Desiccant rotor

A method of using a desiccant rotor apparatus, the method comprising:

• providing a desiccant rotor apparatus comprising:
• a three-dimensional printed joule heating structure acting as a substrate, wherein the heating structure comprises a porous configuration with integrated heating elements;
• and
• a desiccant coated on and within the three-dimensional printed joule heating structure, wherein the desiccant is in direct contact with the heating structure;
• passing a first airstream over the desiccant rotor apparatus, wherein the desiccant absorbs moisture from the first airstream;
• rotating the desiccant rotor apparatus to expose the desiccant to a second airstream;
• activating the three-dimensional printed joule heating structure to generate heat that is transferred directly to the desiccant, causing the desiccant to release the absorbed moisture into the second airstream;
• and
• deactivating the three-dimensional printed joule heating structure to allow the desiccant to cool and reabsorb moisture from the first airstream;
• wherein the desiccant is mixed into a conductive ink used to print the three-dimensional joule heating structure.

A method of improving moisture removal efficiency of a desiccant rotor, the method comprising:

• providing a desiccant rotor substrate;
• printing a three-dimensional joule heating structure on the substrate using an additive manufacturing technique, wherein the heating structure comprises a porous configuration with integrated heating elements;
• coating a desiccant on and within the three-dimensional printed joule heating structure, wherein the desiccant is in direct contact with the heating structure;
• and
• generating heat from the three-dimensional printed joule heating structure that is transferred directly to the desiccant, thereby improving moisture removal efficiency of the desiccant rotor and reducing a need for a cool down section between a regeneration air supply and a process air supply;
• wherein the desiccant is missed into a conductive ink used to print the three-dimensional joule heating structure.