Refrigeration – Processes – Circulating external gas
Reissue Patent
1996-07-05
2001-12-11
Capossela, Ronald (Department: 3744)
Refrigeration
Processes
Circulating external gas
C062S094000, C062S271000
Reissue Patent
active
RE037464
ABSTRACT:
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
This invention relates to a versatile multi-use stand-alone dehumidifier unit adapted to pre-condition air in conjunction with, but not necessarily with refrigeration systems, whereby optimum humidity is attained in differing climatic conditions, waste heat being used when available for efficiency in the operation of both the dehumidification means and the refrigeration air conditioning means when combined therewith. Humidity has its effect upon building construction, as high humidity reduces the presence of mold and mildew, and can be controlled to levels which contribute to the elimination of bacteria propagating environments, For example, refrigeration air conditioner systems in humid environments are often inadequate with respect to acceptable humidity control, with or without refrigeration incorporated therein. And, in wet environments refrigeration air conditioner systems utilizing refrigerant cooled air coils are often overtaxed and their efficiency adversely affected. Humidity control becomes in important factor, not only as related to human comfort, health and to structural deterioration etc., but also as to adequacy of dehumidification and its efficient application. Accordingly, it is a general object of this invention to provide a versatile humidification controlling heat recovery unit adaptable to efficient operation in diverse climatic conditions, standing alone and/or in combination with air refrigeration systems. A feature of this stand-alone air pre-conditioner unit when combined with air conditioned refrigeration systems is increased efficiency of the refrigeration system while recovering waste heat therefrom that is advantageously employed in the efficient operation of said stand-alone air pre-conditioner unit.
State of the art practice for smaller commercial, institutional and industrial use buildings is to split the conventional package air conditioning system into small separately functioning units, with regard to the air handling, one section including circulating fan, filter, expansion valve and coil, and known as a fan-coil unit, and the other section involving the refrigeration machinery including compressor, condenser, receiver and the fixed piping, and known as the compressor unit. The condensers can be air cooled or water cooled, this practice of separation being known in the industry as “Ductless” of “Mini-Split” systems. And, in carrying out this practice, the air handling fan-coil unit and the compressor-condenser unit are separated, in order to facilitate installation and maintenance thereof. Thus, the fan-coil unit is readily adapted to optimum placement proximate to the conditioned space, while the compressor-condenser unit is adapted to optimum (remote) placement for noise abatement and servicing access. Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a dehumidifier/humidifier with so-called Ductless or Mini-Split installations, and in the form of stand-alone air pre-conditioner units. That is, the air pre-conditioner unit or units disclosed herein is each a complete dehumidifier that is convertible to various air conditioning forms. Being “stand-alone” this pre-conditioner unit is operable independently, or it is operable in combination with refrigeration air conditioner systems. Characteristically, this stand-alone air pre-conditioner is adapted to be converted in its air ducting and in its heat source application, it being an object to provide internal ducting modifications that are compatible with variations in the application of outside air and exhaust air, as circumstances require with regard to prevailing environmental conditions.
It is an object of this invention to provide a basic dehumidifier, preferably of the desiccant type, wherein there are at least two columns of air, a first column of air that is dehumidifier, and a second column of air for regeneration. Also, a third column of air split off from incoming blower air for removal of heat and exhausted. Accordingly, it is another object of this invention to provide said basic unit with permanent ducting that is convertible to implement usable combinations of said three columns of air. And, it is still another object of this invention to provide selectively installed partitions that convert said permanent ducting to the usable combination of said three columns of air. In practice for example, efficient and effective dehumidification in a hot dry climate will require implementation of said third air column that directly exhausts heat removed from the first mentioned column of dehumidified air, whereas a wet humid climate will require utilization of said heat removal in the aforesaid regeneration column of air. A feature is the permanent unchanged ducting in this basic stand-alone pre-conditioner unit that is converted by the selective use of partitions of special configuration and each for a specific functional purpose, as shown and hereinafter described.
The process of dehumidification with desiccant adds heat to the column of air being treated, it being an object to remove this heat before it reaches the refrigeration cooling coil, and for this purpose a heat pipe is employed with its hot end in the dehumidified air side of the desiccant, in this embodiment a desiccant wheel. The cold side of the heat pipe is in the aforesaid second or third column of air and the heat absorbed therefrom and exhausted. In accordance with this invention, evaporative cooling of said second or third column of air can precede the heat pipe adsorption of heat extracted from the first column of supply air.
During a winter heating cycle, the desiccant wheel absorbs moisture from exhaust air and humidifies outside incoming air, and the heat pipe will automatically reverse its direction of heat flow and extracts heat from exhaust air and using it to pre-heat incoming cold air.
The process of dehumidifying with desiccant requires the regeneration or strengthening of the weakened moisture laden desiccant. This process requires the application of heat to said second column of regeneration air, heat being available from the heat pipe that transfers heat from said first column of dehumidified air to said second column of regeneration air (or the third air column) and/or from any supplementary heat source. In carrying out this invention, there are two supplementary heat sources, one a heater means per se, and the other a waste heat transfer means from combined equipment. In practice, said heater means is a direct gas fired heater or an electric heater, and said waste heat transfer means is a condenser coil of a refrigeration compressor-condenser unit used in combination with this or a number of these stand-alone air pre-conditioner unit. It is an object of this invention to advantageously employ this waste heat for the benefit of both the air pre-conditioner unit herein disclosed and also the compressor-condenser unit from which the heat is taken. That is, efficiency of both units is enhanced, utilizing condenser coils in parallel and preferably in series, and one of which is in the aforementioned second regeneration air column.
A primary objective of this invention is to provide an air pre-conditioner unit that is convertible so as to have the capability of several ducting configurations, to be employed as circumstances require. Accordingly, there is a first ducting assigned solely to the aforesaid first column of air that is dehumidified, there is a second ducting for desiccant regeneration and exhausted, there is a third ducting for utilizing and/or removal of heat from the dehumidified air column, and there is a fourth ducting that is shared with the aforesaid second and third ducting; the second ducting column solely for desiccant regeneration, and the third column solely for removal of heat and exhausted. In carrying out this invention, the above stated ducting conversions are achieved by providing partitions applied to the permanent duct structures, as will be described, to rout the air columns as required. There are no partitions applied to the first mentioned air column.
Capossela Ronald
Kramer Levin Frankel & Naftalis
Neff Gregor N.
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