GB2336891A

GB2336891A - Dehumidifier

Info

Publication number: GB2336891A
Application number: GB9909012A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert John Knight
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-04-28
Filing date: 1999-04-21
Publication date: 1999-11-03
Also published as: GB9909012D0; GB9808931D0

Abstract

An energy-saving device for the simultaneous dehumidification of air and heating of a fluid comprises a plurality of parallel copper tubes 10 provided with means 11, 12 for the respective admission and egress of a flow of a fluid (e.g. water). A bowl or tray 20 having an overflow 21 and means 22 to remove water from the overflow is located at the lower end of the tubes 10. A fan F, controlled by a thermostat T and supplied with a source S of mains electricity, is located at the upper end of the tubes 10. Water enters the tubes at 11, circulates through the tubes 10, and leaves the tubes at 12. The fan F circulates air over and around the tubes 10 . This reduces the temperature of the air and increases the temperature of the water in the tubes 10. Moisture entrained in the air condenses on to the tubes 10, collects in the tray 20 and is removed from the system. The tubes 10 may be provided with an outer coating of a water repellent meterial.

Description

2336891 1 DEHUMIDIFIER This invention relates to a dehumidifier and

particularly, though not exclusively, to a dehumidifying device for use in domestic premises.

Moist warm air will migrate from its area of origin to any cold surface, where it will cool and give up its moisture in the form of visible condensation.

Condensation in the modem, well-insulated family home is a serious problem. There is a real need to remove excess moisture from the air to reduce the damage that can be caused to both the contents and the fabric of the home.

Although devices for removing moist air have been proposed in the past, such known devices have relied upon ventilation (which can cause heat loss from the premises) andlor dehumidifying devices which rely solely upon electrical power and which in consequence can increase the cost of protecting the premises against damage by condensation.

The Applicant has devised a dehumidifier which is principally an energysaving device, the energy produced by the cooling of air for the dehumidification of an area being used simultaneously to raise the temperature of a fluid.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an energy-saying device for the simultaneous dehumidification of air and heating of a fluid, the device comprising air-convection means operatively associated with a heatexchanger means containing said fluid, in which the air-convection means 30 causes air to circulate over and around the heat-exchanger means, 2 whereby moisture entrained in the circulated air condenses on the heatexchanger means and is collected in collection means operatively associated therewith and whereby the fluid is heated.

The air-convection means may comprise natural convection means. Alternatively, the air-convection means may comprise a fan, which may be controlled by means of a thermostat, a humidistat or the like.

Suitably, the heat-exchanger means comprises a hollow housing through 10 which the fluid (e.g. water) can be circulated.

Preferably, the hollow housing comprises copper piping, each pipe optionally being provided with an outer coat or outer layer of a waterrepellent material (such as poly-tetrafluoroethylene).

is Most preferably, the heat-exchanger means comprises a plurality of parallel copper pipes, the pipes being coupled together at each end so that the fluid flows uniformly through each pipe.

Suitably, the collection means consists of a bowl or tray, which may be provided with an overflow and means to remove liquid from the overflow.

Although it is not intended that the present invention be construed with respect to any particular theory, it is believed that a device of the type described herein provides for negative energy being put to positive use.

The majority of the incoming water to the home is much cooler than required. By passing this water through the device the temperature is raised, reducing both the adverse effect of moisture forming on cold water pipes, cisterns and the like, and the energy needed to raise the temperature further for the various domestic uses. This water, as it 3 passes through the device, cools the copper surfaces such that as warm moist air passes over these surfaces, it is itself cooled and gives up moisture which is then directed to waste. The design of the reverse-flow copper piping maximises both the heat transfer and the air convection effects.

The device, once installed, need never be turned off and therefore over the period of any one year up to 200 gallons of condensation could be removed, condensation which would otherwise adversely affect the 10 contents and the fabric of domestic premises.

The present invention will be illustrated, merely by way of example, in the following description and with reference to the accompanying drawing.

is In the drawing, the single figure is a schematic dehumidifier according to the present invention.

representation of a The device comprises parallel copper tubes 10 provided with means, 20 shown schematically at 11 and 12 respectively, for the admission to and egress from the pipes of a flow of water.

At the lower end of the tubes 10 there is provided a bowl or tray 20 having an overflow 21 and means 22 to remove water from the overflow.

At the upper end of the tubes 10 there is provided a fan F controlled by means of a thermostat T and supplied with a source S of mains electricity.

The tubes 10 have an outer coating of a water-repellent material such as poly (tetraf luoroethylene).

4 In use, water from the mains supply enters the device at 11 and circulates through the tubes 10, leaving the tubes at 12 and thereafter passing into, for example, a domestic water system.

The fan F circulates air over and around the water-filled tubes 10. This causes a reduction in the temperature of the air and the consequent condensation of air-entrained moisture on to the tubes. The condensed liquid collects in the tray 20 and is removed from the system by removal means 22.

A device according to the present invention may conveniently be mounted on an internal wall of a building. The device may be provided with a protective andlor decorative trunking or similar enclosure.

Energy-sources for use in a device according to the present invention can include, for example:

mains cold water; rain water; and geothermals and lakelearth loops (for heat-pumps).

The device can be used in any situation where it is required to heat (or pre-heat) a liquid, for example in domestic or commercial systems, in dehumidification of areas, in process drying and the drying of clothes and 25 for the protection of water-pipes against freezing.

Finally, means (e.g. a heating coil) may be provided on the outlet side of the device to raise the temperature of the de-humidified air.

Claims

An energy-saving device for the simultaneous dehumidification of air and heating of a fluid, the device comprising air-convection means operatively associated with a heat-exchanger means containing said fluid in which, the air-convection means causes air to circulate over and around the heat-exchanger means, whereby moisture entrained in the circulated air condenses on the heat-exchanger means and is collected in collection means operatively associated therewith and whereby the fluid is heated.

2. A device according to Claim 1, in which the air-convection means comprises a fan.

3. A device according to Claim 2, in which the fan is controlled by means of a thermostat or a humidistat.

A device according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, in which the heat-exchanger means comprises a hollow housing through which the fluid can be circulated.

5. A device according to Claim 4, in which the fluid is water.

6. A device according to Claim 4 or 5, in which the hollow housing comprises copper piping.

A device according to Claim 6, in which each pipe is provided with an outer coating or outer layer of a water-repellent material.

6 8. A device according to Claim 7, in which the water-repellent material is poly -tetrafluoro ethylene.

9. A device according to any one of Claims 4 to 8, in which the heatexchanger means comprises a plurality of parallel copper pipes, the pipes being coupled together at each end so that the fluid flows uniformly through each pipe.

10. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the collection means comprises a bowl or a tray.

A device according to Claim 10, in which the bowl or tray is provided with an overflow.

12. A device according to Claim 11, further including means to remove liquid from the overflow.

13. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, said device being adapted in use to be mounted on an internal wall of a building.

14. A device according to Claim 13, further including a protective and/or decorative trunking or similar enclosure.

15. An energy-saving device, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.