Ventilation Energy Exchanger with Split Latent and Sensible Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ventilation systems face challenges in efficiently managing both sensible and latent energy exchange between interior and exterior air flows in buildings, particularly during temperature and humidity fluctuations, which can lead to condensation and ice build-up issues when dealing with freezing exterior air.
Innovation Solution
A ventilation apparatus with two energy-absorbing bodies, one containing a moisture absorbent material for latent energy recovery and the other primarily for sensible energy recovery, is used to alternate airflow paths to manage energy transfer effectively in both heating and cooling operations, preventing condensation through separate energy absorption and release modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If exterior air at freezing temperatures is used to cool the energy absorbing body in release mode, then cooling efficiency is improved, but condensation and ice build-up occurs on the inside surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The energy absorbing body is divided into two separate sections: a first section containing moisture absorbent material for latent heat exchange, and a second section without moisture absorbent material for sensible heat exchange. This segmentation prevents freezing air from contacting the moisture-absorbing surfaces, eliminating ice build-up while maintaining cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the energy absorbing body are given different properties: the first section has moisture absorbent material for dehumidification, while the second section is free of such material to allow freezing air to pass through without causing condensation or ice build-up on moisture-absorbing surfaces.
2Device complexity
If a single energy absorbing body is used for both sensible and latent heat exchange, then device complexity is reduced, but performance efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The energy absorbing body is segmented into two functional sections within a single housing: a first section with moisture absorbent material for latent heat recovery and a second section without such material for sensible heat recovery. This maintains relative structural simplicity while achieving superior energy exchange efficiency through specialized zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The single energy absorbing body incorporates local quality variations: the first section contains moisture absorbent material optimized for latent heat exchange, while the second section is configured without such material to optimize sensible heat exchange, thereby improving overall performance without requiring completely separate devices.
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 solution enables efficient energy transfer, preventing condensation and ice build-up while optimizing humidity and temperature regulation within buildings by alternating airflow through separate sensible and latent energy recovery portions, ensuring effective energy exchange across varying seasonal conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the moisture is collected in energy absorbing bodies from high humidity air by a moisture absorbent material such as a desiccant
Implementation Method 2
moisture is collected in energy absorbing bodies from high humidity air by a moisture absorbent material
Implementation Method 3
transfer thermal energy to the energy absorbing body from air passing through the energy absorbing body when a temperature and/or humidity of the air is higher than the energy absorbing body
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3B
Figure 4
AI summary
An apparatus is provided and arranged with an air control system to alternately direct a first and a second airflow to a first and a second energy-absorbing body in order to achieve a heat and moisture transfer between the two airflows. The energy exchange bodies alternate between recovery and release modes such that when one energy exchange body is in the release mode the other is in the recovery mode. Each of the first and second energy absorbing bodies is divided into a first latent energy recovery portion which includes a moisture absorbent material so that it is arranged to absorb latent energy and a second sensible energy recovery portion which is substantially free from moisture absorbent material so as to absorb primarily sensible energy. The second portion is arranged to supply heat to freezing air entering the energy absorbing body to prevent condensation and frosting damage to the first portion.