Membrane Liquid Desiccant Split AC for Humidity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mini-split air conditioning systems are inadequate for managing high humidity loads in small buildings, as they struggle to provide effective dehumidification and heating while maintaining indoor air quality, leading to energy inefficiencies and unhealthy indoor conditions.
Innovation Solution
A mini-split liquid desiccant air conditioning system that operates in multiple modes (cooling and dehumidification, heating and humidification, heating and dehumidification) using a membrane-based liquid desiccant system, which includes a conditioner and regenerator, along with a refrigerant system and heat transfer fluid, to efficiently manage humidity and temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mini-split air conditioning systems are used, then cooling capability is provided, but dehumidification effectiveness is insufficient and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the air conditioning function into two separate units: an indoor conditioner that handles dehumidification and a室外 regenerator that handles cooling. This segmentation allows the conditioner to focus on moisture removal using liquid desiccant, while the regenerator provides cooling, thereby improving dehumidification effectiveness without excessive energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Liquid desiccant serves as an intermediary substance between the indoor air and the regenerator. It absorbs moisture from the air in the conditioner and is then regenerated in the outdoor unit, enabling effective dehumidification while transferring heat to the outdoor environment, thus reducing energy consumption indoors.
2Productivity
If membrane-based liquid desiccant systems are used, then dehumidification efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases due to multiple components
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid desiccant system performs multiple functions: it dehumidifies air in the conditioner, stores moisture temporarily, and is regenerated in the outdoor unit. This multi-functionality allows a single system to handle both dehumidification and cooling, improving dehumidification efficiency while managing overall system complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs thin membrane structures in the conditioner and regenerator to contain and circulate the liquid desiccant. These thin films enable efficient mass and heat transfer while maintaining system compactness, thereby improving dehumidification efficiency without proportionally increasing system complexity.
3Reliability
If liquid desiccant is used to dehumidify air, then humidity control is improved, but corrosion risk increases due to concentrated salt solutions
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane structure acts as an intermediary barrier between the liquid desiccant and the air stream. It allows water vapor to pass through for dehumidification while preventing the corrosive salt solution from contacting and corroding metal components, thus maintaining reliable humidity control while mitigating corrosion risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The thin membrane films contain the liquid desiccant within the regenerator and conditioner, creating a physical barrier that prevents direct contact between the corrosive salt solution and metal surfaces. This containment protects the system from corrosion while allowing the desiccant to perform its humidity control function effectively.
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 provides efficient cooling and dehumidification, heating and humidification, and heating and dehumidification, reducing energy consumption and installation costs by eliminating the need for high-pressure refrigerant lines and expanding the use of non-flammable refrigerants, while maintaining healthier indoor air conditions.
Implementation Method 1
liquid desiccant is pumped or moved between the two sides... The conditioner uses a heat transfer fluid and a liquid desiccant to cool and dehumidify the first air stream
Implementation Method 2
a refrigerant system including a compressor and at least one expansion valve processing a refrigerant. There is a first refrigerant-to-heat transfer fluid heat exchanger connected to the conditioner and the refrigerant system for exchanging heat between the refrigerant heated or cooled by the refrigerant system and the heat transfer fluid
Implementation Method 3
the evaporator coil is installed in the room or space than needs to be cooled... Both latent and sensible heat are absorbed from the air stream into the liquid desiccant
Data Source
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AI summary
A split liquid desiccant air conditioning system is disclosed for treating an air stream flowing into a space in a building. The split liquid desiccant air-conditioning system is switchable between operating in a warm weather operation mode wherein the system provides cooling and dehumidification, and a cold weather operation mode wherein the system provides heating and humidification, as well as into a mode wherein the system provides heated, dehumidified air to a space.