Total heat exchange element

Abstract

In a total heat exchange element 1, a plurality of partition members partition between a first flow path layer and a second flow path layer which are alternately stacked. A plurality of space keeping members are disposed in the first flow path layer and the second flow path layer, respectively, and keep a space between the plurality of partition members. Each space keeping member has a plurality of porous layers stacked in the thickness direction of each space keeping member. Each porous layer is composed of a porous material. The porous material is a material obtained by mixing pulp and a resin, or paper. In each space keeping member, at least two layers, among the plurality of layers, are different from each other in porosity.

Description

Total heat exchange element

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a total heat exchange element.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a total heat exchange element in which flow path forming members, each having a plurality of flow paths through which intake-side air flows, and flow path forming members, each having a plurality of flow paths through which exhaust-side air flows, are alternately stacked to perform heat exchange between the intake-side air and the exhaust-side air. In each flow path forming member, a corrugated spacing member is bonded to a planar member. This forms a plurality of flow paths between the spacing member and the planar member. Both the spacing member and the planar member are made of paper.

[0003] Each flow path forming member has a window portion with a partition membrane stretched therethrough. In each flow path forming member, air from multiple flow paths merges into the window portion. As a result, heat exchange occurs between the intake side air and the exhaust side air via the partition membrane at the window portions of adjacent flow path forming members.

[0004] At least one surface of the spacing member is coated with a reinforcing layer made of a thermoplastic resin, which improves the strength of the spacing member in each flow path forming member and makes the flow paths in each flow path forming member less likely to collapse.

[0005] Patent No. 5610777

[0006] In the conventional total heat exchange element disclosed in Patent Document 1, when heat exchange occurs between the intake air and the exhaust air, condensation may occur due to the temperature difference between the intake air and the exhaust air. The condensed water is absorbed by each flow path forming member made of paper.

[0007] However, in the conventional total heat exchange element disclosed in Patent Document 1, the volume of each flow path forming member is reduced by forming the window portion, which significantly reduces the water absorption function of the flow path forming member, and as a result, the flow path forming member is unable to absorb all of the condensed water, which may cause some of the condensed water to leak out of the total heat exchange element or cause the flow paths of the flow path forming member to be blocked by the condensed water.

[0008] The present disclosure is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide a total heat exchange element that can suppress a decrease in the water absorption function of the spacing member while ensuring the strength of the spacing member.

[0009] The total heat exchange element according to the present disclosure comprises a plurality of partition members separating alternatingly stacked first and second flow path layers, and a plurality of spacing members arranged in each of the first and second flow path layers and maintaining the spacing between the plurality of partition members, wherein a first air flow path surrounded by the partition members and spacing members is formed in the first flow path layer, and a second air flow path surrounded by the partition members and spacing members is formed in the second flow path layer, each spacing member has a plurality of porous layers stacked in the thickness direction of the spacing member, each porous layer being made of a porous material, which is a material made of a mixture of pulp and resin, or paper, and wherein in each spacing member, at least two of the plurality of porous layers have different porosities.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the water absorption function of the spacing member while ensuring the strength of the spacing member.

[0011] It is a perspective view showing the total heat exchange element according to the first embodiment. It is a cross-sectional view showing the partition members and the spacing member when the first flow path layer is cut in a plane perpendicular to the X direction in Fig. 1. It is a cross-sectional view showing the main part of the total heat exchange element according to the second embodiment.

[0012] The following describes embodiments of the subject matter of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing, identical or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are appropriately simplified or omitted. Note that the subject matter of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and any component of the embodiments may be modified or omitted within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure.

[0013] Embodiment 1. In this embodiment, a blower device is described that supplies outdoor air into a room as intake air and exhausts indoor air to the outdoors as exhaust air. The blower device is equipped with a total heat exchanger that exchanges sensible heat and latent heat between the intake air and the exhaust air. The total heat exchanger has a total heat exchange element. In the total heat exchanger, the intake air and the exhaust air pass through the total heat exchange element, thereby exchanging sensible heat and latent heat between the intake air and the exhaust air. This makes it possible to replace indoor air with outdoor air while suppressing changes in the temperature and humidity of the indoor air.

[0014] 1 is a perspective view showing a total heat exchange element according to embodiment 1. In the total heat exchange element 1, first flow path layers 2 and second flow path layers 3 are alternately stacked. In the total heat exchange element 1, the stacking direction of the first flow path layers 2 and the second flow path layers 3 is defined as the Z direction. The total heat exchange element 1 is arranged so that the Z direction coincides with the vertical direction. In addition, in the total heat exchange element 1, two directions perpendicular to each other in a plane perpendicular to the Z direction are defined as the X direction and the Y direction.

[0015] A plurality of first airflow paths 21 are formed in the first flow path layer 2. A plurality of second airflow paths 31 are formed in the second flow path layer 3. When the total heat exchange element 1 is viewed along the Z direction, the first airflow paths 21 and the second airflow paths 31 intersect with each other. In this embodiment, the first airflow paths 21 are formed in the first flow path layer 2 along the X direction, and the second airflow paths 31 are formed in the second flow path layer 3 along the Y direction. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the total heat exchange element 1 is viewed along the Z direction, the first airflow paths 21 and the second airflow paths 31 are perpendicular to each other.

[0016] Supply air from the outdoors to the indoors flows through each first airflow path 21 as a first airflow 10. Exhaust air from the indoors to the outdoors flows through each second airflow path 31 as a second airflow 20.

[0017] The total heat exchange element 1 has a plurality of partition members 4 and a plurality of spacing members 5. The total heat exchange element 1 has a structure in which the partition members 4 and the spacing members 5 are alternately stacked in the Z direction. The spacing members 5 are joined to the partition members 4 via joints 6.

[0018] Each partition member 4 is a flat plate perpendicular to the Z direction. The multiple partition members 4 are arranged at intervals in the Z direction. The first flow path layer 2 and the second flow path layer 3 are space layers formed between the multiple partition members 4. The partition members 4 separate the first flow path layers 2 and the second flow path layers 3 that are adjacent to each other.

[0019] A moisture absorbent is added to the partition member 4. The moisture absorbent absorbs moisture in the air, for example, by deliquescence. This allows the partition member 4 to have a moisture-absorbing function that absorbs moisture in the air. Materials that can be used to form the partition member 4 include a mixture of pulp and resin, paper, resin, and metal foil. The moisture absorbent added to the partition member 4 is a water-soluble moisture absorbent such as an alkali metal salt or alkaline earth metal salt. An example of an alkali metal salt used as a moisture absorbent is lithium chloride. An example of an alkaline earth metal salt used as a moisture absorbent is calcium chloride. However, the moisture absorbent is not limited to these, and any water-soluble and hygroscopic substance can be used as the moisture absorbent for the partition member 4.

[0020] The spacing members 5 are disposed between the plurality of partition members 4. As a result, the spacing members 5 are disposed on each of the first flow path layer 2 and the second flow path layer 3. The spacing members 5 maintain the spacing between the plurality of partition members 4.

[0021] Each spacing member 5 has a corrugated sheet shape with alternating peaks and valleys. The cross-sectional shape of each spacing member 5 may be a curved wave, rectangular wave, triangular wave, or other shape. The peaks and valleys of each spacing member 5 are connected to the partition members 4 located on both sides of the spacing member 5 via joints 6. A water-based adhesive, for example, is used for each joint 6.

[0022] In each first flow path layer 2, spaces surrounded by the partition members 4 and the spacing members 5 are formed as a plurality of first airflow paths 21. Each first airflow path 21 is formed along the peaks and valleys of the spacing members 5 arranged in the first flow path layer 2.

[0023] In each second flow path layer 3, spaces surrounded by the partition members 4 and the spacing members 5 are formed as a plurality of second airflow paths 31. Each second airflow path 31 is formed along the peaks and valleys of the spacing members 5 arranged in the second flow path layer 3.

[0024] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the partition member 4 and the spacing member 5 when the first flow path layer 2 is cut in a plane perpendicular to the X direction in Fig. 1. Each spacing member 5 disposed on the first flow path layer 2 and the second flow path layer 3 has a first exposed layer 51 and a second exposed layer 52.

[0025] The first exposed layer 51 and the second exposed layer 52 are two porous layers stacked in the thickness direction of the spacing member 5. Therefore, the spacing member 5 has a two-layer structure in which the first exposed layer 51 and the second exposed layer 52 are stacked. In the spacing member 5 arranged on the first flow path layer 2, the first exposed layer 51 and the second exposed layer 52 are each exposed to the first airflow path 21. In the spacing member 5 arranged on the second flow path layer 3, the first exposed layer 51 and the second exposed layer 52 are each exposed to the second airflow path 31.

[0026] In the present embodiment, the first exposed layer 51 overlaps the upper surface of the second exposed layer 52 in the spacing member 5. The thicknesses of the first exposed layer 51 and the second exposed layer 52 may be different from each other or may be the same as each other.

[0027] Each of the first exposed layer 51 and the second exposed layer 52 is made of a porous material. The porous material is a material in which a plurality of pores are dispersed. A material made of a mixture of pulp and resin, or paper, is used as the porous material making up each of the first exposed layer 51 and the second exposed layer 52. This allows each of the first exposed layer 51 and the second exposed layer 52 to have a water absorption function.

[0028] The porosities of the first exposed layer 51 and the second exposed layer 52 are different from each other. The porosity of a porous layer is the ratio of the total volume of a plurality of pores to the entire volume of the porous layer. In this embodiment, the porosity of the first exposed layer 51 is higher than the porosity of the second exposed layer 52. Therefore, in this embodiment, the amount of water that can be absorbed by the first exposed layer 51 is greater than the amount of water that can be absorbed by the second exposed layer 52. That is, in this embodiment, the water absorption function of the first exposed layer 51 is higher than the water absorption function of the second exposed layer 52. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the porosity of the first exposed layer 51 is higher than the porosity of the second exposed layer 52, and therefore the density of the porous material in the second exposed layer 52 is higher than the density of the porous material in the first exposed layer 51. Therefore, in this embodiment, the strength of the second exposed layer 52 is higher than the strength of the first exposed layer 51, and a decrease in strength due to water absorption in the second exposed layer 52 is suppressed more than a decrease in strength due to water absorption in the first exposed layer 51.

[0029] The first exposed layer 51 and the second exposed layer 52 are bonded to each other via an adhesive 53. In this embodiment, a water-solvent adhesive is used as the adhesive 53.

[0030] In the total heat exchange element 1, the first airflow 10 as supply air flows through each first airflow path 21, and the second airflow 20 as exhaust air flows through each second airflow path 31, thereby exchanging sensible heat and latent heat between the first airflow 10 and the second airflow 20 via the partition member 4. Latent heat is exchanged between the first airflow 10 and the second airflow 20 as moisture moves between the first airflow 10 and the second airflow 20 via the partition member 4. In the total heat exchange element 1, the partition member 4 is provided with a moisture absorption function, thereby improving the efficiency of latent heat exchange between the first airflow 10 and the second airflow 20. This, for example, suppresses a decrease in the efficiency of heating and cooling due to indoor air conditioning.

[0031] A total heat exchanger having a total heat exchange element 1 may be installed in an environment where there is a large temperature difference between a first airflow 10 serving as intake air and a second airflow 20 serving as exhaust air, such as in a cold region, a bathroom, or a heated swimming pool. In such an environment, for example, when the operation of the total heat exchanger is started in a situation where air conditioning is not performed indoors, condensation may occur on the total heat exchange element 1 due to the temperature difference between the first airflow 10 and the second airflow 20 when heat exchange occurs between the first airflow 10 and the second airflow 20. Furthermore, depending on outdoor weather conditions, the condition of the outside air intake, the condition of the air intake piping to the total heat exchanger, and the like, fog, rainwater, and the like may be supplied to the total heat exchange element 1 together with the intake air.

[0032] In these cases, water may increase in the total heat exchange element 1, causing the water to clog at least one of the first airflow path 21 and the second airflow path 31. If at least one of the first airflow path 21 and the second airflow path 31 is clogged with water, the airflows flowing through the first airflow path 21 and the second airflow path 31 may become uneven, potentially reducing the heat exchange efficiency of the total heat exchange element 1. Furthermore, if water increases in the total heat exchange element 1, there is a risk that the aqueous solution containing the moisture absorbent may leak out of the total heat exchange element 1 through the partition member 4. If the aqueous solution containing the moisture absorbent leaks out of the total heat exchange element 1, the aqueous solution may adhere to devices installed outside the total heat exchange element 1, causing problems such as metal corrosion and tracking in the electrical system.

[0033] In the present embodiment, water is absorbed into each of the first exposed layer 51 and the second exposed layer 52. This prevents water from clogging the first airflow path 21 and the second airflow path 31, and also prevents the aqueous solution containing the moisture absorbent from flowing out of the total heat exchange element 1.

[0034] On the other hand, if the first exposed layer 51 and the second exposed layer 52 each absorb water, the spacing member 5 may lose the strength necessary to maintain the spacing between adjacent partition members 4, and at least one of the first airflow path 21 and the second airflow path 31 may collapse. If at least one of the first airflow path 21 and the second airflow path 31 collapses, an imbalance may occur in the airflows flowing through the first airflow path 21 and the second airflow path 31, and the heat exchange efficiency of the total heat exchange element 1 may decrease.

[0035] In the present embodiment, the density of the porous material in the second exposed layer 52 is higher than the density of the porous material in the first exposed layer 51, and therefore the decrease in strength due to water absorption in the second exposed layer 52 is suppressed more than the decrease in strength due to water absorption in the first exposed layer 51. As a result, even if each of the first exposed layer 51 and the second exposed layer 52 absorbs water, the strength of the spacing member 5 is ensured, and the first airflow path 21 and the second airflow path 31 are prevented from collapsing.

[0036] In this total heat exchange element 1, the first exposed layer 51 and the second exposed layer 52 are laminated in the thickness direction of each spacing member 5. The porous material in each of the first exposed layer 51 and the second exposed layer 52 is a pulp and resin blend or paper. The porosity of the first exposed layer 51 and the second exposed layer 52 is different from each other. Therefore, for example, water generated in the total heat exchange element 1 due to condensation or the like can be absorbed by the first exposed layer 51 and the second exposed layer 52, respectively. This prevents a reduction in the water absorption range of each spacing member 5 and a decrease in the water absorption function of each spacing member 5. Furthermore, by making the porosity of the second exposed layer 52 lower than the porosity of the first exposed layer 51, the density of the porous material in the second exposed layer 52 can be made higher than the density of the porous material in the first exposed layer 51. This prevents a decrease in the strength of the second exposed layer 52 even if each of the first exposed layer 51 and the second exposed layer 52 absorbs water. Therefore, it is possible to ensure the strength of the spacing members 5 necessary to maintain the spacing between the partition members 4. In other words, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the water absorption function of each spacing member 5 while ensuring the strength of each spacing member 5.

[0037] In the first embodiment, a moisture absorbent may be added to the spacing member 5. In this way, when water absorbed in the partition member 4 due to deliquescence of the moisture absorbent moves from the partition member 4 to the spacing member 5, for example, it is possible to prevent the moisture absorbent in the partition member 4 from leaking into the spacing member 5. In this case, a water-soluble moisture absorbent similar to the moisture absorbent added to the partition member 4 may be added to each spacing member 5. In this case, the moisture absorbent is added to at least one of the first exposed layer 51, the second exposed layer 52, and the adhesive 53. When the moisture absorbent is added to the adhesive 53, a water-solvent-based adhesive impregnated with a chemical solution containing the moisture absorbent may be used as the adhesive 53.

[0038] Embodiment 2 Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a total heat exchange element according to embodiment 2. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Fig. 2 in embodiment 1. The configuration of the total heat exchange element according to this embodiment is the same as the configuration of the total heat exchange element 1 according to embodiment 1, except for the configuration of each spacing member 5.

[0039] Each spacing member 5 disposed on the first flow path layer 2 and the second flow path layer 3 has a first exposed layer 55 , an intermediate layer 56 , and a second exposed layer 57 .

[0040] The first exposed layer 55, the intermediate layer 56, and the second exposed layer 57 are three porous layers stacked in the thickness direction of the spacing member 5. The spacing member 5 has a three-layer structure in which the first exposed layer 55, the intermediate layer 56, and the second exposed layer 57 are stacked in this order. Therefore, the intermediate layer 56 is interposed between the first exposed layer 55 and the second exposed layer 57.

[0041] In the spacing member 5 arranged on the first flow path layer 2, the first exposed layer 55 and the second exposed layer 57 are exposed to the first airflow path 21. In the spacing member 5 arranged on the second flow path layer 3, the first exposed layer 55 and the second exposed layer 57 are exposed to the second airflow path 31.

[0042] In the present embodiment, in the spacing member 5, the intermediate layer 56 is overlapped on the upper surface of the second exposed layer 57, and the first exposed layer 55 is overlapped on the upper surface of the intermediate layer 56. The thickness of the intermediate layer 56 may be different from the thicknesses of the first exposed layer 55 and the second exposed layer 57. Furthermore, the thicknesses of the first exposed layer 55 and the second exposed layer 57 may be different from each other or may be the same as each other. Furthermore, the thicknesses of the first exposed layer 55, the intermediate layer 56, and the second exposed layer 57 may all be the same.

[0043] The first exposed layer 55, the intermediate layer 56, and the second exposed layer 57 are each made of a porous material. A mixture of pulp and resin, or paper, is used as the porous material making up the first exposed layer 55, the intermediate layer 56, and the second exposed layer 57. This allows the first exposed layer 55, the intermediate layer 56, and the second exposed layer 57 to have a water-absorbing function.

[0044] The porosity of each of the first exposed layer 55 and the second exposed layer 57 is higher than the porosity of the intermediate layer 56. Therefore, the amount of water that can be absorbed by the first exposed layer 55 is higher than the amount of water that can be absorbed by the intermediate layer 56. Furthermore, the amount of water that can be absorbed by the second exposed layer 57 is also higher than the amount of water that can be absorbed by the intermediate layer 56. That is, the water absorption function of each of the first exposed layer 55 and the second exposed layer 57 is higher than the water absorption function of the intermediate layer 56. The porosity of the first exposed layer 55 may be different from the porosity of the second exposed layer 57 or may be the same as the porosity of the second exposed layer 57. In this embodiment, the porosity of the first exposed layer 55 is the same as the porosity of the second exposed layer 57.

[0045] The density of the porous material in the intermediate layer 56 is higher than the density of the porous material in each of the first exposed layer 55 and the second exposed layer 57. Therefore, the strength of the intermediate layer 56 is higher than the strength of each of the first exposed layer 55 and the second exposed layer 57. Furthermore, the decrease in strength of the intermediate layer 56 due to water absorption is suppressed more than the decrease in strength of each of the first exposed layer 55 and the second exposed layer 57 due to water absorption.

[0046] Each of the first exposed layer 55 and the second exposed layer 57 is bonded to the intermediate layer 56 via an adhesive 53. In this embodiment, a water-solvent adhesive is used as the adhesive 53. The other configurations of the total heat exchange element 1 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0047] Water generated by condensation or the like in the total heat exchange element 1 is absorbed by the first exposed layer 55, the intermediate layer 56, and the second exposed layer 57. This prevents water from clogging the first airflow path 21 and the second airflow path 31, and also prevents the aqueous solution containing the moisture absorbent from leaking out of the total heat exchange element 1.

[0048] Furthermore, when each of the first exposed layer 55, the intermediate layer 56, and the second exposed layer 57 absorbs water, the decrease in strength due to water absorption in the intermediate layer 56 is suppressed more than the decrease in strength due to water absorption in each of the first exposed layer 55 and the second exposed layer 57. As a result, even if each of the first exposed layer 55, the intermediate layer 56, and the second exposed layer 57 absorbs water, the strength of the spacing member 5 is ensured, and collapse of the first airflow path 21 and the second airflow path 31 is prevented.

[0049] In this total heat exchange element 1, the intermediate layer 56 is interposed between the first exposed layer 55 and the second exposed layer 57. The porosity of each of the first exposed layer 55 and the second exposed layer 57 is higher than the porosity of the intermediate layer 56. Therefore, the water absorption function of each of the first exposed layer 55 and the second exposed layer 57 can be made higher than the water absorption function of the intermediate layer 56. This makes it easier for the first exposed layer 55 and the second exposed layer 57 to absorb water present around the spacing member 5. Therefore, water generated in the total heat exchange element 1 can be more reliably absorbed by the spacing member 5. Furthermore, the density of the porous material in the intermediate layer 56 can be made higher than the density of the porous material in each of the first exposed layer 55 and the second exposed layer 57. This prevents a decrease in the strength of the intermediate layer 56 even if each of the first exposed layer 55, the intermediate layer 56, and the second exposed layer 57 absorbs water. Therefore, the strength of the spacing member 5 required to maintain the spacing between the partition members 4 can be ensured.

[0050] In the second embodiment, a moisture absorbent may be added to the spacing member 5. In this case, when water absorbed in the partition member 4 due to deliquescence of the moisture absorbent moves from the partition member 4 to the spacing member 5, for example, the moisture absorbent in the partition member 4 can be prevented from leaking into the spacing member 5. In this case, a water-soluble moisture absorbent similar to the moisture absorbent added to the partition member 4 may be added to each spacing member 5. In this case, the moisture absorbent is added to at least one of the first exposed layer 55, the intermediate layer 56, the second exposed layer 57, and the adhesive 53. When the moisture absorbent is added to the adhesive 53, a water-solvent-based adhesive impregnated with a chemical solution containing the moisture absorbent may be used as the adhesive 53.

[0051] Furthermore, in the above-described first embodiment, the number of porous layers in the spacing member 5 is two, the first exposed layer 51 and the second exposed layer 52. In the above-described second embodiment, the number of porous layers in the spacing member 5 is three, the first exposed layer 55, the intermediate layer 56, and the second exposed layer 57. However, this is not limited thereto, and the number of porous layers in the spacing member 5 may be four or more. In this case, of the four or more porous layers in each spacing member 5, at least two of the porous layers have different porosities. This also allows water to be absorbed by each of the four or more porous layers, thereby suppressing a decrease in the water absorption function of the spacing member 5. Furthermore, among two porous layers having different porosities, the density of the porous material in one porous layer with a lower porosity can be made higher than the density of the porous material in the other porous layer with a higher porosity. This ensures that the strength of the spacing member 5 required to maintain the spacing between the partition members 4 can be maintained even if each porous layer absorbs water.

[0052] Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, a flame retardant may be added to the adhesive 53. In this case, a flame retardant function, which is a fire-retardant function, can be imparted to the adhesive 53, thereby making the total heat exchange element 1 less flammable. In this case, the flame retardant added to the adhesive 53 is a water-soluble flame retardant such as a guanidine salt or an inorganic salt. Guanidine salts and inorganic salts are substances that are often used to perform flame retardant and flame-proofing treatments on paper. Examples of guanidine salts used as flame retardants include guanidine hydrochloride, guanidine sulfate, and guanidine sulfamate. Examples of inorganic salts used as flame retardants include ammonium sulfamate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium sulfate, calcium chloride, and magnesium chloride.

[0053] In each of the above-described embodiments, both a moisture absorbent and a flame retardant may be added to the adhesive 53. In this way, the effects of both the moisture absorbent and the flame retardant can be obtained simultaneously.

[0054] In each of the above-described embodiments, the spacing between adjacent partition members 4 is maintained by a corrugated sheet-like spacing member 5. However, the shape of the spacing member 5 is not limited to a corrugated sheet shape. For example, the spacing between adjacent partition members 4 may be maintained by arranging a plurality of plate pieces as spacing members 5 on each of the first flow path layer 2 and the second flow path layer 3.

[0055] In each of the above-described embodiments, at least one of a moisture absorbent and a flame retardant may be added to the joint 6. That is, in each of the above-described embodiments, a moisture absorbent may be added to the joint 6, or a flame retardant may be added to the joint 6. In each of the above-described embodiments, both a moisture absorbent and a flame retardant may be added to the joint 6.

[0056] Adding a moisture absorbent to the joint 6 can prevent the moisture absorbent in the partition member 4 from flowing out into the spacing member 5 when water absorbed in the partition member 4 moves from the partition member 4 to the spacing member 5, just as when a moisture absorbent is added to the spacing member 5. A water-soluble moisture absorbent similar to the moisture absorbent added to the partition member 4 may be added to the joint 6.

[0057] Adding a flame retardant to the joints 6 can impart a flame retardant function to the joints 6, similar to the case where a flame retardant is added to the adhesive 53, thereby making the total heat exchange element 1 less flammable. A water-soluble flame retardant similar to the flame retardant added to the adhesive 53 may be added to the joints 6.

[0058] The configurations described in the above embodiments are merely examples of the contents of the present disclosure. The embodiments can be combined with other known technologies. Part of the configuration of the embodiments can be omitted or modified without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0059] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Total heat exchange element, 2 First flow path layer, 3 Second flow path layer, 4 Partition member, 5 Spacing member, 21 First air flow path, 31 Second air flow path, 51 First exposed layer (porous layer), 52 Second exposed layer (porous layer), 53 Adhesive, 55 First exposed layer (porous layer), 56 Intermediate layer (porous layer), 57 Second exposed layer (porous layer).

Claims

1. A total heat exchange element comprising: a plurality of partition members separating alternatingly stacked first flow path layers and second flow path layers; and a plurality of spacing members arranged on each of the first flow path layers and the second flow path layers and spacing the plurality of partition members, wherein a first air flow path surrounded by the partition members and the spacing members is formed in the first flow path layer; a second air flow path surrounded by the partition members and the spacing members is formed in the second flow path layer; the spacing members have a plurality of porous layers stacked in the thickness direction of the spacing member, each of the porous layers being made of a porous material, and the porous material being a mixture of pulp and resin, or paper; and wherein the porosity of at least two of the plurality of porous layers in the spacing member is different from each other.

2. A total heat exchange element according to claim 1, wherein the spacing member has the plurality of porous layers bonded to one another via an adhesive, and the adhesive contains a moisture absorbent.

3. A total heat exchange element according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the spacing member has the plurality of porous layers bonded to one another via an adhesive, and a flame retardant is added to the adhesive.

4. A total heat exchange element as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the spacing member has a first exposed layer, a second exposed layer, and an intermediate layer interposed between the first exposed layer and the second exposed layer, the first exposed layer, the second exposed layer, and the intermediate layer are the plurality of porous layers, and the porosity of each of the first exposed layer and the second exposed layer is higher than the porosity of the intermediate layer.

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