Full return air heat pump coupled four-partition rotary dehumidification system

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of rotary dehumidification, and specifically discloses a full-return-air heat pump coupled four-partition rotary dehumidification system, which comprises: a four-partition rotary wheel, which is sequentially provided with a processing area for dehumidifying and drying air, a superheating area for heating the rotary wheel after adsorption for the first time, a regeneration area for heating the rotary wheel after adsorption for the second time, and a supercooling area for cooling the rotary wheel after heating along the circumferential direction of the four-partition rotary wheel; an air duct unit, which comprises at least two independent closed circulation air paths, one of which is used for heating the rotary wheel in the regeneration area, and the other of which is used for heating the rotary wheel in the superheating area after absorbing the temperature of the rotary wheel in the supercooling area; and a heat pump assembly, which is used for providing a heat source for heating and cooling the closed circulation air paths of the air duct unit. The system realizes full-return-air closed loop operation and heat energy cascade utilization through the organic combination of the double air path collaborative circulation driven by the heat pump and the four-partition rotary wheel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of rotary dehumidification technology, specifically to a four-zone rotary dehumidification system coupled with a full return air heat pump. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, rotary dehumidification systems used in industrial and warehousing sectors (especially cold storage facilities and temperature- and humidity-controlled workshops) generally suffer from the following technical defects. Traditional rotary regeneration systems mostly use electric heating or steam heating, and the regeneration temperature usually needs to reach 80~120℃. Energy consumption accounts for more than 60% of the total system energy consumption, resulting in high operating costs. The condensation heat of the heat pump and the cooling capacity of the evaporator within the system are not effectively utilized, and low-grade heat energy is directly lost, resulting in low energy utilization efficiency. Most dehumidification systems require the introduction of a large amount of outdoor fresh air for regeneration or makeup air, leading to large fluctuations in the temperature and humidity of the controlled environment. This is especially true in enclosed scenarios such as cold storage facilities, increasing the cooling load and affecting temperature stability.

[0003] While existing technologies can achieve basic dehumidification functions, they have significant shortcomings in energy consumption control, dehumidification accuracy, comprehensive utilization of heat energy, and operational stability, making it difficult to meet the current demands for high-precision, low-energy industrial applications.

[0004] Therefore, this application proposes a full return air heat pump coupled four-zone rotary dehumidification system, which can improve system energy efficiency and reliability to solve the above-mentioned technical problems. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The main objective of this invention is to provide a full-return air heat pump coupled four-zone rotary dehumidification system. This system aims to solve the problems of high regeneration energy consumption, low thermal energy utilization, insufficient dehumidification depth, and reliance on external fresh air in existing technologies. The system achieves full-return air closed-loop operation and cascaded utilization of thermal energy through the organic combination of heat pump-driven dual-airflow coordinated circulation and four-zone rotary dehumidification.

[0006] The present invention solves the above-mentioned technical problems by adopting the following technical solutions: This invention provides a full return air heat pump coupled with a four-zone rotary dehumidifier system, including... The four-zone rotor has a treatment zone for dehumidifying and drying the air, a superheating zone for heating the rotor after adsorption for the first time, a regeneration zone for heating the rotor after adsorption for the second time, and a supercooling zone for cooling the rotor after heating. The air duct unit includes at least two independent closed-loop air paths. One closed-loop air path is connected to the regeneration zone of the four-zone rotor and is used to heat the rotor in the regeneration zone. The other closed-loop air path is connected to both the superheated zone and the supercooled zone of the four-zone rotor and is used to absorb the rotor temperature in the supercooled zone and then heat the rotor in the superheated zone. Heat pump components are used to provide a heat source for heating and cooling the closed-loop airflow of the duct unit; The control and auxiliary unit, installed on the four-zone rotor and duct unit, is used to detect the temperature and humidity of the four-zone rotor and maintain the air volume and temperature of each circulating air path.

[0007] Preferably, the air processed by the air duct unit comes from the return air of the cold storage or the target environment.

[0008] Preferably, the control and auxiliary unit includes a variable frequency fan, a temperature sensor, and a controller; the variable frequency fan is used to transport air; the temperature sensor is installed on the duct unit, the four-zone rotor, and the heat pump assembly to detect the temperature at each installation point; the controller is used to receive the temperature information monitored by the temperature sensor and control the power of the variable frequency fan.

[0009] Preferably, the heat pump assembly includes a compressor, a condenser, a subcooler, a throttle valve, an evaporator, and a superheater; the compressor, condenser, subcooler, throttle valve, evaporator, and superheater are connected in series via refrigerant piping.

[0010] Preferably, the air duct unit further includes a drying air path; the drying air path includes a drying air conveying pipe and a variable frequency fan; the drying air conveying pipe and the variable frequency fan are used to input the cold storage return air into the four-zone rotary drum for drying.

[0011] Preferably, the closed-loop air path includes a regeneration air path; the regeneration air path is provided with a variable frequency fan for conveying airflow and a regeneration pipe; the variable frequency fan and the regeneration pipe convey airflow to circulate through the regeneration zone of the four-zone rotor and flow through the condenser and evaporator.

[0012] Preferably, the closed-loop air path includes a temperature-controlled air path; the temperature-controlled air path is provided with a variable frequency fan for conveying airflow and a temperature-controlled pipe; the variable frequency fan and the temperature-controlled pipe convey airflow to circulate through the subcooled zone and superheated zone of the four-zone rotor, and flow through the cooler and superheater.

[0013] Preferably, the heat source provided by the heat pump assembly to the duct unit also includes waste heat from compressor exhaust, solar energy collected by solar collectors, and industrial waste heat generated by other production equipment on site.

[0014] As can be seen from the above technical solution, the present invention provides a full return air heat pump coupled with a four-zone rotary dehumidifier system. Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: (1) The dehumidification system provided by this invention significantly reduces the regeneration temperature and overcomes material limitations: by preheating the rotor with a subcooler to pre-desorb, the moisture desorption load of the regeneration zone is shared, so that the main regeneration zone only needs to maintain 60°C to achieve the regeneration effect of traditional high temperature, or achieve deeper dehumidification without increasing the regeneration temperature. This design replaces the high-grade heat requirement with a lower-grade heat, reduces the system's dependence on high-temperature heat sources, and achieves efficient regeneration; (2) The dehumidification system provided by this invention achieves efficient recovery and cascade utilization of heat pump waste heat: the system uses the condensation heat and subcooling heat of the heat pump to heat the regeneration air and the superheated zone air, and uses the evaporation cold and superheated cold for deep dehumidification of the regeneration air and cooling of the subcooled zone, forming a two-way recovery and utilization of heat and cold. The regeneration side and the subcooled / superheated zone side are independently closed-loop, ensuring that the heat energy is always circulating within the system and there is no external emission; (3) The effect of the supercooled / superheated zone circulating air provided by the present invention on the removal of moisture accumulation in the regeneration air circulation: The supercooled / superheated zone circulates independently through the preheated rotor superheated zone, causing some moisture to desorb first and be carried away by the circulating air and condensed, reducing the moisture load at the inlet of the regeneration zone; at the same time, by cooling the rotor supercooled zone, the rotor is restored to a high adsorption capacity, improving the dehumidification effect of the treatment zone. Both of these factors together promote the efficient condensation and discharge of water vapor in the regeneration air circulation by the evaporator, effectively avoiding the long-term accumulation of moisture in the closed-loop system with full return air.

[0015] (4) The dehumidification system provided by the present invention has a highly integrated design, compact structure and simple control: The present invention couples the condenser, subcooler, evaporator and superheater of the heat pump component with the regeneration zone, subcooling zone and superheating zone of the four-zone rotor one by one, and achieves precise matching of heat and cold through two closed air circulations. The system does not require external fresh air handling equipment, all air paths are closed circulations, the structure is highly integrated, the control logic is simple, and it is easy to install and deploy in limited spaces such as cold storage and industrial workshops.

[0016] (5) The dehumidification system provided by the present invention can operate in a closed loop with full return air and without the introduction of outdoor fresh air: the air processed by the system and the regenerated air are both from the return air of the cold storage or the air inside the target environment. No outdoor fresh air is introduced, which avoids the interference caused by the temperature and humidity fluctuation of the fresh air to the controlled environment and ensures the long-term stability of the temperature and humidity inside the cold storage. At the same time, the absence of fresh air introduction also reduces the cooling load loss of the cold storage and further reduces the overall energy consumption of the system. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of the invention. The illustrative embodiments of the invention and their descriptions are used to explain the invention and do not constitute an undue limitation of the invention. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a flow chart of the rotary dehumidification system of the present invention; Figure 2This is a frame diagram of the heat pump assembly of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of them. Unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this application can be combined with each other. 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.

[0019] Example 1 like Figure 1-2 As shown, the present invention provides a full return air heat pump coupled four-zone rotary dehumidification system.

[0020] It includes a four-zone rotor, which is divided into four functional zones along the circumference: a processing zone, a superheating zone, a regeneration zone, and a supercooling zone. Each zone is switched periodically by the rotation of the rotor to achieve continuous cycle of adsorption, regeneration, precooling, and preheating.

[0021] The heat pump assembly, including a compressor, condenser, subcooler, expansion valve, evaporator, and superheater, is connected in sequence via refrigerant piping. The heat pump assembly provides heating and cooling heat sources for the regenerated air and the subcooled / superheated zone air.

[0022] Air duct unit: Contains two independent closed-loop airflow paths: Circulation A (Regeneration Air Circulation): The airflow direction is along the condenser, passing through the rotary regeneration zone, evaporator, and condenser in sequence, finally forming a closed regeneration air path; Circulation B (Supercooled / Superheated Zone Air Circulation): The airflow direction is along the subcooler, passing through the rotor subcooling zone, superheater, rotor superheating zone, and subcooler in sequence, finally forming a closed temperature-controlled air path.

[0023] Control and auxiliary unit: including fan, temperature sensor, controller, etc. The temperature sensor is installed on the air duct unit, four-zone rotor and heat pump assembly to detect the temperature at each installation point; the controller is used to receive the temperature information monitored by the temperature sensor and control the power of the variable frequency fan to maintain the stability of each circulation air volume and temperature.

[0024] The system adopts a full return air operation mode, without introducing external fresh air. All processed air comes from the return air of the cold storage or the target environment.

[0025] Processing side flow: Return air is used as processing air and is sent into the rotary processing area by the processing fan. The moisture in the return air is absorbed by the desiccant material of the rotary wheel and becomes dry air. After being cooled to the target temperature by the cooler, it is sent back to the cold storage or target environment to maintain a dry and low temperature environment.

[0026] Example 2 like Figure 1 As shown, the flow process of the two independent closed-loop air paths in the duct unit is as follows: Regeneration side process: The regeneration side circulation is a closed loop. The regeneration air flows through the condenser in sequence, is heated to 60°C by the high-temperature refrigerant in the pipe (compressor outlet temperature is about 100°C, condensation temperature is 70°C), enters the rotary regeneration zone to complete moisture desorption and is cooled to about 45°C. Then it passes through the evaporator, where it is cooled to about 15°C by the refrigerant at an evaporation temperature of about 5°C and condensed water is precipitated, achieving deep dehumidification and waste heat recovery. Finally, it returns to the condenser for reheating, forming a closed loop of regeneration air.

[0027] Supercooled / Superheated Zone Air Circulation Process: The supercooled / superheated zone circulation is another independent closed air path. The air first enters the supercooler and is cooled to about 40°C by the refrigerant that is supercooled from 70°C to 50°C. It is then sent to the supercooled zone of the rotor to preheat the fan surface that is about to enter the regeneration zone to assist desorption. The air then enters the superheater and is cooled to about 10°C by the refrigerant that is superheated from 5°C to 20°C. It is then sent to the supercooled zone of the rotor to cool the high-temperature fan surface after regeneration to improve the subsequent adsorption efficiency. Finally, it returns to the supercooler to complete the circulation, realizing independent temperature control of the two auxiliary zones of the rotor.

[0028] The technical solution of this invention may also include various alternative or optimized implementation methods. Depending on the application scenario, the functional allocation of the four zones can be adjusted, such as optimizing the area ratio of the subcooled zone to the superheated zone to adapt to different regeneration loads. In addition to relying on the low-grade heat energy recovered by the heat pump within the system, the waste heat recovery unit prioritizes the use of external, inexpensive heat sources, including waste heat from the compressor exhaust of the cold storage refrigeration system, solar energy collected by solar collectors, and industrial waste heat generated by other production equipment on-site, further reducing system operating energy consumption and improving energy utilization efficiency. Under extreme low temperature or high humidity conditions, an auxiliary electric heater can be added after the condenser to ensure stable regeneration temperature.

[0029] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A four-zone rotary dehumidification system coupled with a full return air heat pump, comprising: The four-zone rotor has a treatment zone for dehumidifying and drying the air, a superheating zone for heating the rotor after adsorption for the first time, a regeneration zone for heating the rotor after adsorption for the second time, and a supercooling zone for cooling the rotor after heating. The air duct unit includes at least two independent closed-loop air paths. One closed-loop air path is connected to the regeneration zone of the four-zone rotor and is used to heat the rotor in the regeneration zone. The other closed-loop air path is connected to both the superheated zone and the supercooled zone of the four-zone rotor and is used to absorb the rotor temperature in the supercooled zone and then heat the rotor in the superheated zone. Heat pump components are used to provide a heat source for heating and cooling the closed-loop airflow of the duct unit; The control and auxiliary unit, installed on the four-zone rotor and duct unit, is used to detect the temperature and humidity of the four-zone rotor and maintain the air volume and temperature of each circulating air path.

2. The four-zone rotary dehumidifier system coupled with a full return air heat pump as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The air processed by the air duct unit comes from the return air of the cold storage or the target environment.

3. The four-zone rotary dehumidifier system coupled with a full return air heat pump as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The control and auxiliary unit includes a variable frequency fan, a temperature sensor, and a controller; the variable frequency fan is used to transport air; the temperature sensor is installed on the duct unit, the four-zone rotor, and the heat pump assembly to detect the temperature at each installation point; the controller is used to receive the temperature information monitored by the temperature sensor and control the power of the variable frequency fan.

4. The four-zone rotary dehumidifier system coupled with a full return air heat pump as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The heat pump assembly includes a compressor, a condenser, a subcooler, a throttle valve, an evaporator, and a superheater; the compressor, condenser, subcooler, throttle valve, evaporator, and superheater are connected in series via refrigerant piping.

5. The four-zone rotary dehumidifier system coupled with a full return air heat pump as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The air duct unit also includes a drying air path; the drying air path includes a drying air delivery pipe and a variable frequency fan; the drying air delivery pipe and the variable frequency fan are used to input the cold storage return air into the four-zone rotary drum for drying.

6. The four-zone rotary dehumidifier system coupled with a full return air heat pump as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The closed-loop circulation air path includes a regeneration air path; the regeneration air path is equipped with a variable frequency fan for conveying airflow and a regeneration pipe; the variable frequency fan and the regeneration pipe convey airflow through the regeneration zone of the four-zone rotor and flow through the condenser and evaporator.

7. The four-zone rotary dehumidifier system coupled with a full return air heat pump as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The closed-loop air path includes a temperature-controlled air path; the temperature-controlled air path is equipped with a variable frequency fan and a temperature-controlled pipe for conveying airflow; the variable frequency fan and the temperature-controlled pipe convey airflow to circulate through the subcooled zone and superheated zone of the four-zone rotor, and flow through the cooler and superheater.

8. The four-zone rotary dehumidifier system coupled with a full return air heat pump as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The heat pump assembly provides the duct unit with heat sources including waste heat from compressor exhaust, solar energy collected by solar collectors, and industrial waste heat generated by other production equipment on site.

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