Air handling unit

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to air handling units comprising a dual rotor system, process and regeneration air circuits, and a heat pump system arranged to transport heat from the process air circuit directly or indirectly to the regeneration air circuit.

Description

[0001] AIR HANDLING UNIT

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to energy efficiency in air handling units, in particular dual rotor air handling units.

[0004] BACKGROUND ART

[0005] Air handling units for air purification, such as air handling units for removal of carbon dioxide from the air, have many passive and powered components that operate in tandem to process the air. The complex interplay of the passive and powered components of the air handling unit may lead to inefficient power usage. There is thus a need in the art for air handling units with improved energy efficiency.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An objective of the present disclosure is to provide an energy efficient air handling unit.

[0008] The present disclosure relates to an air handling unit, AHU comprising a first rotor comprising a desiccant material and a second rotor comprising a carbon dioxide capture material. The AHU further comprises a process air circuit configured to conduct process air through a first process sector of the first rotor and a downstream second process sector of the second rotor. The AHU also comprises a regeneration air circuit configured to conduct regeneration air through a second regeneration sector of the second rotor and a downstream first regeneration sector of the first rotor. The AHU additionally comprises a first heater configured to heat the regeneration air downstream of the second rotor and upstream of the first rotor, and a second heater configured to heat the regeneration air upstream of the second rotor. The AHU further comprises a heat pump system. The heat pump system comprises a first evaporator configured to cool the process air upstream of the first rotor, a second evaporator configured to cool the process air upstream of the second rotor, and at least one condenser. The heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the first and second evaporator via the at least one condenser to the regeneration air upstream of the first heater and / or to purge air of a first purge air circuit downstream of the first rotor. The first purge air circuit is configured to conduct the purge air through a purge sector of the first rotor. The first purge air circuit is connected to the regeneration air circuit upstream of the first rotor. The first purge air circuit is configured to collect the purge air from the process air upstream of the first rotor.

[0009] Process air, regeneration air and purge air are considered known within the technical field of air handling units and the purpose of such airflows will not be described in more detail herein.

[0010] The desiccant and carbon capture systems of the AHU are thereby thermally connected via the heat pump system and the total energy expenditure of the AHU can thereby be optimized due to the energy transport provided by the heat pump system of the AHU.

[0011] The second rotor is arranged downstream of the first rotor in the process air circuit and the first rotor is arranged downstream of the second rotor in the regeneration air circuit.

[0012] According to some examples, the first and second evaporator are both connected to a common first condenser, wherein the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the first and second evaporator to the regeneration air upstream of the first heater and / or the purge air of the first purge air circuit via the first condenser.

[0013] Connecting both evaporators to a common condenser saves a lot of components. The heat pump system can be implemented as a single heat pump with two evaporators connected to the common first condenser.

[0014] According to some examples, the heat pump system comprises a first condenser and second condenser, wherein the first evaporator is connected to the first condenser and the second evaporator is connected to the second condenser.

[0015] With two condensers, heat can be transported to two different locations, which greatly increases the flexibility of the system to handle different scenarios of high vs low humidity and / or temperature of the process air fed into the AHU. According to some examples, the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the first evaporator to the regeneration air upstream of the first heater via the first condenser, and the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the second evaporator to the purge air of the first purge air circuit via the second condenser.

[0016] According to some examples, the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the first evaporator to the purge air of the first purge air circuit via the first condenser, and the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the second evaporator to the regeneration air upstream of the first heater via the second condenser.

[0017] According to some examples, the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the first evaporator to the regeneration air upstream of the first heater via the first condenser, and the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the second evaporator to the regeneration air upstream of the first condenser via the second condenser.

[0018] According to some examples, the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the first evaporator to the regeneration air upstream of the first heater via the first condenser, and the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the second evaporator to the regeneration air downstream of the first condenser via the second condenser.

[0019] According to some examples, the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the first evaporator to the purge air of the first purge air circuit via the first condenser, and the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the second evaporator to the purge air of the first purge air circuit upstream of the first condenser via the second condenser.

[0020] According to some examples, the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the first evaporator to the purge air of the first purge air circuit via the first condenser, and the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the second evaporator to the purge air of the first purge air circuit downstream of the first condenser via the second condenser. According to some examples, the AHU further comprises a control circuitry configured to control at least one air quality parameter relating to the amount of carbon dioxide present in the process air downstream of the second rotor by controlling at least one operational parameter of the first heater, the second heater and the heat pump system.

[0021] According to some examples, the AHU further comprises a second purge air circuit configured to conduct purge air through a purge sector of the second rotor and to collect the purge air from the process air downstream of the second rotor and connect to the regeneration air circuit upstream of the second heater.

[0022] According to some examples, the AHU further comprises a third purge air circuit configured to conduct purge air through a purge sector of the second rotor and to collect the purge air from the process air downstream of the second rotor and connect to the regeneration air circuit downstream of the second rotor.

[0023] According to some examples, the AHU further comprises a fourth purge air circuit configured to conduct purge air through a purge sector of the second rotor and to collect the purge air from the process air upstream of the second rotor and connect to the regeneration air circuit upstream of the second heater.

[0024] According to some examples, the AHU further comprises a fifth purge air circuit configured to conduct purge air through a purge sector of the second rotor and to collect the purge air from the process air upstream of the second rotor and connect to the regeneration air circuit downstream of the second rotor.

[0025] According to some examples, the AHU further comprises a sixth purge air circuit configured to conduct purge air through a first purge sector in a first direction through the first rotor, and through a second purge sector in a second direction through the first rotor, wherein the first direction is opposite to the second direction.

[0026] According to some examples, the AHU further comprises a seventh purge air circuit configured to conduct purge air through a first purge sector in a first direction through the second rotor, and through a second purge sector in a second direction through the second rotor, wherein the first direction is opposite to the second direction. The term upstream, when used in relation to a first component at an air circuit, means upstream of the first component and downstream of any component upstream of the first component. For instance, upstream of the first heater (which is arranged at the regeneration air circuit) also implies downstream of the second rotor.

[0027] Likewise, the term downstream, when used in relation to a second component at an air circuit, means downstream of the second component and upstream of any component downstream of the second component. For instance, downstream of the first rotor along the process air circuit means downstream of the first rotor and upstream of the second rotor. Similarly, downstream of the second rotor along the regeneration air circuit means downstream of the second rotor and upstream of the first heater.

[0028] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figures 1 a and 1 b schematically illustrate an air handling unit according to examples of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 1 c schematically illustrates an air handling unit according to examples of the present disclosure; and

[0031] Figures 2a-2h schematically illustrate a heat pump system according to examples of the present disclosure.

[0032] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Figures 1 a and 1 b schematically illustrate an air handling unit, AHU, 100a-b according to examples of the present disclosure and Figure 1 c schematically illustrates further examples AA-AC, BA-BG of the disclosed air handling unit 100a-b.

[0034] The AHU comprises a first rotor 110 comprising a desiccant material and a second rotor 120 comprising a carbon dioxide capture material.

[0035] The AHU further comprises a process air circuit S1 configured to conduct process air through a first process sector z1 a of the first rotor 110 and a downstream second process sector z1 b of the second rotor 120. The AHU also comprises a regeneration air circuit S2 configured to conduct regeneration air through a second regeneration sector z2b of the second rotor 120 and a downstream first regeneration sector z2a of the first rotor 110.

[0036] Each rotor 110, 120 is configured to rotate about a central axis. Each rotor is configured to rotate in respective first and second rotational directions r1 , r2. For illustrative purposes, the first and second rotational directions r1 , r2 are depicted as rotating in the same direction, clockwise when viewed in the same direction as the flow of the process air of the process air circuit S1 . It should be noted however that the rotational directions can be going in the opposite direction of what is illustrated in the Figures herein. Moreover, the rotational directions may be configured to rotate in opposite directions.

[0037] As the rotors rotate, different portions of the respective rotors will overlap with any purge sector and / or the process and regeneration sectors described herein, with the sector overlap order being determined by the rotational directions. The rotational directions r1 , r2 will therefore have an impact on the technical effects of purge circuits as described below, in particular with the relative placement of a purge sector with respect to any other purge sector and / or the process and regeneration sectors described herein. The relative placement of purge sectors of one or more purge air circuits are thus arranged in relation to the rotational direction of the respective rotor, which will be illustrated further below.

[0038] The AHU additionally comprises a first heater 130a configured to heat the regeneration air downstream of the second rotor 120 and upstream of the first rotor 110. The first heater 130a is thus arranged in the regeneration air circuit S2 downstream of the second rotor 120 and upstream of the first rotor 110.

[0039] The AHU further comprises a second heater 130b configured to heat the regeneration air upstream of the second rotor 120. The second heater 130b is thus arranged in the regeneration air circuit S2 upstream of the second rotor 120.

[0040] The AHU also comprises a heat pump system. The heat pump system comprises a first evaporator E1 configured to cool the process air upstream of the first rotor 110, and a second evaporator E2 configured to cool the process air upstream of the second rotor 120

[0041] The heat pump system further comprises at least one condenser C1 , C2. The heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the first and second evaporator E1 , E2 via the at least one condenser C1 , C2 to the regeneration air upstream of the first heater 130a and / or to purge air of a first purge air circuit S3 downstream of the first rotor 110.

[0042] If present, the first purge air circuit S3 is configured to conduct the purge air through a purge sector z3 of the first rotor 110. The first purge air circuit S3 is connected to the regeneration air circuit S2 upstream of the first rotor 110. The first purge air circuit S3 is configured to collect the purge air from the process air upstream of the first rotor 110.

[0043] The heat pump system thereby thermally connects the dehumidification portion and the carbon dioxide removal portion of the system via the process air circuit S1 and the regeneration air circuit S2. The heat pump system enables energy optimization of the AHU energy expenditure by transporting heat from the process air circuit S1 to the regeneration air circuit S2 in a manner that enables optimal energy usage will respect to incoming process air temperature and humidity and carbon dioxide levels. In other words, the heat pump system enables simultaneous energy optimization of the water removal step and carbon dioxide removal step, thereby improving energy efficiency compared to separate energy optimization for the water removal step and carbon dioxide removal step. The heat pump system enables heat to be shared efficiently between the process and regeneration air circuits.

[0044] According to some examples, the first and second evaporator E1 , E2 are both connected to a common first condenser C1 , wherein the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the first and second evaporator E1 , E2 to the regeneration air upstream of the first heater 130a and / or the purge air of the first purge air circuit S3 via the first condenser C1.

[0045] This can be implemented as a single heat pump comprising two evaporators connected to the common condenser C1 , as will be illustrated further in relation to Figures 2a and 2b, below. The use of a single, common condenser significantly reduces the need for additional components and thereby reduces cost and complexity of the resulting AHU.

[0046] According to some examples, the heat pump system comprises a first condenser C1 and second condenser C2, wherein the first evaporator E1 is connected to the first condenser C1 and the second evaporator E2 is connected to the second condenser C2. With two condensers, the heat collected at the evaporators when cooling the process air can be efficiently distributed to separate places of the regeneration air circuit S2 or the first purge air circuit S3, depending on the air taken in as process air to the AHU as well as the desired objective(s) of the AHU.

[0047] For instance, if the process air coming in to the AHU has a high humidity, this places a greater burden on the first rotor 110 and the temperature of the regeneration air going into to first rotor 110. Depending on the humidity and the capability of compressors of the heat pump system to raise the temperature of the fluid used to transport heat, one or more condensers may be configured to transfer heat directly to the process air upstream of the first heater 130a.

[0048] If the process air coming in to the AHU is relatively dry and at low temperature, as is the case in some direct air capture, DAC, scenarios in cold and dry climates, e.g. Iceland, at least some of the captured heat may be better used by heating purge air of the first purge air circuit S3. Consequently, at least one condenser may be configured to transfer heat to the purge air of the first purge air circuit S3.

[0049] According to some examples, the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the first evaporator E1 to the regeneration air upstream of the first heater 130a via the first condenser C1 , and to transfer heat from the second evaporator E2 to the purge air of the first purge air circuit S3 via the second condenser C2, as illustrated further below in Fig. 2c.

[0050] According to some examples, the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the first evaporator E1 to the purge air of the first purge air circuit S3 via the first condenser C1 , and to transfer heat from the second evaporator E2 to the regeneration air upstream of the first heater 130a via the second condenser C2, as illustrated further below in Fig. 2f.

[0051] According to some examples, the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the first evaporator E1 to the regeneration air upstream of the first heater 130a via the first condenser C1 , and to transfer heat from the second evaporator E2 to the regeneration air upstream of the first condenser C1 via the second condenser C2, as illustrated further below in Fig. 2d.

[0052] According to some examples, the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the first evaporator E1 to the regeneration air upstream of the first heater 130a via the first condenser C1 , and to transfer heat from the second evaporator E2 to the regeneration air downstream of the first condenser C1 via the second condenser C2, as illustrated further below in Fig. 2e.

[0053] According to some examples, the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the first evaporator E1 to the purge air of the first purge air circuit S3 via the first condenser C1 , and to transfer heat from the second evaporator E2 to the purge air of the first purge air circuit S3 upstream of the first condenser C1 via the second condenser C2, as illustrated further below in Fig. 2h.

[0054] According to some examples, the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the first evaporator E1 to the purge air of the first purge air circuit S3 via the first condenser C1 , and to transfer heat from the second evaporator E2 to the purge air of the first purge air circuit S3 downstream of the first condenser C1 via the second condenser C2, as illustrated further below in Fig. 2g.

[0055] The air handling unit may further comprise a control circuitry 180 configured to control at least one air quality parameter relating to the amount of carbon dioxide present in the process air downstream of the second rotor 120 by controlling at least one operational parameter of the first heater 130a, the second heater 130b and the heat pump system.

[0056] In addition to the physical layout of the AHU, the energy efficiency can be further optimized by simultaneous control of the first heater 130a, the second heater 130b and the heat pump system. In some examples, the at least one operational parameter comprises a PID parameter of the first heater 130a, the second heater 130b and / or the heat pump system. According to some examples, the at least one operational parameter comprises at least one set point for the first heater 130a, the second heater 130b and / or the heat pump system. The control circuitry 180 can be further configured to control the rotational speed of the first and / or second rotor 110, 120. According to some aspects, the control circuitry is further configured to control at least one fan configured to control an air flow of the process air circuit, the regeneration air circuit and / or the first purge air circuit.

[0057] The rotors 110, 120 of the air handling unit may be configured with different purge air circuitry, which is illustrated further in relation to Figure 1c. Purge air circuit configurations AA-AC relate to examples of purge air circuits and their respective purge sectors that can be arranged at the first rotor 110 in addition to the process air circuit S1 and the first process sector z1a of the first rotor 110.

[0058] Purge air circuit configuration AA illustrates examples wherein the AHU comprises a first purge air circuit S3 configured to conduct the purge air through a purge sector z3 of the first rotor 110. The first purge air circuit S3 is connected to the regeneration air circuit S2 upstream of the first rotor 110. The first purge air circuit S3 is configured to collect the purge air from the process air upstream of the first rotor 110.

[0059] Purge air circuit configuration AB illustrates examples wherein the air handling unit further comprises a sixth purge air circuit S5 configured to conduct purge air through a first purge sector z5a in a first direction through the first rotor 110, and through a second purge sector z5b in a second direction through the first rotor 110, wherein the first direction is opposite to the second direction.

[0060] The illustrated optional purge air circuit configurations can be combined, as illustrated by purge air circuit configuration AC, which combines purge air circuit configurations AA and AB.

[0061] Likewise, air stream configurations BA-BG relate to examples of purge air circuit configurations with which the second rotor 120 can be configured.

[0062] Purge air circuit configuration BA illustrates examples wherein the air handling unit further comprises a second purge air circuit S4 configured to conduct purge air through a purge sector z4 of the second rotor 120 and to collect the purge air from the process air downstream of the second rotor 120 and connect to the regeneration air circuit S2 upstream of the second heater 130b.

[0063] Purge air circuit configuration BB illustrates examples wherein the air handling unit further comprises a third purge air circuit S7 configured to conduct purge air through a purge sector z7 of the second rotor 120 and to collect the purge air from the process air downstream of the second rotor 120 and connect to the regeneration air circuit S2 downstream of the second rotor 120.

[0064] Purge air circuit configuration BC illustrates examples wherein the air handling unit further comprises a fourth purge air circuit S8 configured to conduct purge air through a purge sector z8 of the second rotor 120 and to collect the purge air from the process air upstream of the second rotor 120 and connect to the regeneration air circuit S2 upstream of the second heater 130b.

[0065] Purge air circuit configuration BD illustrates examples wherein the air handling unit further comprises a fifth purge air circuit S9 configured to conduct purge air through a purge sector z9 of the second rotor 120 and to collect the purge air from the process air upstream of the second rotor 120 and connect to the regeneration air circuit S2 downstream of the second rotor 120.

[0066] Purge air circuit configuration BE illustrates examples wherein the air handling unit further comprises a seventh purge air circuit S6 configured to conduct purge air through a first purge sector z6a in a first direction through the second rotor 120, and through a second purge sector z6b in a second direction through the second rotor 120, wherein the first direction is opposite to the second direction.

[0067] Any of purge air circuit configuration BA-BE can be combined with each other. Purge air circuit configuration BF illustrates a combination of Purge air circuit configurations BA and BE. Purge air circuit configuration BG illustrates a combination of purge air circuit configurations BC and BE.

[0068] Additionally, the AHU can be configured to combine any of purge air circuit configuration AA-AC at the first rotor 110 with any of purge air circuit configurations BA-BG at the second rotor 120.

[0069] The purge air circuits present in the AHU and the way they connect to the process air circuit S1 and the regeneration air circuit S2 influences heat transport in the AHU and affects how the heat pump system will be optimally configured.

[0070] Figures 2a-2h schematically illustrate aspects of the disclosed heat pump system. In addition to illustrating examples having different numbers of condensers and their placement, Figures 2a-2h further illustrate examples of how the evaporators and condensers may be connected to form one or more heat pumps.

[0071] Any AHU of the examples of Figures 2a-2h may further comprise any combination of purge air circuits as described in relation to Fig. 1 c.

[0072] We will first describe what each AHU of Figures 2a-2h have in common before going into detail about each example. Thus, each air handling unit of Figures 2a-2h comprises a first rotor 210 comprising a desiccant material; a second rotor 220 comprising a carbon dioxide capture material; a process air circuit S1 configured to conduct process air through a first process sector z1 a of the first rotor 210 and a downstream second process sector z1 b of the second rotor 220; a regeneration air circuit S2 configured to conduct regeneration air through a second regeneration sector z2b of the second rotor 220 and a downstream first regeneration sector z2a of the first rotor 210; a first heater 230a configured to heat the regeneration air downstream of the second rotor 220 and upstream of the first rotor 210; a second heater 230b configured to heat the regeneration air upstream of the second rotor 220; a heat pump system comprising: a first evaporator E1 configured to cool the process air upstream of the first rotor 210; and a second evaporator E2 configured to cool the process air upstream of the second rotor 220.

[0073] Each AHU optionally comprises a control circuitry 280 configured to control at least one air quality parameter relating to the amount of carbon dioxide present in the process air downstream of the second rotor 220 by controlling at least one operational parameter of the first heater 230a, the second heater 230b and the heat pump system.

[0074] Figure 2a illustrates an example wherein the first and second evaporator E1 , E2 are both connected to a common first condenser C1 , wherein the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the first and second evaporator E1 , E2 to the regeneration air upstream of the first heater 230a.

[0075] The heat pump system comprises a common compressor 240a and expansion valves 250a-c. Each evaporator E1 , E2 is connected to the common first condenser C1 via respective first 260a, 260b and a second fluid conduction channels 270a, 270b. The compressor 240a is arranged at the first fluid conduction channel and arranged to establish a flow direction from the evaporators E1 , E2 to the condenser C1 at the respective first fluid conduction channels and the reverse direction at the respective second fluid conduction channels. Expansion valves 250a, 250b are arranged at the second fluid conduction channel and arranged to reduce the pressure of fluid flowing from the common first condenser C1 to the evaporators. An additional expansion valve 250c is configured to equalize the pressure between the first fluid conduction channels 260a, 260b. The first evaporator E1 is configured to cool the process air before passing through the first rotor 210. The second evaporator E2 is configured to cool the process air before passing through the second rotor 220. Figure 2b illustrates an example wherein the AHU comprises a first purge air circuit S3 configured to conduct the purge air through a purge sector z3 of the first rotor 210, wherein the first purge air circuit S3 is connected to the regeneration air circuit S2 upstream of the first rotor 210, wherein the first purge air circuit S3 is configured to collect the purge air from the process air upstream of the first rotor 210, and wherein the first and second evaporator E1 , E2 are both connected to a common first condenser C1 , wherein the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the first and second evaporator E1 , E2 the purge air of the first purge air circuit S3 via the first condenser C1 .

[0076] The heat pump system comprises a common compressor 240a and expansion valves 250a-c. Each evaporator E1 , E2 is connected to the common first condenser C1 via respective first 260a, 260b and a second fluid conduction channels 270a, 270b. The compressor 240a is arranged at the first fluid conduction channel and arranged to establish a flow direction from the evaporators E1 , E2 to the condenser C1 at the respective first fluid conduction channels and the reverse direction at the respective second fluid conduction channels. Expansion valves 250a, 250b are arranged at the second fluid conduction channel and arranged to reduce the pressure of fluid flowing from the common first condenser C1 to the evaporators. An additional expansion valve 250c is configured to equalize the pressure between the first fluid conduction channels 260a, 260b. The first evaporator E1 is configured to cool the process air before passing through the first rotor 210. The second evaporator E2 is configured to cool the process air before passing through the second rotor 220.

[0077] Figures 2c-2h illustrate examples wherein the heat pump system comprises a first condenser C1 and second condenser C2, wherein the first evaporator E1 is connected to the first condenser C1 and the second evaporator E2 is connected to the second condenser C2.

[0078] Each evaporator E1 , E2 is connected to the respective condenser C1 , C2 via respective first 260a, 260b and a second 270a, 270b fluid conduction channels. Respective compressors 240a, 240b are arranged at the respective first fluid conduction channels 260a, 260b and arranged to establish a flow direction from the respective evaporators E1 , E2 to the respective condensers C1 , C2 at the first fluid conduction channels and the reverse direction at the second fluid conduction channels. Expansion valves 250a, 250b are arranged at the respective second fluid conduction channels 270a, 270b and arranged to reduce the pressure of fluid flowing from the condenser to the evaporator. In summary, each evaporator E1 , E2 is connected to a respective condenser C1 , C2 to form respective heat pumps.

[0079] Figure 2c illustrates an example wherein the AHU comprises a first purge air circuit S3 configured to conduct the purge air through a purge sector z3 of the first rotor 210, wherein the first purge air circuit S3 is connected to the regeneration air circuit S2 upstream of the first rotor 210, wherein the first purge air circuit S3 is configured to collect the purge air from the process air upstream of the first rotor 210.

[0080] The heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the first evaporator E1 to the regeneration air upstream of the first heater 230a via the first condenser C1 , and to transfer heat from the second evaporator E2 to the purge air of the first purge air circuit S3 via the second condenser C2.

[0081] Figure 2d illustrates an example wherein the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the first evaporator E1 to the regeneration air upstream of the first heater 230a via the first condenser C1 , and the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the second evaporator E2 to the regeneration air upstream of the first condenser C1 via the second condenser C2.

[0082] Figure 2e illustrates an example wherein the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the first evaporator E1 to the regeneration air upstream of the first heater 230a via the first condenser C1 , and the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the second evaporator E2 to the regeneration air downstream of the first condenser C1 via the second condenser C2.

[0083] Figure 2f illustrates an example wherein the AHU comprises a first purge air circuit S3 configured to conduct the purge air through a purge sector z3 of the first rotor 210, wherein the first purge air circuit S3 is connected to the regeneration air circuit S2 upstream of the first rotor 210, wherein the first purge air circuit S3 is configured to collect the purge air from the process air upstream of the first rotor 210.

[0084] The heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the first evaporator E1 to the purge air of the first purge air circuit S3 via the first condenser C1 , and the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the second evaporator E2 to the regeneration air upstream of the first heater 230a via the second condenser C2. Figure 2g illustrates an example wherein the AHU comprises a first purge air circuit S3 configured to conduct the purge air through a purge sector z3 of the first rotor 210, wherein the first purge air circuit S3 is connected to the regeneration air circuit S2 upstream of the first rotor 210, wherein the first purge air circuit S3 is configured to collect the purge air from the process air upstream of the first rotor 210.

[0085] The heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the first evaporator E1 to the purge air of the first purge air circuit S3 via the first condenser C1 , and the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the second evaporator E2 to the purge air of the first purge air circuit S3 downstream of the first condenser C1 via the second condenser C2.

[0086] Figure 2h illustrates an example wherein the AHU comprises a first purge air circuit S3 configured to conduct the purge air through a purge sector z3 of the first rotor 210, wherein the first purge air circuit S3 is connected to the regeneration air circuit S2 upstream of the first rotor 210, wherein the first purge air circuit S3 is configured to collect the purge air from the process air upstream of the first rotor 210.

[0087] The heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the first evaporator E1 to the purge air of the first purge air circuit S3 via the first condenser C1 , and the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the second evaporator E2 to the purge air of the first purge air circuit S3 upstream of the first condenser C1 via the second condenser C2.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . An air handling unit, AHU, (100a-b, 200a-h) comprising• a first rotor (110, 210) comprising a desiccant material,• a second rotor (120, 220) comprising a carbon dioxide capture material,• a process air circuit (S1 ) configured to conduct process air through a first process sector (z1a) of the first rotor (110, 210) and a downstream second process sector (z1 b) of the second rotor (120, 220),• a regeneration air circuit (S2) configured to conduct regeneration air through a second regeneration sector (z2b) of the second rotor (120, 220) and a downstream first regeneration sector (z2a) of the first rotor (110, 210),• a first heater (130a, 230a) configured to heat the regeneration air downstream of the second rotor (120, 220) and upstream of the first rotor (110, 210),• a second heater (130b, 230b) configured to heat the regeneration air upstream of the second rotor (120, 220),• a heat pump system, the heat pump system comprising:- a first evaporator (E1 ) configured to cool the process air upstream of the first rotor (110, 210),- a second evaporator (E2) configured to cool the process air upstream of the second rotor (120, 220), and- at least one condenser (C1 , C2), wherein the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the first and second evaporator (E1 , E2), via the at least one condenser (C1 , C2), to the regeneration air upstream of the first heater (130a, 230a) and / or to purge air of a first purge air circuit (S3) downstream of the first rotor (110, 210), wherein the first purge air circuit (S3) is configured to conduct the purge air through a purge sector (z3) of the first rotor (110, 210), wherein the first purge air circuit (S3) is connected to the regeneration air circuit (S2) upstream of the first rotor (110, 210), wherein the first purge air circuit (S3) is configured to collect the purge air from the process air upstream of the first rotor (110, 210).

2. The air handling unit according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second evaporator (E1 , E2) are both connected to a common first condenser (C1 ), wherein the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the first and second evaporator (E1 , E2) to the regeneration air upstream of the first heater (130a, 230a) and / or the purge air of the first purge air circuit (S3) via the first condenser (C1 ).

3. The air handling unit according to claim 1 , wherein the heat pump system comprises a first condenser (C1 ) and second condenser (C2), wherein the first evaporator (E1 ) is connected to the first condenser (C1 ) and the second evaporator (E2) is connected to the second condenser (C2).

4. The air handling unit according to claim 3, wherein the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the first evaporator (E1 ) to the regeneration air upstream of the first heater (130a, 230a) via the first condenser (C1 ), and wherein the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the second evaporator (E2) to the purge air of the first purge air circuit (S3) via the second condenser (C2).

5. The air handling unit according to claim 3, wherein the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the first evaporator (E1 ) to the purge air of the first purge air circuit (S3) via the first condenser (C1 ), and wherein the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the second evaporator (E2) to the regeneration air upstream of the first heater (130a, 230a) via the second condenser (C2).

6. The air handling unit according to claim 3, wherein the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the first evaporator (E1 ) to the regeneration air upstream of the first heater (130a, 230a) via the first condenser (C1 ), and18 wherein the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the second evaporator (E2) to the regeneration air upstream of the first condenser (C1 ) via the second condenser (C2).

7. The air handling unit according to claim3, wherein the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the first evaporator (E1 ) to the regeneration air upstream of the first heater (130a, 230a) via the first condenser (C1 ), and wherein the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the second evaporator (E2) to the regeneration air downstream of the first condenser (C1) via the second condenser (C2).

8. The air handling unit according to claim 3, wherein the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the first evaporator (E1 ) to the purge air of the first purge air circuit (S3) via the first condenser (C1 ), and wherein the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the second evaporator (E2) to the purge air of the first purge air circuit (S3) upstream of the first condenser (C1 ) via the second condenser (C2).

9. The air handling unit according to claim 3, wherein the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the first evaporator (E1 ) to the purge air of the first purge air circuit (S3) via the first condenser (C1 ), and wherein the heat pump system is configured to transfer heat from the second evaporator (E2) to the purge air of the first purge air circuit (S3) downstream of the first condenser (C1 ) via the second condenser (C2).

10. The air handling unit according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising:• a control circuitry (180, 280) configured to control at least one air quality parameter relating to the amount of carbon dioxide present in the process air downstream of the second rotor (120, 220) by controlling at least one19 operational parameter of the first heater (130a, 230a), the second heater (130b, 230b) and the heat pump system.11 . The air handling unit according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a second purge air circuit (S4) configured to conduct purge air through a purge sector (z4) of the second rotor (120, 220) and to collect the purge air from the process air downstream of the second rotor (120, 220) and connect to the regeneration air circuit (S2) upstream of the second heater (130b, 230b).

12. The air handling unit according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a third purge air circuit (S7) configured to conduct purge air through a purge sector (z7) of the second rotor (120, 220) and to collect the purge air from the process air downstream of the second rotor (120, 220) and connect to the regeneration air circuit (S2) downstream of the second rotor (120, 220).

13. The air handling unit according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a fourth purge air circuit (S8) configured to conduct purge air through a purge sector (z8) of the second rotor (120, 220) and to collect the purge air from the process air upstream of the second rotor (120, 220) and connect to the regeneration air circuit (S2) upstream of the second heater (130b, 230b).

14. The air handling unit according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a fifth purge air circuit (S9) configured to conduct purge air through a purge sector (z9) of the second rotor (120, 220) and to collect the purge air from the process air upstream of the second rotor (120, 220) and connect to the regeneration air circuit (S2) downstream of the second rotor (120, 220).

15. The air handling unit according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a sixth purge air circuit (S5) configured to conduct purge air through a first purge sector (z5a) in a first direction through the first rotor (110, 210), and through a second purge sector (z5b) in a second direction through the first rotor (110, 210), wherein the first direction is opposite to the second direction.2016. The air handling unit according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a seventh purge air circuit (S6) configured to conduct purge air through a first purge sector (z6a) in a first direction through the second rotor (120, 220), and through a second purge sector (z6b) in a second direction through the second rotor (120, 220), wherein the first direction is opposite to the second direction.

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