Multi-stage boiler/regenerator for liquid desiccant dehumidifiers
AssigneeGas Research Institute
InventorsMark W. Spatz, John J. Tandler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved method and apparatus for regenerating aqueous desiccants for use in an air conditioning system are disclosed. The disclosed method and apparatus utilizes a gas-fired desiccant boiler and a combined desiccant regenerator/interchange heat exchaner. The combined regenerator/heat exchanger utilizes steam produced from the boiler to provide heat for partial regeneration. The desiccant boiler has a liquid/vapor separator chamber and thermosyphon recirculation to reduce scale and corrosion of the boiler.
Claims11
A process for regenerating liquid desiccant used in an air-conditioner comprising:
- providing (a) a first and a second heat exchanger each accommodating a flow of liquid desiccant therethrough for transferring sensible energy, (b) a desiccant regenerator and, (c) a desiccant boiler;
- removing diluted desiccant from the air conditioner and routing the desiccant through said first heat exchanger so that the temperature of the desiccant is raised, routing the diluted desiccant from said first heat exchanger to said desiccant regenerator wherein the diluted desiccant is partially regenerated, routing the partially regenerated desiccant through said second heat exchanger so that the temperature of the desiccant is raised, routing said partially regenerated desiccant through said desiccant boiler where said desiccant is fully regenerated with moisture from said desiccant being vaporized, routing the regenerated desiccant through said second heat exchanger to lower the temperature of said desiccant, routing said regenerated desiccant through said first heat exchanger to lower the temperature of said desiccant, returning said regenerated desiccant to the air conditioner;
- and
- routing the vaporized moisture from said desiccant boiler to said desiccant regenerator to supply energy so that the diluted desiccant is partially regenerated.
A liquid desiccant regeneration system for use in an air conditioner comprising:
- first and second heat exchangers constructed such that sensible heat is transferred from concentrated desiccant to diluted desiccant;
- a desiccant regenerator for partially regenerating the liquid desiccant;
- a desiccant boiler for completing the regeneration of the liquid desiccant and vaporizing moisture absorbed in the desiccant;
- means for directing diluted desiccant through said first heat exchanger and into said desiccant regenerator;
- means for removing liquid desiccant from said desiccant regenerator and pumping liquid desiccant through said second heat exchanger and into said desiccant boiler;
- means for removing liquid desiccant from said desiccant boiler and passing liquid desiccant through said second heat exchanger and said first heat exchanger;
- and
- means for passing the vaporized moisture through said desiccant regenerator so that the vaporized moisture is condensed and transfers heat to the liquid desiccant.
A liquid desiccant system for use in an air conditioner comprising:
- a desiccant boiler for regenerating liquid desiccant and vaporizing the moisture absorbed by the desiccant;
- a combined regenerator heat exchanger having a first flow channel for routing vaporized moisture, a second flow channel for routing hot desiccant from said boiler, a third flow channel for routing diluted desiccant from the air conditioner and a fourth channel for routing partially heated desiccant, said fourth channel having a first exit for air and water vapor and a second exit for desiccant;
- means for removing the liquid desiccant from the air conditioner system and pumping the liquid desiccant through said third flow channel;
- means for removing liquid desiccant from said third channel and routing it to said fourth channel;
- piping means for routing the liquid desiccant from the fourth channel to the boiler;
- piping means for routing the regenerated liquid desiccant from the boiler to said second flow channel;
- piping means for routing the vaporized moisture from the boiler to said first flow channel;
- piping means for routing the regenerated liquid desiccant from the second flow channel to the air conditioner.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.