JP2019202318A - Water vapor separator and dehumidifying device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a water vapor separator which permits practical and efficient dehumidification.SOLUTION: A water vapor separator is arranged between a first space and a second space, makes a water vapor pressure of the second space lower than a water vapor pressure of the first space and, thereby, is used for causing water vapor existing in the first space to permeate into the second space. The water vapor separator 12 includes a porous body 14 which has a first surface 14a, a second surface 14b opposed to the first surface 14a and pores 13 which lead to the second surface 14b from the first surface 14a, a water-soluble moisture absorbent 15 which exists in the pores 13 of the porous body 14 and water which is retained in the water soluble moisture absorbent 15.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a water vapor separator and a dehumidifying device using the same.

  In air-conditioning technology such as a home air conditioner, the technology advances in both refrigerant and energy efficiency, and a more comfortable living environment is demanded accordingly. For this reason, not only the temperature but also the multifunctionalization of air conditioners such as humidity control, ventilation, airflow adjustment, and air purification is progressing. Improvement of energy efficiency has become the most important issue from the recent shortage of energy. In Asian countries with high temperature and high humidity, humidity adjustment, especially dehumidification, is considered to be important as the standard of living improves, and air conditioning with a low environmental impact can be realized by performing this energy conservation. In the dehumidification by refrigerant cooling using a compressor or the like which is currently mainstream, a great deal of energy is required to cool the air and condense water vapor, and to reheat the cooled air and adjust the temperature. For this reason, since the power consumption increases, the size of the environmental load is a problem.

  On the other hand, dehumidifying devices such as desiccant air conditioners absorb energy in the room with a moisture absorber that absorbs water vapor, and then heat it to discharge it outdoors. Is excellent. As a hygroscopic material, for example, a porous material such as porous ceramics or zeolite is impregnated with a deliquescent material made of chloride or bromide such as sodium, lithium, calcium or magnesium. However, since the moisture absorbing material (humidity adjusting material) is saturated by continuing to adsorb water, a regeneration process is required. The regeneration process of the hygroscopic material is performed by heating the hygroscopic material in order to discharge the adsorbed water. It has been pointed out that it is inefficient to use such a hygroscopic material regeneration treatment together with cooling.

  As an energy-saving and low-cost method that replaces the current air conditioning method, a continuous dehumidification method using a water vapor separator that does not require regeneration treatment has been studied. As a structure of a humidity control apparatus using a water vapor separator, a water vapor separator in which a liquid absorbent such as a lithium chloride aqueous solution is filled between two water vapor permeable membranes made of polyethylene or fluororesin is conditioned. The structure arrange | positioned between spaces, such as indoors, and spaces, such as the outdoors, is mentioned, and transfer of water vapor | steam is performed between indoor air and a liquid absorbent through a water vapor permeable film. However, the water vapor permeable membrane is easily damaged, and furthermore, in this method, since the water vapor moving speed is slow, it is difficult to perform dehumidification efficiently.

JP 2011-143358 A JP 2012-066157 A JP 7-328375 A

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a water vapor separator that enables practical and efficient dehumidification and a dehumidifying device using the same.

  The water vapor separator according to the embodiment is disposed between the first space and the second space, and the water vapor pressure in the second space is made lower than the water vapor pressure in the first space, so that Is a water vapor separator that permeates water vapor present in the second space into the second space, the first surface, the second surface facing the first surface, and the fine surface that leads from the first surface to the second surface. A porous body having pores, a water-soluble moisture absorbent present in the pores of the porous body, and water retained in the water-soluble moisture absorbent, the porous body being a ceramic material, a metal material, carbon The ratio of the volume of water to the volume of the porous body is 0.01 or more and 4 or less.

  The dehumidifying device of the embodiment exposes the first surface to the first space, the dehumidifying chamber that constitutes the first space, the decompression chamber that constitutes the second space that communicates with the first space, and the first space. The steam separator of the embodiment provided to partition between the first space and the second space while exposing the second surface to the second space, and the steam pressure in the second space is the first A water vapor pressure adjusting unit that adjusts the water vapor pressure in the second space so that the water vapor pressure in the second space is lower than the water vapor pressure in the second space. It is a device that transmits through the space.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the dehumidification apparatus of embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows the water vapor separator used for the dehumidification apparatus shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the usage example of the water vapor separator shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the 1st modification of the dehumidification apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the 2nd modification of the dehumidification apparatus shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, a water vapor separator according to an embodiment and a dehumidifier using the same will be described with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, substantially the same constituent parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof may be partially omitted. The drawings are schematic, and the relationship between the thickness and the planar dimensions, the ratio of the thickness of each part, and the like may differ from the actual ones. Terms indicating directions such as up and down in the description may differ from actual directions based on the direction of gravitational acceleration.

  FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the dehumidifying device of the embodiment. In FIG. 1, R indicates a room constituting the dehumidifying target space Rx, and the room R has an intake port Ra. The dehumidifier 1 is provided in the room R in order to remove water vapor (moisture) from the air in the space Rx to be dehumidified. Here, the air in the space Rx is basically composed of water vapor (water) and dry air. The dehumidifying device 1 includes a dehumidifying module 2, a blower 3 that sends air in the space Rx to the dehumidifying module 2, and a decompression pump 4 that decompresses a part of the dehumidifying module 2. The space Rx and the blower 3 are connected by a pipe 5, the blower 3 and the dehumidifying module 2 are connected by a pipe 6, and the dehumidifying module 2 and the space Rx are connected by a pipe 7. The dehumidifying module 2 and the decompression pump 4 are connected by a pipe 8.

  The dehumidifying module 2 includes a dehumidifying chamber (first ventilation path) 9 that constitutes the first space S1, a decompression chamber (second ventilation path) 10 that constitutes the second space S2, a dehumidifying chamber 9, and a decompression chamber. It has the connection path 11 which connects the chamber 10, and the water vapor separator 12 arrange | positioned in the connection path 11 so that the dehumidification chamber 9 and the decompression chamber 10 may be partitioned off. In the dehumidifying chamber 9 of the dehumidifying module 2, the air in the space Rx is sent through the pipes 5 and 6 by operating the blower 3. The air dehumidified in the dehumidifying chamber 9 is returned to the space Rx via the pipe 7. The decompression chamber 10 is controlled by the decompression pump 4 so that a difference occurs between the pressure in the dehumidification chamber 9 (pressure in the first space S1) and the pressure in the decompression chamber 10 (pressure in the second space S2). Exhausted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the water vapor separator 12 includes a porous body 14 having pores 13 and a water-soluble hygroscopic agent 15 present in the pores 13 of the porous body 14. The porous body 14 has, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is exposed to the first surface 14a exposed in the dehumidification chamber 9 (first space S1) and the decompression chamber 10 (second space S2). It has the 2nd surface 14b. The pores 13 provided in the porous body 14 communicate from the first surface 14a to the second surface 14b. The water-soluble hygroscopic agent 15 absorbs moisture and forms a wet seal. The porous body 14 is made of a ceramic material, a metal material, an organic material, a carbon material, or a composite material thereof, and has open pores. As the water-soluble hygroscopic agent 15, citrates, carbonates, phosphates, halide salts, oxide salts, hydroxide salts, sulfates of Group 1 elements and Group 2 elements are used. The steam separator 12 may contain moisture from the beginning, or may contain moisture when the steam separator 12 is used. The configuration of the water vapor separator 12 will be described in detail later. In FIG. 2, the water-soluble moisture absorbent 15 is shown as segregated in the pores 13, but the presence of the water-soluble moisture absorbent 15 is not limited to this, and the inner wall of the pores 13 is not limited thereto. It may be thinly and uniformly attached to the whole or a part.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the water vapor separator 12 used in the dehumidifying device 1 may be supported by a support 16 that transmits gas. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the pair of supports 16 are arranged along both surfaces of the water vapor separator 12, but the support 16 may be arranged along only one surface of the water vapor separator 12. The support 16 is made of a porous material having open pores, a punching material, a mesh material, or the like made of a ceramic material, a metal material, an organic material, a carbon material, or a composite material thereof. Examples include punching metal. The support 16 preferably has a through hole having a diameter of several μm or more, but is not limited thereto.

  The water vapor separator 12 may be formed directly on the support 16. For example, the porous body may be formed by a cold spray method, an aerosol deposition method, or the like and then impregnated with a water-soluble hygroscopic agent. Further, a raw ceramic material for forming the porous body 14 of the water vapor separator 12 having a finer pore diameter is formed on a raw ceramic base material having a larger pore diameter in layers, and this is sintered to obtain a multilayer porous material. Also good. Although the multilayer porous material here is ceramics, it is not limited to this and may be formed of metal or resin. The shape is not limited to a sheet shape, and may be a honeycomb shape or a tube shape.

  The air in the space Rx to be dehumidified is sent into the dehumidifying chamber 9 of the dehumidifying module 2 by the blower 3 as described above. Simultaneously with the blower 3, the decompression pump 4 is operated to decompress the interior of the decompression chamber 10, thereby creating a difference between the pressure in the dehumidification chamber 9 and the pressure in the decompression chamber 10. Due to this pressure difference, the water vapor pressure in the decompression chamber 10 (water vapor pressure in the second space S2) becomes smaller than the water vapor pressure in the dehumidification chamber 9 (water vapor pressure in the first space S1). Due to the water vapor pressure difference and the water retained in the water-soluble moisture absorbent 15, the movement of water vapor (water) occurs between the dehumidification chamber 9 and the decompression chamber 10 disposed via the water vapor separator 12.

  When moving water vapor (water) through the water vapor separator 12, the pressure inside the decompression chamber 10 is reduced by the decompression pump 4 so that the pressure inside the decompression chamber 10 becomes −50 kPa or less with respect to the pressure inside the dehumidification chamber 9. It is preferable to do. In other words, it is preferable to depressurize the decompression chamber 10 so that the difference between the pressure in the dehumidification chamber 9 and the pressure in the decompression chamber 10 is 50 kPa or more. If this pressure difference is less than 50 kPa, the movement of water vapor (moisture) from the dehumidification chamber 9 to the decompression chamber 10 may not be sufficiently promoted. Furthermore, the pressure difference between the dehumidifying chamber 9 and the decompression chamber 10 is preferably less than 100 kPa. If the pressure difference is too large, the porous body 14 constituting the water vapor separator 12 may be damaged. The pressure difference between the dehumidifying chamber 9 and the decompression chamber 10 is more preferably in the range of 80 to 90 kPa,

  In the dehumidifying apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, a water vapor pressure difference is generated between the dehumidifying chamber 9 and the decompression chamber 10 by the decompression pump 4 that decompresses the interior of the decompression chamber 10. It is not something that can be done. For example, dry air or heated air may be introduced into the decompression chamber 10 (second space S2). Also by these, a water vapor pressure difference can be generated between the dehumidifying chamber 9 and the decompression chamber 10. In the dehumidifying apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1, the water vapor pressure adjusting unit that generates a water vapor pressure difference between the dehumidifying chamber 9 and the decompression chamber 10 is not particularly limited, and various types of components that can generate the water vapor pressure difference are not limited. Mechanisms can be applied.

  Water vapor (moisture) contained in the air in the dehumidification chamber 9 having a relatively high water vapor pressure is absorbed by the water-soluble moisture absorbent 15 in the water vapor separator 12. Water in the water vapor separator 12 permeates into the decompression chamber 10 having a relatively low water vapor pressure. Absorption of water vapor (moisture) contained in the air in the dehumidification chamber 9 by the water vapor separator 12 due to a balance between the water vapor pressure in the dehumidification chamber 9, the water vapor pressure in the decompression chamber 10, the amount of water in the water vapor separator 12, and the like. And the release of moisture in the water vapor separator 12 into the decompression chamber 10 occurs continuously. Therefore, it is possible to dehumidify by reducing the amount of moisture in the air sent from the space Rx into the dehumidifying chamber 9. The dehumidified air is returned to the space Rx. Moisture permeated into the decompression chamber 10 is discharged to the outside through the pipe 8 and the decompression pump 4. The moisture permeated into the decompression chamber 10 may be sent to a third space such as a room that needs to be humidified. The water vapor separator 12 of the embodiment can also be used in an apparatus that serves both as dehumidification and humidification.

  In the dehumidifying device 1 of the embodiment, since the water vapor separator 12 forms a wet seal, only the moisture contained in the air in the dehumidifying chamber 9 can be moved into the decompression chamber 10. That is, between the dehumidifying chamber 9 and the decompression chamber 10, basically only the moisture in the air is moved, and the dry air in the air hardly moves. Therefore, the temperature of the space Rx to be dehumidified is hardly changed. By dehumidifying the inside of the space Rx with almost no change in the temperature of the space Rx, for example, when used in combination with the cooling of the space Rx, there is no possibility of lowering the thermal efficiency. The thermal efficiency at the time of using the dehumidifier 1 together with cooling can be improved.

  The structure of the dehumidifying apparatus 1 according to the embodiment is not limited to the structure shown in FIG. FIG. 4 shows a structure in which a pipe 20 for taking in external air is connected to the decompression chamber 10 (second space S2). In the dehumidifying apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 4, the inside of the decompression chamber 10 is decompressed while taking outside air into the decompression chamber 10. The pipe 20 has a valve 21. The dehumidifying device 1 of the embodiment can be variously modified. 1 and 4, the first space S1 is set in the dehumidifying chamber 9 of the dehumidifying module 2, but the first space S1 is not limited to this. As shown in FIG. 5, the first space S1 may be the space Rx itself to be dehumidified. That is, you may arrange | position the decompression chamber 10 used as 2nd space S2 via the space Rx used as 1st space S1, and the water vapor | steam separator 12. FIG. In this case, by reducing the pressure in the decompression chamber 10, water vapor (water) is directly removed from the air in the space Rx (first space S1) to be dehumidified. The settings of the first space S1 and the second space S2 can be variously changed.

Next, the water vapor separator 12 will be described in detail. The water-soluble hygroscopic agent 14 constituting the water vapor separator 12 includes a group 1 element such as sodium (Na), potassium (K), and lithium (Li) or a group 2 element such as magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca). Citrates, carbonates, phosphates, halide salts, oxide salts, hydroxide salts, sulfates of elements (hereinafter also referred to as element A) are used. These compounds may be used alone or in combination. Specific examples of the water-soluble moisture absorbent 14 include calcium chloride (CaCl ₂ ), lithium chloride (LiCl), sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium chloride (KCl), lithium bromide (LiBr), sodium bromide (NaBr), Potassium bromide (KBr), lithium iodide (LiI), sodium iodide (NaI), potassium iodide (KI), calcium oxide (CaO), sodium oxide (Na ₂ O), potassium oxide (K ₂ O), Calcium hydroxide (Ca (OH) ₂ ), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), potassium hydroxide (KOH), lithium hydroxide (LiOH), calcium carbonate (CaCO ₃ ), magnesium carbonate (MgCO ₃ ), lithium carbonate (Li ₂ CO _3), sodium carbonate _(Na 2 _CO 3), potassium carbonate _(K 2 _CO 3), Li Sodium acid _(Na 3 _PO 4), potassium phosphate _(K 3 _PO 4), sodium citrate _{(Na 3 (C 3 H 5} O (COO) 3) , etc.), potassium citrate _{(K 3 (C 3 H 5} O (COO) ₃ )), sodium sulfate (Na ₂ SO ₄ ), potassium sulfate (K ₂ SO ₄ ), lithium sulfate (Li ₂ SO ₄ ), and the like, and hydrates thereof.

  The porous body 14 is composed of a ceramic material, a metal material, an organic material, a carbon material, or a composite material thereof. Ceramic materials include aluminum (Al), silicon (Si), zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), barium (Ba), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe), Examples thereof include oxides, nitrides, carbides, and composite compounds of these elements (hereinafter also referred to as element B) such as chromium (Cr), titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), and copper (Cu). Examples of the metal material include metal elements (hereinafter, also referred to as element C) such as aluminum, zinc, magnesium, nickel, cobalt, iron, titanium, zirconium, copper, and alloys containing these. Organic materials include resins containing unsaturated bonds in the main chain or side chain, resins containing ester bonds, resins containing halogens, resins containing ether rings, resins containing amide bonds, resins containing imide bonds, and aromatic rings. Examples thereof include resins containing silicon, resins containing silicon, cellulosic resins, copolymers thereof, and natural fibers. Specific examples of the organic material include polyolefin, halogenated polyolefin, polysulfone, polycarbonate, polyamide, polyester, acrylic fiber, cotton, wool, rayon, acrylic fiber, and acetate fiber.

  The volume porosity of the porous body 14 (volume ratio of the pores 13 in the porous body 14) is preferably in the range of 10 to 80%. If the volume porosity of the porous body 14 is less than 10%, the amount of water vapor that can pass through the pores 13 decreases, so that the amount of moisture absorbed from the inside of the dehumidifying chamber 9 and the amount of moisture released into the decompression chamber 10 are insignificant. May be sufficient. When the volume porosity of the porous body 14 exceeds 80%, the strength of the porous body 14 is lowered, and there is a possibility that the continuous operation of the dehumidifier 1 may be hindered. From the viewpoint of the water vapor separation rate and the water vapor transmission rate, the volume porosity of the porous body 14 is more preferably in the range of 10 to 50%, and further preferably in the range of 20 to 50%. However, the volume porosity of the porous body 14 is preferably set according to the properties required for the water vapor separator 12. For example, when it is desired to improve the dehumidification characteristics such as the water vapor separation rate and the water vapor transmission rate, it is preferable to set the volume porosity relatively high. On the other hand, when it is desired to increase the mechanical strength of the water vapor separator 12 or to reduce the cost of the water vapor separator 12, it is preferable to set the volume porosity relatively low.

  The pores 13 of the porous body 14 preferably include 50% by volume or more of pores having a pore diameter in the range of 10 nm to 1 μm. The maximum pore diameter of the pores 13 is preferably 3 μm or less. When the amount of pores having the above pore diameter is less than 50% by volume (for example, the volume ratio of pores having a pore diameter exceeding 1 μm is large) or the maximum pore diameter exceeds 3 μm, the wet sealability is deteriorated. In addition, there is a possibility that the balance between moisture absorption from the dehumidifying chamber 9 and moisture release to the decompression chamber 10 is lowered, and the dehumidifying performance is lowered. The amount of pores having the above pore diameter is more preferably 70% by volume or more, and further preferably 100% by volume. The maximum pore diameter of the pores 13 is more preferably 2 μm or less, and further preferably 1 μm or less. The volume porosity of the porous body 14 and the shape of the pores 13 (volume ratio of pores and maximum pore diameter) are values measured by a mercury intrusion method.

  Furthermore, the pore diameter of the pores 13 is preferably set according to the characteristics required for the water vapor separator 12. For example, when it is desired to increase the water vapor separation rate by the water vapor separator 12, the fine pores 13 preferably contain 50% by volume or more of fine pores having a pore diameter in the range of 10 to 100 nm. In this case, the maximum pore diameter of the pores 13 is preferably 300 nm or less. On the other hand, when it is desired to increase the water vapor transmission rate by the water vapor separator 12, the pores 13 preferably contain 50% by volume or more of pores having a pore diameter in the range of 100 nm to 1 μm. In this case, the maximum pore diameter of the pores 13 is preferably 3 μm or less, and more preferably 2 μm or less. Since the characteristics of the water vapor separator 12 are also affected by the volume porosity of the porous body 14, it is preferable to set the pore diameter of the pores 13 in consideration of the volume porosity.

  In the water vapor separator 12 of the embodiment, the amount of the water-soluble hygroscopic agent 15 present in the pores 13 of the porous body 14 constitutes the ceramic material when the porous body 14 is made of a ceramic material or a metal material. The ratio of the element A constituting the water-soluble moisture absorbent 15 to the element B or the element C constituting the metal material (A / B or A / C: atomic ratio) is adjusted to be in the range of 0.004 to 0.4. It is preferable to do. When the A / B ratio or A / C ratio is less than 0.004, the amount of the water-soluble moisture absorbent 15 is insufficient. In addition, as the A / B ratio or A / C ratio exceeds 0.4, it is more difficult for the water-soluble moisture absorbent 15 to be present in the pores 13 of the porous body 14. The A / B ratio or A / C ratio is more preferably in the range of 0.008 to 0.25. The water-soluble hygroscopic agent 15 may be uniformly distributed on the inner wall of the pore 13 or may be unevenly distributed.

  Although the manufacturing method of the water vapor separator 12 is not particularly limited, for example, it is produced as follows. First, the porous body 14 including the pores 13 having a desired pore diameter is produced. For example, when using a ceramic material such as alumina or zinc oxide, the raw material powder is molded and then sintered to produce the porous body 14. The porous body 14 may be manufactured using the organic fibers described above or inorganic fibers such as rock wool, ceramic wool, and glass wool. Next, the water-soluble hygroscopic agent 15 is dissolved in water to obtain an aqueous solution, which is then impregnated into a porous body and dried to obtain the water vapor separator 12. The reason for drying is that it is convenient for handling, and it is not necessary to dry it. The steam separator 12 may contain moisture from the beginning. Molding and sintering may be performed after mixing the water-soluble moisture absorbent 15 with the raw material powder of the porous body 14.

  It is preferable that the water vapor separator 12 used in the dehumidifying device 1 contains water at least during the operation of the dehumidifying device 1. The amount of water contained in the water vapor separator 12 is such that the ratio (V2 / V1) of the volume of water V2 to the volume of the porous body 14 (the actual volume of the porous body 14 excluding the volume of the pores 13) V1 is 0.01. It is preferable to set to be in the range of ˜4. If the volume ratio V2 / V1 is less than 0.01, the wet sealability by the water vapor separator 12 may be reduced. As the volume ratio (V2 / V1) exceeds 4, it is more difficult for moisture to be present in the porous body 14. The volume ratio (V2 / V1) of the porous body 14 and the water contained therein is more preferably in the range of 0.5-4, and further preferably in the range of 0.5-1. In addition, the volume V2 of water means the volume in the state containing the water-soluble moisture absorbent 15.

  According to the dehumidifying apparatus 1 using the water vapor separator 12 of the embodiment, it is possible to achieve both the water vapor separation rate α and the water vapor transmission rate V while improving the stability of the wet seal by the water vapor separator 12. Thereby, the dehumidification performance by continuous dehumidification without a regeneration process can be improved. Furthermore, since the water vapor separator 12 is constituted by the presence of the water-soluble moisture absorbent 15 in the porous body 14, the mechanical strength of the water vapor separator 12 can be increased, and the water vapor separator 12 Cost reduction can be achieved. Therefore, it is possible to provide a practical and efficient dehumidifying device 1. The characteristics of the water vapor separator 12 can be set according to not only the required dehumidifying performance but also the environment in which the water vapor separator 12 is installed. For example, even if the dehumidifying performance is somewhat deteriorated, it is preferable to further increase the mechanical strength of the water vapor separator 12 when it is desired to cope with the severe environment where the water vapor separator 12 is installed. Furthermore, regarding the dehumidifying performance, the characteristics of the water vapor separator 12 can be set depending on which of the water vapor separation rate α and the water vapor transmission rate V is important.

The water vapor separation rate α and the water vapor transmission rate V are defined as follows. The water vapor separation rate α is a ratio of the permeation amount of water and dry air, and is defined by the following equation (1).
α = (N4 _water / N4 _air ) / (N3 _water / N3 _air ) (1)
In the formula (1), (N3 _water / N3 _air ) is the molar ratio of water and dry air contained in the air supplied to the dehumidifying chamber 9 (first space S1), and (N4 _water / N4 _air ) is the decompression chamber 10 It is the molar ratio of water and dry air contained in the air discharged from (second space S2). If α is 1, it means that water and dry air flow from the dehumidification side space S1 to the decompression side space S2 at the same rate. If α is 100, it means that the permeation of dry air is reduced to 1/100 with respect to the permeation of water from the dehumidification side space S1 to the decompression side space S2.

The water vapor transmission rate V is defined by the following equation (2).
V = ΔM _H2O / A / Δt (2)
In equation (2), ΔM _H2O is the amount of water recovered in the decompression side space S2, A is the area of the water vapor separator 12, and Δt is time. The air used for measuring the water vapor transmission rate V was humidified by publishing.

  Next, examples and evaluation results thereof will be described.

Example 1
After adding an acetone solution of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) having a concentration of 5% to high purity Al ₂ O ₃ particles (purity 99.99% or more) having an average particle size of 0.18 μm and mixing in a mortar, Filled, molded at a pressure of 1 t / cm ² , and further sintered at 1000 ° C. to prepare a sintered porous body having a thickness of 1 mm. When the pore shape and the like of the sintered porous body were measured by mercury porosimetry, the pore diameter was 10 to 200 nm, the ratio of pores having a pore diameter of 10 to 100 nm was 90% by volume, and the pore diameter was 10 nm to 1 μm. The pore ratio was 100% by volume. Moreover, the volume porosity of the sintered porous body was 42%.

The above-mentioned sintered porous body was impregnated with a saturated aqueous solution of CaCl ₂ and dried to obtain a target water vapor separator. The Ca / Al ratio of the water vapor separator was 0.11. When the water vapor separation rate α and the water vapor transmission rate V of the water vapor separator were measured, the water vapor separation rate α> 100, the water vapor transmission rate V, under the condition of the temperature of the supply air to the dehumidification (adsorption) side being 40 ° C. and saturated steam. = was 2000g / h / ^{m 2.} Moreover, even if the test was performed for several hours, the water vapor separation rate α and the water vapor transmission rate V were not reduced. Furthermore, no change was observed even after the same measurement after one month. When the ratio of the volume of water to the volume of the porous body was determined after the measurement, it was 0.72.

(Example 2)
An acetone solution of PVB having a concentration of 5% is added to high-purity ZnO particles having an average particle diameter of 0.15 μm (purity 99.99% or more), mixed in a mortar, and then filled in a mold to 1 t / cm ^2. A sintered porous body having a thickness of 1 mm was produced by molding at a pressure of 1 mm and sintering at 1000 ° C. When the pore shape and the like of the sintered porous body were measured by mercury porosimetry, the pore diameter was 10 to 150 nm, the ratio of pores having a pore diameter of 10 to 100 nm was 70% by volume, and the pore diameter was 10 nm to 1 μm. The pore ratio was 100% by volume. Moreover, the volume porosity of the sintered porous body was 35%.

The above-mentioned sintered porous body was impregnated with a saturated aqueous solution of CaCl ₂ and dried to obtain a target water vapor separator. The Ca / Zn ratio of the water vapor separator was 0.12. When the water vapor separation rate α and the water vapor transmission rate V of the water vapor separator were measured, the water vapor separation rate α> 100, the water vapor transmission rate V, under the condition of the temperature of the supply air to the dehumidification (adsorption) side being 40 ° C. and saturated steam. = was 1500g / h / ^{m 2.} Moreover, even if the test was performed for several hours, the water vapor separation rate α and the water vapor transmission rate V were not reduced. Furthermore, no change was observed even after the same measurement after one month. It was 0.54 when the ratio of the volume of water with respect to the volume of a porous body was calculated | required after the measurement.

Example 3
Using the water vapor separator produced in Example 1, the dehumidifying apparatus shown in FIG. 1 was constructed. By depressurizing the second space, the amount of moisture in the air supplied to the first space was reduced. This dehumidified the space in the room. The initial temperature of the space to be dehumidified was 40 ° C. and the relative humidity was 80%, but the relative humidity was reduced to 60% by operating the dehumidifier for 1 hour. The dehumidifier was operated with the pressure in the second space with respect to the first space set to -80 kPa. At this time, the temperature of the target space was stable in the range of 40 ° C. ± 1 ° C. In addition, when it operated by setting the pressure of 2nd space with respect to 1st space to -100 kPa, the water vapor | steam separator deform | transformed and gas leaked arose.

Example 4
In the dehumidifying apparatus configured in Example 3, the water vapor separator was set in a state supported by the punching metal, and a similar dehumidifying experiment was performed. The dehumidifier was operated with the second space pressure relative to the first space set to -90 kPa. By operating the dehumidifier for 1 hour in this state, the relative humidity decreased from 80% to 50%. At this time, the temperature of the target space was stable in the range of 40 ° C. ± 1 ° C.

(Example 5)
About the water vapor separator produced by the same method as in Example 1, the water vapor separation rate α and the water vapor transmission rate V were measured immediately after drying. Under the conditions of the temperature of the supply air to the dehumidification (adsorption) side being 40 ° C. and saturated steam, the water vapor separation rate α = 1 and the water vapor transmission rate V = 400 g / h / m ² immediately after the start of measurement, As α increased and V decreased, α> 100 and water vapor transmission rate V = 2000 g / h / m ² in several minutes. In this material, when dry air is flowed, a wet seal is not formed, and gas (dry air) permeates as it is. For this reason, the wet seal is not completed immediately after the start of measurement, and the gas permeates almost as it is. Therefore, it is considered that α is small and V is large.

(Comparative Example 1)
A zeolite having a thickness of 5 μm and almost no volume porosity and a pore diameter expected to be 0.4 to 10 nm was formed on a porous substrate having a thickness of 1 mm. Using this as a water vapor separator, the water vapor separation rate α and the water vapor transmission rate V were measured. When the temperature of the supply air to the dehumidification (adsorption) side was 40 ° C. and saturated steam, the water vapor separation rate α was 100 or more, but the water vapor transmission rate V was 500 g / h / m ² . Furthermore, since the zeolite of Comparative Example 1 is a thin film, its own mechanical strength is low, and the production cost is high. For this reason, the zeolite of Comparative Example 1 could not constitute a practical dehumidifier. Since thin-film zeolite is difficult to evaluate by mercury porosimetry, the porosity was estimated from SEM images, and the pore diameter was estimated from literature values and SEM images.

(Example 6)
An acetone solution of PVB having a concentration of 5% is added to high-purity Al ₂ O ₃ particles having an average particle diameter of 1 μm (purity of 99.99% or more), mixed in a mortar, filled into a mold, and 1 t / cm. ^By molding at a pressure of ² and sintering at 1300 ° C., a sintered porous body having a thickness of 1.5 mm was produced. When the pore shape and the like of the sintered porous body were measured by the mercury intrusion method, the pore diameter was 20 nm to 1 μm, the ratio of pores having a pore diameter of 10 to 100 nm was 60% by volume, and the pore diameter was 100 nm to 1 μm. The ratio of pores was 40% by volume, and the ratio of pores having a pore diameter of 10 nm to 1 μm was 100% by volume. The volume porosity of the sintered porous body was 38%.

The above-mentioned sintered porous body was impregnated with a saturated aqueous solution of CaCl ₂ and dried to obtain a target water vapor separator. The Ca / Al ratio of the water vapor separator was 0.2. When the water vapor separation rate α and the water vapor transmission rate V of the water vapor separator were measured, the water vapor separation rate α> 100, the water vapor transmission rate V, under the condition of the temperature of the supply air to the dehumidification (adsorption) side being 40 ° C. and saturated steam. = was 2000g / h / ^{m 2.} Moreover, even if the test was performed for several hours, the water vapor separation rate α and the water vapor transmission rate V were not reduced. Furthermore, no change was observed even after the same measurement after one month. When the ratio of the volume of water to the volume of the porous body was determined after the measurement, it was 0.61.

(Example 7)
An acetone solution of PVB having a concentration of 5% is added to high-purity Al ₂ O ₃ particles having an average particle diameter of 2 μm (purity of 99.99% or more), mixed in a mortar, filled into a mold, and 1 t / cm. ^By molding at a pressure of ² and sintering at 1350 ° C., a sintered porous body having a thickness of 2 mm was produced. When the pore shape and the like of the sintered porous body were measured by the mercury intrusion method, the pore diameter was 100 nm to 1.5 μm, the ratio of the pores having a pore diameter of 100 nm to 1 μm was 70% by volume, and the pore diameter was 10 nm to 1 μm. The ratio of the pores was 70% by volume. The volume porosity of the sintered porous body was 33%.

The above-mentioned sintered porous body was impregnated with a saturated aqueous solution of CaCl ₂ and dried to obtain a target water vapor separator. The Ca / Al ratio of the water vapor separator was 0.2. When the water vapor separation rate α and the water vapor transmission rate V of the water vapor separator were measured, the water vapor separation rate α = 50, the water vapor transmission rate V under the conditions of the temperature of the supply air to the dehumidification (adsorption) side being 40 ° C. and saturated steam. = 3500 g / h / m ² . Moreover, even if the test was performed for several hours, the water vapor separation rate α and the water vapor transmission rate V were not reduced. Furthermore, no change was observed even after the same measurement after one month. When the ratio of the volume of water to the volume of the porous body was determined after the measurement, it was 0.58.

(Example 8)
An acetone solution of PVB having a concentration of 5% is added to high-purity Al ₂ O ₃ particles having an average particle diameter of 0.5 μm (purity of 99.99% or more), mixed in a mortar, filled into a mold, and 1 t A sintered porous body having a thickness of 2 mm was produced by molding at a pressure of / cm ² and sintering at 1200 ° C. When the pore shape and the like of the sintered porous body were measured by the mercury intrusion method, the pore diameter was 30 nm to 1.3 μm, the ratio of the pores having a pore diameter of 100 nm to 1 μm was 70% by volume, and the pore diameter was 10 nm to 1 μm. The ratio of the pores was 80% by volume. The volume porosity of the sintered porous body was 40%.

The above-mentioned sintered porous body was impregnated with a saturated aqueous solution of CaCl ₂ and dried to obtain a target water vapor separator. The Ca / Al ratio of the water vapor separator was 0.2. When the water vapor separation rate α and the water vapor transmission rate V of the water vapor separator were measured, the water vapor separation rate α = 20, the water vapor transmission rate V under the conditions of the temperature of the supply air to the dehumidification (adsorption) side at 40 ° C. and saturated steam. = was 4000g / h / ^{m 2.} Moreover, even if the test was performed for several hours, the water vapor separation rate α and the water vapor transmission rate V were not reduced. Furthermore, no change was observed even after the same measurement after one month. The ratio of the volume of water to the volume of the porous body after measurement was 0.67.

Example 9
A mixture of high-purity Al ₂ O ₃ particles (purity 99.99% or more) having an average particle size of 0.18 μm and high-purity Al ₂ O ₃ particles (purity 99.99% or more) having an average particle size of 1.5 μm After adding an acetone solution of PVB at a concentration of 5% and mixing in a mortar, the mold was filled, molded at a pressure of 1 t / cm ² , and sintered at 1200 ° C., thereby firing 1 mm thick. A sintered porous body was produced. When the pore shape and the like of the sintered porous body were measured by mercury porosimetry, the pore diameter was 10 nm to 1.2 μm, the ratio of pores having a pore diameter of 10 to 100 nm was 40% by volume, and the pore diameter was 100 nm to 1 μm. The ratio of the pores was 50% by volume, and the ratio of the pores having a pore diameter of 10 nm to 1 μm was 90% by volume. The volume porosity of the sintered porous body was 25%.

The above-mentioned sintered porous body was impregnated with a saturated aqueous solution of CaCl ₂ and dried to obtain a target water vapor separator. The Ca / Al ratio of the water vapor separator was 0.2. When the water vapor separation rate α and the water vapor transmission rate V of the water vapor separator were measured, the water vapor separation rate α = 10, the water vapor transmission rate V, under the condition that the temperature of the supply air to the dehumidification (adsorption) side was 40 ° C. and saturated steam. = was 3000g / h / ^{m 2.} Moreover, even if the test was performed for several hours, the water vapor separation rate α and the water vapor transmission rate V were not reduced. Furthermore, no change was observed even after the same measurement after one month. When the ratio of the volume of water to the volume of the porous body was determined after the measurement, it was 0.33.

(Example 10)
The dehumidifier shown in FIG. 5 was configured using the water vapor separator produced in Example 8. By depressurizing the second space, the amount of moisture in the air existing in the first space was reduced. This dehumidified the space in the room. In the space to be dehumidified, the initial temperature was 30 ° C. and the relative humidity was 80%, but the relative humidity was reduced to 55% by operating the dehumidifier for 30 minutes. The dehumidifier was operated with the pressure in the second space with respect to the first space set to -80 kPa. At this time, the temperature of the target space was stable in the range of 40 ° C. ± 1 ° C.

(Example 11)
The dehumidifier shown in FIG. 5 was configured using the water vapor separator produced in Example 8. By depressurizing the second space, the amount of moisture in the air existing in the first space was reduced. This dehumidified the space in the room. The initial temperature of the space to be dehumidified was 30 ° C. and the relative humidity was 70%, but the relative humidity was reduced to 60% by operating the dehumidifier for 10 minutes. The dehumidifier was operated with the pressure in the second space with respect to the first space set to -80 kPa. At this time, the temperature of the target space was stable in the range of 40 ° C. ± 1 ° C.

(Reference Example 1)
A commercially available alumina porous body was prepared. When the pore shape and the like of this alumina porous body were measured by a mercury intrusion method, the pore diameter was 20 to 3000 nm, and the ratio of pores having a pore diameter of 10 nm to 1 μm was 40% by volume. The volume porosity of the alumina porous body was 43%. The alumina porous body was impregnated with a saturated aqueous solution of CaCl ₂ and dried to prepare a water vapor separator. When the water vapor separation rate α and the water vapor transmission rate V of the water vapor separator were measured, the water vapor separation rate α = 1, the water vapor transmission rate V under the conditions of the temperature of the supply air to the dehumidification (adsorption) side being 40 ° C. and saturated steam. = was 4500g / h / ^{m 2.} When this moisture separator was used to conduct a dehumidification test in the same manner as in Example 10, no dehumidification was performed.

(Example 12)
An acetone solution of PVB having a concentration of 5% is added to high-purity Al ₂ O ₃ particles (purity 99.99% or more) having an average particle diameter of 0.18 μm, mixed in a mortar, filled into a mold, and 1 t A sintered porous body having a thickness of 3 mm was produced by molding at a pressure of / cm ² and sintering at 1350 ° C. When the pore shape and the like of the sintered porous body were measured by a mercury intrusion method, the pore diameter was 10 to 100 nm, and the ratio of pores having a pore diameter of 10 nm to 1 μm was 100% by volume. The volume porosity of the sintered porous body was 11%.

The above-mentioned sintered porous body was impregnated with a saturated aqueous solution of CaCl ₂ and dried to obtain a target water vapor separator. The Ca / Al ratio of the water vapor separator was 0.02. When the water vapor separation rate α and the water vapor transmission rate V of the water vapor separator were measured, the water vapor separation rate α> 100, the water vapor transmission rate V, under the condition of the temperature of the supply air to the dehumidification (adsorption) side being 40 ° C. and saturated steam. = was 150g / h / ^{m 2.} It was 0.12 when the ratio of the volume of water with respect to the volume of a porous body was calculated | required after the measurement.

(Example 13)
An acetone solution of PVB having a concentration of 5% is added to high-purity Al ₂ O ₃ particles (purity 99.99% or more) having an average particle diameter of 0.18 μm, mixed in a mortar, filled into a mold, and 1 t A sintered porous body having a thickness of 3 mm was produced by molding at a pressure of / cm ² and sintering at 1250 ° C. When the pore shape and the like of the sintered porous body were measured by a mercury intrusion method, the pore diameter was 10 to 100 nm, and the ratio of pores having a pore diameter of 10 nm to 1 μm was 100% by volume. The volume porosity of the sintered porous body was 15%.

The above-mentioned sintered porous body was impregnated with a saturated aqueous solution of CaCl ₂ and dried to obtain a target water vapor separator. The Ca / Al ratio of the water vapor separator was 0.02. When the water vapor separation rate α and the water vapor transmission rate V of the water vapor separator were measured, the water vapor separation rate α> 100, the water vapor transmission rate V, under the condition of the temperature of the supply air to the dehumidification (adsorption) side being 40 ° C. and saturated steam. = was 300g / h / ^{m 2.} It was 0.18 when the ratio of the volume of water with respect to the volume of a porous body was calculated | required after the measurement.

  In addition, although several embodiment of this invention was described, these embodiment is shown as an example and is not intending limiting the range of invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Dehumidification apparatus, 2 ... Dehumidification unit, 3 ... Blower, 4 ... Depressurization pump, 9 ... Dehumidification chamber, 10 ... Decompression chamber, 11 ... Connection path, 12 ... Steam separation body, 13 ... Pore, 14 ... Porous body 15 ... Water-soluble moisture absorbent, 16 ... Support, S1 ... First space, S2 ... Second space S2.

Claims (11)

It is arrange | positioned between 1st space and 2nd space, By making the water vapor pressure of said 2nd space lower than the water vapor pressure of said 1st space, the water vapor which exists in said 1st space is made. A water vapor separator that is permeable to the second space,
A porous body having a first surface, a second surface facing the first surface, and pores extending from the first surface to the second surface; and the fine body of the porous body. Comprising a water-soluble moisture absorbent present in the pores, and water retained in the water-soluble moisture absorbent,
The water vapor separator, wherein the porous body is made of a ceramic material, a metal material, a carbon material, or a composite material thereof, and a ratio of the volume of the water to the volume of the porous body is 0.01 or more and 4 or less.   The water vapor separator according to claim 1, wherein the porous body has a volume porosity of 10% or more and 80% or less.   The water vapor separator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pores of the porous body include 50 volume% or more of pores having a pore diameter of 10 nm to 1 µm.   The water vapor separator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a maximum pore diameter of the pores of the porous body is 3 µm or less.   The water-soluble hygroscopic agent includes a citrate, carbonate, phosphate, halide salt, oxide salt, hydroxide salt, and sulfate of the first element composed of a Group 1 element or a Group 2 element. The water vapor separator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of:   The porous body is a group consisting of oxide, nitride, and carbide of a second element made of aluminum, silicon, zinc, magnesium, calcium, barium, nickel, cobalt, iron, chromium, titanium, zirconium, or copper. 6. The water vapor according to claim 5, comprising a ceramic material containing at least one selected from the above, or a metal material containing a third element made of aluminum, zinc, magnesium, nickel, cobalt, iron, titanium, zirconium, or copper. Separation body.   The water vapor separator according to claim 6, wherein an atomic ratio of the first element to the second element or the third element is 0.004 or more and 0.4 or less. A dehumidifying chamber constituting the first space;
A decompression chamber constituting a second space communicating with the first space;
The first surface is exposed to the first space, and the second surface is exposed to the second space, and the first space and the second space are partitioned. A steam separator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, which is provided,
A water vapor pressure adjusting unit that adjusts the water vapor pressure in the second space such that the water vapor pressure in the second space is lower than the water vapor pressure in the first space;
A dehumidifying device that allows water vapor existing in the first space to pass through the second space through the water vapor separator.   The dehumidifying device according to claim 8, wherein the water vapor pressure adjusting unit includes a pressure adjusting mechanism that reduces the pressure in the second space from the pressure in the first space.   The dehumidifying apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the pressure adjusting mechanism is controlled such that a difference between the pressure in the first space and the pressure in the second space is 50 kPa or more and less than 100 kPa.   The dehumidifier according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the water vapor separator is supported by a support that allows gas to pass therethrough.

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