Heat-driven adsorption vacuum dehumidification system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dehumidifiers rely on electricity-driven vacuum pumps, leading to high carbon emissions and noise, and existing heat-driven systems face inefficiencies in energy performance compared to electrical vacuum dehumidification systems.
Innovation Solution
A heat-driven adsorption vacuum dehumidification system utilizing a vapor adsorption apparatus with a water permeable hydrophilic membrane and a two-bed adsorption-desorption section, driven by renewable thermal energy, eliminating the need for electrical vacuum pumps and enhancing energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If electricity-driven vacuum pumps are used for dehumidification, then moisture extraction effectiveness is improved, but carbon emissions and noise increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electricity-driven vacuum pump (mechanical system) with a heat-driven vacuum generation system that uses thermal energy to create pressure difference. The heating unit heats the adsorbent to generate vacuum pressure difference, eliminating the need for electrical vacuum pumps and their associated carbon emissions and noise
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameter from electrical power to thermal energy. By controlling the temperature of the adsorbent through heating and cooling units, the system generates the necessary pressure difference for moisture extraction without relying on electrical vacuum pumps
2Productivity
If conventional vapor compression systems are used for dehumidification, then moisture removal is achieved, but refrigerant usage creates environmental harm
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the vapor compression refrigeration cycle (which uses harmful refrigerants) with an adsorption-based vacuum dehumidification system. The system uses hydrophilic membranes and adsorbents to directly extract and condense moisture, eliminating the need for conventional refrigerants
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydrophilic membranes and porous adsorbent materials to selectively extract water vapor from the air stream. These materials provide a sustainable, environmentally friendly alternative to chemical refrigerants while maintaining effective moisture removal capability
3Productivity
If solid desiccant cooling systems are used for dehumidification, then moisture extraction is achieved, but system size increases and energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thin hydrophilic membranes instead of bulky solid desiccant materials. These membranes provide the necessary moisture extraction function with significantly reduced material volume and system complexity, while maintaining effective dehumidification performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes from using bulk solid desiccants to using thin-film hydrophilic membranes with controlled thermal parameters. By precisely controlling the temperature and pressure difference across the membrane, the system achieves efficient moisture extraction with minimal material usage
4Object-generated harmful factors
If heat-driven adsorption systems are used for dehumidification, then carbon emissions are reduced, but energy performance was previously lower than electrical systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the thermal parameters of the adsorption system by precisely controlling the heating and cooling temperatures of the adsorbent. This parameter optimization enables the heat-driven system to achieve energy efficiency comparable to or exceeding electrical vacuum dehumidification systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic heating and cooling cycles of the adsorbent to maintain continuous vacuum pressure difference and moisture extraction. This periodic thermal action, combined with the two-bed configuration, ensures sustained dehumidification performance with improved energy 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
The system achieves comparable or higher Coefficient of Performance (COP) than conventional electrical vacuum dehumidification systems, reducing carbon emissions and energy consumption while maintaining effective moisture extraction from air.
Implementation Method 1
a water permeable hydrophilic membrane separating the apparatus into at least two sections including a feed section and a low-pressure or vacuum section
Implementation Method 2
water permeable hydrophilic membrane
Implementation Method 3
a two-bed adsorption-desorption section which includes at least an adsorption chamber and a desorption chamber
Implementation Method 4
the desorption chamber communicates with the condenser and a heating agent source, respectively; the heating agent source helps keep the water vapor pressure of the adsorbent inside the desorption chamber above that of the condenser so that moisture is expelled from the desorption chamber to the condenser
Implementation Method 5
the cooling agent helps keep the water vapor pressure of the adsorbent inside the adsorption chamber below that of the vacuum section so that moisture is extracted by the evaporator from the process air passing through the water permeable hydrophilic membrane to the adsorption chamber
Implementation Method 6
a condenser which communicates with the desorption chamber and a cooling source, respectively, and has been supplied with a cooling liquid to convert the water vapor migrated from the desorption chamber into a condensed water
Implementation Method 7
create a water vapor pressure difference between an interior space and the process air stream
Implementation Method 8
driven by heat from an external source
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a heat-driven adsorption vacuum dehumidification system including a vapor adsorption apparatus having a water permeable hydrophilic membrane separating the apparatus into at least a feed section and a low-pressure or vacuum section (evaporator), and providing a water vapor pressure difference to extract moisture from the air flowing through the apparatus into the evaporator, followed by adsorption in an adsorption chamber, and subsequently desorbed when acted as a desorption chamber to form water vapor which is condensed in a condenser. Adsorption and desorption chambers inter-change periodically to form a complete system cycle. Heating of chamber/compartment can be from waste heat or a renewable source in the absence of any electricity supplied externally. Related method for using a heat-driven adsorption vacuum dehumidification system to remove moisture from the air is also provided. The present invention is superior to the adsorption chiller over a wide range of operating conditions.