Parallel Air Treatment for Humidity Control Without Overcooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioning systems, such as the Shaw system, face challenges in high ventilation requirements and abnormal dehumidification needs, leading to overcooling and energy inefficiencies, especially in applications like hospitals and laboratories, and struggle to control multiple thermal zones with precise humidity and temperature control.
Innovation Solution
The improved air conditioning system employs at least two additional heat exchangers and a variable speed pump to recover energy not required for dry bulb conditions, utilizing a parallel airflow configuration with dehumidification and sensible cooling treatment stages, and a heat transfer pump to optimize energy efficiency and control humidity and temperature effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the Shaw system is used for high ventilation requirements (40-50% outdoor air), then ventilation needs are met, but the conditioned space is overcooled and energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the air treatment process into separate latent cooling (dehumidification) and sensible cooling stages using distinct heat exchangers. Outdoor air is treated in a latent cooling heat exchanger while return air is treated in a sensible cooling heat exchanger, allowing independent control of each cooling function to prevent overcooling while meeting high ventilation requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by using a variable speed pump to control the cooling medium flow rate dynamically. This allows the system to adjust the cooling capacity to match the actual load, preventing energy waste from excessive cooling when high outdoor air quantities are used
2Manufacturing precision
If the Shaw system provides abnormal dehumidification for very low dew point temperatures, then dehumidification requirements are met, but energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the cooling function into dedicated latent cooling heat exchangers that specialize in dehumidification. By using separate heat exchangers for latent and sensible cooling, the system can achieve precise dew point temperature control without the energy waste associated with using a single system for both functions
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces traditional mechanical dehumidification methods with a heat exchanger-based approach that uses thermal energy transfer. This substitution allows for more efficient and precise control of dew point temperatures by utilizing the thermodynamic properties of the cooling medium rather than mechanical compression and expansion cycles
3Adaptability or versatility
If the Shaw system is used for multiple thermal zones with individual control, then zone control capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses separate heat exchangers for different air streams (outdoor air and return air) that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows different thermal zones to be served by adjusting the flow and temperature of cooling medium to specific heat exchangers, providing zone control capability without requiring completely separate systems for each zone
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a single variable speed pump that serves multiple functions by controlling cooling medium flow to different heat exchangers. This multi-functional approach allows one pump to support multiple thermal zones, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability for individual zone control
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
This system enhances energy efficiency and control over humidity and temperature, allowing for effective operation with higher outdoor air usage and precise zone control, reducing energy consumption and eliminating the need for reheat, while maintaining comfortable conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an outdoor air latent cooling treatment stage configured to provide parallel airflow with a return air sensible cooling treatment stage
Implementation Method 2
outdoor air is pre-treated (dehumidified and cooled) by a first, separate outdoor-air heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
a variable speed pump to recover energy used to dehumidify that is not required to satisfy the dry bulb conditions
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an air conditioning system that is capable of treating a conditioned space by treating outdoor air from outside the conditioned space and return air from inside the conditioned space, and mixing the outdoor air with the return air to form supply air for the conditioned space, the air conditioning system including an outdoor air latent cooling treatment stage configured to provide parallel airflow with a return air sensible cooling treatment stage, and a means for mixing outdoor air with return air to form conditioned space supply air, wherein the outdoor air latent cooling treatment stage includes at least a dehumidification heat exchanger, combination pre-cooling and heat reclaim heat exchangers, and a heat transfer pump, and the return air sensible cooling treatment stage includes at least a sensible cooling heat exchanger.