Installation for dehumidification and air treatment of a building housing a basin containing water, such as a swimming pool

Abstract

The present invention relates to an installation (I) for dehumidification and treatment of the air of a building (B) comprising: - a fresh air inlet (EAN) coming from the outside (EXT) and a blown air outlet (SAS); - a return air inlet (EAR) and an outlet (SAR) characterized in that it comprises: - a first air circulation vein (V1) with at least one device for filtering said fresh air (F1, F2), the first exchanger (10) of a heat exchange device (1), the condenser (20) of a thermodynamic machine (2), and at least one fan (T1); - a second air circulation vein (V2) with at least one device for filtering (F3) said return air, at least one fan (T3), the second exchanger (11) of said device (1); - a vein (V3) with, between its inlet and its outlet, the evaporator (21) of said machine (2), and a fan (T2). Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Installation for dehumidification and treatment of the air in a building housing a basin containing water, such as a swimming pool FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an installation for dehumidifying and treating the air in a building housing a basin containing water, such as a swimming pool. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] High energy efficiency thermodynamic heat pump technologies for dehumidification applications have existed for a long time. The present applicant proposes equipment capable of providing this technical function. This equipment is recognized for its performance, and the technology of which is mastered.

[0003] Buildings housing swimming pools are among the most energy-intensive buildings, both for heating the air, for dehumidifying it, and for heating the water in the swimming pools.

[0004] The financial viability of a swimming pool is directly linked to its energy consumption, which constitutes a major expense. Most municipal swimming pools are in fact in deficit, largely due to these significant expenses.

[0005] Furthermore, the dehumidification of a swimming pool and the treatment of the air in the room or rooms that house it is critical to ensure the health of bathers and visitors.

[0006] Indeed, the emissions of toxic gases for humans linked to the use of chlorine impose very strict constraints on air treatment.

[0007] Finally, to preserve the building and the comfort of the occupants (swimmers, staff and spectators), the temperature / humidity ratio of the air must be controlled.

[0008] Installations which house a swimming pool in the broad sense (i.e. an artificial pool intended for swimming, diving, recreational activities, medical or paramedical exercises) are therefore very demanding on energy equipment.

[0009] The topology of the dehumidification equipment historically manufactured by the present applicant is based on dehumidification mainly managed by thermodynamics only.

[0010] The management of fresh air (i.e. air newly introduced into the installation) is only used to treat the toxicity of ambient air, for example loaded with trichloramine gas.

[0011] These systems have recognized efficiency but optimizations are possible along the following two axes:

[0012] - Maximization of compressor operating time;

[0013] - Greater supply of fresh air to massively treat the ambient air, associated with heat recovery, which is adapted to a high rate of fresh air to allow dehumidification depending on the conditions outside the building.

[0014] The solution proposed so far consists of a system which integrates four very distinct functions:

[0015] - a first function of fresh air treatment, which makes it possible to maximize the ambient air quality and ensure dehumidification of the air for a large part of the building's needs.

[0016] - a second function of massive recovery of calories from the air intended for be discharged outside, to preheat the significant supply of fresh air.

[0017] - a third regulation function allowing the control of the complete system and in coherence, with a view to maximizing dehumidification, air quality and energy performance.

[0018] - a fourth thermodynamic function of dehumidification in direct expansion of part of the air taken from the building and reinjected into it or a fourth thermodynamic function of massive recovery of calories from the air discharged outside, for preheating the pools and / or the ambient air.

[0019] Currently, on the market, these four functions are integrated into separate hardware, each of which operates autonomously and separately.

[0020] The existing thermodynamic dehumidification function is based on recovery technologies on an intermediate water loop, which makes its implementation complex and adds intermediate exchanger efficiencies. This therefore reduces the overall performance of the assembly.

[0021] In addition, such equipment takes up a significant amount of space, which is difficult to reconcile with the relative crampedness of the technical premises intended to accommodate it.

[0022] The invention proposes to overcome the problems stated above, namely:

[0023] - multiplicity of materials to be implemented to ensure the different functions

[0024] - complexity of implementation;

[0025] - energy performance could be improved;

[0026] - lack of compactness making integration into technical rooms difficult cramped. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] For this purpose, the present invention proposes a dehumidification and air treatment of a building housing a basin containing water such as a swimming pool, comprising: - on the one hand, an inlet of fresh air coming from outside the said building, as well as an outlet of air blown towards the said building;

[0028] - on the other hand an inlet for air taken from said building and an outlet for the air taken back towards the exterior of said building,

[0029] characterized by the fact that it comprises:

[0030] - a first air circulation vein with, from upstream to downstream following the che air flow between said fresh air inlet coming from outside said building and said air outlet blown towards said building, at least one device for filtering said fresh air, the first exchanger of a heat exchange device, the condenser of a direct expansion thermodynamic machine, and at least one blowing fan;

[0031] - a second air circulation vein with, from upstream to downstream following the che air flow between said return air inlet and said return air outlet towards the exterior of said building, at least one device for filtering said return air, at least one return fan, the second exchanger of said heat exchange device;

[0032] - a bypass vein which has an inlet connected to the second bypass vein air circulation, between said at least one device for filtering said returned air and said at least one return fan, as well as an outlet connected to the first air circulation vein, between the first exchanger of said two-exchanger en-thalpic recovery battery, and said condenser of said direct expansion thermodynamic machine, between this inlet and this outlet being mounted the evaporator of said direct expansion thermodynamic machine, as well as at least one fan.

[0033] Thanks to the solution of the invention and in terms of compactness, the different functions interconnected with each other make it possible to save space and, thus, to facilitate the installation of the system even in cramped premises, such as the technical rooms which equip swimming pools.

[0034] In terms of cost and simplicity of implementation, this installation is particularly suitable, because it is of the “plug and play” type.

[0035] In terms of energy performance, the dehumidification function operates in direct expansion, therefore without intermediate fluid, so that the performance gains are of the order of 20% compared to a solution based on an intermediate fluid.

[0036] In addition, the thermodynamic condenser makes it possible to recover the calories taken from the dehumidification function, while maximizing the exchange surface. Thus, thermodynamic performance is maximized.

[0037] Furthermore, the compressor is sized at its full operating power without start / stop, so that there are no losses due to transient effects.

[0038] Finally, a single automaton is able to control all the functions, which maximizes consistency and energy savings, through precise management of the supply of fresh air and energy recovery.

[0039] According to other advantageous and non-limiting characteristics of this installation, taken alone or according to a technically compatible combination of at least two of them:

[0040] - said first vein comprises, downstream of said condenser and upstream of said at less a blower fan, a hot water battery;

[0041] - said device is chosen from the group consisting of: a recovery battery enthalpic, a plate, wheel or heat pipe exchanger;

[0042] - it includes a recycling vein for the returned air, which has an inlet connected to said second air circulation vein, between said at least one recovery fan and said second exchanger of said two-exchanger enthalpy recovery battery, as well as an outlet connected to the first air circulation vein, downstream of said first exchanger of said two-exchanger enthalpy recovery battery;

[0043] - said air recycling vein is provided with a register shaped to be either open or closed, and thus allow air circulation, respectively prevent air circulation;

[0044] - said fresh air inlet, said air outlet blown towards said building, as well that said outlet of the air taken back towards the exterior of said building is provided with independent registers shaped to be either open or closed, and thus allow the circulation of air, respectively prevent the circulation of air;

[0045] - at least one of said registers is motorized;

[0046] - it comprises, within the bypass vein, a second device for exchanging heat, of which a first exchanger is installed upstream of said condenser of said thermodynamic machine, while the second is installed downstream of the latter;

[0047] - the fluid which circulates in said device is glycolated water. DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0048] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear from the description which will now be given, with reference to the appended drawings, which represent, for informational but non-limiting purposes, possible embodiments.

[0049] In these drawings:

[0050] [Fig.l] is a very schematic view of a first embodiment of the installation according to the present invention;

[0051] [Fig.2] is a very schematic view of a second embodiment of the installation according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0052] In [Fig.l] is shown very schematically an installation I in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] In this figure, the exterior of a building B which houses a basin containing water, such as a swimming pool PS, has been referenced EXT.

[0054] The installation I is for example installed in a technical room which is integrated into the building B or which adjoins the latter. In a variant, this installation I is positioned on the roof of the building B or outside, for example in a parking lot.

[0055] The fresh air inlet from outside EXT inside installation I, the blown air outlet from installation I to the inside of building B, the return air inlet from building B to the inside of installation I and the return air outlet to the outside EXT of installation I have been respectively referenced EAN, SAS, EAR and SAR.

[0056] The installation integrates a first air circulation vein V1 which extends between the EAN inlet and the SAS outlet.

[0057] From upstream to downstream following the path of the air between this fresh air inlet EAN and the blown air outlet SAS, the installation comprises an optional and preferably motorized register RI, which is shaped to be either open or closed, and thus allow the circulation of air, respectively prevent the circulation of air, at least one device for filtering said fresh air F1, F2, the first exchanger 10 of an enthalpy recovery battery 1 with two exchangers, the condenser 20 of a direct expansion thermodynamic machine, a hot water battery 3 and at least one blowing fan TL

[0058] Instead of the two-exchanger enthalpy recovery battery 1, we could have a plate, wheel or heat pipe exchanger.

[0059] Thus, the air entering the installation I is first filtered by the devices F1 and F2, with the aim of ridding it of polluting particles, in particular of different sizes. Two filters are shown here. In a variant, a single filter or a number greater than two could be used.

[0060] Downstream of the two filters F1 and F2 is provided, in the direction of air circulation, the first exchanger 10 of an enthalpy recovery battery 1. The second exchanger 11 of this battery is placed within a second air circulation vein V2, which will be discussed later in the description.

[0061] Inside these two exchangers 10 and 11, water circulates via a pipe 12 forming a loop, which is coupled to a circulation pump 13.

[0062] Downstream of the exchanger 10 is provided, still within the circulation vein VI, the condenser 20 of a direct expansion thermodynamic machine 2.

[0063] In the figure, only the condenser 20 and the evaporator 21 of this machine 2 are represented. The evaporator 21 is integrated within a third bypass vein V3 which will be returned to later.

[0064] Downstream of the condenser 20 is installed a hot water battery 3 consisting of a water / air exchanger through which circulates a hot water loop supplied by the hot water network of building B.

[0065] Finally, between this battery 3 and the blown air outlet SAS, a blowing fan T1 is provided, preferably with a fixed flow rate, as well as an optional register R2, and preferably motorized.

[0066] The installation integrates a second air circulation vein V2 which extends between the EAR outlet and the SAR outlet.

[0067] From upstream to downstream following the path of the air between this air inlet EAR taken from building B and the air outlet SAR taken to the outside EXT, this second air circulation vein V2 comprises at least one filtration device F3 for the taken air, for example of the same type as the filters F1 and F2, at least one return fan T3, and the second exchanger 11 of said enthalpy recovery battery 1 discussed above.

[0068] The installation of [Fig.l] also comprises a third vein, which constitutes a bypass vein V3. Its inlet is connected to the second air circulation vein V2, between the filtration device of said return air F3 and a return fan T3. Its outlet is connected to the first air circulation vein VI, between the first exchanger 10 of said enthalpy recovery battery 1, and the condenser 20 of said direct expansion thermodynamic machine 2.

[0069] Between this inlet and this outlet are mounted the evaporator 21 of the direct expansion thermodynamic machine 2, as well as at least one recovery fan T2, preferably with fixed flow.

[0070] Finally and optionally, the installation I comprises a fourth vein for recycling the returned air V4, which comprises an inlet connected to the second air circulation vein V2, between the return fan T3 and the second exchanger 11 of said battery 1, as well as an outlet connected to the first air circulation vein VI, downstream of said first exchanger 10 of said battery 1.

[0071] The air treatment within the installation of [Fig.l] is described below.

[0072] After being filtered by filters Fl and F2, the dry and fresh air which enters the vein VI via the EAN inlet is considerably preheated by passing through the exchanger 10 of the battery 1. This air is then mixed with dehumidified air from the bypass vein V3, heated a second time in contact with the condenser 20 of the thermodynamic machine 2, then a third time by the hot water battery 3.

[0073] Thus, the air can be blown via the SAS outlet, inside building B, for example at a temperature of around 34°C.

[0074] The hot and humid air circulating in building B is taken back into vein V2 via inlet EAR.

[0075] A portion of this air is conveyed, via the return fan T3, towards the exchanger 11. In contact with this cold exchanger, the hot and humid air loses a portion of its calories and transfers them to the fluid which circulates inside the enthalpy recovery battery 1. Finally, the cooler air which has passed through the exchanger 11 is evacuated to the outside EXT via the outlet SAR.

[0076] The other part of the air taken back from building B is directed into the bypass vein V3, where it undergoes dehumidification in contact with the evaporator 21 of the machine 2.

[0077] The air is then rerouted into the vein V1 via the fan T2.

[0078] Vein V4 allows the air flow to be maintained within the installation when The supply of fresh air is reduced by the system's regulation. The air is thus recycled to maintain the thermodynamic functions and the mixing rate inside the building.

[0079] In [Fig. 1], the equipment which provides the functions of supplying fresh air, filtering and preheating the fresh air has been identified by a rectangle Al.

[0080] Rectangle A2 identifies the equipment for recovering calories from the returned air.

[0081] We immediately note the interconnection and synergy between these pieces of equipment, to the extent that the recovery of calories from the returned air makes it possible to preheat the new air within the VL vein.

[0082] Rectangle A3 identifies the equipment which participates in the thermodynamic dehumidification of part of the air taken back into the building.

[0083] The embodiment variant illustrated very schematically in [Fig.2] uses the architecture and equipment of the first variant in [Fig.1].

[0084] Under these conditions, only the additional equipment of this variant will be described below.

[0085] The first addition is located at the level of the third bypass vein V3. Indeed, a second enthalpy recovery battery 4 with two exchangers is integrated within this vein. More precisely, an exchanger 41 is installed upstream of the condenser 21 of said direct expansion thermodynamic machine 2 and a second exchanger 40 downstream of the latter.

[0086] References 42 and 43 respectively designate the pipe and the circulation pump of this loop.

[0087] This battery 4 makes it possible to further maximize the performance of the thermodynamic equipment 2.

[0088] Preferably and to avoid exchanger breakages due to freezing in the event of a shutdown of the installation, glycolated water is circulated in this battery 4.

[0089] Thanks to this additional equipment, the size of the thermodynamic machine's compressor can be reduced by up to two times, for the same dehumidification capacity. The direct energy savings are around 25%. The sizing is carried out in such a way that the thermodynamic part operates 24 / 7, so that the savings are very significant on the building's energy bill.

[0090] In the same way as previously, battery 4 could be replaced by a plate, wheel or heat pipe exchanger.

[0091] The second addition, which is optional, lies in an additional vein V5 which makes it possible to recycle part of the air taken back, just downstream of the filter F3, with a view to reinjecting it into the vein VI, between the battery 3 and the fan TL.

[0092] For both the first and second embodiments, a single programmable controller is configured to control all the equipment in the installation, thus maximizing consistency and energy savings through precise management of the supply of fresh air and energy recovery.

Claims

Claims

1. Installation (I) for dehumidification and treatment of the air of a building (B) housing a basin (PS) containing water such as a swimming pool, comprising: - on the one hand a fresh air inlet (EAN) coming from outside (EXT) of said building (B), as well as a blown air outlet (SAS) towards said building (B); - on the other hand, a return air inlet (EAR) coming from said building (B) and a return air outlet (SAR) towards the outside (EXT) of said building (B), characterized by the fact that it comprises: - a first air circulation vein (VI) with, from upstream to downstream following the path of the air between said fresh air inlet (EAN) coming from the outside (EXT) of said building (B) and said blown air outlet (SAS) towards said building (B), at least one device for filtering said fresh air (Fl, F2), the first exchanger (10) of a heat exchange device (1), the condenser (20) of a direct expansion thermodynamic machine (2), and at least one blowing fan (Tl); - a second air circulation vein (V2) with, from upstream to downstream following the path of the air between said return air inlet (EAR) and said return air outlet (SAR) towards the exterior (EXT) of said building (B), at least one filtration device (F3) of said return air, at least one return fan (T3), the second exchanger (11) of said heat exchange device (1); - a bypass vein (V3) which comprises an inlet connected to the second air circulation vein (V2), between said at least one device for filtering said return air (F3) and said at least one return fan (T3), as well as an outlet connected to the first air circulation vein (VI), between the first exchanger (10) of said enthalpy recovery battery (1) with two exchangers, and said condenser (20) of said direct expansion thermodynamic machine (2), between this inlet and this outlet being mounted the evaporator (21) of said direct expansion thermodynamic machine (2), as well as at least one fan (T2).

2. Installation (I) according to claim 1, characterized in that said first vein (VI) comprises, downstream of said condenser (20) and in upstream of said at least one blowing fan (Tl), a hot water battery (3).

3. Installation (I) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said device (1) is chosen from the group consisting of: an enthalpy recovery battery, a plate, wheel or heat pipe exchanger.

4. Installation (I) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a circulation vein for the returned air (V4), which comprises an inlet connected to said second air circulation vein (V2), between said at least one return fan (T3) and said second exchanger (11) of said heat exchange device (1), as well as an outlet connected to the first air circulation vein (VI), downstream of said first exchanger (10) of said heat exchange device (1).

5. Installation (I) according to claim 4, characterized in that said return air recycling vein (V4) is provided with a shaped register (R4) to be either open or closed, and thus allow the circulation of air, respectively prevent the circulation of air.

6. Installation (I) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said fresh air inlet (EAN), said blown air outlet (SAS) towards said building (B), as well as said return air outlet (SAR) towards the outside (EXT) of said building (B) are provided with independent dampers (RI, R2, R3) shaped to be either open or closed, and thus allow the circulation of air, respectively prevent the circulation of air.

7. Installation (I) according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that at least one of said registers (R1-R4) is motorized.

8. Installation (I) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises, within the bypass vein (V3), a second heat exchange device (4), of which a first exchanger (41) is installed upstream of said condenser (21) of said thermodynamic machine (2), while the second (40) is installed downstream of the latter.

9. Installation (I) according to claim 8, characterized in that the fluid which circulates in said device (4) is glycolated water.

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