Air conditioning system with multiple energy storage sub-systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current HVAC systems inefficiently control humidity, often over-cooling and re-heating air to manage moisture, leading to high energy consumption and inefficiency, especially in environments like vertical farming and residential buildings where humidity and temperature peaks do not coincide.
Innovation Solution
A system that separates humidity control from temperature control, utilizing multiple energy storage sub-systems such as moisture, electrical, thermal, and water storage, along with a control sub-system to optimize energy use, including a moisture storage device with desiccant media that adsorbs and desorbs moisture based on relative humidity thresholds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If HVAC systems over-cool the air to remove moisture, then humidity control is achieved, but energy consumption increases due to subsequent reheating
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates humidity control from temperature control into independent subsystems. A moisture storage subsystem with desiccant media handles dehumidification, while a thermal storage subsystem handles temperature regulation, eliminating the need to over-cool and reheat air simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the humidity control function from the temperature control function. The moisture storage subsystem specifically targets moisture removal using desiccant materials, while the thermal storage subsystem independently manages temperature, allowing each to operate optimally without compromising the other
2Device complexity
If a single cooling system performs both cooling and dehumidifying functions, then system simplicity is maintained, but energy efficiency decreases when humidity and temperature peaks do not coincide
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different storage subsystems based on real-time conditions. The control subsystem monitors temperature and humidity levels, activating the moisture storage subsystem when humidity is high and the thermal storage subsystem when temperature is high, optimizing energy efficiency for varying load conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by selecting different storage subsystems based on environmental conditions. When humidity peaks occur separately from temperature peaks, the control system adjusts which subsystem is active, matching system response to environmental parameter variations
3Reliability
If HVAC systems run continuously to maintain both temperature and humidity, then comfort levels are maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The storage subsystems pre-store energy and moisture during off-peak periods for later use during high-demand periods. The thermal storage subsystem pre-cools water during low-load periods, and the moisture storage subsystem pre-adsorbs moisture, enabling the system to maintain comfort during peaks without continuous high-energy operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system operates in periodic cycles, alternating between charging and discharging phases of the storage subsystems. During low-demand periods, subsystems charge (store energy or moisture); during high-demand periods, they discharge (release stored energy or moisture), reducing the need for continuous high-energy HVAC operation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces overall energy consumption by storing and releasing moisture selectively, optimizing energy use based on cost and efficiency, and downsizing the primary cooling system, thereby improving energy efficiency and comfort by managing humidity and temperature independently.
Implementation Method 1
a moisture storage device with desiccant media that adsorbs and desorbs moisture based on relative humidity thresholds
Implementation Method 2
a moisture storage device with desiccant media that adsorbs and desorbs moisture based on relative humidity thresholds
Implementation Method 3
a heat exchanger, comprising: a pipe configured to carry a fluid; a plurality of heat exchange surfaces; and a desiccant media arranged in the within a volume defined by the heat exchange surface to allow for heat transfer between fluid and desiccant media
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for separating humidity control from temperature control and utilizing multiple energy storage sub-systems to reduce overall energy consumption, and more generally to cool and dehumidify ambient air using such a multitude of energy storage mediums, including electricity, water, moisture and thermal storage The system uses a primary cooling sub-system such as a vapor compressor in combination with one or more energy storage sub-systems to store energy during one period of operation for later use during another period of operation based on an algorithm that determines the most cost efficient or energy efficient usage.