US 7,596,961 B2 · Dehumidification element

Abstract

Disclosed is a dehumidification unit which comprises alternate laminations of an adsorption element (1) provided with a plurality of first air ventilation passages (3) and a cooling element (2) provided with a plurality of second air ventilation passages (4). In the dehumidification unit, the cooling element (2) is provided, at a planewise inner area thereof, with an opening (24), thereby being shaped like a frame. Cooling air (Ab) is passed through the opening (24). With such configuration, the length of the second air ventilation passages (4) becomes shorter by an amount corresponding to the formation of the opening (24). Consequently, the pressure loss of the cooling air (Ab) is reduced and its flow rate increases accordingly. In addition, at the opening's (24) area, the cooling air (Ab) is brought into direct contact with the adsorption element's (1) side, and the efficiency of heat transfer therebetween is improved. Hereby, as a synergistic effect of the increased flow rate of the cooling air (Ab) and the improved heat transfer efficiency, the heat-liberation action of heat of adsorption is accelerated and the dehumidification capability of the dehumidification unit is maintained at high levels over a long period of time.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A dehumidification unit comprising alternate laminations of an adsorption element which supports an adsorbent and in which a plurality of first air ventilation passages through which air to be processed flows are formed planewise in rows, and a cooling element comprising a plurality of bended second air ventilation passage forming member in which a plurality of second air ventilation passages through which cooling air flows are formed planewise in rows,

wherein:
said cooling element is provided, at a planewise inner area thereof, with an opening, thereby being shaped like a frame, and wherein
a plurality of said second air ventilation passages is separated by said opening into an entry opening and an exit opening situated respectively on one passagewise side of the plurality of bended second air ventilation passage forming member and on an opposite passagewise side of the bended second air ventilation passage forming member thereof, wherein passage lengths of the entry opening and the exit opening do not extend the full length of the cooling element such that the cooling air flowing in the opening is brought into direct contact with the adsorption element.

wherein:
said cooling element is provided with openings which overlap with said second air ventilation passages such that said second air ventilation passages of the plurality of bended second air ventilation passage forming member are each separated passagewise so as to include an entry opening and an exit opening, wherein passage lengths of the entry opening and the exit opening do not extend the full length of the cooling element such that the cooling air flowing in the openings is brought into direct contact with the adsorption element, and wherein
the passage resistance of said second air ventilation passages on the downstream side of said openings is set such that the passage resistance of second air ventilation passages nearer to an area of said cooling element corresponding to the upstream side of said first air ventilation passages of said adsorption element is greater than the passage resistance of second air ventilation passages nearer to an area of said cooling element corresponding to the downstream side of said first air ventilation passages of said adsorption element.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Dehumidification element

Life of this patent

Dehumidification element

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18