Low-Temperature Humidification-Dehumidification System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional humidification-dehumidification (HDH) systems require high influent temperatures to increase efficiency and production rate, which leads to high energy consumption and costs, making them inefficient and costly to operate.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a multi-stage humidifier and a heating device that heats a liquid stream to a low temperature, allowing for efficient heat and mass transfer with a gas stream, reducing the need for high-grade heat and optimizing thermal balancing through recirculation of a liquid stream, thereby using low-grade heat sources effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the influent stream is heated to a high temperature prior to being introduced into a humidifier, then the efficiency and production rate of the HDH system is improved, but the energy consumption and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the influent stream from high temperature to low temperature operation. The system is designed to operate effectively with influent streams at temperatures of 30°C to 90°C, eliminating the need for high-temperature heating while maintaining production rates through optimized heat and mass transfer in the multi-stage humidifier
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses self-service by utilizing low-grade heat sources such as geothermal water, solar-heated water, or waste heat from industrial processes to heat the influent stream. The multi-stage humidifier design enables the system to efficiently utilize the thermal energy available in these low-grade heat sources without requiring external high-temperature heating systems
2Reliability
If the influent stream is heated to a high temperature prior to being introduced into a humidifier, then the efficiency of the HDH system is improved, but the operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating temperature parameter from high to low, enabling the system to achieve efficient operation without expensive high-temperature heating. The multi-stage humidifier is designed to maximize heat and mass transfer efficiency at lower temperatures, maintaining system reliability while reducing operating costs
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves cost-effective operation by utilizing freely available or low-cost low-grade heat sources such as geothermal water, solar-heated water, or industrial waste heat. This eliminates the need for expensive fuel-based heating systems while maintaining efficient HDH performance
3Use of energy by moving object
If low-grade heat sources are used to heat the liquid stream, then the energy costs are reduced, but the temperature of the heated liquid stream is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the heating and humidification process into multiple stages. The heating device first heats the influent stream to a moderate temperature using low-grade heat sources, then the multi-stage humidifier progressively transfers heat and mass from the liquid stream to the gas stream across multiple stages, achieving effective humidification without requiring high input temperatures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter requirements by designing the multi-stage humidifier to operate effectively with influent streams at 30°C to 90°C. The system optimizes heat and mass transfer parameters across multiple stages to achieve efficient operation with low-grade heat sources that have limited temperature capabilities
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 operates effectively at lower temperatures, reducing energy costs and increasing efficiency by utilizing abundant low-grade heat sources, such as geothermal or waste heat, while maintaining optimal thermal balancing and production rates.
Implementation Method 1
a first liquid inlet of a heating device... a first liquid outlet of the heating device
Implementation Method 2
Heat and mass may be transferred from the heated liquid stream to the gas stream to produce a vapor-containing humidifier gas outlet stream
Implementation Method 3
Heat and mass may be transferred from the heated liquid stream to the gas stream
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described generally relate to systems comprising a humidifier (e.g., a bubble column humidifier) and a heating device (e.g. a heat exchanger), and associated methods. In certain embodiments, the heating device heats a first liquid stream comprising a condensable fluid in liquid phase (e.g., water) and a dissolved salt (e.g., NaCl) to a relatively low temperature (e.g., about 90° C. or less) prior to the first liquid stream entering the humidifier through a main humidifier liquid inlet. In some cases, the system comprising the humidifier and the heating device requires only low-grade heat to operate, which may be advantageous due to the low cost and high availability of such heat.