wheel (1) is regenerated, to be reused again. In particular, the wheel drive (5) continuously rotates the desiccant wheel (1), for enabling various portions / sectors of the desiccant wheel (1) to be used and reused.

[0091] Figure 4a shows a fourth embodiment of the dehumidifier apparatus of the present invention. The purpose of the fourth embodiment of the dehumidifier apparatus, is with regards to air water generation, i.e. to extract water from air. The fourth embodiment of the dehumidifier apparatus is very similar to the first embodiment of the dehumidifier apparatus. Particularly, the fourth embodiment of the dehumidifier apparatus of the present invention also comprises the desiccant wheel (1); the wheel drive (4); the housing; and one or more fans (5), and also defines one or more air paths (6, 7, 8, 9). Similar to the first embodiment, in the fourth embodiment of the dehumidifier apparatus, the desiccant wheel (1) comprises of two sectors i.e. the process sector (2) and the reactivation sector (3). A structure and arrangement of various components of the fourth embodiment of the dehumidifier apparatus is also same as that of a structure and arrangement of various components of the first embodiment of the dehumidifier apparatus, and is therefore not repeated herein for the sake of brevity. An operation of the fourth embodiment of the dehumidifier apparatus is also same as that of an operation of various components of the first embodiment of the dehumidifier apparatus, and is therefore also not repeated herein for the sake of brevity. The fourth embodiment of the dehumidifier apparatus additionally deploys a cooling unit (16) positioned in the reactivation air outlet air-path (9) for cooling the reactivation outlet air in the reactivation air outlet air-path (9). Such cooling of the reactivation outlet air causes condensation of the moisture received therein. Such condensed water is collected in a recover tank (23), for potable purposes. Thus, this embodiment proves beneficial, particularly in arid areas, for the purposes of water extraction from air.

[0092] Figure 4b shows a fifth embodiment of the dehumidifier apparatus of the present invention. The purpose of the fifth embodiment of the dehumidifier apparatus, is with regards to air water generation, i.e. to extract water from air. The fifth embodiment of the dehumidifier apparatus is very similar to the fourth embodiment of the dehumidifier apparatus. Particularly, the fifth embodiment of the dehumidifier apparatus of the present invention also comprises the desiccant wheel (1); the wheel drive (4); the housing; and one or more fans (5), and also defines one or more air paths (6, 7, 8, 9). Similar to the fourth embodiment, in the fifth embodiment of the dehumidifier apparatus, the desiccant wheel (1) comprises of two sectors i.e. the process sector (2) and the reactivation sector (3). A structure and arrangement of various components of the fourth embodiment of the dehumidifier apparatus is also same as that of a structure and arrangement of various components of the first embodiment of the dehumidifier apparatus, and is therefore not repeated herein for the sake of brevity. An operation of the fifth embodiment of the dehumidifier apparatus is also same as that of an operation of various components of the fourth embodiment of the dehumidifier apparatus, and is therefore also not repeated herein for the sake of brevity. In the fifth embodiment of the dehumidifier apparatus, a portion of the ‘reactivation outlet air’ is recirculated to the ‘process inlet air’. Thus, this embodiment proves beneficial, particularly in arid areas, for the purposes of water extraction from air. Figure 5 shows a sixth embodiment of the dehumidifier apparatus of the present invention. The sixth embodiment of the dehumidifier apparatus is a passive dehumidifier apparatus. However, a structure, arrangement, and operation of the sixth embodiment of the dehumidifier apparatus of the present invention, is same that of the sixth embodiment of the dehumidifier apparatus. The differentiating part is that the desiccant wheel (1) of this sixth embodiment comprises the process sector (2) and the reactivation sector (3) in equal ratio; in the desiccant wheel (1) of this sixth embodiment comprises the process sector (2) and the reactivation sector (3) in a ratio that is different from the previous embodiments. In this embodiment, the special desiccant material is passively regenerated through humidity swing where the regeneration sector of the desiccant wheel is activated with air at room temperature, with no additional heat, in a phenomena referred to as passive dehumidification, utilizing the moisture uptake differential between 50 and 100% RH. Thus, this embodiment provides for no active thermal regeneration.

[0093] Conclusively, in each of the aforesaid embodiments, the desiccant wheel is regenerated at a temperature of less than 120°C, preferably less than 80°C, less than 70°C, less than 60°C, or less than 50°C, including no active thermal regeneration at all. In an embodiment, the adsorption capacity of the desiccant wheel at a relative humidity (RH) of from 5% to 90%, typically with Type-II, or Type-III, or Type-IV, or S-curve desiccant material, is up to 180%.

[0094] Although, particular embodiments have been disclosed herein in detail, this is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended in any way to limit the intended scope of the invention. Variations and adaptions of the system as described herein do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention and is within the expertise of a person skilled in the art.

[0095] LIST OF COMPONENTS

[0096] 1 - Desiccant wheel

[0097] 2 - Process Sector

[0098] 3 - Reactivation Sector

[0099] 14, 18a, 18b - Purge Sectors

[0100] 4 - Wheel Drive

[0101] 5, 20, 10 - Blower more fans

[0102] 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 15 - Air paths

Claims

We claim:

1. A dehumidifier apparatus, comprising: o a desiccant wheel, comprising:■ a honeycomb matrix structure, said honeycomb matrix structure comprising a plurality of honeycomb flutes, the honeycomb matrix structure comprising a porous substrate, and a desiccant material formulated onto and within the porous substrate,■ wherein the desiccant material is selected from the group consisting of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs), Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework (ZIFs), an inorganic material, and / or combinations thereof,■ wherein the desiccant material is porous,■ wherein the desiccant material is micropore having a pore size less than 15 Angstrom;■ wherein the desiccant material is regenerated at a temperature <120 degC,■ wherein the energy requirement of the desiccant wheel with the desiccant material capable of being regenerated at < 120°C is at least 10% less, in terms of kW / kg of water removed, compared to desiccant wheel with silica gel-type desiccant material, at identical operating conditions,■ wherein the moisture removal capacity of the desiccant wheel with special desiccant material capable of being regenerated at < 120°C is at least 10% more, in terms of kg of water removal / kg of air, compared to desiccant wheel with silica-gel type desiccant material, at identical operating conditions, and■ wherein the desiccant material has a surface area in a range of 500 m2 / g to 10000 m2 / g, o a housing with internal baffles and air seals proximal to a face of the rotary desiccant bed, to create at least a regeneration sector and a process sector, for passing air therethrough; and o a wheel drive capable of rotating the rotary desiccant wheel.2, The dehumidifier apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the desiccant material is micropore having a pore size preferably less than 10 Angstrom.3, The dehumidifier apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the desiccant wheel is regenerated at a temperature of less than 80°C, less than 70°C, less than 60°C, or less than 50°C.4, The dehumidifier apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the desiccant wheel is regenerated without reactivation energy, being a passive dehumidification apparatus using air at room temperature for regeneration.5, The dehumidifier apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein adsorption capacity of the desiccant wheel, at a relative humidity (RH), of up to 90%, is up to 180%.6, The dehumidifier apparatus as claimed in claim 1, an adsorbent sheet, formed by formulating the adsorbent material onto and within the porous substrate, has a weight ratio between the adsorbent material and the porous substrate, is 8: 1.7, The dehumidifier apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the MOF is selected from the group consisting of CAU-10H, CAU-23, CAU-30, MIL-16O(A1), aluminum fumarate, aluminum terephthalate, UiO-66, UiO-66-NH2, UiO-67, MOF-801, MOF-802, MOF-841, PCN-222, MIL-100(Fe), MIL-101(Fe), MIL-53(Fe), MIL-lOl(Cr), MIL-lOO(Cr), MIL- 53(Cr), HKUST-1, Cu-BDC, , MIL-125(Ti), NH2-MIL-125(Ti), Ni-CPO-27, , MOF-808, NU-1000, NU-1200, MOF-802, C02CI2BTDD, Cr-soc-MOF-1, MOF-573, MOF-805, MOF-8O6, MOF-812, MIL-53(A1), Co-MOF-74, Mg-MOF-74, NOTT-400, MIL-121 , CAU-3, MFM-300, Al-NDC, Ga-soc-MOF, IRMOF-1, IRMOF-3, MOF-177, MOF-205, MOF -210, PCN-124, MIL-68(In), MOF-DRIF2, Cu-TDPAT, Zn-TDPAT, UiO-68, MIL- 88, PCN-333, NU-1400, MOF-525, SIFSIX , TIFSIX, Cu-BTTri, MIL-125(Ti), NH2-MIL- 125(Ti), MOF-573, MOF-525, Bio-MOF-11, Tb-mesoMOF, Cu-TCPP, Zr-NDC, BUT-17, FJI-HMOF , Al-MOF-235 , Al-MIL-69, Al-PMOF, MIL-47(V) , MIL-68(Ga), Fe-soc- MOF , Cu-MOF-505 , Cu-TZP, Cu-TPT, Cu-CPF-5, RE-fcu-MOFs, Ce-UiO-66, Ce-UiO- 67, Yb-MOFs (Yb-MOF-76) , Mg-MOF-235, Zn-MOF-235, Bio-MOF-lOO , UTSA-16(Cu-TATB) , UTSA-60, DUT-67(Zr) , DUT-4(A1) , [Ni2(dobdc)] , Zn-Triazolate PCPs, M0F-DRIF1, M0R0F-1, MOF-841(Sc) , CAU-21, C AU-36, ZrTUD-1 , InOF-1 , Ni- MOF-202 , Zn-MOF-74 , KMF-1 , CAU-26, FIR-53, UiO-611, UiO-67, UiO-68 , Ni8(OH)4(BDC)6(DUT-8(Ni)), Ti3-MIL-88B-NH2, CAU-13 , SBMOF-1 , SBMOF-2, MFU-4 , MFU-41 , FMOF-1 , FMOF-2 , CAU-13, IR-MOF-8, DMOF(Zn), CAU-21, CAU-26 , C AU-36 , MIP-200 (Al) , Al-PF-1 , ICR-2, ICR-7, PCN-777 (Zr) , BUT-66 (Zr) , PCN-608 (Zr) , DUT-52 (Zr) , MIP-202(Zr) , IFP-1 , IFP-8, MAF-X27-Fe , MAF-X8- Co, DMOF-1 , NKMOF-l-Ni , CPL-2 , CPL-4 (Ni(pyz)(NO3)2) , InOF-1 , FIR-53, MOF- 199 , MFM-300(In) , MIL-68(In)-BDC-NO2, Ti-CAT-5 , Ti-HTA-1 , CAU-22-Ln , MOF- 76-Ln , PCP-Ln, MIL-96(A1) , MIL-140A (Zr) , Cu-BDC-BPY, Cu-BPyDC , Cu-QPTC , Zn-TBAPy , ZJU-28 , POST-66 , C AU-24 , ALF-1, MOF-5, UiO-66-(OH)2, UiO-66- (COOH)2, UiO-66-Br, UiO-66-(CF3)2, MOF-303, UiO-67-NIL, UiO-67-(OH)2, MOF-801- SO4, MOF-802-NTL, MOF-802-(OH)2, NU-1100, NU-1101, NU-1103, MIL-12O(A1), MIL-122(A1), MIL-53-NH2(Al), MIL-53-(OH)2(Al), CAU-IO-COOH, CAU-IO-OH, CAU-12, CAU-15, Al-TCPP-MOF, MIL-53-NH2(Fe), MIL-68(Fe), MIL-127(Fe), PCN- 250(Fe), Fe-BDC-NO2MOFs, Fe-BTC-NTL, Fe-BPDC, Cu-BTC-NIL, Cu-TATB , Cu- TPA, Cu-PMOF, Cu-HHTP , Cu-CP-MOFs , Zn-MOF-74-NIL , Mg-dobpdc, Ni-dobpdc, Co-CUK-1, Co-MOF-253, JLU-Liu-10, JLU-Liu-20, AZMOF-1, AZMOF-2, FJI-MOF-8, FJI-MOF-11, FJU-90, CPM-200-In, MIP-200-NTL, NENU-500, NENU-511, UiO-66- SO3H, UiO-67-SO3H, PCN-224, PCN-225, Mg2(dobpdc), and combination thereof. , The dehumidifier apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the COF is selected from the group consisting of TpPa-1, TpPa-2, COF-1, COF-5, COF-6, COF-8, TpBD, COF-LZU1, Tp-Azo, COF-300, TpTt, COF-42, COF-43, N-COF, TpNDI, COF-JLU6, TpBpy, COF- 320, PyVg-COF, Tp-DANT-COF, COF-366, Tp-DMTP-COF, COF-PI, Tp-Eth, COF- OMe, COF-F, Tp-Ph, COF-BPDA, COF-TpPa-NH2, COF-TBD: COF- 102, COF- 103, COF-108, COF-202, COF-203, COF-432, COF-505, TpPa-NO2,COF-DRIFl COF-506, COF-507, COF-508, COF-909, COF-910, COF-912, COF-919, COF-920, CTF-1, CTF-2, CTF-3, CTF-4, TAPT-COF, HT-COF, COF-F3, FCTF-1, PcPBBA, FCTF-2 , FCOF-1, FCOF-2, Porphyrin COF-366-Fe , Porphyrin-COF-367, COF-Porph-v2, Pc-COF, DhaTph COF, TpDha COF, COF-OH, TpPa(OH)-COF, TpBD-(NO2), (ICOF-1), ICOF-2, ICOF-3, Sulfated COFs, COF-150, COF-170, COF-1, COF-180, COF-200, COF-300, COF-300- MeNH2, COF-DHTA, COF-DAAQ ,COF-DRIF2, Azo-COF-1, Azo-COF-2, TFB-DHzD COF , COF-TpBD-(OH)2, COF-SDU1 , EB-COF-1, COF-TpDb , Py-COF, PyTTA-COF,DPP-COF-1, HNU-25, HNU-30, 3D-Py-C0F, 3D-CuPc-C0F, 3D-Salphen COF, TpPa-F4, COF-TTI, COF-TFPB, AA-COFs, COF-480, COF-482, TPB-DMTP-COF, COF-432, JUC-353,, and combination thereof.9, The dehumidifier apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ZIF is selected from the group consisting of ZIF-7, ZIF-8, ZIF-67, ZIF -71, ZIF-90, ZIF-93, ZIF-94, ZIF-95, ZIF- 100, ZIF-300, ZIF-301, ZIF-302, ZIF-L, ZIF-4, ZIF-20, ZIF-25, ZIF-68, ZIF-69, ZIF-78, ZIF-81, ZIF-82, ZIF-204, ZIF-1, ZIF-2, ZIF-3, ZIF-DRIF2, ZIF-6, ZIF-10, ZIF-11, ZIF- 12, ZIF-71a, ZIF-201, ZIF-202, ZIF-203, ZIF-DRIF1, ZIF-13, ZIF-15, ZIF-16, ZIF-17, ZIF-18, ZIF-19, ZIF-21, ZIF-22, ZIF-23, ZIF-24, ZIF-26, ZIF-27, ZIF-28, ZIF-29, ZIF- 70, ZIF-DRIF1, ZIF-72, ZIF-73, ZIF-74, ZIF-76, ZIF-77 , ZIF-79 , ZIF-80 , ZIF-202a, ZIF-8-NH2 , ZIF-8-SO3H , ZIF-8-COOH , ZIF-8-OH , ZIF-67-NH2, ZIF-L-NH2 , ZIF-30, ZIF-31, ZIF-32, ZIF-33, ZIF-34, ZIF-35,ZIF-36, ZIF-37, ZIF-38, ZIF-39, ZIF-40, ZIF-41, ZIF-42, ZIF-DRIF2, ZIF-43, ZIF-44, ZIF-45, ZIF-46, ZIF-47, ZIF-48, ZIF-49, ZIF-50, ZIF-51, ZIF-52, ZIF-53, ZIF-54, ZIF-55, ZIF-56, ZIF-57, ZIF-58, ZIF-59, ZIF-60, ZIF- 61, ZIF-62, ZIF-63, ZIF-64, ZIF-65, ZIF-66, and combination thereof.10, The dehumidifier apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the honeycomb matrix structure substrate is a porous substrate selected from the group consisting of glass fibers, ceramic fibres, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, biosoluble fibers, pulp and combination thereof, and optionally strengthened with 2 to 8% by weight of a rigidifying agent selected from the group consisting of silica sol, alumina sol, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, and acrylate.11, The dehumidifier apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of the honeycomb flutes has a polygonal or circular cross-section.12, The dehumidifier apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the polygonal cross-section is sinusoidal.13, The dehumidifier apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the honeycomb matrix structure comprises a rolled single facer.14, The dehumidifier apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the honeycomb matrix structure comprises a plurality of stacked facers.

Images