Humidity control device and humidity control method

Abstract

A humidity control device that controls humidity by bringing a humidity control liquid into contact with a gas to be humidity controlled, and improves the energy efficiency of humidity control. [Solution] The humidity control device has a gas-liquid contact section that brings the gas to be humidity-controlled into contact with a humidity-control liquid to control the humidity of the gas to be humidity-controlled and change the concentration of the humidity-control liquid, and an exhaust gas supply section that supplies exhaust gas at a predetermined temperature range generated by an air-cooled heat pump chiller to the gas-liquid contact section as the gas to be humidity-controlled.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a humidity control device and a humidity control method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a humidity control device that includes a liquid humidity control agent that absorbs water vapor in the air, a processor that dehumidifies the air by bringing the liquid humidity control agent into contact with the air, and a regenerator that brings the liquid humidity control agent used for dehumidification in the processor into a state where it is at a higher temperature than when it is used for dehumidification in the processor, and brings it into contact with the air, thereby humidifying the air and concentrating the liquid humidity control agent.

[0003] In the technology described in Patent Document 1, the gas-liquid contact material of the first gas-liquid contactor is arranged in a container so that outside air passes through the opening by driving a blower, and the gas-liquid contact material of the second gas-liquid contactor is arranged in a container so that outside air passes through the inside. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2024-177971 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a humidity control device that controls humidity by bringing a humidity control liquid into contact with a gas to be humidity controlled, it is desirable to improve the energy efficiency of humidity control.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to improve energy efficiency in a configuration in which humidity control is performed by bringing a humidity control liquid into contact with a gas to be humidity controlled. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A first aspect of the present disclosure is a humidity control device having a gas-liquid contact section that brings a gas to be humidity-controlled into contact with a humidity-control liquid to control the humidity of the gas to be humidity-controlled and change the concentration of the humidity-control liquid, and an exhaust gas supply section that supplies exhaust gas having a temperature within a predetermined range generated by an air-cooled heat pump chiller to the gas-liquid contact section as the gas to be humidity-controlled.

[0008] In the first aspect, the humidity control target gas is brought into contact with the humidity control liquid in the gas-liquid contact section, thereby controlling the humidity of the humidity control target gas and changing the concentration of the humidity control liquid. Exhaust air at a predetermined temperature range generated by the air-cooled heat pump chiller is supplied to the gas-liquid contact section by the exhaust gas supply section as the humidity-controlled gas. Therefore, energy efficiency can be improved compared to, for example, supplying outside air at its original temperature to the gas-liquid contact section as the humidity control target gas.

[0009] A second aspect is a humidity control device of the first aspect, in which the gas-liquid contact section includes a treatment machine that reduces the absolute humidity of the humidity-control target gas by contacting the humidity-control target gas with the humidity-control liquid, and a regenerator that increases the concentration of the humidity-control liquid by contacting the humidity-control target gas with the humidity-control liquid.

[0010] In the second aspect, the humidity of the humidity-control target gas can be controlled in the processor, and the concentration of the humidity-control liquid can be increased in the regenerator. For example, humidity-control liquid whose concentration has decreased after being used to control the humidity of the humidity-control target gas in the processor can be regenerated in the regenerator and used again in the processor.

[0011] A third aspect is the humidity control device of the second aspect, wherein the exhaust air supply unit supplies warm air generated by the air-cooled heat pump chiller supplying cold water to the treatment machine to the regenerator.

[0012] In the third aspect, it is possible to improve energy efficiency in adjusting the concentration of the humidity control liquid in the regenerator.

[0013] A fourth aspect is the humidity control device of the second or third aspect, wherein the exhaust gas supply unit supplies, to the processor, cool air generated by the air-cooled heat pump chiller supplying hot water to the regenerator.

[0014] In the fourth aspect, it is possible to improve energy efficiency in humidity control of the humidity control target gas in the treatment machine.

[0015] A fifth aspect is a humidity control method that includes contacting a gas to be humidity-controlled with a humidity-control liquid in a gas-liquid contact section to control the humidity of the gas to be humidity-controlled and change the concentration of the humidity-control liquid, and supplying exhaust gas having a temperature within a predetermined range generated by an air-cooled heat pump chiller to the gas-liquid contact section as the gas to be humidity-controlled.

[0016] In the fifth aspect, the humidity control target gas is brought into contact with the humidity control liquid in the gas-liquid contact section, thereby controlling the humidity of the humidity control target gas and changing the concentration of the humidity control liquid. Furthermore, exhaust air at a predetermined temperature range discharged from an air-cooled heat pump chiller is supplied to the gas-liquid contact section as the humidity control target gas. Therefore, energy efficiency can be improved compared to, for example, supplying outside air at its original temperature to the gas-liquid contact section as the humidity control target gas. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve energy efficiency in a configuration in which humidity control is performed by bringing a humidity control liquid into contact with a gas to be humidity controlled. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a humidity control device according to a first embodiment together with an example of temperature and humidity conditions. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the chilled water chiller of the humidity control apparatus of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the hot water chiller of the humidity control apparatus of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a chiller structure of the humidity control apparatus of the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an example of the chiller structure of the humidity control apparatus of the first embodiment that is different from that shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of the control device of the humidity control device of the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a humidity control device of a comparative example together with an example of temperature and humidity conditions. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows an example of the movement of the treatment machine of the humidity control device of the comparative example on a psychrometric chart. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows an example of the movement of the regenerator of the humidity control device of the comparative example on a psychrometric chart. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows an example of the movement of the treatment machine of the humidity control device of the first embodiment on a psychrometric chart. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows an example of the movement of the regenerator of the humidity control device of the first embodiment on a psychrometric chart. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram showing the humidity control device of the first embodiment together with an example of temperature and humidity conditions different from those in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 shows an example of the movement of the treatment machine of the humidity control device of the first embodiment on a psychrometric chart. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 shows an example of the movement of the regenerator of the humidity control device of the first embodiment on a psychrometric chart. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the chilled water chiller control of the humidity control apparatus of the first embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a flowchart of hot water chiller control of the humidity control apparatus of the first embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram showing a humidity control device according to the second embodiment together with an example of temperature and humidity conditions. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 shows an example of the movement of the treatment machine of the humidity control device of the second embodiment on a psychrometric chart. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 shows an example of the movement of the regenerator of the humidity control device of the second embodiment on a psychrometric chart. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a configuration diagram showing a humidity control device according to the third embodiment together with an example of temperature and humidity conditions. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 shows an example of the movement of the treatment machine of the humidity control device of the third embodiment on a psychrometric chart. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 shows an example of the movement of the regenerator of the humidity control device of the third embodiment on a psychrometric chart. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Hereinafter, a humidity control device 12 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] 1, the humidity control device 12 of the first embodiment has a processor 14, a regenerator 16, a cold water chiller 18, and a hot water chiller 20. The cold water chiller 18 and the hot water chiller 20 are examples of the air-cooled heat pump chiller of the disclosed technology.

[0021] The processor 14 takes in the air to be treated and brings it into contact with a humidity-control liquid to adjust the humidity by lowering the absolute humidity of the air to be treated, i.e., dehumidify it. The absolute humidity of the air to be treated is lowered, and the water vapor pressure decreases. The processor 14 then discharges the dehumidified air and supplies it into the space to be dehumidified.

[0022] The regenerator 16 regenerates the humidity-control liquid by changing the concentration of the humidity-control liquid used to dehumidify the air to be humidity-controlled in the processor 14. The regenerator 16 then exhausts the air used to regenerate the humidity-control liquid to the outside of the space to be dehumidified. This regeneration means increasing the concentration of the humidity-control liquid that has been diluted by absorbing moisture in the air to be humidity-controlled, thereby restoring the dehumidifying ability of the humidity-control liquid.

[0023] As an example of the humidity control liquid, a lithium chloride (LiCl) aqueous solution can be used. Note that the humidity control liquid is not limited to a lithium chloride aqueous solution, and can be any liquid as long as its vapor-liquid equilibrium vapor pressure is lower than the saturated vapor pressure of water at the same temperature, such as lithium bromide, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, an aqueous salt solution, an ionic liquid, a highly hygroscopic polyhydric alcohol, or other hygroscopic liquids.

[0024] In this embodiment, the chilled water chiller 18 and the hot water chiller 20 are air-cooled heat pump chillers. Hot air is generated by producing chilled water in the chilled water chiller 18. Also, cold air is generated by producing hot water in the hot water chiller 20. The chilled water chiller 18 is an example of a first chiller. The hot water chiller 20 is an example of a second chiller.

[0025] The processor 14 and the regenerator 16 are connected by a first humidity control liquid flow path 22A and a second humidity control liquid flow path 22B. The first humidity control liquid flow path 22A is a flow path for sending the humidity control liquid from the processor 14 to the regenerator 16. The second humidity control liquid flow path 22B is a flow path for sending the humidity control liquid from the regenerator 16 to the processor 14. The first humidity control liquid flow path 22A and the second humidity control liquid flow path 22B are provided with a transfer pump 24A and a transfer pump 24B, respectively. By driving the transfer pump 24A, the humidity control liquid can be sent from the processor 14 to the regenerator 16 through the first humidity control liquid flow path 22A. By driving the transfer pump 24B, the humidity control liquid can be sent from the regenerator 16 to the processor 14 through the second humidity control liquid flow path 22B.

[0026] The processor 14 includes a gas-liquid contactor 26, a distributor 28, a liquid tank 30, a chilled water coil 32, and a fan 34. The distributor 28 is disposed above the gas-liquid contactor 26, and the liquid tank 30 is disposed below the gas-liquid contactor 26. The chilled water coil 32 is disposed upstream of the gas-liquid contactor 26 (i.e., on the upwind side), and the fan 34 is disposed downstream of the gas-liquid contactor 26 (i.e., on the downwind side).

[0027] In the processor 14, air is taken in from outside the processor 14 by driving the fan 34 and passed through the chilled water coil 32 and the gas-liquid contactor 26. This air is the gas to be humidity-controlled. The air dehumidified by the gas-liquid contactor 26 is then discharged as supply air into the space to be dehumidified, which is outside the processor 14.

[0028] The chilled water chiller 18 is provided outside the treatment machine 14. The chilled water chiller 18 and the chilled water coil 32 are connected by a chilled water flow path 40. The chilled water generated in the chilled water chiller 18 circulates through the chilled water flow path 40 to the chilled water coil 32. In the chilled water coil 32, the chilled water comes into contact with the air to be humidity-controlled, which is air taken in from outside the treatment machine 14, thereby cooling the air to be humidity-controlled.

[0029] The liquid tank 30 and the distributor 28 are connected by a distribution flow path 36. A distribution pump 38 is provided in the distribution flow path 36. By driving the distribution pump 38, the humidity control liquid can be sent from the liquid tank 30 to the distributor 28. The humidity control liquid is dripped from the distributor 28. The dripped humidity control liquid comes into contact with the humidity control target air cooled by the chilled water coil 32 in the gas-liquid contactor 26. This dehumidifies the humidity control target air and dilutes the humidity control liquid. The diluted humidity control liquid is then dripped from the gas-liquid contactor 26 and stored in the liquid tank 30. The humidity control liquid stored in the liquid tank 30 is sent to the distributor 48 of the regenerator 16 via the first humidity control liquid flow path 22A.

[0030] The regenerator 16 includes a gas-liquid contactor 46, a distributor 48, a liquid tank 50, a hot water coil 52, and a fan 54. These components may be arranged in the same manner as the gas-liquid contactor 26, distributor 28, liquid tank 30, cold water coil 32, and fan 34 in the processor 14.

[0031] In the regenerator 16, air is taken in from outside the regenerator 16 by driving a fan 54, and passed through the hot water coil 52 and the gas-liquid contactor 46. Then, the air whose humidity has been increased by the gas-liquid contactor 46 is discharged outside the regenerator 16.

[0032] The hot water chiller 20 is provided outside the regenerator 16. The hot water chiller 20 and the hot water coil 52 are connected by a hot water flow path 42. The hot water generated in the hot water chiller 20 circulates through the hot water flow path 42 to the hot water coil 52. In the hot water coil 52, the hot water comes into contact with air taken in from outside the regenerator 16, thereby heating the air.

[0033] The liquid tank 50 and the distributor 48 are connected by a distribution flow path 56. A distribution pump 58 is provided in the distribution flow path 56. By driving the distribution pump 58, the humidity control liquid can be sent from the liquid tank 50 to the distributor 48. The humidity control liquid is dripped from the distributor 48. The dripped humidity control liquid comes into contact with air heated by the hot water coil 52 in the gas-liquid contactor 46. This concentrates the humidity control liquid and increases the humidity of the air. The concentrated humidity control liquid is then dripped from the gas-liquid contactor 46 and stored in the liquid tank 50. The humidity control liquid stored in the liquid tank 50 is sent to the distributor 28 of the treatment machine 14 via the second humidity control liquid flow path 22B.

[0034] A hot air flow path 60 is provided between the chilled water chiller 18 and the regenerator 16. Hot air generated by the production of chilled water in the chilled water chiller 18 is sent to the regenerator 16 through the hot air flow path 60. The hot air flow path 60 is a component that supplies the hot air generated in the chilled water chiller 18 to the regenerator 16, and is an example of an exhaust gas supply section.

[0035] A cold air flow path 62 is provided between the hot water chiller 20 and the treatment machine 14. Cold air generated by the production of hot water in the hot water chiller 20 is sent to the treatment machine 14 through the cold air flow path 62. The cold air flow path 62 is a component that supplies the cold air generated in the hot water chiller 20 to the treatment machine 14, and is an example of an exhaust gas supply section.

[0036] FIG. 2 shows the internal configuration of the chilled water chiller 18. The chilled water chiller 18 has an evaporator 72, a compressor 74, a condenser 76, an expansion valve 78, and a fan 80 housed within a housing 70. The evaporator 72, the compressor 74, the condenser 76, and the expansion valve 78 are connected by a circulation path 82, which circulates a heat transfer fluid. Water supplied from an external source is cooled by heat exchange with the heat transfer fluid in the evaporator 72. This cooled water flows through the chilled water path 40 as chilled water and is sent from the chilled water chiller 18 to the chilled water coil 32 of the processing device 14. Inside the chilled water chiller 18, the heat transfer fluid vaporized in the evaporator 72 is compressed by the compressor 74 and sent to the condenser 76. In the condenser 76, the heat transfer fluid is cooled and condensed (liquefied) by cooling air generated by driving the fan 80. The expansion valve 78 then expands and cools the heat transfer fluid. The cooled heat transfer fluid is again subjected to heat exchange with water in the evaporator 72. Due to the characteristics of the heat pump, the exhaust air from the condenser 76 is at a higher temperature than the inlet air of the condenser 76, i.e., the outside air. In other words, the exhaust air from the condenser 76 is warm air that has been heated by heat exchange with the heat transfer fluid. This warm air is sent to the suction port of the regenerator 16 through the warm air flow path 60 by driving the fan 80.

[0037] FIG. 3 shows the internal configuration of the hot water chiller 20. The hot water chiller 20 has an evaporator 92, a compressor 94, a condenser 96, an expansion valve 98, and a fan 100 housed within a housing 90. The evaporator 92, the compressor 94, the condenser 96, and the expansion valve 98 are connected by a circulation path 102, which circulates a heat transfer fluid. Water supplied from the outside is heated by heat exchange with the heat transfer fluid in the condenser 96. This heated water flows through the hot water path 42 as hot water and is sent from the hot water chiller 20 to the hot water coil 52 of the regenerator 16. Inside the hot water chiller 20, the heat transfer fluid is cooled and condensed (liquefied) in the condenser 96. Then, in the expansion valve 98, this heat transfer fluid is cooled by expansion. The cooled heat transfer fluid is evaporated in the evaporator 72. Due to the characteristics of the heat pump, the exhaust air from the evaporator 92 is at a lower temperature than the inlet air of the evaporator 92, i.e., the outside air. In other words, the exhaust air from the evaporator 92 is cold air that has been cooled by heat exchange with the heat transfer fluid. This cold air is sent to the inlet of the processor 14 through the cold air flow path 62 by driving the fan 100. The heat transfer fluid vaporized in the evaporator 92 is compressed by the compressor 94 and sent to the condenser 96 again.

[0038] The chiller structure 104 shown in Fig. 4 or the chiller structure 106 shown in Fig. 5 can be used as the chilled water chiller 18 or the hot water chiller 20 of this embodiment. Note that either the chiller structure shown in Fig. 4 or the chiller structure 106 shown in Fig. 5 can be applied to both the chilled water chiller 18 and the hot water chiller 20.

[0039] In chiller structure 104 shown in Fig. 4, fan 80 is disposed on the outer surface of chiller body 108. By controlling the amount of exhaust air from fan 80, it is possible to maintain the temperature of the exhaust air (hot air generated by chilled water chiller 18 and cold air generated by hot water chiller 20) within a constant range. In other words, when the amount of exhaust heat from chilled water chiller 18 and hot water chiller 20 is constant, the exhaust temperature fluctuates only depending on the amount of exhaust air. Therefore, this configuration makes it possible to perform "constant exhaust heat temperature control" that maintains the exhaust heat temperature within a constant range by controlling the amount of exhaust air.

[0040] In the chiller structure 106 shown in FIG. 5 , the fan 80 is disposed on the outer surface of the chiller body 108, and a chamber 110 is attached further outward than the fan 80. The chamber 110 is equipped with a motor damper 112. The motor damper 112 can adjust the cross-sectional area through which the exhaust gas flows and branch the exhaust gas flow by changing the position of its blades using a motor (not shown). By branching the exhaust gas flow, the amount of exhaust gas required by the processor 14 or the regenerator 16 can be supplied to the processor 14 or the regenerator 16, respectively, while excess exhaust gas can be directed toward other areas. The motor damper 112 can also adjust the exhaust gas volume. In other words, even if the chiller body 108 does not have the function of controlling the exhaust gas volume, this configuration allows for "constant exhaust gas temperature control" to be performed, in which the exhaust gas temperature is maintained within a constant range, by controlling the exhaust gas volume with the chamber 110 and the motor damper 112.

[0041] FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the control device 146 in the humidity control device 12 of the first embodiment.

[0042] The control device 146 includes a processor 130, a memory 132, a storage 134, a communication device 138, a display 140, and a speaker 144. These elements of the control device 146 are communicatively connected to one another via a bus 142. The computer 128 is configured to include the processor 130, the memory 132, and the storage 134.

[0043] The storage 134 stores a program 136 for controlling the humidity of gas by the humidity control apparatus 12. The storage 134 also records the operation history of the humidity control apparatus 12 and various data.

[0044] The processor 130 is capable of executing various programs in the humidity control device 12 and controlling each element.

[0045] The memory 132 can temporarily store programs and various data as a working area.

[0046] The storage 134 is, for example, a read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SDD), etc., and stores various programs and various data. These programs include not only application programs but also an operating system.

[0047] Specifically, the processor 130 reads a program from the storage 134 and executes the program using the memory 132 as a working area.

[0048] In the computer 128, the processor 130 executes the control program in this manner, thereby performing various controls of the processor 14, the regenerator 16, the cold water chiller 18, and the hot water chiller 20, as shown in FIG.

[0049] The communication device 138 is a device that communicates with devices external to the humidity control apparatus 12. For communication, for example, wired connection standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark) and FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface), and wireless connection standards such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (registered trademark) are used. The communication device 138 is capable of communicating with, for example, a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor that are arranged external to the humidity control apparatus 12.

[0050] The display 140 outputs various types of information in the control device 146, such as various states of the humidity control device 12, as visual information on the screen. The display 140 may also serve as a touch panel that accepts input by touch operation from an operator. The input from the operator may include, for example, information on the temperature and humidity of the supply air from the treatment machine 14.

[0051] The speaker 144 outputs various information from the control device 146 as auditory information.

[0052] The control device 146 is not limited to the above-mentioned terminal devices such as smartphones and tablet terminals, as long as it has these functional parts. Furthermore, the above-mentioned functional parts may not be integrated, but may be configured as separate members or devices.

[0053] As described above, in the humidity control device 12 of the first embodiment, each of the elements of the processor 14 , the regenerator 16 , the cold water chiller 18 , and the hot water chiller 20 is controlled by the control device 146 .

[0054] Next, the operation of the humidity control device 12 and the humidity control method of the first embodiment will be described. The gas temperatures (Celsius degrees) and humidity (relative humidity) shown below are merely examples, and the operation of the humidity control device 12 in this embodiment is not limited to these temperatures and humidity.

[0055] First, before describing the operation of the humidity control apparatus 12 of this embodiment, the configuration and operation of a humidity control apparatus 162 of a comparative example shown in Fig. 7 will be described. Note that with respect to the humidity control apparatus 162 of the comparative example, elements, members, etc. that are similar to those of the humidity control apparatus 12 of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0056] The humidity control apparatus 162 of the comparative example does not have the cold air flow path 62 and hot air flow path 60 of the humidity control apparatus 12 of the first embodiment, and outside air is supplied to the processor 14 and the regenerator 16. For example, consider a case in which the processor 14 dehumidifies air at 35°C / 65% humidity to 23°C / 50% humidity and supplies the air to a space to be dehumidified. In this case, the outside air drawn into the processor 14 is cooled to 16.7°C / 95% humidity by the chilled water coil 32, and then dehumidified and heated by the gas-liquid contactor 26 to produce air at 23°C / 50% humidity, which is then supplied to the space to be dehumidified. In addition, the regenerator draws in outside air under the same conditions as the processor 14, heats it to 48°C / 32.8% humidity by the hot water coil 52, and then releases moisture and cools the same amount as the dehumidification amount of the gas-liquid contactor 26 of the processor 14, thereby increasing the concentration of the humidity control liquid and regenerating the humidity control liquid.

[0057] Figure 8 shows the behavior of the processor 14 on the psychrometric chart when the humidity control device 162 of the comparative example is operated under the above conditions, and Figure 9 shows the behavior of the regenerator 16 on the psychrometric chart when the humidity control device 162 of the comparative example is operated under the above conditions. In all of the psychrometric charts shown below, "OA" indicates outside air, and "SA" indicates supply air.

[0058] In the processor 14 of the humidity control apparatus 162 of the comparative example, the temperature and humidity of the outside air and the temperature and humidity of the supply air are determined, and target values ​​on the psychrometric chart are realized. Furthermore, in the regenerator 16 of the humidity control apparatus 162 of the comparative example, the target values ​​on the psychrometric chart are realized by releasing moisture and cooling in amounts equal to the amount of dehumidification in the processor 14. In this way, in the humidity control apparatus 162 of the comparative example, once the temperature and humidity of the outside air and the temperature and humidity of the supply air are determined, the temperature of the chilled water from the chilled water chiller 18 is determined to be, for example, 10°C, and the temperature of the hot water from the hot water chiller 20 is determined to be, for example, 55°C. Therefore, the energy efficiency of the humidity control apparatus 162 of the comparative example is constant.

[0059] In contrast, consider a case in which the humidity control apparatus 12 of the first embodiment supplies air similar to that of the humidity control apparatus 162 of the comparative example into a space to be dehumidified. In the humidity control apparatus 12 of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 , cold air from the hot water chiller 20 is sent to the processor 14 via the cold air flow path 62, and is humidity-controlled (dehumidified) by the processor 14. The temperature and humidity of the cold air are, for example, 28°C / 96.7%, which is higher than the temperature of the humidity control medium (23°C) but lower than the outside air (35°C). Therefore, the amount of energy consumed when cooling the air to be humidity-controlled in the chilled water coil 32 is small.

[0060] Furthermore, in the humidity control device 12 of the first embodiment, the hot air from the chilled water chiller 18 is sent to the regenerator 16 via the hot air flow path 60 and is used to regenerate the humidity control liquid in the regenerator 16. The temperature and humidity of the hot air are, for example, 43°C / 42.3%, which is higher than the temperature of the outside air (35°C). Therefore, the hot water coil 52 consumes less energy when heating the air.

[0061] Figure 10 shows the movement of the treatment machine 14 on the psychrometric chart when the humidity control device 12 of the first embodiment is operated under the above conditions, and Figure 11 shows the movement of the regenerator 16 on the psychrometric chart when the humidity control device 12 of the first embodiment is operated under the above conditions.

[0062] As can be seen from a comparison between Figures 8 and 10, when the treatment machine 14 is operated, the humidity control device 12 of the first embodiment has a smaller difference ΔH in specific enthalpy between the stage of supplying air to the treatment machine 14 and the stage of cooling in the cold water coil 32 and hot water coil 52 than the humidity control device 12 of the comparative example.

[0063] In this way, in the humidity control device 12 of the present embodiment, air that is cooler than the outside air is sent to the processor 14, thereby increasing the energy efficiency of the processor 14 compared to the humidity control device 162 of the comparative example.

[0064] Furthermore, as can be seen from a comparison between Figures 9 and 11, in the operation of the regenerator 16, the humidity control device 12 of the first embodiment has a smaller difference ΔH in specific enthalpy between the stage of introducing air into the regenerator 16 and the stage of heating in the cold water coil 32 and the hot water coil 52 than the humidity control device 12 of the comparative example.

[0065] In this way, in the humidity control device 12 of this embodiment, air that is hotter than the outside air is sent to the regenerator 16, and thus the energy efficiency of the regenerator 16 is higher than that of the humidity control device 162 of the comparative example.

[0066] In both the first embodiment and the comparative example, the processing capacity of the processor 14 and the processing capacity (air flow rate) of the regenerator 16 are both 14,000 m 3 / h.

[0067] In this case, in the humidity control device 162 of the comparative example, the outside air conditions were 35°C / 65% and the air volume was 14,000 m 3 / h of air is supplied at 23°C / 50%, the loads on the cold water chiller 18 and the hot water chiller 20 are 231.5 kW and 63.5 kW, respectively, and the power consumption of the humidity control device 162 is 75.2 kW.

[0068] In the first embodiment, the exhaust air volume (exhaust air volume) of the cold water chiller 18 and the hot water chiller 20 is, for example, 50,000 m 3 / h. This exhaust air volume is sufficiently larger than the air volume of the processor 14 and the regenerator 16, so the temperature and humidity conditions of the exhaust air from the cold water chiller 18 and the hot water chiller 20 essentially become the temperature and humidity conditions of the intake air of the processor 14 and the regenerator 16.

[0069] In the humidity control device 12 of the first embodiment, the exhaust temperatures of the cold water chiller 18 and the hot water chiller 20 are set to 43°C / 42.3% and 28°C / 96.7%, respectively, and the outdoor air conditions are set to 35°C / 65% and the air volume is set to 14,000 m as in the comparative example. 3 When the processor 14 supplies 197.2 kW / h of air at 23°C / 50%, the loads on the cold water chiller 18 and the hot water chiller 20 are 197.2 kW and 24.4 kW, respectively, and the power consumption of the humidity control device 12 is 56.7 kW. In other words, the humidity control device 12 of the first embodiment has a power consumption reduction effect of approximately 25% compared to the humidity control device 162 of the comparative example.

[0070] In the first embodiment and the comparative example, when the settings of the temperature and humidity of the supply air to the treatment machine 14 are changed, the temperature of the chilled water in the chilled water chiller 18 and the temperature of the hot water in the hot water chiller 20 may also be changed. For example, when the temperature and humidity of the supply air to the treatment machine 14 are changed to 26°C / 50%, the loads of the chilled water chiller 18 and the hot water chiller 20 in the humidity control device 162 of the comparative example are 196.4 kW and 66.8 kW, respectively, and the power consumption of the humidity control device 162 is 64.6 kW.

[0071] In the humidity control apparatus 12 of the first embodiment, if the temperature and humidity of the supply air to the processor 14 are set to 26°C / 50% as described above, the conditions for adjusting the humidity-control target air by the chilled water coil 32 are 19.2°C / 95%, as shown in FIG. 13 . As shown in FIG. 12 , the conditions for cooling the humidity-control target air by the chilled water coil 32 are relaxed, so the chilled water temperature is relaxed to 12°C. Furthermore, the conditions for adjusting the air by the hot water coil 52 are 48.6°C / 31.7%, as shown in FIG. 14 . In this case, the loads on the chilled water chiller 18 and the hot water chiller 20 are 162.1 kW and 27.6 kW, respectively, and the power consumption of the humidity control apparatus 12 is 46.4 kW. That is, when the temperature and humidity of the supply air to the processor 14 are changed to 26°C / 50%, as described above, the humidity control apparatus 12 of the first embodiment reduces power consumption by, for example, approximately 28% compared to the humidity control apparatus 162 of the comparative example.

[0072] In the first embodiment of the humidity control device 12, if the heat quantity of the exhaust air from the cold water chiller 18 and the hot water chiller 20 is constant, two patterns can be considered: (1) the exhaust air temperature is kept within a certain range and the exhaust air volume is adjusted, and (2) the exhaust air volume is kept within a certain range and the exhaust air temperature is left to its natural state without any special adjustment.

[0073] For example, when the temperature of the outside air increases, the load on the hot water chiller 20 decreases. In this case, in pattern (2), the temperature of the cold air from the hot water chiller 20 increases. This increases the load on the chilled water chiller 18, which cools the air to be conditioned using the chilled water coil 32 in the treatment machine 14. In contrast, in pattern (1), the temperature of the cold air from the hot water chiller 20 is maintained within a constant range, so an increase in the energy consumption of the chilled water chiller 18 can be suppressed.

[0074] Furthermore, when the temperature of the outside air drops, the load on the chilled water chiller 18 decreases. In this case, in pattern (2), the temperature of the hot air from the chilled water chiller 18 drops. This increases the load on the hot water chiller 20, which heats the air using the hot water coil 52 in the regenerator 16. In contrast, in pattern (1), the temperature of the hot air from the chilled water chiller 18 is maintained within a constant range, so an increase in the energy consumption of the hot water chiller 20 can be suppressed.

[0075] In this way, when the amount of heat exhausted from the cold water chiller 18 and the hot water chiller 20 changes due to changes in the outside air temperature, etc., the energy consumption of the cold water chiller 18 and the hot water chiller 20 can be reduced by adopting or not adopting "constant heat exhaust temperature control" for the cold water chiller 18 and the hot water chiller 20.

[0076] The "constant exhaust heat temperature control" of the cold water chiller 18 and the hot water chiller 20 can be realized by the chiller structure 104 configured as shown in FIG. 4 or the chiller structure 106 configured as shown in FIG.

[0077] 15 shows a flow of chilled water chiller control for controlling the chilled water chiller 18 from the above viewpoint. This chilled water chiller control is executed, for example, by the processor 130 in the control device 146 shown in FIG. 6 according to a predetermined program.

[0078] In step S102, the processor 130 acquires the temperature and humidity of the outside air. The temperature and humidity of the outside air are acquired, for example, at predetermined sampling intervals. The temperature and humidity of the outside air can be acquired, for example, by receiving measurement data from an external thermometer and hygrometer.

[0079] Also, in step S102, the processor 130 changes the supply air temperature and humidity set values ​​of the regenerator 16. The supply air temperature and humidity set values ​​are changed each time a change to these values ​​is input, for example, from the touch panel of the display 140. Therefore, if no change to the set values ​​is input, the supply air temperature and humidity set values ​​set at that stage are maintained.

[0080] In step S104, the processor 130 calculates the increase in energy consumption (ΔW1) when the chilled water chiller 18 performs constant exhaust heat temperature control.

[0081] In step S106, the processor 130 calculates the amount of reduction in energy consumption (ΔW2) of the hot water chiller 20 when the temperature of the intake air in the regenerator 16 increases.

[0082] In step S108, processor 130 determines whether the absolute value of (ΔW1) calculated in step S104 is smaller than the absolute value of (ΔW2) calculated in step S106.

[0083] If the determination in step S108 is affirmative, the processor 130 proceeds to step S110 and adopts constant exhaust heat temperature control of the chilled water chiller 18. That is, since the absolute value of (ΔW1) is smaller than the absolute value of (ΔW2), adopting constant exhaust heat temperature control can reduce the energy consumption of the regenerator 16. Then, the process returns to step S102.

[0084] If the determination in step S108 is negative, the processor 130 proceeds to step S112 and does not adopt constant exhaust heat temperature control of the chilled water chiller 18. That is, since the absolute value of (ΔW1) is greater than the absolute value of (ΔW2), not adopting constant exhaust heat temperature control can reduce the energy consumption of the regenerator 16. Then, the process returns to step S102.

[0085] The above is the flow when controlling the chilled water chiller 18 in the humidity control apparatus 12 of the first embodiment. In contrast, Fig. 16 shows the flow of hot water chiller control when controlling the hot water chiller 20 in the humidity control apparatus 12 of the first embodiment. Like the chilled water chiller control, this hot water chiller control is also executed in accordance with a predetermined program by the processor 130 in the control device 146 shown in Fig. 6, for example.

[0086] In step S202, the processor 130 acquires the temperature and humidity of the outside air. As in step S102, the temperature and humidity of the outside air are acquired, for example, at predetermined sampling intervals. The temperature and humidity of the outside air can be acquired, for example, by receiving measurement data from an external thermometer and hygrometer.

[0087] Also, in step S202, the processor 130 changes the supply air temperature and humidity set values ​​of the processing machine 14. The supply air temperature and humidity set values ​​are changed each time a change to these values ​​is input, for example, from the touch panel of the display 140. Therefore, if no change to the set values ​​is input, the supply air temperature and humidity set values ​​set at that stage are maintained.

[0088] In step S204, the processor 130 calculates the increase in energy consumption (ΔW1) when the hot water chiller 20 performs constant exhaust heat temperature control.

[0089] In step S206, the processor 130 calculates the reduction in energy consumption (ΔW2) of the chilled water chiller 18 when the temperature of the intake air in the processing machine 14 is reduced.

[0090] In step S108, processor 130 determines whether the absolute value of (ΔW1) calculated in step S204 is smaller than the absolute value of (ΔW2) calculated in step S206.

[0091] If the determination in step S208 is affirmative, the processor 130 proceeds to step S210 and adopts constant exhaust heat temperature control of the hot water chiller 20. That is, since the absolute value of (ΔW1) is smaller than the absolute value of (ΔW2), adopting constant exhaust heat temperature control can reduce the energy consumption of the processing machine 14. Then, the process returns to step S202.

[0092] If the determination in step S208 is negative, the processor 130 proceeds to step S212 and does not adopt constant exhaust heat temperature control of the hot water chiller 20. That is, since the absolute value of (ΔW1) is greater than the absolute value of (ΔW2), not adopting constant exhaust heat temperature control can reduce the energy consumption of the regenerator 16. Then, the processor 130 returns to step S102.

[0093] The above is the flow when controlling the hot water chiller 20 in the humidity control apparatus 12 of the first embodiment. Whether controlling the cold water chiller 18 or the hot water chiller 20, there is an effect of suppressing energy consumption in the humidity control apparatus 12. Furthermore, even when controlling either the cold water chiller 18 or the hot water chiller 20, there is an effect of reducing energy consumption in the humidity control apparatus 12 compared to when this control is not performed.

[0094] Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the same elements, members, etc. as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0095] As shown in Figure 17, the humidity control apparatus 212 of the second embodiment has a processor 14, a regenerator 16, and a cold water chiller 18, similar to the humidity control apparatus 12 of the first embodiment. However, unlike the humidity control apparatus 12 of the first embodiment, it does not have a hot water chiller 20 (see Figure 1).

[0096] In the humidity control device 212 of the second embodiment configured as described above, the hot air from the chilled water chiller 18 is supplied to the regenerator 16 and used to regenerate the humidity control liquid in the regenerator 16. The temperature and humidity of this hot air are, for example, 43°C / 42.3%, which is higher than the temperature of the outside air (35°C). Therefore, the energy load when heating the air in the hot water coil 52 is reduced.

[0097] Figure 18 shows the movement of the treatment machine 14 on the psychrometric chart when the humidity control device 212 of the second embodiment is operated under the same conditions as the first embodiment, and Figure 19 shows the movement of the regenerator 16 of the humidity control device 212 of the second embodiment on the psychrometric chart.

[0098] The behavior of the regenerator 16 on the psychrometric chart is compared between Fig. 18, which shows the second embodiment, and Fig. 9, which shows the comparative example. In the regenerator 16, the humidity control device 212 of the second embodiment has a smaller difference ΔH in specific enthalpy between the stage of introducing air into the regenerator 16 and the stage of heating in the cold water coil 32 and hot water coil 52 than the humidity control device 12 of the comparative example.

[0099] In the humidity control device 212 of the second embodiment, the temperature of the exhaust air from the chilled water chiller 18 is set to 43°C / 42.3%, and the outdoor air conditions are set to 35°C / 65% and the air volume is set to 14,000 m as in the comparative example. 3 When supplying 1000 kJ / h of air at 23°C / 50%, the load on the chilled water chiller 18 is 24.4 kW, and the power consumption of the humidity control device 212 is 65.4 kW. In other words, the humidity control device 212 of the second embodiment has a power consumption reduction effect of approximately 13% compared to the humidity control device 162 of the comparative example.

[0100] In the humidity control device 212 of the second embodiment, the hot water supplied to the hot water coil 52 may be, for example, external waste hot water or may be supplied from an energy center or the like.

[0101] Next, a third embodiment will be described. In the third embodiment, the same elements, members, etc. as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0102] As shown in Figure 20, the humidity control apparatus 312 of the third embodiment has the same components as the humidity control apparatus 12 of the first embodiment: a processor 14, a regenerator 16, and a hot water chiller 20. However, unlike the humidity control apparatus 12 of the first embodiment, it does not have the cold water chiller 18 (see Figure 1).

[0103] In the humidity control device 312 of the third embodiment configured as described above, the cold air from the hot water chiller 20 is supplied to the processor 14 and used to control the humidity of the air in the processor 14. The temperature and humidity of this cold air are, for example, 28°C / 96.7%, which is lower than the temperature of the outside air (35°C). Therefore, the energy load when cooling the air in the chilled water coil 32 is reduced.

[0104] Figure 21 shows the movement of the treatment unit 14 on the psychrometric chart when the humidity control device 312 of the third embodiment is operated under the same conditions as the first embodiment, and Figure 22 shows the movement of the regenerator 16 of the humidity control device 312 of the third embodiment on the psychrometric chart.

[0105] The movement of the treatment machine 14 on the psychrometric chart is compared between Fig. 21, which shows the third embodiment, and Fig. 8, which shows the comparative example. In the treatment machine 14, the humidity control device 312 of the third embodiment has a smaller difference ΔH in specific enthalpy between the stage of introducing air into the treatment machine 14 and the stage of cooling in the chilled water coil 32 than the humidity control device 12 of the comparative example.

[0106] In the humidity control device 312 of the third embodiment, the temperature of the exhaust air from the hot water chiller 20 is set to 28°C / 96.7%, and the outdoor air conditions are set to 35°C / 65% and the air volume is set to 14,000 m as in the comparative example. 3 When supplying 197.2 kW / h of air at 23°C / 50%, the load on the hot water chiller 20 is 197.2 kW, and the power consumption of the humidity control device 312 is 66.4 kW. In other words, the humidity control device 312 of the third embodiment has a power consumption reduction effect of approximately 12% compared to the humidity control device 162 of the comparative example.

[0107] In the humidity control device 312 of the third embodiment, the cold water to the cold water coil 32 may be supplied from, for example, an external energy center or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 12 Humidity control device 14 Processing machine 16 Recycler 18 Chilled water chiller 20 Hot water chiller 26 Gas-liquid contactor 28 Distributor 30 Liquid tank 32 Chilled water coil 34 Fans 36 Distribution channel 38 Distribution Pump 40 Cold water flow path 42 Hot water flow path 46 Gas-liquid contactor 48 Distributor 50 Liquid tank 52 Hot water coil 54 Fans 56 Distribution channel 58 Distribution Pump 60 Hot air flow path 62 Cold air flow path 104 Chiller Structure 106 Chiller Structure 212 Humidity control device 312 Humidity control device

Claims

1. a gas-liquid contact section that brings a humidity-control target gas into contact with a humidity-control liquid to control the humidity of the humidity-control target gas and change the concentration of the humidity-control liquid; an exhaust gas supply unit that supplies exhaust gas having a temperature within a predetermined range generated by an air-cooled heat pump chiller to the gas-liquid contact unit as the humidity-control target gas; A humidity control device having the above structure.

2. The gas-liquid contact section is a processor that reduces the absolute humidity of the gas to be humidity-controlled by contacting the gas to be humidity-controlled with the humidity-control liquid; 2. The humidity control device according to claim 1, further comprising: a regenerator that increases the concentration of the humidity control liquid by contacting the gas to be humidity-controlled with the humidity control liquid.

3. The humidity control apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the exhaust gas supply unit supplies, to the regenerator, warm air generated by a first chiller serving as the air-cooled heat pump chiller supplying cold water to the processor.

4. The humidity control apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the exhaust gas supply unit supplies, to the treatment machine, cool air generated by a second chiller serving as the air-cooled heat pump chiller supplying hot water to the regenerator.

5. bringing the gas to be humidified and the humidity-conditioning liquid into contact with each other in a gas-liquid contact section to adjust the humidity of the gas to be humidified and to change the concentration of the humidity-conditioning liquid; supplying exhaust gas having a temperature within a predetermined range generated by an air-cooled heat pump chiller to the gas-liquid contact section as the gas to be humidity-controlled; A humidity control method comprising:

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