Double-flow air processing and dessication plant suitable for watercraft activity buildings, and method for controlling such a plant
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing desiccant air handling units are energy-intensive and ineffective in heating mode for providing hot air with high humidification, and they concentrate pollutants by reinjecting stale air into fresh air, which is problematic for indoor swimming pools and similar environments requiring temperature and humidity regulation.
Innovation Solution
A dual-flow air handling unit with a desiccant wheel, recovery heat exchanger, enthalpy heat exchanger, and regeneration heating coil, which recovers humidity from stale air to reduce the need for humidification and minimize pollutant re-injection, using two air circulation paths with a return and supply path, and incorporating a rotary enthalpy heat exchanger for efficient heat and humidity exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a heat pump and cooling system are used to dehumidify air, then humidity control is achieved, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental approach from active cooling-based dehumidification to passive desorption-based dehumidification. The desiccant wheel operates at ambient temperature, absorbing moisture from air without requiring refrigeration cycles, thereby eliminating the high energy consumption associated with heat pumps while maintaining effective humidity control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition properties of the desiccant material, which alternates between absorbing moisture in the cooling season and releasing moisture in the heating season. This passive phase change process replaces energy-intensive mechanical cooling, achieving dehumidification without significant energy input
2Use of energy by moving object
If stale air is reinjected mixed with fresh air, then energy efficiency improves through heat recovery, but pollutant concentration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes pollutants from the air circulation system by completely replacing stale air with fresh air through the desiccant wheel's moisture absorption capability. This eliminates the need to reinject polluted air while maintaining energy efficiency through the heat recovery wheel that captures thermal energy from exhaust air
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a heat recovery wheel as an intermediary device that transfers thermal energy from exhaust air to incoming fresh air without mixing the air streams. This allows energy recovery while preventing pollutant transfer, as the heat exchange occurs through the wheel's thermal conductivity rather than direct air contact
3Reliability
If a desiccant wheel is used for dehumidification in cooling mode, then humidity control is effective, but heating performance in cold seasons is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the desiccant wheel system universal by enabling it to perform both dehumidification in cooling mode and humidification in heating mode. The same desiccant wheel that absorbs moisture during warm periods releases stored moisture during cold periods, providing dual-season functionality without requiring separate systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through the cyclic operation of the desiccant wheel, which alternates between moisture absorption and moisture release phases. During cooling seasons, the wheel absorbs moisture; during heating seasons, it releases moisture naturally, adapting its function to seasonal temperature variations and providing both cooling and heating benefits
4Reliability
If fresh air is heated and humidified in cold seasons, then comfortable indoor environment is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using the heat recovery wheel to preheat incoming fresh air with thermal energy from exhaust air before it enters the heating and humidification stage. This pre-conditioning reduces the energy required for final heating and eliminates the need for separate humidification energy input, as the desiccant wheel provides passive humidification
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 dual-flow air handling unit effectively provides hot air with constant humidification at higher absolute humidity levels while reducing energy consumption and minimizing pollutant concentration, addressing the inefficiencies of existing systems in both heating and cooling modes.
Implementation Method 1
a desiccant wheel (21) interposed on the two air circulation paths
Implementation Method 2
a heat recovery exchanger (22) interposed on the two air circulation paths and providing heat exchange between the stale air drawn from the zone and the fresh air drawn from the outside
Implementation Method 3
an enthalpy heat exchanger (26) interposed on the two air circulation paths between the heat recovery exchanger and the zone, so that the supply humidifier and the heating coil are downstream of the enthalpy heat exchanger on the supply path, said enthalpy heat exchanger providing heat and moisture exchange between the stale air taken from the zone and the fresh air blown into the zone
Implementation Method 4
a regeneration heating coil (24R) placed on the return path upstream of the desiccant wheel and downstream of the heat recovery exchanger, and providing heating of the stale air for regeneration of the desiccant wheel
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a desiccant air handling unit comprising, interposed on a return air duct (20R) and a supply air duct (20S) between the outside (EXT) and the area (ZO) to be treated, a desiccant wheel (21), a heat recovery exchanger (22), and an enthalpy heat exchanger (26) providing heat and moisture exchange between the stale air drawn from the area (ZO) and the fresh air supplied to the area (ZO). This unit also includes a regeneration heating coil (24R) located on the return air duct (20R), as well as a heating coil (24S) and a supply humidifier (25S) located on the supply air duct (20S). The present invention finds application in the field of air treatment for an aquatic facility.