# US 2014/0150656 A1 · Methods and systems for turbulent, corrosion resistant heat exchangers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0150656 A1 - Document ID: US20140150656A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/915,222 - Filed: 2013-06-11 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-06-11 - Assignees: 7AC Technologies, Inc. - Applicants: 7AC Technologies, Inc. - Inventors: Peter F. Vandermeulen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140150656A1 ## CPC - F24F 3/1417: {with liquid hygroscopic desiccants} - B01D 53/18: Absorbing units; Liquid distributors therefor (B01D3/16, B01D3/26, B01D3/30 take precedence; packing elements B01J19/30, B01J19/32) - B01D 53/229: {Integrated processes (Diffusion and at least one other process, e.g. adsorption, absorption)} - B01D 53/263: {by absorption} - B01D 53/265: {by refrigeration (condensation)} - B01D 53/268: {by diffusion} - F28D 5/00: Heat-exchange apparatus having stationary conduit assemblies for one heat-exchange medium only, the media being in contact with different sides of the conduit wall, using the cooling effect of natural or forced evaporation - F28D 9/005: {the plates having openings therein for both heat-exchange media} - F28D 21/0015: {Heat and mass exchangers, e.g. with permeable walls} - F28F 1/02: Tubular elements of cross-section which is non-circular (F28F1/08, F28F1/10 take precedence) - F28F 13/12: by creating turbulence, e.g. by stirring, by increasing the force of circulation (F28F13/08 takes precedence) - F28F 19/02: by using coatings, e.g. vitreous or enamel coatings - F28F 21/065: {the heat-exchange apparatus employing plate-like or laminated conduits} - B01D 63/085: {specially adapted for two fluids in mass exchange flow} - B01D 2053/222: {with plates} - F24F 2003/1435: {comprising semi-permeable membrane} - F24F: AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING (removing dirt or fumes from areas where they are produced B08B15/00; vertical ducts for carrying away waste gases from buildings E04F17/02; tops for chimneys or ventilating shafts, terminals for flues F23L17/02) - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) - F28D: HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT (fluid heaters having heat generating means and heat transferring means F24H; furnaces F27; details of heat-exchange apparatus of general) - F28F: DETAILS OF HEAT-EXCHANGE AND HEAT-TRANSFER APPARATUS, OF GENERAL APPLICATION (water and air traps, air venting F16) ## Abstract Disclosed are various turbulent, corrosion-resistant heat exchangers used in desiccant air conditioning systems. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A heat exchanger for use in a desiccant air conditioning system, comprising: a plurality of membrane-plate assemblies facing each other in a generally parallel arrangement and being spaced apart to define air gaps therebetween through which air to be treated by the desiccant air conditioning system can flow, each of said membrane-plate assemblies comprising (a) a plate structure and (b) two membranes, each facing an opposite side of the plate structure and spaced apart from the plate structure to define a liquid gap therebetween through which a liquid can flow, and wherein the membrane-plate assemblies have a cross-flow arrangement such that the air gaps alternatingly form primary and secondary channels, wherein air flow in the primary channels is at a cross flow to air flow in the secondary channel; wherein each membrane has a bottom portion that is sealed to the plate structure such that liquid desiccant is forced to flow through one or more drain ports, thereby creating a negative pressure in the gap between each membrane and the plate structure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The heat exchanger of claim 1, further comprising a diverter for diverting at least a portion of the airflow exiting the primary channels to become part of the airflow entering the secondary channels to provide evaporative cooling. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein the diverter is configured to transport the diverted airflow to enter a portion of the heat exchanger near the entry of the primary channels. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The heat exchanger of claim 2, wherein the diverter is configured to transport the diverted airflow to enter a portion of the heat exchanger near the exit of the primary channels. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the primary channels are configured for vertical air flow. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the primary channels are configured for horizontal air flow. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the membranes defining the primary channels have a liquid desiccant flowing through the liquid gap. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The heat exchanger of claim 1, wherein the membranes defining the secondary channels have water flowing through the liquid gap. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The heat exchanger of claim 8, wherein the water comprises seawater or wastewater. ### Claim 10 A heat exchanger for use in a desiccant air conditioning system, comprising: a plurality of membrane-plate assemblies facing each other in a generally parallel arrangement and being spaced apart to define air gaps therebetween through which air to be treated by the desiccant air conditioning system can flow, each of said membrane-plate assemblies comprising (a) a plate structure and (b) two membranes, each facing an opposite side of the plate structure and spaced apart from the plate structure to define a liquid gap therebetween through which a liquid can flow, and wherein the membrane-plate assemblies have a cross-flow arrangement such that the air gaps alternatingly form primary and secondary channels, wherein air flow in the primary channels is at a cross flow to air flow in the secondary channel; and a diverter for diverting at least a portion of the airflow exiting the primary channels to become part of the airflow entering the secondary channels to provide evaporative cooling. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The heat exchanger of claim 10, wherein the diverter is configured to transport the diverted airflow to enter a portion of the heat exchanger near the entry of the primary channels. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The heat exchanger of claim 10, wherein the diverter is configured to transport the diverted airflow to enter a portion of the heat exchanger near the exit of the primary channels. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The heat exchanger of claim 10, wherein the primary channels are configured for vertical air flow. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The heat exchanger of claim 10, wherein the primary channels are configured for horizontal air flow. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The heat exchanger of claim 10, wherein the membranes defining the primary channels have a liquid desiccant flowing through the liquid gap. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The heat exchanger of claim 10, wherein the membranes defining the secondary channels have water flowing through the liquid gap. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The heat exchanger of claim 16, wherein the water comprises seawater or wastewater.