Dehumidifying element and dehumidifying device having same
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Solution Overview
Problem
In dehumidifying devices using hollow fiber membranes, the uneven distribution of membranes in cylindrical casings leads to inadequate contact area with purging air, resulting in decreased dehumidification efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A dehumidifying element with a hollow cylindrical casing and guide members that divide the dehumidification space into regions, ensuring even distribution of hollow fiber membranes and positioning air supply and discharge holes to enhance contact between purging air and membranes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hollow fiber membranes are accommodated in a bundled and twisted manner in a cylindrical casing, then the membranes can be efficiently packed, but the membranes cling to each other and are present unevenly, causing purging air to flow unevenly and reducing contact area
Solution Approach 1:
The dehumidification space is divided into multiple regions by partition members (baffles) positioned at different heights within the cylindrical casing. This segmentation prevents the hollow fiber membranes from clumping together in a single location, forcing them to distribute more uniformly across the available space. The partition members create physical barriers that guide both membrane placement and air flow patterns, ensuring even contact between purging air and membranes throughout the dehumidification chamber.
2Ease of manufacture
If hollow fiber membranes are accommodated in a bundled and twisted manner, then packing is simplified, but the contact area between purging air and membranes is insufficient, degrading dehumidification efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
Partition members (baffles) are introduced as intermediary structures within the dehumidification space. These baffles act as mediators that physically separate and redistribute the hollow fiber membranes, preventing them from forming dense bundles while maintaining ease of installation. The partition members create multiple flow paths for purging air, ensuring comprehensive contact with the distributed membranes, thereby enhancing dehumidification efficiency without complicating the manufacturing process.
3Ease of operation
If membranes are allowed to distribute freely in the dehumidification space, then installation is easier, but uneven distribution occurs causing inadequate contact area with purging air
Solution Approach 1:
Partition members (baffles) are pre-installed within the cylindrical casing before hollow fiber membranes are introduced. These pre-positioned structures create a predetermined spatial framework that guides membrane placement and prevents uneven distribution. By establishing this structural framework in advance, the system maintains ease of installation while ensuring that membranes will naturally distribute into multiple regions, maximizing the effective contact area with purging air throughout the dehumidification process.
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 prevents uneven membrane distribution and increases the contact area between purging air and hollow fiber membranes, thereby improving dehumidification efficiency by ensuring uniform air flow and effective water vapor removal.
Implementation Method 1
dehumidifies the dehumidification-target air by circulating the target air in the hollow fiber membranes and causing water vapor contained in the dehumidification-target air to pass out through the hollow fiber membranes
Implementation Method 2
a guide member that divides the dehumidification space into a plurality of regions around the axis is disposed in the dehumidification space in the cylindrical casing, and the plurality of the hollow fiber membranes are accommodated in the dehumidification space so as to be distributed into the plurality of the regions
Data Source
AI summary
A dehumidifying element includes a dehumidification space that are formed between a pair of potting material portions and that accommodates hollow fiber membranes through which highly humid dehumidification-target air is circulated. The dehumidifying element also includes an air supply hole for supplying purging air having a humidity lower than the dehumidification-target air to the dehumidification space and an air discharge hole for discharging the purging air supplied to the dehumidification space. In the dehumidification space, a guide member is disposed so as to form a plurality of regions in a cylindrical casing as viewed in the axis-L direction, and the hollow fiber membranes are accommodated in the dehumidification space so as to be distributed into the plurality of regions.