Split-Airflow Dehumidifier for Low-Humidity Drying Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dehumidifiers are inadequate for operating at high ambient temperatures and low dew points, making them ineffective in applications like fire and flood restoration where high humidity reduction is necessary.
Innovation Solution
A dehumidification apparatus that separates inlet airflow into process and bypass airflows, with the process airflow being cooled and dehumidified through an evaporator unit and reheated through a condenser unit, while the bypass airflow is heated through the condenser unit, allowing for separate discharge and increased drying potential.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the inlet airflow is mixed and discharged through a single outlet, then the device complexity is reduced, but the absolute humidity of the discharged airflow increases reducing drying effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet airflow is divided into two separate paths: a process airflow path that passes through the evaporator for dehumidification, and a bypass airflow path that bypasses the evaporator. These two airflows are discharged through separate outlets, preventing mixing. This segmentation allows the process airflow to maintain lower absolute humidity while the bypass airflow provides heating capability, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and humidity control effectiveness.
2Quantity of substance
If the evaporator cools the airflow to low temperatures for effective dehumidification, then the absolute humidity is reduced, but the discharged airflow temperature is too low for effective drying application
Solution Approach 1:
The discharged airflow is segmented into two separate streams: the process airflow that is cooled and dehumidified to low temperatures with low absolute humidity, and the bypass airflow that is heated to higher temperatures. By maintaining separate discharge outlets, the system delivers the cold, dry process airflow directly to drying applications where low absolute humidity is critical, while the bypass airflow can be used for heating purposes, resolving the contradiction between achieving low absolute humidity and maintaining useful discharged temperature.
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 apparatus achieves lower absolute humidity in the process airflow, enhancing drying efficiency and effectiveness in applications such as fire and flood restoration by directing the dehumidified air towards surfaces in need of drying.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator unit operable to cool the process airflow by facilitating heat transfer from the process airflow to a flow of refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a condenser unit operable to reheat the process airflow by facilitating heat transfer from the flow of refrigerant to the process airflow
Implementation Method 3
The condenser unit is further operable to heat the bypass airflow by facilitating heat transfer from the flow of refrigerant to the bypass airflow
Data Source
AI summary
A dehumidification apparatus comprises an air inlet configured to receive an inlet airflow that is separated into a process airflow and a bypass airflow. An evaporator unit is operable to cool the process airflow by facilitating heat transfer from the process airflow to a flow of refrigerant as the process airflow passes through the evaporator unit. A condenser unit operable to (1) reheat the process airflow by facilitating heat transfer from the flow of refrigerant to the process airflow as the process airflow passes through a first portion of the condenser unit, and (2) heat the bypass airflow by facilitating heat transfer from the flow of refrigerant to the bypass airflow as the bypass airflow passes through a second portion of the condenser unit. The process airflow is discharged into the structure via a process airflow outlet and the bypass airflow is discharged into the structure via a bypass airflow outlet.