Enthalpy Exchange Core Layout for Ventilation Humidity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current building ventilation systems fail to effectively control humidity and energy efficiency, leading to issues like mold formation, increased energy usage, and poor indoor air quality, especially during high temperature and humidity conditions.
Innovation Solution
An energy recovery and humidity control system with a heat exchange sub-core and enthalpy exchange core that uses cross-flow technology, including vertically and horizontally oriented corrugated layers with moisture-permeable sheets, to efficiently exchange heat and humidity between air streams, while a controller manages fan operations for optimal air circulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If simple air-to-air heat exchange is used in ventilation systems, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but humidity control capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is divided into two distinct functional sections: a heat exchange section with thermally conductive walls for sensible heat transfer, and an enthalpy exchange section with moisture-permeable walls for latent heat and humidity transfer. This segmentation allows each section to optimize its specific function while working together to provide both heat recovery and humidity control.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the heat exchanger have different wall properties: the heat exchange section has thermally conductive walls optimized for heat transfer, while the enthalpy exchange section has moisture-permeable walls optimized for humidity transfer. This local differentiation of material properties enables simultaneous heat and humidity management in different zones of the same device.
2Productivity
If conventional ventilation systems are used, then air circulation is provided, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to lack of heat recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-cools or pre-heats incoming fresh air by exchanging heat with the outgoing exhaust air before the air enters the living space or HVAC system. This preliminary heat recovery action reduces the energy burden on the HVAC system and lowers overall energy consumption for temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding the thermal energy contained in exhaust air, the system recovers this energy through the heat exchange section and enthalpy exchange section, transferring it to the incoming fresh air. This recovery process converts what would be wasted energy into a useful resource for pre-conditioning supply air.
3Device complexity
If no humidity control is implemented, then system complexity is reduced, but mold formation and indoor air quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The enthalpy exchange section automatically controls humidity by allowing moisture transfer between exhaust air and incoming fresh air through moisture-permeable walls. The system self-regulates humidity levels without requiring additional active dehumidification or humidification equipment, preventing mold growth while maintaining simplicity.
4Use of energy by moving object
If large ventilation spaces are used as in air cycle houses, then heat exchange capacity is improved, but space requirements and air quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses thin moisture-permeable membranes and films in the enthalpy exchange section to achieve effective humidity transfer in a compact configuration. These thin film structures provide sufficient exchange capacity without requiring large volumetric spaces, enabling high heat and moisture transfer efficiency in a space-efficient design.
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 system addresses humidity control and energy efficiency by utilizing the natural environment of cooler spaces, reducing energy consumption, and maintaining indoor air quality, thereby preventing mold formation and lowering energy costs.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchange sub-core defining a first part of a first path for a first air stream, and a second path for a second air stream; the first path and the second path being capable of exchanging heat between the first air stream and the second air stream
Implementation Method 2
utilizing cross-flow of the first air stream and the second air stream
Implementation Method 3
an enthalpy exchange core defining a second part of the first path for the first air stream, and a third path for a third air stream; the first path and the third path being capable of exchanging heat and humidity between the first air stream and the third air stream
Implementation Method 4
the enthalpy exchange core further comprises a plurality of vertically oriented corrugated layers, and a plurality of horizontally oriented corrugated layers, each of the layers being defined by a plurality of angularly disposed wall portions and moisture permeable sheets
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for energy recovery and humidity control comprises an enclosure (12) with a plurality of ports (86,90,92,94,86) connected to a plurality of ducts (14,16,18,20,22) The system has an enthalpy exchange core (136) exchanging heat and humidity between first air stream (35) and a second air stream (37), and a heat exchange sub-core (134) exchanging heat between the first air stream (35) and a third air stream (39), and fans (34,38,36) for circulating the first air stream (35), the second air stream (37) and the third air stream (39) respectively, and a controller (40) for controlling the fans (34,36,38) and regulating the flows of the first air stream (35), the second air stream (37) and the third air stream (39).