High performance dehumidifier apparatus using heat pump

Abstract

The present invention combines the now available heat pumps delivering heat at temperatures of less than 100 DegC, preferably less than 80 DegC, preferably between 60 DegC to 80 DegC for regeneration, with a dehumidifier apparatus incorporating desiccant wheel using special adsorbent materials that can be very well regenerated at temperatures between 60 DegC to 80 DegC. The special adsorbent materials are porous and crystalline materials, with surface area in a range of 500 m2 / g to 10000 m2 / g, and a regeneration temperature between 60 DegC to 80 DegC. Thus, the present dehumidification apparatus has shown greater than 15-25% higher adsorption performance (water removal), under similar operating conditions when compared with dehumidifier apparatuses deploying desiccant wheel carrying benchmark materials (silica gels and molecular sieves).

Description

[0001] HIGH PERFORMANCE DEHUMIDIFIER APPARATUS USING HEAT PUMP

[0002] FIELD OF INVENTION

[0003] This present invention relates to a high-performance near net-zero dehumidifier apparatus using heat pump, wherein the dehumidifier apparatus includes a desiccant wheel incorporating special adsorbent material(s), and free-cooling, such that the dehumidifier apparatus is ‘energy and performance’ optimized for less than 80 DegC regeneration temperature.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] This section is intended to provide information relating to the field of the invention and thus, any approach or functionality described below should not be assumed to be qualified as prior art merely by its inclusion in this section.

[0006] Various dehumidifier systems are known in the industry. One such dehumidifier system deploys dehumidifier apparatus(es) that receives regeneration heat from a heat pump. However, a major drawback of such conventional known dehumidifier systems is with regards to high regeneration energy requirements for optimal adsorption output, which requires a need of heavy-load heat pump.

[0007] Heat pumps have been applied in a limited way in the industrial process applications, and generally heat pumps have been introduced to provide heated air or water, or any other fluid, in ranges between 40 to 60 DegC, within the realm of refrigeration components and technology. Though the heat pumps are being attempted for delivering even upto 100 DegC, it is not yet practical to do so, but it is practical today to operate the heat pump upto 80 DegC. As such, heat pumps when applied to / with dehumidifier apparatus(es) have found limited use, mainly in research or academics, because dehumidifiers, using silica gels, using 40 to 60 DegC regeneration hardly provides moisture removal to justify the capital cost of such equipment.

[0008] Existing known dehumidifier apparatus(es) in several configurations and control strategies are characterized by the use of silica gels rotary desiccant wheels. Rotary silica gel dehumidifier apparatus(es) are generally regenerated at around 140 degC in most parts of the world, and in some relatively less humid areas at down to 120 degC, though, at temperatures lower than that the performance degrades rapidly. On the other hand, molecular sieves are generally regenerated at 160 degC to 200 degC. The open cycle dehumidifier apparatus(es) for moisture removal are applied to inlet air streams carrying very high moisture content (high specific humidity) to very low moisture content, with systems designed incorporating these desiccant dehumidifier apparatus(es) to achieve the target moisture removal and outlet dew points.

[0009] Dehumidifier apparatus(es) require considerable energy for the continuous reactivation of the desiccant wheel(s).

[0010] While the open-cycle dehumidifier apparatus(es) employ essentially silica gel family of material, though in limited cases molecular sieves are also used, and while these open-cycle dehumidifier apparatus(es) are honeycomb desiccant rotor type, there has been very limited advancement in performance, except for inventive approaches in flow configurations, including but not limited to, use of multiple rotors, combining with pre or intermediate cooling, control strategies, regeneration heat source inputs, etc. Hence, the current landscape seems to have eked out much as improved performance or energy reduction possibility.

[0011] Unites States Patent Application numbered US2016 / 0084541, teaches a tri-thermal adsorption cooling / heating system (ex. Heat exchangers) based on MOFs as solid adsorbents, in certain specific operating ranges, depending upon MOF used. This is essentially a closed cycle refrigeration system referred to as adsorption chiller in normal parlance.

[0012] PCT patent application numbered W02016170317, teaches about a rotary silica gel coated wheel being for a passive (building) ventilation system. This is essentially an energy recovery wheel in which energy, both thermal and latent / moisture is recovered / exchanged between two air streams of a building: one into the building and one out of the building. The wheel is being rotated at about 20 rpm (revolution / minute) which is typical of well-known energy recovery wheels, which in this patent is being referred to as a passive desiccant wheel. There is no thermal activation of the wheel in the application that is taught by this patent. This is not a thermally activated desiccant dehumidification wheel which typically rotate at less than 20 rph (revolution / hour).

[0013] United States Patent Application numbered US 2011 / 0067426, teaches the numerous combinations between metals and ligands which are fundamental to making any MOF as taught in fundamentals of Chemistry. It talks about the MOF material in different forms like pellet, powder, film, etc directly for use in the apparatus which is impracticable in current apparatuses.

[0014] United States Patent Application numbered US 20220260262A1, teaches the use of a desiccant wheel for commercial AHU (Air handling units) which are mainly used for commercial buildings, application wheels, passive dehumidification wheels, i.e., without any thermal activation, besides the adsorbents selected is having an adsorption and desorption band of 25% or lower relative humidity. The present invention focuses mainly on thermally activated desiccant wheel based dehumidification with special benefits of high performance using low regeneration temperature. United States Patent Application numbered US 20220390127A1, does not refer to or teach a thermally activated honeycomb desiccant wheel.

[0015] United States Patent numbered US11874018, mainly teaches and claims only the use of a metal plate fin heat exchanger, fully or partially coated with adsorbents. It also teaches water harvesting with a closed loop reactivation sector which is far from the present invention. It continues to teach the use of silica gel. The present invention is far removed from any of the above.

[0016] PCT patent application numbered WO2024118724 Al, teaches essentially a multi-wheel system comprising of atleast two or more wheels in cascade. It additionally focuses on type-IV and type- V adsorbents which are highly macroporous silica gels having very limited surface area. Our invention is focused on microporous novel materials having very high surface area.

[0017] United States Patent numbered US9303884, teaches essentially a system configuration of at least 3 sectors for an application limited to Low Dew Points for Lithium Battery cell production and relies on conventional desiccant materials like silica gel or molecular sieves. Its focus is on unique configuration where one sector is specially engineered to treat fresh air both for regeneration and additional space required fresh air.

[0018] United States Patent Application numbered US2024198313, teaches the use of microwave for regeneration of the desiccant system and does not have anything in common with the present invention.

[0019] PCT patent application numbered WO2023181058, teaches mainly a water harvesting device.

[0020] Although, a variety of adsorbent based wheel-type dehumidifier apparatus / dehumidifier systems are well known in the art, there is a well felt need of a dehumidifier system with a dehumidifier apparatus and a heat pump, the dehumidifier apparatus comprises a desiccant wheel including a honeycomb matrix with desiccant material formulated on the honeycomb matrix, such that the desiccant wheel has improved water adsorption capacities, and reduced energy requirements, such that the dehumidifier apparatus is capable of being regenerated at less than 100 degC, such that the heat pump is capable of providing such heat, thereby targeting towards achieving net-zero requirements.

[0021] Hence, the need has always been there to have improved and high performance adsorbents to be compounded in the desiccant wheel(s) of the dehumidifier apparatus(es), which can be regenerated very well at temperature ranges of 60-80 deg C, using heat pumps that can be built to supply heat at 60-80 degC.

[0022] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0023] This section is intended to introduce certain objects of the disclosed system in a simplified form and is not intended to identify the key advantages or features of the present disclosure.

[0024] This invention combines the now available heat pumps delivering heat at 60 DegC to 80 DegC for regeneration, with a dehumidifier apparatus incorporating desiccant wheel using special desiccant materials that can be very well regenerated at temperatures lower than 80 DegC, preferably between 60 DegC to 80 DegC. The special desiccant materials are highly porous, and which are either crystalline or amorphous materials or both or multivariate, with a surface area in a range of 500 m2 / g to 10000 m2 / g, and a regeneration temperature lower than 80 DegC, preferably between 60 DegC to 80 DegC. Thus, the present dehumidifier apparatus deploying desiccant wheel incorporating the special desiccant material(s) has shown greater than 15-25% higher adsorption performance (water removal), under similar operating conditions, when compared with dehumidifier apparatus(es) deploying desiccant wheel incorporating benchmark materials (silica gels and molecular sieves).

[0025] In the present invention, the cooling capacity derived from the heat pump, is usable in at least the following ways: a) Pre-cooling the process air of the dehumidifier apparatus b) Post cooling the process air of the dehumidifier apparatus c) Pre and Post cooling the process air of the dehumidifier apparatus d) Using the cooling capacity elsewhere external to the dehumidifier apparatus.

[0026] Thus, the dehumidifier apparatus(es) achieves a very high coefficient of performance (COP), often resulting in nearing the net zero goal.

[0027] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a dehumidifier system that includes a dehumidifier apparatus and a heat pump. The dehumidifier apparatus comprises a desiccant wheel, a housing with internal baffles and air seals installed proximal to a face of the desiccant wheel, to create at least a regeneration sector and a process sector for passing air therethrough, and a wheel drive capable of rotating the desiccant wheel. In such embodiment, the desiccant wheel comprises a honeycomb matrix structure. The honeycomb matrix structure comprises a plurality of honeycomb flutes and is prepared by formulating a desiccant material formulated onto and within a porous substrate, and thus configuring the desiccant loaded-substrate in the form of the desiccant wheel. The desiccant material is porous, and is selected from the group consisting of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs), Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework (ZIFs), an inorganic material, and / or combinations thereof, and the desiccant material is regenerated at a temperature less than 80 degC, Further, the desiccant material is selected, such that the energy requirement of the desiccant wheel with special desiccant material capable of being regenerated at s 80°C is at least 10% less, in terms of kW / kg of water removed, compared to desiccant wheel with silica gel-type desiccant material, at identical operating conditions. Moreover, the desiccant material is selected, such that the moisture removal capacity of the desiccant wheel with special desiccant material capable of being regenerated at s 80°C is at least 10% more, in terms of kg of water removal / kg of air, compared to desiccant wheel with silica-gel type desiccant material, at identical operating conditions. The two improvements, i.e. energy reduction and enhanced waterremoval capacity, together have a compounding effect which gives this wheel a tremendous advantage and benefit. Further, the desiccant material has a surface area in a range of 500 m2 / g to 10000 m2 / g. The heat pump comprising a heat-supplying heat exchanger for supplying heat to ‘reactivation air’ before passing through the reactivation sector of the desiccant wheel.

[0028] Some examples of the types of dehumidifier system(s) in use are shown in the following drawings, incorporating the invention.

[0029] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030] In order to explain the technical solution in the embodiments of the present application more clearly, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It is obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the application. For those ordinarily skilled in the art, without any creative work, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0031] Figure la shows a first embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure lb shows a second embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 1c shows a third embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. Figure 2a shows a fourth embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 2b shows a fifth embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 2c shows a sixth embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 3a shows a seventh embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 3b shows a eight embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 3c shows a ninth embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 4a shows a tenth embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 4b shows an eleventh embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 4c shows an twelfth embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0042] Figure 5a(l) shows a thirteenth embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0043] Figure 5a(2) shows a fourteenth embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0044] Figure 5a(3) shows a fifteenth embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 5a(4) shows a sixteenth embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0046] Figure 5a(5) shows a seventeenth embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. Figure 5a(6) shows an eighteenth embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0047] Figure 5b(l) shows a nineteenth embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0048] Figure 5b(2) shows a twentieth embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0049] Figure 5b(3) shows a twenty-first embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0050] Figure 5b(4) shows a twenty-second embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0051] Figure 5b(5) shows a twenty-third embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0052] Figure 5b(6) shows a twenty -fourth embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0053] Figure 5c(l) shows a twenty -fifth embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0054] Figure 5c(2) shows a twenty-sixth embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0055] Figure 5c(3) shows a twenty-seventh embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0056] Figure 5c(4) shows a twenty-eight embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0057] Figure 5c(5) shows a twenty -ninth embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0058] Figure 5c(6) shows a thirtieth embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0059] Figure 5d(l) shows a thirty-first embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. Figure 5d(2) shows a thirty-second embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0060] Figure 5d(3) shows a thirty-third embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0061] Figure 5d(4) shows a thirty-fourth embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0062] Figure 5d(5) shows a thirty-fifth embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0063] Figure 5d(6) shows a thirty-sixth embodiment of a dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0064] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0065] In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, various specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. Several features described hereafter can each be used independently of one another or with any combination of other features. An individual feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or might address only one of the problems discussed above. Some of the problems discussed above might not be fully addressed by any of the features described herein. Exemplified embodiments of the present invention are described below, as illustrated in various drawings in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings.

[0066] In the appended the figures, the reference numbers are described as follows:

[0067] The terms ‘system’, 'dehumidifier system’, and ‘dehumidification system’, interchangeably, refer to an arrangement of a dehumidifier apparatus and a heat pump.

[0068] The terms 'apparatus’, and ‘dehumidifier apparatus’, ‘desiccant dehumidifier apparatus’, ‘desiccant apparatus’ interchangeably, refer to an arrangement of various components for adsorbing moisture from airstream.

[0069] The terms ‘air’, ‘airstream’, ‘airflow’, are interchangeably referred to each other, wherein the terms refer to a flowing air from which moisture is intended to be adsorbed / desorbed. The terms ‘rotor’, ‘wheel’, and ‘module’, ‘desiccant ‘wheel’, ‘desiccant rotor’, ‘honeycomb matrix’, are interchangeably referred to each other, wherein the terms refer to a rotary desiccant wheel, such that moisture is adsorbed at one portion thereof while passing the air therethrough, while moisture is desorbed from another portion thereof while passing the air therethrough.

[0070] The terms ‘special material’, ‘novel material’, and ‘identified material’, are interchangeably referred to each other hereinafter, wherein the terms refer to the desiccant / adsorbent that carry special characteristics, including, has high porosity, is crystalline or amorphous or both or multivariate, has high surface area in a range of 500 to 10000 m2 / g, low regeneration temperature of less than 80 degC, improved kinetics, high water uptake, high hydrothermal and hydrolytic stability.

[0071] The terms ‘outside air’, ‘outside airstream’, ‘ambient air’, and ‘ambient airstream’, are interchangeably referred to each other, wherein the terms refer to air generally available in outside environment.

[0072] Referring to figs. la-5b (3), there are shown various embodiments of the dehumidifier system deploying an arrangement between a dehumidifier apparatus and a heat pump, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. Although, the present disclosure describe various embodiments of the dehumidifier apparatus deploying the desiccant rotor with special materials, however, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to such embodiments. In the present disclosure, the dehumidifier apparatus deploys the desiccant rotor with special materials. Details of such embodiments of the arrangement of the dehumidifier system incorporating the dehumidifier apparatus and the heat pump, will be discussed later in details.

[0073] The honeycomb matrix structure comprises of a porous substrate, and a desiccant material formulated onto and within the porous substrate. The substrate is a porous substrate selected from the group consisting of glass fibers, ceramic fibers, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, biosoluble fibers, pulp and combination thereof, and optionally strengthened with 2 to 8% by weight of a rigidifying agent selected from the group consisting of silica sol, alumina sol, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, and acrylate. The desiccant is formulated onto and within the porous substrate. The ‘adsorbent sheet’ so prepared is then configured to form the honeycomb matrix structure. A weight ratio of the desiccant material to the porous substrate, in the adsorbent sheet, is upto 8: 1. The adsorbent sheets are configured to form the honeycomb matrix structure, with defined plurality of honeycomb flutes. The plurality of the honeycomb flutes has a polygonal or circular cross-section, wherein the polygonal cross-section is sinusoidal. In an embodiment, the honeycomb matrix structure comprises a single facer. In another embodiment, the honeycomb matrix structure comprises a plurality of stacked facers.

[0074] In the present invention, the special materials possess a combination of the following characteristics:

[0075] - High porosity: The desiccant material(s), deployed in the desiccant wheel of the dehumidifier apparatus of the present invention, have a high porosity characteristics. High porosity is reflective of high surface area. This helps the dehumidifier system achieve high adsorption uptake.

[0076] - Increased overall surface area: The desiccant material(s), deployed in the desiccant wheel of the dehumidifier system of the present invention, have increased surface area in a range of 500 m2g to 10000 m2g. This helps the dehumidifier apparatus achieve high adsorption performance.

[0077] - Low Regeneration Temperature: The desiccant material(s), deployed in the desiccant wheel of the dehumidifier apparatus of the present invention, have low regeneration temperature of less than 100 degC, preferably lesser than 80 degC. This helps the dehumidifier system achieve the desired performance levels with low reactivation energy requirements.

[0078] - Metal Ions: The desiccant material(s), deployed in the desiccant wheel of the dehumidifier apparatus of the present invention, have metal ions that are water-molecule friendly, e.g. Aluminium (Al), Cobalt (Co), Copper (Cu), Magnesium (Mg), Titanium (Ti), Zirconium (Zr), Chromium (Cr), Iron (Fe), Calcium (Ca), Nickel (Ni), Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn), and the like. This helps the dehumidifier apparatus achieve high performance efficiency in terms of specific performance of water removed per unit energy in inlet conditions identical to benchmark materials, e.g. silica gels.

[0079] - Pore Size: The desiccant material(s), deployed in the desiccant wheel of the dehumidifier apparatus of the present invention, have a pore size less than 15 Angstrom, preferably less than 10 Angstrom, additionally being characterized with regeneration or desorption temperatures of less than 100 DegC, preferably less than 80 degC, and further being characterized by large surface area between 500 m2 / g to 10000 m2 / g.

[0080] These desiccant material(s) formulated into the desiccant wheel, incorporated in the desiccant apparatus, can be doped with additives, selected from the category of Graphene, Titanium salts, Silver salts, Nano-carbon based materials, to improve kinetics and impart bactericidal and bacteriostatic properties. In the present invention, the desiccant material is selected from the group consisting of CAU-10H, CAU-23, C AU-30, MIL-16O(A1), aluminum fumarate, aluminum terephthalate, UiO-66, UiO- 66-NH2, UiO-67, MOF-801, MOF-802, MOF-841, PCN-222, MIL-lOO(Fe), MIL-lOl(Fe), MIL- 53(Fe), MIL-lOl(Cr), MIL-lOO(Cr), MIL-53(Cr), HKUST-1, Cu-BDC, , MIL-125(Ti), NH2-MIL- 125(Ti), Ni-CPO-27, , MOF-8O8, NU-1000, NU-1200, MOF-802, C02CI2BTDD, Cr-soc-MOF-1, MOF-573, MOF-805, MOF-8O6, MOF-812, MIL-53(A1), Co-MOF-74, Mg-MOF-74, NOTT-400, MIL-121 , CAU-3, MFM-300, Al-NDC, Ga-soc-MOF, IRMOF-1, IRMOF-3, MOF-177, MOF- 205, MOF-210, PCN-124, MIL-68(In), MOF-DRIF2, Cu-TDPAT, Zn-TDPAT, UiO-68, MIL-88, PCN-333, NU-1400, MOF-525, SIFSIX , TIFSIX, Cu-BTTri, MIL-125(Ti), NH2-MIL-125(Ti), MOF-573, MOF-525, Bio-MOF-11, Tb-mesoMOF, Cu-TCPP, Zr-NDC, BUT-17, FJLHMOF , Al- MOF-235 , Al -MIL-69, Al-PMOF, MIL-47(V) , MIL-68(Ga), Fe-soc-MOF , Cu-MOF-505 , Cu- TZP, Cu-TPT, Cu-CPF-5, RE-fcu-MOFs, Ce-UiO-66, Ce-UiO-67, Yb-MOFs (Yb-MOF-76) , Mg- MOF-235, Zn-MOF-235, Bio-MOF-lOO , UTSA-16 (Cu-TATB) , UTSA-60, DUT-67(Zr) , DUT- 4(A1) , [Ni2(dobdc)] , Zn-Triazolate PCPs, MOF-DRIF1, MOROF-1, MOF-841 (Sc) , CAU-21, CAU-36, ZrTUD-1 , InOF-1 , Ni-MOF-202 , Zn-MOF-74 , KMF-1 , CAU-26, FIR-53, UiO-611, UiO-67, UiO-68 , Ni8(OH)4(BDC)6(DUT-8(Ni)), Ti3-MIL-88B-NH2, CAU-13 , SBMOF-1 , SBMOF-2, MFU-4 , MFU-41 , FMOF-1 , FMOF-2 , CAU-13, IR-MOF-8, DMOF(Zn), CAU-21, CAU-26 , CAU-36 , MIP-200 (Al) , Al-PF-1 , ICR-2, ICR-7, PCN-777 (Zr) , BUT-66 (Zr) , PCN- 608 (Zr) , DUT-52 (Zr) , MIP-202(Zr) , IFP-1 , IFP-8, MAF-X27-Fe , MAF-X8-C0, DMOF-1 , NKMOF-l-Ni , CPL-2 , CPL-4 (Ni(pyz)(NO3)2) , InOF-1 , FIR-53, MOF-199 , MFM-300(In) , MIL-68(In)-BDC-NO2, Ti-CAT-5 , Ti-HTA-1 , CAU-22-Ln , MOF-76-Ln , PCP-Ln, MIL-96(A1) , MIL-140A(Zr) , Cu-BDC-BPY, Cu-BPyDC , Cu-QPTC , Zn-TBAPy , ZJU-28 , POST-66 , CAU- 24 , ALF-1, MOF-5, UiO-66-(OH)2, UiO-66-(COOH)2, UiO-66-Br, UiO-66-(CF3)2, MOF-303, UiO-67-NH2, UiO-67-(OH)2, MOF-801 -SO4, MOF-8O2-NH2, MOF-802-(OH)2, NU-1100, NU- 1101, NU-1103, MIL-12O(A1), MIL-122(A1), MIL-53-NH2(Al), MIL-53-(OH)2(Al), CAU-10- COOH, CAU-IO-OH, CAU-12, CAU-15, Al-TCPP-MOF, MIL-53-NH2(Fe), MIL-68(Fe), MIL- 127(Fe), PCN-250(Fe), Fe-BDC-NO2MOFs, Fe-BTC-NFL, Fe-BPDC, Cu-BTC-NFL, Cu-TATB , Cu-TPA, Cu-PMOF, Cu-HHTP , Cu-CP-MOFs , Zn-MOF-74-NH2 , Mg-dobpdc, Ni-dobpdc, Co- CUK-1, Co-MOF-253, JLU-Liu-10, JLU-Liu-20, AZMOF-1, AZMOF-2, FJI-MOF-8, FJI-MOF- 11, F JU-90, CPM-200-In, MIP-2OO-NH2, NENU-500, NENU-511, UiO-66-SO3H, UiO-67-SO3H, PCN-224, PCN-225, Mg2(dobpdc), TpPa-1, TpPa-2, COF-1, COF-5, COF-6, COF-8, TpBD, COF-LZU1, Tp-Azo, COF-300, TpTt, COF-42, COF-43, N-COF, TpNDI, COF-JLU6, TpBpy, COF-320, PyVg-COF, Tp-DANT-COF, COF-366, Tp-DMTP-COF, COF-PI, Tp-Eth, COF-OMe, COF-F, Tp-Ph, COF-BPDA, COF-TpPa-NH2, COF-TBD: COF-102, COF-103, COF-108, COF- 202, COF-203, COF-432, COF-505, TpPa-NO2,COF-DRIFl COF-506, COF-507, COF-508, COF-909, COF-910, COF-912, COF-919, COF-920, CTF-1, CTF-2, CTF-3, CTF-4, TAPT-COF, HT-COF, COF-F3, FCTF-1, PcPBBA, FCTF-2 , FCOF-1, FCOF-2, Porphyrin COF-366-Fe , Porphyrin-COF-367, COF-Porph-v2, Pc-COF, DhaTph COF, TpDha COF, COF-OH, TpPa(OH)- COF, TpBD-(NO2), (ICOF-1), ICOF-2, ICOF-3, Sulfated COFs, COF-150, COF-170, COF-1, COF-180, COF-200, COF-300, COF-300-MeNH2, COF-DHTA , COF-DAAQ ,COF-DRIF2, Azo-COF-1, Azo-COF-2, TFB-DHzD COF , COF-TpBD-(OH)2, COF-SDU1 , EB-COF-1, COF- TpDb , Py-COF, PyTTA-COF, DPP-COF-1, HNU-25, HNU-30, 3D-Py-COF, 3D-CuPc-COF, 3D- Salphen COF, TpPa-F4, COF-TTI, COF-TFPB, AA-COFs, COF-480, COF-482, TPB-DMTP- COF, COF-432, JUC-353, ZIF-7, ZIF-8, ZIF-67, ZIF-71, ZIF-90, ZIF-93, ZIF-94, ZIF-95, ZIF- 100, ZIF-300, ZIF-301, ZIF-302, ZIF-L, ZIF-4, ZIF-20, ZIF-25, ZIF-68, ZIF-69, ZIF-78, ZIF-81, ZIF-82, ZIF-204, ZIF-1, ZIF-2, ZIF-3, ZIF-DRIF2, ZIF-6, ZIF-10, ZIF-11, ZIF-12, ZIF-7 la, ZIF- 201, ZIF-202, ZIF-203, ZIF-DRIF1, ZIF-13, ZIF-15, ZIF-16, ZIF-17, ZIF-18, ZIF-19, ZIF-21, ZIF-22, ZIF-23, ZIF-24, ZIF-26, ZIF-27, ZIF-28, ZIF-29, ZIF-70, ZIF-DRIF1, ZIF-72, ZIF-73, ZIF-74, ZIF-76, ZIF-77 , ZIF-79 , ZIF-80 , ZIF-202a, ZIF-8-NH2 , ZIF-8-SO3H , ZIF-8-COOH , ZIF-8-OH , ZIF-67-NH2, ZIF-L-NH2 , ZIF-30, ZIF-31, ZIF-32, ZIF-33, ZIF-34, ZIF-35,ZIF-36, ZIF-37, ZIF-38, ZIF-39, ZIF-40, ZIF-41, ZIF-42, ZIF-DRIF2, ZIF-43, ZIF-44, ZIF-45, ZIF-46, ZIF-47, ZIF-48, ZIF-49, ZIF-50, ZIF-51, ZIF-52, ZIF-53, ZIF-54, ZIF-55, ZIF-56, ZIF-57, ZIF- 58, ZIF-59, ZIF-60, ZIF-61, ZIF-62, ZIF-63, ZIF-64, ZIF-65, ZIF-66, transition metal complexes, cyanometallates, and combinations thereof.

[0081] Furthermore, it may also be noted that these special desiccant materials may be selected from a group consisting of Metal Organic framework (MOF) desiccant material, Covalent Organic Framework (COF) desiccant material, and Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework (ZIF) desiccant material, and inorganic material, hybrid material, and multivariate material. The said MOF is selected from the group consisting of CAU-10H, CAU-23, CAU-30, MIL-16O(A1), aluminum fumarate, aluminum terephthalate, UiO-66, UiO-66-NH2, UiO-67, MOF-801, MOF-802, MOF- 841, PCN-222, MIL-lOO(Fe), MIL-101(Fe), MIL-53(Fe), MIL-lOl(Cr), MIL-lOO(Cr), MIL- 53(Cr), HKUST-1, Cu-BDC, , MIL-125(Ti), NH2-MIL-125(Ti), Ni-CPO-27, , MOF-8O8, NU- 1000, NU-1200, MOF-802, C02CI2BTDD, Cr-soc-MOF-1, MOF-573, MOF-805, MOF-8O6, MOF-812, MIL-53(A1), Co-MOF-74, Mg-MOF-74, NOTT-400, MIL-121 , CAU-3, MFM-300, Al-NDC, Ga-soc-MOF, IRMOF-1, IRMOF-3, MOF-177, MOF-205, MOF-210, PCN-124, MIL- 68(In), MOF-DRIF2, Cu-TDPAT, Zn-TDPAT, UiO-68, MIL-88, PCN-333, NU-1400, MOF-525, SIFSIX , TIFSIX, Cu-BTTri, MIL-125(Ti), NH2-MIL-125(Ti), MOF-573, MOF-525, Bio-MOF- 11, Tb-mesoMOF, Cu-TCPP, Zr-NDC, BUT- 17, FJI-HMOF , Al-MOF-235 , Al-MIL-69, Al- PMOF, MIL-47(V) , MIL-68(Ga), Fe-soc-MOF , Cu-MOF-505 , Cu-TZP, Cu-TPT, Cu-CPF-5, RE-fcu-MOFs, Ce-UiO-66, Ce-UiO-67, Yb-MOFs (Yb-MOF-76) , Mg-MOF-235, Zn-MOF-235, Bio-MOF-lOO , UTSA-16 (Cu-TATB) , UTSA-60, DUT-67(Zr) , DUT-4(A1) , [Ni2(dobdc)] , Zn- Triazolate PCPs, M0F-DRIF1, M0R0F-1, MOF-841(Sc) , CAU-21, C AU-36, ZrTUD-1 , InOF- 1 , Ni-MOF-202 , Zn-MOF-74 , KMF-1 , CAU-26, FIR-53, UiO-611, UiO-67, UiO-68 , Ni8(OH)4(BDC)6(DUT-8(Ni)), Ti3-MIL-88B-NH2, CAU-13 , SBMOF-1 , SBMOF-2, MFU-4 , MFU-41 , FMOF-1 , FMOF-2 , CAU-13, IR-MOF-8, DMOF(Zn), CAU-21, CAU-26 , CAU-36 , MIP-200 (Al) , Al-PF-1 , ICR-2, ICR-7, PCN-777 (Zr) , BUT-66 (Zr) , PCN-608 (Zr) , DUT-52 (Zr) , MIP-202(Zr) , IFP-1 , IFP-8, MAF-X27-Fe , MAF-X8-C0, DMOF-1 , NKMOF-l-Ni , CPL-2 , CPL-4 (Ni(pyz)(NO3)2) , InOF-1 , FIR-53, MOF-199 , MFM-300(In) , MIL-68(In)-BDC- NO2, Ti-CAT-5 , Ti-HTA-1 , CAU-22-Ln , MOF-76-Ln , PCP-Ln, MIL-96(A1) , MIL- 140 A (Zr) , Cu-BDC-BPY, Cu-BPyDC , Cu-QPTC , Zn-TBAPy , Z JU-28 , POST-66 , CAU-24 , ALF-1, MOF-5, UiO-66-(OH)2, UiO-66-(COOH)2, UiO-66-Br, UiO-66-(CF3)2, MOF-303, UiO-67-NTL, UiO-67-(OH)2, MOF-8OI-SO4, MOF-802-NTL, MOF-802-(OH)2, NU-1100, NU-1101, NU-1103, MIL-12O(A1), MIL-122(A1), MIL-53-NH2(Al), MIL-53-(OH)2(Al), CAU-IO-COOH, CAU-10- OH, CAU-12, CAU-15, Al-TCPP-MOF, MIL-53-NH2(Fe), MIL-68(Fe), MIL-127(Fe), PCN- 250(Fe), Fe-BDC-NO2MOFs, Fe-BTC-NTL, Fe-BPDC, Cu-BTC-NTL, Cu-TATB , Cu-TPA, Cu- PMOF, Cu-HHTP , Cu-CP-MOFs , Zn-MOF-74-NH2 , Mg-dobpdc, Ni-dobpdc, Co-CUK-1, Co- MOF-253, JLU-Liu-10, JLU-Liu-20, AZMOF-1, AZMOF-2, FJI-MOF-8, FJI-MOF-11, FJU-90, CPM-200-In, MIP-200-NTL, NENU-500, NENU-511, UiO-66-SO3H, UiO-67-SO3H, PCN-224, PCN-225, Mg2(dobpdc), and combination thereof. Metal ions in the MOF material, as example of the desiccant material, may be selected from the group consisting of: Al, Co, Zr, Cr, Ca, Fe, Ni, Zn, Mn, Cu, Mg, Ti, Ni, Zr. The said COF is selected from the group consisting of TpPa-1, TpPa- 2, COF-1, COF-5, COF-6, COF-8, TpBD, COF-LZU1, Tp-Azo, COF-300, TpTt, COF-42, COF- 43, N-COF, TpNDI, COF-JLU6, TpBpy, COF-320, PyVg-COF, Tp-DANT-COF, COF-366, Tp- DMTP-COF, COF-PI, Tp-Eth, COF-OMe, COF-F, Tp-Ph, COF-BPDA, COF-TpPa-NH2, COF- TBD: COF-102, COF-103, COF-108, COF-202, COF-203, COF-432, COF-505, TpPa-NO2,COF- DRIF1 COF-506, COF-507, COF-508, COF-909, COF-910, COF-912, COF-919, COF-920, CTF- 1, CTF-2, CTF-3, CTF-4, TAPT-COF, HT-COF, COF-F3, FCTF-1, PcPBBA, FCTF-2 , FCOF-1, FCOF-2, Porphyrin COF-366-Fe , Porphyrin-COF-367, COF-Porph-v2, Pc-COF, DhaTph COF, TpDha COF, COF-OH, TpPa(OH)-COF, TpBD-(NO2), (ICOF-1), ICOF-2, ICOF-3, Sulfated COFs, COF-150, COF-170, COF-1, COF-180, COF-200, COF-300, COF-300-MeNH2, COF- DHTA , COF-DAAQ ,COF-DRIF2, Azo-COF-1, Azo-COF-2, TFB-DHzD COF , COF-TpBD- (OH)2, COF-SDU1 , EB-COF-1, COF-TpDb , Py-COF, PyTTA-COF, DPP-COF-1, HNU-25, HNU-30, 3D-Py-COF, 3D-CuPc-COF, 3D-Salphen COF, TpPa-F4, COF-TTI, COF-TFPB, AA- COFs, COF-480, COF-482, TPB-DMTP-COF, COF-432, JUC-353,, and combination thereof. The said ZIF is selected from the group consisting of ZIF-7, ZIF-8, ZIF-67, ZIF-71, ZIF-90, ZIF-93, ZIF-94, ZIF-95, ZIF-100, ZIF-300, ZIF-301, ZIF-302, ZIF-L, ZIF-4, ZIF-20, ZIF-25, ZIF-68, ZIF- 69, ZIF-78, ZIF-81, ZIF-82, ZIF-204, ZIF-1, ZIF-2, ZIF-3, ZIF-DRIF2, ZIF-6, ZIF-10, ZIF-11, ZIF-12, ZIF-71a, ZIF-201, ZIF-202, ZIF-203, ZIF-DRIF1, ZIF-13, ZIF-15, ZIF-16, ZIF-17, ZIF- 18, ZIF-19, ZIF-21, ZIF-22, ZIF-23, ZIF-24, ZIF-26, ZIF-27, ZIF-28, ZIF-29, ZIF-70, ZIF- DRIF1, ZIF-72, ZIF-73, ZIF-74, ZIF-76, ZIF-77 , ZIF-79 , ZIF-80 , ZIF-202a, ZIF-8-NH2 , ZIF- 8-SO3H , ZIF-8-COOH , ZIF-8-0H , ZIF-67-NH2, ZIF-L-NFL , ZIF-30, ZIF-31, ZIF-32, ZIF-33, ZIF-34, ZIF-35, ZIF-36, ZIF-37, ZIF-38, ZIF-39, ZIF-40, ZIF-41, ZIF-42, ZIF-DRIF2, ZIF-43, ZIF-44, ZIF -45, ZIF-46, ZIF-47, ZIF-48, ZIF-49, ZIF-50, ZIF-51, ZIF-52, ZIF-53, ZIF-54, ZIF- 55, ZIF-56, ZIF-57, ZIF-58, ZIF-59, ZIF-60, ZIF-61, ZIF-62, ZIF-63, ZIF-64, ZIF-65, ZIF-66,and combination thereof. Further, the desiccant material is selected, such that the energy requirement of the desiccant wheel with special desiccant material capable of being regenerated at < 80°C is at least 10% less, in terms of kW / kg of water removed, compared to desiccant wheel with silica geltype desiccant material, at identical operating conditions. Moreover, the desiccant material is selected, such that the moisture removal capacity of the desiccant wheel with special desiccant material capable of being regenerated at < 80°C is at least 10% more, in terms of kg of water removal / kg of air, compared to desiccant wheel with silica-gel type desiccant material, at identical operating conditions. Therefore, it is clarified that usage of such desiccant material in the desiccant wheel of the dehumidifier apparatus, increases the overall dehumidifier apparatus performance (water-removal) while consuming less reactivation energy, or both. Accordingly, not only high performance (water-removal) requirements are achieved by the dehumidifier apparatus of the present invention, but also substantial energy savings are observed.

[0082] The special materials, deployed in the desiccant wheel of the dehumidifier apparatus of the present invention achieve high adsorption performance in terms of water-uptake and can be customized or optimized water uptake in different Relative Humidity (Rh), and application ranges.

[0083] Referring to fig. la, there is shown a first embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In the first embodiment of the dehumidifier system, a dehumidifier apparatus comprises the desiccant wheel (1); a wheel drive (4) for continuously rotating / driving the desiccant wheel (1); a housing provided with internal baffles and air seals proximate to the wheel face to create plenums or sectors and prevent air from leaking between adjacent sectors defined in the desiccant wheel (1) while creating air paths for air to pass through desiccant wheel (1); and one or more fans (11) to create airflows through the air paths (6,7,8,12) defined by the housing. In the first embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the desiccant wheel (1) comprises of two sectors for allowing air to pass therethrough, i.e. a process sector (2) and a reactivation sector (3). Notably, the air-paths (6,7,8,12) defined, are a process inlet air-path (6), a process outlet air-path (7), a reactivation inlet air-path (8), and a reactivation outlet-air path (12).

[0084] Air flowing in the process inlet air-path (6) can be termed as ‘process inlet air’;

[0085] Air flowing in the process outlet air-path (7) can be termed as ‘process outlet air’

[0086] A combination of the ‘process inlet air’ and the ‘process outlet air’ is termed as ‘process air’.

[0087] Air flowing in the reactivation inlet air-path (8) can be termed as ‘reactivation inlet air’

[0088] Air flowing in the reactivation outlet air-path (12) can be termed as ‘reactivation outlet air’,

[0089] A combination of the ‘reactivation inlet air’ and the ‘reactivation outlet air’ is termed as ‘reactivation air’.

[0090] A first fan (not shown) is deployed to generate a flow of the process air, wherein the process inlet air (for example, room air from closed room space, or ambient air from external environment; or make-up air) is received through the process inlet air-path, passed through the process sector (2) of the desiccant wheel (1), and then the process outlet air is vent (for example, to the closed room space) through the process outlet air-path (7). It may be noted that since the process air is passed through the process sector (2) of the desiccant wheel (1), the process outlet air is low in humidity than the process inlet air. Particularly, the moisture in the process inlet air is adsorbed by the special adsorbent material carried in the process sector (2) of the desiccant wheel (1). In a preferred embodiment, the room air received from process out air-path (7), can be recirculated as the process inlet air in the process inlet air-path (6), for further dehumidification. Further, a second fan (11) is installed to generate reactivation air, wherein reactivation inlet air (for example, outside air from external environment) is received through the reactivation inlet air-path (8), passed through the reactivation sector (3) of the desiccant wheel (1), and then the reactivation outlet air is vent (for example, to external environment) through the reactivation outlet air-path (12).

[0091] Furthermore, in the first embodiment of the desiccant wheel system, a air heat pump is provided along with the dehumidifier apparatus, to heat the reactivation inlet air in the reactivation inlet airpath (8), and to cool the process inlet air in the process inlet air-path (6). The air heat heat pump comprises a comprises a compressor (9), a condenser (10) (also interchangeably referred to as ‘heat-supplying heat exchanger’), an expansion valve, and an evaporator (5) (also interchangeably referred to as ‘heat-supplying heat exchanger’). A structure, arrangement, and working, of the air heat pump is commonly known and is not repeated herein for the sake of brevity. In this first embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the compressor (9) and the condenser (10) are positioned in the reactivation inlet air-path (8) to supply heat to the reactivation inlet air, while the evaporator (5) is positioned in the process inlet air-path (6) to supply pre-cooling to the process inlet air.

[0092] In operation of the first embodiment of the apparatus, the first fan is operated to generate the flow of process air. Particularly, process inlet air passes (for example, room air from closed room space, or ambient air from external environment) is received through the process inlet air-path (6), to be further passed through the process sector (2) of the desiccant wheel (1), and to be later vent the process outlet air (for example, to closed room space) through the process outlet air-path (7). While passing the process air through the process sector of the desiccant wheel, moisture within the process air is adsorbed by the desiccant material provided therein. Therefore, the process outlet air vent through the process outlet air-path (7) has relatively low humidity, as compared to the process inlet air entering through the process inlet air-path (6), thereby achieving dehumidification. Furthermore, the second fan causes the reactivation inlet air (for example, outside air) in the reactivation inlet air-path (8), to be passed through the reactivation sector (3) of the desiccant wheel (1), and further vent the reactivation outlet air in the reactivation outlet air-path (12). It may be noted that passing the reactivation air through the reactivation sector (3) of the desiccant wheel (1), causes desorption of the moisture from the desiccant material carried in the reactivation sector (3) of the desiccant wheel (1). Therefore, the desiccant wheel (1) is regenerated, to be reused as again. In particular, the wheel drive (4) continuously rotates the desiccant wheel (1), for enabling various portions / sectors of the desiccant wheel (1) to be used and reused.

[0093] It may be noted that, since the dehumidifier apparatus of the present invention is capable of being generate at low regeneration temperatures of less than 100 degree Celsius, such requirements are easily fulfilled with the heat pump, thereby avoiding need of any external heater unit. Thus, the deployment of heat pump with the dehumidifier system, targets towards achieving net-zero requirements. Currently, the heat pump technologies is bordering on reliable use upto 80 DegC and with expected technological advancements to soon reach upto 100 DegC, whereby allowing a marriage of novel based material desiccant wheels being regenerated in some specific cases upto 100 DegC.

[0094] Advantages of the present invention relates to the dehumidifier apparatus deploying the desiccant wheel incorporating special adsorbent materials.

[0095] One advantage of the present invention can be clearly understood from the table below, which shows a comparison of output (in terms of ‘energy saving’ as well as ‘performance’) between a conventional dehumidifier system including a dehumidifier apparatus deploying desiccant wheel carrying benchmark material (silica-based like materials) of ‘silica gel’, with respect to the dehumidifier system including the dehumidifier apparatus deploying desiccant wheel incorporating desiccant material:

[0096] NOTE: Heating COP of heat pump is 2 at 80°C

[0097] 5 As is shown in tabulation above, while keeping the inlet condition same, the conventional dehumidifier system including the dehumidifier apparatus deploying desiccant wheel incorporating special convention material (silica-based like materials) achieved a moisture removal of 3.11 kg / h, while the present dehumidifier system including the dehumidifier apparatus deploying desiccant wheel incorporating special desiccant material (for example, MOFs, COFs, 10 ZIFs, inorganic material and / or a combination thereof) achieved a moisture removal of 3.65 kg / h.

[0098] Concurrently, the conventional dehumidifier apparatus utilized an electric heating of 8.4 kW, while the present dehumidifier apparatus utilized an electric heating of 4.2 kW. This gain is identified by 50% extra gain in adsorption performance by the present dehumidifier apparatus deploying desiccant wheel incorporating special desiccant material (for example, MOFs, COFs, ZIFs, 15 inorganic material and / or a combination thereof) as compared to the conventional dehumidifier apparatus deploying desiccant wheel incorporating special convention material (silica-based like materials), at same regeneration temperature and reactivation heating energy requirements, particularly at similar inlet conditions. Another advantage of the present invention can be clearly understood from the table below, which shows a comparison of coefficient of performance between the conventional dehumidifier system including the dehumidifier apparatus without free-cooling, wherein the dehumidifier apparatus deploys special material(s), with that of the dehumidifier system including the dehumidifier apparatus with free-cooling, wherein the dehumidifier apparatus deploys the special material(s):

[0099] As is shown in tabulation above, while keeping the inlet condition same, the dehumidifier system including the dehumidifier apparatus without free-cooling, achieved a coefficient of performance of 2.0, while the dehumidifier system including the dehumidifier apparatus with free-cooling, wherein the dehumidifier apparatus deploys special material. This gain is identified by 50% improvement in the coefficient of performance.

[0100] Figure lb shows a second embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In the second embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the dehumidifier apparatus is same as that of the first embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, and operation. Further, in the second embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the air heat pump in the first embodiment of the dehumidifier system, is replaced with the water heat pump in the second embodiment of the dehumidifier system. In the second embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the water heat pump comprises a water heat pump unit, a hot water coil unit (10) (also interchangeably referred to as ‘heat-supplying heat exchanger’), and a chilled water coil unit (5) (also interchangeably referred to as ‘heat-exchanging heat exchanger’). The hot water coil unit (10) is positioned in the reactivation inlet air-path (8) to supply heat to the reactivation inlet air, while the chilled water coil unit (5) is positioned in the process inlet air-path (6) to supply pre-cooling to the process inlet air. Figure 1c shows a third embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In the third embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the dehumidifier apparatus is same as that of the second embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, and operation. Further, in the third embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the water heat pump in the second embodiment of the dehumidifier system, is replaced with the air-water hybrid heat pump in the second embodiment of the dehumidifier system. In the second embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the air-water hybrid heat pump comprises a water heat pump unit, a condenser (10) (also interchangeably referred to as ‘heat-supplying heat exchanger’), and a chilled water coil unit (5) (also interchangeably referred to as ‘heat-exchanging heat exchanger’). The condenser (10) is positioned in the reactivation inlet air-path (8) to supply heat to the reactivation inlet air, while the chilled water coil unit (5) is positioned in the process inlet air-path (6) to supply pre-cooling to the process inlet air.

[0101] Figure 2a shows a fourth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In the fourth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the dehumidifier apparatus is same as that of the first embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, and operation. Moreover, in the fourth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the air heat pump is also same as that of the first embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, and operation, with a difference in placement of the evaporator (5). Particularly, in this fourth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the evaporator (5) is positioned in the process outlet air-path (7), to post cool the process outlet air.

[0102] Figure 2b shows a fifth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In the fifth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the dehumidifier apparatus is same as that of the second embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, and operation. Moreover, in the fifth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the water heat pump is also same as that of the second embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, and operation, with a difference in placement of the chilled water coil (5). Particularly, in this fifth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the chilled water coil (5) is positioned in the process outlet air-path (7), to post cool the process outlet air.

[0103] Figure 2c shows a sixth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In the sixth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the dehumidifier apparatus is same as that of the fifth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, and operation. Further, in the sixth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the water heat pump in the fifth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, is replaced with the air-water hybrid heat pump in the sixth embodiment of the dehumidifier system. In the sixth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the air-water hybrid heat pump comprises a water heat pump unit, a condenser (10) (also interchangeably referred to as ‘heat-supplying heat exchanger’), and a chilled water coil unit (5) (also interchangeably referred to as ‘heat-exchanging heat exchanger’). The condenser (10) is positioned in the reactivation inlet air-path (8) to supply heat to the reactivation inlet air, while the chilled water coil unit (5) is positioned in the process outlet air-path (7) to supply cooling to the process outlet air.Figure 3a shows a seventh embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In the seventh embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the dehumidifier apparatus is same as that of the first embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, and operation. Moreover, in the seventh embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the air heat pump includes a compressor (9), a condenser (10), an expansion valve, and two evaporator coils, i.e. a primary evaporator (5a) and a secondary evaporator (5b). Particularly, in this seventh embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the compressor (9) and the condenser (10) are positioned in the reactivation inlet air-path (8) to supply heat to the reactivation inlet air, while the primary evaporator (5a) is positioned in the process inlet air-path (6) to pre-cool the process inlet air, while the secondary evaporator (5b) is positioned in the process outlet air-path (7) to post cool the process outlet air.

[0104] Figure 3b shows an eight embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In the eight embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the dehumidifier apparatus is same as that of the second embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, and operation. Moreover, in the eight embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the water heat pump includes a water heat pump unit (13), a hot water coil (10), and two cold water coils, i.e. a primary cold water coil (5a) and a secondary cold water coil (5b). Particularly, in this eight embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the hot water coil (10) is positioned in the reactivation inlet air-path (8) to supply heat to the reactivation inlet air, while the primary cold water coil (5a) is positioned in the process inlet air-path (6) to pre-cool the process inlet air, while the secondary cold water coil (5b) is positioned in the process outlet air-path (7) to post cool the process outlet air.

[0105] Figure 3c shows a ninth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In the ninth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the dehumidifier apparatus is same as that of the eight embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, and operation. Further, in the ninth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the water heat pump in the eight embodiment of the dehumidifier system, is replaced with the airwater hybrid heat pump in the ninth embodiment of the dehumidifier system. In the ninth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the air-water hybrid heat pump comprises a water heat pump unit (13), a condenser (10), and two cold water coils, i.e. a primary cold water coil (5a) and a secondary cold water coil (5b). Particularly, in this ninth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the condenser (10) is positioned in the reactivation inlet air-path (8) to supply heat to the reactivation inlet air, while the primary cold water coil (5a) is positioned in the process inlet airpath (6) to pre-cool the process inlet air, while the secondary cold water coil (5b) is positioned in the process outlet air-path (7) to post cool the process outlet air.

[0106] Figure 4a shows a tenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In the tenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the dehumidifier apparatus is same as that of the first embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, and operation. Moreover, in the tenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the air heat pump is also same as that of the first embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, and operation, with a difference in placement of the evaporator (5). Particularly, in this tenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the evaporator (5) is positioned outside any of the air-paths of the dehumidifier apparatus, to use cooling for external purposes.

[0107] Figure 4b shows an eleventh embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In the eleventh embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the dehumidifier apparatus is same as that of the second embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, and operation. Moreover, in the eleventh embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the water heat pump is also same as that of the second embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, and operation, with a difference in placement of the chilled water coil (5). Particularly, in this eleventh embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the chilled water coil (5) is positioned outside any of the air-paths of the dehumidifier apparatus, to use cooling for external purposes.

[0108] Figure 4c shows a twelfth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In the twelfth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the dehumidifier apparatus is same as that of the eleventh embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, and operation. Further, in the twelfth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the water heat pump in the eleventh embodiment of the dehumidifier system, is replaced with the air-water hybrid heat pump in the twelfth embodiment of the dehumidifier system. In the twelfth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the air-water hybrid heat pump comprises a water heat pump unit, a condenser (10) (also interchangeably referred to as ‘heatsupplying heat exchanger’), and a chilled water coil unit (5) (also interchangeably referred to as ‘heat-exchanging heat exchanger’). Particularly, in this twelfth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the chilled water coil (5) is positioned outside any of the air-paths of the dehumidifier apparatus, to use cooling for external purposes, while the condenser (10) is positioned in the reactivation inlet air path to pass heat to the reactivation inlet air.

[0109] Figure 5a(l) shows a thirteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. The thirteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system is used for the purposes of air-water generation, as opposed to previous embodiments first to eight embodiment of the dehumidifier system. In the thirteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the dehumidifier apparatus is same as that of the first embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, and operation. Moreover, in the thirteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the air heat pump is also same as that of the first embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, and operation, with a difference in placement of the evaporator (5). Particularly, in this thirteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the evaporator (5) is positioned in the reactivation air outlet air-path (12) for cooling the reactivation outlet air in the reactivation air outlet air-path (12). Such cooling of the reactivation outlet air causes condensation of the moisture received therein. Such condensed water is collected in a recover tank (14), for potable purposes. Thus, this embodiment proves beneficial, particularly in arid areas, for the purposes of water extraction from air.

[0110] Figure 5a(2) shows a fourteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In the fourteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the dehumidifier apparatus is same as that of the thirteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, and operation. Moreover, in the fourteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, a portion of the reactivation outlet air is extracted and added to the process inlet air, while entire operation remaining the same as that of the ninth embodiment of the dehumidifier system.

[0111] Figure 5a (3) shows a fifteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In the fifteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the dehumidifier apparatus is same as that of the first embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, and operation. Moreover, in the fifteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the air heat pump includes a compressor (9), a condenser (10), an auxiliary condenser (15), an expansion valve, and an evaporator (5). Particularly, in this fifteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the compressor (9) and the condenser (10) are positioned in the reactivation inlet air-path (8) to supply heat to the reactivation inlet air, the auxiliary condenser (15) is positioned outside any of the air-paths of the dehumidifier apparatus for dissipating heat separately, while the evaporator (5) is positioned in the reactivation air outlet airpath (12) for cooling the reactivation outlet air in the reactivation air outlet air-path (12). Such cooling of the reactivation outlet air causes condensation of the moisture received therein. Such condensed water is collected in a recover tank (14), for potable purposes. Thus, this embodiment proves beneficial, particularly in arid areas, for the purposes of water extraction from air.

[0112] Figure 5a(4) shows a sixteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In the sixteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the dehumidifier apparatus is same as that of the fifteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, and operation. Moreover, in the twelfth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, a portion of the reactivation outlet air is extracted and added to the process inlet air, while entire operation remaining the same as that of the fifteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system.

[0113] Figure 5a (5) shows a seventeenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In the seventeenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the dehumidifier apparatus is same as that of the first embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, and operation. Moreover, in the seventeenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the air heat pump includes a compressor (9), a condenser (10), an auxiliary condenser (15), an expansion valve, and an evaporator (5). Particularly, in this seventeenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the compressor (9) and the condenser (10) are positioned in the reactivation inlet air-path (8) to supply heat to the reactivation inlet air, the auxiliary condenser (15) is positioned within the process outlet air-path (7) to transfer heat to the process outlet air, while the evaporator (5) is positioned in the reactivation air outlet air-path (12) for cooling the reactivation outlet air in the reactivation air outlet air-path (12). Such cooling of the reactivation outlet air causes condensation of the moisture received therein. Such condensed water is collected in a recover tank (14), for potable purposes. Thus, this embodiment proves beneficial, particularly in arid areas, for the purposes of water extraction from air.

[0114] Figure 5a(6) shows a eighteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In the eighteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the dehumidifier apparatus is same as that of the seventeenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, and operation. Moreover, in the eighteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, a portion of the reactivation outlet air is extracted and added to the process inlet air, while entire operation remaining the same as that of the thirteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system.

[0115] Figure 5b (1) shows a nineteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In the nineteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the dehumidifier apparatus is same as that of the second embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, and operation. Moreover, in the nineteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the water heat pump includes a water heat pump unit (13), a hot water coil (10), and a chilled water coil (5). Particularly, in this nineteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the hot water coil (10) is positioned in the reactivation inlet air-path (8) to supply heat to the reactivation inlet air, while the chilled water coil (5) is positioned in the reactivation air outlet air-path (12) for cooling the reactivation outlet air in the reactivation air outlet air-path (12). Such cooling of the reactivation outlet air causes condensation of the moisture received therein. Such condensed water is collected in a recover tank (14), for potable purposes. Thus, this embodiment proves beneficial, particularly in arid areas, for the purposes of water extraction from air.

[0116] Figure 5b(2) shows a twentieth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In the twentieth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the dehumidifier apparatus is same as that of the nineteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, and operation. Moreover, in the twentieth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, a portion of the reactivation outlet air is extracted and added to the process inlet air, while entire operation remaining the same as that of the nineteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system.

[0117] Figure 5b (3) shows a twenty-first embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In the twenty-first embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the dehumidifier apparatus is same as that of the second embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, and operation. Moreover, in the twenty-first embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the water heat pump includes a water heat pump unit (13), a hot water coil (10), an auxiliary hot water coil (10a), and a chilled water coil (5). Particularly, in this twenty-first embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the hot water coil (10) is positioned in the reactivation inlet air-path (8) to supply heat to the reactivation inlet air, while the auxiliary hot water coil (10a) is positioned outside any of the air-paths, and while the chilled water coil (5) is positioned in the reactivation air outlet air-path (12) for cooling the reactivation outlet air in the reactivation air outlet air-path (12). Such cooling of the reactivation outlet air causes condensation of the moisture received therein. Such condensed water is collected in a recover tank (14), for potable purposes. Thus, this embodiment proves beneficial, particularly in arid areas, for the purposes of water extraction from air.

[0118] Figure 5b(4) shows a twenty-second embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In the twenty-second embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the dehumidifier apparatus is same as that of the twenty-first embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, and operation. Moreover, in the twenty- second embodiment of the dehumidifier system, a portion of the reactivation outlet air is extracted and added to the process inlet air, while entire operation remaining the same as that of the twenty- first embodiment of the dehumidifier system.

[0119] Figure 5b (5) shows a twenty-third embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In the twenty -third embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the dehumidifier apparatus is same as that of the second embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, and operation. Moreover, in the twenty-third embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the water heat pump includes a water heat pump unit (13), a hot water coil (10), an auxiliary hot water coil (10a), and a chilled water coil (5). Particularly, in this twenty- third embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the hot water coil (10) is positioned in the reactivation inlet air-path (8) to supply heat to the reactivation inlet air, while the auxiliary hot water coil (10a) is positioned within the process outlet air-path (7) to transfer heat to the process outlet air, and while the chilled water coil (5) is positioned in the reactivation air outlet air-path (12) for cooling the reactivation outlet air in the reactivation air outlet air-path (12). Such cooling of the reactivation outlet air causes condensation of the moisture received therein. Such condensed water is collected in a recover tank (14), for potable purposes. Thus, this embodiment proves beneficial, particularly in arid areas, for the purposes of water extraction from air.

[0120] Figure 5b(6) shows a twenty-fourth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In the twenty -third embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the dehumidifier apparatus is same as that of the twenty-third embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, and operation. Moreover, in the twenty-fourth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, a portion of the reactivation outlet air is extracted and added to the process inlet air, while entire operation remaining the same as that of the twenty -third embodiment of the dehumidifier system.

[0121] Figure 5c(l) shows a twenty-fifth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In the twenty-fifth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the dehumidifier apparatus is same as that of the thirteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, operation, and positioning of components. Further, in the twenty-fifth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the air heat pump in the thirteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, is replaced with the air-water hybrid heat pump in the twenty-fifth embodiment of the dehumidifier system. In the twenty-fifth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the air-water hybrid heat pump comprises a water heat pump unit, a condenser (10) (also interchangeably referred to as ‘heat-supplying heat exchanger’), and a chilled water coil unit (5) (also interchangeably referred to as ‘heat-exchanging heat exchanger’).

[0122] Positioning of each of these components is similar to the thirteenth embodiment.

[0123] Figure 5c(2) shows a twenty-sixth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In the twenty-sixth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the dehumidifier apparatus is same as that of the fourteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, operation, and positioning of components. Further, in the twenty-sixth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the air heat pump in the fourteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, is replaced with the air-water hybrid heat pump in the twenty-sixth embodiment of the dehumidifier system. In the twenty-sixth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the air-water hybrid heat pump comprises a water heat pump unit, a condenser (10) (also interchangeably referred to as ‘heat-supplying heat exchanger’), and a chilled water coil unit (5) (also interchangeably referred to as ‘heat-exchanging heat exchanger’). Positioning of each of these components is similar to the fourteenth embodiment.

[0124] Figure 5c(3) shows a twenty-seventh embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In the twenty -seventh embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the dehumidifier apparatus is same as that of the fifteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, operation, and positioning of components. Further, in the twenty-seventh embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the air heat pump in the fifteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, is replaced with the air-water hybrid heat pump in the twenty-seventh embodiment of the dehumidifier system. In the twenty-seventh embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the air-water hybrid heat pump comprises a water heat pump unit, a condenser (10) (also interchangeably referred to as ‘heat-supplying heat exchanger’), an auxiliary condenser (10a), and a chilled water coil unit (5) (also interchangeably referred to as ‘heatexchanging heat exchanger’). Positioning of each of these components is similar to the fifteenth embodiment.

[0125] Figure 5c(4) shows a twenty-eighth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In the twenty-eighth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the dehumidifier apparatus is same as that of the sixteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, operation, and positioning of components. Further, in the twenty-eighth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the air heat pump in the sixteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, is replaced with the air-water hybrid heat pump in the twenty-eighth embodiment of the dehumidifier system. In the twenty-eighth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the air-water hybrid heat pump comprises a water heat pump unit, a condenser (10) (also interchangeably referred to as ‘heat-supplying heat exchanger’), an auxiliary condenser (10a), and a chilled water coil unit (5) (also interchangeably referred to as ‘heatexchanging heat exchanger’). Positioning of each of these components is similar to the sixteenth embodiment.

[0126] Figure 5c(5) shows a twenty-ninth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In the twenty-ninth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the dehumidifier apparatus is same as that of the seventeenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, operation, and positioning of components. Further, in the twenty-ninth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the air heat pump in the seventeenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, is replaced with the air-water hybrid heat pump in the twenty-ninth embodiment of the dehumidifier system. In the twenty-ninth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the air-water hybrid heat pump comprises a water heat pump unit, a condenser (10) (also interchangeably referred to as ‘heat-supplying heat exchanger’), an auxiliary condenser (10a), and a chilled water coil unit (5) (also interchangeably referred to as ‘heatexchanging heat exchanger’). Positioning of each of these components is similar to the seventeenth embodiment.

[0127] Figure 5c(6) shows a thirtieth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In the thirtieth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the dehumidifier apparatus is same as that of the eighteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, operation, and positioning of components. Further, in the thirtieth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the air heat pump in the eighteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, is replaced with the air-water hybrid heat pump in the thirtieth embodiment of the dehumidifier system. In the thirtieth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the air-water hybrid heat pump comprises a water heat pump unit, a condenser (10) (also interchangeably referred to as ‘heat-supplying heat exchanger’), an auxiliary condenser (10a), and a chilled water coil unit (5) (also interchangeably referred to as ‘heat-exchanging heat exchanger’). Positioning of each of these components is similar to the eighteenth embodiment.

[0128] Figure 5d(l ) shows a thirty-first embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In the thirty-first embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the dehumidifier apparatus is same as that of the nineteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, operation, and positioning of components. Further, in the thirty- first embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the water heat pump in the nineteenth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, is replaced with the air-water hybrid heat pump in the thirty-first embodiment of the dehumidifier system. In the thirty-first embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the air-water hybrid heat pump comprises a water heat pump unit, a hot-water coil (10) (also interchangeably referred to as ‘heat-supplying heat exchanger’), and an evaporator (5) (also interchangeably referred to as ‘heat-exchanging heat exchanger’). Positioning of each of these components is similar to the nineteenth embodiment.

[0129] Figure 5d(2) shows a thirty-second embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In the thirty-second embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the dehumidifier apparatus is same as that of the twentieth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, operation, and positioning of components. Further, in the thirty-second embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the water heat pump in the twentieth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, is replaced with the air-water hybrid heat pump in the thirty-second embodiment of the dehumidifier system. In the thirty-second embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the air-water hybrid heat pump comprises a water heat pump unit, a hot- water coil (10) (also interchangeably referred to as ‘heat-supplying heat exchanger’), and an evaporator (5) (also interchangeably referred to as ‘heat-exchanging heat exchanger’). Positioning of each of these components is similar to the twentieth embodiment.

[0130] Figure 5d(3) shows a thirty-third embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In the thirty-third embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the dehumidifier apparatus is same as that of the twenty -first embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, operation, and positioning of components. Further, in the thirty- third embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the water heat pump in the twenty -first embodiment of the dehumidifier system, is replaced with the air-water hybrid heat pump in the thirty-third embodiment of the dehumidifier system. In the thirty-third embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the air- water hybrid heat pump comprises a water heat pump unit, a hot-water coil (10) (also interchangeably referred to as ‘heat-supplying heat exchanger’), an auxiliary hot water coil (10a), and an evaporator (5) (also interchangeably referred to as ‘heat-exchanging heat exchanger’). Positioning of each of these components is similar to the twenty -first embodiment.

[0131] Figure 5d(4) shows a thirty -fourth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In the thirty-second embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the dehumidifier apparatus is same as that of the twentieth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, operation, and positioning of components. Further, in the thirty- second embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the water heat pump in the twentieth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, is replaced with the air-water hybrid heat pump in the thirty-second embodiment of the dehumidifier system. In the thirty-second embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the air- water hybrid heat pump comprises a water heat pump unit, a hot- water coil (10) (also interchangeably referred to as ‘heat-supplying heat exchanger’), and an evaporator (5) (also interchangeably referred to as ‘heat-exchanging heat exchanger’). Positioning of each of these components is similar to the twenty-second embodiment.

[0132] Figure 5d(5) shows a thirty -fifth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In the thirty-fifth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the dehumidifier apparatus is same as that of the twenty -third embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, operation, and positioning of components. Further, in the thirtyfifth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the water heat pump in the twenty -third embodiment of the dehumidifier system, is replaced with the air-water hybrid heat pump in the thirty-fifth embodiment of the dehumidifier system. In the thirty-fifth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the air- water hybrid heat pump comprises a water heat pump unit, a hot-water coil (10) (also interchangeably referred to as ‘heat-supplying heat exchanger’), an auxiliary hot water coil (10a), and an evaporator (5) (also interchangeably referred to as ‘heat-exchanging heat exchanger’). Positioning of each of these components is similar to the twenty -third embodiment.

[0133] Figure 5d(6) shows a thirty-sixth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. In the thirty-sixth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the dehumidifier apparatus is same as that of the twenty-fourth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, in terms of structure, arrangement, operation, and positioning of components. Further, in the thirty-sixth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the water heat pump in the twenty -fourth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, is replaced with the air-water hybrid heat pump in the thirty-sixth embodiment of the dehumidifier system. In the thirty-sixth embodiment of the dehumidifier system, the air-water hybrid heat pump comprises a water heat pump unit, a hot- water coil (10) (also interchangeably referred to as ‘heat-supplying heat exchanger’), and an evaporator (5) (also interchangeably referred to as ‘heat-exchanging heat exchanger’). Positioning of each of these components is similar to the twenty-fourth embodiment.

[0134] Conclusively, in each of the aforesaid embodiments, the desiccant wheel is regenerated at a temperature of less than 100°C, preferably less than less than 80°C, more preferably between 60°C to 80°C. In an embodiment, the adsorption capacity of the desiccant wheel at a relative humidity (RH) from 5% to 90%, typically with Type-2, or Type-3, or Type-4, or S-curve desiccant material, is up to 180%. Al though, particular embodiments have been disclosed herein in detail, this is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended in any way to limit the intended scope of the invention. Variations and adaptions of the system as described herein do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention and is within the expertise of a person skilled in the art. LIST OF COMPONENTS

[0135] 1 - Desiccant wheel

[0136] 2 - Process Sector

[0137] 3 - Reactivation Sector 4 - Wheel Drive

[0138] 11 - Blower more fans

[0139] 6,7,8,12 - Air paths

[0140] 9 - Compressor

[0141] 10 - Condenser / Hot Water Coil 5 - Evaporator / Chilled Water Coil

[0142] 5a - Primary Evaporator / Primary Chilled Water Coil

[0143] 5b - Secondary Evaporator / Primary Chilled Water Coil

[0144] 14 - Water Collection Tank

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. A dehumidifier system, comprising: o a dehumidifier apparatus, comprising:■ a desiccant wheel, comprising:• a honeycomb matrix structure, said honeycomb matrix structure comprising a plurality of honeycomb flutes, the honeycomb matrix structure comprising a porous substrate, and a desiccant material formulated onto and within the porous substrate,• wherein the desiccant material is selected from the group consisting of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs), Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework (ZIFs), an inorganic material, and / or combinations thereof,• wherein the desiccant material is porous,• wherein the desiccant material is micropore having a pore size less than 15 Angstrom;• wherein the desiccant material is regenerated at a temperature less than 100 degC,• wherein the energy requirement of the desiccant wheel with the desiccant material capable of being regenerated at < 100°C is at least 10% less, in terms of kW / kg of water removed, compared to desiccant wheel with silica gel-type desiccant material, at identical operating conditions,• wherein the moisture removal capacity of the desiccant wheel with special desiccant material capable of being regenerated at < 100°C is at least 10% more, in terms of kg of water removal / kg of air, compared to desiccant wheel with silica-gel type desiccant material, at identical operating conditions,• wherein the desiccant material has a surface area in a range of 500 m2 / g to 10000 m2 / g,■ a housing with internal baffles and air seals installed proximal to a face of the desiccant wheel, to create at least a reactivation sector and a processsector, for passing air therethrough; and■ a wheel drive capable of rotating the desiccant wheel; and o a heat pump, comprising:■ a heat-supplying heat exchanger for supplying heat for the ‘reactivation air’ before passing through the reactivation sector of the desiccant wheel.

2. The dehumidifier system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat pump comprises one or more heat-extracting heat exchangers, for extracting heat from any of: o ‘process air’ before passing through the process sector of the desiccant wheel; o ‘process air’ after passing through the process sector of the desiccant wheel; o both of the ‘process air’ before passing through the process sector of the desiccant wheel, and the ‘process air’ after passing through the process sector of the desiccant wheel; o independent free-cooled air; o ‘reactivation air’ after passing through the reactivation sector of the desiccant wheel; o both of the ‘independent free-cooled air’ and the ‘reactivation air’ after passing through the reactivation sector of the desiccant wheel; and o both of the ‘process air’ after passing through the process sector of the desiccant wheel, and the ‘reactivation air’ after passing through the reactivation sector of the desiccant wheel.

3. The dehumidifier system as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein the heat pump is an air heat pump, such that the heat-supplying heat exchanger is a condenser, while the one or more heat-extracting heat exchanger is an evaporator.

4. The dehumidifier system as claimed in claims 1 and 2, wherein the heat pump is a waterbased heat pump, such that the heat-supplying heat exchanger is a hot-water heatexchanger, while the one or more heat-extraction heat exchanger is a cold-water heatexchanger.

5. The dehumidifier system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the heat pump includes a compressor and an expansion valve, such that the condenser, the evaporator, the compressor, and the expansion valve, are connected in series, while a refrigerant flows through each of the condenser, the evaporator, the compressor, and the expansion valve, from the air heat pump.

6. The dehumidifier system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the heat pump includes a water heater unit, such that the hot-water heat-exchanger, the cold-water heat-exchanger, the water heater unit, are connected in series, while a water flows through each of the hot- water heat-exchanger, the cold-water heat-exchanger, and the water heater unit, to form the heat pump.

7. The dehumidifier system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the desiccant wheel is regenerated at a temperature of preferably less than 80°C, or less than 70°C, or less than 60°C, or less than 50°C.

8. The desiccant apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein an adsorption capacity of the desiccant wheel at a relative humidity (RH) from 5% up to 90%, is up to 180%.

9. The dehumidifier system as claimed in claim 1, an adsorbent sheet, formed by formulating the adsorbent material onto and within the porous substrate, has a weight ratio between the adsorbent material and the porous substrate, in a ratio of upto 8: 1.

10. The dehumidifier system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the MOF is selected from the group consisting of CAU-10H, CAU-23, CAU-30, MIL-16O(A1), aluminum fumarate, aluminum terephthalate, UiO-66, UiO-66-NH2, UiO-67, MOF-801, MOF-802, MOF-841, PCN-222, MIL-100(Fe), MIL-101(Fe), MIL-53(Fe), MIL-lOl(Cr), MIL-lOO(Cr), MIL- 53(Cr), HKUST-1, Cu-BDC, , MIL-125(Ti), NH2-MIL-125(Ti), Ni-CPO-27, MOF-808, NU-1000, NU-1200, MOF-802, C02CI2BTDD, Cr-soc-MOF-1, MOF-573, MOF-805, MOF-8O6, MOF-812, MIL-53(A1), Co-MOF-74, Mg-MOF-74, NOTT-400, MIL-121 ,CAU-3, MFM-300, Al-NDC, Ga-soc-MOF, IRMOF-1, IRMOF-3, MOF-177, MOF-205, MOF-210, PCN-124, MIL-68(In), MOF-DRIF2, Cu-TDPAT, Zn-TDPAT, UiO-68, MIL- 88, PCN-333, NU-1400, MOF-525, SIFSIX , TIFSIX, Cu-BTTri, MIL-125(Ti), NFL-MIL- 125(Ti), MOF-573, MOF-525, Bio-MOF-11, Tb-mesoMOF, Cu-TCPP, Zr-NDC, BUT-17, FJI-HMOF , Al-MOF-235 , Al-MIL-69, Al-PMOF, MIL-47(V) , MIL-68(Ga), Fe-soc- MOF , Cu-MOF-505 , Cu-TZP, Cu-TPT, Cu-CPF-5, RE-fcu-MOFs, Ce-UiO-66, Ce-UiO- 67, Yb-MOFs (Yb-MOF-76) , Mg-MOF-235, Zn-MOF-235, Bio-MOF-lOO , UTSA-16 (Cu-TATB) , UTSA-60, DUT-67(Zr) , DUT-4(A1) , [Ni2(dobdc)] , Zn-Triazolate PCPs, MOF-DRIF1, M0R0F-1, MOF-841(Sc) , CAU-21, CAU-36, ZrTUD-1 , InOF-1 , Ni- MOF-202 , Zn-MOF-74 , KMF-1 , CAU-26, FIR-53, UiO-611, UiO-67, UiO-68 , Ni8(OH)4(BDC)6(DUT-8(Ni)), Ti3-MIL-88B-NH2, CAU-13 , SBMOF-1 , SBMOF-2, MFU-4 , MFU-41 , FMOF-1 , FMOF-2 , CAU-13, IR-MOF-8, DMOF(Zn), CAU-21, CAU-26 , CAU-36 , MIP-200 (Al) , Al-PF-1 , ICR-2, ICR-7, PCN-777 (Zr) , BUT-66 (Zr) , PCN-608 (Zr) , DUT-52 (Zr) , MIP-202(Zr) , IFP-1 , IFP-8, MAF-X27-Fe , MAF-X8- Co, DMOF-1 , NKMOF-l-Ni , CPL-2 , CPL-4 (Ni(pyz)(NO3)2) , InOF-1 , FIR-53, MOF- 199 , MFM-300(In) , MIL-68(In)-BDC-NO2, Ti-CAT-5 , Ti-HTA-1 , CAU-22-Ln , MOF- 76-Ln , PCP-Ln, MIL-96(A1) , MIL-140A (Zr) , Cu-BDC-BPY, Cu-BPyDC , Cu-QPTC , Zn-TBAPy , ZJU-28 , POST-66 , C AU-24 , ALF-1, MOF-5, UiO-66-(OH)2, UiO-66- (COOH)2, UiO-66-Br, UiO-66-(CF3)2, MOF-303, UiO-67-NIL, UiO-67-(OH)2, MOF-801- SO4, MOF-802-NFL, MOF-802-(OH)2, NU-1100, NU-1101, NU-1103, MIL-12O(A1), MIL-122(A1), MIL-53-NH2(Al), MIL-53-(OH)2(Al), CAU-IO-COOH, CAU-IO-OH, CAU-12, CAU-15, Al-TCPP-MOF, MIL-53-NH2(Fe), MIL-68(Fe), MIL-127(Fe), PCN- 250(Fe), Fe-BDC-NO2MOFs, Fe-BTC-NTL, Fe-BPDC, Cu-BTC-NIL, Cu-TATB , Cu- TPA, Cu-PMOF, Cu-HHTP , Cu-CP-MOFs , Zn-MOF-74-NIL , Mg-dobpdc, Ni-dobpdc, Co-CUK-1, Co-MOF-253, JLU-Liu-10, JLU-Liu-20, AZMOF-1, AZMOF-2, FJI-MOF-8, FJI-MOF-11, FJU-90, CPM-200-In, MIP-200-NBL, NENU-500, NENU-511, UiO-66- SO3H, UiO-67-SO3H, PCN-224, PCN-225, Mg2(dobpdc)„ and combination thereof.

11. The dehumidifier system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the COF is selected from the group consisting of TpPa-1, TpPa-2, COF-1, COF-5, COF-6, COF-8, TpBD, COF-LZU1, Tp- Azo, COF-300, TpTt, COF-42, COF-43, N-COF, TpNDI, COF-JLU6, TpBpy, COF-320, PyVg-COF, Tp-DANT-COF, COF-366, Tp-DMTP-COF, COF-PI, Tp-Eth, COF-OMe, COF-F, Tp-Ph, COF-BPDA, COF-TpPa-NH2, COF-TBD: COF- 102, COF- 103, COF- 108, COF -202, COF-203, COF-432, COF-505, TpPa-NO2,COF-DRIFl COF-506, COF-507,COF-508, COF-909, COF-910, COF-912, COF-919, COF-920, CTF-1, CTF-2, CTF-3, CTF-4, TAPT-COF, HT-COF, COF-F3, FCTF-1, PcPBBA, FCTF-2 , FCOF-1, FCOF-2, Porphyrin COF-366-Fe , Porphyrin-COF-367, COF-Porph-v2, Pc-COF, DhaTph COF, TpDha COF, COF-OH, TpPa(OH)-COF, TpBD-(NO2), (ICOF-1), ICOF-2, ICOF-3, Sulfated COFs, COF-150, COF-170, COF-1, COF-180, COF-200, COF-300, COF-300- MeNH2, COF-DHTA , COF-DAAQ ,COF-DRIF2, Azo-COF-1, Azo-COF-2, TFB-DHzD COF , COF-TpBD-(OH)2, COF-SDU1 , EB-COF-1, COF-TpDb , Py-COF, PyTTA-COF, DPP-COF-1, HNU-25, HNU-30, 3D-Py-COF, 3D-CuPc-COF, 3D-Salphen COF, TpPa-F4, COF-TTI, COF-TFPB, AA-COFs, COF-480, COF-482, TPB-DMTP-COF, COF-432, JUC-353,, and combination thereof.

12. The dehumidifier system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ZIF is selected from the group consisting of ZIF-7, ZIF-8, ZIF-67, ZIF-71, ZIF-90, ZIF-93, ZIF-94, ZIF-95, ZIF-100, ZIF-300, ZIF-301, ZIF-302, ZIF-L, ZIF-4, ZIF-20, ZIF-25, ZIF-68, ZIF-69, ZIF-78, ZIF- 81, ZIF-82, ZIF-204, ZIF-1, ZIF-2, ZIF-3, ZIF-DRIF2, ZIF-6, ZIF-10, ZIF-11, ZIF-12, ZIF-71a, ZIF-201, ZIF-202, ZIF-203, ZIF-DRIF1, ZIF-13, ZIF-15, ZIF-16, ZIF-17, ZIF- 18, ZIF-19, ZIF-21, ZIF-22, ZIF-23, ZIF-24, ZIF-26, ZIF-27, ZIF-28, ZIF-29, ZIF-70, ZIF-DRIF1, ZIF-72, ZIF-73, ZIF-74, ZIF-76, ZIF-77 , ZIF-79 , ZIF-80 , ZIF-202a, ZIF-8- NH2 , ZIF-8-SO3H , ZIF-8-COOH , ZIF-8-OH , ZIF-67-NH2, ZIF-L-NJL , ZIF-30, ZIF- 31, ZIF-32, ZIF-33, ZIF-34, ZIF-35,ZIF-36, ZIF-37, ZIF-38, ZIF-39, ZIF-40, ZIF-41, ZIF- 42, ZIF-DRIF2, ZIF-43, ZIF-44, ZIF-45, ZIF -46, ZIF-47, ZIF-48, ZIF-49, ZIF-50, ZIF-51, ZIF-52, ZIF-53, ZIF-54, ZIF-55, ZIF-56, ZIF-57, ZIF-58, ZIF-59, ZIF-60, ZIF-61, ZIF- 62, ZIF-63, ZIF-64, ZIF-65, ZIF-66, and combination thereof.

13. The dehumidifier system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the honeycomb matrix structure substrate is a porous substrate selected from the group consisting of glass fibers, ceramic fibres, natural fibers, synthetic fibers, biosoluble fibers, pulp and combination thereof, and optionally strengthened with 2 to 8% by weight of a rigidifying agent selected from the group consisting of silica sol, alumina sol, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, and acrylate.

14. The dehumidifier system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of the honeycomb flutes has a polygonal or circular cross-section.

15. The dehumidifier system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the polygonal cross-section is sinusoidal.

16. The dehumidifier system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the honeycomb matrix structure comprises a rolled single facer.

17. The dehumidifier system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the honeycomb matrix structure comprises a plurality of stacked facers.

18. The dehumidifier system as claimed in claim 1, wherein process air is dehumidified while passing through the process sector by adsorption of moisture by the desiccant material disposed therein.

19. The dehumidifier system as claimed in claim 1, wherein reactivation air desorbs moisture from the desiccant material disposed within the reactivation portion, while reactivation air is passed through the reactivation sector.

20. The dehumidifier system as claimed in claim 1, comprises a heating unit that heats up the reactivation air before passing through the reactivation portion of the desiccant wheel.

21. The dehumidifier system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the housing with internal baffles of the desiccant wheel defines a purge sector sequentially positioned between the process sector and the reactivation sector, such that a portion of the process air before passing through the process sector, is passed through the purge sector, and mixed to the reactivation air to be further passed through the reactivation sector.

22. The dehumidifier system as claimed in claim 1, wherein comprises: a cooling unit that chills the reactivation air after passing through the reactivation sector, to cause condensation of moisture; and a water collection device that collects moisture in form of potable water.

23. The dehumidifier system as claimed in claim 1, comprises one or more fans for generating a flow of one or more of the process air, the reactivation air, and the purge air, through the process sector, the reactivation sector, and the purge sector of the desiccant wheel.

24. The dehumidifier apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the desiccant material is micropore having a pore size preferably less than 10 Angstrom.

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