Humidity control element and total heat exchange device

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a humidity control element and a total heat exchange device that are capable of sustaining moisture absorption performance. This humidity control element comprises a heat storage base material, and is characterized in that: the heat storage base material includes a humidity control material containing a humidity control component and a water absorption material; and the humidity control component is a deliquescent salt that forms a hydrate crystal in a humidity range of 40-60%.

Description

Humidity control element and total heat exchanger

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-44332, filed on March 21, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Various humidity control elements have been disclosed in the past.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 relates to a dehumidifier and a desiccant air conditioning system using the same, and discloses a system equipped with a dehumidifier characterized by being a mixture of a dehumidifying material for absorbing moisture and a heat storage material for storing heat.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-289258

[0005] However, in the device described in the above document, a heat storage material is mixed into the dehumidifier, which reduces the contact area of ​​the dehumidifier with the air. Since only the portion of the dehumidifier that is in contact with the air functions, the moisture absorption performance is reduced. Furthermore, when a phase-transition heat storage material is used as the heat storage material, it functions only near the phase transition temperature. Furthermore, due to supercooling, the crystallization temperature does not equal the melting temperature, but the crystallization temperature is lower than the melting temperature. Therefore, the temperature during moisture absorption and the temperature during regeneration must be set near the crystallization temperature and the melting temperature, respectively, making it difficult to respond to temperature changes due to the amount of moisture absorbed.

[0006] In view of the above problems, the present disclosure provides a humidity control element and a total heat exchanger that can maintain moisture absorption performance.

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure is a humidity control element comprising a heat storage substrate, wherein the heat storage substrate comprises a humidity control material containing a humidity control component and a water absorbent, and the humidity control component is a deliquescent salt that forms hydrate crystals in a humidity range of 40% to 60%.

[0008] A total heat exchange device according to another aspect of the present disclosure is characterized by comprising a humidity control element and an air blowing section that passes air through the humidity control element in a time-division manner in which the intake air and the exhaust air are switched in tandem.

[0009] As described above, according to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a humidity control element and a total heat exchanger that can maintain moisture absorption performance.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a humidity control element according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a front view of a heat storage substrate of the humidity control element shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is another example of the heat storage substrate shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is another example of the heat storage substrate shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is another example of the heat storage substrate shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a humidity conditioner. FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a humidity conditioner. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a sheet in which a humidity conditioner is dispersed in a binder. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a humidity conditioner. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the moisture absorption amount per unit weight of a humidity conditioner component at different humidity levels. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing adsorption isotherms of a humidity conditioner component (sodium formate) prepared under different conditions. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a humidity control element comprising a sealed layer and a layer of humidity conditioner in a heat storage substrate. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a humidity control element comprising a sealed capsule and a layer of humidity conditioner in a heat storage substrate. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a total heat exchanger according to the present disclosure.

[0011] Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below do not unduly limit the content of the present disclosure described in the claims, and not all of the configurations described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the present disclosure. Note that in the drawings, the X axis is the airflow direction, the Y axis is the width direction, and the Z axis is the height direction.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a perspective view that schematically shows a humidity control element 100 according to the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 1, the humidity control element 100 according to the present disclosure includes a heat storage substrate 10. The heat storage substrate 10 also includes a humidity control material 20 that includes a humidity control component 22 and a water absorbent material 21. The humidity control component 22 is characterized by being a deliquescent salt that forms hydrate crystals in a humidity range of 40% to 60%.

[0013] The humidity control element 100 is installed indoors, etc. The humidity control element 100 may also be installed in an opening for an air conditioner (an opening for connecting a drain, a refrigerant pipe, a power supply, etc. to the outdoor unit side).

[0014] The humidity control element 100 is used in a house, a building, an automobile, etc. The humidity control element 100 is not limited to being installed in a house, a building, an automobile, etc., but may also be installed at a boundary such as a wall separating a space.

[0015] The heat storage substrate 10 is preferably made of a porous material with a large surface area and a large specific heat, such as ceramics such as alumina, mullite, or cordierite, or nonwoven fabric made of paper or fiber, to facilitate heat exchange.

[0016] The heat storage substrate 10 may include a sensible heat section and a latent heat section. The term "sensible heat section" refers to a heat exchanger primarily having a temperature exchange function, and the term "latent heat section" refers to a heat exchanger primarily having a humidity exchange function. The sensible heat section and the latent heat section are arranged in series in the air blowing direction. The sensible heat section and the latent heat section may be arranged apart from each other with a gap between them. The sensible heat section and the latent heat section may also be arranged on the left and right sides of the heat storage substrate 10, or on the top and bottom. The volumes of the sensible heat section and the latent heat section may be adjusted as appropriate. Furthermore, a humidity control component 22 may be provided in the latent heat section.

[0017] The heat storage substrate 10 cools high-temperature, high-humidity air, for example, by exchanging sensible heat, thereby changing the temperature and humidity of the air. The humidity-conditioning material 20 carried on the heat storage substrate 10 then absorbs moisture, changing the temperature and humidity of the air. In this way, efficient heat exchange can be achieved between the heat storage substrate 10 and the humidity-conditioning material 20 carried on the heat storage substrate 10.

[0018] In order to achieve the desired temperature and humidity, the amount of the humidity conditioner 20 supported on the heat storage substrate 10 and the method of supporting the humidity conditioner 20 are adjusted as appropriate.

[0019] The heat storage substrate 10 can be a cylindrical shape as shown in Fig. 1 or a prismatic (block) shape. The cylindrical shape has high thermal resistance in the same direction within the plane of a circle, while the prismatic (block) shape has high thermal resistance in different directions within a square plane.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a front view of the heat storage substrate 10 of the humidity control element 100 shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the heat storage substrate 10 preferably has a honeycomb structure. This increases the surface area of ​​the heat storage substrate 10, allowing it to come into efficient contact with circulating air, and further improving the moisture absorption and desorption efficiency.

[0021] An example of a honeycomb structure is a honeycomb with an opening of Φ100 to 200 mm, a length of 50 to 150 mm, a material of mullite, a cross-sectional shape of a hexagon, and a cell count of 20 to 60 (cell / inch). 2 ) The substrate heat capacity is 1060 J / K.

[0022] The heat storage substrate 10 may also have a rectangular structure as shown in Fig. 3, a triangular structure as shown in Fig. 4, or a wavy structure as shown in Fig. 5. In this way, the surface area of ​​the heat storage substrate 10 is increased, allowing efficient contact with circulating air, and further improving the moisture absorption and desorption efficiency.

[0023] The heat storage substrate 10 preferably has an opening ratio of 50 to 80% when viewed from the front of the heat storage substrate 10. In this way, equivalent performance can be obtained with a heat capacity of about 30% of the heat capacity taking into account heat generation due to moisture absorption, and the surface area of ​​the heat storage substrate 10 is increased, allowing for efficient contact with circulating air, thereby further improving moisture absorption and desorption efficiency.

[0024] The humidity conditioner 20 provided in the heat storage substrate 10 has a humidity control function by absorbing or releasing moisture. The humidity conditioner 20 will be described below.

[0025] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a humidity-conditioning material 20. As shown in FIG. 6, the humidity-conditioning material 20 includes a water-absorbent material 21 containing a resin and / or a clay mineral, and a humidity-conditioning liquid 22, which is a humidity-conditioning component 22 that absorbs or releases moisture and has a humidity-conditioning function. The humidity-conditioning liquid 22 is impregnated into the water-absorbent material 21. Depending on the humidity of the environment in which the humidity-conditioning material 20 is placed, the humidity-conditioning material 20 absorbs and absorbs moisture contained in the air of the location, or releases moisture contained in the humidity-conditioning material 20 into the air to humidify the air. The humidity-conditioning liquid 22 may be impregnated not only into the water-absorbent material 21, but also into a support 23 that supports the humidity-conditioning material 20 (water-absorbent material 21). The support 23 will be described later. The water-absorbent material 21 may include at least one selected from the group consisting of a water-absorbent resin and a clay mineral.

[0026] The humidity conditioner 20 may be in the form of powder, particles, or blocks, or may be used by supporting the resin on a breathable substrate so as to be in efficient contact with air.

[0027] The water absorbent material 21 has the function of retaining the humidity-conditioning liquid 22. Because the water absorbent material 21 retains the humidity-conditioning liquid 22, it is possible to realize the humidity-conditioning material 20 having a high ratio of surface area to volume. This makes it possible to increase the rate at which moisture is absorbed or released. Therefore, it is possible to provide the humidity-conditioning material 20 with a high humidity-conditioning rate.

[0028] The water-absorbing material 21 is preferably a water-absorbing resin (particles, powder). This allows the water-absorbing material 21 to be suitably impregnated with the humidity-conditioning liquid 22, further enhancing the humidity-conditioning effect. Specific examples of water-absorbing resin materials include ionic resins and non-ionic resins. Examples of ionic resins include alkali metal salts of polyacrylic acid and starch-acrylate graft polymers. Examples of alkali metal salts of polyacrylic acid include sodium polyacrylate. Examples of non-ionic resins include vinyl acetate copolymers, maleic anhydride copolymers, polyvinyl alcohol, and polyalkylene oxides. Metal salt components are more preferably those that form hydrate crystals within a predetermined humidity range, thereby promoting rapid moisture absorption and desorption with a specific humidity range as a threshold.

[0029] The humidity-conditioning liquid 22 is a salt (a deliquescent substance) that absorbs moisture from the air. In addition, it is preferable that the humidity-conditioning liquid 22 contains a polyhydric alcohol. In this way, the humidity-conditioning effect can be further enhanced.

[0030] Specific examples of polyhydric alcohols include at least one selected from the group consisting of glycerin, propanediol, butanediol, pentanediol, trimethylolpropane, butanetriol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, and lactic acid, and among these, polyhydric alcohols having three or more hydroxyl groups, such as glycerin, are more preferably used. The polyhydric alcohol may form a dimer or a polymer.

[0031] Deliquescent substances are classified into salts and water-soluble organic substances. Specific examples of salts include metal salts, such as sodium formate, potassium formate, ammonium formate, sodium acetate, potassium acetate, lithium acetate, ammonium acetate, sodium lactate, potassium lactate, sodium benzoate, potassium benzoate, sodium propionate, potassium propionate, calcium chloride, lithium chloride, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, lithium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, zinc chloride, aluminum chloride, lithium bromide, calcium bromide, potassium bromide, sodium hydroxide, sodium pyrrolidone carboxylate, potassium carbonate, calcium citrate, sodium citrate, potassium citrate, lithium citrate, and sodium nitrate. The salts are not limited to metal salts, and may be, for example, ammonium nitrate. Only one of these salts may be contained, or two or more may be contained. Among these, sodium formate, potassium formate, sodium acetate, potassium acetate, and potassium carbonate, which absorb and release a large amount of moisture per weight, are preferred. Specific examples of water-soluble organic substances include sugars such as sucrose, pullulan, glucose, xylol, fructose, mannitol, and sorbitol, carboxylic acids such as citric acid, and amides such as urea.

[0032] The amount of the humidity-conditioning liquid 22 relative to the water-absorbing material 21 is preferably 1 part by weight or more and 1,000 parts by weight or less relative to 100 parts by weight of the water-absorbing material 21. In this way, the amounts of the water-absorbing material 21 and the humidity-conditioning liquid 22 become appropriate, and the humidity-conditioning function can be further improved. In addition, the water-absorbing material 21 is preferably in a powder or granular form.

[0033] Fig. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating a humidity conditioner 20. As shown in Fig. 7, the humidity conditioner 20 (water-absorbing material 21) may be supported on a support 23. Alternatively, the support 23 may be impregnated with water.

[0034] The humidity control element 100 is formed by applying the humidity conditioner 20 to the heat storage substrate 10 or by immersing the heat storage substrate 10 in a liquid containing the humidity conditioner 20, thereby impregnating the heat storage substrate 10 with the humidity conditioner 20. Alternatively, the humidity conditioner 20 is formed by adding a water-absorbing resin to a humidity-conditioning liquid, stirring, and swelling the liquid to prepare a viscous slurry of the humidity conditioner. The slurry can also be applied by impregnation to the latent heat portion 12 of the heat storage substrate 10, dried, and fixed.

[0035] FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating another form of the humidity conditioner 20, and is a cross-sectional view of a sheet in which a binder (support 23) is placed between water absorbents 24, and the humidity conditioner 20 is dispersed in the binder. As shown in FIG. 8, the humidity conditioner 20 (water-absorbing material 21) may be supported on the support 23. The water absorbent 24 may also contain the water-absorbing material 21. The support 23 may also be impregnated with moisture. A material containing the humidity conditioner 20 as shown in FIG. 8 may be provided in the latent heat portion 12.

[0036] It is also preferable to select the most suitable support 23 for supporting the humidity-conditioning material 20 depending on the application. If a large moisture absorption / desorption capacity is desired for the purpose of humidity control, a material that can retain the humidity-conditioning liquid 22 by wetting it is preferable. For example, it is made of hydrophilic fibers such as porous materials, nonwoven fabrics, and woven fabrics. In particular, nonwoven fabrics with high water vapor permeability are preferable. The support 23 may also contain a binder.

[0037] The carrier 23 may be in the form of a sheet, and may be formed into various shapes such as a flat plate, pleated plate, or honeycomb shape as described above. For example, a sheet material may first be formed into a wave (fluted) shape using a corrugator, and then the sheet may be bonded to a flat liner made of the same or a different material using an adhesive to form an integrated structure. The carrier 23 may also be flexible. The carrier 23 may be deformable. In other words, the carrier 23 may be capable of being held in any shape (such as a bent shape or a curved shape).

[0038] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic diagram of the humidity conditioner 20. As shown in Fig. 9, the humidity conditioner 20 may be supported on a support 23, held in a water absorbent 24, and provided in the latent heat section 12. In this way, the area in contact with air increases, improving the humidity control function.

[0039] The water absorbent body 24 may include the water absorbent material 21. The water absorbent body 24 may be in the form of powder, granules, or a sheet.

[0040] In addition to the above, the humidity conditioner 20 may be made of B-type silica gel, polymeric sorption material, or the like.

[0041] Furthermore, assuming that the humidity-conditioning component 22 contains the above-mentioned metal salt, other components may be added as additives to adjust the crystallization threshold humidity. Examples include other metal salts, polyhydric alcohols, or materials that act as nucleating materials for hydrate crystals. Specific examples of each generating material include carboxylic acids having two or more carboxyl groups and amides having two or more amide groups. The above-mentioned substances may be used as the carboxylic acids. The crystallization threshold humidity is the threshold humidity at which the humidity-conditioning material 20 may crystallize when the humidity is low.

[0042] Note that "humidity control" means adjusting the relative humidity to approach a predetermined humidity range. Specifically, for example, if 50% RH is the predetermined relative humidity, the humidity control material 20 absorbs (absorbs) moisture when the relative humidity is higher than 50% RH, and releases (desorbs) moisture when the relative humidity is lower than 50% RH. Typically, the predetermined relative humidity range correlates with the material and moisture content of the humidity control material 20. Specifically, for example, the predetermined relative humidity range correlates with the moisture content in the humidity control liquid 22.

[0043] FIG. 10 is a graph showing the moisture absorption amount per unit weight of the humidity-controlling component 22 at various humidity levels. As shown in FIG. 10, the moisture absorption amount per unit weight of the humidity-controlling component 22 used in the humidity-controlling element 100 of the present disclosure increases rapidly in the humidity range of 40% to 60%. This is because the humidity-controlling component 22 used in the humidity-controlling element 100 of the present disclosure is a deliquescent salt that forms hydrate crystals in the humidity range of 40% to 60%. Therefore, the humidity-controlling component 22 used in the humidity-controlling element 100 is characterized as a deliquescent salt that forms hydrate crystals in the humidity range of 40% to 60%. This prevents a decrease in moisture absorption performance due to a temperature rise caused by the heat of adsorption of the humidity-controlling material 20 generated during water vapor adsorption, thereby maintaining moisture absorption performance and resolving the temperature rise of the intake air (increased thermal load). The deliquescent salt used in the humidity-controlling element 100 of the present disclosure is as described above.

[0044] The humidity control component 22 used in the humidity control element 100 may also be a deliquescent salt that forms hydrate crystals in the humidity range of 50% to 70%, or 55% to 65%.

[0045] Since hydrate crystals have a small hydration energy, the heat of dissolution is endothermic. Therefore, if the humidity-conditioning component exists as a hydrate crystal during moisture absorption, the humidity-conditioning material 20 absorbs moisture and generates heat, and the humidity-conditioning component 22 of the humidity-conditioning material 20 is diluted by the absorbed water, thereby absorbing heat. In this way, the heat of dissolution (endothermic) alleviates the heat generated by the heat of adsorption.

[0046] Taking sodium formate as an example of the humidity-conditioning component 22, the value of the heat of dissolution during endothermic absorption is −5 to 20 KJ / mol. If the amount of sodium formate (molecular weight 68.01) impregnated is 22 g (0.32 mol), the heat of dissolution is −20 KJ / mol, and dissolution begins with about half of the hydrate crystals, the amount of heat absorbed during moisture absorption is 3,200 J.

[0047] Fig. 11 shows adsorption isotherms when the humidity-conditioning component 22 is sodium formate under different preparation conditions. In detail, Fig. 11 shows the adsorption rate versus regulated humidity when 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 hydrates are prepared for sodium formate concentrations ranging from 19 wt% to 50 wt%. When the humidity-conditioning component 22 is sodium formate, the difference in adsorption rate during crystallization versus regulated humidity is presumably due to the formation of different hydrates due to competitive reactions.

[0048] The water-absorbing material 21 included in the humidity-conditioning material 20 is preferably a water-absorbing resin with weak surface cross-linking. When the water-absorbing material 21 retains the humidity-conditioning component 22, a water-absorbing resin material that does not maintain its particle shape but becomes a viscous liquid is used. The particle size of the water-absorbing resin is preferably 10 to 100 μm. Smaller particle sizes of the water-absorbing resin significantly facilitate diffusion of the humidity-conditioning component 22 into the interior of the humidity-conditioning material 20. The water-absorbing material 21 is preferably a polymer having carboxyl groups or amino groups. This provides the effects of inhibiting nucleation growth of hydrate crystals and promoting nucleation. Furthermore, the increase in viscosity (gelation) due to ionic substituents and bound water (retained water) inhibits the growth of hydrate crystals. As a result, nucleation is prioritized, and the resulting finer crystals have the effects of accelerating and uniforming crystallization and dissolution.

[0049] The heat storage substrate 10 is preferably a substrate having a heat capacity that compensates for the heat capacity deficiency that is offset, and as mentioned above, is preferably a ceramic honeycomb structure, for example.

[0050] When the heat storage substrate 10 has a ceramic honeycomb structure and dimensions of Φ143 mm x 150 mm, the required heat amount calculated from the heat generation amount is 13,800 J / K (sensible heat efficiency 80%, latent heat efficiency 80%), but the same efficiency is obtained with an element heat capacity of 1,245 J / K, and the required heat capacity is significantly reduced compared to conventional methods.

[0051] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a humidity control element 100 comprising a heat storage substrate 10, a sealed layer 30, and a layer 34 of humidity control material 20. As shown in FIG. 12, the humidity control element 100 preferably comprises a sealed layer 30 containing a layer 32 of humidity control component 22 and a layer 34 of humidity control material 20 formed on the sealed layer 30. By providing the layer 32 of humidity control component 22 in the sealed layer 30, the air 33 does not become a mixed gas of water vapor, maintaining the equilibrium humidity of the humidity control material 20. Furthermore, by providing the layer 32 of humidity control component 22 in the sealed layer 30, the humidity control material 20 maintains its equilibrium humidity. Furthermore, when the humidity control material 20 becomes hot due to moisture absorption, its vapor pressure increases in an attempt to maintain equilibrium humidity, generating heat of vaporization (cooling). On the other hand, when the humidity control material 20 becomes cold due to moisture release, its vapor pressure decreases, generating heat of condensation (heating), which works to offset the ambient heat. This reduces the apparent required heat capacity, enabling the element to be made smaller and lighter. Furthermore, when a separate layer is provided, the structure becomes similar to that of introducing a phase change heat storage material.

[0052] The sealing layer 30 may be provided on the surface of the heat storage substrate 10. The sealing layer 30 or the layer 34 of the humidity conditioner 20 may be included in the heat storage substrate 10, or may be formed separately from the heat storage substrate 10 on the surface of the heat storage substrate 10. Furthermore, a structure may be used in which the heat storage substrate 10, the layer 34 of the humidity conditioner 20, the sealing layer 30, and the layer 34 of the humidity conditioner 20 are laminated in this order.

[0053] The sealing layer 30 uses a container 35 so as to enclose and seal the humidity-conditioning component layer 32 and the air layer 33. The container 35 may be made of metal. The humidity-conditioning material 20 and humidity-conditioning component 22 used here are made of the above-mentioned materials.

[0054] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing a humidity control element 100 comprising a heat storage substrate 10, a sealed capsule 31, and a layer 34 of humidity control material 20. As shown in Fig. 13, the humidity control element 100 preferably comprises a sealed capsule 31 containing a humidity control component 22 and air 33, and a layer 34 of humidity control material 20 covering the surface of the sealed capsule 31. The sealed capsule 31 may be provided on the surface of the heat storage substrate 10.

[0055] The sealed capsule 31 uses a spherical container 35 so as to enclose and seal the layers of the humidity control component 22 and air 33. The container 35 may also be made of metal.

[0056] 14 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a total heat exchanger 1000 according to the present disclosure. The total heat exchanger 1000 according to the present disclosure includes the humidity control element 100 described above, an air blower 200 that blows air to the humidity control element 100, and a tubular member 300 that houses them.

[0057] The blower 200 is composed of a fan, a motor, etc. The blower 200 passes air through the humidity control element 100 in a time-division manner, in which air intake and exhaust are switched in tandem. The blower 200 blows air, for example, in one direction, through the humidity control element 100. In this manner, moisture is absorbed or released depending on the relative humidity of the circulating air, thereby suppressing fluctuations in the relative humidity of the outflowing air. For example, when the inflowing air has a higher humidity than the equilibrium humidity of the humidity control material 20, the humidity control material 20 can provide dry air by absorbing moisture. When the inflowing air has a lower humidity than the equilibrium humidity of the humidity control material 20, the humidity control material 20 can provide humid air by releasing moisture.

[0058] There are no limitations on the material of the cylindrical member 300 as long as it can accommodate the humidity control element 100 and the blower section 200. The cylindrical member 300 is preferably made of metal in order to improve the efficiency of heat exchange.

[0059] As described above, the humidity control element 100 and the total heat exchanger 1000 according to the present disclosure can maintain moisture absorption performance.

[0060] Although each embodiment and each example of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications are possible without substantially departing from the novel features and effects of the present disclosure. Therefore, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0061] For example, a term described at least once in the specification or drawings together with a different term having a broader or equivalent meaning can be replaced with that different term anywhere in the specification or drawings. Furthermore, the configurations and operations of the humidity control element and total heat exchange device are not limited to those described in the embodiments and examples of the present disclosure, and various modifications are possible.

Claims

1. A humidity-conditioning element comprising a heat storage substrate, wherein the heat storage substrate comprises a humidity-conditioning material containing a humidity-conditioning component and a water-absorbing material, and wherein the humidity-conditioning component is a deliquescent salt that forms hydrate crystals in a humidity range of 40% to 60%.

2. The humidity control element according to claim 1, wherein the water-absorbing material is a water-absorbing resin having weak surface cross-linking.

3. The humidity control element according to claim 2, wherein the water-absorbing material is a polymer having a carboxyl group or an amino group.

4. The humidity control element according to claim 2, wherein the heat storage substrate has an opening ratio of 50 to 80% when viewed from the front.

5. The humidity control element according to claim 1, wherein the heat storage substrate has a ceramic honeycomb structure.

6. The humidity control element according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises: a sealed layer containing a layer of the humidity control component and a layer of air; and a layer of the humidity control material formed on the sealed layer.

7. The humidity control element according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises: a sealed capsule provided on the surface of the heat storage substrate and containing the humidity control component and air; and a layer of the humidity control material covering the surface of the sealed capsule.

8. The humidity control element according to claim 1, wherein the humidity control component is at least one selected from the group consisting of sodium formate, sodium acetate, and sodium propionate.

9. The humidity control element according to claim 6, wherein the sealing layer is provided on the surface of the heat storage substrate.

10. A total heat exchange device comprising: a humidity control element according to any one of claims 1 to 9; and an air blower that passes air through the humidity control element in a time-division manner, with intake and exhaust air switched in tandem.

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