WO1999061845A1 - Dispositif de traitement de l'air a l'interieur - Google Patents

Dispositif de traitement de l'air a l'interieur Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1999061845A1
WO1999061845A1 PCT/IB1999/000881 IB9900881W WO9961845A1 WO 1999061845 A1 WO1999061845 A1 WO 1999061845A1 IB 9900881 W IB9900881 W IB 9900881W WO 9961845 A1 WO9961845 A1 WO 9961845A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
air
filter
outlet
inlet
indoor
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB1999/000881
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Johannes Marra
Original Assignee
Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Philips Ab
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., Philips Ab filed Critical Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Publication of WO1999061845A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999061845A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F3/00—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems
    • F24F3/12—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling
    • F24F3/14—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by humidification; by dehumidification
    • F24F3/1411—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by humidification; by dehumidification by absorbing or adsorbing water, e.g. using an hygroscopic desiccant
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F3/00—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems
    • F24F3/12—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling
    • F24F3/14—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by humidification; by dehumidification
    • F24F2003/144—Air-conditioning systems in which conditioned primary air is supplied from one or more central stations to distributing units in the rooms or spaces where it may receive secondary treatment; Apparatus specially designed for such systems characterised by the treatment of the air otherwise than by heating and cooling by humidification; by dehumidification by dehumidification only
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F12/00—Use of energy recovery systems in air conditioning, ventilation or screening
    • F24F12/001—Use of energy recovery systems in air conditioning, ventilation or screening with heat-exchange between supplied and exhausted air
    • F24F2012/008—Use of energy recovery systems in air conditioning, ventilation or screening with heat-exchange between supplied and exhausted air cyclic routing supply and exhaust air
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B30/00—Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]
    • Y02B30/56—Heat recovery units

Definitions

  • This invention relates to indoor air treatment devices, particularly for air dehumidification.
  • dehumidification of indoor air is desirable when the relative humidity approaches or exceeds 70%. Maintaining the relative humidity below this level avoids indoor growth of micro-organisms and is desirable for human comfort.
  • air conditioning systems used in hot humid climates are designed to enable removal of large amounts of water from the air, whilst also providing air cooling.
  • This invention aims to provide a simplified air treatment device for reducing the relative humidity and the absolute humidity of air.
  • the invention is directed to a device which is particularly suited for air treatment of cold moist environments, and which provides air dehumidification without requiring the capability of cooling.
  • Moisture-absorbing filters are known which cause condensation of moisture from the air to be treated.
  • a known filter of this type comprises a filter material impregnated with a hygroscopic salt.
  • US 4,402,717 discloses apparatus for removing moisture from air and which comprises a corrugated paper structure which is coated with an absorbent. The air for treatment passes in one direction through a first portion of the filter, and heated regeneration air passes through a second portion of the filter in the opposite direction.
  • the filter is rotatable to enable continuous air dehumidification and filter regeneration.
  • the present invention aims to provide a simplified indoor air treatment device, and which, in particular, avoids the need for exchange of indoor air with outdoor air during air treatment.
  • an indoor air treatment device for air dehumidification comprising an air treatment section having a fan, a heating means and a filter impregnated with a hygroscopic salt arranged in series between an inlet and an outlet of the air treatment section, the device further comprising an indoor and an outdoor air intake, each coupled though an inlet selector valve to the inlet of the air treatment section, and an indoor and an outdoor air expulsion port, each coupled through an outlet selector valve to the outlet of the air treatment section.
  • the device of the invention has a simple construction and enables indoor air dehumidification without exchange of air between indoors and outdoors.
  • the device has two modes of operation: a first, dehumidification mode, in which the inlet selector valve couples the indoor air intake to the inlet, and the outlet selector valve couples the indoor air expulsion port to the outlet; and a second, regeneration mode in which the inlet selector valve couples the outdoor air intake to the inlet and the outlet selector valve couples the outdoor air expulsion port to the outlet, the heating means being activated to regenerate the impregnated filter during the second mode of operation. During regeneration, moisture is evaporated from the filter and released into the outdoor air.
  • the filter preferably comprises a corrugated hydrophillic cellulose paper (crepe paper) of high porosity.
  • the filter may be impregnated with hygroscopic salts such as magnesium chloride, lithium chloride, calcium chloride or mixtures of these.
  • the filter is preferably relatively thin along the direction of air flow, which avoids a high pressure drop across the filter in use of the device, giving rise to the possibility of using a low-power and low-noise fan.
  • the filter is preferably arranged such that air flows through the filter substantially vertically.
  • the performance of the filter remains reliable, despite any possible uneven distribution of the impregnated salt solution across the filter thickness caused by gravity.
  • Figure 1 shows an air treatment device according to the invention
  • Figure 2 shows an example of the equilibrium relationship between the air relative humidity at 22°C and the salt solution concentration within the paper walls of the filter.
  • the device of the invention uses a filter impregnated with a moisture absorbing hygroscopic substance.
  • This substance may comprise either a hygroscopic dry salt or a hygroscopic aqueous salt solution.
  • Moisture absorption which is caused by condensation of water vapour from the air, is accompanied by condensative air heating.
  • the device of the invention does not provide for air cooling, and consequently the air treatment device of the invention is particularly suited for air treatment in enclosed moist cold environments, rather than for general air treatment in warm humid climates.
  • the invention is particularly suited for garages, bathrooms, bedrooms and cellars, which may have temperatures below 20°C.
  • the condensative heating filter of the invention serves as an alternative to ventilation with outdoor air. It may be desirable to avoid this ventilation if the outdoor air itself is very moist, polluted or cold.
  • the air treatment device 2 of the invention shown in Figure 1 comprises an air treatment section 4 having an inlet 6 and an outlet 8. Between the inlet 6 and the outlet 8 there are arranged an air heater 10, a condensative filter 12 and a fan 14.
  • the air heater 10 comprises a conventional electric heater, and many possible designs will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
  • the condensative filter 12 comprises a corrugated paper structure which is impregnated with either hygroscopic dry salt crystals or with a water- absorbing salt solution, which is contained within the paper walls.
  • the filter may be impregnated with hygroscopic salts such as magnesium chloride, lithium chloride, calcium chloride or mixtures of these.
  • the salt solution remains contained within the paper walls by means of capillary forces.
  • the filter is preferably corrugated to give a paper wall volume of at least 35% of the total filter volume, to provide a large storage volume inside the filter for retaining the impregnated hygroscopic salt and the moisture absorbed into the salts.
  • the filter preferably comprises a corrugated hydrophillic cellulose paper (crepe paper) of high porosity.
  • filters made from other organic fibres or from inorganic fibres, such as glass, may be employed.
  • the volume of the filter may be approximately 4 litres, and in one possible example this is obtained with a filter face area of 0.08m 2 and a depth of 50mm.
  • the effective channel diameter produced by the corrugations amounts to approximately 1mm.
  • Figure 2 schematically shows the equilibrium relationship between the relative humidity of air (at a temperature of 22°C) passing through the filter and the concentration of the magnesium chloride salt solution within the filter.
  • a constant amount of salt is impregnated into the filter, which remains in place. This avoids the need for a salt solution reservoir and a pumping system, which have previously been proposed.
  • the amount of impregnated hygroscopic salt in the filter is chosen such that when the volume of the filter walls is saturated with salt solution, the relative humidity of air (at ambient temperature) in equilibrium with the filter remains below 60%.
  • the filter remains able to withdraw moisture from air at ambient relative humidity that exceeds 60% up to the moment of filter saturation with salt solution.
  • the filter may be impregnated with salt by spraying the filter with a concentrated hygroscopic salt solution, and subsequently drying the filter.
  • magnesium chloride (MgCI 2 .6H 2 0) salt may, for example, be introduced into the filter.
  • a concentration by weight of approximately 63% is obtained (880g of MgCI 2 .6H 2 0 salt and 520g of water giving rise to 1.1 Litres of solution at 22°C). From the graph of Figure 2, it is possible to determine that if the air is in equilibrium with the salt solution, then the relative humidity of the air will be 60%. A higher initial quantity of salt will give rise to a higher salt solution concentration at saturation, and a corresponding lower relative humidity of air in equilibrium with the impregnated filter.
  • the vertical height of the filter 12 is of the order of 50 mm, whereas the diameter is of the order of 300 mm when an airstream of about 300 m 3 /hour is to be treated effectively.
  • An inlet valve 16 is arranged at the inlet 6 of the air treatment section 4, and selectively couples the inlet 6 to an indoor air intake 20 or an outdoor air intake 22.
  • the barrier 24 shown in Figure 1 schematically illustrates the divide between indoors and outdoors.
  • An outlet valve 26 is provided at the outlet 8 of the air treatment section 4 and selectively couples the outlet 8 to an indoor air expulsion port 28 or an outdoor air expulsion port 30.
  • the air treatment device shown in Figure 1 has two modes of operation.
  • a first mode the indoor air is treated to reduce its relative and absolute humidity.
  • Optimum relative humidity for comfort is within the range 30% to 60%, so that the air treatment device is operated in the first mode once the indoor relative humidity reaches a selected maximum level, typically above 60% and below 70%.
  • This first mode of operation is represented in Figure 1 , in which the inlet valve 16 couples the inlet 6 of the air treatment section 4 to the indoor air intake, and the outlet valve 26 couples the outlet 8 to the indoor air expulsion port.
  • indoor air is circulated by the fan 14 through the filter 12, and the heater 10 is turned off. Moisture is absorbed by the salt in the filter which then effectively becomes a hygroscopic salt solution.
  • the filter 12 is regenerated using outdoor air.
  • the inlet valve 16 couples the outdoor air intake to the inlet 6, and the outlet valve 26 couples the outlet 8 to the outdoor air expulsion port.
  • the fan 14 then circulates outdoor air through the air treatment section 4.
  • the outdoor air is heated by the heater 10 so that the heated air causes evaporation of the water held by the hygroscopic salts within the filter 12.
  • the regeneration efficiency may be improved by reducing the air flow through the filter, for example to half the air flow rate through the filter during dehumidification. This can be achieved by controlling the fan speed.
  • a first measurement unit 40 is provided at the indoor air intake 20 for measuring the temperature and relative humidity of the indoor air.
  • a second measurement unit 42 is provided at the outlet 8 of the air treatment section 4, for measuring the temperature and relative humidity of the air exitting the treatment section 4.
  • the dehumidifying (condensative heating) mode is initiated when the indoor relative humidity has reached an upper level of typically 60% to 70%.
  • the dehumidification can continue until the relative humidity has been reduced to a lower acceptable level (preferably somewhere within the range 30 to 50%), or until the filter salts require regeneration, whichever occurs first.
  • the device may also have idle periods, if the humidity rises from the lower level to the upper level more slowly than the time required to regenerate fully the filter.
  • Filter regeneration is necessary when the filter approaches saturation, namely when the amount of salt solution in the filter (comprising the dry salt and the absorbed moisture) approaches the critical volume at which the entire volume of the paper walls in the filter is filled with salt solution.
  • the initial amount of dry salt impregnated in the filter must be known.
  • the paper wall volume of the filter is also known, it is possible to calculate the salt concentration corresponding to saturation of the filter. Filter regeneration is required at or slightly before this saturation.
  • a (near) equilibrium between the exitting air and the salt solution can be attained, and a unique relationship then exists between the salt solution concentration inside the filter and the relative humidity and temperature of the exitting air. At this equilibrium, the temperature and water activity of the salt solution in the paper walls near the filter exit equals the temperature of and the water activity in the air exitting the filter.
  • the point of filter saturation will be attained when a salt concentration in the filter walls exists that equals the ratio of the total amount of dry salt to the total paper wall volume.
  • the salt solution concentration inside the filter can be followed over time from a measurement of the temperature and the relative humidity during the dehumidifying mode at the second measurement unit 42, downstream of the filter, for example using look-up tables.
  • the salt solution concentration is tabulated as a function of the temperature and the relative humidity of air that has come to equilibrium with the salt solution.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Drying Of Gases (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif de traitement de l'air à l'intérieur qui permet de déshumidifier l'air. Le dispositif comprend une section de traitement de l'air munie d'un ventilateur, d'un moyen de chauffage et d'un filtre imprégné d'un sel hygroscopique disposés en série entre une entrée et une sortie de la section de traitement de l'air. Le dispositif comprend aussi une prise d'air intérieure et une prise d'air extérieure couplées chacune à l'entrée de la section de traitement de l'air par une soupape sélectrice d'entrée. Le dispositif comprend en outre des orifices intérieur et extérieur d'évacuation de l'air couplés chacun à la sortie de la section de traitement de l'air par une soupape sélectrice de sortie. Le dispositif de l'invention présente une construction simple et permet de déshumidifier l'air sans échange d'air entre l'intérieur et l'extérieur.
PCT/IB1999/000881 1998-05-28 1999-05-14 Dispositif de traitement de l'air a l'interieur WO1999061845A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP98304200 1998-05-28
EP98304200.3 1998-05-28

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1999061845A1 true WO1999061845A1 (fr) 1999-12-02

Family

ID=8234852

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB1999/000881 WO1999061845A1 (fr) 1998-05-28 1999-05-14 Dispositif de traitement de l'air a l'interieur

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO1999061845A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1344992A3 (fr) * 2002-03-15 2009-07-01 Bel-Art Products, Inc. Dispositif et procédé pour régulation de l'humidité
GB2465417A (en) * 2008-11-19 2010-05-26 Cambridge Res And Dev Ltd Apparatus and method for supplying potable water by extracting water from air
EP2664865A3 (fr) * 2012-05-16 2014-06-04 LTG Aktiengesellschaft Appareil d'aération pour l'aération et la purge d'air et procédé d'aération et de purge d'air

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5230466A (en) * 1991-03-05 1993-07-27 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Humidity control apparatus
GB2272845A (en) * 1992-11-30 1994-06-01 Erling Berner Air dehumidification apparatus

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5230466A (en) * 1991-03-05 1993-07-27 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Humidity control apparatus
GB2272845A (en) * 1992-11-30 1994-06-01 Erling Berner Air dehumidification apparatus

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1344992A3 (fr) * 2002-03-15 2009-07-01 Bel-Art Products, Inc. Dispositif et procédé pour régulation de l'humidité
GB2465417A (en) * 2008-11-19 2010-05-26 Cambridge Res And Dev Ltd Apparatus and method for supplying potable water by extracting water from air
EP2664865A3 (fr) * 2012-05-16 2014-06-04 LTG Aktiengesellschaft Appareil d'aération pour l'aération et la purge d'air et procédé d'aération et de purge d'air

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