High efficiency heating and drying using shielded radiant heater

A method for drying a moisture-laden space or structure, comprising the steps of:

• (a) introducing a process air stream into an air-dehumidifier comprising a desiccant rotor comprising one or more process chambers and one or more reactivation chambers, through which chambers air can flow;
• and a shielded radiant burner assembly comprising a radiant burner having a directional shield, a combustion blower, and a combustion air plenum adapted to supply a suitable amount of fuel and air to said radiant burner to allow for combustion and emission of radiant heat;
• wherein the process air stream is drawn into the desiccant rotor through the one or more process chambers;
• (b) igniting fuel and air supplied to the radiant burner to create a flame adapted to generate radiant heat;
• (c) heating and dehumidifying the process air stream by flowing the process air stream through the one or more process chambers and carrying over heat from the one or more reactivation chambers to the process air stream;
• and wherein the heat produced by the one or more reactivation chambers allows for dehumidification of the process air stream by absorbing water vapor from the one or more reactivation chambers;
• (d) ejecting the post-process air stream into the moisture laden space or structure;
• (e) drawing a pre-reactivation air stream into the air-dehumidifier from the moisture laden space or structure, or from the ambient environment;
• (f) flowing the pre-reactivation air stream near the directional shield;
• (g) shielding the flame produced by the radiant burner from the pre-reactivation air stream;
• (h) reactivating the pre-reactivation air stream by transferring the radiant heat from the radiant burner to the pre-reactivation air stream flowing near the directional shield;
• and
• (i) removing moisture from the one or more reactivation chambers by projecting a suitable amount of radiant heat onto the desiccant rotor and by flowing the reactivation air stream through the one or more reactivation chambers.

A shielded radiant burner assembly, comprising:

• (a) a radiant burner adapted to combust air and fuel and to project a suitable amount of radiant heat onto an object or mammal, or into a space or structure;
• (b) a combustion air plenum adapted to supply a suitable amount of fuel and air to said radiant burner to allow for combustion and emission of radiant heat when ignited;
• (c) a directional shield sized and shaped to minimize the potential for the interruption of the combustion of air and fuel by an air stream flowing near said radiant burner at a velocity which would be expected to interrupt the flame produced by a similar radiant burner without a directional shield;
• (d) an air blower adapted to flow an air stream near said directional shield such that a suitable amount of radiant heat is transferred from the radiant burner to the air stream by convecting the radiant heat through said directional shield;
• and
• (e) a combustion blower;
• wherein said combustion blower is adapted to eject a mixture of fuel and air through said radiant burner.