System, components, and methods for air, heat, and humidity exchanger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat and moisture exchangers face challenges in efficiently transferring heat and moisture while preventing cross-contamination between air streams, particularly in applications like HVAC and ERV systems, where frost generation and contamination can occur.
Innovation Solution
The development of a modular air handling system with a rotating damper and advanced membrane exchanger design, incorporating microporous particles and a liquid distribution system, which allows for efficient heat and moisture transfer while preventing cross-contamination and frost buildup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If membrane plates are stacked and sealed to transfer heat and moisture between air streams, then heat and moisture transfer efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple sealed plate assemblies
Solution Approach 1:
The exchanger is divided into multiple discrete plate assemblies, each containing membrane plates stacked and sealed together. Each plate assembly functions as an independent heat and moisture transfer unit, allowing modular construction that improves transfer efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized repeating units.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple membrane plates are nested within each plate assembly, with separator materials and frames integrated into the membrane structure. The plates are stacked in a compact arrangement where each layer is contained within the overall assembly structure, maximizing heat and moisture transfer surface area within a confined volume.
2Device complexity
If separate membrane plates are replaced by a single folded membrane core, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase for the folding process
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane core is formed by folding a continuous strip of membrane material in a concertina, zig-zag, or accordion fashion, creating a dynamic three-dimensional structure from a simple two-dimensional sheet. This folding process transforms the flat membrane into a compact core with alternating folds that provide the necessary plate separation and flow channels while reducing overall structural complexity.
3Productivity
If thin membrane material is used for heat and moisture transfer, then productivity is improved, but reliability decreases due to potential cross-contamination between air streams
Solution Approach 1:
Thin membrane plates are used as the primary heat and moisture transfer medium, taking advantage of their high surface area to thickness ratio for efficient transfer. The membranes are made from water-permeable materials that allow selective passage of water vapor while blocking liquid water and contaminants, achieving both high productivity and reliable stream separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane plates are constructed using composite structures combining water-permeable membrane materials with hydrophobic separator materials. This composite design allows the thin membrane to efficiently transfer heat and moisture while the hydrophobic components prevent liquid water and contaminants from crossing between air streams, maintaining reliability.
4Productivity
If membrane plates are stacked in multiple layers, then heat and moisture transfer capacity is improved, but loss of energy increases due to greater thermal mass
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the exchanger are designed with varying numbers of membrane plate layers based on local heat and moisture transfer requirements. Areas requiring higher transfer capacity have more plate layers, while areas with lower requirements have fewer layers, optimizing overall performance while minimizing unnecessary thermal mass and energy loss.
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 transfers heat and moisture, prevents frost formation, and reduces contamination, enhancing the performance and efficiency of HVAC and ERV systems.
Implementation Method 1
a microporous membrane material supported by a separator material and/or frame... so that heat and water vapor is transferred via the membrane, while limiting the cross-over or cross-contamination of the fluid streams
Implementation Method 2
The microporous membrane material may be coated with a hydrophobic material, such as a fluorocarbon material
Implementation Method 3
heat and water vapor is transferred via the membrane
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure include an air handling module. The air handling module may comprise an exchanger within a housing, a first manifold positioned on a first side of the housing and including a first pair of ports on a first end and a second pair of ports on a second end, and a second manifold positioned on a second side of the housing and including a first pair of ports on a first end and a second pair of ports on a second end. The first pairs of ports may be in fluid communication to transfer air through the exchanger and between the first and second manifolds, and the second pairs of ports may be in fluid communication to transfer air through the exchanger and between the first and second manifolds.