Counter-Flow Dehumidification Core for Air Precooling and Reheating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dehumidification systems are inefficient in precooling and heating air streams, leading to suboptimal dehumidification performance due to inadequate heat exchange designs.
Innovation Solution
A dehumidification apparatus featuring a cooled core with high thermal conductivity and air pathways made of materials with low thermal conductivity, arranged in a counter-flow heat exchange configuration using embossed planar elements with protrusions and recesses to enhance air flow guidance and heat transfer, allowing for effective precooling and post-heating of air streams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional heat exchange designs are used in dehumidification systems, then the system structure is simple, but the precooling and heating efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchange structure is segmented into multiple embossed planar elements with protrusions and recesses, creating distributed heat transfer zones. This segmentation increases the effective heat exchange area and improves precooling and heating efficiency without requiring a completely new structure design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional planar heat exchange surfaces to three-dimensional embossed structures with protrusions and recesses. This dimensional change creates counter-flow air pathways that enhance heat transfer efficiency by utilizing both horizontal and vertical spatial dimensions for optimized air stream interaction.
2Loss of energy
If air pathways are made of materials with low thermal conductivity, then heat loss in pathways is reduced, but the overall heat exchange effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Different materials with appropriate thermal conductivity properties are assigned to different functional zones: low thermal conductivity materials are used for air pathway walls to minimize heat loss, while high thermal conductivity materials are used for embossed planar elements to maximize heat transfer at the heat exchange interface. This local differentiation optimizes both energy conservation and heat exchange effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The embossed planar elements act as thermal intermediaries between the cooled core and the air pathways. These elements facilitate efficient heat transfer from the core to the air streams while the pathway materials prevent heat loss to the environment, creating a balanced thermal management system.
3Productivity
If counter-flow heat exchange configuration is implemented, then precooling and heating efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the precooling and heating functions into a single integrated heat exchange assembly where counter-flow air pathways are formed by alternating embossed planar elements. This consolidation achieves efficient precooling and heating without requiring separate systems, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The embossed planar elements serve multiple functions simultaneously: they define air pathways, provide heat transfer surfaces, guide air flow direction, and create the counter-flow configuration. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, achieving improved efficiency without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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
The apparatus achieves enhanced dehumidification efficiency by optimizing heat exchange through counter-flow air streams and structural design, improving the dehumidification process in dehumidifiers, air conditioners, and water generation systems.
Implementation Method 1
the at least first and second relatively dry air outlet pathways being in heat exchange propinquity with the at least first and second relatively humid air inlet pathways whereby relatively humid air in the first and second relatively humid air inlet pathways is precooled upstream of the cooled core and relatively dry air in the first and second relatively dry air outlet pathways is heated downstream of the cooled core
Implementation Method 2
the cooled core is formed of a material having a relatively high thermal conductivity
Implementation Method 3
the at least first and second relatively humid air inlet pathways and the at least first and second relatively dry air outlet pathways are formed of a material having a relatively low thermal conductivity
Data Source
AI summary
Dehumidification apparatus including a cooled core coupled to an external cooling source, at least first and second relatively humid air inlet pathways leading to the cooled core and at least first and second relatively dry air outlet pathways leading from the cooled core, the outlet pathways being in heat exchange propinquity with the inlet pathways whereby relatively humid air in the inlet pathways is precooled upstream of the cooled core and relatively dry air in the outlet pathways is heated downstream of the cooled core, the cooled core defining a multiplicity of mutually adjacent cooling pathways extending therethrough which are each coupled to one of the inlet pathways and to one of the outlet pathways such that air passes through adjacent ones of the mutually adjacent cooling pathways in mutually different directions.