Method and system for dehumidifying an enclosure
AssigneeWatergen Ltd.
InventorSharon DULBERG
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Method and system for controlling the humidity in an enclosure that has a humidity source such as a greenhouse. The system includes a refrigeration type dehumidifier having an air-to-air heat exchanger coupled to the evaporator. Air from within the enclosure flows through the air-to-air heat exchanger before and after it comes in contact with the evaporator, and the air that is exhausted from the condenser is expelled outside the enclosure. The water that is generated from condensation of humidity of the air within the enclosure is collected and dispensed to replenish water to the humidity source for example by irrigation of plants in a greenhouse. Hygrometers may be coupled to the system to indicate when dehumidification and/or irrigation is required.
Claims16
A humidity control system comprising a dehumidifier, a water collection means and water dispensing means, the dehumidifier comprising a refrigeration cycle, an air-to-air heat exchanger, and an air motivating device;
- the refrigeration cycle comprises a condenser communicating with air from outside an enclosure, and the evaporator comprising an air inlet and an air outlet, communicating with a first outlet of the heat exchanger and with a second inlet of the heat exchanger;
- the air to air heat exchanger comprises
- a first inlet in fluid communication with air within the enclosure,
- a first outlet in fluid communication with the air inlet of the evaporator,
- a second inlet in fluid communication with the air exit of the evaporator,
- a second outlet in fluid communication with the air within the enclosure,
- the first inlet and first outlet being connected by a first pathway and the second inlet and second outlet being connected by a second pathway, the first and second pathways being in propinquity allowing heat exchange between air flowing in the first pathway and air flowing in the second pathway;
- the air motivating device being disposed such as to motivate humid air to flow from within the enclosure through the first inlet, the first pathway, exit from the first outlet to flow through the evaporator, then to enter as drier airflow to the second inlet, through the second pathway, exit from the second outlet back to within the enclosure to conclude a circulation cycle;
- the water collection means being positioned such that it collects condensed water from the evaporator;
- the water dispensing means being in fluid communication with the water collection means and a humidity source within the enclosure.
Method for controlling humidity in an enclosure, the enclosure comprising an air exchange with the environment and a humidifying source, the method comprising:
- providing a humidity control system to the enclosure, the humidity control system comprising a dehumidifier, a water collection means and a water dispensing means, the dehumidifier comprising a refrigeration cycle, an air-to-air heat exchanger, and an air motivating device;
- activating the humidity control system to circulate air flow in the circulation cycle and condense humidity therefrom into water;
- collecting the condensed water in the water collection means;
- and
- dispensing collected condensed water to the humidifying source to obtain a humidity controlled enclosure,
- wherein the humidity control system is characterized by that
- the refrigeration cycle comprises a condenser communicating with air from outside the enclosure, and an evaporator comprising an air inlet and an air outlet, communicating with a first outlet of the heat exchanger and with a second inlet of the heat exchanger;
- the air to air heat exchanger comprises
- a first inlet in fluid communication with air within the enclosure,
- a first outlet in fluid communication with the air inlet of the evaporator,
- a second inlet in fluid communication with the air exit of the evaporator,
- a second outlet in fluid communication with the air within the enclosure,
- the first inlet and first outlet being connected by a first pathway and the second inlet and second outlet being connected by a second pathway, the first and second pathways being in propinquity allowing heat exchange between air flowing in the first pathway and air flowing in the second pathway;
- the air motivating device being disposed such as to motivate humid air to flow from within the enclosure through the first inlet, the first pathway, exit from the first outlet to flow through the evaporator, then to enter as drier airflow to the second inlet, through the second pathway, exit from the second outlet back to within the enclosure to conclude a circulation cycle;
- the water collection means being positioned such that it collects condensed water from the evaporator;
- the water dispensing means being in fluid communication with the water collection means and the humidity source.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.