Membrane Humidity Exchange Without Compressors or Condensers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dehumidifying apparatuses are complex, energy-intensive, and generate significant heat, leading to environmental issues and reduced lifespan due to the use of compressors, evaporators, and condensers, while also requiring large installation spaces and causing noise and vibration.
Innovation Solution
A dehumidifying and humidifying apparatus utilizing membrane distillation units and thermoelectric elements for vapor exchange, eliminating the need for compressors and condensers, and employing a heat exchange system to manage fluid partial pressures for efficient moisture removal and addition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional refrigerating cycle dehumidifying apparatus is used, then dehumidification function is provided, but the structure becomes complex with evaporator, condenser, and compressor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the compressor, condenser, and evaporator from the conventional refrigerating cycle system. Instead, it uses a membrane distillation unit with hydrophobic membranes that separate vapor from air through partial pressure differences, achieving dehumidification without the complex compression and phase change components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical compression system with a membrane-based separation system. The membrane distillation unit uses partial pressure differences across hydrophobic membranes to drive vapor transfer, substituting mechanical compression with a passive membrane transport mechanism that eliminates moving parts and complex structure.
2Reliability
If a conventional dehumidifying apparatus with compressor is used, then dehumidification is achieved, but power consumption becomes very high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the high-power mechanical compressor with a low-power membrane distillation system. The hydrophobic membranes enable vapor separation through partial pressure gradients without requiring mechanical compression, dramatically reducing power consumption while maintaining dehumidification effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters from high-power mechanical compression to low-power membrane transport driven by partial pressure differences. By controlling fluid temperature and flow rate rather than mechanical compression, the system achieves dehumidification with minimal energy input.
3Reliability
If a conventional dehumidifying apparatus is used, then dehumidification is provided, but heat is generated during compressor operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the compressor from the system, eliminating the primary source of heat generation. The membrane distillation unit operates without mechanical compression, preventing the excessive heat that would otherwise be generated and potentially damage the apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the heat-generating mechanical compressor with a thermal-efficient membrane system. The hydrophobic membranes enable vapor separation through partial pressure differences without mechanical friction and compression heat, significantly reducing harmful heat generation.
4Reliability
If a conventional dehumidifying apparatus with compressor is used, then dehumidification function is achieved, but installation space becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the bulky compressor, condenser, and evaporator components from the system. The membrane distillation unit with hydrophobic membranes requires minimal space, allowing compact installation while maintaining full dehumidification functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the space-consuming mechanical compression system with a compact membrane-based system. The membrane distillation unit with hydrophobic membranes achieves the same dehumidification function in a much smaller footprint, eliminating the need for large installation space.
5Reliability
If a conventional dehumidifying apparatus with compressor is used, then dehumidification is provided, but noise and vibration occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the compressor from the system, eliminating the primary source of noise and vibration. The membrane distillation unit operates without mechanical moving parts, preventing the noise and vibration that would otherwise be generated during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the noise and vibration-generating mechanical compressor with a silent membrane-based system. The hydrophobic membranes enable vapor separation through partial pressure differences without mechanical motion, completely eliminating noise and vibration during operation.
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 solution provides a simple, energy-efficient, and low-heat solution for dehumidification and humidification, allowing for simultaneous or selective operations with reduced power consumption and minimized heat generation, thus addressing the limitations of conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first membrane distillation unit having a separator partitioning a first passage through which introduced external air flows and a second passage through which a first fluid flows, wherein vapor contained in the external air passes through the first separator and is separated to the second passage
Implementation Method 2
a second membrane distillation unit having a second separator partitioning a third passage through which the first fluid discharged from the second passage flows and a fourth passage through which a second fluid flows, wherein steam generated from the first fluid passes through the second separator and is separated to the fourth passage
Implementation Method 3
the heat absorbing surface may cool the first fluid introduced into the second passage
Implementation Method 4
the heat emitting surface may heat the first fluid introduced into the third passage
Implementation Method 5
a thermoelectric element having a heat absorbing surface and a heat emitting surface
Data Source
AI summary
A dehumidifying and humidifying apparatus is provided. The dehumidifying and humidifying apparatus includes a first exchange part in which steam is exchanged between a first fluid and external air due to a difference between partial pressures of the first fluid and the external air, and a heat exchange unit configured to supply the first fluid having a first partial pressure to the first exchange part and receive the first fluid having a second partial pressure that is different from the first partial pressure from the first exchange part.