System and method for de-icing a rotating exchanger

Abstract

A rotary exchanger system includes a rotor configured to rotate about a rotation axis. The rotor is configured to receive a first gas stream in a first section of the rotary exchanger system and a second gas stream in a second section of the rotary exchanger system, rotation of the rotor causes sections of the rotor to move alternately between the first and second sections of the rotary exchanger system, and a first temperature of the first gas stream is higher than a second temperature of the second gas stream. The rotary exchanger system further includes a control system configured to operate a damper to block sections of the rotor from being exposed to the second gas stream along a travel path through the second section to inhibit further temperature reduction of the sections of the rotor in the second section.

Description

Cross-reference to related applications

[0001] This application claims priority and benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 584,258, filed September 21, 2023, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DE-ICINGA ROTARY EXCHANGER,” the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to the field of rotary exchangers, and more particularly to the de-icing of rotary exchangers. Background Technology

[0003] Rotary exchangers, or rotating machines, are used to regulate air. A rotary exchanger includes a rotor through which different airflows (e.g., warm and cold airflows) are guided. In some embodiments, the rotor can place the warm and cold airflows in a heat exchange relationship to achieve heat transfer between them, such as heating the cold airflow to a desired temperature. Unfortunately, the rotor can be prone to icing. For example, exposure of the rotor to cold airflow can cause a portion of the rotor to freeze. Freezing of the rotor can reduce or limit its operation. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure relates to de-icing of rotary heat exchangers. For example, according to an embodiment, this disclosure may relate to a rotary heat exchanger system including a rotor configured to rotate about a rotation axis. The rotor is configured to receive a first airflow in a first section of the rotary heat exchanger system and a second airflow in a second section of the rotary heat exchanger system, the rotation of the rotor causing sections of the rotor to alternately move between the first and second sections of the rotary heat exchanger system, and a first temperature of the first airflow being higher than a second temperature of the second airflow. The rotary heat exchanger system also includes a control system configured to operate dampers to prevent sections of the rotor from being exposed to the second airflow along a travel path through the second section, thereby suppressing further temperature reduction of the sections of the rotor in the second section.

[0005] According to another embodiment, this disclosure may relate to a non-transitory computer-readable medium having instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, are configured to cause the one or more processors to perform operations including: monitoring the temperature of a rotor configured to receive a first airflow and a second airflow, the rotor being configured to rotate about a rotation axis such that a portion of the rotor alternately receives the first airflow and the second airflow; determining that the temperature of that portion of the rotor is below a threshold temperature; and in response to determining that the temperature of that portion of the rotor is below the threshold temperature, operating a damper to reduce the second airflow entering that portion of the rotor.

[0006] According to another embodiment, this disclosure may relate to a rotary exchanger system comprising: a rotor configured to receive a first airflow and a second airflow, the rotor being configured to rotate about a rotation axis such that a portion of the rotor is alternately exposed to the first airflow and the second airflow; and a damper radially overlapping a first section of the rotor and radially offset from a second section of the rotor such that a closed position of the damper reduces the second airflow to the first section of the rotor but not to the second airflow to the second section of the rotor.

[0007] These and other advantages and features will become clear when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and detailed embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0008] To complete the description and to better understand this disclosure, a set of accompanying drawings is provided, wherein the same reference numerals refer to the same features throughout. The drawings form part of this description and illustrate embodiments of the disclosure, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure, but only as examples of how the disclosure may be implemented. The drawings include the following figures:

[0009] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a system having a rotary exchanger system according to an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0010] Figure 2 This is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a rotary heat exchanger according to an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0011] Figure 3 This is a perspective top view of a rotary exchanger system according to an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0012] Figure 4 This is a perspective top view of a rotary exchanger system according to an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0013] Figure 5 This is a perspective top view of a rotary exchanger system according to an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0014] Figure 6 This is a schematic top view of a rotary exchanger system according to an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0015] Figure 7 This is a side view of a rotary exchanger system according to an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0016] Figure 8 This is a side view of a rotary exchanger system according to an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0017] Figure 9 This is a flowchart of a method for de-icing a rotary exchanger system according to an exemplary embodiment of this application;

[0018] Figure 10 This is a flowchart of a method for de-icing a rotary exchanger system according to an exemplary embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Typically, this disclosure relates to de-icing of rotary exchangers. As used herein, de-icing refers to the removal of ice, prevention / inhibition of ice formation, or any other suitable means of limiting temperature reduction. Therefore, rotary exchangers can be de-iced without any physical presence of ice on them.

[0020] A rotary exchanger includes a rotor configured to transfer heat or other particles between airflows. Specifically, the rotor rotates to alternately expose different portions of the rotor to various airflows. This variation in the rotor's exposure to different airflows transfers heat / particles between the airflows. One airflow is relatively warm, and the other is relatively cold. The cold airflow lowers the rotor's temperature, and sufficiently low rotor temperatures reduce the efficient operation of the rotary exchanger, for example, by reducing the efficiency of heat / particle transfer between the airflows and / or by reducing the rotor's mobility.

[0021] To suppress the temperature drop caused by cold airflow, the rotor's exposure to the cold airflow is selectively reduced. For example, a damper can block the flow of cold airflow onto that part of the rotor while positioning a portion of the rotor within the cold airflow region of the exchanger. However, warm airflow may still be able to flow onto that part of the rotor to heat it (e.g., after that part has rotated through the cold airflow region). Therefore, damper operation can increase the rotor temperature or at least limit the temperature drop below a threshold temperature. Thus, the desired operation of the rotary exchanger is maintained.

[0022] Figure 1An exemplary power plant 10 is shown, which may include a rotary heat exchanger 12 with heat transfer elements according to the invention. The power plant 10 includes a generator 14 coupled to a steam turbine 16 to generate electricity. The turbine 16 is driven by steam from a boiler 18, which receives air for combustion through an inlet 20 and discharges combustion gases through an outlet 22. Fans 24a and 24b are used to supply air to the boiler inlet 20 and to draw the combustion gases from the outlet 22 before they are released into the atmosphere via a dust removal system 26. The rotary regeneration heat exchanger 12 may be positioned adjacent to the inlet 20 and the outlet 22 to preheat the air entering the boiler 18 using the heat from the combustion gases discharged from the boiler. The rotary regeneration heat exchanger may also be used in a gas-to-gas heater to control the power plant's emissions. Another embodiment of the rotary regeneration heat exchanger 12 may include mining operations to preheat very cold air (e.g., ambient air) entering the mine using heat available in warmer exhaust gas from the mine. Further embodiments of the rotary regeneration heat exchanger 12 may include use in cold environments, wherein the rotary regeneration heat exchanger 12 is continuously exposed to the surrounding cold ambient air (e.g., at sub-zero temperatures).

[0023] Now for reference Figure 2 This image shows a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a rotary heat exchanger 12 using heat transfer elements and containers according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The rotary heat exchanger 12 includes a housing 28 having a first conduit or opening 30 and a second conduit or opening 32. The first opening 30 communicates with a boiler inlet 20, and the second opening 32 communicates with a boiler exhaust port 22. A rotor 34 containing a plurality of heat transfer element containers 36 is mounted for rotation within the housing 28 such that the heat transfer element containers 36 in the rotor circulate through the openings 30 and 32, thereby causing the heat transfer elements in the heat transfer element containers 36 to be heated by exhaust gas when aligned with the second opening 32, and preheating the incoming air when aligned with the first opening 30.

[0024] Figure 3This is a perspective top view of a rotary exchanger system 100. The rotary exchanger system 100 includes a rotor 102 configured to rotate about a rotation axis 104. The rotary exchanger system 100 also includes a duct system 106 (e.g., a conduit system) configured to direct different airflows onto the rotor 102. For example, a first conduit 108 of the duct system 106 is configured to direct a warm airflow 110 through it, and a second conduit 112 of the duct system is configured to direct a cold airflow 114 through it (e.g., to separate locations for different purposes). However, in other embodiments, the rotary exchanger system may include any number of conduits that allow any number of airflows to different areas (e.g., radial areas) above and below the rotor. That is, any suitable number of warm and cold airflows can be used. For example, the duct system 106 may direct a single cold airflow and / or multiple warm airflows. Additionally, although the rotary exchanger system 100 shown includes a warm airflow 110 flowing in a direction different from (e.g., opposite) to the direction in which the cold airflow 114 flows through the rotor 102, in some embodiments, the warm air and the cold air flow through the rotor 102 in the same direction.

[0025] Rotor 102 is exposed to each of the warm airflow 110 and the cold airflow 114. As an example, duct system 106 defines a housing 116 in which rotor 102 is positioned. As used herein, warm airflow 110 comprises an airflow with a relatively higher temperature than cold airflow 114 before contacting rotor 102, while cold airflow 114 comprises an airflow with a relatively lower temperature than warm airflow 110 before contacting rotor 102. In a particular example, a first portion of rotor 102 is aligned with a first duct 108, and a second portion of rotor 102 is aligned with one of the second ducts 112. Rotation of rotor 102 about axis of rotation 104 alters the positions of the portions of rotor 102. For example, rotation of rotor 102 over a period of time after this particular example may move at least some of the first portion of rotor 102 into one of the second ducts 112 and at least some of the second portion of rotor 102 into the first duct 108. In this way, during operation of the rotary exchanger system 100, the position of any particular portion of the rotor 102 can be continuously changed or alternated between the first conduit 108 and the second conduit 112, thereby alternately receiving or being exposed to the warm airflow 110 and the cold airflow 114.

[0026] Rotating rotor 102 regulates cold airflow 114 via warm airflow 110 and vice versa. For example, rotor 102 can capture (e.g., absorb) heat (e.g., hot particles) from warm airflow 110 and discharge the heat to cold airflow 114, thereby placing warm airflow 110 and cold airflow 114 in a heat exchange relationship to heat cold airflow 114. In such embodiments, rotor 102 operates as a heat exchanger, for example, to preheat cold airflow 114 and / or precool warm airflow 110 for further processing or use. To achieve this, rotor 102 may include heat transfer element 118. Although this disclosure focuses primarily on rotor embodiments that transfer heat between warm and cold airflows, it should be noted that the techniques disclosed herein can be applied to other types of rotors. For example, the technique can be used for rotors of machines (e.g., rotary adsorption machines) configured to transfer specific molecules (e.g., airflows of different temperatures) between airflows by adsorbing specific molecules from one airflow and transferring them to another airflow.

[0027] Exposure of rotor 102 to a cold airflow may lower the temperature of rotor 102. Therefore, rotor 102 may be prone to icing due to the temperature drop, and icing of rotor 102 may reduce or limit the operation of rotor 102 (e.g., effectively or efficiently heating the cold airflow 114 to rotate rotor 102 about axis of rotation 104). For example, for rotor 102 used to preheat ambient air in a very cold ambient environment, the ambient air may be extremely cold before contacting rotor 102, potentially drastically lowering the temperature of rotor 102 at the point of contact. Alternatively, for rotor 102 used in cryogenic applications, the process airflow used to regulate ambient air (e.g., warmer ambient air) may be extremely cold before contacting rotor 102, potentially drastically lowering the temperature of rotor 102 at the point of contact. In either example, increasing the temperature of rotor 102 to prevent icing can improve the operation of rotor 102. To this end, the exposure of rotor 102 to cold airflow 114 can be adjusted to avoid significant temperature drops and potential icing of rotor 102. Reducing the exposure of rotor 102 to cold airflow 114 also allows warm airflow to raise the temperature of rotor 102, further preventing rotor 102 from icing.

[0028] Figure 4This is a perspective top view of a rotary exchanger system 150. The rotary exchanger system 150 shown includes a rotor 152, which is exposed to a warm airflow 154 and a cold airflow 156 at any given time during operation of the rotary exchanger system 150. For example, at a first section 158 of the rotary exchanger system 150, a first conduit 160 is configured to direct the warm airflow 154 onto the rotor 152 (e.g., at a first end / side 162 of the rotor 152), and at a second section 164 of the rotary exchanger system 150, a second conduit 166 is configured to direct the cold airflow 156 onto the rotor 152 (e.g., at a second end / side 168 of the rotor 152). Rotation of the rotor 152 about a rotation axis 170 causes a portion of the rotor 152 to move alternately between the first section 158 and the second section 164, thereby alternately exposing that portion to the warm airflow 154 and the cold airflow 156. For example, this part of rotor 152 is initially exposed to warm airflow 154, which can transfer heat from warm airflow 154 to this part, and then this part is exposed to cold airflow 156, which can transfer heat from this part to cold airflow 156, thereby heating cold airflow 156.

[0029] The rotary exchanger system 150 also includes a damper 172 disposed in a second section 164 (e.g., within a second duct 166). The damper 172 is configured to open and close to control the flow of cold air 156 onto the rotor 102. The damper 172 extends concentrically about the axis of rotation 170 and is therefore concentrically aligned with the rotor 152. For example, the damper 172 may have an arcuate or annular shape with an inner and outer diameter. Thus, the damper 172 is radially offset from the inner annular section 174 and the outer annular section 176 of the rotor 152, while radially overlapping with the intermediate annular section 178 of the rotor 152. In some embodiments, the damper 172 has a flap 180 that has a more rectangular shape away from the rotor 152 (e.g., at the transition duct termination flange 182 of the second duct 166), and the damper 172 transitions to an arcuate shape toward the rotor 152. In other words, the damper transitions from a rectangular shape to an arcuate shape along its extension toward the rotor 152. This arrangement of the damper facilitates implementation within the rotary exchanger system 150, for example, by coupling to and / or mounting within the second conduit 166. However, in additional or alternative embodiments, the cover 180 may have any suitable shape, such as being substantially the same as the arcuate shape near the rotor 152 (e.g., the damper is a uniform or consistent arcuate shape along the second conduit 166).

[0030] Rotation of rotor 152 can drive a portion of the intermediate annular section 178 of rotor 152 to move around a travel path 184 that extends around the axis of rotation 170, through the first section 158, and through the second section 164. Damper 172 overlaps with the travel path 184 throughout the second section 164, thus controlling the exposure of the intermediate annular section 178 to the cold airflow 156. In the open position 186 of damper 172, damper 172 allows the cold airflow 156 to flow through it. For this purpose, cover 180 extends generally along (e.g., parallel to) the travel direction 188 of the cold airflow 156 through the second duct 166 and onto rotor 152. Therefore, the open position 186 of damper 172 exposes the intermediate annular section 178 to the cold airflow 156 in the second section 164. However, in the closed position of damper 172… Figure 3 (Not shown in the diagram), damper 172 blocks or reduces the flow of cold air 156 through it. As an example, cover 180 can be moved (e.g., rotated) to extend laterally to the direction of travel 188 of the cold air 156, thereby blocking the flow of cold air 156 toward the intermediate annular section 178. Therefore, the closed position of damper 172 blocks, eliminates, or reduces the exposure of the intermediate annular section 178 to the cold air 156. Thus, when damper 172 is in the closed position, cooling of the intermediate annular section 178 can be reduced.

[0031] However, since the damper 172 is offset from the travel path 184 in the first section 158, the closed position of the damper 172 does not affect the exposure of the intermediate annular section 178 to the warm airflow 154 (the warm airflow 154 can also enter from the opposite side of the rotor 152 compared to the cold airflow 156). Therefore, the warm airflow 154 can continue to be guided onto the intermediate annular section 178 in the first section 158 (e.g., at the travel path 184 extending through the first section 158). Thus, the closed position of the damper 172 can help increase the temperature of the intermediate annular section 178 by blocking the flow of the cold airflow 156 onto the intermediate annular section 178, while still allowing the warm airflow 154 to flow onto the intermediate annular section 178. Furthermore, because the damper 172 is radially offset from the respective travel paths of the inner annular section 174 and the outer annular section 176 of the rotor 152, the closed position of the damper 172 does not reduce the flow of cold air 156 to the inner annular section 174 or the outer annular section 176. In other words, when the damper 172 is in the closed position, the inner annular section 174 and the outer annular section 176 of the rotor 152 are still exposed to the cold air 156.

[0032] In some embodiments, the rotary exchanger system 150 may include a plurality of dampers 172, 190, 192, each damper configured at a second section 162 to control the flow of cold air 156 to a corresponding annular section of the rotor 152 (e.g., inner annular section 174, outer annular section 176). For this purpose, each damper 172, 190, 192 overlaps with the respective travel path of the annular sections 174, 176, 178 extending through the second section 164, and may block or eliminate exposure of the corresponding portion of the rotor 152 along its respective travel path. That is, the dampers 172, 190, 192 establish annular subdivisions within the second duct 166. For example, each damper 172, 190, 192 may have an arcuate shape near the rotor 152 (e.g., at a distal or downstream portion of the second duct) and a rectangular cover 180 away from the rotor 152 (e.g., at a proximal or upstream portion of the second duct 166).

[0033] Damperes 172, 190, and 192 can be selectively closed to adjust the exposure of different annular sections 174, 176, and 178 of rotor 152 to the cold airflow 156 in the second section 164, thereby adjusting the volume through which the cold airflow 156 can be guided. In this way, using multiple dampers 172, 190, and 192 can provide enhanced (e.g., fine) temperature control of the annular sections 174, 176, and 178 of rotor 152, such as selectively increasing the temperature of different annular sections at different times of operation of the rotary exchanger system 150. In practice, because blocking the flow of cold airflow 156 onto a portion of rotor 152 (e.g., one of the annular sections 174, 176, and 178) may reduce the heat transfer provided by that portion of rotor 152, it may be desirable to limit the obstruction of the cold airflow 156 onto rotor 152 while maintaining a sufficiently high temperature for rotor 152. Therefore, the implementation and control of multiple dampers 172, 190, 192 provides finer control over directing the cold airflow 156 onto the rotor 152, striking a balance between providing sufficient heat transfer and avoiding undesirable temperature drops in the rotor 152. In such an embodiment, each damper 172, 190, 192 is configured to block or eliminate approximately the same surface area of ​​the rotor 152 exposed to each other. In other words, each damper 172, 190, 192 can block approximately the same amount (e.g., corresponding surface area) of the rotor 152.

[0034] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional top view of the rotary exchanger system 150. Specifically, Figure 5A damper 172 in the closed position 250 is shown, which can be achieved by moving (e.g., rotating) the cover 180 of the damper 172. In the closed position 250, the cover 180 of the damper 172 extends laterally (e.g., perpendicularly) to the direction of travel 188 of the cold airflow 156. For example, the cover 180 of the damper 172 may extend toward and contact the cover 180 of the damper 192. Thus, the cover 180 of the damper 172 and the intermediate annular section 178 ( Figure 5 (Not shown in the image) overlaps to block the cold airflow 156 from flowing onto the middle annular section 178.

[0035] In the illustrated configuration of the rotary exchanger system 150, dampers 190, 192 are held in the open position 186. For example, the respective covers 180 of dampers 190, 192 may extend generally along the direction of travel 188, thereby allowing the cold airflow 156 to be directed onto the inner annular section 174 and the outer annular section 176. However, closing the covers 180 of dampers 190, 192 (e.g., causing the covers 180 to extend laterally to the direction of travel 188) would also obstruct the flow of the cold airflow 156 onto the inner annular section 174 and the outer annular section 176.

[0036] The rotary exchange system 150 shown includes a control system 252 (e.g., a programmable controller, electronic controller, cloud server) configured to operate dampers 172, 190, and 192. The control system 252 includes a memory 254 and a processor 256 (e.g., processing circuitry). The memory 254 includes read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), disk storage media devices, optical storage media devices, flash memory devices, electrical, optical, or other physical / tangible (e.g., non-transitory) memory storage devices. Therefore, typically, the memory 254 includes one or more computer-readable storage media (e.g., memory devices) software-encoded with computer-executable instructions that can be executed to perform the operations described herein. For example, the memory 254 stores or encodes instructions for adjusting dampers 172, 190, and 192.

[0037] Processor 256 includes a collection of microcontrollers and / or microprocessors, each configured to execute corresponding software instructions stored in memory 254. Processor 256 is configured, for example, to execute instructions stored in memory 254 to adjust dampers 172, 190, 192 (e.g., sequentially, iteratively, or alternately opening and closing a series of dampers). For this purpose, processor 256 is communicatively coupled to actuator 258, which is configured to adjust dampers 172, 190, 192 between open and closed positions. As an example, processor 256 is configured to send a signal to one of actuators 258 to move cover 180 to switch a corresponding damper among dampers 172, 190, 192 to a closed position.

[0038] In some embodiments, the control system 252 is configured to adjust any one of the dampers 172, 190, 192 at predetermined time intervals. For example, the control system 252 is configured to adjust the dampers 172, 190, 192 between a closed position 250 and an open position 186 at a specific frequency (e.g., after a threshold duration has elapsed). This operation of the dampers 172, 190, 192 can sufficiently prevent the annular sections 174, 176, 178 of the rotor 152 from being exposed to the cold airflow 156 for extended periods, thus avoiding a temperature drop that would cause the rotor 152 to ic. In additional or alternative embodiments, the control system 252 is configured to monitor the temperature of the rotor 152 (e.g., by directly monitoring the temperature or by monitoring temperature-related parameters, such as pressure) and adjust the dampers 172, 190, 192 based on the monitored temperature.

[0039] For example, the rotary exchanger system 150 may include one or more sensors 260 configured to detect the temperature of annular segments 174, 176, 178 of the rotor 152. In such an embodiment, a control system 252 may be communicatively coupled to the sensors 260 and configured to compare the determined temperature of the annular segments 174, 176, 178 of the rotor 152 with a threshold temperature (e.g., a relatively low threshold temperature). In response to determining that the temperature of one of the annular segments 174, 176, 178 of the rotor 152 is below the threshold temperature, the control system 252 is configured to switch the corresponding dampers 172, 190, 192 to a closed position 250 via communication with the associated actuator 258, thereby promoting heating of that annular segment 174, 176, 178 of the rotor 152. The control system 252 can continue to monitor the temperature of the annular sections 174, 176, and 178 of the rotor 152 and maintain the dampers 172, 190, and 192 in the closed position 250 until it is determined that the temperature of the annular sections 174, 176, and 178 of the rotor 152 is sufficiently high (e.g., above a relatively high threshold temperature). After determining that the temperature of the annular sections 174, 176, and 178 of the rotor 152 is sufficiently high, the control system 252 can switch the dampers 172, 190, and 192 to the open position 186 to increase the flow of cool air 156 to the annular sections 174, 176, and 178 of the rotor 152. Alternatively, the control system 252 can be configured to switch the corresponding damper 172, 190, and 192 to the closed position 250 and maintain it for a predetermined amount of time after determining that the temperature of one of the annular sections 174, 176, and 178 of the rotor 152 is below a threshold temperature.

[0040] In any case, the parameters determined by sensor 260 can indicate the pressure difference between one of the annular segments 174, 176, 178 of rotor 152 (e.g., the middle annular segment 178) and another annular segment 174, 176, 178 of rotor 152 (e.g., the inner annular segment 174, the outer annular segment 176). The pressure difference can also indicate the temperature of the annular segments 174, 176, 178 (e.g., relative to the temperature of the other annular segment 174, 176, 178, which may be at a desired temperature). The control system 252 may close dampers 172, 190, 192 to heat annular sections 174, 176, 178 in response to a pressure differential exceeding a threshold pressure (e.g., indicating that the temperature of annular sections 174, 176, 178 is higher than a desired temperature), and / or the control system 252 may open dampers 172, 190, 192 to allow cold airflow 156 to flow onto annular sections 174, 176, 178 in response to a pressure differential falling below another threshold pressure (e.g., indicating that the temperature of annular sections 174, 176, 178 is sufficiently high).

[0041] It should be noted that, in a further embodiment, the control system 252 can be configured to move one of the dampers 172, 190, 192 to an intermediate position between the open position 186 and the closed position 250, for example, to allow reduced flow of cold air 156 onto the annular sections 174, 176, 178 of the rotor 152. For example, the control system 252 can switch damper 172 to the intermediate position to adjust for temperature changes (e.g., temperature increases) in the intermediate annular section 178 of the rotor 152. This can allow some flow of cold air 156 onto the intermediate annular section 178 of the rotor 152 to achieve some heat transfer through the intermediate annular section 178, while limiting the temperature decrease of the intermediate annular section 178, for example, based on the temperature not being low enough to completely block the flow of cold air 156 onto the intermediate annular section 178. This can provide finer control over the dampers 172, 190, 192.

[0042] In practice, the control system 252 can be configured to control the dampers 172, 190, and 192 independently of each other based on the detection of the sensor 260. As an example, the control system 252 can monitor the temperature of each annular segment 174, 176, and 178 of the rotor 152, and can switch the corresponding damper 172, 190, and 192 to the closed position 250 based on the temperature of the annular segment 174, 176, and 178 of the rotor 152 overlapping with the damper 172, 190, and 192 being below a threshold temperature. However, the control system 252 can also keep another damper 172, 190, and 192 in the open position 186 based on the temperature of the annular segment 174, 176, and 178 of the rotor 152 overlapping with the damper 172, 190, and 192 being above a threshold temperature. Therefore, the control system 252 can selectively adjust the dampers 172, 190, and 192 based on the respective temperatures of the different annular sections 174, 176, and 178 of the rotor 152 to provide enhanced temperature control of the annular sections 174, 176, and 178. The control system 252 can also consider the total airflow through the second section 164 and may limit the number of dampers 172, 190, and 192 that can be closed at any given time to maintain sufficient airflow through the second section 164, regardless of the temperature of the annular sections 174, 176, and 178.

[0043] Furthermore, in embodiments where the rotor 152 receives multiple individual cold airflows 156 and / or multiple individual warm airflows 154, the control system 252 can be configured to operate individual dampers to control the obstruction of the respective cold airflows 156 and / or the respective warm airflows 154 directed onto the rotor 152. For example, the control system 252 can switch one of the dampers to a closed position 250 to block the intermediate annular section 178 of the rotor 152 from exposure to the first cold airflow, but the control system 252 can keep another damper in an open position 186 to keep the same intermediate annular section 178 of the rotor exposed to the second cold airflow.

[0044] Figure 6 This is a top view of the rotary exchanger system 150, in which the intermediate annular section 178 is blocked and not exposed to the cold airflow 156. That is, the damper 172 is in the closed position 250. Therefore, the damper 172 (e.g., cover 180) is aligned with and overlaps the intermediate annular section 178 in the second section 164 along the travel path 184 of the intermediate annular section 178.

[0045] The rotary exchanger system 150 also includes a sector plate 300 positioned to reduce the cross-sectional area of ​​the first section 158 compared to the cross-sectional area of ​​the second section 164. Specifically, the sector plate 300 is arranged to reduce the pressure difference between the first section 158 and the second section 164. For example, closing the damper 172 to reduce the exposure of the rotor 152 to cold airflow increases the pressure at the second section 164 by reducing the volume of cold airflow 156 that can be directed through the second section 164. The sector plate 300 can correspondingly reduce the volume of warm airflow 154 that can be directed through the first section 158, thereby correspondingly increasing the pressure at the first section 158. Therefore, the corresponding increase in pressure at sections 158 and 164 caused by the damper 172 and the sector plate 300 reduces the pressure difference between sections 158 and 164, which could otherwise cause undesirable airflow between sections 158 and 164 (e.g., cold airflow 156 flowing from the relatively higher pressure section 164 to the relatively lower pressure section 158), thus affecting the operation of the rotary exchanger system 150. In practice, the sector plate 300 can be arranged (e.g., positioned, oriented, and sized) such that the volume through which the warm airflow 154 passes corresponds to the volume through which the cold airflow 156 passes.

[0046] Each of the illustrated sector plates 300 extends to overlap with the geometric sector of the rotor 152. In this way, positioning the sector plates 300 to increase the pressure of the first section 158 (e.g., in response to the closing of the damper 172) still exposes a portion of the travel path in the first section 158 to the warm airflow. Therefore, it is still permissible for the warm airflow 154 to flow onto each annular section 174, 176, 178 of the rotor 152.

[0047] In some embodiments, the position of each sector 300 is fixed. That is, the sector 300 may be non-adjustable to change the volume through which the warm airflow 154 can be guided, and therefore will not change the pressure of the first segment 158. Thus, the volume through which the warm airflow 154 can be guided can be constant. Therefore, to adjust the volume through which the warm airflow 154 can be guided, the sector 300 may be replaced / removed and / or additional sector 300 may be implemented. In such embodiments, in order to maintain substantially similar pressures between segments 158, 164 (e.g., by maintaining the respective volumes of segments 158, 164 through which the warm airflow 154 and the cold airflow 156 can be guided), one of the annular segments 174, 176, 178 may be blocked from being exposed to the cold airflow 156 at any given time. For example, different dampers 172, 190, and 192 can be selected and adjusted to their closed positions 250 at different operating times of the rotary exchanger system 150, while the remaining dampers 172, 190, and 192 remain in their open positions 186. Closing one of the dampers 172, 190, and 192 can increase the pressure in the second section 164 to approach the pressure in the first section 158, which is achieved by the sector plate 300. In fact, by continuously closing one of the dampers 172, 190, and 192 and opening the remaining dampers 172, 190, and 192, the pressure in the second section 164 can be kept close to the pressure in the first section 158, thereby reducing the pressure difference between the first section 158 and the second section 164.

[0048] For example, dampers 172, 190, and 192 can be closed and opened sequentially / alternately to alter the exposure of annular sections 174, 176, and 178 to the cold airflow 156, thereby limiting the temperature drop of each of the annular sections 174, 176, and 178. In other words, for example, damper 172 can initially be closed for a first time period to block the intermediate annular section 178 from exposure to the cold airflow 156; in a second time period following the first time period, damper 172 can be opened and damper 190 can be closed to block annular section 174 from exposure to the cold airflow 156; and in a third time period following the second time period, damper 190 can be opened and damper 192 can be closed to block annular section 176 from exposure to the cold airflow 156. Such a scheme avoids prolonged exposure of annular sections 174, 176, and 178 to the cold airflow 156, which in turn limits the temperature drop of each of the annular sections 174, 176, and 178.

[0049] In additional or alternative embodiments, the fan-shaped plate 300 is movable, foldable, or otherwise adjustable to change the volume through which the warm airflow 154 can be directed, and thus change the pressure at the first section 158. For example, the fan-shaped plate 300 can be moved (e.g., by a user, such as a technician or operator) based on adjusting the volume through which the cold airflow 156 is directed by changing the dampers 172, 190, 192 (e.g., replacing the dampers). In another example, the fan-shaped plate 300 can be selectively implemented, removed, and / or adjusted as the dampers 172, 190, 192 are opened and closed.

[0050] For example, during the first time period, each of the dampers 172, 190, and 192 remains in the open position 186 to allow the cold airflow 156 to pass through each of the dampers 172, 190, and 192. Therefore, the pressure in the second section 164 is relatively low, and the sector plate 300 is not implemented to maintain a correspondingly low pressure in the first section 158 and reduce the pressure difference between sections 158 and 164. However, during the second time period, one of the dampers 172, 190, and 192 is closed to block the cold airflow 156 from passing through one of the dampers 172, 190, and 192, thereby increasing the pressure in the second section 164. Therefore, the sector plate 300 is implemented to correspondingly increase the pressure in the first section 158 and reduce the pressure difference between sections 158 and 164. During the third time period, the other of the dampers 172, 190, and 192 is closed to block the cold airflow 156 from passing through the other of the dampers 172, 190, and 192, thereby further increasing the pressure in the second section 164. Therefore, the sector plate 300 is adjusted to further increase the pressure in the first section 158 and reduce the pressure difference between sections 158 and 164. In other words, each of the dampers 172, 190, and 192 and the sector plate 300 can be adjusted to maintain the correspondence between the volume through which the warm airflow 154 is guided and the volume through which the cold airflow 156 is guided, thereby limiting the pressure difference between sections 158 and 164.

[0051] Figure 7 This is a side view of a rotary exchange system 350, which is configured in the first section 352 ( Figure 7 The warm airflow is received at the left side and fed to the rotor 356. In the second section 354 ( Figure 7The rotary heat exchanger system 350 receives a cold airflow onto rotor 356 at the right side. The rotary heat exchanger system 350 includes an auxiliary duct system 358 (e.g., a purification system, a sealing system) configured to prevent mixing between warm and cold airflows. For example, the auxiliary duct system 358 includes a duct 360 configured to guide a sealing airflow 362 across rotor 356 via outlet 366. The sealing airflow 362 guided across rotor 356 can create a pressurized barrier between first section 352 and second section 354 to prevent warm airflow from moving from first section 352 to second section 354 and cold airflow from moving from second section 354 to first section 352. Isolating the warm and cold airflows from each other improves the operation of the rotary heat exchanger system 350. As an example, the sealing airflow 362 can prevent direct contact between the warm and cold airflows, which would otherwise reduce heat transfer between them.

[0052] Figure 8 This is a side view of a rotary exchanger system 400, which includes another auxiliary piping system 402 (e.g., a scavenging system, a disentrainment system). The auxiliary piping system 402 includes pipes 404 (e.g., guide pipes). Figure 7 The same conduit as the sealing airflow 362, but a separate conduit from the conduit guiding the sealing airflow 362, is used to remove particles from the rotor 406 to prevent the particles from being exposed to and absorbed by the warm and / or cold airflows. As an example, moisture may accumulate and become trapped within the rotor 406 due to temperature changes in the rotor 406 (e.g., cooling of the warm airflow). Moisture retention in the rotor 406 can negatively impact the regulation (e.g., heating) of the cold airflow. For example, the cold airflow may be exposed to and absorb moisture. This entrainment of moisture in the cold airflow can undesirably increase the moisture content of the cold airflow (e.g., and lower the temperature of the cold airflow to be heated).

[0053] The operation of the auxiliary piping system 402 removes particles that may be trapped within the rotor 406. For example, piping 404 guides anti-entrainment airflow 408 through the rotor 406, and this anti-entrainment airflow can blow away particles (such as moisture) and remove them from the rotor 406 to prevent them from mixing with the cold airflow. Therefore, the anti-entrainment airflow 408 can improve the efficient operation of the rotary exchanger system 400.

[0054] In some embodiments, the sealing airflow 362 and / or the anti-entrainment airflow 408 includes a portion of the cold airflow that has been heated by the operation of the respective rotary exchanger systems 350, 400. For example, a portion of the cold airflow guided through rotors 356, 406 may be diverted to flow into auxiliary piping systems 358, 402. In this way, the mixing of the sealing airflow 362 and / or the anti-entrainment airflow 408 with the warm and / or cold airflows (e.g., due to contact between the sealing airflow 362 and / or the anti-entrainment airflow 408 and the warm and / or cold airflows) may not significantly reduce the operation of the rotary exchanger systems 350, 400 in heating the cold airflow. For example, the mixing between heated cold and warm airflows may not significantly reduce the temperature of the warm airflow (e.g., and thus avoid significantly reducing the heating capacity of the warm airflow), and / or the mixing between heated cold and cold airflows may help to increase the temperature of the cold airflow. In additional or alternative embodiments, different airflows, such as a portion of a warm airflow (e.g., diverted to flow through auxiliary duct systems 358, 402 instead of through rotors 356, 406) and / or a neutral airflow that does not include cold or warm airflows, may be included in the sealing airflow 362 and / or the anti-entrainment airflow 408.

[0055] Figure 9 and Figure 10 Methods for operating rotary exchanger systems (e.g., any rotary exchanger system 100, 150, 350, 400) are each illustrated. In some embodiments, each method may be performed by a single entity, such as a control system. In additional or alternative embodiments, different operations of the methods may be performed by different entities. It should also be noted that the execution of the methods may differ from that described. For example, additional operations may be performed, the described operations may not be performed, and / or the described operations may be performed in different ways or in a different order. Furthermore, the corresponding operations of the methods may be performed in any suitable manner, such as concurrently or sequentially with each other.

[0056] Figure 9A method 450 for operating a rotary heat exchanger system to increase rotor temperature is illustrated. At block 452, a damper is operated to reduce the flow of cold air (e.g., ambient air) to a portion of the rotor at a first section of the rotary heat exchanger system. For example, the damper may be switched to a closed position that blocks that portion of the rotor from exposure to the cold air. Thus, a temperature drop in that portion of the rotor that would otherwise be caused by exposure to the cold air can be suppressed. However, operating the damper to reduce the flow of cold air to that portion of the rotor may not reduce the exposure of that portion of the rotor to warm air. Therefore, that portion of the rotor may continue to be heated by the warm air, thereby increasing the rotor temperature and preventing potential icing of the rotor. In some embodiments, operating the damper to reduce the flow of cold air to that portion of the rotor may be performed at a predetermined frequency and / or at predetermined times, regardless of rotor parameters (e.g., temperature).

[0057] At box 454, additional airflow (e.g., sealing airflow, anti-entrainment airflow) is also guided through or along the rotor (e.g., independently of damper operation). In some embodiments, the additional airflow is guided along the rotor between the first and second sections to provide a seal against unwanted airflow between the first and second sections. Alternatively, the additional airflow is guided through the rotor to remove moisture or other particles (e.g., dust) entrained within the rotor. Thus, guiding additional airflow can improve the heat transfer operation of a rotary heat exchanger system, but it need not be used in conjunction with the rotor heating techniques presented herein.

[0058] The operation of the rotor itself can also (or alternatively) be adjusted to improve the operation of the rotary exchanger system. For example, the rotor's rotational speed can be adjusted (e.g., reduced) to increase the temperature of that part of the rotor (e.g., by increasing the time exposed to warm airflow) and / or to increase the removal of moisture / particles from the rotor (e.g., by increasing the time exposed to additional airflow).

[0059] Figure 10 This is a flowchart of a method 500 for operating a rotary exchanger system to increase rotor temperature. At block 502, the rotor temperature is monitored, for example, by a sensor. In some embodiments, the temperature is monitored directly. In additional or alternative embodiments, parameters indicating temperature, such as pressure, are monitored.

[0060] At box 504, it is determined that the temperature of a portion of the rotor is below a threshold temperature. Alternatively, the parameter indicating the temperature may suggest that the temperature is low (e.g., the pressure difference between this portion of the rotor and another portion of the rotor is above a threshold pressure). This determination may indicate potential icing of the rotor.

[0061] In response, at block 506, based on the damper being configured to reduce the exposure of this portion of the rotor to the cold airflow, the damper is operated to reduce the amount of cold airflow directed across this portion of the rotor. For example, the damper (e.g., a damper cover) can be adjusted to overlap with the travel path of this portion of the rotor throughout the section that directs the cold airflow. This operation of the damper allows warm airflow to still be directed to this portion of the rotor. Therefore, by maintaining exposure to warm airflow and limited exposure to cold airflow, the temperature of this portion of the rotor can be increased.

[0062] Operating a damper to reduce the flow of cold air directed to that portion of the rotor can be maintained for a period of time. In some embodiments, this duration can be predetermined (e.g., regardless of rotor temperature). In additional or alternative embodiments, this time can be based on determined rotor parameters. As an example, the rotor temperature can be monitored, and in response to the rotor temperature (e.g., the temperature of that portion of the rotor) exceeding a threshold temperature, a damper can be opened to increase the flow of cold air directed to that portion of the rotor. Alternatively, the pressure difference between that portion of the rotor and another portion of the rotor can be monitored, and this pressure difference can indicate the temperature of that portion of the rotor (e.g., relative to the temperature of other portions of the rotor that may be at a desired temperature). In response to the pressure difference falling below a threshold pressure, a damper can be opened to increase the flow of cold air directed to that portion of the rotor. In either case, opening a damper to increase the flow of cold air directed to that portion of the rotor can increase the heat transfer achieved by that portion of the rotor.

[0063] It should also be understood that the rotor exchanger system or portions thereof described herein can be manufactured from any suitable material or combination of materials, such as metals or synthetic materials, including but not limited to plastics, rubber, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. It is also intended that this disclosure cover modifications and variations of this disclosure that fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. For example, it should be understood that terms such as “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “rear,” “side,” “height,” “length,” “width,” “upper,” “lower,” “inner,” “outer,” “internal,” and “external” are used herein only to describe reference points and do not limit this disclosure to any particular orientation or configuration. Furthermore, the term “exemplary” is used herein to describe an example or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as exemplary should not be construed as a preferred or advantageous embodiment, but rather as an example or illustration of a possible embodiment of this disclosure.

[0064] Finally, when used herein, the term “comprises” and its derivatives (such as “comprising”, etc.) should not be construed as exclusive; that is, these terms should not be interpreted as excluding the possibility that the described and defined content may include other elements, steps, etc. Similarly, when used herein, the term “approximately” and its family of terms (such as “approximate”, etc.) should be understood as indicating a value very close to the value associated with the aforementioned term. That is, deviations from precise values ​​within reasonable limits should be accepted, as those skilled in the art will understand that such deviations from indicated values ​​are unavoidable due to reasons such as measurement inaccuracies. The same applies to the terms “about,” “approximately,” and “roughly.”

Claims

1. A rotary exchange system, comprising: A rotor configured to rotate about a rotation axis, wherein the rotor is configured to receive a first airflow in a first section of the rotary exchanger system and a second airflow in a second section of the rotary exchanger system, the rotation of the rotor causing the sections of the rotor to alternately move between the first and second sections of the rotary exchanger system, and a first temperature of the first airflow being higher than a second temperature of the second airflow; and A control system configured to operate a damper to block a section of the rotor from being exposed to the second airflow along a travel path through the second section, thereby suppressing further temperature reduction of the section of the rotor in the second section.

2. The rotary exchanger system according to claim 1, wherein, The control system is configured as follows: Monitor the temperature of the section of the rotor; It is determined that the temperature of the section of the rotor is below a threshold temperature; as well as In response to determining that the temperature of the section of the rotor is below the threshold temperature, the damper is operated to prevent the section of the rotor from being exposed to the second airflow along the travel path through the second section.

3. The rotary exchanger system according to claim 2, wherein, The section of the rotor is part of a plurality of sections of the rotor, the rotary exchanger system includes a plurality of dampers, each of the plurality of dampers being configured to block a corresponding section of the plurality of sections of the rotor from exposure to the second airflow along a corresponding travel path through the second section, and the control system being configured to operate the plurality of dampers to block one or more sections of the plurality of sections of the rotor from exposure to the second airflow based on one or more sections of the plurality of sections having a temperature below the threshold temperature.

4. The rotary exchanger system according to claim 1, wherein, The rotor is configured to absorb heat from the first airflow and discharge the heat to the second airflow, so that the first airflow and the second airflow are in a heat exchange relationship with each other.

5. The rotary exchanger system according to claim 1, wherein, The damper and the section of the rotor overlap in the travel path of the second section.

6. The rotary exchanger system according to claim 5, wherein, The damper radially overlaps with the section of the rotor in the second section and is radially offset from an additional section of the rotor passing through the second section, such that the closed position of the damper does not obstruct the additional section of the rotor from being exposed to the second airflow along an additional travel path passing through the second section.

7. The rotary exchanger system according to claim 5, wherein, The damper is offset from the section of the rotor through the additional travel path of the first section, such that the closed position of the damper does not obstruct the section of the rotor from being exposed to the first airflow along the additional travel path through the first section.

8. The rotary exchanger system of claim 1, further comprising a duct system configured to direct a third airflow onto the rotor to block undesirable regulation of the first airflow and / or the second airflow.

9. The rotary exchanger system according to claim 8, wherein, The piping system is configured to guide the third airflow through the rotor to reduce the moisture content in the rotor.

10. The rotary exchanger system according to claim 8, wherein, The piping system is configured to guide the third airflow along the rotor to block the mixing between the first airflow and the second airflow.

11. The rotary exchanger system of claim 1, further comprising a sector plate positioned to reduce the volume through which the second airflow passes compared to the volume through which the first airflow passes, and to reduce the pressure difference between the first section and the second section.

12. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions, which, when executed by one or more processors, are configured to cause the one or more processors to perform operations including: The temperature of the rotor, configured to receive a first airflow and a second airflow, is monitored. The rotor is configured to rotate about a rotation axis such that portions of the rotor alternately receive the first airflow and the second airflow; Determine that the temperature of the portion of the rotor is below a threshold temperature; as well as In response to determining that the temperature of the portion of the rotor is below the threshold temperature, a damper is operated to reduce the second airflow entering the portion of the rotor.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 12, wherein, When executed by the one or more processors, the instructions are configured to cause the one or more processors to operate the damper to reduce the second airflow entering the portion of the rotor based on the overlap of the damper's travel path with the travel path of the portion of the rotor having a temperature below the threshold temperature.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 12, wherein, When executed by the one or more processors, the instructions are configured to cause the one or more processors to perform operations including the following: Determine that the temperature of the portion of the rotor is higher than an additional threshold temperature; as well as In response to determining that the temperature of the portion of the rotor is higher than the additional threshold temperature, the damper is operated to increase the second airflow entering the portion of the rotor.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 12, wherein, When executed by the one or more processors, the instructions are configured to cause the one or more processors to determine that the temperature of the portion of the rotor is below the threshold temperature based on the pressure difference between the portion of the rotor and an additional portion of the rotor being above a threshold pressure.

16. A rotary switch system, comprising: A rotor configured to receive a first airflow and a second airflow, wherein the rotor is configured to rotate about a rotation axis such that portions of the rotor are alternately exposed to the first airflow and the second airflow; and A damper that radially overlaps with a first section of the rotor and is radially offset from a second section of the rotor, such that when the damper is closed, the second airflow is reduced to the first section of the rotor but not to the second section of the rotor.

17. The rotary exchanger system of claim 16, comprising the section through which the second airflow is guided, wherein, The rotation of the rotor causes the first section to move along a travel path through the section, and the damper is positioned at the section such that the closed position of the damper reduces or eliminates the first section's exposure to the second airflow along the travel path through the section.

18. The rotary exchanger system of claim 16, further comprising an additional damper that radially overlaps with the second section of the rotor and is radially offset from the first section of the rotor, such that a closed position of the additional damper reduces the second airflow to the second section of the rotor, but not to the first section of the rotor.

19. The rotary exchanger system of claim 18, further comprising a control system configured to operate the damper and the additional damper, wherein, The control system is configured to alternately and sequentially adjust the damper and the auxiliary damper to their respective closed positions and to their respective open positions.

20. The rotary exchanger system of claim 16, wherein, The damper includes a cover plate, and the cover plate is configured to move to extend laterally in the direction in which the second airflow is directed to the rotor, so as to reduce the second airflow onto the first section of the rotor in the closed position of the damper.

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