Cooling Systems Having An Integrated Ionic Liquid Salt Dehumidification System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional HVAC systems require inefficient cooling and reheating to dehumidify air, using large amounts of heat for regeneration, which limits their efficiency in reducing the latent cooling load.
Innovation Solution
An integrated ionic liquid salt dehumidification system utilizing thermally stable organic liquid salts with low vapor pressure, such as 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, which can absorb and desorb water vapor efficiently using low-grade heat, is incorporated into a cooling system, allowing for efficient moisture uptake and release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional vapor compression refrigeration cycles are used to dehumidify air, then moisture is removed from humid air through condensation, but inefficient cooling and reheating of air is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates dehumidification from cooling into two independent functions: the ionic liquid desiccant handles moisture removal while a separate heat exchanger handles temperature control. This eliminates the need to over-cool and reheat air, directly resolving the energy inefficiency of conventional vapor compression cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the dehumidification mechanism from temperature-based condensation to chemical absorption using ionic liquid desiccants. This parameter change allows dehumidification to occur without necessarily lowering air temperature, eliminating the reheating step and improving overall energy efficiency.
2Loss of energy
If ordinary salts are used in ionic liquid dehumidification systems, then dehumidification can be achieved, but high driving temperatures are required for regeneration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects ionic liquid desiccants with specific properties (low vapor pressure, high deliquescence humidity) that enable regeneration at lower temperatures than conventional salts. This parameter optimization reduces the thermal energy required for the regeneration process while maintaining effective dehumidification performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses composite ionic liquid formulations combining different cations and anions to achieve optimal balance between moisture absorption capacity and regeneration temperature requirements. This material composition optimization allows efficient dehumidification with reduced thermal input for regeneration.
3Productivity
If ionic liquid desiccants are used to absorb moisture, then dehumidification efficiency is improved, but the system requires integration with heat pump or heating devices for regeneration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the ionic liquid desiccant dehumidification system with a heat pump or heating device to create a coupled system where the heating function serves dual purposes: providing comfort heating and supplying regeneration heat. This merging reduces overall system complexity compared to separate dehumidification and heating systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating device serves multiple functions: it provides space heating when needed and supplies thermal energy for ionic liquid regeneration. This multi-functionality improves productivity by enabling efficient dehumidification while utilizing existing thermal resources, reducing the need for dedicated regeneration equipment.
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 energy consumption by enabling dehumidification without over-cooling, achieving higher efficiency in cooling systems by using low-grade heat for regeneration and maintaining thermal stability, thus improving the overall performance of HVAC systems.
Implementation Method 1
ionic liquid salt dehumidification system... absorb moisture from an inlet airflow
Implementation Method 2
a heating device that regenerators the organic ionic salt composition by heating it to drive out moisture
Implementation Method 3
moisture is expelled or reduced from the organic ionic salt composition
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling system utilizes an organic ionic salt composition for dehumidification of an airflow. The organic ionic salt composition absorbs moisture from an inlet airflow to produce an outlet airflow with a reduce moisture from that of the inlet airflow. The organic ionic salt composition may be regenerated, wherein the absorbed moisture is expelled by heating with a heating device. The heating device may be an electrochemical heating device, such as a fuel cell, an electrochemical metal hydride heating device, an electrochemical heat pump or compressor, or a condenser of a refrigerant cycle, which may utilize an electrochemical pump or compressor. The efficiency of the cooling system may be increased by utilization of the waste heat the cooling system. The organic ionic salt composition may circulate back and forth or in a loop between a conditioner, where it absorbs moisture, to a regenerator, where moisture is desorbed by heating.