Split dehumidification system with secondary evaporator and condenser coils
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dehumidifiers are inefficient in reducing humidity levels, particularly in applications like fire and flood restoration, where rapid water evaporation is needed, and they often require additional power to enhance dehumidification capacity.
Innovation Solution
A dehumidification system with a secondary evaporator and condenser, which causes part of the refrigerant to evaporate and condense twice in a single refrigeration cycle, increasing compressor capacity without adding power, thereby enhancing efficiency and dehumidification per kilowatt of power used.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional single evaporator and condenser system is used, then the device complexity is low, but the dehumidification efficiency and compressor capacity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The single evaporator is segmented into two separate evaporators (first evaporator and second evaporator), each handling different refrigerant flows. This segmentation allows independent optimization of heat exchange processes, increasing overall dehumidification capacity without proportionally increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a nested configuration where the first evaporator and second evaporator are positioned within the same housing structure, sharing common components such as the compressor and control systems. This nesting approach increases functional capacity while minimizing the increase in overall system footprint and complexity
2Productivity
If additional power is added to increase dehumidification capacity, then the productivity increases, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the refrigerant flow parameters by dividing the refrigerant into two separate flows that pass through different evaporators at different stages. This parameter change allows more efficient heat extraction from the air, increasing dehumidification capacity without requiring proportional increases in compressor power
Solution Approach 2:
The dual evaporator system maintains continuous heat exchange action by having refrigerant flow through both evaporators in sequence. This continuous multi-stage heat extraction process maximizes the utilization of refrigerant cooling potential, improving dehumidification efficiency per unit of energy consumed
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 increases dehumidification efficiency by allowing more dehumidification per kilowatt of power used, providing greater drying potential in applications such as fire and flood restoration.
Implementation Method 1
the first airflow generated by transferring heat from the inlet airflow to the flow of refrigerant as the inlet airflow passes through the secondary evaporator
Implementation Method 2
the second airflow generated by transferring heat from the first airflow to the flow of refrigerant as the first airflow passes through the primary evaporator
Implementation Method 3
the third airflow generated by transferring heat from the flow of refrigerant to the third airflow as the second airflow passes through the secondary condenser
Implementation Method 4
the primary condenser operable to receive the flow of refrigerant from the compressor and transfer heat from the flow of refrigerant to a fourth airflow
Implementation Method 5
a compressor operable to receive the flow of refrigerant from the primary evaporator and provide the flow of refrigerant to a primary condenser, the flow of refrigerant provided to the primary condenser comprising a higher pressure than the flow of refrigerant received at the compressor
Data Source
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AI summary
A dehumidification system (100; 200; 300; 600; 800; 1500; 1600) includes a compressor (360; 660; 1516; 1612), a primary evaporator (310; 610; 910; 1010; 1508; 1604), a primary condenser (330; 630; 1510; 1606), a secondary evaporator (340; 640; 1040; 1140; 1512; 1608), and a secondary condenser (320; 620; 1020; 1120; 1514; 1610). The secondary evaporator (340; 640; 1040; 1140; 1512; 1608) receives an inlet airflow (101; 601; 901; 1526; 1628) and outputs a first airflow (345; 645; 1532; 1634) to the primary evaporator (310; 610; 910; 1010; 1508; 1604). The primary evaporator (310; 610; 910; 1010; 1508; 1604) receives the first airflow (345; 645; 1532; 1634) and outputs a second airflow (315; 615; 1530; 1632) to the secondary condenser (320; 620; 1020; 1120; 1514; 1610). The secondary condenser (320; 620; 1020; 1120; 1514; 1610) receives the second airflow (315; 615; 1530; 1632) and outputs a third airflow (325; 625; 1636) to the primary condenser. The primary condenser (330; 630; 1510; 1606) receives the third airflow (325; 625; 1636) and outputs a dehumidified airflow (106; 1528; 1630). The compressor (360; 660; 1516; 1612) receives a flow of refrigerant (310; 610; 910; 1010; 1508; 1604) from the primary evaporator (310; 610; 910; 1010; 1508; 1604) and provides the flow of refrigerant (310; 610; 910; 1010; 1508; 1604) to the primary condenser (330; 630; 1510; 1606).