System and method for controlling temperature and humidity in multiple spaces using liquid desiccant

A system for temperature and humidity control, comprising:

• a liquid desiccant conditioning unit for changing a temperature and a concentration of a liquid desiccant;
• a first space conditioning unit for controlling a first environment using the liquid desiccant;
• a second space conditioning unit for controlling a second environment using the liquid desiccant, wherein the liquid desiccant conditioning unit, the first space conditioning unit and the second space conditioning unit are interconnected with an arrangement of channels suitable for passing the liquid desiccant;
• and
• a branch controller for channeling the liquid desiccant received processed by the first space conditioning unit to either the liquid desiccant conditioning unit or the second space conditioning unit, wherein the branch controller includes a processor for comparing operational conditions of the first space conditioning unit and the second space conditioning unit, for selecting between the first path and the second path based on the comparison and for commanding the fluid control system to control the flow of the liquid desiccant according to the selected path, wherein comparing the operational conditions includes comparing at least one of sensible loads and latent loads of the first and the second space conditioning units, wherein the sensible load of each space conditioning unit includes a temperature difference between a current and a requested temperature in a space controlled by each space conditioning unit, and wherein the latent load of each space conditioning unit includes a humidity difference between a current and a requested humidity in the space controlled by each space conditioning unit.

A method for controlling temperature and humidity in multiple spaces using a liquid desiccant, comprising:

• comparing an operational condition of a first space conditioning unit arranged for controlling a first environment using the liquid desiccant with an operational condition of a second space conditioning unit arranged for controlling a second environment using the liquid desiccant, wherein comparing the operational conditions includes comparing at least one of sensible loads and latent loads of the first and the second space conditioning units, wherein the sensible load of each space conditioning unit includes a temperature difference between a current and a requested temperature in a space controlled by each space conditioning unit, and wherein the latent load of each space conditioning unit includes a humidity difference between a current and a requested humidity in the space controlled by each space conditioning unit;
• selecting, in response to the comparing, between a first path for directing the liquid desiccant received from the first space conditioning unit to a liquid desiccant conditioning unit and a second path for directing the liquid desiccant received from the first space conditioning unit to a second space conditioning unit;
• and
• directing a flow of the liquid desiccant according to the selected path.