Air conditioning system, adsorption device, and air conditioning method

Abstract

This system provides an air conditioning system that can adjust indoor CO2 concentration at a low energy cost while reducing ventilation volume. [Solution] An air conditioning system comprising an air conditioner, an adsorption device including an anion exchanger, and a humidifier, wherein outdoor air, air inside a room to be air-conditioned, or a portion of the air from the room to be air-conditioned is sent to the anion exchanger, comes into contact with the anion exchanger, carbon dioxide in the air is adsorbed onto the anion exchanger, the treated air is sent to the room to be air-conditioned, air inside the room to be air-conditioned, or a portion of the air from the room to be air-conditioned is sent to the humidifier, the humidified air is sent to the anion exchanger, comes into contact with the anion exchanger that has adsorbed carbon dioxide, desorbs the carbon dioxide, the air after the desorption process is sent outside the room to be air-conditioned, and the carbon dioxide concentration inside the room to be air-conditioned is adjusted.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an air conditioning system, an adsorption device, and an air conditioning method. [Background technology]

[0002] In technologies for capturing, storing, and reusing carbon dioxide (CO2) (CCUS: Carbon dioxide Capture, Utilization, and Storage), and in the field of air conditioning, methods for separating CO2 from the air using adsorbents are being investigated.

[0003] In the air conditioning sector, as global warming increases air conditioning costs, there is a need to reduce ventilation, which is one of the components of the air conditioning load. On the other hand, for ventilation in living spaces, it is required to keep the CO2 concentration in the room below a certain standard value, so sufficient ventilation is necessary. Therefore, there are limits to how much ventilation can be reduced. As a result, in order to maintain the air quality in living spaces while suppressing ventilation, methods are being considered to separate and discharge CO2 from the air in living spaces.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an air conditioning system characterized by cooling outside air and return air from a room, passing the cooled air through an adsorption zone of a honeycomb rotor having CO2 adsorption properties, and passing outside air with increased temperature through a desorption zone of the honeycomb rotor. The honeycomb rotor is divided into two parts, an adsorption zone and a desorption zone, and is driven to rotate by a motor. With such a system, CO2 in the room air is adsorbed by the adsorption zone of the honeycomb rotor, then the honeycomb rotor rotates, the positions of the adsorption zone and the desorption zone are swapped, and the adsorbed CO2 is desorbed by the increased temperature outside air and discharged to the outside. Acrylic or styrene-based weakly basic ion exchange resins or hydrophobic zeolites are used as adsorbents.

[0005] Beyond the air conditioning sector, the technology of adsorbing CO2 onto adsorbents is known as a highly useful technology because it allows for the direct recovery of CO2 from the air. However, when anion exchange resins are used as adsorbents, heating is required to sufficiently desorb CO2 from the CO2-containing adsorbent, which presents an energy challenge.

[0006] In recent years, a method has been proposed (humidity swing method) that does not require heating for CO2 desorption, but instead controls CO2 adsorption and desorption by changing the moisture state of the adsorbent.

[0007] For example, Patent Document 2 discloses a carbon dioxide recovery method and a carbon dioxide recovery apparatus used in this method, which includes the steps of bringing a gas containing CO2 into contact with an adsorbent in an environment with a relative humidity of 10% to 50% to adsorb CO2 onto the adsorbent, and immersing the adsorbent that has adsorbed CO2 in water, and then desorbing CO2 from the adsorbent under a pressure of more than 0 kPa and 4.5 kPa or less. As the adsorbent, an anion exchange resin having quaternary ammonium groups, which includes constituent units derived from vinylbenzyltrimethylammonium salt and constituent units derived from divinylbenzene, is used.

[0008] Furthermore, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a CO2 purification module that can be attached to an air conditioner, which uses a membrane made of anion exchange resin as an adsorbent. This adsorbent spontaneously absorbs CO2 from the surrounding air when the surroundings are dry and releases it when it is humid, and is called a humidity swing adsorbent. In air conditioners equipped with this CO2 purification module, indoor air is supplied to the module, where CO2 is adsorbed onto an adsorbent (membrane) within the module. Cooling then occurs, reducing the CO2 concentration, and the cooled air is supplied to the room. CO2 desorption occurs when outside air is supplied to the air conditioner's humidifier, and the humidified air is then supplied to the CO2 purification module. The humidified air comes into contact with the adsorbent (membrane), wetting the adsorbent, which causes CO2 to be released, and the CO2-containing air is released outside. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-94821 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2024 / 157938 [Non-patent literature]

[0010] [Non-Patent Document 1] H.Tian, ​​L.Zhu et al. "Indoor CO2 removal: decentralized carbon capture by air conditioning", Materials Today Sustainability 22 (2023)100369 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0011] The air conditioning system described in Patent Document 1 uses outside air with a higher temperature to desorb CO2 from the adsorbent material that has adsorbed CO2, which requires heating of the outside air and has the problem of high energy costs. The technology described in Patent Document 2 relates to a method and apparatus for recovering CO2, and is not applicable to the field of air conditioning. The technology described in Non-Patent Document 1 relates to a CO2 purification module to be installed in an air conditioner, and is not applicable to the field of air conditioning, which involves ventilation in addition to regulating indoor temperature and humidity. As mentioned above, it is necessary to reduce ventilation and adjust the CO2 concentration in living spaces to below a certain standard value, but no air conditioning technology is known that can adjust the CO2 concentration in living spaces at a low energy cost.

[0012] The object of the present invention is to solve the problems seen in view of the above circumstances, namely, to provide an air conditioning system and air conditioning method that can adjust the indoor CO2 concentration at a low energy cost while suppressing the amount of ventilation, as well as an adsorption device used therein. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] The present invention has the following aspects. [1] The system comprises an air conditioner, an adsorption device including an anion exchanger, and a humidifier. Outdoor air, air from the room to be air-conditioned, or a portion of the air from the room to be air-conditioned is sent to the anion exchanger, comes into contact with the anion exchanger, carbon dioxide in the air is adsorbed onto the anion exchanger, and the treated air is sent to the room to be air-conditioned. A portion of the air inside or from the room to be air-conditioned is sent to the humidifier, the humidified air is sent to the anion exchanger, comes into contact with the anion exchanger which has adsorbed carbon dioxide, desorbs the carbon dioxide, and the air after the desorption process is sent outside the room to be air-conditioned. An air conditioning system that adjusts the carbon dioxide concentration in the room to be air-conditioned. [2] The adsorption device and the humidifier are installed outside the room to be air-conditioned. A first flow path that sends outdoor air, air from the room to be air-conditioned, or a portion of the air in the return air flow path of the air conditioner to the adsorption device, A second flow path that sends the air treated by the adsorption device to the return air flow path, A third airway that sends a portion of the air from the aforementioned return airway to the humidifier, The air conditioning system according to [1], further comprising: an exhaust channel for sending the air after desorption processing by the adsorption device to the exhaust channel of the air conditioner or directly to the outdoors. [3] The adsorption device and the humidifier are installed in the room to be air-conditioned, The adsorption device has an intake port for taking in air from the room to be air-conditioned, and an outlet port for supplying the air that has been adsorbed by the adsorption device back into the room to be air-conditioned. The humidifier is provided separately from the adsorption device or is included in the adsorption device. When provided separately from the adsorption device, it has an air intake for sucking air in the air-conditioned room and an introduction path for sending the air humidified by the humidifier to the adsorption device. When included in the adsorption device, the air from the air intake is humidified, and the humidified air is sent to the anion exchanger, The air conditioner according to [1], wherein the air after the desorption treatment is performed by the adsorption device is sent to the exhaust flow path of the air conditioner or is installed to be sent outdoors without passing through the exhaust flow path. [4] The air conditioner according to [1], wherein the adsorption device includes the humidifier. [5] The air conditioner according to [1], wherein the relative humidity of the air sent to the adsorption device and from which carbon dioxide is adsorbed and removed is controlled within a range of 70% RH or less. [6] The air conditioner according to [1] or [5], wherein the humidifier performs humidification so that the relative humidity of the air for desorbing carbon dioxide becomes greater than 70% RH. [7] The air conditioner according to [1], further comprising a deodorizing means containing activated carbon or cation exchange resin on the downstream side of the anion exchanger. [8] An adsorption device used in the air conditioner according to [1], configured such that outdoor air, air in the air-conditioned room, or a part of the air from the air-conditioned room is sent to the anion exchanger, contacts the anion exchanger, and carbon dioxide in the air is adsorbed by the anion exchanger, An adsorption device configured such that the air humidified by the humidifier is sent to the anion exchanger, contacts the anion exchanger that has adsorbed carbon dioxide, and desorbs carbon dioxide. [9] The adsorption device according to [8], further comprising the humidifier.

[10] An adsorption device used in an air conditioner and installed in an air-conditioned room, The system comprises a housing, an adsorption means including an anion exchanger, a humidifier, an air intake port for taking in air from the room to be air-conditioned, an outlet for supplying air taken in from the air intake port and passing through the adsorption means to the room to be air-conditioned, and an outlet for discharging air taken in from the air intake port, humidified by the humidifier, and passing through the adsorption means, The housing includes an air inlet chamber into which air is drawn in from the air intake port, and a processing chamber adjacent to the air inlet chamber via a partition wall, which is equipped with the adsorption means. The air intake chamber has a first partitioned chamber and a second partitioned chamber separated by a partition wall, and the humidifier is installed in the second partitioned chamber. The partition wall between the air inlet chamber and the processing chamber is provided with a first opening / closing means for opening and closing a first opening formed in the partition wall and a second opening / closing means for opening and closing a second opening formed in the partition wall. When the first opening / closing means is open and the second opening / closing means is closed, air is sent from the first partitioned chamber to the processing chamber, and as the air passes through the adsorption means, it comes into contact with the anion exchanger and an adsorption process is performed in which carbon dioxide in the air is adsorbed. When the first opening / closing means is closed and the second opening / closing means is open, air humidified by the humidifier is sent from the second compartment to the processing chamber, and as the humidified air passes through the adsorption means, it comes into contact with the anion exchanger and carbon dioxide desorption is performed. Adsorption device installed so that the air discharged from the outlet is sent to the exhaust passage of the air conditioning system or to the outdoors without passing through the exhaust passage.

[11] The adsorption device according to

[10] , comprising a first blower for discharging the adsorbed air from the outlet and a second blower for discharging the de-adhesion air from the outlet, wherein the first blower and the second blower are arranged downstream of the adsorption means.

[12] The adsorption apparatus according to [8] or

[10] , further comprising a deodorizing means containing activated carbon or a cation exchange resin downstream of the anion exchanger.

[13] An air conditioning method for adjusting the carbon dioxide concentration in a room to be air-conditioned, An adsorption step is performed in which outdoor air, air inside the room to be air-conditioned, or a portion of the air from the room to be air-conditioned is brought into contact with an anion exchanger, carbon dioxide in the air is adsorbed onto the anion exchanger, and the air is sent into the room to be air-conditioned. An air conditioning method comprising a desorption step of humidifying a portion of the air in the room to be air-conditioned or a portion of the air from the room to be air-conditioned, bringing it into contact with the anion exchanger that has adsorbed carbon dioxide, desorbing the carbon dioxide, and sending it to the outside of the room to be air-conditioned.

[14] The air that has come into contact with the anion exchanger in the adsorption step is sent to the return air channel or directly into the room to be air-conditioned. The air conditioning method according to

[13] , wherein the air that has come into contact with the anion exchanger in the de-attachment step is sent to the exhaust channel of the air conditioning system or sent outdoors without passing through the exhaust channel.

[15] The air conditioning method according to

[13] , wherein the relative humidity of the air to be treated for adsorption in the adsorption step is controlled to be in the range of 70% RH or less.

[16] The air conditioning method according to

[13] , wherein the air used for the de-attachment process is humidified so that the relative humidity of the air is greater than 70% RH in the de-attachment process.

[17] The air conditioning method according to

[13] , wherein the air treated in the adsorption step and the desorption step is brought into contact with activated carbon or a cation exchange resin to perform a deodorizing treatment. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to provide an air conditioning system and air conditioning method that can adjust the indoor CO2 concentration at a low energy cost while suppressing the amount of ventilation, as well as an adsorption device used therein. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a schematic flowchart illustrating one embodiment of the air conditioning system of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic flowchart illustrating another embodiment of the air conditioning system of the present invention. [Figure 3]This is a schematic flowchart illustrating another embodiment of the air conditioning system of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a schematic flowchart illustrating another embodiment of the air conditioning system of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a schematic flowchart illustrating another embodiment of the air conditioning system of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram of an example of an adsorption device that can be used in the air conditioning system of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram of another example of an adsorption device that can be used in the air conditioning system of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

[0017] An air conditioning system according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises an air conditioner, an adsorption device containing an anion exchanger, and a humidifier, and is characterized by adjusting the carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in a room to be air-conditioned by utilizing the adsorption and desorption characteristics of the anion exchanger based on differences in humidity. Outdoor air (outside air), air inside the room to be air-conditioned, or a portion of the air from the room to be air-conditioned is sent to the anion exchanger, comes into contact with the anion exchanger, CO2 is adsorbed onto the anion exchanger, and the treated air is sent to the room to be air-conditioned. After this adsorption process, a portion of the air inside the room to be air-conditioned, or the air from the room to be air-conditioned, is sent to the humidifier, the humidified air is sent to the anion exchanger, comes into contact with the anion exchanger that has adsorbed CO2, desorbs the CO2, and the air after the desorption process is sent outside the room to be air-conditioned.

[0018] Another embodiment of the present invention provides an air conditioning method that includes an adsorption step of bringing outdoor air (outside air), air inside a room to be air-conditioned, or a portion of air from a room to be air-conditioned into contact with an anion exchanger to adsorb CO2 onto the anion exchanger and sending it into the room to be air-conditioned; and a desorption step of humidifying a portion of the air inside the room to be air-conditioned or a portion of air from a room to be air-conditioned, bringing it into contact with the anion exchanger that has adsorbed CO2, desorbing the CO2 and sending it outside the room to be air-conditioned. This air conditioning method can be suitably implemented using the system described above.

[0019] An adsorption apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention is used in the above system and method, and is configured such that outdoor air, air in the room to be air-conditioned, or a portion of the air from the room to be air-conditioned is sent to the anion exchanger and comes into contact with the anion exchanger, and CO2 in the air is adsorbed onto the anion exchanger, and humidified air from the humidifier is sent to the anion exchanger and comes into contact with the anion exchanger that has adsorbed CO2, and CO2 is desorbed. Furthermore, an adsorption device according to another embodiment of the present invention is installed in a room to be air-conditioned and used in an air conditioning system, and comprises a housing, an adsorption means including an anion exchanger, a humidifier, an air intake port for taking in air from the room to be air-conditioned, an outlet for supplying air taken in from the air intake port and passing through the adsorption means to the room to be air-conditioned, and an outlet for discharging air taken in from the air intake port, humidified by the humidifier, and passing through the adsorption means, wherein an adsorption process is performed when the air that has not been humidified by the humidifier passes through the adsorption means, a desorption process is performed when the air that has been humidified by the humidifier passes through the adsorption means, and the air discharged from the outlet is sent to the exhaust passage of the air conditioning system or sent outdoors without passing through the exhaust passage.

[0020] With such an air conditioning system and method, CO2 can be directly removed from outside air, the return air of the room to be air-conditioned, or the indoor air by adsorption, allowing for adjustment of the CO2 concentration in the room to be air-conditioned while reducing the amount of ventilation. Furthermore, the regeneration process (desorption of CO2) of the anion exchanger that has adsorbed CO2 is performed by contacting it with the return air of the room to be air-conditioned or the indoor air after humidification, eliminating the need for heating and enabling low-cost regeneration. Furthermore, the adsorption device according to the embodiment of the present invention can be applied to the air conditioning system and air conditioning method of the present invention, and can directly adsorb CO2 from the air supplied into the device onto the anion exchanger inside the device, and has a configuration that brings humidified air into contact with the anion exchanger, so that CO2 can be desorbed without heating. By using such an adsorption device, it is possible to provide an air conditioning system and air conditioning method that can adjust the indoor CO2 concentration at a low energy cost while suppressing the amount of ventilation. Furthermore, when anion exchange resin is used as the anion exchanger, if the CO2 adsorption capacity decreases due to long-term use, it can be easily regenerated on-site or off-site using a general method for regenerating anion exchange resins, such as passing an alkaline aqueous solution through it. The regenerated anion exchange resin can be reused or used for other applications as anion exchange resin.

[0021] (Flowchart of air conditioning system operation and air conditioning method) The operation of the air conditioning system and the flow of the air conditioning method according to embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figures 1 to 3 are flow diagrams showing embodiments in which the adsorption device and humidifier are installed outside the living room, and Figures 4 and 5 are flow diagrams showing embodiments in which the adsorption device and humidifier are installed inside the living room. In all embodiments, the room to be air-conditioned is a living room, and the description will be given in the case where an adsorption device containing an anion exchange resin is used as the anion exchanger.

[0022] (A configuration in which the adsorption device and humidifier are installed outside the living space) The air conditioning system shown in Figure 1 has an adsorption device and humidifier installed outside the living space. The operation flow of this system and the air conditioning method using this system are as follows. Outdoor air (outside air) is sent through the outside air channel L1 to the return air channel L2, and together with the return air from room 3, it is sent through the return air channel L2 to the air conditioner unit (AHU) 1, where it undergoes cooling or heating, dehumidification or humidification, and purification treatment. The treated air is then sent to room 3 as supply air by the fan 2. Subsequently, the air from room 3 is sent outside as return air by the fan 4. A portion of the air sent outside the room is discharged outdoors as exhaust air through the exhaust channel L3, and the remainder is sent back to the air conditioner unit (AHU) 1 as return air, treated again, and sent back to room 3. In this way, the air inside the room is circulated, and the temperature, humidity, and cleanliness of the air inside the room are regulated.

[0023] In the above circulation system, a portion of the return air is supplied to the adsorption device 11 through the flow path L4, and the air treated in the adsorption device 11 is sent by the blower 12 through the flow path L5 to the return air flow path L2 leading to the air conditioner (AHU) 1. The air sent to the adsorption device 11 comes into contact with the anion exchange resin inside the adsorption device 11, and CO2 in the air is adsorbed. The air with reduced CO2 concentration is then sent to the air conditioner (AHU) 1 together with the circulating return air, and then supplied to the living space. This makes it possible to reduce the increased CO2 concentration in the living space. The air sent to the adsorption device 11 can be brought into contact with the anion exchange resin inside the adsorption device 11 after passing through the filter. This filter may be provided separately from the adsorption device 11, or it may be provided at the air intake of the adsorption device 11 or on the air intake side inside the adsorption device 11. As this filter, a particulate filter such as a coarse dust filter (pre-filter), a medium-efficiency filter, or a HEPA filter, which are commonly used for outdoor air treatment in the air conditioning field, can be used.

[0024] When predetermined conditions are met during the adsorption process, the supply (suction) of return air to the adsorption device 11 is stopped to halt the adsorption process. After that, a portion of the return air circulating to the humidifier 13 is supplied (suctioned) through the flow path L6. The air humidified in the humidifier 13 is sent to the anion exchange resin in the adsorption device 11, where CO2 is desorbed upon contact with the anion exchange resin. The air with increased CO2 concentration (air after desorption) is then sent by the blower 12 through the flow path L7 to the exhaust flow path L3 and discharged outdoors. This allows the CO2 adsorption performance of the anion exchange resin to be restored. To prevent excessive exhaust volume from being generated by the discharge of air after the attachment / detachment process, a variable airflow control device 5 and an airflow meter 6 are provided in the exhaust flow path L3, and the airflow can be automatically adjusted to a predetermined volume based on the signal from the airflow meter 6. For the sake of simplifying the device and reducing installation costs, the air after the attachment / detachment process may be discharged directly outdoors, as shown in Figure 2.

[0025] The exhaust flow path L3 that sends exhaust to the outdoors (and in Figure 2, the flow path L7 that directly sends the decompressed air to the outdoors) and the outdoor air flow path L1 that draws in outside air from the outdoors may be equipped with a total heat exchanger (not shown) through which these flow paths pass. Either a rotary or stationary total heat exchanger can be used. By providing a total heat exchanger, heat exchange occurs between the exhaust and the outside air, the temperature difference between the exhaust before passing through the total heat exchanger and the outside air after passing through the total heat exchanger can be reduced, and energy saving effects can be obtained.

[0026] As described above, by supplying a portion of the return air to the adsorption device, returning the adsorbed air to the return air channel L2, and sending it to the living space, the CO2 concentration in the living space can be reduced and regulated, and the increase in ventilation volume required to reduce CO2 concentration can be suppressed. Furthermore, by supplying a portion of the return air to the adsorption device via a humidifier and discharging the desorbed air outdoors, the CO2 adsorption performance of the anion exchange resin can be regenerated at a low energy cost. Therefore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, air conditioning costs can be significantly reduced.

[0027] The air conditioning system shown in Figure 3 has a similar structure to the air conditioning system shown in Figure 1, except that it supplies a portion of the outside air to the adsorption device instead of return air. In this air conditioning system, air before treatment by the air conditioner (AHU) 1 is supplied to the adsorption device 11, so it is preferable to install a filter such as a particulate filter before the anion exchange resin in the adsorption device 11. This filter may be installed separately from the adsorption device 11, or it may be installed at the air intake of the adsorption device 11 or on the air intake side within the device. As this filter, particulate filters such as coarse dust filters (pre-filters), medium-efficiency filters, and HEPA filters, which are commonly used for outside air treatment in the air conditioning field, can be used. While such an air conditioning system is affected by the temperature and humidity of the outside air during the adsorption process by the adsorption device 11, when used in arid regions, it can adsorb low-humidity air, making it easier for CO2 to be adsorbed by the anion exchange resin, and allowing for the efficient supply of air with a low CO2 concentration to living spaces.

[0028] (A configuration in which an adsorption device and humidifier are installed in the living space) The air conditioning system shown in Figure 4 consists of an adsorption device and a humidifier installed in the living space. The operation flow of this system and the air conditioning method using this system are as follows. Outdoor air (outside air) is sent through the outside air channel L1 to the return air channel L2, and together with the return air from room 3, it is sent through the return air channel L2 to the air conditioner unit (AHU) 1, where it undergoes cooling or heating, dehumidification or humidification, and purification treatment. The treated air is then sent to room 3 as supply air by the fan 2. Subsequently, the air from room 3 is sent outside as return air by the fan 4. A portion of the air sent outside the room is discharged outdoors as exhaust air through the exhaust channel L3, and the remainder is sent back to the air conditioner unit (AHU) 1 as return air, treated again, and sent back to room 3. In this way, the air inside the room is circulated, and the temperature, humidity, and cleanliness of the air inside the room are regulated.

[0029] As described above, while the air in the living space is circulated, a portion of the air in the living space is directly supplied (drawn in) to the adsorption device 11, where it comes into contact with the anion exchange resin, adsorbing CO2 from the air. The air with reduced CO2 concentration is then supplied to the living space by the blower 14. This reduces the increased CO2 concentration in the living space. In the diagram, the blower 14 and the adsorption device 11 are depicted as separate units, but the adsorption device 11 can be equipped with the blower 14.

[0030] When predetermined conditions are met during the adsorption process, the supply (suction) of air to the adsorption device 11 is stopped to halt the adsorption process, and then air from the room is supplied (suctioned) to the humidifier 13. The air humidified by the humidifier 13 is sent to the anion exchange resin in the adsorption device 11, where CO2 is desorbed upon contact with the anion exchange resin. The air with increased CO2 concentration (air after desorption) is then sent by the blower 15 through the flow path L8 to the exhaust flow path L3 and discharged outdoors. This allows the CO2 adsorption performance of the anion exchange resin to be restored. The blower 15 may be equipped on the adsorption device 11, in which case the blower 14 equipped on the adsorption device 11 may be used, or two blowers may be equipped. To prevent excessive exhaust volume from being generated by the discharge of air after the attachment / detachment process, a variable airflow control device 5 and an airflow meter 6 are provided in the exhaust flow path L3, and the airflow can be automatically adjusted to a predetermined volume based on the signal from the airflow meter 6. For the sake of simplifying the device and reducing installation costs, the air after the attachment / detachment process may be discharged directly outdoors, as shown in Figure 5.

[0031] In the air conditioning systems shown in Figures 4 and 5, a total heat exchanger (not shown) may be provided in the exhaust flow path L3 that sends exhaust to the outdoors (in Figure 5, further, a flow path L8 that directly sends decompressed air to the outdoors) and the outdoor air flow path L1 that draws in outside air from the outdoors. Both rotary and stationary total heat exchangers can be used. By providing a total heat exchanger, heat exchange between the exhaust and the outside air takes place, reducing the temperature difference between the exhaust before passing through the total heat exchanger and the outside air after passing through the total heat exchanger, thereby achieving energy-saving effects.

[0032] As described above, by supplying the air in the living space to the adsorption device and returning the treated air back into the living space, the CO2 concentration in the living space can be reduced and regulated, and the increase in ventilation volume required to reduce CO2 concentration can be suppressed. The air conditioning system shown in Figures 4 and 5 has an adsorption device and humidifier installed inside the living space, ensuring stable temperature and humidity of the air supplied by the adsorption device and humidifier, and enabling stable adsorption and desorption of CO2. Furthermore, when installing the adsorption device and humidifier in an existing building, it is not necessary to connect to an air conditioning unit such as an AHU, thus reducing installation costs. In addition, by supplying the air inside the living space to the anion exchange resin in the adsorption device via the humidifier and discharging the air after desorption to the outdoors, the CO2 adsorption performance of the anion exchange resin can be regenerated at a low energy cost. Therefore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, air conditioning costs can be significantly reduced.

[0033] (Start and stop times for adsorption and desorption processes, and switching timing) Adsorption treatment (operation of adsorption equipment for adsorption treatment) can be performed at will while air conditioning is in operation, but it can be performed so that the CO2 concentration in the room or return air is within a specified range. For example, considering that the CO2 concentration required by the Building Sanitation Law in a room of a building equipped with air conditioning equipment is 1000 ppm or less, adsorption treatment can be performed so that the CO2 concentration in the return air or room is 1000 ppm or less. In that case, considering the rise in CO2 concentration during the period when adsorption treatment is not performed in order to perform desorption treatment, adsorption treatment may be performed so that the CO2 concentration is, for example, 900 ppm or less. Also, for example, WELL certification (WELL Building Standard) TM Taking this into consideration, adsorption treatment can be performed so that the CO2 concentration in the return air or living space is 800 ppm or less. In that case, considering the rise in CO2 concentration during the period when adsorption treatment is not performed in order to perform desorption treatment, adsorption treatment may be performed so that the concentration is, for example, 700 ppm or less. The adsorption treatment can be carried out when the CO2 concentration of the return air or the living space is equal to or greater than the CO2 concentration of the outside air, for example, 425 ppm or higher or 600 ppm or higher. As shown in Figure 3, when outside air is supplied to the adsorption device without passing through the air conditioner and living space, the adsorption treatment can be carried out so that the CO2 concentration is lower than that of the outside air. The stopping point for the adsorption process (the point at which the operation of the adsorption device is stopped during the adsorption process) can be determined by the time the adsorption process has been completed, the CO2 concentration at the outlet of the adsorption device, the difference in CO2 concentration between the outlet and inlet of the adsorption device (for example, 50 ppm or less), the CO2 concentration of the return air or the room, etc., reaching predetermined values. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, in the case of an air conditioning system in which the adsorption device is located outside the living space, the adsorption process can be stopped by closing a control valve (not shown) installed in the flow path L4 when predetermined conditions are met (stopping the adsorption device's blower as necessary). The system can also have a configuration that automatically controls the opening and closing of the control valve (turning the adsorption device's blower on / off as necessary) based on signals related to the adsorption device's operating time, CO2 concentration, or CO2 concentration difference. CO2 concentration can be measured with a CO2 sensor (CO2 concentration meter), and from the viewpoint of measurement accuracy, it is preferable to use an optical sensor whose detection principle is non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) or photoacoustic, and it is preferable to use one that has a correction function.

[0034] The desorption process (operation of the adsorption device for the desorption process) can be started as appropriate after the adsorption process has stopped. In the case of an air conditioning system in which the adsorption device is located outside the living space, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, for example, when the predetermined conditions mentioned above are met, the control valve (not shown) provided in the flow path L4 can be closed (and the adsorption device's blower can be stopped as needed) to stop the adsorption process, and then the control valve (not shown) provided in the flow path L6 can be opened to introduce a portion of the return air into the humidifier (and the adsorption device's blower can be turned on as needed). Accordingly, flow paths L5 and L7 are switched. The system can have a configuration that automatically controls the opening and closing of the control valves provided in flow paths L4 and L6 (and turning the adsorption device's blower on / off as needed) and the switching between flow paths L5 and L7 based on the operating time of the adsorption device or a signal related to the CO2 concentration or CO2 concentration difference. The flow rate of air introduced into the humidifier can be controlled by using, for example, a damper as the control valve. The stopping point for the desorption process (the point at which the operation of the adsorption device is stopped during the desorption process) can be determined by the time the desorption process is completed, the CO2 concentration at the outlet of the adsorption device, and the difference in CO2 concentration between the outlet and inlet of the adsorption device (e.g., 50 ppm or less), etc., reaching predetermined values. In the case of an air conditioning system where the adsorption device is located outside the living space, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, the desorption process can be stopped by closing a control valve (not shown) installed in the flow path L6 (stopping the adsorption device's blower if necessary) when the predetermined conditions are met. The system can have a configuration that automatically controls the opening and closing of the control valve (turning the adsorption device's blower on / off if necessary) and the switching between flow paths L5 and L7 based on signals related to the adsorption device's operating time, CO2 concentration, or CO2 concentration difference. The adsorption process can be restarted by opening a control valve (not shown) installed in the flow path L4 (turning on the adsorption device's blower if necessary) to introduce a portion of the return air (Figures 1 and 2) or outside air (Figure 3) into the adsorption device. Accordingly, flow paths L5 and L7 are switched. By using a damper, for example, as a control valve, the flow rate of air introduced into the adsorption device can be controlled. By performing a desorption process after sufficiently reducing the CO2 concentration in the room through adsorption, the anion exchange resin in the adsorption device can be regenerated within a time frame in which the CO2 concentration in the room does not exceed, for example, 1000 ppm. Furthermore, since the air used for desorption (return air or room air) is exhausted during the desorption process, meaning that some of the CO2 in the room is released, it is possible to suppress the rate at which the CO2 concentration in the room rises during the desorption process (when the adsorption process is not being performed). Alternatively, the ventilation rate of the air conditioner may be increased only during the desorption process. This can further suppress the rate at which the CO2 concentration in the room rises.

[0035] (Anion exchanger) In the embodiments of the present invention, the anion exchanger is preferably an anion exchange resin, and particularly preferably a strongly basic anion exchange resin having a quaternary ammonium group, from the viewpoint of sufficiently adsorbing and desorbing CO2. Examples of organic polymers that serve as the base for such an anion exchange resin include styrene resins and acrylic resins. Anion exchange resins based on styrene resins preferably contain units derived from styrene or styrene derivatives having quaternary ammonium groups, and more preferably contain units derived from styrene or styrene derivatives having quaternary ammonium groups and units derived from divinylbenzene or its derivatives. Examples of styrene derivatives having quaternary ammonium groups include vinylbenzyltrimethylammonium chloride. An anion exchange resin based on an acrylic resin preferably has a quaternary ammonium group in its base and contains one or more constituent units selected from units derived from acrylic acid, units derived from methacrylic acid, units derived from acrylic acid esters, and units derived from methacrylic acid esters. Furthermore, the anion exchange resin in the embodiments of the present invention is preferably porous in its physical structure. Strongly basic anion exchange resins include type I, which has a trimethylammonium group, and type II, which has a dimethylethanolammonium group. Type I, which has a higher basicity, is more preferable. Examples of counterions to the ammonium group include hydroxide ions, carbonate ions, and bicarbonate ions. The form of such anion exchange resin is not particularly limited, but examples include particulate, film-like, monolithic, and particles attached to a support. Particulate resins can be used due to their availability and cost. As an example of a particulate anion exchange resin, Amberlite (trade name) IRA900 (manufactured by Organo Corporation) can be used. Alternatively, Amberjet (trade name) 9090 (manufactured by Organo Corporation), a uniform particle size type that reduces pressure loss, can also be used.

[0036] (Adsorption device) The adsorption apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention includes an anion exchanger, and the above-mentioned anion exchange resin can be used as this anion exchanger. If the anion exchange resin is in hydroxide ion form, the process starts with adsorption; if the anion exchange resin is in carbonate ion form or bicarbonate ion form, the process starts with desorption. The following explanation will be given for the case where the anion exchange resin is in hydroxide ion form. Air sent into the adsorption device comes into contact with an anion exchange resin. If low-humidity air comes into contact with the anion exchange resin when CO2 has not been adsorbed or the saturation adsorption amount has not been reached, an adsorption process is performed. If CO2 is adsorbed onto the anion exchange resin by the adsorption process, and the adsorption amount is large or the saturation adsorption amount has been reached, and high-humidity air comes into contact with the resin, a desorption process is performed. The adsorption device is equipped with a blower, which is either integrated with the device or a separate unit connected to the flow path inside the device, and can be placed on the intake side and / or discharge side of the adsorption device. The blower can send air from the intake port of the adsorption device into the internal flow path, into contact with the anion exchange resin, and then discharge it from the outlet port. A humidifier is placed before the anion exchange resin in the adsorption device. This humidifier may be a separate unit provided separately from the adsorption device, or it may be installed within the housing of the adsorption device. When the adsorption device is installed in a living room, it is preferable to use an adsorption device equipped with a humidifier from the standpoint of saving space. When CO2 desorption is performed in the adsorption device, humidified air is brought into contact with the anion exchange resin to perform the CO2 desorption process.

[0037] The humidity (relative humidity) of the air supplied to the adsorption device for adsorption processing is preferably 70% RH or less, more preferably 60% RH or less, and even more preferably 50% RH or less, taking into consideration the need to adequately adsorb CO2 onto the anion exchange resin and the humidity required by building management laws (40% RH or more and 70% RH or less). The humidity (relative humidity) of the air supplied to the adsorption device for adsorption processing can be controlled by an air conditioner, but a dehumidifier may be installed to remove humidity before sending the air to the anion exchange resin in the adsorption device. If a dehumidifier is installed, air with a humidity of less than 40% RH (for example, 30% RH or more but less than 40% RH) can be sent to the anion exchange resin. This dehumidifier may be a separate unit installed separately from the adsorption device, or it may be installed inside the housing of the adsorption device. There is no particular limit to the lower limit of humidity (relative humidity) of the air supplied to the adsorption device for adsorption processing. However, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, when a portion of the return air is supplied to the adsorption device, it is preferable to set it to 40% RH or higher, taking into account the humidity required by the Building Management Law. As shown in Figure 3, when outside air is supplied to the adsorption device, if the humidity of the outside air is less than 40% RH, low-humidity air with less than 40% RH can be supplied to the adsorption device from the standpoint of the CO2 adsorption performance of the anion exchange resin.

[0038] The humidity (relative humidity) of the humidified air used in the desorption process is preferably greater than 70% RH, more preferably 80% RH or higher, and may even be 90% RH or higher, in order to sufficiently desorb CO2 from the anion exchange resin that has adsorbed CO2. The CO2 desorption process can be carried out by bringing air humidified to such a humidity level using a humidifier into contact with the anion exchange resin.

[0039] The adsorption and desorption processes can be carried out without any particular pressurization or depressurization, and can be performed under the pressure of the air supplied to the adsorption device (supply pressure). From the viewpoint of energy cost, the supply pressure in the adsorption and desorption processes can be set to atmospheric pressure (standard atmospheric pressure: 101325 Pa) or higher, preferably atmospheric pressure + 3000 Pa or less, more preferably atmospheric pressure + 1000 Pa or less, and even more preferably atmospheric pressure + 500 Pa or less.

[0040] Adsorption and desorption processes can be carried out without heating or cooling. However, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, if a portion of the return air is sent to the adsorption device for adsorption and supplied to the humidifier for desorption, the temperature of the air sent to the adsorption device and humidifier can be set to 17°C to 28°C, in accordance with the temperature requirements of the Building Management Act (17°C to 28°C). During heating, it can be set to 17°C to 24°C, and during cooling, it can be set to 24°C to 30°C (preferably 28°C or lower). The temperature of the air sent to the adsorption device and humidifier can be set according to the temperature of the return air regulated by the air conditioner. In the desorption process, the temperature of the air that has passed through the humidifier decreases due to evaporative cooling, so air at a lower temperature than the air used during adsorption is sent to the anion exchange resin in the adsorption device. As shown in Figure 3, when supplying outside air to the adsorption device, the air can be sent to the adsorption device without adjusting its temperature. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, when the adsorption device and humidifier are installed in a living room, the temperature of the air sent to the adsorption device and humidifier will be the temperature of the living room, but it can be set to a temperature corresponding to the temperature of the return air adjusted by the air conditioner, and can be set to 17°C to 28°C, as in the case described above, and can be set to 17°C to 24°C during heating, and to 24°C to 30°C (preferably 28°C or lower) during cooling.

[0041] Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram of an example of an adsorption device that can be used in the air conditioning system and air conditioning method of the present invention. As shown in Figure 6, multiple adsorbent cartridges 64 containing anion exchange resin can be arranged in parallel within the housing 60 of the adsorption device. Each adsorbent cartridge 64 is a double-walled cylindrical body made of a porous material (e.g., resin-based woven or non-woven fabric) that air can pass through but the anion exchange resin cannot, and can have an adsorbent housing with one end closed and the other end open. A bell mouth can be provided at this opening to reduce pressure loss. The anion exchange resin is filled between the inner and outer cylindrical bodies of this double-walled cylindrical body (adsorbent housing), and the anion exchange resin can be arranged so as to cover the entire circumference of the inner cylindrical body from near the lower end (opening) to the upper end of the cartridge. As such an adsorbent cartridge, cartridges from filters manufactured by Kurako Co., Ltd. (product name: Unicell Filter) can be repurposed.

[0042] The arrows in Figure 6 indicate the airflow supplied to the adsorption device. Air entering from the intake port 61 of the adsorption device passes through the pre-filter 62, enters the air inlet chamber 110, enters the interior of each adsorbent cartridge 64 through the opening (bell mouth) of each cartridge installed in the partition wall 63, passes through the side of the inner cylindrical body, then comes into contact with the anion exchange resin on the outside, then passes through the side of the outer cylindrical body, and exits to the outside of the adsorbent cartridge. Inside the adsorption device, a partition wall 63 is provided to separate the air supply side from the opposite side with respect to the direction of the supplied airflow. The partition wall 63 has openings corresponding to the openings of each adsorbent cartridge 64, and the openings of each adsorbent cartridge 64 are positioned at these openings. The partition wall 63 separates the adsorption / desorption processing chamber 121, in which the adsorbent cartridges 64 are installed, from the air inlet chamber 110, in which air flows in from the intake port 61. This prevents mixing of air that has passed through the adsorbent cartridge 64 (air that has come into contact with the anion exchange resin) with air that was supplied into the adsorbent cartridge 64.

[0043] A deodorizing cartridge 66 containing activated carbon or cation exchange resin may be installed downstream of the adsorbent cartridge 64 (upper in Figure 6), as shown in Figure 6. The deodorizing cartridge 66 can have the same configuration as the adsorbent cartridge 64, except that activated carbon or cation exchange resin is used instead of anion exchange resin, and can be similarly placed in the partition wall 65. The partition wall 65 separates the deodorizing treatment chamber 122, where the deodorizing cartridge 66 is installed, from the adsorption / desorption treatment chamber 121, where the adsorbent cartridge 64 is installed. By providing such a deodorizing cartridge 66, the air that comes into contact with the anion exchange resin can be deodorized. The air that comes into contact with the anion exchange resin may have an odor caused by amines such as trimethylamine derived from the anion exchange resin. By adsorbing amines onto activated carbon or cation exchange resin, amine-derived odors and other odors in the room can be suppressed. The air that has passed through the adsorbent cartridge and been treated with adsorption enters the deodorizing cartridge through an opening at the bottom of the cartridge, comes into contact with the activated carbon or cation exchange resin for deodorization, and then exits to the outside from the side of the adsorbent cartridge. The air that has been treated with deodorization in this way is sent to a blower chamber equipped with a blower 67 without being mixed with the air before deodorization. As described above, the air that has undergone adsorption or desorption treatment and deodorization treatment is discharged from the outlet 68 by the blower 67.

[0044] The adsorption device shown in Figure 6 has a stage in which multiple adsorbent cartridges 64 are installed in parallel on a single partition wall 63, and above that (in the direction of airflow), there is a stage in which multiple deodorizing cartridges 66 are installed in parallel on a single partition wall 65. With this structure, the size of the adsorption device in the direction of airflow (vertical direction in Figure 6) can be increased to create multiple stages of parallel arrangements of adsorbent cartridges and / or deodorizing cartridges. Furthermore, by increasing the size of the adsorption device in the direction perpendicular to the airflow direction (horizontal direction in Figure 6), the number of parallel-arranged cartridges in each stage can be increased. Depending on the processing airflow rate and the desired adsorption, desorption, and deodorizing performance, the total number of cartridges, the number of cartridges per stage, and the number of stages can be appropriately set for each of the adsorbent and deodorizing cartridges.

[0045] Furthermore, in the example of the adsorption device shown in Figure 6, the air taken in from the air intake 61 is passed through a pre-filter 62 installed inside the air intake 61 before being introduced to the adsorbent cartridge 64. However, the installation location of the pre-filter 62 is not particularly limited as long as it is on the upstream side of the adsorbent cartridge 64, and it may be placed below the partition wall 63 or outside the air intake 61. The aforementioned particulate filter can be used as the pre-filter 62. In particular, when outside air is supplied to the adsorption device without going through an air conditioner, as in the air conditioning system shown in Figure 3, it is preferable to provide a particulate filter in order to prevent deterioration and clogging of the anion exchange resin due to particulate matter in the outside air, thereby enabling stable operation over a long period of time.

[0046] Furthermore, in the example of the adsorption device shown in Figure 6, a deodorizing means (deodorizing material cartridge 66) containing activated carbon or cation exchange resin is placed inside the adsorption device containing anion exchange resin. However, a separate deodorizing device containing activated carbon or cation exchange resin may be placed downstream of the adsorption device containing anion exchange resin. This deodorizing device can have a structure similar to the adsorption device described above, except that it does not have a structure related to anion exchange resin (a device in which all cartridges included are deodorizing material cartridges). When a separate deodorizing device is provided in this way, all cartridges included in the adsorption device can be adsorbent cartridges, thereby improving the CO2 adsorption performance.

[0047] Furthermore, while the example adsorption device shown in Figure 6 uses a specific cartridge type containing activated carbon or cation exchange resin as a deodorizing means, various types of air filters containing activated carbon or cation exchange resin can also be used. Panel-type air filters, which are common in the air conditioning field, can also be used as such air filters. Air filters containing cation exchange resin include nonwoven or woven fabrics made of cation exchange resin fibers, and those in which particulate cation exchange resin is supported on a resin structural material. For cation exchange resins used in deodorizing means such as deodorizing cartridges and air filters, organic polymer-based cation exchange resins are preferred, and examples of the organic polymer used as the base include styrene resins and acrylic resins. Examples of such cation exchange resins include strongly acidic cation exchange resins having sulfo groups (sulfonic acid groups) as cation exchange groups, and weakly acidic cation exchange resins having carboxyl groups (carboxylic acid groups) as cation exchange groups. Styrene resins are homopolymers or copolymers containing constituent units derived from styrene or styrene derivatives, and acrylic resins are polymers obtained by homopolymerizing one or more selected from acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylic acid esters, and methacrylic acid esters, and contain one or more constituent units selected from constituent units derived from acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylic acid esters, and methacrylic acid esters.

[0048] Furthermore, although a humidifier is not shown in the example of the adsorption device in Figure 6, as mentioned above, a humidifier may be equipped in the adsorption device. The humidifier may be placed before the anion exchange resin and installed inside the housing 60 which includes the adsorbent cartridge 64, or it may be installed outside the housing 60 so that humidified air is sent to the air intake 61 of the adsorption device.

[0049] (humidifier) The humidifier in the embodiments of the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it can humidify the air to a sufficient extent to desorb CO2 adsorbed on the anion exchange resin, and any known humidifier can be used as appropriate. Examples of humidifier types include evaporative humidifiers, steam humidifiers (heated type), and water spray humidifiers (ultrasonic type). For example, an evaporative humidifier can be suitably used from the viewpoint of energy saving and adjustment of the amount of humidification. The water supplied to the evaporative humidifier is preferably of a quality that conforms to the water quality standards of the Water Supply Act, and it is preferable to use water with few impurities and high purity (pure water) from the viewpoint of preventing scale in the humidifier and suppressing contamination and deterioration of the anion exchange resin. For example, water with an electrical resistivity of 0.1 to 1.5 MΩ·cm can be used. As mentioned above, the humidifier may be a separate unit provided separately from the adsorption device, or it may be installed inside the housing of the adsorption device. When the adsorption device is installed in a living room, it is preferable for the humidifier to be installed inside the housing of the adsorption device in order to save space. The water supplied to the humidifier may be supplied by piping from the building's water supply system, or a water tank may be provided and replenished periodically. The water tank may be located separately from the adsorption device, but it can be placed inside the housing of the adsorption device in order to save space.

[0050] (Adsorption device for installation in living spaces) Figure 7 shows an example of an adsorption device for indoor installation equipped with a humidifier. Figure 7(a) is a front view, and Figure 7(b) is a right side view, both depicted in perspective to show the internal structure of the adsorption device. Note that the pre-filter 72 is omitted in Figure 7(a), and the water supply tank 102 is omitted in Figure 7(b).

[0051] As shown in Figures 7(a) and (b), the housing 70 of the adsorption device contains an adsorbent cartridge 74, a deodorizing cartridge 76, blowers 77a and 77b, a humidifier 101, and a water tank 102 for the humidifier. At the bottom of the housing 70 of the adsorption device, there is an air inlet chamber 110 into which air is drawn in from an air intake port 71. This air inlet chamber 110 is divided by a partition wall 73c into a second compartment 112 in which a humidifier 101 is installed and a first compartment 111 in which a humidifier 101 is not installed. The air intake port 71 is an opening that spans both the first compartment 111 and the second compartment 112, and air from the air intake port 71 flows into both the first compartment 111 and the second compartment 112. The air intake port 71 may be provided for each of the first compartment 111 and the second compartment 112.

[0052] The housing 70 has a processing chamber 120 above the air inlet chamber 110 via a partition wall 73b. This processing chamber 120 has an adsorption / desorption processing chamber 121 that houses an adsorbent cartridge 74 installed on partition wall 73a, and a deodorization processing chamber 122 that houses a deodorizing agent cartridge 76 installed on partition wall 75. The partition wall 73a, the adsorbent cartridge 74 and the adsorption / desorption processing chamber 121, and the partition wall 75, the deodorizing agent cartridge 76 and the deodorization processing chamber 122 can have the same configuration as the partition wall 63, the adsorbent cartridge 64 and the adsorption / desorption processing chamber 121, and the partition wall 65, the deodorizing agent cartridge 66 and the deodorization processing chamber 122 shown in Figure 6, respectively.

[0053] The partition wall 73b, located below the partition wall 73a where the adsorbent cartridge 74 is installed and situated between the processing chamber 120 and the air inlet chamber 110, has openings equipped with electric shutters 103a and 103b, respectively. When electric shutter 103a is open and electric shutter 103b is closed, air introduced into the first compartment 111, which does not have a humidifier 101, can be preferentially sent to the adsorbent cartridge 74. When electric shutter 103a is closed and electric shutter 103b is open, humidified air introduced into the second compartment 112, where the humidifier 101 is installed, can be preferentially sent to the adsorbent cartridge 74.

[0054] When performing adsorption processing in an adsorption device having such a configuration, the humidifier 101 is not operated, the electric shutter 103b is closed, and the electric shutter 103a is opened, allowing air that has entered the first partitioned chamber 111 of the air inlet chamber 110 through the slit-type air intake port 71 to be sent to the adsorption / desorption processing chamber 121 of the processing chamber 120 and introduced into the adsorbent cartridge 74. The air introduced into the adsorbent cartridge 74 is subjected to adsorption treatment, similar to the adsorption device shown in Figure 6 above, and then sent to the deodorizing cartridge 76 in the deodorizing treatment chamber 122. The air that has been treated with adsorption and deodorization in this manner is discharged into the living space through a slit-shaped outlet 78a by a blower 77a.

[0055] When performing the desorption / adsorption process, the humidifier 101 is operated, the electric shutter 103a is closed, and the electric shutter 103b is opened, causing the air entering the second compartment 112 of the air inlet chamber 110 through the slit-type air intake 71 to be humidified. The humidified air is then sent to the adsorption / desorption processing chamber 121 of the processing chamber 120 and introduced into the adsorbent cartridge 74. The air introduced into the adsorbent cartridge 74 is sent to the deodorizing cartridge 76 in the deodorizing chamber 122 after undergoing a desorption process, similar to the adsorption device shown in Figure 6 above. The air that has undergone the decontamination and deodorization process in this manner is discharged outside the room via a duct-type exhaust port 78b by a blower 77b. A moisture-resistant blower can be used for the blower 77b.

[0056] The adsorption process (operation of the adsorption device for the adsorption process) can be performed at will while the air conditioning is running, but as mentioned above, it can be performed so that the CO2 concentration in the room or return air is within a predetermined range. The stopping point of the adsorption process (the point at which the operation of the adsorption device during the adsorption process is stopped) can also be determined as mentioned above, when the adsorption process time, the CO2 concentration at the outlet of the adsorption device, the difference in CO2 concentration between the outlet and inlet of the adsorption device (for example, 50 ppm or less), the CO2 concentration in the return air or room, etc. reach predetermined values. As mentioned above, the desorption process (operation of the adsorption device for the desorption process) can be started as appropriate after the adsorption process has stopped. The stopping point for the desorption process (the point at which the operation of the adsorption device during the desorption process is stopped) can also be determined as described above, when the desorption process time, the CO2 concentration at the outlet of the adsorption device, the difference in CO2 concentration between the outlet and inlet of the adsorption device (for example, 50 ppm or less), etc., reach predetermined values. The adsorption device may have a configuration that automatically controls the opening and closing of each electric shutter, the on / off of each fan, the on / off of the humidifier, etc., based on signals related to the operating time or CO2 concentration or CO2 concentration difference. Furthermore, the adsorption device may be equipped with the aforementioned CO2 sensor.

[0057] In the adsorption device for installation in a living room according to an embodiment of the present invention, either a push-type or suction-type blower can be used. However, for the following reasons, it is preferable to place a suction-type blower downstream of the adsorption means (adsorbent cartridge 74 containing an anion exchanger) (on the discharge and exhaust port side), as shown in Figure 7. If a deodorizing means (deodorizing cartridge 76) is provided downstream of the adsorption means, it is preferable to place a suction-type blower downstream of the deodorizing means. If a push-type blower is placed upstream of the adsorption means (on the intake port side), if a problem occurs in the flow path opening and closing system, it may result in the discharge of decomposition-treated air (air with a high CO2 concentration) into the living room. In contrast, if a suction-type blower is placed downstream of the adsorption means or deodorizing means (on the discharge and exhaust port side), even if a problem occurs in the flow path opening and closing system, the blower 77a for discharge into the living room is stopped during the decomposition process, thus preventing the discharge of decomposition-treated air (air with a high CO2 concentration) into the living room.

[0058] The water supply tank 102 is for storing water to be supplied to the humidifier 101, and water can be supplied to the humidifier 101 via a water supply line (not shown) connected to the water supply tank 102 and the humidifier 101. The water supply tank 102 can be placed in the empty space of the first compartment 111 where the humidifier 101 is not installed.

[0059] By using the suction device for indoor installation according to the embodiment of the present invention, the cost of installation work can be reduced compared to installing an outdoor suction device in an existing building, for the following reasons. (i) When installing an adsorption device for outdoor use in an existing building, construction work is required to integrate it into existing ducts and piping. However, when installing an adsorption device for indoor use, construction work is not required to integrate the intake of air for adsorption and desorption processing, or the discharge of air after adsorption processing, into existing ducts and piping. For the exhaust of air after desorption processing, the exhaust duct of the adsorption device may or may not be connected to existing ducts. However, from the viewpoint of preventing the desorption-processed air, which has a high CO2 concentration due to desorption processing, from returning to the living space, it may be connected to the exhaust port of existing exhaust equipment installed, for example, on the ceiling. Alternatively, the exhaust port of the adsorption device's exhaust duct may be placed near the exhaust port of existing exhaust equipment installed, for example, on the ceiling, and the desorption-processed air may be exhausted at a wind speed below a level that prevents it from returning to the living space. (ii) In the case of an adsorption device in which pressure loss in the adsorption means is sufficiently suppressed, an existing outlet can be used as the power source, thus eliminating the need for electrical work. (iii) By incorporating or attaching a tank for storing water supplied to the humidifier into the adsorption device, plumbing work can be eliminated. (iv) By installing the humidifier inside the housing of the adsorption device, the electrical wiring and piping work required for installation, as well as the wiring and piping work for connecting it to the adsorption device, which would be necessary if the humidifier were installed separately, can be eliminated.

[0060] (Air conditioner) The air conditioner in the embodiments of the present invention can be one that is commonly used in the field of air conditioning and can perform cooling, dehumidification, heating, humidification, and purification of air. The air conditioner may include an air cooler for cooling and dehumidifying air, an air heater for heating air, a dehumidifier for dehumidifying air, a humidifier for humidifying air, and an air purifier for purifying air. An air filter can be used as the air purifier. The air conditioner may further include a blower. It is preferable to install the air conditioner outside the living space, considering factors such as ensuring sufficient space in the living space and supplying air treated by one air conditioner to multiple living spaces. In this case, the air treated by the air conditioner is sent to the living space through a supply path such as a duct, but a return air fan can be installed to perform outside air cooling, and a supply air fan can be installed to increase the airflow power. As such an air conditioning unit, a so-called air handling unit (AHU) that uses chilled water, hot water, steam, etc. supplied from a heat source device can be suitably used. The air handle unit includes a blower, cooling coil, heating coil, humidifier, air filter, etc. A chilled water coil can be used as the cooling coil, and a hot water coil or steam coil can be used as the heating coil. A chilled / hot water coil that can switch between chilled and hot water for both cooling and heating can also be used. With a chilled water coil, the supplied chilled water at approximately 5-7°C can be used to cool and dehumidify the air. With a hot water coil, the supplied hot water at approximately 40-60°C can be used to heat the air. Such air conditioners can adjust the indoor temperature to, for example, between 15°C and 30°C, and further to the temperature required by the Building Management Act, between 17°C and 28°C. During heating, it can be set to between 17°C and 24°C, and during cooling, it can be set to between 24°C and 28°C. In addition, the indoor humidity (relative humidity) can be adjusted to between 30%RH and 80%RH, further to a comfortable level of between 40%RH and 70%RH, further to below 60%RH for CO2 adsorption treatment, and even further to below 50%RH.

[0061] (Regeneration of anion exchangers) As described above, the anion exchange resin used as an anion exchanger in the embodiments of the present invention can be regenerated by contacting it with humidified air to desorb the adsorbed CO2. Over time, components that cannot be removed or are difficult to remove in humidified air may develop (e.g., SO4). x No xIf the amount of adsorption of CO2 increases and the CO2 adsorption performance decreases, the anion exchange resin can be regenerated using the alkaline aqueous solution method that is commonly used for anion exchange resins. The concentration of the alkali (regenerating agent) in the alkaline aqueous solution can be 2 to 10% by mass, and the volume of the solution can be 2 to 4 times the amount of the anion exchange resin to be regenerated. For example, when sodium hydroxide is used as the alkali, the anion exchange resin can be regenerated by flowing a sodium hydroxide aqueous solution of 0.5 mol / L to 3 mol / L, preferably 2 mol / L to 2.5 mol / L, in an amount of 2 to 4 times, preferably 4 times, the amount of the aqueous solution into the anion exchange resin to be regenerated. After the regeneration treatment, the alkaline aqueous solution can be replaced with water by flowing water through it, and then any remaining alkaline aqueous solution can be thoroughly washed with water. During the regeneration process, the anion exchange resin can be removed from the adsorption device and regenerated offline using an alkaline aqueous solution.

[0062] (Estimated effect of reducing ventilation volume) The following calculations were made regarding the reduction in ventilation volume and energy costs that can be achieved by the air conditioning system and air conditioning method according to the embodiments of the present invention. In a habitable room of a building equipped with air conditioning, if the CO2 concentration is to be kept below 1000 ppm as required by the Building Sanitation Law, the required ventilation rate Q can be calculated using the following formula (1). Q(m 3 / h) = M / (C-C0) × 10 6 (1) M: Amount of CO2 generated in the living space (m³ 3 / h) C: CO2 concentration in the room (ppm) (set to 1000 ppm) C0: CO2 concentration in the outside air (ppm)

[0063] [Calculation Example 1 and Comparative Calculation Example 1] Under the following assumed conditions, we estimated the required ventilation volume for air conditioning with and without adsorption treatment using an adsorption device containing anion exchange resin. The required ventilation rate in Calculation Example 1 is 20 m³, which is the required ventilation rate per person as stipulated by the Building Standards Act.3 It was assumed that the CO2 concentration in the living room could be suppressed to 1000 ppm or less at / h. The required ventilation volume in Comparative Test Example 1 was calculated using the above formula (1). The assumed conditions and the calculation results are summarized in Table 1. Note that the ventilation volume reduction rate is a value obtained from the calculated required ventilation volume, and the cost reduction rate is a value calculated in consideration of the required ventilation volume and the energy consumption of the ventilation equipment. <Assumed conditions> · CO2 concentration of outside air: 425 ppm (assuming the coastal area of Japan) · Number of people in the office building's living room: 100 people · CO2 generation amount per person: 0.02 m 3 / h · Required ventilation volume per person: 20 m 3 / h (value specified by the Building Standards Law)

[0064] [Calculation Example 2 and Comparative Calculation Example 2] Calculations were performed in the same manner as in Calculation Example 1 and Comparative Calculation Example 1, except that the CO2 concentration of the outside air was changed to 600 ppm (assuming the city center). The assumed conditions and the calculation results are summarized in Table 1.

[0065]

Table 1

[0066] As is clear from the calculation results in Table 1, according to the air conditioning system and the air conditioning method according to the embodiment of the present invention, the required ventilation volume in Comparative Calculation Example 1 was 3478 m 3 / h, and the required ventilation volume in Calculation Example 1 was 2000 m 3 / h, and it was possible to reduce the ventilation volume by as much as 42%. It can be seen that the air conditioning cost can be reduced by 19% due to this reduction in the ventilation volume. Also, the required ventilation volume in Comparative Calculation Example 2 was 5000 m 3 / h, and the required ventilation volume in Calculation Example 2 was 2000 m 3 / h, and it was possible to reduce the ventilation volume by as much as 60%. It can be seen that the air conditioning cost can be reduced by 40% due to this reduction in the ventilation volume. Furthermore, in the air conditioning system and air conditioning method according to the embodiments of the present invention, the anion exchange resin can be regenerated by inline desorption processing using humidified air without heating, thus enabling low-cost air conditioning to adjust CO2 concentration. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1 Air conditioner (AHU) 2. Blower 3 living room 4. Blower 5. Variable airflow control device 6 Air flow meter 11 Adsorption device 12 Blower 13 Humidifier 14 Blower 15 Blower 60 cabinets 61 Air intake 62 Pre-filter 63 Bulkhead 64 Adsorbent Cartridges 65 Bulkhead 66 Deodorizing cartridge 67 Blower 68 Outlet 70 cabinets 71 Air intake 72 Pre-filter 73a, 73b bulkhead 73c Partition wall 74 Adsorbent Cartridge 75 Bulkhead 76 Deodorizing cartridge 77a, 77b blower 78a Outlet 78b Outlet 101 Humidifier 102 Water tank 103a, 103b Electric shutters 110 Air Inlet Chamber 111 First Section Room 112 Second Sectional Room 120 Processing Rooms 121 Adsorption / Desorption Processing Chamber 122 Deodorization Treatment Room L1 Outside air flow path L2 return air flow path L3 Exhaust Flow Path L4~L8 channel

Claims

1. Air conditioner and Adsorption device containing an anion exchanger, It has a humidifier, Outdoor air, air from the room to be air-conditioned, or a portion of the air from the room to be air-conditioned is sent to the anion exchanger, comes into contact with the anion exchanger, carbon dioxide in the air is adsorbed onto the anion exchanger, and the treated air is sent to the room to be air-conditioned. A portion of the air inside or from the room to be air-conditioned is sent to the humidifier, the humidified air is sent to the anion exchanger, comes into contact with the anion exchanger which has adsorbed carbon dioxide, desorbs the carbon dioxide, and the air after the desorption process is sent outside the room to be air-conditioned. An air conditioning system that adjusts the carbon dioxide concentration in the room to be air-conditioned.

2. The adsorption device and the humidifier are installed outside the room to be air-conditioned. A first flow path that sends outdoor air, air from inside the room to be air-conditioned, or a portion of the air in the return air flow path of the air conditioner to the adsorption device, A second flow path that sends the air treated by the adsorption device to the return air flow path, A third airway that sends a portion of the air from the aforementioned return airway to the humidifier, The air conditioning system according to claim 1, further comprising a discharge channel for sending the air after desorption processing by the adsorption device to the exhaust channel of the air conditioner or directly to the outdoors.

3. The adsorption device and the humidifier are installed in the room to be air-conditioned. The adsorption device has an intake port for taking in air from the room to be air-conditioned, and an outlet port for supplying the air that has been adsorbed by the adsorption device back into the room to be air-conditioned. The humidifier is either provided separately from the adsorption device or is included in the adsorption device. If provided separately from the adsorption device, it has an air intake port for drawing in air from the room to be air-conditioned, and an introduction path for sending the air humidified by the humidifier to the adsorption device. If included in the adsorption device, the air from the air intake port is humidified, and the humidified air is sent to the anion exchanger. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the air after desorption processing by the adsorption device is sent to the exhaust passage of the air conditioner or is sent outdoors without passing through the exhaust passage.

4. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the adsorption device includes the humidifier.

5. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the relative humidity of the air sent to the adsorption device from which carbon dioxide is adsorbed and removed is controlled to be in the range of 70% RH or less.

6. The air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 5, wherein the humidifier humidifies the air so that the relative humidity of the air for desorption of carbon dioxide is greater than 70% RH.

7. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, further comprising a deodorizing means containing activated carbon or cation exchange resin located downstream of the anion exchanger.

8. An adsorption device used in the air conditioning system according to claim 1, Outdoor air, air from the room to be air-conditioned, or a portion of the air from the room to be air-conditioned is sent to the anion exchanger, comes into contact with the anion exchanger, and carbon dioxide in the air is adsorbed onto the anion exchanger. An adsorption device configured such that air humidified by the humidifier is sent to the anion exchanger, comes into contact with the anion exchanger which has adsorbed carbon dioxide, and desorbs carbon dioxide.

9. The adsorption device according to claim 8, further comprising the humidifier.

10. An adsorption device used in an air conditioning system and installed in a room to be air-conditioned, The casing and Adsorption means containing an anion exchanger, Humidifier and, An air intake port for taking in air from the room to be air-conditioned, An outlet that supplies air taken in from the intake port and passed through the adsorption means to the room to be air-conditioned, It has an outlet for discharging air that is taken in through the intake port, humidified by the humidifier, and has passed through the adsorption means, The housing includes an air inlet chamber into which air is drawn in from the air intake port, and a processing chamber adjacent to the air inlet chamber via a partition wall, which is equipped with the adsorption means. The air inlet chamber has a first partitioned chamber and a second partitioned chamber separated by a partition wall, and the humidifier is installed in the second partitioned chamber. The partition wall between the air inlet chamber and the processing chamber is provided with a first opening / closing means for opening and closing a first opening formed in the partition wall and a second opening / closing means for opening and closing a second opening formed in the partition wall. When the first opening / closing means is open and the second opening / closing means is closed, air is sent from the first partitioned chamber to the processing chamber, and as the air passes through the adsorption means, it comes into contact with the anion exchanger and an adsorption process is performed in which carbon dioxide in the air is adsorbed. When the first opening / closing means is closed and the second opening / closing means is open, air humidified by the humidifier is sent from the second compartment to the processing chamber, and as the humidified air passes through the adsorption means, it comes into contact with the anion exchanger and carbon dioxide desorption is performed. Adsorption device installed so that the air discharged from the outlet is sent to the exhaust passage of the air conditioning system or to the outdoors without passing through the exhaust passage.

11. The adsorption device according to claim 10, comprising a first blower for discharging the adsorbed air from the discharge port and a second blower for discharging the de-adhesion air from the exhaust port, wherein the first blower and the second blower are arranged downstream of the adsorption means.

12. The adsorption apparatus according to claim 8 or 10, further comprising a deodorizing means containing activated carbon or a cation exchange resin on the downstream side of the anion exchanger.

13. An air conditioning method for adjusting the carbon dioxide concentration in a room to be air-conditioned, An adsorption step is performed in which outdoor air, air inside the room to be air-conditioned, or a portion of the air from the room to be air-conditioned is brought into contact with an anion exchanger, carbon dioxide in the air is adsorbed onto the anion exchanger, and the air is sent into the room to be air-conditioned. An air conditioning method comprising a desorption step of humidifying a portion of the air in the room to be air-conditioned or a portion of the air from the room to be air-conditioned, bringing it into contact with the anion exchanger that has adsorbed carbon dioxide, desorbing the carbon dioxide, and sending it to the outside of the room to be air-conditioned.

14. In the adsorption step, the air that has come into contact with the anion exchanger is sent to the return air channel or directly into the room to be air-conditioned. The air conditioning method according to claim 13, wherein in the de-attachment step, the air that has come into contact with the anion exchanger is sent to the exhaust channel of the air conditioning system or sent outdoors without passing through the exhaust channel.

15. The air conditioning method according to claim 13, wherein the relative humidity of the air to be treated for adsorption in the adsorption step is controlled to be in the range of 70% RH or less.

16. The air conditioning method according to claim 13, wherein the relative humidity of the air used for the de-attachment process is increased to more than 70% RH in the de-attachment process.

17. The air conditioning method according to claim 13, wherein the air treated in the adsorption step and the desorption step is brought into contact with activated carbon or a cation exchange resin to perform a deodorizing treatment.

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