JP6898138B2 - Desiccant type humidity control device and its control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a desiccant type humidity control device and a control method thereof, and more specifically, an outside air introduction operation in which the outside air to be supplied to the indoor space is dehumidified by a desiccant and the desiccant is regenerated by returning air. The present invention relates to a desiccant type humidity control device that selectively executes a return air circulation operation that dehumidifies the return air with a desiccant and regenerates the desiccant with the outside air, and a control method thereof.

As a humidity control device, dehumidification device or dehumidification device (hereinafter referred to as "humidity control device") that constitutes a fresh outside air introduction system of an air conditioning system, a cooling dehumidification method that overcools the outside air and condenses the moisture in the outside air. A desiccant type humidity control device that adsorbs or collects moisture in the outside air (hereinafter referred to as "adsorption") with a humidity control device and a desiccant (desiccant agent) such as lithium chloride, silica gel, zeolite, or polymer sorbent. A device (hereinafter referred to as a "desiccant type humidity control device") is known. Both types of humidity control devices function as external control devices or outside air treatment devices that dehumidify or dehumidify the outside air.

In general, a cooling / dehumidifying type humidity control device dehumidifies or dehumidifies the outside air (hereinafter referred to as "dehumidification") by supercooling the outside air and integrally treating or simultaneously treating sensible heat and latent heat. On the other hand, the desiccant type humidity control device adsorbs the moisture in the outside air with a desiccant to dehumidify the outside air, and then adjusts the temperature of the outside air with a sensible heat exchanger, a cold / hot water coil, etc. And latent heat is separated or treated individually. As described above, the cooling dehumidification method and the desiccant method are basically different in that the sensible heat and the latent heat are integrally treated or separated, but the desiccant type humidity control that separates the sensible heat and the latent heat of the outside air. The device is considered to be more advantageous than the cooling / dehumidifying type humidity control device in terms of efficient use of heat energy and controllability of indoor environment control.

As a desiccant type humidity control device, a rotary desiccant rotor that rotates continuously or intermittently around a rotation center axis parallel to the direction of the air flow and alternately contacts air supply and exhaust, and an air flow direction. It is known as an alternating switching type or alternating switching type desiccant block (hereinafter referred to as "alternate switching desiccant block") that rotates around an orthogonal rotation center axis to alternately contact air supply and exhaust with a desiccant. Has been done. A desiccant type humidity control device provided with a rotary desiccant rotor is described in, for example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-74906). For example, it is described in Patent Document 2 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-46830).

Generally, a desiccant rotor and a desiccant block have a honeycomb core carrying a desiccant, and a large number of narrow flow paths (hereinafter, referred to as “honeycomb flow paths”) capable of flowing air are formed by the honeycomb core. During cooling and dehumidification, the desiccant absorbs moisture in the air by contacting the dehumidifying side air (outside air) and desorbs (releases) moisture by contacting the regeneration side air (return air of indoor air). The dehumidifying action of the desiccant occurs alternately. Since the amount of dehumidification increases as the relative temperature difference between the dehumidifying side air and the regenerating side air increases, it is usually the heating for regeneration of a hot water coil or the like using an air conditioning heat source, exhaust heat of a building or facility, or solar heat. A vessel or a regeneration heater (hereinafter referred to as a "regeneration heater") is arranged in the flow path of the regeneration side air. The regeneration heater preheats the regeneration side air, and the preheated air is supplied to the desiccant rotor or the alternating switchable desiccant block.

17 (A) and 17 (B) are a system configuration diagram and a partial cross-sectional view conceptually showing a basic configuration of a desiccant type humidity control device having a desiccant rotor. The basic configuration of the conventional desiccant type humidity control device including the desiccant rotor will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 (A) and 17 (B).

The desiccant type humidity control device shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B includes a desiccant rotor DR, an exhaust fan EF, and an air supply fan SF, and also has an air supply flow path SP and exhaust separated and partitioned by a partition wall W. It has a flow path EP. The desiccant rotor DR is composed of a honeycomb-structured dehumidifying rotor carrying a desiccant, and is arranged so as to straddle the air supply flow path SP and the exhaust flow path EP. The outside air OA under atmospheric conditions circulates or passes through the lower half honeycomb flow path of the desiccant rotor DR under the supply pressure of the air supply fan SF. The desiccant of Desiccant Rotor DR adsorbs the moisture in the outside air and dehumidifies the outside air OA. The dehumidified outside air OA is supplied to the indoor space RM as an air supply SA. On the other hand, the air in the indoor space RM is heated (preheated) by heat transfer contact with the regeneration heater HE under the suction pressure of the exhaust fan EF as the return air RA, and then the upper half honeycomb flow path of the desiccant rotor DR. Is distributed or passed through. The desiccant of the desiccant rotor DR comes into contact with the return air RA having a relatively high temperature and low humidity to release the moisture, and the return air RA whose humidity has risen is exhausted to the outside of the system (outdoor environment or the like) as an exhaust EA. The desiccant rotor DR rotates in a certain direction around the rotation center axis XX parallel to the flow path direction, and continuously or continuously supplies the dehumidified outside air OA as an air supply SA to the indoor space RM. Normally, a cold / hot water coil or the like (not shown) for adjusting the supply air temperature (indoor blowout temperature) is arranged in the air supply flow path SP, and a cooling coil or fan coil unit or the like for processing the indoor load is provided. Individual cooling means (not shown) are arranged at appropriate locations such as an air supply system duct and an indoor space. In addition, many desiccant type humidity control devices can not only perform such dehumidification operation in summer, but also perform humidification operation in winter by appropriate design changes and arrangement of additional equipment. However, the description of the humidification operation will be omitted.

As described above, such a desiccant type humidity control device functions as an outside air conditioner or an outside air treatment device for dehumidifying the outside air OA to be supplied to the indoor space RM, but when the outside environment is extremely hot and humid. When the humidity of the outside air OA rises sharply due to a sudden change in the outside air environment (disturbance), it is difficult to control the humidity of the indoor space RM as desired. For example, the humidity of the indoor space RM fluctuates greatly. Alternatively, a state in which the humidity greatly rises beyond the target humidity may occur transiently.

Patent Documents 3 and 4 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 2005-315545 and 2006-317076) describe a desiccant type humidity control device in which the introduction of outside air is blocked and the returned air is recirculated indoors. There is. The return air circulation form of the desiccant humidity control device described in Patent Documents 3 and 4 is shown in FIG. 17 (C).

As shown in FIG. 17C, the desiccant rotor DR is positioned in a horizontal posture with its rotation center axis oriented in the vertical direction. The flow path of the return air RA communicates with the flow path of the supply air SA, and the flow path of the outside air OA communicates with the flow path of the exhaust EA. In such a flow path configuration, a regeneration heater HE'(indicated by a broken line) for heating the outside air OA is additionally arranged in the outside air introduction path. The desiccant rotor DR adsorbs the moisture in the return air RA to dehumidify the return air RA, and releases the moisture to the heated outside air OA for regeneration. Since the dehumidified return air RA is supplied to the indoor space RM as an air supply SA, the desiccant type humidity control device is operated in a return air circulation mode in which the introduction of outside air is completely blocked.

On the other hand, in the above-mentioned desiccant type humidity control device provided with the alternating switching type desiccant block, the humidity control device has a desiccant unit including the first and second desiccant blocks as described in Patent Document 2. Each desiccant block has a 90 degree phase difference around a horizontal center of rotation axis orthogonal to the direction of airflow. The first and second desiccant blocks alternately communicate with the air supply flow path or the exhaust flow path. In the desiccant unit, the first position where the honeycomb flow path of the first desiccant block communicates with the air supply flow path and the honeycomb flow path of the second desiccant block communicates with the exhaust flow path, and the honeycomb flow path of the second desiccant block are supplied. The honeycomb flow path of the first desiccant block communicating with the air flow path is alternately switched to the second position communicating with the exhaust flow path. This type of desiccant type humidity control device is also described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-40506 (Patent Document 5) according to the application of the applicant and others. The configuration of this type of desiccant type humidity control device will be described in detail in the embodiment of the present invention (FIGS. 10 to 12) described later.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-74906 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-46830 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-315545 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-317076 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-40506

When the outside environment is extremely hot and humid, or when the humidity of the outside air rises sharply due to a sudden change in the outside air environment (disturbance), the outside air load of the desiccant type humidity control device fluctuates greatly. It is considered desirable to transiently operate the desiccant type humidity control device in the form of return air circulation that shuts off the introduction of outside air. As described above, the desiccant type humidity control device described in Patent Documents 3 and 4 can be operated in the form of return air circulation in which the introduction of outside air is blocked, so that the humidity is stable and is not affected by the external environment. It is believed that control can be performed. However, the desiccant type humidity control devices of Patent Documents 3 and 4 have an outside air introduction operation in which the outside air is dehumidified by a desiccant and the desiccant is regenerated by the return air after preheating, and the return air is dehumidified by the desiccant and after preheating. It does not have a configuration that can be easily switched between the return air circulation operation in which the desiccant is regenerated by the outside air.

Further, the desiccant type humidity control device described in Patent Documents 3 and 4 has a mechanism or structure for rotating the desiccant rotor to a vertical position and a horizontal position as a whole, and is suitable for switching the position of the desiccant rotor. Since it is necessary to change the flow path direction and flow path configuration, etc., not only the structure or configuration of the humidity control device mechanism, piping system and control system becomes complicated, but also the initial cost and maintenance cost become high. Problems arise.

On the other hand, the desiccant type humidity control device (Patent Documents 2 and 5) provided with the above-mentioned alternating switching type desiccant block exhausts the indoor air as regeneration air and supplies the dehumidified outside air to the indoor space. It does not have a configuration and a function capable of controlling the humidity of the indoor environment in a state where the introduction of outside air is transiently cut off when the humidity of the outside environment rises or when there is a disturbance.

In addition, in a conventional air conditioning system that uses a desiccant type humidity control device as an external air conditioner or an outside air treatment device, the warm-up operation time zone when the air conditioner is started up or when the air conditioning system is started, and the time zone when the number of people in the room is relatively small. Alternatively, the desiccant type humidity control device provides a relatively large amount of humidity control / temperature control outside air to the indoor space according to the conditions during steady operation even during a time period in which a relatively small amount of fresh outside air needs to be supplied indoors. Since the air is supplied to the air, excessive heat energy is consumed for processing the outside air load.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to dehumidify the outside air to be supplied to the indoor space with a desiccant and to regenerate the desiccant by returning air after preheating. The outside air introduction operation and the return air circulation operation in which the desiccant is used to dehumidify the return air and the desiccant is regenerated by the preheated outside air can be selectively executed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a desiccant type humidity control device and a control method thereof, which can be switched relatively easily.

The present invention also relates to an air conditioning system provided with such a desiccant type humidity control device and a control method or operation method thereof, the desiccant type humidity control in relation to the operation mode or operation time of the air conditioning system and the air quality of the indoor space. The purpose is to change the operation mode of the device and thereby reduce the load on the outside air of the air conditioning system.

In the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, an air supply flow path for supplying the outside air taken in by the outside air introduction path to the indoor space and an exhaust gas for exhausting the return air derived from the indoor space by the indoor air lead-out path. A desiccant rotor or desiccant unit provided with a desiccant that comes into contact with the outside air of the air flow path, adsorbs moisture in the outside air, and releases moisture to the return air of the exhaust flow path to regenerate the air flow path, and the drying. In a desiccant type humidity control device having a regenerative heater that preheats the return air that comes into contact with the agent.
An outside air that is provided or interposed in the outside air introduction path and the indoor air outlet path, dehumidifies the outside air and supplies it to the indoor space, and regenerates the desiccant by the return air after preheating. In order to selectively switch between the introduction operation and the return air circulation operation in which the return air is dehumidified and supplied to the indoor space and the desiccant is regenerated by the outside air after preheating, the outside air is supplied to the air supply flow path. Selectively switch between a first position for introducing and introducing the return air into the exhaust flow path and a second position for introducing the return air into the air supply flow path and introducing the outside air into the exhaust flow path. Possible flow path switching device and
A total heat exchanger or sensible heat exchanger arranged on the upstream side of the desiccant rotor or desiccant unit in the air supply direction and exchanging total heat or sensible heat between the return air and the outside air.
The outside air is arranged in the air supply flow path between the total heat exchanger or the velvety heat exchanger and the desiccant rotor or the desiccant unit, and the outside air is cooled at the first position of the flow path switching device, and the flow path switching device is used. A cooler that cools the return air at the second position of
Rotation control of the bypass flow path or the total heat exchanger or the sensible heat exchanger for substantially disabling the heat exchange action of the total heat exchanger or the sensible heat exchanger at the second position of the flow path switching device. Provided is a desiccant type humidity control device characterized by having means.

According to the above configuration of the present invention, the desiccant type humidity control device is an outside air introduction mode in which the dehumidified outside air is supplied to the indoor space to control the humidity of the indoor space by holding the flow path switching device at the first position. By switching the flow path switching device to the second position, the indoor supply of outside air is cut off, and the returned air after dehumidification is recirculated to the indoor space to control the humidity in the indoor space. To do. The desiccant rotor or desiccant unit dehumidifies the outside air and is regenerated by the return air after preheating in the operation of the outside air introduction mode, and dehumidifies the return air and is regenerated by the outside air after the preheating in the return air circulation operation. Therefore, the desiccant type humidity control device can easily switch between the outside air introduction operation and the return air circulation operation by the switching control of the flow path switching device. Further, the desiccant type humidity control device of the present invention can substantially invalidate the heat exchange action of the total heat exchanger or the sensible heat exchanger at the second position (return air circulation form) of the flow path switching device. Since the bypass flow path or the rotation control means is provided, it is possible to prevent the cold heat of the return air from being lost due to heat exchange with the outside air during the return air circulation operation, if necessary. Further, the desiccant type humidity control device of the present invention includes a cooler arranged in the air supply flow path between the total heat exchanger or the velvety heat exchanger and the desiccant rotor or the desiccant unit. Not only can the outside air to be introduced into the desiccant rotor or desiccant unit be cooled in one position (outside air introduction form), but it is also introduced into the desiccant rotor or desiccant unit in the second position (return air circulation form) of the flow path switching device. The return air that should be cooled can be cooled.

The present invention is also a control method for a desiccant type humidity control device having such a configuration.
The center of the building is the time of warm-up operation when the air-conditioning is started up or when the air-conditioning system is started, the time when the number of people in the room is relatively small, or the time when a relatively small amount of fresh outside air should be supplied to the room. Judgment is made from the information of the monitoring system, the carbon dioxide concentration in the indoor space is judged from the information acquired from the indoor environment detector, or the introduction of outside air is blocked from the information of the outside air detector indicating the temperature and / or humidity of the outside atmosphere. Determine the operating conditions to be done and
Provided is a control method of a desiccant type humidity control device, which controls the position of the flow path switching device based on the determination result.

According to the above configuration of the present invention, the desiccant type humidity control device shuts off the introduction of outside air during the operation period when ventilation (intake of fresh outside air) for maintaining the indoor air quality is not required, or the external weather conditions. In order to avoid an extreme increase in the outside air load due to the change, the introduction of the outside air can be blocked, whereby the heat energy consumption for the outside air load treatment can be reduced.

Preferably, the flow path switching device is a single four-way valve or four-way valve type damper (hereinafter referred to as "four-way valve"), and at least two three-way valve or three-way valve type dampers (hereinafter referred to as "three-way valve"). (), Or at least four on-off valves or on-off valve type dampers (hereinafter referred to as "on-off valves"), and the valve body position of each valve is switched under the control of the control system that controls the indoor environment. It is equipped with a valve body drive device. The flow path switching device is a valve device internal flow path that selectively communicates the outside air introduction path with either the exhaust flow path or the supply air flow path, and the indoor air lead-out path is either the exhaust flow path or the supply air flow path. It has a flow path in the valve device that selectively communicates with the valve gear.

Preferably, the desiccant type humidity control device acquires information on the operating state of the air conditioning system or the operating state of the building from the central monitoring system of the building in order to determine the switching position of the flow path switching device, and the carbon dioxide concentration in the indoor air. Is obtained from the indoor environment detector, or has a control device for acquiring the information of the outside air detector indicating the temperature and / or humidity of the outside atmosphere. The control device switches and controls the flow path switching device under predetermined conditions based on this information, and switches the outside air introduction operation to the return air circulation operation. However, when the carbon dioxide concentration in the indoor space exceeds the predetermined value, the flow path When the switching device is held in the first position to maintain the outside air introduction operation, or when the carbon dioxide concentration exceeds a predetermined value during the return air circulation operation, the flow path switching device is forcibly switched to the first position and the outside air is introduced. Move to operation. This makes it possible to prevent deterioration of the indoor environment due to the return air circulation operation.

More preferably, the said inlet channel of the air supply direction downstream side of the de Shikantorota or desiccant unit, a humidifier for humidifying the outside air is arranged to cool the outside air or return air dehumidified by the desiccant rotor or desiccant unit heat The exchanger is arranged in the air supply flow path on the downstream side in the air supply direction of the desiccant rotor or the desiccant unit, and the above-mentioned regenerative heater for preheating the return air or the outside air is a total heat exchanger or a sensational heat exchanger and a desiccant rotor or. It is arranged in the exhaust flow path between the desiccant unit and the desiccant unit .

From another point of view, the present invention is an air conditioning system having a desiccant type humidity control device having the above configuration.
An air supply port that blows out the outside air that has been conditioned and conditioned by the humidity control device to the indoor space, an indoor environment detector that detects the carbon dioxide concentration in the indoor space, and an outside air that detects the temperature and / or humidity of the outside atmosphere. Provided is an air-conditioning system characterized by having a detector, individual air-conditioning equipment or individual air-conditioning equipment for adjusting the temperature of indoor air, and a central monitoring system for controlling the operation mode and operation time of the air-conditioning system.

The present invention is also a control method or an operation method of an air conditioning system to which the control method of the above configuration is applied.
The outside air introduction operation in which the temperature and humidity controlled outside air is supplied to the indoor space by the humidity control device and the temperature of the room air is adjusted by the individual air conditioner or the individual air conditioner, and the outside air introduction to the room is blocked and the room air is introduced. Provided is a control method or operation method of an air conditioning system, characterized in that a return air circulation operation in which a temperature is adjusted by an individual air conditioning facility or an individual air conditioning device is selectively executed in accordance with switching control of the flow path switching device. To do.

According to such an air-conditioning system, or a control method or operation method thereof, a warm-up operation time zone when the air-conditioning system is started up or when the air-conditioning system is started, a time zone when the number of people in the room is relatively small, or a relatively small amount. The outside air load can be reduced by the return air circulation operation and the loss of heat energy for processing the outside air load can be suppressed during the time period when the fresh outside air can be supplied indoors.

Preferably, when the carbon dioxide concentration in the indoor space exceeds a predetermined value, the air conditioning system holds the flow path switching device in the first position to maintain the outside air introduction operation, or the carbon dioxide concentration becomes high during the return air circulation operation. When the predetermined value is exceeded, the flow path switching device is forcibly switched to the first position, and the operation shifts to the outside air introduction operation. This makes it possible to prevent deterioration of the indoor environment due to the return air circulation operation.

According to the desiccant type humidity control device and the control method thereof of the present invention, the outside air to be supplied to the indoor space is dehumidified by the desiccant and the desiccant is regenerated by the return air after preheating, and the desiccant is used. It is possible to selectively execute a return air circulation operation that dehumidifies the return air and regenerates the desiccant by the outside air after preheating, and moreover, it is relatively easy to switch between the outside air introduction operation and the return air circulation operation. it can.

Further, according to the air-conditioning system of the present invention and its control method or operation method, in the air-conditioning system provided with such a desiccant type humidity control device and its control method, the operation mode or operation time of the air-conditioning system and the indoor space The operation mode of the desiccant type humidity control device can be changed in relation to the air quality, thereby reducing the outside air load of the air conditioning system.

FIG. 1A is a system configuration diagram conceptually showing the configuration of a desiccant type humidity control device partially including the configuration of the present invention as a reference example , and FIG. 1B is a vertical cross section of a desiccant rotor portion. 1 (C) and 1 (D) are flow path configuration diagrams showing a modified example of the flow path switching device shown in FIG. 1 (A). FIG. 1 shows the state of the desiccant type humidity control device during the outside air introduction operation. FIG. 2A is a system configuration diagram showing the desiccant type humidity control device shown in FIG. 1 in a state during return air circulation operation, and FIG. 2B is a vertical cross-sectional view of the desiccant rotor portion. 2 (C) and FIG. 2 (D) are flow path configuration diagrams showing a modified example of the flow path switching device shown in FIG. 2 (A). FIG. 3 is a flowchart schematically showing a control mode of the flow path switching device by the control unit of the desiccant type humidity control device. FIG. 4 is a system configuration diagram conceptually showing the configuration of the desiccant type humidity control device partially including the configuration of the present invention as a reference example , and FIG. 4 shows the desiccant type humidity control device during the outside air introduction operation. The state is shown. FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram showing the desiccant type humidity control device shown in FIG. 4 in a state during the return air circulation operation. FIG. 6 is a system configuration diagram conceptually showing the configuration of the desiccant type humidity control device according to the modified example of the desiccant type humidity control device shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and FIG. 6 shows the desiccant during the outside air introduction operation. The state of the type humidity control device is shown. FIG. 7 is a system configuration diagram showing the desiccant type humidity control device shown in FIG. 6 in a state during the return air circulation operation. FIG. 8 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration of a desiccant type humidity control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 shows the state of the desiccant type humidity control device during the outside air introduction operation. FIG. 9 is a system configuration diagram showing the desiccant type humidity control device shown in FIG. 8 in a state during the return air circulation operation. FIG. 10 is a system configuration diagram conceptually showing the basic configuration of the desiccant type humidity control device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 shows a mode of outside air introduction operation of the desiccant type humidity control device. FIG. 11 is a system configuration diagram showing a return air circulation mode of the desiccant type humidity control device shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view showing the structure of the desiccant type humidity control device shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 13 is an air diagram showing the operation of the desiccant type humidity control device in the form of introducing outside air during summer cooling. FIG. 14 is an air diagram showing the operation of the desiccant type humidity control device in the return air circulation mode during summer cooling. FIG. 15 is an air diagram showing the operation of the desiccant type humidity control device in the form of introducing outside air during winter heating. FIG. 16 is an air diagram showing the operation of the desiccant type humidity control device in the return air circulation mode during winter heating. 17 (A) and 17 (B) are system configuration diagrams and partial cross-sectional views conceptually showing the basic configuration of a conventional desiccant type humidity control device having a desiccant rotor, and FIG. 17 (C) is a rotary It is a partial cross-sectional view of the conventional desiccant type humidity control apparatus which shows the state which the desiccant rotor is positioned in the horizontal posture with the central axis in the vertical direction.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 (A) and 2 (A) are system configuration diagrams conceptually showing the configuration of a desiccant type humidity control device partially including the configuration of the present invention as a reference example , and FIGS. 1 (B) and 2 (A). 2 (B) is a vertical cross-sectional view of the desiccant rotor portion. Further, FIGS. 1 (C), 1 (D), 2 (C) and 2 (D) show a modified example of the flow path switching device shown in FIGS. 1 (A) and 2 (A). It is a road block diagram. FIG. 1 shows the state of the desiccant type humidity control device during the outside air introduction operation, and FIG. 2 shows the state of the desiccant type humidity control device during the return air circulation operation.

The basic configuration of the desiccant type humidity control device partially including the configuration of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

The desiccant type humidity control device 1 (hereinafter, referred to as “humidity control device 1”) constituting the air conditioning system of the building includes a desiccant rotor 2, an exhaust fan 3, and an air supply fan 4 arranged in the housing 1a. In 1a, an air supply flow path 6 and an exhaust flow path 7 through which the supply air flow and the exhaust flow flow in opposite directions are defined, and the air supply flow path 6 and the exhaust flow path 7 are separated vertically by a horizontal partition wall 5. The desiccant rotor 2 is composed of a dehumidifying rotor having a honeycomb structure carrying a desiccant, and is arranged so as to straddle the air supply flow path 6 and the exhaust flow path 7. The humidity control device 1 has a four-way valve structure flow. Each port of the flow path switching device 10 is connected to an outside air introduction path OD, a first supply path D1, an indoor air lead-out path RD, and a second supply path D2, respectively.

FIG. 1 shows the first position of the flow path switching device 10, and the flow path in the valve device of the flow path switching device 10 connects the outside air introduction path OD to the first supply path D1 and is used for indoor air. The lead-out path RD is connected to the second supply path D2. The first supply path D1 functions as a part of the outside air introduction path OD, and the second supply path D2 functions as a part of the indoor air lead-out path RD. The outside air OA under atmospheric conditions is attracted to the supply air fan 4 via the outside air introduction path OD and the first supply path D1, and is sent to the supply air flow path 6 under the supply pressure of the supply air fan 4, and is sent to the desiccant rotor 2 It flows or passes through the lower half honeycomb flow path and is supplied to the indoor space RM via the air supply flow path SD. The desiccant of the desiccant rotor 2 adsorbs the moisture in the outside air OA and dehumidifies the outside air OA. The dehumidified outside air OA is supplied to the interior space RM as an air supply SA, and is blown out to the interior space RM from an air supply port (not shown) arranged on the wall surface or the ceiling surface of the interior space RM.

On the other hand, the air in the indoor space RM flows or passes through the regeneration heater 8 via the indoor air lead-out path RD and the second supply passage D2 under the suction pressure of the exhaust fan 3 as the return air RA, and heats for regeneration. After being heated (preheated) by heat transfer contact with the heat radiation portion of the vessel 8, it flows or passes through the upper half honeycomb flow path of the desiccant rotor 2. The desiccant of the desiccant rotor 2 comes into contact with the relatively high temperature and low humidity return air RA to release moisture, and the return air RA whose humidity rises and temperature drops is exhausted as exhaust EA under the discharge pressure of the exhaust fan 3. It is sent to the system flow path and exhausted to the outside of the system (outdoor environment, etc.).

The desiccant rotor 2 is provided with a rotary drive mechanism (not shown) that rotates the desiccant rotor 2 in a predetermined direction, and the air flow (outside air OA, air supply SA, etc.) indicated by arrows in the air supply flow path 6 and the exhaust flow path 7 It rotates continuously or intermittently at a predetermined speed in the direction indicated by the arrow about the rotation center axis XX parallel to the direction of the return air RA and the exhaust EA. The desiccant rotor 2 continuously or continuously dehumidifies the outside air OA and supplies it to the indoor space RM as an air supply SA, and continuously or continuously dehumidifies the moisture adsorbed by the desiccant to the return air RA. Will be played.

Therefore, the humidity control device 1 dehumidifies the outside air OA and supplies it to the indoor space RM at the first position of the flow path switching device 10, and preheats the return air RA of the indoor space RM and via the desiccant rotor 2. By exhausting the gas, the desiccant rotor 2 is operated in an outside air introduction mode that regenerates the desiccant.

FIG. 2 shows the second position of the flow path switching device 10. At the second position, the flow path in the valve device of the flow path switching device 10 connects the outside air introduction path OD to the second supply path D2 and the indoor air lead-out path RD to the first supply path D1. The second supply path D2 functions as a part of the outside air introduction path OD, and the first supply path D1 functions as a part of the indoor air lead-out path RD. The return air RA of the indoor space RM is led out from the indoor space RM under the suction pressure of the air supply fan 4, and is attracted to the air supply fan 4 via the indoor air lead-out path RD and the first supply path D1 to supply air. It is sent to the air supply flow path 6 under the supply air pressure of the fan 4, flows or passes through the lower half honeycomb flow path of the desiccant rotor 2, and is recirculated to the indoor space RM via the air supply flow path SD. The desiccant of desiccant rotor 2 adsorbs the moisture in the return air RA and dehumidifies the return air RA. Therefore, the dehumidified return air RA is supplied to the interior space RM as the air supply SA, and is blown out to the interior space RM from the air supply port (not shown) arranged on the wall surface or the ceiling surface of the interior space RM. On the other hand, the outside air OA under atmospheric conditions flows or passes through the regeneration heater 8 via the outside air introduction path OD and the second supply path D2 under the suction pressure of the exhaust fan 3, and the heat radiating part of the regeneration heater 8 After being heated (preheated) by heat transfer contact with, it flows or passes through the upper half honeycomb flow path of the desiccant rotor 2. The desiccant of the desiccant rotor 2 comes into contact with the relatively high temperature and low humidity outside air OA to release moisture, and the outside air OA whose humidity has risen and whose temperature has dropped is exhaust system flow under the discharge pressure of the exhaust fan 3 as exhaust EA. It is sent to the road and exhausted to the outside of the system (outdoor environment, etc.).

Therefore, the humidity control device 1 operates in the return air circulation mode in which the return air RA is dehumidified and recirculated to the indoor space RM at the second position of the flow path switching device 10 and the outside air OA is used as the regeneration air. Will be done. The outside air OA is preheated by the regeneration heater 8 and then exhausted via the desiccant rotor 2. The desiccant of the desiccant rotor 2 comes into contact with the heated outside air OA to be desorbed (dehumidified) and regenerated. To.

Normally, a cooling / hot water coil that adjusts the supply air temperature (indoor blowout temperature), a cooling coil that processes an indoor load, or a cooling device such as a fan coil unit or a cooling facility is used to supply air to the air supply flow path 6. It is arranged in the air supply system of SA or in the indoor space RM. If desired, an auxiliary pressurizing means, such as an air transport booster fan, is placed in place in the air circulation system or air transport system. Such temperature control means, cooling equipment, and auxiliary pressurizing means are not shown in each figure. Further, the humidity control device 1 is configured not only to be able to perform the dehumidifying operation in the summer described above, but also to be able to perform the humidifying operation in the winter by providing a heater and / or a humidifier for the winter operation. However, equipment or equipment such as a humidifier for humidifying operation is also omitted in each figure.

1 (C), 1 (D), 2 (C), and 2 (D) show a modified example of the flow path switching device 10. According to the combination of the three-way valves 11 and 12 shown in FIGS. 1 (C), 1 (D), 2 (C) and 2 (D), or the combination of the on-off valves 11 to 14, FIG. 1 (C) ) And at the positions of the valves shown in FIG. 1 (D), a flow path having substantially the same shape as the flow path (FIG. 1 (A)) formed at the first position of the flow path switching device 10 is formed. , At the positions of the valves shown in FIGS. 2 (C) and 2 (D), substantially the same form as the flow path (FIG. 2 (A)) formed at the second position of the flow path switching device 10. A flow path is formed. Each flow path indicated by a solid arrow in FIGS. 1 (C), 1 (D), 2 (C), and 2 (D) is a flow path in which outside air OA or return air RA flows. Yes, each flow path indicated by a broken line arrow in each figure is a flow path in a state where the flow of outside air OA or return air RA is blocked.

Next, the control system of the flow path switching device 10 will be described.

The flow path switching device 10 includes an adjusting unit or a driving unit 10a (hereinafter, referred to as “driving unit 10a”) for selectively switching the valve body to the first or second position. The drive unit 10a includes an electric or fluid actuated actuator, a motor, and the like that rotate or move the valve body. The drive unit 10a is connected to the control unit C / U of the humidity control device 1 via the control signal line L1. The control unit C / U is connected to an indoor environment detector CS such as _{a CO 2 sensor via a control signal line L2.} The detector CS is arranged in the indoor space RM, detects the carbon dioxide concentration of the indoor space RM, and also detects the temperature and humidity of the indoor space RM. If desired, the detector CS may be placed in the return airway RD. The control unit C / U is connected to the central monitoring system of the building or the central monitoring device BAS (not shown) via the control signal line L3. The control unit C / U is further connected to the outside air sensor OS via the control signal line L4. The outside air sensor OS detects the temperature and humidity of the outdoor space.

The humidity control device 1 dehumidifies a predetermined amount of outside air OA required for maintaining the air quality of the indoor space RM by the desiccant rotor 2 and supplies it to the indoor space RM as an air supply SA. The outside air OA is for diluting the air in the indoor space RM with fresh outside air and maintaining the air quality in a good state, except in the case of outside air cooling. Generally, the supply amount of outside air OA is determined from the viewpoint of maintaining the air quality of the indoor space RM in an acceptable state in terms of living environment or work environment. For example, the minimum supply amount of outside air OA is the indoor space. It is set to the required ventilation volume to maintain the carbon dioxide concentration of RM below the permissible concentration (1000ppm). The required ventilation volume varies depending on the volume of the indoor space RM and the number of people in the room, but usually, the number of people in the room is set according to the architectural design based on the area and usage of the room, and it corresponds to the number of people in the room. The required ventilation volume is set.

On the other hand, in office buildings, public facilities, school buildings, etc., the time zone in the early morning, the time zone immediately before the start of work, the time zone when the air conditioning system is started or warmed up, or the time zone when the number of people in the room decreases significantly. There are times when the required ventilation volume of fresh outside air is not required, and under such conditions, the indoor supply of the required ventilation volume of outside air OA is excessive in terms of maintaining indoor air quality, and therefore By reducing such an excessive amount of outside air supply, it is possible to reduce the load on the outside air of the air conditioning system.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart schematically showing a control mode of the flow path switching device 10 by the control unit C / U. The control unit C / U executes the control thread or process schematically shown by the flowchart of FIG. 3 at predetermined time intervals. Hereinafter, the control mode of the control unit C / U will be described.

The control unit C / U is referred to as a time zone for starting or warming up the air conditioning system, a time zone during which the number of people in the room decreases, that is, a time zone during which the ventilation volume can be reduced (hereinafter referred to as "ventilation volume reduction possible time"). ) Is acquired from the central monitoring system BAS (S1). The control unit C / U also receives a detection signal of the indoor environment detector CS indicating the carbon dioxide concentration of the indoor space RM, and detects the carbon dioxide concentration of the indoor space RM (S1). The control unit C / U further receives a detection signal of the outside air sensor OS indicating the outside air temperature and the outside air humidity, and detects the temperature and humidity of the outside atmosphere (S1).

In the control unit C / U, when the carbon dioxide concentration in the indoor space RM is equal to or less than a predetermined value (threshold) α and corresponds to the ventilation reduction possible time (S2, S3), or when the carbon dioxide concentration in the indoor space RM is When the state in which the value drops below the predetermined value (threshold) β (β <α) continues for a predetermined time or longer (S4), it is determined that the number of people in the indoor space RM is extremely small, and the flow path switching device 10 is used. Switch to the second position (S7). The control unit C / U also has a carbon dioxide concentration of the indoor space RM of a predetermined value α or less (S2), and the detection result of the outside air sensor OS is an extreme change in external weather conditions (excessive humidity rise or temperature rise, etc.). (S5), the flow path switching device 10 is switched to the second position in order to avoid a sudden increase in the outside air load, deterioration of the indoor environment, and the like (S7). The predetermined value β is set to a value smaller than the predetermined value α. For example, the predetermined value α is set to a carbon dioxide concentration (for example, 900PPM) of about 90% of the design reference value (1000PPM) and is set to a predetermined value. β is set to a carbon dioxide concentration (for example, 600PPM) of about 60% of the design reference value (1000PPM).

On the other hand, when the carbon dioxide concentration in the indoor space RM exceeds the predetermined value α (S2), the control unit C / U holds the flow path switching device 10 in the first position, or holds the flow path switching device 10 in the second position. The position is forcibly switched from the position to the first position (S6, S8, S9).

Thus, the humidity control device 1 is always operated in the outside air introduction form during the summer cooling period, and supplies the required amount of fresh outside air to the indoor space RM. When the carbon dioxide concentration in the space RM decreases, or when the humidity in the external environment rises excessively, the air is operated in a transient return air circulation mode, so that the outside air load of the air conditioning system can be reduced. Further, when the carbon dioxide concentration in the indoor space RM shows a high value, the flow path switching device 10 is held in the first position or is forcibly switched from the second position to the first position, so that the return air circulation Deterioration of the indoor environment due to operation can be reliably prevented. If desired, a switching signal for the outside air introduction operation and the return air circulation operation (for example, an outside air cut signal) is input to the control unit C / U from the central monitoring system BAS, and the outside air introduction operation and the return air circulation operation are arbitrarily switched. It is also possible to design the control system of the humidity control device 1 so that the switching operation between the outside air introduction operation and the return air circulation operation can be manually or remotely controlled by the central monitoring system BAS. ..

4 and 5 are system configuration diagrams conceptually showing the configuration of a desiccant type humidity control device including the configuration of the present invention as another reference example. FIG. 4 shows the state of the desiccant type humidity control device during the outside air introduction operation, and FIG. 5 shows the state of the desiccant type humidity control device during the return air circulation operation. In each figure, the same reference numerals are given to the components or components that are substantially the same as or equivalent to the components or components shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The humidity control device 1 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 has a configuration in which the rotary sensible heat exchanger 9 is further arranged on the downstream side of the air supply of the desiccant rotor 2 in the humidity control device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Have. The sensible heat exchanger 9 is arranged so as to straddle the air supply flow path 6 and the exhaust flow path 7. The sensible heat exchanger 9 has a sensible heat exchange rotor having a honeycomb structure and a rotation drive device for rotating the sensible heat exchange rotor as a whole, and like the desiccant rotor 2, the rotation is oriented parallel to the flow path direction. It rotates continuously or intermittently around the central axis XX. The sensible heat exchanger 9 exchanges sensible heat between the outside air OA and the return air RA in the outside air introduction operation shown in FIG. 4, and recovers the exhaust heat. On the other hand, the sensible heat exchanger 9 includes a bypass flow path 17 interposed with an on-off valve 17a, and in the return air circulation operation shown in FIG. 5, the on-off valve 17a is opened to supply the air supply SA of the air supply flow path 6. Bypass to the air flow SD. Therefore, in the return air circulation operation, the sensible heat exchange action of the sensible heat exchanger 9 does not function effectively, and the cold heat (sensible heat) possessed by the return air RA is lost due to the sensible heat exchange with the outside air OA. Can be prevented. As a modification, the bypass flow path 17 and the on-off valve 17a are not provided, and the return air RA is circulated or passed through the sensible heat exchanger 9 even in the return air circulation operation, while the rotation of the sensible heat exchanger 9 during the return air circulation operation. The control system may be provided with a control means for substantially disabling the sensible heat exchange action of the sensible heat exchanger 9.

In the outside air introduction operation of the humidity control device 1 shown in FIG. 4, the outside air OA under atmospheric conditions is attracted to the air supply fan 4 via the outside air introduction path OD and the first supply path D1, and the air supply of the air supply fan 4 is performed. It is sent to the air supply flow path 6 under pressure, flows or passes through the lower half honeycomb flow path of the desiccant rotor 2 to dehumidify, and flows or passes through the lower half honeycomb flow path of the sensible heat exchanger 9 to return air. After sensible heat exchange with RA, it is sent to the air supply flow path SD and supplied to the indoor space RM as air supply SA. On the other hand, the air in the indoor space RM is led out to the second supply passage D2 as the return air RA, and is supplied by flowing or passing through the upper half honeycomb flow path of the sensible heat exchanger 9 under the suction pressure of the exhaust fan 3. The heat is exchanged with the air SA, and the heat is transferred to the heating part of the regeneration heater 8 to be heated (preheated). After that, the desiccant rotor 2 flows or passes through the upper half honeycomb flow path of the desiccant rotor 2. Is regenerated and exhausted from the exhaust flow path 7 to the outside of the system (outdoor environment, etc.) as exhaust EA.

On the other hand, in the return air circulation operation of the humidity control device 1 shown in FIG. 5, the return air RA of the indoor space RM is derived from the indoor space RM under the suction pressure of the air supply fan 4, and the indoor air outlet path RD And, it is attracted to the air supply fan 4 through the first supply passage D1, is sent to the air supply flow path 6 under the air supply pressure of the air supply fan 4, and flows or passes through the lower half honeycomb flow path of the desiccant rotor 2. After being dehumidified, the air is sent to the air supply flow path SD via the bypass flow path 17, and is recirculated to the indoor space RM as the air supply SA. On the other hand, the outside air OA under atmospheric conditions flows or passes through the sensible heat exchanger 9 under the suction pressure of the exhaust fan 3, flows or passes through the heater 8 and is heated (preheated), and then on the desiccant rotor 2. The desiccant rotor 2 is regenerated by flowing or passing through the half honeycomb flow path, and is exhausted from the exhaust flow path 7 to the outside of the system (outdoor environment, etc.) as exhaust EA. As described above, instead of the return air bypass action by the bypass flow path 17, the rotation of the sensible heat exchanger 9 is stopped in the return air circulation operation, whereby the sensible heat exchange action of the sensible heat exchanger 9 is returned. It may be set so as not to function effectively for air circulation operation.

Similar to the reference example described above, also in the humidity control device 1 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the humidity control device 1 is constantly operated in the outside air introduction mode during the summer cooling period, and the required amount of fresh outside air is supplied to the indoor space RM. However, it is operated in the return air circulation mode when the ventilation volume can be reduced during warm-up operation, when the carbon dioxide concentration in the indoor space RM decreases, or when the humidity of the external environment rises excessively. Therefore, the load on the outside air of the air conditioning system can be reduced. Further, when the carbon dioxide concentration in the indoor space RM shows a high value, the flow path switching device 10 is held in the first position or is forcibly switched from the second position to the first position, so that the return air circulation Deterioration of the indoor environment due to operation can be reliably prevented. The configuration of the humidity control device 1 of this example is substantially the same as the configuration of the humidity control device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 except that the sensible heat exchanger 9 and the bypass flow path 17 are provided. , A more detailed description of the humidity control device 1 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 will be omitted.

6 and 7 are system configuration diagrams conceptually showing the configuration of the desiccant type humidity control device according to the modified example of the reference example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 as another reference example. FIG. 6 shows the state of the desiccant type humidity control device during the outside air introduction operation, and FIG. 7 shows the state of the desiccant type humidity control device during the return air circulation operation. In each figure, the same reference numerals are given to the components or components that are substantially the same as or equivalent to the components or components of each reference example described above.

In the humidity control device 1 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the humidity control device 1 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 uses a rotary total heat exchanger 90 to supply air to the desiccant rotor 2 instead of the visible heat exchanger 9. It has a configuration arranged on the upstream side. The total heat exchanger 90 has a honeycomb core having hygroscopicity and a rotation driving device that rotates the honeycomb core as a whole, and rotates continuously or intermittently about the rotation center axis XX. The total heat exchanger 90 exchanges total heat between the outside air OA and the return air RA in the outside air introduction operation shown in FIG. 6, and recovers the exhaust heat. On the other hand, the total heat exchanger 90 includes a bypass flow path 17 interposed with an on-off valve 17a, opens the on-off valve 17a in the return air circulation operation shown in FIG. 7, and the return air RA bypasses the total heat exchanger 90. The bypass flow path 17 is opened so as to do so. Therefore, in the return air circulation operation, the total heat exchange action of the total heat exchanger 90 does not function effectively, and the cold heat (sensible heat and latent heat) possessed by the return air RA is lost due to heat exchange with the outside air OA. Can be prevented. The configuration and function of the humidity control device 1 of this example except that the total heat exchanger 90 and the bypass flow path 17 are provided are substantially the same as the configuration and function of the humidity control device 1 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. It is the same.

In the outside air introduction operation of the humidity control device 1 shown in FIG. 6, the outside air OA under atmospheric conditions is attracted to the air supply fan 4 via the outside air introduction path OD and the first supply path D1, and is under the total heat exchanger 90. It circulates or passes through the half honeycomb flow path to exchange total heat with the return air RA, flows or passes through the lower half honeycomb flow path of the desiccant rotor 2 to dehumidify, and then the air supply pressure of the air supply fan 4. It is sent downward from the air supply flow path 6 to the air supply flow path SD, and is supplied to the indoor space RM as the air supply SA. On the other hand, the air in the indoor space RM is led out to the indoor air outlet path RD as a return air RA under the suction pressure of the exhaust fan 3, and is introduced into the exhaust flow path 7 of the humidity control device 1 via the second supply path D2. Then, it flows or passes through the upper half honeycomb flow path of the total heat exchanger 90 to exchange total heat with the outside air OA, and is heated (preheated) by heat transfer contact with the heating part of the regeneration heater 8. , The desiccant rotor 2 is regenerated by flowing or passing through the upper half honeycomb flow path of the desiccant rotor 2, and is exhausted from the exhaust flow path 7 to the outside of the system (outdoor environment or the like) as exhaust EA.

In the return air circulation operation of the humidity control device 1 shown in FIG. 7, the return air RA of the indoor space RM is led out from the indoor space RM under the suction pressure of the air supply fan 4, and the indoor air lead-out path RD and the first supply are fed. It is introduced into the air supply flow path 6 on the upstream side of the desiccant rotor 2 via the path D1 and the bypass flow path 17, flows through or passes through the lower half honeycomb flow path of the desiccant rotor 2, is dehumidified, and then is used as the air supply SA. It recirculates in the indoor space RM. On the other hand, the outside air OA under atmospheric conditions flows or passes through the total heat exchanger 90 under the suction pressure of the exhaust fan 3, flows or passes through the heater 8 and is heated (preheated), and then on the desiccant rotor 2. The desiccant rotor 2 is regenerated by flowing or passing through the half honeycomb flow path, and is exhausted from the exhaust flow path 7 to the outside of the system (outdoor environment, etc.) as exhaust EA.

As in the above-mentioned reference example , the control system is provided with a control means for stopping the rotation of the total heat exchanger 90 during the return air circulation operation instead of the bypass flow path 17 and the on-off valve 17a, thereby circulating the return air. It is also possible to stop the rotation of the total heat exchanger 90 during operation so that the total heat exchange action of the total heat exchanger 90 does not function effectively during the return air circulation operation.

Thus, in the humidity control device 1 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, similarly to the above-mentioned reference examples , the humidity control device 1 is constantly operated in the outside air introduction form during the summer cooling period to obtain the required amount of fresh outside air. It is supplied to the indoor space RM, but in the return air circulation mode when the ventilation volume can be reduced during warm-up operation, when the carbon dioxide concentration in the indoor space RM decreases, or when the humidity of the external environment rises excessively. Since it is operated, the load on the outside air of the air conditioning system can be reduced. Further, when the carbon dioxide concentration in the indoor space RM shows a high value, the flow path switching device 10 is held in the first position or is forcibly switched from the second position to the first position, so that the return air circulation Deterioration of the indoor environment due to operation can be reliably prevented.

8 and 9 are system configuration diagrams showing the configuration of the desiccant type humidity control device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 shows the state of the desiccant type humidity control device during the outside air introduction operation, and FIG. 9 shows the state of the desiccant type humidity control device during the return air circulation operation.

In the humidity control device 1 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the humidity control device 1 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is a total heat exchanger in which the exhaust flow of the exhaust flow path 7 and the supply air flow of the air supply flow path 6 are countercurrents. It has a flow path configuration for passing through the 90 and the desiccant rotor 2, and the exhaust flow path 7 is divided by a vertical partition wall 5a. The humidity control device 1 is also a heat exchanger for heating / cooling the filter units 31 and 32 arranged at the inflow ends of the air supply flow path 6 and the exhaust flow path 7, and the cold / hot water coils arranged in the air supply flow path 6. It has 41, 42, a regenerating heater 8 such as a hot water coil arranged in the exhaust flow path 7, and a humidifier 43 arranged in the air supply flow path 6. The heat exchangers 41 and 42 are arranged on the upstream side and the downstream side of the desiccant unit 20 in the air supply flow path 6, respectively, and the regeneration heater 8 is arranged on the upstream side of the desiccant unit 20 in the return air flow path 7 to humidify. The vessel 43 is arranged between the heat exchanger 42 and the air supply fan 4 in the air supply flow path 6.

The flow path configurations of the outside airflow and the return airflow formed in the outside air introduction operation and the return air circulation operation of the humidity control device 1 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and the functions or actions of the regeneration heater 8 are shown in FIGS. Since it is substantially the same as the flow path configuration of the outside airflow and the return airflow in the humidity control device shown in No. 7 and the function or operation of the regeneration heater 8, the overlapping description will be omitted. Further, the actions and functions of the heat exchangers 41 and 42 and the humidifier 43 can be easily described by the return air and the change in the state of the outside air shown in the psychrometric charts (FIGS. 13 to 16) described in the embodiment described later. As can be understood, the functions and operations of these devices will be described later.

10, 11, and 12 are a system flow diagram and a partial perspective view conceptually showing a basic configuration of a desiccant type humidity control device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 shows a mode of outside air introduction operation of the desiccant type humidity control device, and FIG. 11 shows a mode of return air circulation operation of the desiccant type humidity control device. Further, FIG. 12 (A) shows the overall configuration of the desiccant type humidity control device in a state during the outside air introduction operation, and FIG. 12 (B) shows the structure of the total heat exchanger. C) and FIG. 12 (D) show the operation mode of the alternating switchable desiccant block. Further, FIG. 13 is an air diagram showing the operation of the desiccant type humidity control device in the outside air introduction form, and FIG. 14 is an air diagram showing the operation of the desiccant type humidity control device in the return air circulation form. In addition, in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the state change of the intake outside air is shown by a solid line, and the state change of the return air is shown by a broken line. The numerical values shown at points A to E and a to d in FIGS. 13 and 14 are temperature (° C.) / absolute humidity (g / kg (DA)). Further, in each figure, the same reference numerals are given to the components or components that are substantially the same as or equivalent to the components or components shown in FIGS. 1 to 9.

The basic configuration of the humidity control device 1 according to the present embodiment is substantially the same as the configuration of the desiccant type humidity control device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-40506 (Patent Document 5) according to the patent application of the applicant and others. The humidity control device 1 is the same, and the humidity control device 1 is a static total heat exchanger 90 inclined at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the flow path direction (central axis XX direction) of the humidity control device 1, and a pair of left and right having a honeycomb structure. It has a desiccant unit 20 provided with the desiccant blocks 21 and 22 of the above. Each of the desiccant blocks 21 and 22 has a large number of honeycomb flow paths that allow the air flow to flow or pass in a direction inclined by an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the flow path direction of the humidity control device 1.

The humidity control device 1 also includes filter units 31 and 32 arranged at the inflow end of the humidity control device 1, an air supply fan 4 and an exhaust fan 3 arranged in the air supply flow path 6 and the exhaust flow path 7, respectively, and cooling temperature. It has heat exchangers 41 and 42 for heating and cooling water coils and the like, a heater 8 for regeneration such as a hot water coil, and a humidifier 43 arranged in an air supply flow path 6. The heat exchangers 41 and 42 are arranged on the upstream side and the downstream side of the desiccant unit 20 in the air supply flow path 6, respectively, and the regeneration heater 8 is arranged on the upstream side of the desiccant unit 20 in the return air flow path 7 to humidify. The vessel 43 is arranged between the heat exchanger 42 and the air supply fan 4 in the air supply flow path 6.

The humidity control device 1 further has a bypass flow path 18 of the total heat exchanger 90, and the bypass flow path 18 has an on-off valve 19. The bypass flow path 18 allows the portions of the air supply flow paths 6 before and after the total heat exchanger 90 to communicate with each other when the on-off valve 19 is opened. The on-off valve 19 is held in the closed position in the outside air introduction operation and opened in the return air circulation operation.

The humidity control device 1 has a flow path switching device 10 having a four-way valve structure, as in the above-described reference examples and embodiments. Each port of the flow path switching device 10 is connected to the outside air introduction path OD, the first supply path D1, the indoor air lead-out path RD, and the second supply path D2, respectively. In FIGS. 10 and 11, the flow path of the return air RA is indicated by a broken line arrow, and the outside air OA is indicated by a solid line arrow. The control system of the flow path switching device 10 has substantially the same configuration as the above-mentioned reference examples and embodiments.

The humidity control device 1 is always operated in the outside air introduction mode shown in FIGS. 10, 12 and 13 during the summer cooling period, and supplies a required amount of fresh outside air to the indoor space RM. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the humidity control device 1 during the outside air introduction operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 10, 12, and 13.

The total heat exchanger 90 is a orthogonal flow type static total heat exchanger formed by a partition plate and a spacing plate of specially processed paper, and a large number of flow paths 91 through which the return air RA and the outside air OA each flow or pass. , 92 (FIG. 12 (B)). The return air RA and the outside air OA exchange total heat in the total heat exchanger 90. During summer cooling, the cold heat (latent heat and sensible heat) possessed by the return air RA is recovered as exhaust heat by the outside air OA, and the temperature of the outside air OA drops and the humidity decreases. This state change is shown as a state change A → B and a → b in the psychrometric chart of FIG.

The air supply flow path 6 and the exhaust flow path 7 are partitioned by the horizontal partition wall 5 as in the above-described embodiment, but since the total heat exchanger 90 is inclined at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the flow path direction, all of them are The vertical positions of the air supply flow path 6 and the exhaust flow path 7 are reversed on the downstream side of the heat exchanger 90. The outside air OA that has passed through or passed through the total heat exchanger 90 is cooled by the heat exchanger 41 arranged under the partition wall 5, and then dehumidified by passing through or passing through the desiccant unit 20. This state change is shown as a state change B → C → D in the psychrometric chart of FIG. On the other hand, the return air RA that has passed through or passed through the total heat exchanger 90 is heated (preheated) by the heater 8 arranged above the partition wall 5, and then flows or passes through the desiccant unit 20 to pass through the desiccant unit 20. Regenerate the desiccant. This state change is shown as a state change b → c → d in the psychrometric chart of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 12, the desiccant unit 20 has a drive shaft 25 that rotates about a central axis YY orthogonal to the flow path direction, and the drive shaft 25 operates on a drive mechanism (not shown). Is connected to. The desiccant unit 20 has a pair of left and right alternating switchable desiccant blocks 21 and 22, and each desiccant block rotates in accordance with the rotation of the drive shaft 25 as shown by an arrow.

Each of the desiccant blocks 21 and 22 has a honeycomb structure like the desiccant rotor, and includes a honeycomb core carrying a desiccant and a large number of narrow flow paths (honeycomb flow paths) defined by the honeycomb core. The desiccant blocks 21 and 22 are oriented so as to have a phase difference of 90 degrees around the central axis YY. As shown in FIG. 12 (C), the return air RA flows into the honeycomb flow path of the desiccant block 21, and the outside air OA flows into the honeycomb flow path of the desiccant block 22. , The return air RA flows into the honeycomb flow path of the desiccant block 22, and the second process in which the outside air OA flows into the honeycomb flow path of the desiccant block 21 is alternately executed at predetermined time intervals. Therefore, the function or action of the desiccant unit 20 that dehumidifies the outside air OA and regenerates it by the return air RD is substantially continuously continued or sustained.

Like the total heat exchanger 90, the desiccant unit 20 is inclined at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the flow path direction, and the vertical relationship between the air supply flow path 6 and the exhaust flow path 7 on the upstream side of the desiccant unit 20 is the desiccant unit. Invert on the downstream side of 20. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12A, the outside air OA that has flowed into the desiccant unit 20 from the lower side of the desiccant unit 20 is dehumidified by the desiccant unit 20 and then enters the portion of the air supply flow path 6 located above the partition wall 5. It flows out, is cooled by the heat exchanger 42, is supplied to the indoor space RM as air supply SA under the air supply pressure of the air supply fan 4, and is supplied to the indoor space RM from the air supply port (not shown) on the indoor wall surface or ceiling surface. Blow out to RM. This state change is shown as a state change C → D → E in the psychrometric chart of FIG. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12A, the return air RA that has flowed into the desiccant unit 20 from above the desiccant unit 20 is sucked into the exhaust fan 3 (FIG. 10) after regenerating the desiccants of the desiccant units 21 and 22. Then, it is exhausted to the outside of the system (outdoor space, etc.) under the exhaust supply pressure of the exhaust fan 3.

When the instantaneous cooling amount (total) of the heat exchangers 41 and 42 is calculated under the specific design conditions in summer with respect to the operating state of such an outside air introduction mode, 3.37 kW + 1. 65 kW = 5.02 kW.

When the condition capable of reducing the outside air load is satisfied as shown in FIG. 3 (S2 to S5) in the operation of the outside air introduction mode, the control unit C / U switches the humidity control device 1 to the return air circulation operation (S7). ). That is, in the control unit C / U, when the carbon dioxide concentration in the indoor space RM is equal to or less than a predetermined value α and corresponds to the ventilation volume reduction possible time (S2, S3), or when the carbon dioxide concentration in the indoor space RM is predetermined. When the state of decreasing to the value β or less continues for a predetermined time or more (S4), it is determined that the number of people in the indoor space RM has decreased, and the flow path switching device 10 is switched to the second position shown in FIG. .. The control unit C / U also has a carbon dioxide concentration in the indoor space RM of a predetermined value α or less, and the detection result of the outside air sensor OS indicates an extreme change in external weather conditions (excessive humidity rise, temperature rise, etc.). (S5), the flow path switching device 10 is switched to the second position in order to avoid a sudden increase in the outside air load and deterioration of the indoor environment (S7). The control unit C / U further opens the on-off valve 19 of the bypass flow path 18, and allows the portions of the air supply flow path 6 before and after the total heat exchanger 90 to communicate with each other by the bypass flow path 18.

In the operation mode in which the flow path switching device 10 is switched to the second position, that is, in the operation of the return air circulation mode, the outside air introduction path OD is connected to the second supply transmission path D2 and the indoor air lead path is connected as shown in FIG. The RD is connected to the first feed path D1. The return air RA of the indoor space RM is attracted to the air supply fan 4 via the indoor air lead-out path RD and the first supply path D1. The return air RA bypasses the total heat exchanger 90, is cooled by the heat exchanger 41, is dehumidified by the desiccant unit 20, and then further cooled by the heat exchanger 42, and then the feed fan 4 It is sent to the air supply flow path SD by, and is blown out to the indoor space RM from the air supply port (not shown) on the indoor wall surface or the ceiling surface. This state change is shown as a state change a → b → c → d in the psychrometric chart of FIG.

On the other hand, the outside air OA passes through the total heat exchanger 90, is heated or heated by the heater 8, and then flows or passes through the desiccant unit 20. Since the return air RA bypasses the total heat exchanger 90, the heat exchange action of the total heat exchanger 90 does not function effectively, so that the total heat exchanger 90 simply bypasses the exhaust flow path 7. It only functions as part of. After being heated or heated by the heater 8, the outside air OA circulates or passes through the desiccant unit 20 to regenerate the desiccant of the desiccant rotor 2, and then exhausts the desiccant to the outside of the system (outdoor environment, etc.) as exhaust EA. Will be done. This state change is shown as a state change A → B → C in the psychrometric chart of FIG.

When the instantaneous amount of heat for cooling (total) of the heat exchangers 41 and 42 is calculated under the same design conditions as the operation of the outside air introduction mode described above with respect to the operating state of the return air circulation mode, the heat exchangers 41 and 42 are cooled. The instantaneous heat quantity (total) for use is 2.44 kW + 0.63 kW = 3.07 kW as shown in the psychrometric chart of FIG. This value is about 60% of the value of the instantaneous heat quantity for cooling (5.02 kW) in the operation of the outside air introduction form described above, and therefore, the humidity control device 1 is changed from the operation of the outside air introduction form to the operation of the return air circulation form. By switching, it is possible to reduce thermal energy by about 40% under certain summer design conditions.

Thus, the humidity control device 1 according to the present embodiment is also always operated in the outside air introduction mode during the summer cooling period, and supplies the required amount of fresh outside air to the indoor space RM, but ventilates during the warm-up operation or the like. When the amount can be reduced, the carbon dioxide concentration in the indoor space RM decreases, or when the humidity of the external environment rises excessively, the system is operated in the return air circulation mode, so that the excess amount of outside air supplied to the indoor space RM can be reduced. It can be reduced and the load on the outside air of the air conditioning system can be reduced. Further, the flow path switching device 10 is held in the first position or forcibly switched to the first position when the carbon dioxide concentration in the indoor space RM shows a high value, which is caused by the return air circulation operation. It is possible to avoid deterioration of the indoor environment.

Next, the winter humidification operation of the humidity control device 1 will be described.

FIG. 15 is an air diagram showing the operation of the desiccant type humidity control device in the outside air introduction form, and FIG. 16 is an air diagram showing the operation of the desiccant type humidity control device in the return air circulation form. In FIGS. 15 and 16, the change of state of the outside air is shown by a solid line, and the change of state of the return air is shown by a broken line. The numerical values shown in points A to D and a to c in FIGS. 15 and 16 are temperature (° C.) / absolute humidity (g / kg (DA)).

The humidity control device 1 functions as a humidifying device during the winter heating period, and its operation mode is the same as that during the summer cooling period, and is always operated in the outside air introduction mode shown in FIG. 15 to provide a required amount of fresh outside air. Return air circulation shown in FIG. 16 when the ventilation volume can be reduced during warm-up operation by supplying to the indoor space RM, when the carbon dioxide concentration in the indoor space RM decreases, or when the external environment suddenly fluctuates. Driven in form. However, in the winter humidification operation of this example, the outside air and the return air merely pass through the desiccant unit 20, and the outside air OA is the total heat exchanger 90, the heat exchanger 42, and the heat exchanger 42 in the operation of the outside air introduction mode. After being heated and humidified by the humidifier 43, it is supplied to the indoor space RM. This state change is shown as a state change A → B → C → D and a → b in the psychrometric chart of FIG. On the other hand, the return air RA is supplied to the indoor space RM after being heated and humidified by the heat exchanger 42 and the humidifier 43 in the return air circulation operation. This state change is shown by the state change a → b → c in the psychrometric chart of FIG. As the humidifier 43, for example, a vaporization type humidifier can be preferably used.

The instantaneous heat quantity for heating of the heat exchanger 42 is calculated to be 2.96 kW under the specific design conditions in winter with respect to the operating state of the outside air introduction form, and the heat exchange under the same design conditions with respect to the operating state of the return air circulation form. The instantaneous heat quantity for heating of the vessel 42 is 0.7 kW. That is, it is possible to significantly reduce the required thermal energy by transiently switching the operation of the outside air introduction form to the operation of the return air circulation form in accordance with the above-mentioned operating conditions and the like.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications or modifications are made within the scope of the present invention described in the claims. It goes without saying that such modifications or modifications are also included within the scope of the present invention.

For example, the bypass flow path that bypasses the total heat exchanger may be configured to bypass the exhaust side flow path of the total heat exchanger, or the exhaust side flow path and the air supply side of the total heat exchanger. It may be configured to bypass both of the flow paths.

Further, in the above embodiment, the switching operation of the flow path switching device is controlled by the control unit of the desiccant type humidity control device, but the operation of the flow path switching device is remotely controlled or manually controlled by the central monitoring system or the central monitoring device. Alternatively, the flow path switching device may be configured to be manually operated by a manual operation switch or the like in the indoor space.

In addition, if neither the dehumidification request nor the humidification request is generated in the calculation result of the dehumidification control system, the operation of the flow path switching device may be stopped or prohibited, and further, if the indoor supply of fresh outside air is not required, the outside It is also possible to stop the operation of the desiccant type humidity control device as a machine or an outside air treatment device.

The present invention is applied to a desiccant type humidity control device and a control method thereof. In particular, the configuration of the present invention includes an outside air introduction operation in which the outside air to be fed to the indoor space is dehumidified by a desiccant and the desiccant is regenerated by the return air after preheating, and the return air is dehumidified by the desiccant and after preheating. It can be preferably applied to a desiccant type humidity control device and a control method thereof for selectively performing a return air circulation operation in which the desiccant is regenerated by the outside air. According to the present invention, the outside air introduction operation and the return air circulation operation are selectively executed in relation to the operation mode or operation time of the air conditioning system, the air quality of the indoor space, etc., and the outside air load of the desiccant type humidity control device is executed. The practical effect is remarkable because it can be reduced.

The present invention is further applied to an air conditioning system including such a desiccant type humidity control device and a control method thereof. According to the present invention, the operation mode or operation timing of the entire air conditioning system, the operation mode of the desiccant type humidity control device in relation to the air quality of the indoor space, etc. are changed, thereby reducing the outside air load of the entire air conditioning system. It becomes possible to do.

1 Desiccant type humidity control device 2 Desiccant rotor 3 Exhaust fan 4 Air supply fan 5 Partition 6 Air supply flow path 7 Exhaust flow path 8 Regeneration heater 9 Microheat exchanger 10 Flow path switching device 11, 12 Three-way valve (flow path switching) apparatus)
13 to 16 on-off valve (flow path switching device)
17, 18 Bypass flow path 17a, 19 On-off valve 20 Desiccant unit 21, 22 Alternate switching desiccant block 41, 42 Heat exchanger 43 Humidifier 90 Total heat exchanger C / U control unit CS Indoor environment detector OS Outside air sensor RM Indoor space BAS Central monitoring system or central monitoring device OD Outside air introduction path SD Supply air flow path RD Indoor air lead path D1 First supply path D2 Second supply path OA Outside air RA Return air SA Supply air EA Exhaust

Claims (9)

An air supply flow path for supplying the outside air taken in by the outside air introduction path to the indoor space, an exhaust flow path for exhausting the return air derived from the indoor space by the indoor air lead-out path, and an outside air of the air supply flow path. A desiccant rotor or desiccant unit provided with a desiccant that contacts and adsorbs moisture in the outside air and releases moisture to the return air of the exhaust flow path to regenerate, and for regeneration that preheats the return air that comes into contact with the desiccant. In a desiccant type humidity control device having a heater,
An outside air that is provided or interposed in the outside air introduction path and the indoor air outlet path, dehumidifies the outside air and supplies it to the indoor space, and regenerates the desiccant by the return air after preheating. In order to selectively switch between the introduction operation and the return air circulation operation in which the return air is dehumidified and supplied to the indoor space and the desiccant is regenerated by the outside air after preheating, the outside air is supplied to the air supply flow path. Selectively switch between a first position for introducing and introducing the return air into the exhaust flow path and a second position for introducing the return air into the air supply flow path and introducing the outside air into the exhaust flow path. Possible flow path switching device and
A total heat exchanger or sensible heat exchanger arranged on the upstream side of the desiccant rotor or desiccant unit in the air supply direction and exchanging total heat or sensible heat between the return air and the outside air.
The outside air is arranged in the air supply flow path between the total heat exchanger or the velvety heat exchanger and the desiccant rotor or the desiccant unit, and the outside air is cooled at the first position of the flow path switching device, and the flow path switching device is used. A cooler that cools the return air at the second position of
Rotation control of the bypass flow path or the total heat exchanger or the sensible heat exchanger for substantially disabling the heat exchange action of the total heat exchanger or the sensible heat exchanger at the second position of the flow path switching device. A desiccant type humidity control device characterized by having means. The flow path switching device includes a single four-way valve, at least two three-way valves, or at least four on-off valves, and a valve body that switches the valve body position of each valve under the control of a control system that controls the indoor environment. The flow path switching device includes a drive device, and the flow path switching device includes a flow path inside the valve device that selectively communicates the outside air introduction path with either the exhaust flow path or the air supply flow path, and the indoor air lead-out path. The desiccant type humidity control device according to claim 1, further comprising a flow path in the valve device that selectively communicates with either the exhaust flow path or the air supply flow path. The claim is characterized in that a heat exchanger for cooling the outside air or the return air dehumidified by the desiccant rotor or the desiccant unit is arranged in the air supply flow path on the downstream side in the air supply direction of the desiccant rotor or the desiccant unit. The desiccant type humidity control device according to 1 or 2. The regeneration heater is arranged in the exhaust flow path between the total heat exchanger or the sensible heat exchanger and the desiccant rotor or the desiccant unit in order to preheat the return air or the outside air, and the desiccant rotor or the desiccant The desiccant type humidity control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a humidifier for humidifying the outside air is arranged in the air supply flow path on the downstream side in the air supply direction of the unit. In order to determine the switching position of the flow path switching device, information on the operating state of the air conditioning system or the operating state of the building is acquired from the central monitoring system of the building, and the carbon dioxide concentration of the indoor air is acquired from the indoor environment detector. Alternatively, the desiccant type humidity control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a control device for acquiring information of an outside air detector indicating the temperature and / or humidity of the outside atmosphere. An air conditioning system having the desiccant type humidity control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
An air supply port that blows out the outside air that has been conditioned and conditioned by the humidity control device to the indoor space, an indoor environment detector that detects the carbon dioxide concentration in the indoor space, and an outside air that detects the temperature and / or humidity of the outside atmosphere. An air-conditioning system characterized by having a detector, individual air-conditioning equipment or individual air-conditioning equipment that regulates the temperature of indoor air, and a central monitoring system that controls the operation mode and operation time of the air-conditioning system. The method for controlling a desiccant type humidity control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
The center of the building is the time of warm-up operation when the air-conditioning is started up or when the air-conditioning system is started, the time when the number of people in the room is relatively small, or the time when a relatively small amount of fresh outside air should be supplied to the room. Judgment is made from the information of the monitoring system, the carbon dioxide concentration in the indoor space is judged from the information acquired from the indoor environment detector, or the introduction of outside air is blocked from the information of the outside air detector indicating the temperature and / or humidity of the outside atmosphere. Determine the operating conditions to be done and
A control method for a desiccant type humidity control device, which controls the position of the flow path switching device based on the determination result. 7. A seventh aspect of the present invention, wherein when the carbon dioxide concentration in the indoor space exceeds a predetermined value, the flow path switching device is held in the first position or forcibly switched from the second position to the first position. The control method described. A control method or operation method of an air conditioning system to which the control method according to claim 7 or 8 is applied.
The outside air introduction operation in which the temperature and humidity controlled outside air is supplied to the indoor space by the humidity control device and the temperature of the room air is adjusted by the individual air conditioner or the individual air conditioner, and the outside air introduction to the room is blocked and the room air is introduced. A control method or operation method of an air conditioning system, characterized in that a return air circulation operation in which a temperature is adjusted by an individual air conditioning facility or an individual air conditioning device is selectively executed in accordance with switching control of the flow path switching device.

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