JP2003144835A - Dehumidifier and control method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a dehumidifier which can effectively carry out dehumidification/recycle process by preventing unnecessary energy loss and consumption of compressed air, and to provide a control method therefor. SOLUTION: The dehumidifier comprises one or more containers which contain an adsorbent and carry out successively a dehumidification process for removing a water content contained in a fluid and a recycle process for removing the adsorbed water content by heating the adsorbent after adsorption of water content, a valve assembly electronically controlled to feed the fluid containing the water content to the containers in the dehumidification process and to provide dry air to the containers in the recycle process, a temperature sensor to sense the heat of adsorption generated in adsorption of the water content by the adsorbent, and a control part which senses the termination of the dehumidification process by the internal temperature change of the containers sensed by the temperature sensor and shifts the dehumidification process to the recycle process by controlling the valve assembly when the termination of the dehumidification process is sensed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a dehumidifying device and a control method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, an adsorption type dehumidifying device for forcibly removing water contained in a fluid is widely used in industrial fields. The adsorption-type dehumidifying apparatus repeatedly performs a dehumidifying step of removing moisture contained in a fluid by using a dehumidifying container containing an adsorbent and a regenerating step of forcibly drying the adsorbent. It is supposed to do.

In addition, the adsorption type dehumidifying device is usually provided with two or more dehumidifying containers so that one dehumidifying container performs a dehumidifying process while another dehumidifying container performs a regenerating process. Alternatively, one container may perform the dehumidification process for a predetermined time and then continuously perform the regeneration process. In this way, the two dehumidifying containers perform the dehumidifying process and the regenerating process in an alternating manner while performing the continuous dehumidifying process.

Ideally, the amount of water dehumidified in one dehumidifying container is similar to the amount of water regenerated in another dehumidifying container, but if it is practically the same, there is almost no effect and the influence of the surrounding environment. Receive a lot of. For example, if the inlet temperature is the rated temperature (4
When it falls below 0 ° C), it is affected by changes in flow pressure and flow rate. Especially in regions where seasonal changes are clear, it is even more severe.

In the case of Korea, the annual average moisture adsorption load factor is 50% or less of the rated value. Therefore, dehumidification /
Attempting to perform the regeneration process results in unnecessary energy loss. Techniques for preventing this are roughly classified into a method of controlling based on the adsorption amount and a method of controlling based on the regeneration amount, but the method based on the adsorption amount is difficult and the regeneration ability is adjusted. However, it has not been put to practical use in terms of reliability and economy.

[0006] At the same time, the method based on the regeneration amount is a method of setting the regeneration capacity to the maximum rating and extending the adsorption time until the adsorption amount reaches the maximum rating. It is saving money.

Although the adsorption type dehumidifier is excellent in terms of effect, it has been pointed out that an excessive energy loss occurs due to the above-mentioned cause. Therefore, in order to reduce unnecessary energy loss in the “dehumidifier and its control method” disclosed in Patent Document 1 by the applicant and the “dehumidifier and its control method” disclosed in Patent Document 2. The dehumidifier and its control method were proposed.

A dew point detecting method and a relative humidity detecting method are used as a method for preventing energy loss in such an adsorption type dehumidifying device. The dew point detecting method detects a change in dew point at the outlet. It is a method of detecting the time point when the maximum adsorption amount of the dehumidification container is reached, but this method is known to save energy of approximately 25%.

Further, the relative humidity detection method is a method of detecting a change in relative humidity inside the dehumidification container to detect a time point at which the maximum adsorption amount is reached, but the detection response time is faster than the dew point detection method described above. It is known that the life of the adsorbent can be further extended by performing energy saving of approximately 50% or less.

[0010]

[Patent Document 1] Korean Patent No. 215335

[Patent Document 2] Korean Patent No. 257746

[0011]

However, in such a conventional dew point detecting method, an expensive dew point system must be used, and the dew point detecting response time is also inaccurate. Moreover, the consumption of compressed air is great,
There is a disadvantage that the life of the adsorbent is shortened.

Further, the relative temperature detecting method has an inconvenience that unnecessary installation of compressed air occurs because additional piping and valves are required for conversion of the dehumidifying container.

The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and a dehumidifying device capable of effectively performing a dehumidifying / regenerating process by preventing unnecessary energy loss and consumption of compressed air, and its dehumidifying device. The purpose is to provide a control method.

[0014]

In order to achieve such an object, in the dehumidifying apparatus according to the present invention, an adsorbent is incorporated and a dehumidifying step for removing moisture contained in a fluid and moisture adsorption. One or more containers that perform a regeneration step of heating the adsorbent that has been completed to remove adsorbed water content,
A valve assembly that is electronically controlled to supply a fluid containing water to the container in the dehumidification process and to provide dry air to the container in the regeneration process, and is generated by adsorbent adsorbing water. Temperature sensor for detecting the heat of adsorption, and the temperature sensor for detecting the internal temperature change of the container to detect the end of the dehumidifying process, and when detecting the end of the dehumidifying process, controlling the valve assembly to perform the dehumidifying process. It is characterized in that it is configured to include a control unit for switching between the above and the regeneration process.

Further, in the control method of the dehumidifying apparatus according to the present invention, the first step of performing the dehumidifying step by receiving compressed air for dehumidifying and the heat of adsorption generated during the dehumidifying step are changed. Second to sense the internal temperature distribution of the container
Step 3, a third step of determining whether or not the internal temperature distribution of the container in which the dehumidification process proceeds has reached the temperature distribution in the dehumidification process end state, and the temperature distribution state at the end of the dehumidification process has been reached In this case, the fourth step of converting the dehumidifying step into the regenerating step is sequentially performed.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, the basic principle of the dehumidifying device and its controlling method according to the present invention will be described. In general, stopping a moving molecule results in the loss of kinetic energy, which is released as heat. On the other hand, kinetic energy is required to start the activity of the stopped molecule, so it absorbs heat.

Further, the adsorbent for adsorbing the water contained in the fluid generates heat in the water adsorbing process and absorbs the heat in the water releasing process. At this time, the heat generated in the process of absorbing water is called heat of adsorption.
In the present invention, the dehumidification / regeneration process is effectively controlled by sensing the heat of adsorption.

1 (a) and 1 (b) are conceptual diagrams showing the adsorption and drying process of the adsorbent. As shown in FIG.
Each water vapor molecule 10 in the gas state radiates heat while being adsorbed by the adsorbent 20, and on the contrary, each water vapor molecule adsorbed absorbs heat while being converted from the liquid state to the gas state again. At this time, in the case of an alumina (alumina) component adsorbent, the endothermic / heating value is usually 695 Kca1 / Kg (wate
r).

Also, Korean No. 215335 and No. 2
In the case of a dehumidifying device having a dehumidifying container similar to that disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 57746, heat generation and heat absorption are performed in the dehumidification process and the regeneration process, respectively.

2 (a) and 2 (b) are graphs showing the temperature distribution inside the dehumidification container in the state in which the regeneration process and the dehumidification process have been completed, and arrows 32 and 34 in the drawing respectively indicate the fluid. 2A, the temperature distribution inside the dehumidifying container 30 at the time when the regeneration process is completed shows a linear characteristic as shown in FIG. However, the temperature distribution inside the dehumidification container 30 at the time when the dehumidification process is completed is shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), the temperature of the upper and lower portions 33a and 33b is low and the central portion 36 is relatively high.
near) characteristic.

FIG. 3 is a graph sequentially showing a process in which the temperature distribution inside the dehumidification container is changed with time in the dehumidification process. As shown in the drawing, the temperature distribution inside the dehumidification container 30 is the maximum temperature. It can be seen that the peak of (1) gradually moves to the center of the dehumidifying container 30. In the present invention, the dehumidification / regeneration process is switched by sensing the end of the dehumidification process by utilizing the non-linear temperature distribution inside the dehumidification container 30 at the end of the dehumidification process. Has become.

That is, in the structure of the dehumidifying device according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, one or more control units 40 for controlling the entire operation of the dehumidifying device (two in the embodiment of the present invention are used. ) Dehumidifying containers 50, 60 and those dehumidifying containers 50, 6
Valve assembly 4 connected to 0
2 and 44 are included.

In addition, a pair of temperature sensors (52, 54), (52, 6) are provided in the two dehumidifying vessels 50, 60, respectively.
4) is attached and electrically connected to the control unit 40, and senses the temperature inside the dehumidifying containers 50 and 60 and transmits the sensed value to the control unit 40.

The control section 40 is composed of various electric circuits including a microcontroller, and stores a control program for controlling the dehumidifying apparatus in general.
Further, the control unit 40 controls the dehumidifying container (50
Or 60) attached to a temperature sensor (52, 54 or 6)
2, 64) senses the temperature change inside the dehumidification container (50 or 60) and controls the dehumidification / regeneration process. The valve assemblies 42 and 44 are electronically controlled by the controller 40 to provide compressed air that needs dehumidification to the dehumidification container (50 or 60) and perform a regeneration process. 60 or 50) is provided with dry air to discharge the fluid having undergone the dehumidifying / regenerating process to the outside.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a temperature sensor mounted inside the dehumidifying containers 50 and 60 of FIG. 4, and as shown in the figure, a pair of dehumidifying containers 50 and 60 mounted on the dehumidifying containers 50 and 60, respectively. The temperature sensors (52, 54), (62, 64) are attached to the dehumidifying vessels 50, 60 at mutually different positions. That is, of the pair of temperature sensing sensors, the second temperature sensor (52 or 62) is arranged in the central portion of the dehumidifying container, and the first temperature sensor (54 or 64) is arranged below the central portion.
That is, the first temperature sensor (54 or 64) is mounted in front of the second temperature sensor (52 or 62) mounted in the central portion of the container (50 or 60) based on the traveling direction 34 of the fluid during the dehumidification process. To be done.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing a temperature which is sensed by the temperature sensor of FIG.

The temperature detected by the second temperature sensor (52 or 62) attached to the central portion of the dehumidifying container (50 or 60) is defined as T2, and the first temperature sensor (located below the central portion thereof) ( When the temperature detected by 54 or 64) is T1, the change in the detected temperature with time is displayed in the graph shown in FIG.

The change curve of the temperature T1 always precedes the change curve of the temperature T2, as shown in FIGS. The change curves of T1 and T2 are T1> T2,
It is divided into three parts of T1 = T2 and T1 <T2. At this time, if T1 = T2 or T1 <T2, it can be determined that the dehumidifying step is almost completed. Therefore,
The controller 40 includes first and second temperature sensors 54 and 64.
The temperatures T1 and T2 detected at T1 = T2 or T1 <T
In the case of 2, the process of the dehumidifying containers 50 and 60 is converted from the dehumidifying process to the regenerating process.

In the operation of the dehumidifying device according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 7, when the dehumidifying / regenerating process of the dehumidifying device is started (S10), each container is subjected to the dehumidifying or regenerating process. The necessary compressed air is provided (S11), and a timer (not shown) is operated (S12) while power is supplied to the two dehumidifying vessels (S12).

Next, each container judges its operation mode (dehumidifying or regenerating) (S14), and if the mode is a dehumidifying step, performs dehumidifying operation (S20),
If the mode is a regeneration process, regeneration operation is performed (S30).

At this time, regarding the temperature in the container during the dehumidifying operation (S20), T1 and T2 are measured by a temperature sensor, and T1 and T2 are compared by the control unit 40 (S21), and T1 is T2. If it is larger, it is determined whether the preset operating time is exceeded (S23). If the operating time is not exceeded, the dehumidifying step is continuously performed.

At the same time, T1 is similar to T2, or
If it is smaller or if the operation time is exceeded, whether or not the operation is stopped is confirmed (S15). If the operation is stopped, the operation is ended, and if the operation is in progress, the operation mode is the regeneration operation stage (S30). To proceed (S18, S1
4).

On the other hand, in the regenerating operation (S30), when the regenerating operation is finished for a preset time (S3).
1), compressed air is supplied into the container (S32). At this time, the regeneration operation time is set in advance by an experiment or the like (4 minutes in the case of the embodiment of the present invention). After the compressed air is supplied, it is confirmed whether or not the operation is stopped (S1
5) If the operation is stopped, the operation is terminated (S16), and if the operation is in progress, the operation mode is changed (S17) and the dehumidifying step (S20) is performed (S18, S14).

The dehumidifying apparatus according to the present invention repeats the dehumidifying / regenerating process until an operation stop command is given.

[0036]

As described above, in the dehumidifying device according to the present invention, the end point of the dehumidifying process can be detected more accurately, so that the efficiency of the dehumidifying process can be improved. There is an effect that unnecessary energy loss of approximately 75% or more can be prevented.

Moreover, since loss of compressed air can be prevented,
There is an effect that the dehumidifier can be effectively controlled by using a temperature sensor which is less expensive than the conventional one.

Further, in the dehumidifying apparatus according to the present invention, the end point of the dehumidifying process is detected by sensing the change in the relative temperature at different positions inside the dehumidifying container, and the dehumidifying container is operated based on the end point. By controlling the dehumidification / regeneration process, it is possible to effectively control the dehumidification / regeneration process and prevent unnecessary energy loss, and thus it is possible to prevent unnecessary consumption of compressed air.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 (a) and 1 (b) are conceptual diagrams showing the adsorption and drying processes of each adsorbent.

2 (a) and 2 (b) are graphs showing respective temperature distributions inside the dehumidifying container in a state in which the regeneration step and the dehumidifying step have been completed, respectively.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing a change process of a temperature distribution inside a dehumidifying container with time in a dehumidifying process.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a dehumidifying device according to the present invention.

5 is a conceptual diagram showing a temperature sensor mounted inside the dehumidifying containers 50 and 60 of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing a temperature change with time detected by the temperature sensor of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a control flowchart showing a control method of the dehumidifying device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 Water vapor molecule 20 Adsorbent 30, 50, 60 Dehumidification container 40 control unit 52, 54, 62, 64 Temperature sensor 42,44 valve assembly

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A dehumidifying step for removing moisture contained in a fluid by incorporating an adsorbent therein, and a regeneration step for heating the adsorbent after moisture adsorption to remove the adsorbed moisture. One or more containers for sequentially performing the above, and a valve assembly electronically controlled to supply a fluid containing water to the container in the dehumidifying step and to provide dry air to the container in the regenerating step. A temperature sensor that senses heat of adsorption generated by the adsorbent adsorbing moisture; and a temperature sensor that senses a change in the internal temperature of the container to sense the end of the dehumidification process, A dehumidifying apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls a valve assembly to switch between the dehumidifying process and the regenerating process when sensing. 2. The temperature sensor comprises a first temperature sensor mounted in the center of the container and a second temperature sensor mounted at a lower side of the center of the container with a predetermined interval. When the temperature sensed by the first temperature sensor is T2 and the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor is T1, the controller controls the control unit when T2 is greater than T1 or the same. 2. The dehumidifying process of the container is controlled so as to be converted into a regenerating process.
The dehumidifying device described. 3. A first step of performing a dehumidification process by receiving compressed air for dehumidification, and a second step of sensing an internal temperature distribution of a container which is changed by heat of adsorption generated during the dehumidification process. And a third step of determining whether or not the internal temperature distribution of the container in which the dehumidification process proceeds reaches the temperature distribution in the dehumidification process end state, and when the temperature distribution in the dehumidification process end state is reached And a fourth step of converting the dehumidifying step to a regenerating step, which are sequentially performed. 4. In the third step, if the container performing the dehumidification process does not reach the dehumidification process end state within a specified time, a step of performing an extended operation and a specified extended operation time are ended. The method of controlling a dehumidifying device according to claim 3, further comprising the step of converting the dehumidifying step to a regenerating step. 5. The third step is, when the temperature of the central portion of the container is T2 and the temperature of the lower side of the central portion is T1, when T2 is larger than T1 or similar. The method for controlling a dehumidifying device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein it is determined that the dehumidifying step is in an end state. 6. One or more containers having an adsorbent therein for performing a dehumidification / regeneration process, and a fluid for dehumidification connected to the containers to supply dehumidification fluid during the dehumidification process and dry air during the regeneration process. A valve assembly for supplying the temperature, two or more temperature sensors mounted in the container for sensing an internal temperature distribution thereof, and the temperature distribution sensed by the temperature sensors is a temperature distribution obtained after the dehumidification process. A dehumidifying device including a control unit that controls the dehumidifying process in the container to be converted into a regenerating process at a certain time. 7. The temperature sensor is configured to include a first temperature sensor mounted in a central portion of the container and a second temperature sensor mounted at a predetermined distance from the central portion. The dehumidifying device according to claim 6, characterized in that 8. The second temperature sensor, during the dehumidifying step,
The dehumidifying device according to claim 7, wherein the dehumidifying device is mounted in front of the first temperature sensor based on a traveling direction of a fluid. 9. When the temperature sensed by the second temperature sensor is T2, and the temperature sensed by the first temperature sensor is T1, the controller determines that the dehumidification process is performed when T2 ≦ T1. 9. The dehumidifying device according to claim 8, wherein the dehumidifying device is determined to be finished. 10. The dehumidifying apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the container is configured in two, and the regeneration process and the dehumidification process are alternately and continuously performed.