Membrane Dehumidification System for Energy-Efficient Air Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional HVAC systems require cooling air to 55° F. for dehumidification, which is energy-intensive and has a coefficient of performance (COP) of approximately 3-5, and do not efficiently manage humidity ratios in warm to hot environments.
Innovation Solution
A dehumidification system using a water vapor permeable membrane to separate air channels from water vapor channels, creating a pressure differential to facilitate water vapor transfer while blocking other air components, allowing water vapor to be condensed at a lower pressure, thereby reducing energy consumption and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional refrigerant compressors are used to cool air to 55° F. for dehumidification, then water vapor is condensed and removed from air, but energy consumption is high and COP is limited to 3-5
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts water vapor from the air stream separately from the bulk air cooling process. A permeable membrane separates water vapor molecules from other air components, allowing selective removal of moisture without requiring the entire air mass to be cooled to condensation temperatures, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining dehumidification effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of water vapor by creating a pressure differential across the membrane. By maintaining lower pressure in the permeable membrane channel, water vapor is driven through the membrane at lower temperatures and pressures than traditional condensation methods, improving thermodynamic efficiency and COP
2Quantity of substance
If air is cooled to 55° F. to achieve dehumidification, then humidity ratio is reduced to saturation point, but air temperature must be lowered below necessary temperatures for comfortable environments
Solution Approach 1:
The permeable membrane extracts water vapor from the air stream without requiring bulk cooling of the air. This allows humidity ratio to be reduced independently of air temperature, enabling dehumidification while maintaining air temperature at comfortable levels for human occupancy
Solution Approach 2:
The permeable membrane acts as an intermediary that selectively transports water vapor from the air stream to a separate channel. This mediator enables decoupling of the dehumidification process from the air cooling process, allowing humidity control without excessive temperature reduction
3Object-generated harmful factors
If traditional dehumidification methods are used, then water vapor is condensed into liquid water, but the system complexity and energy requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical refrigeration system with a membrane-based separation system. Instead of using compressors and heat exchangers to condense water vapor, the system uses a permeable membrane with pressure differential to drive water vapor transport, simplifying the mechanical complexity while achieving effective dehumidification
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 achieves dehumidification without initial condensation, using significantly less energy than conventional methods, with a higher COP and efficient water vapor removal, allowing for reduced humidity ratios without cooling the air below necessary temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
The membrane is configured to facilitate removal of water vapor from an airstream flowing through the first channel by facilitating passage of H2O from the water vapor to the second channel through permeable volumes of the membrane while substantially blocking all other components of the airstream from passing through the membrane
Implementation Method 2
The pressure increasing device is configured to create a lower partial pressure of water vapor within the second channel than in the first channel, such that the H2O moves through the membrane to the second channel. The pressure increasing device is also configured to increase the pressure of water vapor at an outlet of the pressure increasing device to a partial pressure of water vapor in a range suitable for subsequent condensing into liquid water
Implementation Method 3
The dehumidification system further includes a condensation device configured to receive the water vapor from the pressure increasing device and condense the water vapor into liquid water
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to systems and methods for dehumidifying air by establishing a humidity gradient across a water selective permeable membrane in a dehumidification unit. Water vapor from relatively humid atmospheric air entering the dehumidification unit is extracted by the dehumidification unit without substantial condensation into a low pressure water vapor chamber operating at a partial pressure of water vapor lower than the partial pressure of water vapor in the relatively humid atmospheric air. For example, water vapor is extracted through a water permeable membrane of the dehumidification unit into the low pressure water vapor chamber. As such, the air exiting the dehumidification unit is less humid than the air entering the dehumidification unit. The low pressure water vapor extracted from the air is subsequently condensed and removed from the system at ambient conditions.