A method of additive manufacturing for desiccant wheel

Abstract

A method for manufacturing dehumidifying wheels using a layered process incorporates smart manufacturing techniques. It refines the viscosity of a special carbonized silicon slurry for layered manufacturing, increasing the slurry's workability. This allows for the production of wheel elements with diameters of 5-80 cm and thicknesses of 2-50 cm, achieving a pore density of 1-80 pores / cm², a porosity of 50%-90%, and a yield rate of 92%. The method also incorporates reinforcing ribs and structural mechanical strength. Through-hole types can be I-type (straight through-hole), Y-type (branched channel), V-type (converging channel), X-type (interlaced channel), or Z-type (bent channel), etc., with complex pore geometries designed according to gas flow requirements. This further enhances the gas flow efficiency and structural strength of the dehumidifying wheel. Layer-by-layer stacking creates the finished product, requiring minimal manufacturing processes and aligning with sustainable manufacturing trends.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a dehumidifying wheel using a stacking process, comprising at least the following steps: Step 1: Configuring the holes according to required hole sizes to determine the number of holes and selecting the required hole perforation type to generate a layer-by-layer stacking design drawing, wherein the hole perforation type is selected from type I (straight through-hole), type Y (branched channel), type V (converging channel), type X (interlaced channel), or type Z (bent channel); Step 2: Drawing a stacking diagram and appearance based on the layer-by-layer stacking design drawing to obtain an appearance drawing of the stacked dehumidifying wheel; Step 3: Inputting the appearance drawing of the stacked dehumidifying wheel and stacking parameters into the software of a stacking manufacturing printing machine, wherein the stacking parameters include speed parameters, filling parameters, and support parameters; Step 4: Prepare a layered silicon carbide slurry, homogenize it, and package it into the layering manufacturing printer. The layered silicon carbide slurry is purified and recycled from aluminum smelting waste or wafer cutting materials, and then mixed with a 1-10 wt% admixture at a ratio of 20-80 wt%. Step 5: After obtaining the layering parameters, the software of the layering manufacturing printer performs layer-by-layer stacking and heat treatment at 800-1200°C according to the layering parameters and the appearance drawing of the dehumidifying wheel. This process produces components or finished products of the dehumidifying wheel, increasing the production yield to 92%. The finished product is a rotating element with a diameter of 5-80 cm and a thickness of 2-50 cm, with a pore density of 1-80 pores / cm² and a porosity of 50%-90%.

2. The method for manufacturing a dehumidifying wheel by lamination as described in claim 1, wherein, The aluminum smelting waste or wafer cutting material is activated alumina, aluminum hydroxide, or silicon carbide.

3. The method for manufacturing a dehumidifying wheel by lamination as described in claim 1, wherein, The mixture is made of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), silicone, or other adhesives with film-forming and binding functions.

4. The method for manufacturing a dehumidifying wheel by lamination as described in claim 1, wherein, The shape of the molded part can be rectangular or circular.

5. The method for manufacturing a dehumidifying wheel by lamination as described in claim 1, wherein, The viscosity of this laminated carbonized silica slurry is controlled between 500 and 5000 centipoise (cP).

Images