Liquid Panel Assembly with Horizontal Flow to Reduce Membrane Bulge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid-to-air membrane energy exchangers face issues with membrane bulge and pressure drop due to high pumping pressure, leading to inefficiencies and potential leaks, and the flow of desiccant through filler materials is uncontrolled, resulting in uneven distribution and dead zones.
Innovation Solution
A liquid panel assembly with a support frame and counterflow passages that offset hydrostatic pressure with friction pressure loss, featuring a set of flow passages connected to inlet and outlet channels, which are designed to promote uniform liquid flow and reduce pressure, thereby minimizing membrane bulge and leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high pumping pressure is used to force desiccant flow through the solution panel, then the desiccant can overcome static head pressure and friction, but the membranes bulge outwardly and leaks occur
Solution Approach 1:
The solution panel is oriented horizontally so that the desiccant flows in a substantially horizontal direction, eliminating the need to pump against gravity. This equipotential arrangement removes static head pressure, allowing desiccant to flow with minimal pumping pressure while preventing membrane bulge and leaks
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the flow direction parameter from vertical to horizontal, fundamentally altering the pressure conditions. By making the flow horizontal, the pumping pressure required is reduced from needing to overcome gravity plus friction to only needing to overcome friction, thereby protecting membrane integrity
2Productivity
If pumping pressure is applied to move desiccant through the solution panel, then flow can be maintained, but membrane creep and degradation occur over time
Solution Approach 1:
Horizontal orientation eliminates gravitational head pressure, reducing pumping pressure to friction-only levels. This sustained low-pressure operation prevents progressive membrane creep and degradation, extending service life
Solution Approach 2:
The horizontal flow design allows the system to operate with minimal external energy input for pumping. The desiccant circulates with only friction resistance to overcome, reducing mechanical stress on membranes during continuous operation
3Reliability
If conventional energy exchange systems use wide air channels and support structures, then membrane bulge is prevented, but heat and moisture transfer performance diminishes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the support structure from the air channel entirely. Instead of using support structures to prevent bulge, the system relies on the horizontal flow configuration and controlled pumping pressure to maintain membrane stability, allowing narrow air channels for high transfer efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The air channel width parameter is reduced from conventional wide dimensions to narrow dimensions (e.g., 0.1-0.5 inches), dramatically improving heat and moisture transfer efficiency. This is made possible by the horizontal desiccant flow system that maintains membrane stability without requiring wide channels or support structures
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 solution reduces total pressure within the liquid panel assembly, minimizing membrane bulge and leaks, and ensures uniform desiccant distribution across the membrane, enhancing the energy exchange efficiency and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a LAMEE transfers heat and moisture between a liquid desiccant solution and air through a thin flexible membrane
Implementation Method 2
a LAMEE transfers heat and moisture between a liquid desiccant solution and air through a thin flexible membrane
Implementation Method 3
The fluid circuits are configured to offset hydrostatic pressure gain with friction pressure loss of the liquid that flows within the one or more fluid circuits
Implementation Method 4
the pumping pressure causes the membranes of the solution panel to outwardly bow or bulge
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid panel assembly configured to be used with an energy exchanger may include a support frame having one or more fluid circuits and at least one membrane secured to the support frame. Each of the fluid circuits may include an inlet channel connected to an outlet channel through one or more flow passages. A liquid is configured to flow through the fluid circuits and contact interior surfaces of the membrane(s). The fluid circuits are configured to at least partially offset liquid hydrostatic pressure with friction loss of the liquid flowing within the fluid circuits to minimize, eliminate, or otherwise reduce pressure within the liquid panel assembly.