Membrane-Based Dehumidification Using Liquid Ejector Vacuum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air-cooling systems are energy-intensive and inefficient in removing heat and humidity, often relying on refrigerants that are harmful to the environment, and traditional methods like desert coolers do not perform well in humid environments.
Innovation Solution
A dehumidification system with a selectively permeable membrane and a liquid ejector to create a pressure differential, combined with a booster pump to enhance vacuum levels, facilitating efficient moisture removal from air without refrigerants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If refrigerant-based air conditioners are used to remove heat and humidity, then dehumidification capability is improved, but energy consumption increases and environmental harm occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the humidity removal function from the traditional refrigerant-based air conditioning system by introducing a separate dehumidification unit with a humidity-selective membrane. This membrane selectively transports water vapor from the air stream to a vacuum chamber, separating the dehumidification process from the cooling process and eliminating the need for refrigerants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a humidity-selective membrane as an intermediary component between the air stream and the vacuum chamber. This membrane acts as a selective barrier that allows water vapor to pass through while blocking other gases, enabling efficient moisture removal without requiring direct contact between the air and vacuum pump.
2Reliability
If vacuum pump is used to create humidity gradient across membrane, then moisture removal is facilitated, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to compressible nature of air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the vacuum system by using a liquid ejector instead of a traditional vacuum pump. The liquid ejector creates the necessary vacuum condition by utilizing the Venturi effect and pressure differential, operating more efficiently in environments with high condensable load (water vapor) compared to compressible gas handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a liquid ejector that utilizes hydraulic principles to create the vacuum condition. The ejector uses a high-velocity liquid jet (typically water) to generate a low-pressure region that draws water vapor through the membrane, replacing the need for mechanical vacuum pumping.
3Use of energy by moving object
If desert coolers are used for cooling air, then energy consumption is reduced, but performance in humid environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the air conditioning function into two separate units: a dehumidification unit that removes moisture using the membrane-vacuum system, and a cooling unit that cools the dehumidified air. This segmentation allows each unit to optimize its function independently, enabling effective operation in humid environments where traditional desert coolers fail.
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 reduces humidity levels with minimal energy consumption, using a membrane with ion exchange capacity and a vacuum-enhancing booster pump to enhance moisture extraction efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The membrane is selectively permeable to water and water vapor and impermeable to air
Implementation Method 2
The throat portion is fluidly coupled to the at least one vapor channel and is adapted to create a relatively lower pressure within the at least one vapor channel than in the air channel
Implementation Method 3
the outlet portion is configured to increase the pressure inside the liquid ejector to facilitate a condensation of the water vapors received from the at least one vapor channel
Implementation Method 4
a pump fluidly connected to the liquid ejector and the reservoir. The pump is configured to supply the liquid from the reservoir to the liquid ejector
Data Source
AI summary
A dehumidification system for removing water vapors from an air is disclosed. The system includes a dehumidification core defining an air channel and at least one vapor channel separated from the air channel by a membrane to facilitate a removal of moisture from the air flowing through the air channel and is selectively permeable to water and water vapor and impermeable to air. The dehumidification system further includes a water ejector having a throat portion fluidly coupled to the vapor channels and adapted to create a relatively lower pressure of water vapor within the vapor channels than in the air channel The water ejector also includes an outlet portion disposed downstream of the throat portion and configured to increase the pressure of water to facilitate a condensation of the water vapors received from the vapor channels.