Method and apparatus for hybrid dehumidification
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Solution Overview
Problem
HVAC systems face inefficiencies in dehumidification, leading to over-cooling and increased energy consumption, as existing methods either lower temperature setpoints or reheat air, causing occupant discomfort and higher utility costs.
Innovation Solution
A segmented evaporator coil system with a primary and secondary segment, where a valve selectively restricts refrigerant flow through the secondary segment based on operational time and relative humidity thresholds, allowing for targeted dehumidification without over-cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the temperature setpoint is lowered to enhance dehumidification, then humidity control is improved, but occupant comfort deteriorates due to over-cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator coil is divided into a first segment and a second segment with independent refrigerant flow paths. The first segment handles sensible cooling while the second segment is dedicated to latent cooling (dehumidification). This segmentation allows independent control of temperature and humidity, enabling effective dehumidification without over-cooling the space, thus maintaining occupant comfort.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If reheat is applied to prevent over-cooling during dehumidification, then occupant comfort is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the evaporator coil into separate sensible and latent cooling paths, the system removes the need for reheat. The first segment provides sensible cooling to maintain comfortable temperatures while the second segment handles dehumidification. This eliminates the energy-wasting reheat cycle while maintaining occupant comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by using a valve to control refrigerant flow distribution to different evaporator segments based on environmental conditions. This dynamic parameter adjustment allows the system to optimize between sensible and latent cooling, preventing over-cooling without energy-intensive reheat.
3Temperature
If the evaporator operates at full capacity to maximize cooling, then temperature control is improved, but humidity control deteriorates due to insufficient latent capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator coil is segmented into a first segment for sensible cooling and a second segment for latent cooling. The valve selectively directs refrigerant flow to activate the second segment when dehumidification is needed, while maintaining full capacity operation of the first segment for temperature control. This ensures both temperature and humidity are effectively controlled.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts refrigerant flow distribution to different evaporator segments based on real-time environmental conditions. The valve modulates flow to the second segment, allowing the system to adapt between prioritizing sensible cooling, latent cooling, or both simultaneously, optimizing both temperature and humidity 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
The solution enhances latent cooling capacity, reducing energy consumption and occupant discomfort by selectively activating the secondary segment only when necessary, thereby improving humidity control without excessive cooling.
Implementation Method 1
an operational time of the HVAC system and determining, via the HVAC controller, if the operational time exceeds a pre-defined run-time threshold
Implementation Method 2
a valve is arranged in fluid communication with the secondary segment so as to selectively restrict refrigerant flow through the secondary segment
Data Source
AI summary
An evaporator coil system includes a segmented evaporator coil. The segmented evaporator coil includes a primary segment and a secondary segment. A first plurality of evaporator circuit lines are fluidly coupled to the primary segment and a second plurality of evaporator circuit lines are fluidly coupled to the secondary segment. A suction line includes a first connection fluidly coupled to the primary segment and a second connection fluidly coupled to the secondary segment. A valve is arranged in fluid communication with the secondary segment so as to selectively restrict refrigerant flow through the secondary segment.