Air water production device for heat pipe energy recovery

Abstract

The invention discloses a heat pipe energy recovery air water making device which comprises a shell, a water making mechanism, a heat pipe heat exchanger and a water collecting mechanism, a water making channel distributed in a U shape is arranged in the shell, the water making channel comprises an air inlet section, a communicating section and an air outlet section which are communicated in sequence, the air inlet section is located below the air outlet section, and the communicating section is located below the air outlet section. The shell is provided with an air inlet communicated with the air inlet section and an air outlet communicated with the air outlet section, the water production mechanism comprises a fan, a compressor, an evaporator and a condenser, the compressor, the evaporator and the condenser are sequentially connected through a circulating pipeline, and the evaporator and the condenser are arranged on the air outlet section. According to the invention, the [-shaped water production channel is arranged, the water production mechanism and the water collection mechanism are reasonably arranged, and the heat pipe heat exchanger is utilized to recover energy, so that the energy in the air water production process is effectively recycled, the water production efficiency is improved, the internal space layout of the device is optimized, and the overall structure is more compact.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of air-to-water production, and particularly to an air-to-water production device with heat pipe energy recovery. Background Art

[0002] In the prior art, the compression refrigeration air-to-water production device is one of the important means to obtain fresh water, and it has important application value especially in some areas with water shortage and relatively suitable air humidity.

[0003] Currently, the common compression refrigeration air-to-water production device usually adopts a simple dehumidifier structure, which has many defects. On the one hand, there is no energy recovery and variable air volume design. Outdoor air directly passes through the evaporator to condense out liquid water. When the relative humidity of the air entering the evaporator is relatively low, the sensible heat load of the treated air is large, resulting in a small water intake, high water intake energy consumption, and a narrow environmental temperature and humidity adaptation range. On the other hand, for some devices that use an air heat exchanger as a regenerator to recover the system cold energy for pre-cooling the inlet air, although the compressor power consumption is reduced to a certain extent, the air heat exchanger has a large volume, complex air duct crossing, and there will also be condensate and cold energy loss in the air duct through which the cold air of the evaporator passes, which is not conducive to the construction of the actual system. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Aiming at the above problems existing in the existing air-to-water production, the present invention aims to provide an air-to-water production device with heat pipe energy recovery.

[0005] The specific technical solution is as follows: An air-to-water production device with heat pipe energy recovery, comprising: A housing, in which a water production channel distributed in a "C" shape is arranged. The water production channel includes an air inlet section, a connecting section and an air outlet section that are connected in sequence. The air inlet section is located below the air outlet section. The housing has an air inlet connected to the air inlet section and an air outlet connected to the air outlet section; A water production mechanism, which includes a fan and a compressor, an evaporator and a condenser connected in sequence by a circulation pipeline. The evaporator and the condenser are arranged in the air outlet section, the compressor is arranged in the air inlet section, the fan is arranged in the air outlet section, and the condenser is arranged between the fan and the evaporator; A heat pipe heat exchanger, which is arranged between the evaporator and the condenser, and one end of the heat pipe heat exchanger is located in the air inlet section and the other end is located in the air outlet section; A water collection mechanism, which includes a water collection hopper, a water tank, and a water pump. The water collection hopper is located directly below the evaporator. The water tank is arranged in the air inlet section and is located below the water collection hopper. The bottom of the water collection hopper is connected to the water tank through a connecting pipe. The water pump is used to supply the water collected in the water tank to an external water dispenser.

[0006] As a further improvement and optimization of this solution, the top of the housing has a ventilation opening connected to the air outlet section, and the ventilation opening is arranged between the condenser and the heat pipe heat exchanger.

[0007] As a further improvement and optimization of this solution, multiple groups of heat pipe heat exchangers are arranged and are sequentially arranged along the flow direction of the air in the air outlet section.

[0008] As a further improvement and optimization of this solution, the water pump is a self-priming pump and is arranged in the air inlet section. The self-priming pump is connected to the water tank and the external water dispenser through pipelines.

[0009] As a further improvement and optimization of this solution, an air filter is provided at the air inlet for dust removal and purification of the air.

[0010] As a further improvement and optimization of this solution, heat exchange fins with a food-grade coating are provided on the surfaces of the condenser, the evaporator, and the heat pipe heat exchanger.

[0011] As a further improvement and optimization of this solution, the tops of the heat pipe heat exchanger, the condenser, and the evaporator are at the same height.

[0012] As a further improvement and optimization of this solution, a liquid level sensor is provided in the water tank for detecting the liquid level of the water collected in the water tank.

[0013] As a further improvement and optimization of this solution, a sterilization mechanism is also provided in the water tank for sterilizing and disinfecting the water in the water tank.

[0014] As a further improvement and optimization of this solution, the sterilization mechanism is a UV sterilization lamp arranged in the water tank.

[0015] The positive effects of the above technical solution compared with the prior art are as follows: (1) By setting a "C"-shaped water production channel, rationally arranging the water production mechanism and the water collection mechanism, and using the heat pipe heat exchanger to recover energy, the present invention realizes the effective recovery and utilization of energy in the air water production process, improves the water production efficiency, and at the same time optimizes the internal space layout of the device, making the overall structure more compact.

[0016] (2) The ventilation opening of the present invention can introduce hot and humid air from outside the device and cooperate with the dry and cold air inside the device to cool the condenser at different temperature ranges. The temperature is matched, effectively reducing the condensing temperature, reducing the power consumption of the compressor, and thus reducing the energy consumption of air to produce water.

[0017] (3) The multiple heat pipe heat exchangers of the present invention are arranged sequentially along the air flow direction, which can gradually reduce the air temperature, form a stepped cooling effect, achieve better matching of heat and temperature, further improve heat recovery efficiency, and enhance energy recovery effect. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an air-to-water device for heat pipe energy recovery according to the present invention; In the attached diagram: 1. Shell; 2. Water production mechanism; 3. Water collection mechanism; 4. Air filter; 5. Heat pipe heat exchanger; 11. Air inlet; 12. Air outlet; 13. Water production channel; 21. Fan; 22. Compressor; 23. Condenser; 24. Evaporator; 31. Water collection hopper; 32. Connecting pipe; 33. Water tank; 34. Water pump. Detailed Implementation

[0019] The technical solution of the present invention will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0020] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that terms such as "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. Furthermore, terms such as "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0021] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an air-to-water device for heat pipe energy recovery according to the present invention, as shown below. Figure 1 The diagram illustrates a preferred embodiment of an air-to-water device with heat pipe energy recovery, comprising: a housing 1, a water-generating mechanism 2, a heat pipe heat exchanger 5, and a water collection mechanism 3. The housing 1 contains water-generating channels 13 arranged in a "U" shape. The water-generating channels 13 include an air inlet section, a connecting section, and an air outlet section connected sequentially. The air inlet section is located below the air outlet section. The housing 1 has an air inlet 11 connected to the air inlet section and an air outlet 12 connected to the air outlet section. The water-generating mechanism 2 includes a fan 21 and a compressor 22, an evaporator 24, and a condenser 23 connected sequentially by a circulation pipe. The evaporator 24 and the condenser 23 are located in the air outlet section. The compressor 22 is located in the air inlet section, the fan 21 is located in the air outlet section, and the condenser 23 is located between the fan 21 and the evaporator 24. The heat pipe heat exchanger 5 is located between the evaporator 24 and the condenser 23, with one end of the heat pipe heat exchanger 5 located in the air inlet section and the other end located in the air outlet section. The water collection mechanism 3 includes a water collection hopper 31, a water tank 33, and a water pump 34. The water collection hopper 31 is located directly below the evaporator 24. The water tank 33 is located in the air inlet section and below the water collection hopper 31. The bottom of the water collection hopper 31 is connected to the water tank 33 through a connecting pipe 32. The water pump 34 is used to supply the water collected in the water tank 33 to an external water dispenser.

[0023] More specifically, a throttling valve is also installed on the circulation pipe between the condenser 23 and the evaporator 24.

[0024] Specifically, in the refrigerant cycle, the low-temperature, low-pressure liquid refrigerant enters the evaporator 24, absorbs heat from the air, and evaporates into a gaseous state. The gaseous refrigerant is compressed into a high-temperature, high-pressure state by the compressor 22 and enters the condenser 23. In the condenser 23, the refrigerant releases heat and condenses into a liquid state. The liquid refrigerant flows through the expansion valve to reduce its pressure, forming a gas-liquid two-phase mixture. This mixture re-enters the evaporator 24 to absorb heat from the air, completing a new round of refrigeration cycle.

[0025] In the air-to-water conversion process, humid air enters the air inlet section through the air inlet 11. When passing through the heat pipe heat exchanger 5, heat exchange occurs, resulting in a decrease in temperature and an increase in relative humidity. The humid air then enters the air outlet section through the connecting section and passes sequentially through the evaporator 24, the heat pipe heat exchanger 5, and the condenser 23. When the humid air passes through the evaporator 24, it further condenses and precipitates water. The precipitated condensate falls into the water collection hopper 31 under gravity and is then guided into the water tank 33 through the connecting pipe 32 for collection. The dry and cold air exiting the evaporator 24 is heated by the heat pipe heat exchanger 5, and after the condensation heat is removed by the condenser 23, it forms dry and hot air, which is then discharged through the air outlet 12.

[0026] In this application, by setting the "C"-shaped water production channel 13, rationally arranging the water production mechanism 2 and the water collection mechanism 3, and using the heat pipe heat exchanger 5 to recover energy, the effective recovery and utilization of energy during the air water production process are achieved, the water production efficiency is improved, and at the same time, the internal space layout of the device is optimized, making the overall structure more compact.

[0027] Further, as a preferred embodiment, the top of the housing 1 has a ventilation opening communicating with the air outlet section, and the ventilation opening is provided between the condenser 23 and the heat pipe heat exchanger 5. The setting of the ventilation opening can introduce the air outside the device, reasonably cooperate with the dry cold air inside the device, and be used for cooling the condenser 23 at different temperature segments. The temperature is corresponding, effectively reducing the condensation temperature, reducing the power consumption of the compressor 22, and thus reducing the air water production energy consumption.

[0028] Further, as a preferred embodiment, multiple groups of heat pipe heat exchangers 5 are provided and arranged in sequence along the flowing direction of the air in the air outlet section. The multiple groups of heat pipe heat exchangers 5 are arranged in sequence along the air flowing direction, which can gradually decrease the air temperature, form a stepped temperature reduction effect, achieve better matching of heat and temperature, further improve the heat recovery efficiency, and enhance the energy recovery effect.

[0029] Further, as a preferred embodiment, the water pump 34 is a self-priming pump and is arranged in the air inlet section, and the self-priming pump is connected to the water tank 33 and an external drinking fountain through a pipeline. The use of a self-priming pump can conveniently supply the water in the water tank 33 to the external drinking fountain, and setting the self-priming pump in the air inlet section makes rational use of the internal space of the device, making the overall structure more compact and reasonable.

[0030] Further, as a preferred embodiment, an air filter 4 (existing equipment) is provided at the air inlet 11 for dust removal and purification of the air. The air filter 4 can effectively remove impurities such as dust in the air entering the device, ensure the cleanliness of the air entering the water production process, improve the quality of the produced water, and at the same time reduce the damage of impurities to the internal components of the device and extend the service life of the device.

[0031] Further, as a preferred embodiment, heat exchange fins are provided on the surfaces of the condenser 23, the evaporator 24, and the heat pipe heat exchanger 5. The setting of the heat exchange fins enhances the air disturbance between the air and the condenser 23, the evaporator 24, and the heat pipe heat exchanger 5, improves the heat transfer coefficient, and further improves the overall heat exchange efficiency of the device, which is beneficial to improving the water production efficiency and the energy recovery efficiency.

[0032] More preferably, the surface of the evaporator 24 and the surfaces of the heat exchange fins on the evaporator 24 are both coated with a food-grade antibacterial and mildew-proof coating (such as a food-grade silicone resin-based mildew-proof coating and a compliant silver-based ceramic coating).

[0033] Furthermore, as a preferred embodiment, the tops of the heat pipe heat exchanger 5, the condenser 23, and the evaporator 24 are at the same height. Having the tops of the heat pipe heat exchanger 5, condenser 23, and evaporator 24 at the same height facilitates the overall installation and layout of the device, making the device structure more regular. It also promotes airflow within the device, improving the smoothness and stability of the air-to-water process.

[0034] Furthermore, as a preferred embodiment, a level sensor is installed inside the water tank 33 to detect the water level collected inside the water tank 33. The level sensor can detect the water level in the water tank 33 in real time, allowing users to understand the water level in the water tank 33 in a timely manner, so that measures can be taken in time when the water level is insufficient to ensure the normal water supply of the external water dispenser and improve the convenience of using the device.

[0035] Specifically, when the level sensor detects that the water level in the water tank 33 is low, the level sensor transmits a signal to the compressor 22 and the fan 21 (via wireless signal transmission or electrical signal transmission via cable) to start the compressor 22 and the fan 21 to produce water from air. When the level sensor detects that the water level in the water tank 33 has reached the maximum allowable level, the compressor 22 and the fan 21 are stopped to stop producing water from air.

[0036] Furthermore, as a preferred embodiment, the water tank 33 is also equipped with a sterilization mechanism for sterilizing and disinfecting the water inside the water tank 33. The sterilization mechanism effectively kills bacteria and other microorganisms in the water inside the water tank 33, ensuring the hygiene and safety of the produced water, improving water quality, and meeting users' health needs for drinking water.

[0037] Furthermore, as a preferred embodiment, the sterilization mechanism is a UV germicidal lamp installed inside the water tank 33. The UV germicidal lamp utilizes the principle of ultraviolet sterilization to efficiently and quickly kill bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms in the water inside the water tank 33 without causing secondary pollution, ensuring the long-term hygiene and safety of the water inside the water tank 33. It also has a simple structure and is easy to install.

[0038] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the implementation and protection scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should realize that any equivalent substitutions and obvious changes made based on the description and illustrations of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An air-to-water device for heat pipe energy recovery, characterized in that, Comprising: A housing, within which a water-making channel is arranged in a "C"-shaped distribution. The water-making channel includes an air inlet section, a connecting section, and an air outlet section that are connected in sequence. The air inlet section is located below the air outlet section. The housing has an air inlet connected to the air inlet section and an air outlet connected to the air outlet section. A water-making mechanism, which includes a fan and a compressor, an evaporator, and a condenser that are sequentially connected by a circulation pipeline. The evaporator and the condenser are arranged in the air outlet section, the compressor is arranged in the air inlet section, the fan is arranged in the air outlet section, and the condenser is arranged between the fan and the evaporator. A heat pipe heat exchanger, which is arranged between the evaporator and the condenser, and one end of the heat pipe heat exchanger is located in the air inlet section and the other end is located in the air outlet section. A water collection mechanism, which includes a water collection hopper, a water tank, and a water pump. The water collection hopper is located directly below the evaporator. The water tank is arranged in the air inlet section and is located below the water collection hopper. The bottom of the water collection hopper is connected to the water tank through a connecting pipe. The water pump is used to supply the water collected in the water tank to an external water dispenser.

2. The air-to-water device for heat pipe energy recovery according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the housing has a ventilation opening connected to the air outlet section, and the ventilation opening is arranged between the condenser and the heat pipe heat exchanger.

3. The air-to-water device for heat pipe energy recovery according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple groups of the heat pipe heat exchangers are arranged and are sequentially set along the flowing direction of the air in the air outlet section.

4. The air-to-water device for heat pipe energy recovery according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water pump is a self-priming pump and is arranged in the air inlet section. The self-priming pump is connected to the water tank and the external water dispenser through a pipeline.

5. The air-to-water device for heat pipe energy recovery according to claim 1, characterized in that, An air filter is provided at the air inlet for dust removal and purification of the air.

6. The air-to-water device for heat pipe energy recovery according to claim 1, characterized in that, Heat exchange fins with a food-grade coating are provided on the surfaces of the condenser, the evaporator, and the heat pipe heat exchanger.

7. The air-to-water device for heat pipe energy recovery according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tops of the heat pipe heat exchanger, the condenser, and the evaporator are at the same height.

8. The air-to-water device for heat pipe energy recovery according to claim 1, characterized in that, A liquid level sensor is arranged in the water tank for detecting the liquid level of the water collected in the water tank.

9. The air-to-water device for heat pipe energy recovery according to claim 1, characterized in that, A sterilization mechanism is also arranged in the water tank for sterilizing and disinfecting the water in the water tank.

10. The air-to-water device for heat pipe energy recovery according to claim 9, characterized in that, The sterilization mechanism is a UV sterilization lamp arranged in the water tank.

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