Patent Application
20230194108
The field of the disclosure relates generally to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and more specifically, to the use of humidity control systems in HVAC systems.
The vapor compression cycle is widely used in air conditioning systems to regulate the temperature and humidity of an indoor space. Typically, air is cooled below its dew point temperature to allow moisture in the air to condense on an evaporator coil, thereby dehumidifying the air. Since this process often leaves the dehumidified air at an uncomfortably cold temperature, the air is then reheated to a temperature more comfortable to a user. The process of overcooling and reheating the air can become very energy-intensive and costly, particularly since the reheating process adds an additional heat load to the evaporator.
In some applications, vapor compression systems are used in parallel with liquid desiccant dehumidification systems to remove moisture from the air without cooling it below its dew point temperature. Such systems include a liquid desiccant loop that absorbs moisture from the cooled indoor air and exhausts it into the warm outdoor environment. However, the liquid desiccants used in these systems are often highly corrosive, and any carry-over of desiccant into the air stream can damage other parts of the system. Thus, there is a need for a liquid desiccant system that can effectively control the humidity of an indoor space while keeping the liquid desiccant fully isolated.
This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.
One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a conditioning system including a vapor compression system and a humidity control system. The vapor compression system includes an evaporator, a condenser, a first fan, and a second fan. The first fan produces a first airflow across the evaporator toward a conditioned interior space, and the second fan produces a second airflow from the condenser toward an exterior space. The humidity control system includes a first mass exchange device positioned in the first airflow, a second mass exchange device positioned in the second airflow, and a liquid desiccant heat exchanger coupled in fluid communication with the first and second mass exchange devices. The liquid desiccant heat exchanger includes a first path and a second path that are thermally coupled. The first path provides liquid desiccant in a first direction from the first to the second mass exchange device, and the second path provides liquid desiccant in a second direction from the second to the first mass exchange device. The first and second mass exchange devices each include a plurality of cavities configured to permit a flow of the liquid desiccant therethrough.
Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a humidity control system for use in a vapor compression system that includes an evaporator and a condenser. The humidity control system includes a first mass exchange device, a second mass exchange device, and a liquid desiccant heat exchanger coupled in fluid communication with the first and second mass exchange devices. The first mass exchange device is configured to be positioned in a first airflow from the evaporator to a conditioned interior space. The second mass exchange device is configured to be positioned in a second airflow from the condenser to an exterior space. The liquid desiccant heat exchanger includes a first path and a second path that are thermally coupled. The first path provides liquid desiccant in a first direction from the first mass exchange device to the second mass exchange device. The second path provides liquid desiccant in a second direction from the second mass exchange device to the first mass exchange device. The first and second mass exchange devices each include at least one cavity configured to permit a flow of liquid desiccant therethrough.
Various refinements exist of the features noted in relation to the above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure. Further features may also be incorporated in the above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure as well. These refinements and additional features may exist individually or in any combination. For instance, various features discussed below in relation to any of the illustrated embodiments of the present disclosure may be incorporated into any of the above-described aspects of the present disclosure, alone or in any combination.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
For conciseness, examples will be described with respect to a conditioning system that cools and dehumidifies an indoor space. However, the systems described herein may be applied to any suitable system for regulating the temperature and humidity of a space, including those that heat and/or humidify a space. The temperature and humidity of an indoor space can be independently regulated using a conditioning system that includes a vapor compression system and a humidity control system. The vapor compression system cools and pre-conditions the air, and the humidity control system uses a liquid desiccant loop to dehumidify the air by absorbing moisture from the indoor space and releasing it into an outdoor space.
The expansion device 120 is fluidly coupled to the evaporator 140, which receives low-pressure, low-temperature liquid refrigerant at its inlet. In the evaporator 140, the refrigerant absorbs heat Qin from the conditioned interior space 50 to change phase from a liquid to a gas. A first fan 150 produces a first airflow 142 across the evaporator 140 toward the conditioned interior space 50, thereby cooling the conditioned interior space 50. In some embodiments, the conditioned interior space 50 is cooled to a temperature greater than the dew point temperature of the air. The first fan 150 may be driven by a first variable frequency drive (VFD) 152 or any other suitable motor.
The evaporator 140 is fluidly coupled to the compressor 160, where it enters as a low-pressure, low-temperature gas. The compressor 160 is operable to compress the refrigerant by increasing the pressure of the refrigerant, for example, by adding kinetic energy to the refrigerant and converting it to pressure rise. The compressor 160 may be any suitable compression device that allows the vapor compression system 100 to function as described herein, for example and without limitation, a dynamic compressor, a centrifugal compressor, an axial compressor, a scroll compressor, a rotary compressor, a screw compressor, a single-stage compressor, or a multi-stage compressor. The compressor may be driven by a second VFD 162 or any other suitable motor. The refrigerant exits the compressor 160 as a high-pressure, high-temperature gas.
The compressor 160 is fluidly coupled to the condenser 180, where heat Qout is removed at a constant pressure to condense the refrigerant into a high-pressure, saturated or subcooled liquid. A second fan 190 produces a second airflow 192 from the condenser 180 toward the exterior space 80, thereby exhausting warm air toward the exterior space 80. The second fan 190 may be driven by a third VFD 172 or any other suitable motor. The condenser 180 is fluidly coupled to the expansion device 120, and the cycle begins again.
In some embodiments, the vapor compression system 100 shown in
The vapor compression system 100 may be used in combination with a humidity control system 200 (
With reference to
The first mass exchange device 220 has an inlet 222 and an outlet 224 and, with reference to
With reference to
A first vapor permeable membrane 256 covers the open portion 254 of each first cavity 250 to separate the surface 90 of the liquid desiccant from the first airflow 142. The first vapor permeable membrane 256 can include a plurality of pores that are sized to allow water vapor molecules to pass through while prohibiting the passage of larger molecules, such as molecules of the liquid desiccant. Thus, the first vapor permeable membrane 256 allows moisture from the first airflow 142 to pass through the membrane 256 and be absorbed by the liquid desiccant to dehumidify the air. The first vapor permeable membrane 256 also prevents liquid desiccant from leaking out of the first cavity 250 and into the first airflow 142.
With reference to
A second vapor permeable membrane 276 covers the open portion 274 of each second cavity 270 to separate the surface 90 of the liquid desiccant from the second airflow 192. The second vapor permeable membrane 276 can include a plurality of pores that are sized to allow water vapor molecules to pass through while prohibiting the passage of larger molecules, such as molecules of liquid desiccant. Thus, the second vapor permeable membrane 276 allows moisture in the liquid desiccant to pass through the membrane 276 and be released into the second airflow 192 to regenerate the liquid desiccant. The second vapor permeable membrane 276 also prevents any liquid desiccant from leaking out of the second cavity 270 and into the second airflow 192.
With reference to
The second path 340 of the heat exchanger 320 is in fluid communication with both the outlet 244 of the second mass exchange device 240 and the inlet 222 of the first mass exchange device 220. The liquid desiccant exiting the second mass exchange device 240 is warm from thermal contact with the second airflow 192 and flows through the second path 340 in a second direction 342 oriented from the second mass exchange device 240 to the first mass exchange device 220. The thermal contact between the first path 330 and the second path 340 causes the warm liquid desiccant in the second path 340 to be pre-cooled prior to entering the first mass exchange device 220, increasing its capacity to absorb moisture from the first airflow 142. The thermal contact between the two paths 330, 340 also causes the cold liquid desiccant in the first path 330 to be pre-heated prior to entering the second mass exchange device 240, improving its ability to release moisture into the second airflow 192.
In the embodiment illustrated in
The humidity control system 200 further includes at least one liquid desiccant tank configured for holding liquid desiccant upstream of one of the mass exchange devices 220, 240. In the embodiment illustrated in
Similarly, a second liquid desiccant tank 440 is located between the heat exchanger 320 and the second mass exchange device 240. The second liquid desiccant tank 440 is in fluid communication with both components, receiving liquid desiccant from the heat exchanger 320 and providing it to the second mass exchange device 240. The second liquid desiccant tank 440 may be integral with the second mass exchange device 240, and both components may be enclosed by a second housing (not shown).
The volume of liquid desiccant in each of the first and second liquid desiccant tanks 420, 440 can be constant; that is, liquid desiccant is received from the heat exchanger 320 at the same rate as it is provided to the first or second mass exchange device 220, 240. Alternatively, the volume of liquid desiccant in each tank 420, 440 may vary over time to allow precise control of the rate at which liquid desiccant is provided to the first or second mass exchange device 220, 240.
At least one pump 210 is fluidly coupled to the first mass exchange device 220, the second mass exchange device 240, and the liquid desiccant heat exchanger 320. The at least one pump 210 is configured to circulate liquid desiccant in a loop through the conditioning process in the first mass exchange device 220 and the regeneration process in the second mass exchange device 240. The embodiment illustrated in
Each of the pumps 210 in
The humidity control system 200 can additionally include a three-way valve 480 located downstream of the first mass exchange device 220. The three-way valve 480 can be configured in a first, fully closed position, in which all liquid desiccant flows from the first mass exchange device 220 to the first path 330 of the heat exchanger 320. The three-way valve 480 can alternatively be configured in a second, partially open position, in which a portion of the liquid desiccant cooled in the first mass exchange device 220 is diverted to the first liquid desiccant tank 420 to provide the first mass exchange device 220 with pre-cooled liquid desiccant. The remainder of the liquid desiccant flows through the first path 330 of the heat exchanger 320.
In some embodiments, the humidity control system can be used to humidify, rather than dehumidify, the conditioned interior space 50 to provide evaporative cooling. In such embodiments, the three-way valve 480 can additionally be configured in a third position, in which the second mass exchange device 240 and the heat exchanger 320 are fully bypassed, and all of the liquid desiccant exiting the first mass exchange device 220 is routed back to the first liquid desiccant tank 420. In such embodiments, the first liquid desiccant tank 420 can include a connection 426 to receive water from an external water source, thereby diluting the liquid desiccant with water to be released into the conditioned interior space. The external water source can be a municipal water source, a well, or any other suitable source. Further embodiments do not include a connection to receive water from an external water source.
With reference to
The conditioning system 300 further includes a user interface 540 configured to output (e.g., display) and/or receive information (e.g., from a user) associated with the conditioning system 300. In some embodiments, the user interface 540 is configured to receive an activation and/or deactivation input from a user to activate and deactivate (i.e., turn on and off) or otherwise enable operation of the conditioning system 300. For example, the user interface 540 can receive a temperature setpoint and a humidity setpoint specified by the user. Moreover, in some embodiments, the user interface 540 is configured to output information associated with one or more operational characteristics of the conditioning system 300, including, for example and without limitation, warning indicators such as severity alerts, occurrence alerts, fault alerts, motor speed alerts, and any other suitable information.
The user interface 540 may include any suitable input devices and output devices that enable the user interface 540 to function as described herein. For example, the user interface 540 may include input devices including, but not limited to, a keyboard, mouse, touchscreen, joystick(s), throttle(s), buttons, switches, and/or other input devices. Moreover, the user interface 540 may include output devices including, for example and without limitation, a display (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display), speakers, indicator lights, instruments, and/or other output devices. Furthermore, the user interface 540 may be part of a different component, such as a system controller (not shown). Other embodiments do not include a user interface 540.
The controller 510 is generally configured to control operation of the conditioning system 300. The controller 510 controls operation through programming and instructions from another device or controller or is integrated with the conditioning system 300 through a system controller. In some embodiments, for example, the controller 510 receives user input from the user interface 540, and controls one or more components of the conditioning system 300 in response to such user inputs. For example, the controller 510 may control the first fan 150 based on user input received from the user interface 540. In some embodiments, the conditioning system 300 may be controlled by a remote control interface. For example, the conditioning system 300 may include a communication interface (not shown) configured for connection to a wireless control interface that enables remote control and activation of the conditioning system 300. The wireless control interface may be embodied on a portable computing device, such as a tablet or smartphone.
The controller 510 may generally include any suitable computer and/or other processing unit, including any suitable combination of computers, processing units and/or the like that may be communicatively coupled to one another and that may be operated independently or in connection within one another (e.g., controller 510 may form all or part of a controller network). Controller 510 may include one or more modules or devices, one or more of which is enclosed within the conditioning system 300, or may be located remote from the conditioning system 300. The controller 510 may be part of the vapor compression system 100, the humidity control system 200, or separate and may be part of a system controller in an HVAC system. Controller 510 and/or components of controller 510 may be integrated or incorporated within other components of the conditioning system 300. The controller 510 may include one or more processor(s) 520 and associated memory device(s) 530 configured to perform a variety of computer-implemented functions (e.g., performing the calculations, determinations, and functions disclosed herein).
As used herein, the term “processor” refers not only to integrated circuits, but also to a controller, a microcontroller, a microcomputer, a programmable logic controller (PLC), an application-specific integrated circuit, and other programmable circuits. Additionally, memory device(s) 530 of controller 510 may generally be or include memory element(s) including, but not limited to, computer readable medium (e.g., random access memory (RAM)), computer readable non-volatile medium (e.g., a flash memory), a floppy disk, a compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM), a magneto-optical disk (MOD), a digital versatile disc (DVD) and/or other suitable memory elements. Such memory device(s) 530 may generally be configured to store suitable computer-readable instructions that, when implemented by the processor(s) 520, configure or cause the controller 510 to perform various functions described herein including, but not limited to, controlling the conditioning system 300, receiving inputs from user interface 540, providing output to an operator via user interface 540, and/or various other suitable computer-implemented functions.
Technical benefits of the systems described herein are as follows: (1) The temperature and humidity of an indoor space can be separately regulated by preconditioning air to a temperature above its dew point temperature and dehumidifying the preconditioned air using a liquid desiccant loop, and (2) the liquid desiccant can effectively absorb and release moisture through the vapor permeable membrane without contaminating the airflow with corrosive liquid desiccant.
As used herein, the terms “about,” “substantially,” “essentially” and “approximately” when used in conjunction with ranges of dimensions, concentrations, temperatures or other physical or chemical properties or characteristics is meant to cover variations that may exist in the upper and/or lower limits of the ranges of the properties or characteristics, including, for example, variations resulting from rounding, measurement methodology or other statistical variation.
When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. The use of terms indicating a particular orientation (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “side,” etc.) is for convenience of description and does not require any particular orientation of the item described.
As various changes could be made in the above constructions and methods without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawing[s] shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
