Dehumidification unit and water generator

Abstract

To provide a dehumidification unit suitable for generating water from moisture in the atmosphere and having high energy efficiency, and to provide a water generator.SOLUTION: In the dehumidification unit 1 and the water generator for generating water from moisture in air including the dehumidification unit 1, any adsorption / desorption unit 11 included in a plurality of adsorption / desorption units 11 is moved to an adsorption / desorption unit-absent area where none of the plurality of adsorption / desorption units 11 is present in a movable area where each adsorption / desorption unit 11 of the dehumidification unit 1 is movable.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a dehumidifying unit and a water generating device used to generate water from moisture in the atmosphere. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Patent No. 4424803 describes a dehumidifier using a dehumidifying rotor (desiccant rotor). This dehumidifier cools and absorbs moisture in one part of a single dehumidifying rotor, while heating the other part to desorb moisture. In this way, this dehumidifier achieves dehumidification and cooling. This dehumidifier can be used appropriately to dehumidify or cool a room.

[0003] However, the above-mentioned dehumidifier has the problem that heat loss and energy loss occur because one part of the dehumidifying rotor is cooled and another part is heated. In particular, when using the dehumidifier to generate water from moisture in the air, the energy loss makes it inefficient. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 4424803 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an energy-efficient dehumidifying unit and water generating device suitable for generating water from atmospheric moisture. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This invention basically involves dividing an adsorption / desorption unit (the part that absorbs and desorbs moisture) such as a dehumidifying rotor into multiple units and making them movable, which allows some units to be used exclusively for heating and others for cooling. In this way, dividing the adsorption / desorption unit into multiple units and making them movable dramatically improves thermal efficiency and energy efficiency.

[0007] The first invention relates to a dehumidifying unit 1. The dehumidifying unit 1 has a plurality of adsorption / desorption units 11 and a unit position control section 13.

[0008] Each adsorption / desorption unit 11 is movable within the dehumidification unit 1. It is preferable that each of the adsorption / desorption units 11 included in the plurality of adsorption / desorption units 11 has a rectangular or polygonal shape. It is also preferable that at least one side of each adsorption / desorption unit 11 is covered with a thermal insulator.

[0009] The unit position control section 13 can control the position of each adsorption / desorption unit 11 included in the plurality of adsorption / desorption units 11. For example, the unit position control section 13 can move any one of the adsorption / desorption units 11 included in the plurality of adsorption / desorption units 11 to an adsorption / desorption unit absent area, which is an area where none of the plurality of adsorption / desorption units 11 are present, within a movable area, which is an area where each adsorption / desorption unit 11 of the dehumidification unit 1 can be moved.

[0010] The second invention relates to a water generating apparatus 21 including the above-mentioned dehumidifying unit 1 for generating water from moisture in the air. In addition to the dehumidifying unit 1, the water generating device 21 has a cooling section 23, a first blowing section 25, a heating section 27, and a moisture recovery section 29. The cooling section 23 is an element for cooling air to obtain cooled air. The first blower 25 is an element for sending cooled air to a moisture absorbing region which is a part of the movable region. The heating section 27 is an element for heating the moisture absorption unit, which is the moisture absorption unit 11 that has come into contact with the cooled air, after the unit position control section 13 moves the moisture absorption unit to the desorption area, which is an area other than the moisture absorption area. The moisture recovery section 29 is an element for recovering moisture from the humidified air released from the moisture absorption unit heated by the heating section 27. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] It is possible to provide an energy-efficient dehumidification unit and water generating device suitable for generating water from atmospheric moisture. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the desorption unit and the dehumidification unit. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of each adsorption / desorption unit having a sector shape or a sector shape with an arc-shaped notch in the center. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a plurality of driving methods. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of the water generating device. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing the state of adsorption and moisture absorption in each adsorption / desorption unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing the state of desorption from each adsorption / desorption unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a heat exchange type water generating apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The following describes embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and also includes appropriate modifications of the embodiments below within the scope obvious to those skilled in the art.

[0014] The first invention relates to a dehumidifying unit 1. The dehumidifying unit 1 has a plurality of adsorption / desorption units 11 and a unit position control unit 13. The dehumidifying unit 1 is an element having a function of adsorbing and desorbing moisture in the atmosphere, like a conventional dehumidifying rotor, for example.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a desorption unit and a dehumidification unit. Each adsorption / desorption unit 11 is movable within the dehumidification unit 1. FIG. 1A is a conceptual diagram illustrating one desorption unit. In the example of FIG. 1A, each adsorption / desorption unit 11 has a square shape. However, each adsorption / desorption unit 11 preferably has a rectangular or polygonal shape. At least one side (or two sides) of each adsorption / desorption unit 11 is preferably covered with a thermal insulator. Covering the ends with a thermal insulator can prevent heat transfer between the adsorption / desorption units 11, thereby improving the energy efficiency of the dehumidification unit 1. In the example of FIG. 1A, at least one side (or two sides) of the desorption unit 11 has an insulating layer 31, and the ends are covered with a thermal insulator. Covering the ends with a thermal insulator can prevent heat transfer between the adsorption / desorption units 11, thereby improving the energy efficiency of the dehumidification unit 1. The insulating layer 31 may be provided on all edges of the desorption unit 11.

[0016] Each adsorption / desorption unit 11 is an element capable of adsorbing and releasing moisture. The adsorption / desorption unit 11 may include, for example, an adsorbent. Examples of the adsorption / desorption unit 11 include a bag containing multiple adsorbents or a container containing multiple adsorbents. The container may be made of resin or metal. The adsorption / desorption unit 11 may be, for example, a rectangular prism-shaped box with a honeycomb-structured lattice provided inside, and the adsorbent attached to the lattice. Examples of adsorbents include calcium chloride, lithium chloride, silica gel, activated carbon, zeolite (e.g., molecular sieve), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), porous coordination polymers (PCPs), superabsorbent polymers (SAPs), and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). The adsorbent may be in the shape of a pellet, a cylinder, a cone, or a tetrapod. Furthermore, the solid adsorbent may have a high porosity. The porosity is, for example, 10% or more and 90% or less, and may be 20% or more and 80% or less.

[0017] FIG. 1B shows the base of the dehumidifying unit 1. In the example of FIG. 1, multiple adsorption / desorption units 11 are movably installed on the inner surface of the base 33 of the dehumidifying unit 1. The base of the dehumidifying unit 1 is preferably fixed and remains in a constant position throughout the operation of the water generating apparatus. In the present invention, the multiple adsorption / desorption units 11 preferably move on the inner surface of the fixed and immovable base 33 of the dehumidifying unit 1. In the example of FIG. 1B, the base 33 of the dehumidifying unit 1 has an outer frame 35 and an inner frame 37 provided on a flat substrate, and the space between the outer frame 35 and the inner frame 37 is the movable area for the adsorption / desorption units 11. A shaft (bearing chassis) may be inserted inside the inner frame 37, and the adsorption / desorption units 11 may move by rotating the shaft. In this case, a unit position control unit 13, which will be described later, controls the rotation of the shaft.

[0018] Although not particularly shown, it is preferable that a belt or a plurality of rollers be laid inside the outer frame 35. It is preferable that the belt or the plurality of rollers be partially drivable along the outer frame 35. For example, in the example of FIG. 1, a belt divided into three may be provided on each side. In other words, it is preferable that a divided belt is provided at a position corresponding to the detachable unit 11 so as to drive each detachable unit 11. It is also preferable that bearings such as ball bearings are provided along the inner frame 37. Then, the unit position control unit 13 can drive the belt or rollers to move the adsorption / detachable unit 11.

[0019] FIG. 1C is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a dehumidifying unit 1. Each adsorption / desorption unit 11 can move within a movable area. A predetermined gap may be provided between the adsorption / desorption units 11. If there are gaps between the adsorption / desorption units 11, the air present in the gaps functions as a thermal insulator, improving the energy efficiency of the dehumidifying unit 1. In the example of FIG. 1B, seven adsorption / desorption units 11 are present between the outer frame 35 and the inner frame 37 (movable area). The unit position control unit 13 drives, for example, the central belt and the right belt present on the lower side of the outer frame 35. As a result, the adsorption / desorption unit 11 present at the bottom right of FIG. 1C moves leftward.

[0020] Fig. 1D is a conceptual diagram showing how the adsorption / desorption unit located at the lower right in Fig. 1C has moved to the lower center. Similarly, in the state of Fig. 1D, the unit position control unit 13 drives the central belt and the lower belt located on the right side of the outer frame 35. As a result, the adsorption / desorption unit 11 located at the center right in Fig. 1D moves downward.

[0021] 1E is a conceptual diagram showing the state in which the adsorption / desorption unit 11, which was located in the center right of FIG. 1D, has moved to the lower part. By repeating such an operation, the dehumidification unit 1 can change the position of the adsorption / desorption unit 11.

[0022] The unit position control unit 13 can control the position of each adsorption / desorption unit 11 included in the multiple adsorption / desorption units 11. For example, the unit position control unit 13 can move any one of the multiple adsorption / desorption units 11 to an adsorption / desorption unit absent area, which is an area where none of the multiple adsorption / desorption units 11 are present, within the movable area, which is an area where each adsorption / desorption unit 11 of the dehumidification unit 1 is movable. The unit position control unit 13 may change the position of the adsorption / desorption unit using a computer or a processor that stores a program. The drive mechanism for the adsorption / desorption unit is not limited to a belt or roller, and any known mechanism may be used as appropriate.

[0023] A computer has an input unit, an output unit, a control unit, a calculation unit, and a memory unit, and each element is connected by a bus or the like to enable the exchange of information. For example, the memory unit may store a program or various information. When predetermined information is input from the input unit, the control unit reads the program stored in the memory unit. The control unit then reads the information stored in the memory unit as appropriate and transmits it to the calculation unit. The control unit also transmits the input information to the calculation unit as appropriate. The calculation unit performs calculation processing using the various received information and stores it in the memory unit. The control unit reads the calculation results stored in the memory unit and outputs them from the output unit. In this way, various processes and steps are executed. Each unit or means executes these various processes. A computer may have a processor, and the processor may realize various functions and steps. A computer may be standalone. A computer may have some of its functions distributed between a server and a terminal. In this case, it is preferable that the server and the terminal can exchange information via a network such as the Internet or an intranet. The computer may include a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory may store instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the computer to perform various processes or function as various elements. The computer may be provided with various training data to construct a learning model and perform various calculations through machine learning. In this case, the computer may perform various analyses using a learning model created through machine learning and deep learning in AI (artificial intelligence). This improves the accuracy of machine learning.

[0024] 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example in which each adsorption / desorption unit has a sector shape or a sector shape with an arc-shaped notch in the center. In this case, the adsorption / desorption unit 11 is also movable.

[0025] The second invention relates to a water generating apparatus 21 including the above-mentioned dehumidifying unit 1 for generating water from moisture in the air.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a number of drive methods. FIG. 3(a) is a conceptual diagram illustrating a drive system in which the adsorption / desorption unit is driven by a belt driven by a motor installed on the side. FIG. 3(a) also shows a bearing chassis. When the belt 15 is driven, the adsorption / desorption unit 11 also moves in accordance with the movement of the belt. The belt 15 may be controlled by the unit position control unit 13. In this example, the belt 15 may be installed on the outer frame 35 on the top, bottom, left, and right sides, or may be installed inside or outside the outer frame on the top, bottom, left, and right sides.

[0027] FIG. 3(b) is a conceptual diagram of an adsorption / desorption unit driven by an electromagnet moving on a rail. In this example, for example, an electromagnet 17 moves on a rail. The electromagnet 17 may be controlled by a unit position control section 13. In this example, the adsorption / desorption unit 11 may have the property of being attracted by the electromagnet. In this example, lanes for moving the electromagnet may be provided on the top, bottom, left, and right outer frame 35.

[0028] 3(c) is a conceptual diagram of an adsorption / desorption unit driven by a belt installed within a frame. When the belt 15 is driven, the adsorption / desorption unit 11 also moves in accordance with the movement of the belt. The belt 15 may be controlled by the unit position control unit 13. In this example, the belt 15 is installed on the outer frame 35.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of a water generating apparatus. As shown in FIG. 4, water generating apparatus 21 includes dehumidifying unit 1, cooling unit 23, first blower 25, heater 27, and moisture recovery unit 29. Cooling unit 23 is an element for cooling air to obtain cooled air. Cooling unit 23 may be any element capable of lowering the temperature below that of the atmosphere. A known cooling mechanism may be used as cooling unit 23. An example of the cooling mechanism is a Stirling cooler. First blower 25 is an element for sending cooled air to a moisture absorption region, which is a part of the movable region. Examples of first blower 25 are a blower and a circulator. Heater 27 is an element for heating the moisture absorption unit, which is adsorption / desorption unit 11 that has come into contact with cooled air, after unit position control unit 13 moves the moisture absorption unit to a desorption region, which is a region other than the moisture absorption region. The moisture recovery section 29 is an element for recovering moisture from the humidified air released from the moisture absorption unit heated by the heating section 27.

[0030] Adsorption and moisture absorption (cooling) for each adsorption / desorption unit FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing the process of adsorption and moisture absorption in each adsorption / desorption unit. A cooling section 23, such as a cooling duct, cools the air to obtain cooled air. The cooled air is sent by a first air blowing section 25, such as a fan, to a moisture absorption area, which is part of the movable area. The adsorption / desorption units 11 are located in the moisture absorption area. In the example of FIG. 4, the three adsorption / desorption units 11 located at the top adsorb moisture from the atmosphere. A powerful blowing mechanism, such as a centrifugal fan, is preferable for the fan. After absorbing moisture for a certain period of time, the adsorption / desorption units 11 are moved to the heating area (desorption area) by the unit position control section 13.

[0031] Desorption (heating) from each adsorption / desorption unit FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing the desorption process from each adsorption / desorption unit. The heating section 27 is an element for heating the moisture absorption units present in the desorption area. In the example of FIG. 4, the three lower adsorption / desorption units 11 are present in the desorption area. The heating section 27 may be a known heating element such as a heat pump or an electric heater, as appropriate. In the example shown in FIG. 6, a second air blower 41 is present and controls the hot air to be directed toward the desorption area. In this way, the moisture adsorbed in the adsorption / desorption unit 11 is vaporized (desorbed). After desorbing the moisture, the adsorption / desorption unit 11 is moved to the moisture absorption area by the unit position control section 13.

[0032] The number of adsorption / desorption units 11 arranged in the moisture absorption area and the desorption area may be the same, or may be an appropriate number based on information such as the region, season, weather, temperature, and humidity. In this case, the cooling unit 23, the first air blowing unit 25, and the heating unit 27 (and the second air blowing unit 41) may also be adjusted as appropriate. This control can be performed by constructing a learning model using past information and the appropriate number as training data with an answer, and inputting various information into the learning model to obtain an appropriate answer. Then, the control unit controls the unit position control unit 13, the cooling unit 23, the first air blowing unit 25, and the heating unit 27 (and the second air blowing unit 41) based on the obtained answer, and automatically drives the water generating device 21 appropriately.

[0033] Moisture recovery unit (condensation generation unit) The moisture recovery section 29 is an element for recovering moisture from the humidified air released from the moisture absorption unit heated by the heating section 27. The evaporated air contains more moisture than usual and is sent to moisture recovery section 29. The air sent to the moisture recovery unit 29 comes into contact with, for example, a radiator (or condenser) inside the moisture recovery unit 29. Examples of condensers include coil type, plate fin type, fin tube type, corrugated fin type, and split fin type. It is preferable that the radiator (or condenser) is cooled appropriately. In this case, it is preferable to use cold air from the cooling unit 23. However, any known cooling mechanism may be used as appropriate for cooling the radiator (or condenser). Water droplets adhering to the surface of the radiator (or condenser) can be collected in a drain (water receiver) and sent to the pure water storage unit.

[0034] The water obtained in this manner is pure water. Therefore, this water can be given functions depending on the application. For example, when the recovered water is to be used as drinking water, it can be passed through a sterilization unit as appropriate and then through a filter that adds minerals, calcium, vitamins, etc. as needed. On the other hand, when the recovered water is to be used as industrial water, it can be passed through a filter to further remove impurities and then used as industrial water as is.

[0035] FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a heat exchange type water generating apparatus. [Example]

[0036] An embodiment of the dehumidifying unit and water generating apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 4. In Figure 4, reference numeral 11 denotes an adsorption / desorption unit that contains an adsorbent, is covered on all sides with rubber membranes to insulate heat, and is enclosed on all sides by a case, and is housed in dehumidifying unit 1, which is a movable frame that can accommodate multiple adsorption / desorption units. The cooling unit 23 is cooled using a cooling device, and the air to be dehumidified in the case of dehumidification, or the air to be used as the raw material in the case of water generation, is blown by a blower in the blower unit 25, which blows the air at a dry bulb temperature of 24°C and a relative humidity of 55% (absolute humidity: 12.0 g / m 3 ) of air was injected into the adsorption / desorption unit 11. The amount of injected air was 300 m 3 / h. Zeolite was used as the adsorbent. The exhaust air from the adsorption / desorption unit 11 has a temperature of 32°C and a relative humidity of 17% (absolute humidity: 5.7 g / m 3 ) and 6.2 g / m 3 is adsorbed and dehumidified. The adsorption / desorption unit 11 after the adsorption process was moved to the heating section, and the heating section 27 was heated to a temperature of 40°C to 65°C using a heating device, and hot air was blown into the adsorption / desorption unit 11 using the blower section 41 to perform desorption. The exhaust air from the adsorption / desorption unit 11 during desorption is at a temperature of 23°C and a relative humidity of 65% (absolute humidity: 13.4 g / m 3 ) is 20.6g / m 3 Condensation was generated on a cooling plate (not shown) set at 10° C. to 20° C. inside the water collection section 29, and atmospherically generated water was collected as pure water. [Industrial Applicability]

[0037] The present invention can be used in various industries that require water. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1 Dehumidification unit 11 Adsorption / Desorption Unit 13 Unit position control section 15 Motor Drive Belt 17 Electromagnet 21 Water generator 23 Cooling section 25 Blower 27 Heating section 29 Moisture recovery section 31 Insulator layer 33 Base 35 outer frame 37 Inner Frame 41 Blower

Claims

1. A plurality of adsorption / desorption units (11); a unit position control section (13) for controlling the position of each adsorption / desorption unit (11) included in the plurality of adsorption / desorption units (11); A dehumidification unit (1) having Each of the adsorption / desorption units (11) is movable within the dehumidification unit (1). Dehumidification unit (1).

2. A dehumidification unit (1) according to claim 1, The unit position control section (13) moves any one of the adsorption / desorption units (11) included in the plurality of adsorption / desorption units (11) to an adsorption / desorption unit absence area, which is an area where none of the plurality of adsorption / desorption units (11) is present, among a movable area where each adsorption / desorption unit (11) of the dehumidification unit (1) is movable. Dehumidification unit (1).

3. A dehumidification unit (1) according to claim 2, Each of the adsorption / desorption units (11) included in the plurality of adsorption / desorption units (11) has a rectangular or polygonal shape. Dehumidification unit (1). A plurality of adsorption / desorption units (11);

4. A water generating device (21) for generating water from moisture in air, comprising the dehumidifying unit (1) according to claim 2, a cooling section (23) for cooling the air to obtain cooled air; a first blower (25) for sending the cooled air to a moisture absorption area that is a part of the movable area; a heating section (27) that heats the moisture absorption unit after the unit position control section (13) moves the moisture absorption unit, which is the adsorption / desorption unit (11) that has come into contact with the cooled air, to a desorption area that is an area other than the moisture absorption area; a moisture recovery section (29) that recovers moisture from the humidified air released from the moisture absorption unit heated by the heating section (27), Water generator (21).

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