Dehumidification system, dehumidification room, and dehumidification method

Abstract

This dehumidification system comprises: a first dehumidifier 2 that dehumidifies air OA that is outside a dehumidification room 1 in which humidity is controlled and then supplies said air to the inside of the dehumidification room 1; and at least one second dehumidifier 3 that is disposed in the dehumidification room 1 and that dehumidifies air IA that is in the dehumidification room 1 and then supplies said air to the inside of the dehumidification room 1.

Description

Dehumidification System, Dehumidification Chamber, and Dehumidification Method

[0001] The present invention relates to a dehumidification system, a dehumidification chamber, and a dehumidification method.

[0002] As a conventional dehumidification system of this type, the configuration shown in Patent Document 1 below can be cited. Patent Document 1 describes a dehumidification machine combined air conditioner having an outdoor unit, a dehumidifier, and an air conditioner arranged outside the air conditioning target space. The outdoor unit performs total heat exchange between the introduced outside air and the exhaust air, which is a part of the return air from the air conditioning target space, to cool, dehumidify, or heat and humidify the outside air. The dehumidifier dehumidifies the outside air fed from the outdoor unit. The air conditioner cools, or heats and humidifies the mixed air of the outside air dehumidified by the dehumidifier, the outside air directly fed from the outdoor unit, and the return air from the air conditioning target space, or the mixed air of the outside air directly fed from the outdoor unit and the return air from the air conditioning target space, and feeds it as processed air to the air conditioning target space.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-263527

[0004] In the conventional configuration as described above, in order to obtain the return air from the air conditioning target space, it is necessary to connect the external equipment such as the outdoor unit arranged outside the air conditioning target space and the air conditioning target space by a returnduct (return air duct). The returnduct for the dryroom is a highly airtight duct that has been subjected to airtight treatment such as welding or sealing to prevent the intrusion of outside air (moisture), and has more manufacturing processes and is more expensive than a general duct. In the conventional configuration, since the air conditioning target space and the external equipment are connected by a returnduct, the equipment cost has increased.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and one of its objects is to provide a dehumidification system, a dehumidification chamber, and a dehumidification method that can reduce the necessity of a returnduct and reduce the equipment cost.

[0006] [1] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a dehumidification system including a first dehumidifier that dehumidifies the air outside a dehumidification chamber where the humidity is controlled and supplies it into the dehumidification chamber, and at least one second dehumidifier arranged in the dehumidification chamber that dehumidifies the air in the dehumidification chamber and supplies it into the dehumidification chamber.

[0007] [2] The present invention may relate to the dehumidification system described in paragraph 1, wherein the humidity of the air supplied from the second dehumidifier to the dehumidification chamber is lower than the humidity of the air supplied from the first dehumidifier to the dehumidification chamber.

[0008] [3] The present invention may relate to the dehumidification system described in paragraph 1 or 2, comprising a plurality of the second dehumidifiers.

[0009] [4] The present invention may relate to a dehumidification system according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 3, wherein the amount of air supplied from the first dehumidifier to the dehumidification chamber is changed according to the number of second dehumidifiers being regenerated.

[0010] [5] The present invention may relate to a dehumidification system according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 4, wherein the number of operating second dehumidifiers that supply dehumidified air into the dehumidification chamber is changed according to the measured humidity in the dehumidification chamber or the number of workers in the dehumidification chamber.

[0011] [6] The present invention may relate to a dehumidification system according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 5, wherein the dehumidification chamber is divided vertically by a ceiling panel into an internal ceiling space and an indoor space where humidity is controlled, exhaust from the second dehumidifier is discharged into the internal ceiling space, and the exhaust is discharged outside the dehumidification chamber through the internal ceiling space.

[0012] [7] The present invention may relate to the dehumidification system described in paragraph 6, wherein the ceiling panel includes a first panel and a second panel positioned adjacent to the first panel and on which the second dehumidifier is attached, and the first panel and the second panel have the same external shape so that the other can be positioned in the same location as the other.

[0013] [8] The present invention may relate to a dehumidification system according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 5, wherein exhaust from the second dehumidifier is discharged outside the dehumidification room through an exhaust duct connected to the second dehumidifier.

[0014] [9] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a dehumidification room in which humidity is controlled, wherein dehumidified air is supplied from a first dehumidifier that dehumidifies the air outside the dehumidification room and at least one second dehumidifier that is placed inside the dehumidification room and dehumidifies the air inside the dehumidification room.

[0015]

[10] In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a dehumidification method for controlling the humidity of a dehumidification chamber, comprising supplying dehumidified air from a first dehumidifier that dehumidifies air outside the dehumidification chamber and at least one second dehumidifier that is placed inside the dehumidification chamber and dehumidifies air inside the dehumidification chamber.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the dehumidification system, dehumidification chamber, and dehumidification method of the present invention, at least one second dehumidifier located in the dehumidification chamber dehumidifies the air in the dehumidification chamber before supplying it to the chamber, thus reducing the need for return ducts and lowering equipment costs.

[0017] This is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a dehumidification system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. This is an enlarged explanatory diagram showing the second dehumidifier in Figure 1. This is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a dehumidification system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. This is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a dehumidification system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. This is an enlarged explanatory diagram showing the second dehumidifier in Figure 4. This is a front view of the ceiling panel in Figure 4 as seen from inside the dehumidification room.

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to each embodiment, and can be materialized by modifying the components without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining the multiple components disclosed in each embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, components from different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

[0019] (1. About the Dehumidification System) Embodiment 1. Figure 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the dehumidification system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and Figure 2 is an enlarged explanatory diagram showing the second dehumidifier 3 of Figure 1. The dehumidification system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is a system for dehumidifying a dehumidification room 1 in which humidity is controlled. An example of a dehumidification room 1 is a manufacturing room for components such as batteries that contain materials that react with moisture. Another example of a dehumidification room 1 is an organic EL manufacturing room or a capacitor manufacturing room. A dehumidification room 1 may also be called by other names such as a dry room.

[0020] The humidity to be controlled may be relative humidity or absolute humidity. The dehumidification chamber 1 may also have its dew point temperature controlled. For example, in a battery manufacturing room, it may be required to have a dew point temperature of -35°C at a room temperature of 23°C.

[0021] One or more workers 10 enter and exit the dehumidification room 1. Various indoor equipment 11 is installed in the dehumidification room 1. The humidity inside the dehumidification room 1 changes due to the moisture emitted by the workers 10 and / or the indoor equipment 11. The dehumidification system can dehumidify the dehumidification room 1 in response to these humidity changes.

[0022] As shown in Figure 1, the dehumidification system of this embodiment includes a first dehumidifier 2 and at least one second dehumidifier 3.

[0023] The first dehumidifier 2 is configured to dehumidify the air OA outside the dehumidification room 1 and then supply it into the dehumidification room 1. Hereinafter, the air OA outside the dehumidification room 1 may be simply referred to as air OA. The first dehumidifier 2 may be located outside the dehumidification room 1, for example, in a machine room. It is preferable that the first dehumidifier 2 be located above the dehumidification room 1 to avoid malfunctions due to flooding, etc. Examples of locations above the dehumidification room 1 include upper floors or rooftops in multi-story buildings.

[0024] The second dehumidifier 3 is placed inside the dehumidification chamber 1 and is configured to dehumidify the air IA inside the dehumidification chamber 1 before supplying it back into the chamber 1. Hereinafter, the air IA inside the dehumidification chamber 1 may be simply referred to as air IA. Figure 1 shows three second dehumidifiers 3, but the number of second dehumidifiers 3 may be changed as appropriate depending on the required dehumidification capacity, for example.

[0025] Suppose the second dehumidifier 3 is omitted, and dehumidification of the dehumidification room 1 is performed only by the first dehumidifier 2. Due to the moisture (indoor load) emitted by the workers 10 and / or indoor equipment 11, the first dehumidifier 2 will dehumidify to a humidity lower than the required humidity in the dehumidification room 1. Therefore, in a configuration where the second dehumidifier 3 is omitted, in order to reduce the dehumidification load on the first dehumidifier 2, the dehumidification room 1 and the first dehumidifier 2 are connected by a return duct (return air duct), and the air IA inside the dehumidification room 1 is introduced into the first dehumidifier 2 (to obtain return air from the dehumidification room 1). A return duct is a highly airtight duct that has been sealed, for example by welding or sealing, to prevent the intrusion of outside air (moisture), and is more expensive than a general duct because it has more manufacturing steps. Therefore, in a configuration in which the dehumidification room 1 and the first dehumidifier 2 are connected by a return duct, equipment costs increase.

[0026] In contrast, in the dehumidification system of this embodiment, at least one second dehumidifier 3 located in the dehumidification chamber 1 dehumidifies the air in the dehumidification chamber 1 before supplying it to the dehumidification chamber 1. This reduces the need for a return duct and lowers equipment costs. In other words, the indoor load can be borne by the second dehumidifier 3, reducing the need to introduce air IA from the dehumidification chamber 1 to the first dehumidifier 2 via a return duct to reduce the dehumidification load on the first dehumidifier 2. Furthermore, reducing the return duct reduces the transport power, resulting in energy savings. In addition, in a configuration where the dehumidification chamber 1 is dehumidified only by the first dehumidifier 2, it becomes necessary to provide a first dehumidifier 2 with a large capacity. However, by distributing the dehumidification load between the first dehumidifier 2 and the second dehumidifier 3, as in the dehumidification system of this embodiment, a first dehumidifier 2 with a small capacity can be used. A first dehumidifier 2 with a small capacity is often small and lightweight, making it suitable for transporting to the upper part of the dehumidification chamber 1 as described above.

[0027] Furthermore, in a configuration where the second dehumidifier 3 is omitted and dehumidification of the dehumidification room 1 is performed only by the first dehumidifier 2, if the indoor load increases after the start of operation of the dehumidification system, for example, if the number of workers 10 expected to enter the dehumidification room 1 increases, it will be necessary to make major modifications, such as replacing the existing first dehumidifier 2 with a new first dehumidifier 2 with a larger capacity, or adding first dehumidifiers 2 to compensate for the increased indoor load. However, in the dehumidification system of this embodiment, the increase in indoor load can be accommodated by increasing the number of second dehumidifiers 3, thereby improving the flexibility of the system. The performance of one second dehumidifier 3 can be set as appropriate, but for example, one second dehumidifier 3 may have the capacity to handle the indoor load (exhausted moisture) of one worker. Having one second dehumidifier 3 with such performance makes it possible to clarify the relationship between the number of second dehumidifiers 3 and the increase or decrease in the number of workers, thereby improving the convenience of management.

[0028] Various devices may be used as the first dehumidifier 2. As shown in Figure 1, the first dehumidifier 2 may be composed of a desiccant dehumidifier. The first dehumidifier 2 in this embodiment has a desiccant rotor 20, a first blower 21, a pre-cooler 22, a pre-heater 23, a second blower 24, and a first control unit 25.

[0029] The desiccant rotor 20 is a disc-shaped rotating body containing an adsorbent that adsorbs moisture below a predetermined temperature and desorbs moisture above a predetermined temperature. The first blower 21 is configured to supply air OA to the desiccant rotor 20. As the air OA supplied by the first blower 21 passes through the desiccant rotor 20, the moisture in the air OA is adsorbed by the adsorbent. In other words, the air OA is dehumidified. The dehumidified air OA is sometimes referred to as air SA. The pre-cooler 22 is configured to pre-cool the air OA before it is supplied to the desiccant rotor 20. Pre-cooling the air OA improves the moisture adsorption efficiency by the adsorbent.

[0030] Air SA is supplied into the dehumidification chamber 1. The dehumidification chamber 1 is provided with at least one supply port 12 for supplying air SA into the dehumidification chamber 1. Figure 1 shows two supply ports 12, but the number of supply ports 12 can be arbitrarily changed. Although not limited, the supply ports 12 may be provided on the ceiling 1a of the dehumidification chamber 1. The ceiling 1a may be the upper surface that partitions the space in the dehumidification chamber 1 where the humidity is controlled. In this embodiment, the entire dehumidification chamber 1 is considered a space where the humidity is controlled, and the ceiling 1a is the upper surface of the dehumidification chamber 1.

[0031] The air OA from the first blower 21 is supplied to a portion of the desiccant rotor 20, not to the entire surface of the desiccant rotor 20. That is, moisture is adsorbed by the adsorbent in that portion of the air. The area where moisture has been adsorbed moves as the desiccant rotor 20 rotates. The preheater 23 and the second blower 24 are configured to regenerate the adsorbent that has adsorbed moisture by heating it. The preheater 23 is configured to preheat the air OA before it is supplied to the desiccant rotor 20. The second blower 24 is configured to supply the air OA preheated by the preheater 23 to the desiccant rotor 20. Moisture is removed from the adsorbent in the desiccant rotor 20 as the air OA supplied by the second blower 24 passes through the desiccant rotor 20. The second blower 24 is positioned away from the first blower 21 in the circumferential direction of the desiccant rotor 20, and supplies air OA to the desiccant rotor 20 in a different region than that of the first blower 21. The air OA containing moisture removed from the adsorbent is discharged outside the dehumidification chamber 1, for example, outdoors. The air OA discharged outside the dehumidification chamber 1 is sometimes referred to as exhaust EA. The process of removing moisture from the adsorbent is sometimes called regeneration.

[0032] The first control unit 25 is composed of, for example, an inverter, and is configured to control the operation of the first blower 21. The amount of air SA supplied from the first dehumidifier 2 to the dehumidification chamber 1 can be controlled by the control of the first control unit 25.

[0033] Various devices may be used as the second dehumidifier 3. In particular as shown in Figure 2, the second dehumidifier 3 of this embodiment has a first suction unit 31, a second suction unit 32, a third blower 33, a fourth blower 34, and a second control unit 35.

[0034] The first adsorption section 31 and the second adsorption section 32 are arranged side by side and are configured to individually accept air IA. The third blower 33 is configured to supply air IA to the first adsorption section 31, and the fourth blower 34 is configured to supply air IA to the second adsorption section 32. The first adsorption section 31 and the second adsorption section 32 contain an adsorbent that adsorbs moisture below a predetermined temperature and dehydrates moisture above a predetermined temperature. As the air IA supplied by the third blower 33 and the fourth blower 34 passes through the first adsorption section 31 and the second adsorption section 32, the moisture in the air IA is adsorbed by the adsorbent. In other words, dehumidification of the air IA is performed.

[0035] Although not shown in the figures, the first adsorption section 31 and the second adsorption section 32 are equipped with heaters. By heating the first adsorption section 31 and the second adsorption section 32 with the heaters, moisture is removed from the adsorbent material of the first adsorption section 31 and the second adsorption section 32. The air IA containing the moisture removed from the adsorbent material can be discharged outside the dehumidification chamber 1, for example, outdoors, by reversing the rotation of the third blower 33 or the fourth blower 34. The air IA discharged outside the dehumidification chamber 1 is sometimes referred to as exhaust EA. A so-called batch process may be performed in which dehumidification is performed on either the first adsorption section 31 or the second adsorption section 32 while the other is being regenerated. Alternatively, dehumidification or regeneration may be performed simultaneously on both the first adsorption section 31 and the second adsorption section 32.

[0036] In the configuration shown in Figure 1, the second dehumidifier 3 is positioned between the worker 10 and / or indoor equipment 11 and the supply port 12 in the height direction of the dehumidification chamber 1, and the third blower 33 or fourth blower 34 is configured so that the suction side when rotating forward is directed toward the supply port 12 side. That is, when the third blower 33 or fourth blower 34 rotates forward, it draws in air from the supply port 12 side (the upper part of the dehumidification chamber 1). This allows the air dehumidified by the first dehumidifier 2 to be drawn in linearly to the second dehumidifier 3. When rotating forward, the third blower 33 or fourth blower 34 communicates with the intake port formed on the supply port 12 side, but when rotating backward, it communicates with the exhaust duct 45 by switching a valve or the like (not shown). In this embodiment, dehumidification and regeneration are performed by forward and reverse rotation of the third blower 33 or the fourth blower 34. However, the third blower 33 or the fourth blower 34 may be rotated only forward, and another exhaust device (not shown) may be operated during the regeneration process.

[0037] The second control unit 35 is configured to control the switching of the flow path within the second dehumidifier 3, as well as the operation of the third blower 33, the fourth blower 34, and the heater. Through the control of the second control unit 35, the air IA that has passed through the first adsorption unit 31 and the second adsorption unit 32 can be converted into dehumidified air SA or exhaust air EA.

[0038] As shown in Figure 1, the second dehumidifier 3 may be placed at the top of the dehumidification chamber 1. Such placement can be achieved, for example, by suspending the second dehumidifier 3 from the ceiling 1a of the dehumidification chamber 1. Placing the second dehumidifier 3 at the top of the dehumidification chamber 1 allows for effective use of the space within the dehumidification chamber 1. However, the placement of the second dehumidifier 3 is not limited to this, and the second dehumidifier 3 may also be installed on the side wall or floor of the dehumidification chamber 1 (it may be hung on the side wall or installed on the floor). Installing the second dehumidifier 3 on the side wall or floor of the dehumidification chamber 1 makes maintenance of the dehumidification chamber 1 easier compared to when it is placed at the top of the dehumidification chamber 1. When the second dehumidifier 3 is installed on the floor, it may be configured to be movable. The mobility of the second dehumidifier 3 allows for flexible response to changing conditions.

[0039] The humidity of the air SA supplied from the second dehumidifier 3 to the dehumidification chamber 1 may be lower than the humidity of the air SA supplied from the first dehumidifier 2 to the dehumidification chamber 1. The level of humidity of the air SA from the first dehumidifier 2 and the second dehumidifier 3 may be determined by the set humidity of the first dehumidifier 2 and the second dehumidifier 3. By lowering the humidity of the air SA from the second dehumidifier 3, the second dehumidifier 3 can be made to bear the load of the room. As described above, since the second dehumidifier 3 dehumidifies the air IA inside the dehumidification chamber 1, the dehumidification load on the second dehumidifier 3 is smaller than that of the first dehumidifier 2, which dehumidifies the air OA outside the dehumidification chamber 1. For this reason, even if a second dehumidifier 3 with reduced capacity is used, the humidity of the air SA from the second dehumidifier 3 can be lowered relatively easily. The first dehumidifier 2 may supply air with a humidity level required for the dehumidification chamber 1 or higher to the intake side of the second dehumidifier 3 installed in the dehumidification chamber 1, and the second dehumidifier 3 may supply air with a humidity level lower than the required humidity for the dehumidification chamber 1 to the dehumidification chamber 1. Furthermore, the first dehumidifier 2 may supply air with a dew point temperature required for the dehumidification chamber 1 or higher to the intake side of the second dehumidifier 3 installed in the dehumidification chamber 1, and the second dehumidifier 3 may supply air with a humidity level lower than the required dew point temperature for the dehumidification chamber 1 to the dehumidification chamber 1. For example, when it is required that the dew point temperature of the dehumidification chamber 1 be -35°C, the first dehumidifier 2 may supply air with a dew point temperature of -35°C to the dehumidification chamber 1, and the second dehumidifier 3 may supply air with a dew point temperature of -60°C to the dehumidification chamber 1. Furthermore, dehumidified air from the first dehumidifier 2 can be supplied within a range that does not affect production equipment or other components within the dehumidification chamber 1.

[0040] The dehumidification system preferably has multiple second dehumidifiers 3. By providing multiple second dehumidifiers 3, it can respond to multiple distributed indoor load sources. The multiple second dehumidifiers 3 may be arranged far apart from each other.

[0041] The amount of air SA supplied from the first dehumidifier 2 to the dehumidification chamber 1 is determined so that the pressure inside the dehumidification chamber 1 remains constant. The dehumidification chamber 1 is kept under positive pressure to prevent foreign matter from entering from the outside. When exhaust EA from the second dehumidifier 3 or indoor equipment 11, which is in the process of regeneration, is discharged outside the dehumidification chamber 1, the air pressure inside the dehumidification chamber 1 decreases. By determining the amount of air SA supplied from the first dehumidifier 2 to the dehumidification chamber 1 so that the pressure inside the dehumidification chamber 1 remains constant, the decrease in air pressure inside the dehumidification chamber 1 can be suppressed. In other words, the exhaust EA is supplied by the air SA from the first dehumidifier 2.

[0042] The dehumidification system of this embodiment includes a pressure gauge 40 and a first higher-level control unit 41. The pressure gauge 40 is configured to measure the pressure inside the dehumidification chamber 1. The pressure inside the dehumidification chamber 1 decreases as the number of second dehumidifiers 3 being regenerated increases. The first higher-level control unit 41 is connected to the first control unit 25 of the first dehumidifier 2 and the pressure gauge 40. The first higher-level control unit 41 is configured to input a control signal to the first control unit 25 according to the pressure value detected by the pressure gauge 40, and to control the amount of air SA supplied from the first dehumidifier 2 to the dehumidification chamber 1 via the first control unit 25.

[0043] The number of second dehumidifiers 3 that supply dehumidified air SA into the dehumidification chamber 1 is preferably changed according to the measured humidity in the dehumidification chamber 1. In other words, it is preferable that not all of the second dehumidifiers 3 are constantly performing dehumidification, but that some of the second dehumidifiers 3 are paused or restarted according to the measured humidity in the dehumidification chamber 1. By determining the number of second dehumidifiers 3 in operation as needed, the operating cost of the dehumidification system can be reduced.

[0044] The dehumidification system of this embodiment has a hygrometer 42 and a second upper control unit 43. The hygrometer 42 is configured to measure the humidity inside the dehumidification chamber 1. The second upper control unit 43 is connected to the second control unit 35 of the second dehumidifier 3 and the hygrometer 42. The second upper control unit 43 inputs a control signal corresponding to the humidity value detected by the hygrometer 42 to the second control unit 35, and is configured to control the number of operating units of the second dehumidifier 3 that supplies the dehumidified air SA into the dehumidification chamber 1 via the second control unit 35. The second upper control unit 43 may determine the number of operating units of the second dehumidifier 3 according to the humidity value detected by the hygrometer 42, and input a dehumidification command only to the second control unit 35 of a specific second dehumidifier 3 to cause it to perform a dehumidification operation.

[0045] In the dehumidification system of this embodiment, the control of the first dehumidifier 2 by the first upper control unit 41 and the control of the second dehumidifier 3 by the second upper control unit 43 are performed independently of each other.

[0046] In the dehumidification system of this embodiment, the exhaust gas EA from the second dehumidifier 3 is discharged outside the dehumidification chamber 1 through an exhaust duct 45 connected to the second dehumidifier 3. By discharging the exhaust gas EA through the exhaust duct 45 outside the dehumidification chamber 1, the risk of moisture flowing into the dehumidification chamber 1 can be reduced. A fifth blower 46 is connected to the exhaust duct 45, and the exhaust gas EA from the second dehumidifier 3 can be discharged outside the dehumidification chamber 1 by the operation of the fifth blower 46. A third control unit 47 for controlling the operation of the fifth blower 46 is connected to the fifth blower 46. The third control unit 47 is constituted by, for example, an inverter or the like. The second upper control unit 43 is connected to the third control unit 47. The second upper control unit 43 inputs a control signal corresponding to the humidity value detected by the hygrometer 42 to the third control unit 47, and is configured to control the amount of the exhaust gas EA from the second dehumidifier 3 via the third control unit 47. Since the exhaust gas EA of the fifth blower 46 has a lower humidity than the outside air, the exhaust gas EA of the fifth blower 46 may be introduced into the first dehumidifier 2 instead of the outside air OA outside the dehumidification chamber 1. The duct connecting the fifth blower 46 and the first dehumidifier 2 does not have to be highly airtight.

[0047] The exhaust duct 45 may be connected to the indoor device 11. The exhaust EA from the indoor device 11 may also be discharged outside the dehumidification chamber 1 through the exhaust duct 45.

[0048] Embodiment 2. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a dehumidification system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In Embodiment 1, it was explained that the number of operating units of the second dehumidifier 3 that supplies the dehumidified air SA into the dehumidification chamber 1 is changed according to the measured humidity in the dehumidification chamber 1. However, the number of operating units of the second dehumidifier 3 may be determined based on other information. For example, the number of operating units of the second dehumidifier 3 may be determined based on the number of workers 10 in the dehumidification chamber 1. The amount of moisture emitted by one worker 10 may be estimated, and the number of units of the second dehumidifier 3 required for processing the estimated amount of moisture may be operated. The dehumidification system may have worker detection means 50 for detecting the number of workers 10 in the dehumidification chamber 1. In the aspect shown in FIG. 3, the worker detection means 50 is constituted by a camera that photographs the inside of the dehumidification chamber 1. The number of workers 10 can be detected by analyzing the image of the camera. Although not shown, the worker detection means 50 may be a management device that manages the entry and exit of the dehumidification chamber 1.

[0049] Also, in Embodiment 1, it was explained that the control of the first dehumidifier 2 by the first upper control unit 41 and the control of the second dehumidifier 3 by the second upper control unit 43 are performed independently of each other. However, the first dehumidifier 2 and the second dehumidifier 3 may be controlled in association with each other. In the dehumidification system of the present Embodiment 2, the supply amount of the air SA from the first dehumidifier 2 into the dehumidification chamber 1 is changed according to the number of units of the second dehumidifier 3 during regeneration. The amount of the exhaust EA from the second dehumidifier 3 during regeneration is estimated, and the supply amount of the air SA from the first dehumidifier 2 into the dehumidification chamber 1 may be determined so as to cover the estimated amount of the exhaust EA.

[0050] The dehumidification system of this embodiment has a third higher-level control unit 51. The third higher-level control unit 51 is connected to the worker detection means 50, the first control unit 25 of the first dehumidifier 2, and the second control unit 35 of the second dehumidifier 3. The third higher-level control unit 51 determines the number of second dehumidifiers 3 to operate based on the number of workers 10 detected by the worker detection means 50. The third higher-level control unit 51 inputs operation commands to the second control units 35 of the determined number of second dehumidifiers 3. When the second dehumidifier 3 receives an operation command from the third higher-level control unit 51, it performs dehumidification using either the first adsorption unit 31 or the second adsorption unit 32, and regeneration using the other. The third higher-level control unit 51 inputs a control signal corresponding to the determined number of operating units to the first control unit 25, and controls the amount of air SA supplied from the first dehumidifier 2 to the dehumidification chamber 1 via the first control unit 25. The other configurations are the same as in Embodiment 1.

[0051] Embodiment 3. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a dehumidification system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, Figure 5 is an enlarged diagram showing the second dehumidifier 3 in Figure 4, and Figure 6 is a front view of the ceiling panel 60 as seen from inside the dehumidification room 1. Note that Figure 4 omits the illustration of control-related components such as the first control unit 25.

[0052] In Embodiment 1, it was explained that the entire dehumidification chamber 1 is a space where humidity is controlled. However, as shown in Figure 4, the dehumidification chamber 1 may be divided vertically by a ceiling panel 60 into an internal ceiling space 61 and an internal humidity space 62. By dividing it in this way, the volume of the space where humidity must be controlled can be reduced, and the capacity required of the first dehumidifier 2 and the second dehumidifier 3 can be reduced. It is preferable that the ceiling panel 60 airtightly separates the internal ceiling space 61 and the internal humidity space 62. In this embodiment, the ceiling panel 60 constitutes the ceiling 1a, and a supply port 12 for supplying air SA from the first dehumidifier 2 into the internal humidity space 62 is provided in the ceiling panel 60.

[0053] Even in the embodiment where the ceiling panel 60 is provided, the exhaust duct 45 may be connected to the second dehumidifier 3 in the same manner as in Embodiment 1, and the exhaust EA from the second dehumidifier 3 may be discharged outside the dehumidification room 1 through the exhaust duct 45. However, in Embodiment 3, the exhaust EA from the second dehumidifier 3 is discharged into the ceiling space 61, and the exhaust EA is discharged outside the dehumidification room 1 through the ceiling space 61. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the exhaust duct 45 is also provided within the ceiling space 61. However, the exhaust duct 45 in Figure 4 only opens within the ceiling space 61 and is not connected to (or adjacent to) the second dehumidifier 3. By not connecting the exhaust duct 45 to the second dehumidifier 3 in this way, the degree of freedom in the layout of the second dehumidifier 3 can be increased.

[0054] As shown in Figure 5, the second dehumidifier 3 has a first internal duct 36 and a second internal duct 37. One end of the first internal duct 36 opens into the room space 62, and the other end opens near the first suction unit 31 and the third blower 33. When the third blower 33 rotates forward, the air IA in the dehumidification chamber 1 that has passed through the first internal duct 36 is supplied to the first suction unit 31 for dehumidification. On the other hand, when regeneration processing is performed, a heater (not shown) is operated to heat the first suction unit 31, and the third blower 33 is rotated in reverse, so that the exhaust EA from the first suction unit 31 is sent to the ceiling space 61 through a different flow path than the first internal duct 36. Similarly, one end of the second internal duct 37 opens into the room space 62, and the other end opens near the second suction unit 32 and the fourth blower 34. When the fourth blower 34 rotates forward, the air IA in the dehumidification chamber 1 that has passed through the duct 37 inside the second device is supplied to the second adsorption unit 32 for dehumidification. On the other hand, when regeneration is performed, a heater (not shown) is operated to heat the second adsorption unit 32, and the fourth blower 34 is rotated in reverse, so that the exhaust EA from the second adsorption unit 32 is sent to the ceiling space 61 through a different flow path than the duct 37 inside the second device. With the second dehumidifier 3 configured in this way, the air IA in the room space 62 can be efficiently supplied to the first adsorption unit 31 and the second adsorption unit 32. In addition, the mixing of exhaust EA from the ceiling space 61, which contains a lot of moisture, with the air IA to be dehumidified can be reduced.

[0055] In the configurations shown in Figures 4 and 5, the supply port 12, the first internal duct 36 and the second internal duct 37, and the first suction unit 31 and the second suction unit 32 are arranged side by side on the ceiling panel 60. In this case, it is preferable that the distance between the supply port 12 and the first internal duct 36 and the second internal duct 37 is shorter than the distance between the supply port 12 and the first suction unit 31 and the second suction unit 32. This is because the dehumidified air blown out from the first dehumidifier 2 can be easily drawn into the second dehumidifier 3. In this embodiment, dehumidification and regeneration are performed by forward and reverse rotation of the third blower 33 or the fourth blower 34, but it is also possible to operate another exhaust device (not shown) during the regeneration process by only rotating the third blower 33 or the fourth blower 34 forward.

[0056] As shown in Figure 6, the ceiling panel 60 includes a first panel 63 and a second panel 64, which is positioned adjacent to the first panel 63 and to which the second dehumidifier 3 is attached. The first panel 63 and the second panel 64 have the same external shape so that the other can be positioned in the same location as the other. This configuration allows for easy repositioning of the second dehumidifier 3 and easy addition of the second dehumidifier 3, thereby improving the flexibility of the dehumidification system. The second panel 64 has an opening 64a that connects the second dehumidifier 3 to the room space 62. The first panel 63 does not have such an opening 64a and separates the ceiling space 61 from the room space 62. The other configurations are the same as in embodiments 1 and 2.

[0057] (2. Regarding the dehumidification chamber) The dehumidification chamber 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is a dehumidification chamber 1 in which humidity is controlled, and dehumidified air SA is supplied from a first dehumidifier 2 that dehumidifies the air OA outside the dehumidification chamber 1 and at least one second dehumidifier 3 that is placed inside the dehumidification chamber 1 and dehumidifies the air IA inside the dehumidification chamber 1. Details of the configurations of the first dehumidifier 2, the second dehumidifier 3, etc. are as described above.

[0058] (3. Dehumidification Method) The dehumidification method according to the embodiment of the present invention is a dehumidification method for controlling the humidity of a dehumidification chamber 1, and is a dehumidification method that supplies dehumidified air SA from a first dehumidifier 2 that dehumidifies the air OA outside the dehumidification chamber 1 and at least one second dehumidifier 3 that is placed inside the dehumidification chamber 1 and dehumidifies the air IA inside the dehumidification chamber 1. Details of the configurations of the first dehumidifier 2, the second dehumidifier 3, etc. are as described above.

[0059] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the attached drawings, the present invention is not limited to these examples. It is clear to any person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs that various modifications or alterations can be conceived within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and these are also understood to naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0060] For example, although the embodiment was described as having the first adsorption section 31 and the second adsorption section 32 of the second dehumidifier 3 provided separately, the first adsorption section 31 and the second adsorption section 32 may be composed of a single desiccant rotor, and dehumidification and regeneration may be performed simultaneously. Also, the adsorbent material of the first adsorption section 31 and the second adsorption section 32 may be of the cartridge type. In other words, regeneration by heating may not be performed in the second dehumidifier 3.

[0061] Furthermore, the second dehumidifier 3 may be a wheeled dehumidifier with a built-in power supply for the dehumidification function. By having the worker 10 carry and accompany such a second dehumidifier 3, the indoor load due to an increase in the number of workers 10 can be flexibly responded to. In this case, the collected moisture may be stored in a tank or desiccant provided in the dehumidifier and disposed of outside the dehumidification room 1 after the work is completed.

[0062] 1: Dehumidification room 1a: Ceiling 2: First dehumidifier 3: Second dehumidifier 45: Exhaust duct 60: Ceiling panel 61: Ceiling space 62: Interior space 63: First panel 64: Second panel

Claims

1. A dehumidification system comprising: a first dehumidifier that dehumidifies the air outside a dehumidification chamber where humidity is controlled and supplies it into the dehumidification chamber; and at least one second dehumidifier that is located inside the dehumidification chamber and dehumidifies the air inside the dehumidification chamber before supplying it into the dehumidification chamber.

2. The dehumidification system according to claim 1, wherein the humidity of the air supplied from the second dehumidifier to the dehumidification chamber is lower than the humidity of the air supplied from the first dehumidifier to the dehumidification chamber.

3. The dehumidification system according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of the second dehumidifiers.

4. The dehumidification system according to claim 3, wherein the amount of air supplied from the first dehumidifier to the dehumidification chamber is changed according to the number of second dehumidifiers being regenerated.

5. The dehumidification system according to claim 3, wherein the number of second dehumidifiers that supply dehumidified air into the dehumidification chamber is changed according to the measured humidity in the dehumidification chamber or the number of workers in the dehumidification chamber.

6. The dehumidification system according to claim 1, wherein the dehumidification chamber is divided vertically by a ceiling panel into an internal ceiling space and an indoor space where humidity is controlled, exhaust from the second dehumidifier is discharged into the internal ceiling space, and the exhaust is discharged outside the dehumidification chamber through the internal ceiling space.

7. The dehumidification system according to claim 6, wherein the ceiling panel includes a first panel and a second panel positioned adjacent to the first panel and on which the second dehumidifier is attached, and the first panel and the second panel have the same external shape so that the other can be positioned in the same location as the other.

8. The dehumidification system according to claim 1, wherein exhaust from the second dehumidifier is discharged outside the dehumidification room through an exhaust duct connected to the second dehumidifier.

9. A dehumidifying room in which humidity is controlled, wherein dehumidified air is supplied from a first dehumidifier that dehumidifies the air outside the dehumidifying room, and at least one second dehumidifier that is located inside the dehumidifying room and dehumidifies the air inside the dehumidifying room.

10. A dehumidification method for controlling the humidity of a dehumidification chamber, comprising supplying dehumidified air from a first dehumidifier that dehumidifies air outside the dehumidification chamber and at least one second dehumidifier that is placed inside the dehumidification chamber and dehumidifies the air inside the dehumidification chamber.

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