Integrated Dehumidifier Water Heating Circuit for Sealed Homes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Super insulated or sealed homes, such as Net-Zero Energy Homes, face challenges in controlling fresh air intake, active dehumidification, and efficiently heating potable water, leading to increased energy consumption and moisture management issues.
Innovation Solution
A multi-mode dehumidifier and water heater system that integrates a refrigeration circuit with a refrigerant-water heat exchanger and a control valve, allowing the system to switch between dehumidification, water heating, and ventilation modes, combined with a central HVAC system for comprehensive air and water management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a refrigeration circuit is used for dehumidification, then moisture control is improved, but energy consumption increases due to separate water heating requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigeration circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: dehumidification through the first condenser and water heating through the second condenser (refrigerant-water heat exchanger). The control valve enables the system to switch between these modes or operate simultaneously, allowing one system to replace what would traditionally require separate dehumidification and water heating equipment, thereby reducing overall energy consumption.
2Loss of energy
If sealed home construction is used, then heat loss is reduced, but moisture management becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically manages moisture in sealed homes through the refrigeration circuit that condenses excess moisture from the air during dehumidification mode. The control valve and associated controls enable the system to respond to humidity conditions and actively remove excess moisture, providing self-service moisture management that works specifically for sealed construction where passive moisture control is insufficient.
3Reliability
If separate dehumidifier and water heater systems are used, then functional performance is maintained, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a dehumidifier and water heater into a single integrated system sharing common components: the refrigeration circuit (compressor, condensers, expansion device), refrigerant lines, and control systems. The first condenser serves the dehumidification function while the second condenser (refrigerant-water heat exchanger) serves the water heating function. This merging reduces device complexity compared to separate systems while maintaining both functional performances through the control valve that directs refrigerant flow as needed.
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 solution efficiently reduces energy costs by providing simultaneous dehumidification, water heating, and ventilation, addressing the specific needs of sealed homes by optimizing energy usage and moisture control, especially in warm climates.
Implementation Method 1
a refrigeration circuit including an evaporator, a first condenser and a compressor
Implementation Method 2
a refrigerant-water heat exchanger having a second condenser fluidly coupled to the refrigeration circuit
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides an apparatus for heating water and dehumidifying air and a water heating and air processing system. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes: (1) a refrigeration circuit including an evaporator, a first condenser and a compressor, (2) a refrigerant-water heat exchanger having a second condenser fluidly coupled to the refrigeration circuit and (3) a control valve operatively connected to the refrigeration circuit to either direct flow of the refrigerant through the first condenser during a dehumidification mode or through the second condenser during a water heating mode.