Hygroscopic material and dehumidifier using same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dehumidification technologies face inefficiencies due to the need for supercooling or large heat quantities, environmental concerns from halogen-based gases, and the complexity and size of systems, particularly in refrigeration cycle and zeolite systems.
Innovation Solution
A moisture absorbing material comprising a dried polymer gel with a stimuli-responsive polymer and a hydrophilic polymer forming an interpenetrating or semi-interpenetrating polymer network structure, which changes affinity with water in response to external stimuli, allowing for efficient dehumidification without supercooling or large heat quantities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a refrigeration cycle system is used for dehumidification, then dehumidification can be achieved by condensing moisture, but the system becomes large in size due to the compressor and produces loud noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the dehumidification function from the complex refrigeration cycle system by using a desiccant material that can absorb moisture directly, eliminating the need for a compressor and evaporator, thus reducing system size and noise while maintaining dehumidification capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters from temperature-based condensation (refrigeration cycle) to humidity-based adsorption (desiccant system), allowing dehumidification to occur at ambient temperatures without the need for cooling below dew point
2Reliability
If a zeolite system is used for dehumidification, then moisture can be absorbed and desorbed, but large heat quantity (200°C or higher) is required for regeneration, making it inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the regeneration temperature parameter from high temperature (200°C or higher for zeolite) to low temperature (below 100°C) by using a desiccant material with appropriate adsorption characteristics that can be regenerated with less energy input
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite desiccant material structure that combines multiple components to achieve both high moisture absorption capacity and low regeneration energy requirements, optimizing the balance between adsorption performance and energy efficiency
3Reliability
If conventional desiccant materials are used, then moisture can be adsorbed, but large heat quantity is required for both adsorption and desorption processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the adsorption temperature parameter to occur at or near ambient conditions, eliminating the need for heating during the adsorption phase, and reduces desorption temperature to below 100°C, significantly lowering the total energy consumption compared to conventional desiccant systems
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
Enables efficient dehumidification by reversibly changing the polymer's affinity with water, allowing for the direct extraction of absorbed moisture as liquid without the need for large heat or supercooling, thus improving the efficiency and compactness of dehumidification systems.
Implementation Method 1
a stimuli-responsive polymer whose affinity with water changes reversibly in response to an external stimulus
Implementation Method 2
a hydrophilic polymer
Implementation Method 3
the stimuli-responsive polymer whose affinity with water changes reversibly in response to an external stimulus
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention achieves a moisture absorbing material which enables efficient dehumidification without supercooling or large heat quantity; and a dehumidifier in which the moisture absorbing material is used. The moisture absorbing material can be a dried product of a polymer gel in which an interpenetrating polymer network structure or a semi-interpenetrating polymer network structure is formed by (a) a stimuli-responsive polymer whose affinity with water changes reversibly in response to an external stimulus and (b) a hydrophilic polymer.