Dehumidifier Moisture Removal Calculation Without Outlet RH Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dehumidifiers face challenges in accurately determining their moisture removal performance due to elevated outlet airflow temperatures, which can lead to erroneous measurements and significant financial implications, especially in applications like water restoration projects.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining dehumidifier performance using mass and energy balances, measuring inlet and outlet temperatures and humidity values, and accounting for an efficiency or performance factor based on moisture removal rate and energy consumption, thereby avoiding the measurement of outlet relative humidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional dehumidifier performance measurement methods are used, then the measurement process is simple, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to elevated outlet temperature causing erroneous readings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic outlet relative humidity measurement from the performance determination process. Instead of measuring outlet relative humidity directly (which causes errors due to elevated temperature), the method calculates outlet humidity ratio through energy balance equations using only inlet measurements and operational parameters, thereby eliminating the source of measurement error.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the physical measurement approach (direct humidity sensing at outlet) with a computational approach (energy balance calculations). By substituting direct measurement with mathematical modeling based on thermodynamic principles, the system achieves higher accuracy without requiring complex outlet sensing hardware.
2Reliability
If direct outlet relative humidity measurement is used, then the measurement process is straightforward, but reliability deteriorates due to temperature-induced measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurements at the inlet where conditions are stable and reliable. By measuring inlet temperature and relative humidity before the air enters the dehumidifier (where temperatures are not elevated), the system captures accurate baseline data that can be used to calculate outlet conditions through energy balance, avoiding the unreliable outlet measurement environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces energy balance equations as an intermediary computational model between the measurable inlet conditions and the desired outlet humidity determination. This mathematical intermediary allows the system to derive accurate outlet humidity ratios without directly measuring in the problematic high-temperature outlet environment.
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 provides a more accurate assessment of dehumidifier performance by calculating moisture removal without relying on potentially inaccurate outlet relative humidity measurements, ensuring precise water removal quantification and compliance in applications like water restoration projects.
Implementation Method 1
The evaporator evaporates the cooled liquid refrigerant. The evaporator returns the cooled gas refrigerant to the compressor to complete the refrigeration cycle.
Implementation Method 2
The condenser condenses the hot gas refrigerant to a hot liquid refrigerant and delivers the hot liquid refrigerant to an expansion device.
Implementation Method 3
The air mover that directs the airflow across the evaporator to cool the airflow below the dew point temperature of the air so that water vapor in the air is condensed to liquid and removed from the air.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatuses directed to determining the performance of a dehumidifier are disclosed herein. A method of determining dehumidifier performance configured in accordance with one embodiment includes determining an inlet humidity value for airflow entering the dehumidifier, and determining an outlet humidity value for airflow exiting the dehumidifier. The outlet humidity value is determined based at least in part on an efficiency or correction factor for the dehumidifier. The method further includes comparing the inlet humidity value with the outlet humidity value to determine the amount of moisture that the dehumidifier is removing for the air.