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US 10,619,867 B2Granted
Methods and systems for mini-split liquid desiccant air conditioning
Assignee7AC Technologies, Inc.
InventorPeter F. Vandermeulen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A split liquid desiccant air conditioning system is disclosed for treating an air stream flowing into a space in a building. The split liquid desiccant air-conditioning system is switchable between operating in a warm weather operation mode and a cold weather operation mode.
Claims20
A split liquid desiccant air conditioning system for cooling and dehumidifying an air stream flowing into a space in a building, the split liquid desiccant air conditioning system comprising:
- a conditioner located inside the building, said conditioner including a plurality of first structures, each first structure having at least one surface across which a liquid desiccant flows, each first structure including a passage through which a heat transfer fluid flows, wherein the air stream flows between the first structures such that the liquid desiccant dehumidifies and cools the air stream, the conditioner further comprising a sheet of material positioned proximate to the at least one surface of each first structure between the liquid desiccant and the air stream, said sheet of material permitting transfer of water vapor between the liquid desiccant and the air stream;
- a regenerator located outside the building connected to the conditioner by liquid desiccant pipes for exchanging the liquid desiccant with the conditioner, said regenerator including a plurality of second structures, each second structure having at least one surface across which the liquid desiccant flows, each second structure including a passage through which the heat transfer fluid flows, said regenerator causing the liquid desiccant to desorb water to an air stream flowing through the regenerator;
- an indirect evaporative cooling unit coupled to the conditioner for receiving the heat transfer fluid that has flowed through the first structures and a portion of the air stream that has been dehumidified and cooled by the conditioner, said indirect evaporative cooling unit including a plurality of third structures arranged in a substantially vertical orientation, each third structure having at least one surface across which water is flowed, each third structure including a passage through which the heat transfer fluid from the conditioner is flowed, wherein the portion of the air stream received from the conditioner flows between the third structures such that the water is evaporated by the air stream, resulting in cooling of the heat transfer fluid which is returned to the conditioner, and wherein the air stream treated by the indirect evaporative cooling unit is exhausted to the atmosphere;
- an apparatus for moving the air stream through the conditioner and the indirect evaporative cooling unit;
- an apparatus for circulating the liquid desiccant through the conditioner and regenerator;
- and
- an apparatus for circulating the heat transfer fluid through the conditioner and the indirect evaporative cooling unit;
- and
- a heat source for heating the heat transfer fluid in the regenerator.
6 more elements
A split liquid desiccant air conditioning system for heating and humidifying an air stream flowing into a space in a building, the split liquid desiccant air conditioning system comprising:
- a conditioner located inside the building, said conditioner including a plurality of first structures, each first structure having at least one surface across which a liquid desiccant flows, each first structure including a passage through which a heat transfer fluid flows, wherein the air stream flows between the first structures such that the liquid desiccant humidifies and heats the air stream, the conditioner further comprising a sheet of material positioned proximate to the at least one surface of each first structure between the liquid desiccant and the air stream, said sheet of material permitting transfer of water vapor between the liquid desiccant and the air stream;
- a regenerator located outside the building connected to the conditioner by liquid desiccant pipes for exchanging the liquid desiccant with the conditioner, said regenerator including a plurality of second structures, each second structure having at least one surface across which the liquid desiccant flows, each second structure including a passage through which the heat transfer fluid flows, said regenerator causing the liquid desiccant to absorb water from an air stream flowing through the regenerator;
- an indirect evaporative cooling unit coupled to the conditioner for receiving the heat transfer fluid that has flowed through the first structures and a portion of the air stream that has been humidified and heated by the conditioner, said indirect evaporative cooling unit including a plurality of third structures arranged, each third structure having at least one surface across which water is flowed, each third structure including a passage through which the heat transfer fluid from the conditioner is flowed, wherein the portion of the air stream received from the conditioner flows between the third structures such that the water vapor is evaporated from the water, resulting in humidification of the air stream, and wherein the air stream treated by the indirect evaporative cooling unit is exhausted inside the building;
- an apparatus for moving the air stream through the conditioner and the indirect evaporative cooling unit;
- an apparatus for circulating the liquid desiccant through the conditioner and regenerator;
- and
- an apparatus for circulating the heat transfer fluid through the conditioner and the indirect evaporative cooling unit;
- and
- a heat source for heating the heat transfer fluid in the conditioner and the indirect evaporative cooling unit.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.