Ultra-Low-Flow Liquid Desiccant Dehumidification Without Cooling Coils
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional HVAC systems are energy-intensive due to the use of cooling coils for dehumidification and re-heating, leading to high energy consumption and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The use of ultra-low flow liquid desiccant air conditioning systems, which employ a liquid desiccant with water and salt to absorb moisture from air streams, reducing the need for cooling coils and minimizing energy demands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional HVAC systems use cooling coils for dehumidification, then effective moisture removal is achieved, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of moisture removal from thermal condensation (cooling coils) to hygroscopic absorption (liquid desiccant). The liquid desiccant solution absorbs moisture from air through deliquescence and absorption, operating at different thermodynamic parameters than conventional cooling, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining dehumidification effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical cooling system (compressor, condenser, evaporator) with a chemical absorption system using liquid desiccant. The desiccant solution chemically absorbs moisture from air streams, eliminating the need for mechanical refrigeration cycles and significantly reducing energy consumption
2Loss of energy
If cooling coils are used for dehumidification, then moisture is removed from air, but re-heating is required leading to increased energy loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the dehumidification function from the thermal cooling process. By using liquid desiccant to absorb moisture independently, the system separates humidity control from temperature control, eliminating the need for subsequent re-heating operations and reducing overall energy loads
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid desiccant acts as an intermediary substance that facilitates moisture transfer from air to liquid phase. This intermediary enables direct dehumidification without requiring air to be cooled below dew point and then re-heated, thereby eliminating the energy penalty of re-heating
3Use of energy by moving object
If liquid desiccant flow rate is reduced to ultra-low levels, then energy consumption decreases, but moisture transfer efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the flow rate parameter of liquid desiccant to ultra-low levels while compensating through increased surface area contact (spray distribution). This parameter change enables energy-efficient operation by minimizing pump work and heat transport while maintaining adequate moisture removal through enhanced mass transfer surface area
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from volumetric flow rate consideration to surface area contact consideration. By distributing ultra-low flow rate desiccant through spray nozzles across large surface areas, the system achieves effective moisture transfer without requiring high flow rates, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining productivity
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 approach significantly reduces energy consumption by minimizing heat transport and energy loads, while maintaining effective air conditioning and dehumidification, thus enhancing system efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a liquid desiccant to remove moisture from air
Implementation Method 2
transfer water between the liquid desiccant and the gas
Implementation Method 3
expose the air stream to the liquid desiccant by contacting the air stream with the liquid desiccant in the absorber
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for conditioning air streams are described herein. In some embodiments, a system can include an absorber and a desorber. The absorber configured to receive a supply air stream including moisture at a first moisture concentration and expose it to a liquid desiccant to remove moisture from the supply air stream and produce a conditioned air stream. The desorber configured to receive a regeneration stream at a first mass flow rate and at least a portion of the liquid desiccant from the absorber and having at least one salt at a first weight percent. The desorber includes an array of emitters configured to direct the portion of the liquid desiccant at a second mass flow rate to a desorber media to facilitate removing moisture from the portion of the liquid desiccant and produce a concentrated liquid desiccant with the at least one salt at a second weight percent.