Membrane Contactor HVAC for Waste-Heat Water Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
HVAC&R systems face efficiency losses due to the rejection of heat to the ambient environment during cooling mode, and there is a need to productively utilize this rejected heat.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning and water producing system that incorporates a heat pumping unit and a membrane contactor, where a first brine flow is cooled and absorbs moisture from an airflow, and a second brine flow is heated to extract water through a distiller, utilizing thermal interaction to enhance heat utilization and humidity control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heat is rejected to the ambient environment during cooling mode, then cooling function is achieved, but energy efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful rejected heat into a useful resource by using it to drive the distillation process for water production. The heat pumping unit captures rejected heat and uses it to heat the second brine flow through the distiller, transforming waste thermal energy into productive heating for water extraction from air.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pumping unit serves multiple functions: it provides cooling by rejecting heat during the cooling mode, and simultaneously provides heating for the distillation process. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve both air conditioning and water production objectives while improving overall energy efficiency.
2Productivity
If a heat pumping unit and membrane contactor are integrated for simultaneous cooling and water production, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the air conditioning function with the water production function into a single integrated system. The heat pumping unit, membrane contactor, and distiller are combined to simultaneously perform cooling and water extraction, allowing both functions to share common components and operate in coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves multi-functionality by designing components that serve dual purposes. The heat pumping unit provides both cooling (by rejecting heat) and heating (for distillation), while the membrane contactor enables both humidity control and water vapor extraction, allowing the system to deliver multiple outputs from a single integrated configuration.
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 effectively extracts water from air and reduces humidity while productively utilizing rejected heat, improving the efficiency of the HVAC&R system by integrating a heat pumping unit and membrane contactor for simultaneous cooling and water production.
Implementation Method 1
absorbing moisture into the first brine flow via an enthalpy exchange between the first brine flow and an airflow at a membrane contactor
Implementation Method 2
a distiller is in thermal communication with the heat pumping unit and the membrane contactor such that a second brine flow is heated by the heat pumping unit and conveyed through the distiller. Thermal interaction between the second brine flow and the first brine flow flowing through the distiller extracts water from the second brine flow.
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioning and water producing system includes a heat pumping unit and a membrane contactor in thermal communication with the heat pumping unit. The membrane contactor is configured such that a first brine flow is cooled by the heat pumping unit and diluted at the membrane contactor. A distiller is in thermal communication with the heat pumping unit and the membrane contactor such that a second brine flow is heated by the heat pumping unit and conveyed through the distiller. Thermal interaction between the second brine flow and the first brine flow flowing through the distiller extracts water from the second brine flow.