Dehumidifier

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dryer dehumidifier comprising a dryer rotor rotatably arranged about a central axis of the dryer rotor, a process air circuit arranged to guide a process airflow through a process sector of the dryer rotor, a regeneration air circuit arranged to guide a regeneration airflow through a regeneration sector of the dryer rotor, a purge air circuit arranged to guide a purge airflow through a first purge sector and a second purge sector of the dryer rotor, and an air fan arranged downstream of the dryer rotor and configured to generate a regeneration airflow in the regeneration air circuit and a purge airflow in the purge air circuit. The purge air circuit is arranged to guide the purge airflow through the first purge sector in a first direction through the dryer rotor and through the second purge sector in a second direction through the dryer rotor, the first direction being opposite to the second direction.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a desiccant dehumidifier that includes a desiccant wheel. [Background technology]

[0002] Dehumidifiers, such as sorption dehumidifiers and condensation dehumidifiers, are used to separate and remove moisture from air. Sorption dehumidifiers typically include a dehumidifying element in the form of a wheel or rotor that holds a dry material effective in attracting and retaining water vapor. The dehumidifier may include two sections for the dry rotor: a process section and a regeneration section. The process air, which is the airflow to be dehumidified, passes through the process section and then the dry rotor. The dry material in the rotor can extract moisture from the process air and leave the rotor as dry air. Simultaneously, the dry material is regenerated by a regeneration airflow flowing through the regeneration section while the dry rotor slowly rotates around its central axis. An air fan may be configured to generate the regeneration airflow through the regeneration section. By simultaneously dehumidifying the process air and regenerating the dry material, the dehumidifier can operate continuously.

[0003] Document US2007056307 discloses an example of a dehumidifier with a drying wheel.

[0004] For the regeneration process to be effective, the air stream used to regenerate the dried material in the rotor must be relatively hot and usually needs to be heated. For economic and climatic considerations, as well as to obtain stable operation of the dehumidification unit, there is a continuing interest in minimizing the energy consumption of the dehumidification process.

[0005] If an additional air flow, ie, a purge air flow, is used to regenerate the dry material in the rotor, a more effective regeneration process can be achieved. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The dehumidification capacity of a dehumidifier can generally be changed by increasing or decreasing the process air flow and / or increasing the regeneration energy. Furthermore, a separate sector for the drying rotor increases the dehumidification capacity and achieves a very low dew point, resulting in dry process air, saving heating energy through heat recovery and rotor material temperature change. The purge sector achieves a low dry air dew point and reduced heater energy for the regeneration air flow. Furthermore, using only one air fan to generate the regeneration air flow through the regeneration section and the purge air flow through the purge sector reduces the electrical energy required to operate the air fan.

[0007] Despite known solutions in this field, it would be desirable to develop a dry dehumidifier that overcomes or mitigates at least some of the shortcomings of the prior art.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to achieve an energy efficient desiccant dehumidifier.

[0009] A further object of the present invention is to achieve a dry dehumidifier that allows for stable, reliable and effective treatment of air, thereby improving the functionality / performance of the dry dehumidifier.

[0010] These objects are achieved with the above-mentioned desiccant dehumidifier according to the appended claims.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a desiccant dehumidifier comprising: a drying rotor rotatably arranged about a central axis of the drying rotor; a process air circuit arranged to guide a process airflow through a process sector of the drying rotor; a regeneration air circuit arranged to guide a regeneration airflow through a regeneration sector of the drying rotor; a purge air circuit arranged to guide a purge airflow through first and second purge sectors of the drying rotor; and an air fan arranged downstream of the drying rotor and configured to generate a regeneration airflow in the regeneration air circuit and a purge airflow in the purge air circuit, the purge air circuit arranged to guide the purge airflow through the first purge sector in a first direction through the drying rotor and through the second purge sector in a second direction through the drying rotor, the first direction being opposite to the second direction.

[0012] An advantage of the present invention is that the desiccant dehumidifier realizes only one air fan for generating both the regenerative airflow and the purge airflow. This is possible when the first direction of the purge airflow through the first purge sector is opposite to the second direction of the purge airflow through the second purge sector. In this way, only one air fan for generating the regenerative airflow and the purge airflow allows for energy efficiency and also improves the function and performance of the desiccant dehumidifier.

[0013] Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following details and through practice of the invention. While the present invention is described below, it will be apparent that the invention may not be limited to the details specifically set forth. Those skilled in the art, having access to the teachings herein, will recognize additional applications, modifications, and incorporation into other fields that are within the scope of the present invention. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, and further objects and advantages thereof, the following detailed description should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to similar items in the various drawings.

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a schematic perspective view of a desiccant dehumidifier according to an example; [Figure 2] 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a desiccant dehumidifier according to an example. [Figure 3] 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a drying rotor according to an example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The detailed description with reference to the illustrated examples should be considered as examples including combinations of specific features, which features have been described in detail above. Therefore, it should be understood that additional examples may be achieved by combining other features with examples not shown herein. The drawings are to be considered as examples and are not mutually exclusive combinations. It should also be noted that all drawings shown and described are schematic representations, and for simplicity, general parts of machines or similar objects are not shown.

[0017] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a desiccant-dehumidifier comprising: a drying rotor rotatably disposed about a central axis of the drying rotor; a process air circuit arranged to guide a process airflow through a process sector of the drying rotor; a regeneration air circuit arranged to guide a regeneration airflow through a regeneration sector of the drying rotor; a purge air circuit arranged to guide a purge airflow through first and second purge sectors of the drying rotor; and an air fan arranged downstream of the drying rotor and configured to generate a regeneration airflow in the regeneration air circuit and a purge airflow in the purge air circuit, the purge air circuit arranged to guide the purge airflow through the first purge sector in a first direction through the drying rotor and through the second purge sector in a second direction through the drying rotor, the first direction being opposite to the second direction.

[0018] The desiccant dehumidifier is configured to process air to separate and remove moisture, such as water vapor, from the air. The dry air can be delivered from the desiccant dehumidifier to a space or room where the humidity in the air is to be controlled.

[0019] The drying rotor holds a drying material effective to attract and retain water vapor. A process airflow flows in the process air circuit and passes through the drying rotor. The drying material in the main drying rotor extracts moisture from the process air in the process airflow, allowing the process air to leave the drying rotor as dry air. The moisture extracted from the process air is removed from the drying material in the drying rotor by a regeneration airflow flowing through the drying rotor in the regeneration air circuit. The moisture removed from the drying material is carried away from the drying rotor by a regeneration airflow in the regeneration air circuit downstream of the drying rotor. An air fan is positioned downstream of the drying rotor and configured to generate a regeneration airflow in the regeneration air circuit.

[0020] In addition to the process airflow and the regeneration airflow, a purge airflow is also configured to pass through the dryer rotor. The purge airflow is arranged to flow through a purge air circuit of the dryer dehumidifier. The purge air circuit is arranged to guide the purge airflow through a first purge sector and a second purge sector of the dryer rotor. Thus, the dryer dehumidifier has four sections for the dryer rotor: a process section, a regeneration section, a first purge section, and a second purge section. The temperature of the dryer rotor increases as the regeneration airflow passes through the rotor. To effectively capture moisture and moisture from the process airflow in the dryer rotor, it is desirable to lower the temperature of the portion of the dryer rotor through which the regeneration airflow passes. Therefore, the purge airflow is guided through the first purge sector. The purge airflow flowing through the first purge sector may have a lower temperature than the regeneration airflow passing through the dryer rotor. Thus, the purge airflow flowing through the first purge sector reduces the temperature of the portion or section of the dryer rotor through which the regeneration airflow has passed. The temperature increase of the dryer rotor due to the regeneration airflow increases the temperature of the air in the purge airflow as it flows through the first purge sector.

[0021] After the purge airflow passes through the first purge sector, it is directed through the second purge sector. Because the temperature of the air in the purge airflow has increased after passing through the first purge sector, the purge airflow increases the dry rotor when it passes through the second purge sector.

[0022] The drying rotor passes successively through a process sector, a first purge sector, a regeneration sector, and a second purge sector during rotation about the central axis of the drying rotor.

[0023] The purge air circuit is positioned to direct purge airflow through the first purge sector in a first direction through the drying rotor and through the second purge sector in a second direction through the drying rotor, the first direction being opposite to the second direction. The air fan creates a vacuum in the regeneration air circuit and the purge air circuit, which creates both the regeneration airflow and the purge airflow.

[0024] The desiccant dehumidifier realizes the use of only one air fan to generate both the regenerative airflow and the purge airflow. This is possible when the first direction of the purge airflow through the first purge sector is opposite to the second direction of the purge airflow through the second purge sector. In this manner, the use of only one air fan to generate the regenerative airflow and the purge airflow enables energy efficiency and also improves the functionality and performance of the desiccant dehumidifier.

[0025] According to one aspect, the purge air circuit is connected to the regeneration air circuit downstream of the dryer rotor. This results in an air fan being physically connected to the regeneration air circuit downstream of the dryer rotor. The vacuum created in the regeneration air circuit by the air fan also creates a vacuum in the purge air circuit. Using only one air fan to generate both the regeneration airflow and the purge airflow provides energy efficiency and improves the function and performance of the dryer dehumidifier.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the purge air circuit is connected to the regeneration air circuit upstream of the dryer rotor, and the purge airflow is configured to be collected from the regeneration airflow in the regeneration air circuit. This configuration can result in only one air inlet to the purge air circuit and the regeneration air circuit, which can simplify the design of the dryer dehumidifier.

[0027] According to one aspect, a heater device is disposed in connection with the regeneration air circuit, upstream of the drying rotor and downstream of where the purge air circuit connects to the regeneration air circuit. The heater device is configured to increase the temperature of the regeneration air in the regeneration air circuit. Because the heater device is disposed downstream of where the purge air circuit connects to the regeneration air circuit, the purge air is not heated by the heater device. Instead, the purge airflow flowing through the first purge sector may reduce the temperature of the portion or section of the drying rotor where the regeneration airflow has passed.

[0028] According to one aspect, a first purge sector is positioned adjacent to the regenerative sector on a first side thereof, and a second purge sector is positioned adjacent to the regenerative sector on a second side thereof. This sector configuration results in the purge airflow flowing through the first purge sector reducing the temperature of the portion or section of the dryer rotor through which the regenerative airflow has passed. Furthermore, the purge airflow increases the temperature of the dryer rotor as it passes through the second purge sector.

[0029] According to one aspect, the ratio between the regeneration sector angle of the regeneration sector and the sum of the first and second purge sector angles of the first and second purge sectors, respectively, is selected to generate both regeneration and purge airflows. Because both regeneration and purge airflows are generated by a common air fan, the pressure drop through the sector can be affected by the relationship between the sector areas. By selecting an appropriate sector angle according to the above, the pressure drop through the sector can be such that both regeneration and purge airflows are generated. The selection of such a ratio can also take into account the design of the channels, pipes, and connections used to deliver the regeneration and purge airflows to the drying rotor. Different channels, pipes, and connections can result in different pressure drops.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the ratio between the replay sector angle of the replay sector and the sum of the first and second purge sector angles of the first and second purge sectors, respectively, is in the range of 1:1 to 1.5:1, which can generate effective purge airflow through each of the first and second purge sectors.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the ratio between the replay sector angle of the replay sector and the sum of the first and second purge sector angles of the first and second purge sectors, respectively, is in the range of 1:1 to 1.25:1, which can generate effective purge airflow through each of the first and second purge sectors.

[0032] According to one aspect, the playback sector angle of the playback sector is equal to the sum of the first purge sector angle and the second purge sector angle of the first and second purge sectors, respectively. The sum of the first and second purge sector angles may be equal to the playback sector angle. This may result in the area of ​​the playback sector being equal to the sum of the areas of the first and second purge sectors. This may generate effective purge airflow through each of the first and second purge sectors.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the regenerative sector angle is 60°, the first purge sector angle is 30°, and the second purge sector angle is 30°. The sum of the first and second purge sector angles is equal to the regenerative sector angle when the regenerative sector angle is 60°, the first purge sector angle is 30°, and the second purge sector angle is 30°. The sum of the area of ​​the regenerative sector and the area of ​​the first and second purge sectors is 180°, which is equal to the area of ​​the process sector. This configuration of the regenerative sector, first and second purge sectors, and process sector generates air flow through the sectors, achieving energy efficiency for the dry dehumidifier. Furthermore, stable, reliable, and effective air treatment is achieved.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the purge airflow is configured to flow through the first purge sector in a direction opposite to the direction of the regeneration airflow through the regeneration sector, which can result in effective heat transfer from the drying rotor to the purge air flowing through the first purge sector.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the purge airflow is configured to flow through the first purge sector in the same direction as the regeneration airflow through the regeneration sector, which can result in effective heat transfer from the purge air to the dryer rotor flowing through the second purge sector.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the first purge sector is positioned after the regeneration sector relative to the rotation direction of the drying rotor. Thus, the drying rotor can first pass through the regeneration sector, where the drying rotor is heated and regenerated. The drying rotor then enters the first purge sector, where the temperature of the drying rotor is reduced by the purge airflow.

[0037] Next, the dry dehumidifier will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an example desiccant dehumidifier 1. The desiccant dehumidifier 1 includes a dryer rotor 2 rotatably arranged about a central axis 4 of the dryer rotor 2. A process air circuit 6 is arranged to guide a process airflow 8 through a process sector 10 of the dryer rotor 2. A regeneration air circuit 12 is arranged to guide a regeneration airflow 14 through a regeneration sector 16 of the dryer rotor 2. A purge air circuit 18 is arranged to guide a purge airflow 20 through a first purge sector 22 and a second purge sector 24 of the dryer rotor 2. An air fan 26 is arranged downstream of the dryer rotor 2 and configured to generate the regeneration airflow 14 in the regeneration air circuit 12 and the purge airflow 20 in the purge air circuit 18. The purge air circuit 18 is positioned to guide a purge airflow 20 through a first purge sector 22 in a first direction through the drying rotor 2 and through a second purge sector 24 in a second direction through the drying rotor 2. The first direction is opposite to the second direction. The purge air circuit 18 is connected to the regeneration air circuit 12 downstream of the drying rotor 2. The purge air circuit 18 is connected to the regeneration air circuit 12 upstream of the drying rotor 2, and the purge airflow 20 is configured to be collected from the regeneration airflow 14 in the regeneration air circuit 12. A heater device 28 is positioned in connection with the regeneration air circuit 12 upstream of the drying rotor 2 and downstream of a point 30 where the purge air circuit 18 connects to the regeneration air circuit 12. A motor 32 is positioned to rotate the drying rotor 2 via a transmission 34. The process airflow 8 passes through a number of channels 36 disposed within the drying rotor 2. The channels 36 extend from one side of the drying rotor 2 to the other. The channels 36 may be parallel to the central axis 4 of the drying rotor 2. The process air stream 8 passes through the channels 36 in a first direction. The drying rotor 2 is adapted to treat the process air stream 8 by reducing water in the process air stream 8, which may pass through the channels 36 of the drying rotor 2. The drying rotor 2 includes a drying material configured to extract moisture from the process air in the process air stream 8, allowing the process air to leave the drying rotor 2 as dry air.The regeneration sector 16, the first and second purge sectors 22 and 24, and the process sector 10 are defined by partition members 38, which may be disposed on either side of the dryer rotor 2. The partition members 38 may be fixed within the dryer dehumidifier 1 or may be adjustable relative to one another. The dryer rotor 2 is configured to rotate relative to the partition members 38. The dryer rotor 2 and other components of the dryer dehumidifier 1 may be housed within a housing 40 provided with inlet openings 42 and 44 and outlet openings 46 and 48.

[0039] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an example desiccant dehumidifier 1. A process airflow 8 passes through the dryer rotor 2 in a direction that may be opposite to the direction of the regeneration airflow 14 through the dryer rotor 2. The regeneration airflow 14 and the purge airflow 20 share a common inlet 42. The purge air circuit 18 is connected to the regeneration air circuit 12 downstream of the heater device 28. Thus, air from the inlet 42 is split into the purge air circuit 18 and the regeneration air circuit 12. The purge airflow 20 and the regeneration airflow 14 are separated from each other and, after passing through the dryer rotor 2, are combined into a common channel 50 in which the air fan 26 is located. The purge airflow 20 and the regeneration airflow 14 leave the common channel 50 through an outlet 46.

[0040] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates an example of a drying rotor 2. The regenerative sector 16, the first and second purge sectors 22 and 24, and the process sector 10 are separated by a partition member 38. The ratio between the regenerative sector angle α of the regenerative sector 16 and the sum of the first and second purge sector angles β1 and β2 of the first and second purge sectors 22 and 24, respectively, can be selected so that both the regenerative airflow 14 and the purge airflow 20 are generated (see FIG. 1). The first purge sector 22 is positioned after the regenerative sector 16 with respect to the rotation direction R of the drying rotor 2. During rotation, the drying rotor 2 first passes through the regenerative sector 16, where it is heated and regenerated. Then, the drying rotor 2 enters the first purge sector 22, where the temperature of the drying rotor 2 is reduced by the purge airflow 20.

[0041] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the variations described. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The embodiments have been chosen and described to best explain the principles and practical applications, thereby enabling those skilled in the art to understand the invention in its various embodiments, along with various modifications applicable to its intended use. The above-identified components and features may be combined between different embodiments identified within the framework of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A drying rotor (2) rotatably arranged around a central axis (4), a process air circuit (6) arranged to direct a process air stream (8) through a process sector (10) of the drying rotor (2); a regeneration air circuit (12) arranged to direct a regeneration air stream (14) through a regeneration sector (16) of the drying rotor (2); a purge air circuit (18) arranged to direct a purge airflow (20) through a first purge sector (22) and a second purge sector (24) of the drying rotor (2); an air fan (26) disposed in the regeneration air circuit (12) downstream of the drying rotor (2), configured to generate the regeneration air flow (14) in the regeneration air circuit (12) and the purge air flow (20) in the purge air circuit (18); the purge air circuit (18) is arranged to direct the purge airflow (20) through the first purge sector (22) in a first direction through the drying rotor (2) and through the second purge sector (24) in a second direction through the drying rotor (2); the first direction is opposite to the second direction; a ratio between a regeneration sector angle (α) of the regeneration sector (16) and the sum of a first purge sector angle (β1) and a second purge sector angle (β2) of each of the first and second purge sectors (22, 24) is selected such that both the regeneration airflow (14) and the purge airflow (20) are generated by the air fan (26) located in the regeneration air circuit (12) downstream of the drying rotor (2); Dry dehumidifier (1).

2. 2. The dehumidifier (1) of claim 1, wherein the purge air circuit (18) is connected to the regeneration air circuit (12) downstream of the drying rotor (2).

3. The purge air circuit (18) is connected to the regeneration air circuit (12) upstream of the drying rotor (2); 3. The dehumidifier (1) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the dehumidifier (1) is configured such that the purge air flow (20) is collected from the regeneration air flow (14) in the regeneration air circuit (12).

4. 4. The dehumidifier (1) of claim 3, wherein a heater device (28) is arranged in connection with the regeneration air circuit (12) upstream of the drying rotor (2) and downstream of the point where the purge air circuit (18) is connected to the regeneration air circuit (12).

5. the first purge sector (22) is disposed adjacent to the replay sector (16) on a first side of the replay sector (16); 3. The dehumidifier (1) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the second purge sector (24) is disposed adjacent to the regeneration sector (16) on a second side of the regeneration sector (16).

6. 3. The dehumidifier (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a ratio between a regeneration sector angle (α) of the regeneration sector (16) and a sum of a first purge sector angle (β1) and a second purge sector angle (β2) of each of the first and second purge sectors (22, 24) is in a range of 1:1 to 1.5:

1.

7. 3. The dehumidifier (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a ratio between a regeneration sector angle (α) of the regeneration sector (16) and a sum of a first purge sector angle (β1) and a second purge sector angle (β2) of each of the first and second purge sectors (22, 24) is in a range of 1:1 to 1.25:

1.

8. 3. The dehumidifier (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a regeneration sector angle (α) of the regeneration sector (16) is equal to the sum of a first purge sector angle (β1) and a second purge sector angle (β2) of each of the first and second purge sectors (22, 24).

9. The reproducing sector angle (α) is 60°, The first purge sector angle (β1) is 30°; 9. The dehumidifier (1) according to claim 8, wherein the second purge sector angle (β2) is 30°.

10. A dehumidifier (1) as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the dehumidifier (1) is configured to flow the purge airflow (20) through the first purge sector (22) in a direction opposite to the direction of the regeneration airflow (14) through the regeneration sector (16).

11. A dehumidifier (1) as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the dehumidifier (1) is configured to flow the purge airflow (20) through the first purge sector (22) in the same direction as the direction of the regeneration airflow (14) through the regeneration sector (16).

12. 3. The dehumidifier (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first purge sector (22) is arranged after the regeneration sector (16) with respect to the direction of rotation (R) of the drying rotor (2).

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