Systems and methods for providing high efficiency dehumidification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing climate control systems face issues such as high airside pressure drop, excessive cooling coil height leading to condensate stacking, inadequate coil design, and energy inefficiency, resulting in mold growth, energy waste, and high maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A High Efficiency Dehumidification System (HEDS) that includes an air filter bank, supply fan, cooling coil, cooling recovery coil, and reheat coil, designed to reduce energy consumption, prevent mold growth, and optimize climate control in facilities by recycling heat and reducing water usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If existing cooling coil designs are used, then cooling function is provided, but high airside pressure drop occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling coil is divided into multiple sections with varying row densities. The first section has a higher number of rows for aggressive dehumidification where needed, while the second section has fewer rows to reduce pressure drop. This segmentation allows the system to achieve effective dehumidification without subjecting the entire coil to high pressure drops, thereby improving energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the cooling coil are designed with different properties - the first section has higher row density for maximum dehumidification capability where moisture removal is critical, while the second section has lower row density optimized for airflow and pressure reduction. This local quality variation ensures that each section performs its specific function optimally without compromising overall system energy efficiency.
2Productivity
If cooling coil vertical height is increased, then more cooling rows can be added, but condensate stacking effect occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling coil is segmented into two distinct sections: a first section with a higher number of rows for aggressive dehumidification, and a second section with fewer rows. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high dehumidification capacity in the first section without requiring excessive vertical height that would cause condensate stacking, as the second section is designed to work with the condensate management system.
Solution Approach 2:
A drain pan system acts as an intermediary between the cooling coil and the condensate discharge. The drain pan collects condensate from the cooling coil rows and directs it to a discharge location, preventing condensate stacking even when multiple rows are used. This intermediary mechanism enables the system to maintain high dehumidification capacity without the harmful effects of condensate accumulation.
3Productivity
If air velocity across coil sections is increased, then dehumidification rate improves, but excessive condensate is carried off into downstream ductwork
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling coil is divided into a first section optimized for high dehumidification rate and a second section with reduced rows. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high dehumidification rates in the first section where high air velocity is beneficial, while the second section is designed to allow condensate to settle and be collected by the drain pan system, reducing condensate carry-off into downstream ductwork.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain pan system serves as an intermediary that captures condensate before it can be carried off by high-velocity air into downstream ductwork. The drain pan is positioned to collect condensate from the cooling coil sections and directs it to a controlled discharge location, preventing the harmful effect of condensate carry-off while maintaining effective dehumidification rates.
4Reliability
If cooling coil rows are increased for deep dehumidification, then dehumidification effectiveness improves, but airside pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling coil is segmented into a first section with a higher number of rows designed for aggressive dehumidification to ensure effectiveness, and a second section with fewer rows to limit the overall pressure drop. This segmentation allows the system to achieve reliable dehumidification effectiveness in the first section without subjecting the entire system to excessive pressure drops that would occur if all rows were concentrated in one section.
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 HEDS system effectively reduces energy waste, lowers maintenance costs, and provides reliable climate control with reduced resource usage, capable of operating efficiently in various facilities including barracks, commercial spaces, and greenhouses, while minimizing mold growth and energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
the cooling coil containing cold fluid, the cooling coil configured to transfer heat from the air from the first inlet source into its fluid
Implementation Method 2
the cooling recovery coil containing heated fluid recirculated from the cooling coil, the cooling recovery coil further configured to transfer heat from its recirculated heated fluid into the air to generate dehumidified reheated air
Data Source
AI summary
This document describes a high efficiency dehumidification system (HEDS) and method of operating the same. The HEDS systems and physical implementations can include a variety of equipment, such as fans, fluid-conveying coils, tubing and pipes, heat transfer coils, vents, louvers, dampers, valves, fluid chillers, fluid heaters, and/or the like. Any of the implementations described herein can also include controls and logic, responsive to one or more sensors or other input devices, for controlling the equipment for each implementation described herein. The HEDS system utilizes heat transfer between the fluid within the fluid-conveying coils and air passing over the coils to convert humid air into dehumidified air.