Heat Pump Humidifier and Dehumidifier With Pre-Processing Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat pump systems face efficiency reductions when using outside air to regenerate desiccant wheels, particularly in extreme weather conditions, due to insufficient energy from outside air, leading to inadequate conditioning of air and increased operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump system that includes a pre-processing module to precondition supply air and regeneration air using a refrigerant system, allowing for efficient energy transfer and independent control of sensible and latent loads, enabling operation in extreme weather without significant efficiency loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If outside air is used to regenerate the desiccant wheel, then the system can operate with available air sources, but the heat pump efficiency is reduced and the system cannot condition extreme temperature outside air
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-conditions outside air through a pre-processing module before it enters the heat pump. This preliminary action adjusts the temperature and humidity of outside air to within the operational range of the heat pump, enabling the heat pump to efficiently condition extreme temperature air while maintaining high efficiency operation
Solution Approach 2:
The air conditioning process is divided into separate stages: pre-processing of outside air, regeneration of desiccant wheel, and main conditioning. This segmentation allows each component to operate optimally - the pre-processing module handles extreme air conditions while the heat pump operates in its efficient range
2Loss of energy
If return air is used to regenerate the desiccant wheel, then the heat pump operates at high efficiency, but the system cannot provide humidification load reductions when outside air is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-processing module serves multiple functions: it can pre-condition outside air for heat pump conditioning, pre-condition air for desiccant wheel regeneration, and operate independently to provide humidification load reductions. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain high efficiency while adapting to different operational requirements
3Loss of energy
If a pre-processing module is added to pre-condition supply air, then the heat pump can operate in extreme weather conditions without significant efficiency reduction, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-processing module is integrated with the existing heat pump system, combining multiple functions (cooling, dehumidifying, pre-conditioning) into a single unified component. This merging approach adds necessary functionality while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity
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 enhances the efficiency of heat pump operation by utilizing energy from return air to regenerate desiccant wheels, effectively conditioning air in extreme temperatures and reducing humidification loads, thereby improving overall system performance and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The supply air heat exchanger and the regeneration air heat exchanger are fluidly coupled by a refrigerant system
Data Source
AI summary
A heat pump system for conditioning air supplied to a space is provided. The system includes a pre-processing module that pre-conditions supply air. A supply air heat exchanger is in flow communication with the pre-processing module. The supply air heat exchanger receives air from the pre-processing module and at least one of heats or cools the air from the pre-processing module. A processing module is in flow communication with the supply air heat exchanger. The processing module receiving and conditioning air from the supply air heat exchanger. A regeneration air heat exchanger is provided to at least one of heat or cool regeneration air. The regeneration air heat exchanger and the supply air heat exchanger are fluidly coupled by a refrigerant system.