Multi-Path Air Conditioning Control for Precise Humidity Balance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current air conditioning systems for supermarkets lack fine control over humidity and temperature levels, which is crucial for maintaining optimal conditions that neither compromise refrigeration systems nor affect fresh produce.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning system with a dual path configuration, including a cooling coil, humidity or dew point sensors, and adjustable dampers controlled by a controller to independently manage airflow paths, allowing for precise control of humidity and temperature by routing air over or around the cooling coil based on sensor data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single coil dual path dehumidification system is used where only outside air passes over the cooling coil, then outside air is dehumidified effectively, but fine control over humidity and temperature levels cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the airflow control into three separate dampers (outside air damper, return air damper, bypass air damper) that independently control three different airflow paths. This segmentation allows precise control over the proportion of air routed through each path, enabling fine-tuned humidity and temperature control by adjusting individual damper positions rather than relying on a single complex control mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The dampers are designed to be sequentially moveable between open and closed positions, allowing dynamic adjustment of airflow distribution. The controller can independently modulate each damper's position in response to sensor data, creating a dynamic control system that adapts to changing humidity and temperature requirements, thereby achieving fine control precision
2Reliability
If return air is prevented from flowing over the cooling coil, then dehumidification is improved, but temperature control flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the return air handling into two separate paths: one path (second airflow path) that routes return air over the cooling coil for dehumidification, and another path (third airflow path) that bypasses the coil for temperature adjustment. The return air damper and bypass air damper independently control these paths, allowing the system to maintain high dehumidification effectiveness while providing temperature control flexibility through bypass adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass air damper acts as an intermediary that controls the mixing ratio between dehumidified air (from the second path) and bypassed return air (from the third path). By adjusting the bypass damper position, the system can fine-tune the final supply air temperature without compromising the dehumidification process, as the bypass path allows return air to mix with dehumidified air downstream of the cooling coil
3Measurement precision
If outside air is continuously dehumidified, then humidity levels are controlled, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The outside air damper is dynamically controlled based on sensor feedback, allowing the system to adjust the proportion of outside air routed over the cooling coil. When humidity levels are already acceptable, the damper can be partially closed to reduce the amount of outside air requiring dehumidification, thereby lowering energy consumption while maintaining precise humidity control through selective dehumidification of only the necessary air portion
Solution Approach 2:
The controller receives data from humidity sensors and uses this feedback to modulate the outside air damper position. This closed-loop control ensures that outside air is dehumidified only to the extent necessary to maintain target humidity levels, preventing excessive energy consumption from continuous full-capacity dehumidification while preserving precise humidity control through adaptive adjustment
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 system achieves fine-tuned humidity and temperature control, optimizing dehumidification and cooling efficiency while preventing overcooling and maintaining comfortable interior conditions, thus enhancing the performance and longevity of refrigeration systems and preserving fresh produce.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling coil which is preferably a single DX cooling coil located in the chamber
Implementation Method 2
a cooling coil which is preferably a single DX cooling coil located in the chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioning system includes a housing defining a first airflow path therein between an outside air inlet over a cooling coil and an outlet for delivering outside air from the outside air inlet over the coil to the outlet, a second airflow path between a return air inlet over the cooling coil and to the outlet for delivering return air over the cooling coil, and a third airflow path between the return air inlet and the outlet for delivering return air through the housing without passing over the cooling coil. The system includes outside, return, and bypass air dampers that are sequentially moveable between open and closed positions for directing air through or preventing air from entering the first, second, and third airflow paths, respectively. A controller independently controls the opening and closing of each damper in response to data received from the sensor.