Method and device for dehumidification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dehumidification technologies face challenges in efficiently adjusting operating parameters to meet different user requests, such as energy efficiency, maximum water removal per unit time, or low vapor content, due to the dependence of PTC heaters on air velocity and temperature, making it difficult for technicians to set optimum values.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a PTC heater to adjust the amount of dried process air and regeneration air based on the power consumption, allowing for optimization of dehumidification parameters by controlling air flow through constriction means and fan speed, with a control system that calculates and displays optimal operating points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a PTC heater is used as the heating element, then the heating element automatically adjusts power output based on air flow and temperature, but it becomes difficult for technicians to set optimum operating parameters for different operation modes
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically determines optimal operating parameters by measuring the actual power consumption of the PTC heater and calculating the corresponding air flow and temperature conditions. This self-service approach eliminates the need for technicians to manually set complex parameters, as the system autonomously optimizes operation based on real-time heater performance data
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the power consumption of the PTC heater and uses this feedback to adjust operating parameters. By measuring actual power draw and correlating it with air flow and temperature conditions, the control system dynamically optimizes performance across different operation modes without requiring manual intervention
2Adaptability or versatility
If different operation modes are implemented to meet various user requests, then the dehumidifier can adapt to different needs, but the device complexity increases due to multiple parameter settings
Solution Approach 1:
The control system serves multiple operation modes through a single unified parameter adjustment mechanism. By using power consumption as the common basis for optimizing all operation modes, the system provides versatile functionality without requiring separate parameter sets for each mode, thus maintaining simplicity while achieving adaptability
3Power
If maximum power is supplied to the PTC heater, then heating efficiency is maximized, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system supplies power to the PTC heater based on actual operational needs rather than maximum capacity. By measuring actual power consumption and correlating it with air flow and temperature requirements, the system applies partial action - providing exactly the heating power needed for current conditions, thus avoiding excessive energy consumption while maintaining heating efficiency
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
Enables users to easily adjust dehumidification parameters to achieve desired operation modes, optimizing energy use and water removal efficiency while maintaining low vapor content, by using power consumption measurements to set optimal air flow and regeneration air ratios.
Implementation Method 1
a PTC heater wherein no air flows by outputs essentially no power
Implementation Method 2
One kind of heating element is the so-called PTC heater, where PTC stands for Positive Temperature Coefficient
Implementation Method 3
a drying rotor comprising moisture adsorbing means
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An apparatus for dehumidification of air comprises a housing (2) provided with an inlet (3) for process air, an outlet (4) for process air and an opening (17) for regeneration air, a dehumidification element (6), a fan (10) for bringing process air to flow through at least a first portion of the dehumidification element, and a heating element (15) adapted to heat a part of process air flowing through the dehumidification element for regeneration of the dehumidification element by means of the heated process air. By providing control means (4a, 10, 17a, 17b) adapted to control the amount of air that flows though the outlet (4) for process air and the opening (17) for regeneration air and means (6b, 15a; 25) adapted to calculate consumed power for the heating element, wherein the heating element (15) is a PTC heater, a user can in a simple way adjust the operating parameters to a desired operating mode.