Enthalpy exchanger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat and humidity exchangers face significant pressure drops due to the use of separators with closely-spaced ribs or flow field inserts, which impede fluid flow and increase energy loss, as well as membrane deflection into channels, leading to inefficiencies in heat and humidity transfer.
Innovation Solution
The use of corrugated or zig-zag separators with triangulated support, wide unobstructed channels, and vortex-generating features on the membrane sheets to reduce pressure drop and enhance fluid flow, combined with asymmetrical membrane orientation and tapered channel edges to balance pressure drops across channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If separators with closely-spaced ribs are used to support the membrane, then membrane stability is improved, but pressure drop increases and fluid flow is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from planar, flat separators to three-dimensional corrugated separators with triangular cross-sections. This dimensional change allows the separators to provide structural support through their geometric shape rather than relying on closely-spaced ribs, reducing flow obstruction while maintaining membrane stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The corrugated separators feature curved, zig-zag profiles rather than straight lines. This curvature creates triangular channels that provide structural rigidity while allowing fluid to flow along the curved paths, reducing turbulence and pressure drop compared to straight-rib configurations.
2Loss of energy
If corrugated separators with wide channels are used, then pressure drop is reduced and fluid flow is improved, but membrane support and spacing maintenance become challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The corrugated separators feature curved, zig-zag profiles rather than straight lines. This curvature creates triangular channels that provide structural rigidity while allowing fluid to flow along the curved paths, reducing turbulence and pressure drop compared to straight-rib configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from planar, flat separators to three-dimensional corrugated separators with triangular cross-sections. This dimensional change allows the separators to provide structural support through their geometric shape rather than relying on closely-spaced ribs, reducing flow obstruction while maintaining membrane stability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If flow field inserts are used to provide support and flow channels, then membrane support is improved, but flow paths become tortuous and pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The corrugated separators feature curved, zig-zag profiles rather than straight lines. This curvature creates triangular channels that provide structural rigidity while allowing fluid to flow along the curved paths, reducing turbulence and pressure drop compared to straight-rib configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from planar, flat separators to three-dimensional corrugated separators with triangular cross-sections. This dimensional change allows the separators to provide structural support through their geometric shape rather than relying on closely-spaced ribs, reducing flow obstruction while maintaining membrane stability.
4Productivity
If membrane sheets are made thin and flexible for permeability, then heat and humidity transfer is improved, but membrane deflection into channels increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from planar, flat separators to three-dimensional corrugated separators with triangular cross-sections. This dimensional change allows the separators to provide structural support through their geometric shape rather than relying on closely-spaced ribs, reducing flow obstruction while maintaining membrane stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The corrugated separators feature curved, zig-zag profiles rather than straight lines. This curvature creates triangular channels that provide structural rigidity while allowing fluid to flow along the curved paths, reducing turbulence and pressure drop compared to straight-rib configurations.
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 configuration results in reduced pressure drops, improved fluid flow, and enhanced heat and humidity transfer efficiency, while maintaining membrane stability and preventing frost buildup, thus optimizing energy recovery in ERV systems.
Implementation Method 1
Each panel comprises first and second membrane sheets (12A, 12B) that are permeable to water vapor
Implementation Method 2
vortex-generating features on the membrane sheets to reduce pressure drop and enhance fluid flow
Implementation Method 3
heat and humidity are transferred between the streams via the membrane
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 2A~2D
AI summary
A heat and humidity exchanger comprises panels made up of membrane sheets attached on either side of a separator. Channels extend across each panel between the separator and the membrane sheets. The panels are much stiffer than the membrane sheets. Panels are stacked in a spaced apart relationship to provide an ERV core. Spacing between adjacent panels may be smaller than a thickness of the panels,