Tubular membrane heat exchanger

A modular heat exchanger system comprising:

• an upstream tubular membrane heat exchanger module comprising:
• an upstream inlet header to receive process fluid;
• an upstream outlet header;
• a plurality of upstream tubular membranes connecting the upstream inlet header and the upstream outlet header, the upstream tubular membranes facilitating flow of the process fluid from the upstream inlet header to the upstream outlet header;
• a downstream tubular membrane heat exchanger module comprising:
• a downstream inlet header configured to be secured to the upstream outlet header of the upstream tubular membrane heat exchanger and receive the process fluid from the upstream outlet header;
• a downstream outlet header;
• and
• a plurality of downstream tubular membranes connecting the downstream inlet header and downstream outlet header, the downstream tubular membranes facilitating flow of the process fluid from the downstream inlet header to the downstream outlet header.

A tubular membrane heat exchanger module comprising:

• an inlet header to receive a process fluid;
• an outlet header;
• a plurality of tubular membranes connected to the inlet header and the outlet header that facilitate flow of the process fluid from the inlet header to the outlet header;
• and
• the tubular membranes providing tortuous paths for the process fluid as the process fluid flows from the inlet header to the outlet header.

An air handler system comprising:

• an outer structure;
• a tubular membrane heat exchanger comprising a plurality of tubular membranes in the outer structure;
• a fan operable to generate airflow in the outer structure the relative to the tubular membranes;
• a process fluid supply configured to provide either of a first process fluid and a second process fluid to the tubular membrane heat exchanger, the second process fluid comprising liquid desiccant;
• a controller operatively connected to the fan and the process fluid supply, the controller having a first mode wherein the process fluid supply provides the first process fluid to the tubular membrane heat exchanger to transfer heat between the first process fluid and the airflow;
• and
• the controller having a second mode wherein the process fluid supply provides the second process fluid comprising the liquid desiccant to the tubular membrane heat exchanger to remove humidity from the airflow.

A tubular membrane heat exchanger comprising:

• a fan;
• an inlet header to receive a process fluid;
• an outlet header;
• a plurality of tubular membranes connected to the inlet header and the outlet header that facilitate flow of the process fluid from the inlet header to the outlet header;
• the tubular membranes extending about the fan;
• and
• the tubular membranes providing a non-linear path for the process fluid as the process fluid flows from inlet header to the outlet header.