WO2015162344A1

WO2015162344A1 - Means for liquid/gas, particularly water/air, heat exchange and system for producing water from moisture in the air including such means

Info

Publication number: WO2015162344A1
Application number: PCT/FR2015/000085
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dominique Deguitre; Joanes Deguitre; Michael H. Montgomery
Original assignee: Dominique Deguitre; DEGUITRE Joanes; Montgomery Michael H
Priority date: 2014-04-23
Filing date: 2015-04-23
Publication date: 2015-10-29
Also published as: FR3020453A1

Abstract

The invention relates to means (4) for water/air heat exchange, suitable for receiving a cold water current flowing inside the walls of said means, the outer surfaces of which are in contact with said air flow. Said means include at least one module (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) consisting of two metal plates (26, 27) maintained a small distance from one another and sealingly connected to one another, the cold water flowing inside each module between the two plates (26, 27), and the air flowing outside the plates (26, 27).

Description

Means for liquid / gas heat exchange, in particular water / air, and system for producing water from air moisture comprising such means The present invention relates to liquid / gas heat exchange means, in particular water / air, adapted to equip in particular a system for producing liquid water from the humidity of the air by condensation of a part of the water vapor contained in a flow of air passing along the walls cooled.

The present invention furthermore relates to a system for producing liquid water from the humidity of the air by condensing a portion of the water vapor contained in an air flow passing along cooled walls, this system comprising such water / air heat exchange means.

Numerous means of liquid / gas heat exchange, in particular water / air, and many liquid water production systems of the foregoing types are known. The cooled walls of such a system must obviously be maintained at a temperature less than or equal to that of the dew point corresponding to the pressure and the temperature of the air around the system.

It is known from WO96 / 03347, a system of the above type comprising a device for producing cold water and means for circulating said cold water inside water / air heat exchange means having walls whose outer faces are in contact with a flow of air. The heat exchange means water / air are constituted by a coil inside which circulates the cold water and around which circulates the flow of air. The cold water production device described in this document comprises a known conventional refrigerant group using a refrigerant fluid and comprising a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator immersed in a cold water tank. This cold water is pumped and circulates through the coil. The condensed water returns to the cold water tank.

The object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the aforementioned system and to propose liquid / gas heat exchange means, in particular water / air, and a system of the aforementioned types having improved characteristics in terms of water production, water quality obtained, and energy consumption, having a high water / air exchange surface in a limited volume.

The liquid / gas heat exchange means, in particular water / air, targeted by the invention are adapted to receive a stream of liquid, in particular cold water, flowing inside walls of said exchange means (4). thermal whose outer faces are in contact with said flow of gas, especially air.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, the liquid / gas heat exchange means, in particular water / air, of the aforementioned type are characterized in that they comprise at least one plate module, each module consisting of two metal plates. held at a small distance from one another and sealed to each other, the liquid, especially cold water, flowing inside each module between the two plates, and the gas, in particular the air circulating outside the two plates of each module. This structure makes it possible to obtain for each module a ratio, higher than for the known water / air heat exchange means, between the total surface of heat exchange water / air of the two plates of each module and the volume occupied by this last whose thickness may be small compared to the two main dimensions of each plate. This characteristic gives the water / air heat exchange means according to the present invention a high efficiency of condensation of the humidity of the air, which has the consequence of a low energy consumption per unit volume of condensed water, and therefore a low cost of this water.

The temperature of the cold water, also called chilled water, must be lower than that of the dew point, and may be very close to 0 ° C so as to obtain the greatest possible difference between the temperature of the cooled surfaces and that of the air flow, and therefore an increased efficiency of the condensation of the water vapor contained in the moist air passing through the water / air heat exchange means.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the water / air heat exchange means comprise a predetermined number of plate modules arranged substantially parallel to one another at a short distance from one another, the number of modules being chosen according to the water production provided under predetermined reference conditions of temperature, humidity, flow rate and pressure of the air flow passing through the water / air heat exchange means.

In this way, it is easy to provide each user with water / air heat exchange means according to the present invention having the number of modules best suited to its needs and to the climatic conditions prevailing in its environment.

In addition, it is very easy to design a cold water production device perfectly adapted to the conditions of use provided for such water / air heat exchange means.

The modular design of the water / air heat exchange means according to the present invention thus makes it possible to optimally adapt them to the local climatic conditions, temperature, pressure, and humidity of the air, intended for their use.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the modules are contained inside an enclosure of which at least some walls are metallic and are in thermal contact with the plates of the modules, the airflow also flowing between each said metal walls and the adjacent metal plate of the nearest module, said metal walls being advantageously externally coated with a thermally insulating coating.

Thus, the walls of the enclosure also constitute cooled walls participating in the condensation of moisture contained in the air flow that passes through the water / air heat exchange means.

The thermal insulation coating makes it possible to better thermally isolate the interior of the enclosure, and to reduce the thermal losses and therefore the energy consumption per unit volume of the water obtained.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the two metal plates of the same module are kept at a short distance from one another by their respective edges, at least some of which are curved in relief towards the other plate and along which the two plates are connected to each other sealingly.

This feature allows easy assembly of two plates of the same module, and modules between them.

According to another embodiment of the invention, in the space separating two contiguous modules is disposed at least one metal sheet substantially parallel to the plates of said modules and in thermal contact with said plates, for example along opposite edges of said plates.

Each metal sheet in thermal contact with the plates of the modules is thus maintained at a temperature close to that of said plates and therefore participates in the condensation function of the humidity of the air flow passing through the water / air heat exchange means. Each metal sheet ^* thus makes it possible to substantially add a contact surface and heat exchange water / air equal to the surface of the plates facing the two adjacent modules without changing the total volume of the assembly.

Thus, for example, a first sheet metal having the same area of contact with moist air as the plates of a module doubles the water / air contact area in the space separating two adjacent modules.

According to another aspect of the invention, the system for producing liquid water from the humidity of the air of the aforementioned type comprising a device for producing cold water and means for circulating said cold water to the water. inside means of exchange thermal water / air whose outer faces are in contact with said air flow, is characterized in that it comprises water / air heat exchange means according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the device for producing cold water is a closed circuit device advantageously comprising control means arranged to maintain the temperature of the cold water upstream of the modules below. a predetermined set value.

This avoids any risk of mixing the cold water flowing inside the device with the condensed water produced by the system. It also avoids, if necessary, any risk of pollution of water condensed by cold water flowing in closed circuit, or vice versa.

According to an advantageous version of the invention, the system comprises a single fan, or group of fans, and comprises means for guiding the air flow arranged in such a way that the flow of air that has circulated along the cold walls condensation modules are then used to evacuate the heat generated by the operation of the cold water production device, the fan, or group of fans, being placed advantageously at the outlet of the air flow and sucking the moist air through the system.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the system includes, if necessary, means for treating the condensed water produced to render, if necessary, the quality of this water complies with the requirements of the regulations applicable to drinking water. According to another embodiment of the invention, the cold water production device comprises a refrigerating unit operating by compression and expansion of a refrigerant fluid, the evaporator of said refrigeration unit being immersed in a cold water tank of device.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, provided solely as non-limiting examples:

FIG. 1 represents a block diagram in front view, broken away, of an embodiment of a water production system according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view, broken away, of a group of five condensation modules according to the embodiment of the present invention shown diagrammatically in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of one of the condensation modules of FIG. 2.

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view of a detail of the group of condensation modules shown in Figure 2, according to a variant of the invention.

Figure 1 schematically shows a system 1 for producing liquid water from the moisture of the air by condensation of a portion of the water vapor contained in a flow of air passing along cooled walls.

In known manner, the system 1 comprises a device 2 for producing cold water (also called chilled water), and pumping means, generally a known pump 3, for circulating said cold water inside means 4 for heat exchange water / air having cooled walls whose outer faces are in contact with said air flow.

In the example shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1, the cold water production device 2 comprises a refrigeration unit of any known type, using any known refrigerant fluid, comprising a compressor 5, a pressure reducer 6, an evaporator 7, and a condenser 8, shown schematically in FIG.

In known manner, the evaporator 7 is immersed in a reservoir 9 of cold water of the device 2.

In known manner, the compressor 5 compresses the refrigerant fluid, which raises the temperature of said fluid which then passes into the condenser 8, schematized by an air-cooled coil, wherein said coolant condenses at least partially, with decrease its sensible heat and evacuation of the corresponding latent heat of condensation. The cooled condensed coolant then passes into the expander 6 and then into the evaporator 7, where it is vaporized with cooling. The water contained in the cold water tank 9 is thus cooled, the amount of heat lost by this water corresponding substantially to the latent heat of vaporization of the cooling fluid.

The temperature of the cold water inside the tank 9 can thus be maintained at a predetermined temperature which can be close to 0 ° C.

The cold water contained in the reservoir 9 is sent by the pump 3 into a pipe 12 which feeds the water / air heat exchange means 4 of the system 1.

In the present invention, the cold water having passed through the heat exchange means 4 returns to the tank 9 via a return pipe 13. The cold water circuit is therefore a closed circuit.

In the example shown schematically in FIG. 1 and shown in detail in FIGS. 2 to 4, the water / air heat exchange means 4 comprise at least one module, in this example five modules 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 to plaques. Each module 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 consists of two metal plates 26, 27 held at a small distance from one another and connected to each other, in any known manner, in a sealed manner.

In the example of FIGS. 2, 3, 4, the two plates 26, 27 of each module are kept at a small distance from one another and connected to each other by their respective edges along which the vertical edges 34, 35, of each plate 26 are folded a first time, towards the outside of the module, at 28, then folded twice in the other direction, at 29, 30, then one last time in the first direction, along an edge 31, to form a vertical tongue 32 which is assembled, in any known manner, for example by welding, brazing, gluing, etc., to the tongue 32 of the associated plate 27 symmetrically shaped.

In this embodiment, the vertical edges 34 and 35 are thus shaped so as to each form a respective tube 36, 37. In this example, the tube 36 receives at its base a pipe 38 for the arrival of cold water, the other tube 37 presenting at its upper part an outlet pipe 39 and return water to the reservoir 9 through the pipe 13.

The upper 40 and lower 41 horizontal edges are assembled to each other in any way.

The cold water arriving through the tubing 38 is thus distributed by the tube 36 over the entire height of the module

21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and circulates inside said module between the two respective plates 26, 27 whose respective outer faces 42, 43 are in contact with the moist air flow that passes through the system 1 and which flows outside the two plates 26, 27 of each module 21, 22, 23, 24, 25.

In the example of FIG. 2, the system 1 comprises a predetermined number, equal to 5 in this figure, of modules 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 with plates 26, 27 arranged substantially parallel to one another at a short distance. one of the other.

The number of modules is chosen according to the water production provided for the system 1 under predetermined reference conditions of pressure, temperature, humidity, flow, air flow passing through the system 1.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the modules 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 of the system 1 are contained inside a metal enclosure 44, at least some of the metal walls 45, 46 of which are vertical, in FIG. and 4, are in thermal contact respectively with the corresponding adjacent plates 26, 27 of the end modules 21, 25.

The air flow thus circulates equally between each of said metal walls 45, 46 and the plate corresponding adjacent metallic element 26, 27, of the module 21, 25, the closest.

The other metal walls, for example the wall 47 shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, perpendicular to the walls 45, 46 and in thermal contact with the latter, are also at a low temperature close to the temperature of the cold water circulating in the modules. .

The metal walls 45, 46, 47 of the enclosure 44 are advantageously coated externally with a thermally insulating coating, schematized at 48, of any known insulating material.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, in the space 51 separating two contiguous modules, the modules 21 and 22 in the figure, is disposed at least one metal sheet 52 substantially parallel to the respective adjacent walls 26, 27, of said modules. 21, 22, and in thermal contact with these walls 26, 27, for example along opposite edges 34, 35 of these walls, 26, 27.

In the example shown, two metal sheets

52, 53 are inserted between the vertical tubes 36 of the modules 21, 22 and are clamped between these vertical tubes. The metal sheets 52, 53 are also shaped so as to provide between them and the walls 26, 27 air passage spaces of substantially equivalent widths.

In the same way, a metal sheet 54 is inserted between the vertical tube 36 of the condensation module 21 and the adjacent wall 45 of the metal enclosure 44, and is clamped between the tube 36 and the wall 45 so as to be in contact thermal with these. The sheet 54 is shaped so as to extend substantially equidistantly between the wall 45 of the enclosure 44 and the plate 26 of the module 21.

It thus appears that the auxiliary metal plates 52, 53, 54 are also maintained at a low temperature very close to the temperature of the cold water circulating inside the modules 21 to 25, and also function as cold walls, which substantially increases the total area of the cooled exterior surfaces in contact with the humid air circulating inside the system.

In the example shown, the system 1 comprises a single fan, or group of fans, 61. The fan, or group of fans, 61 is, in this example, arranged in such a way that the flow of moist air sucked by said fan 61 enters the interior of the system 1 (arrows 62), passes through a filter 63, of any known type, then passes into the spaces 51 between adjacent modules, and 55 between the end modules 21, 25, and the adjacent walls 45, 46 of the metal enclosure, from top to bottom in the diagram of Figure 1, through the condenser 8 to cool the refrigerant flowing through the condenser, and outwardly through the fan, or group of fans, 61.

The wet air thus sucked through the system

1 passes along the cooled walls formed by the plates 26, 27 of the modules 21 to 25, the walls 45, 46, 47 of the metal enclosure 44, and the metal sheets 52, 53, 54 inserted, or between two adjacent modules , or between an end module 21, 25, and the adjacent wall, 45, 46 of the enclosure 44. In contact with these cold walls, the humidity of the air condenses and forms flasks of water which are collected at the bottom of the system 1 in a tank 71. The water, shown schematically at 62, collected in the tank 71 is then directed outwardly in any manner, for example by a pump, shown schematically at 73, to be routed, as shown schematically by the arrow 74, to the places of use of this water.

In some cases, and if the need arises, at least part of this water can be directed to conventional means of potabilization, known in themselves and shown schematically in 75, to treat the water produced and make the the quality of this water complies with the requirements of the regulations in force regarding drinking water.

A liquid water production system of modular design has thus been described, the number of condensation modules being chosen so as to obtain a predetermined water production under predetermined conditions of pressure, temperature, relative humidity and humidity. flow, the flow of moist air through the system.

It is understood that the cold water production device may alternatively be an adsorption device using the adsorption and desorption capacity of adsorbents, known in themselves, such as silica gel, zeolite, or other, such a device advantageously using hot water from a source of hot water located near the system.

The electrical energy necessary for the operation of the liquid water production system according to the present invention can obviously be provided by a usual network of electrical power distribution. This electrical energy can also be provided by wind turbines, and / or solar panels.

Claims

1. Means (4) of liquid / gas heat exchange, especially water / air, adapted to equip including a system (1) for producing liquid water from the humidity of the air by condensation of a part water vapor contained in a flow of air passing along cooled walls, these means being adapted to receive a stream of liquid, in particular cold water, circulating inside walls of said means (4) of heat exchange whose outer faces are in contact with said flow of gas, in particular air, characterized in that said liquid / gas heat exchange means (4), in particular water / air, comprise at least one module (21). , 22, 23, 24, 25), each module (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) consisting of two metal plates (26, 27) held at a small distance from each other and connected to each other. one to the other in a sealed manner, the liquid, in particular the cold water, circulating inside each module (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) between the plates (26, 27), and gas,. in particular the air circulating outside the plates (26, 27) of each module (21, 22, 23, 24, 25).

2. Means for liquid / gas heat exchange, in particular water / air, according to claim 1, characterized in that they comprise a predetermined number of modules (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) with plates (26, 27). ) arranged substantially parallel to each other at a small distance from each other, the number of modules being chosen, - in the case of heat exchange water / air, depending on the production of water provided under conditions predetermined reference numbers of pressure, temperature, of hygrometric degree, of flow, of the flow of air passing through said means (4).

3. Means for liquid / gas heat exchange, in particular water / air, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the modules (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) of the system (1) are contained in the inside an enclosure (44) at least some of whose walls (45, 46, 47) are metallic, in thermal contact with the modules (21, 22, 23, 24, 25), the flow of gas, in particular air , also flowing between each of said metal walls (45, 46, 47) and the adjacent metal plate (26, 27) of the nearest module (21, 25), the enclosure being advantageously externally coated with a thermal insulating coating ( 48).

4. Means for liquid / gas heat exchange, in particular water / air, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two metal plates (26, 27) of the same module (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) are held at a small distance from one another by their respective edges (34, 35, 40, 41), at least some of which are bent in relief towards the other plate (27, 26), for example shaped to form a tube (36, 37) with the corresponding edge of the other plate, and along which the two plates (26, 27) are sealingly connected to each other.

5. Means for liquid / gas heat exchange, in particular water / air according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the space (51) separating two contiguous modules is arranged at least one metal sheet (53) substantially parallel to the plates (26, 27) of said modules and in thermal contact with said plates (26, 27), for example along opposite edges (34, 35) of said plates (26, 27); ), and in that at least one metal sheet (54) is advantageously disposed between the module (21) and the adjacent partition (45) of the enclosure (44).

6. System (1) for producing liquid water from the humidity of the air by condensing a part of the water vapor contained in a flow of air passing along cooled walls, this system (1) comprising a device (2) for producing cold water and means (3) for circulating said cold water inside water / air heat exchange means whose outer faces are in contact with said flow characterized in that it comprises means (4) for heat exchange water / air according to any one of the preceding claims.

7. System according to claim 6, characterized in that the device (2) for producing cold water is a closed circuit device advantageously comprising control means arranged to maintain the temperature of the cold water upstream of the modules below a predetermined setpoint.

8. System according to one of claims 6 or Ί, characterized in that the system (1) comprises a single fan, or group of fans, (61) and advantageously comprises means for guiding the air flow. arranged in such a way that the flow of air which has circulated along the cold walls (26, 27) of the condensation modules (21, 22, 23, 24, 25) is then used to evacuate the heat released by the device ( 2) for producing cold water, the fan, or group of fans, (61) being advantageously placed at the outlet of the air flow and drawing the humid air through the system (1).

9. System according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the system

(1) includes means (75) for treating the water produced to render the water, if necessary, in accordance with the requirements of the applicable regulations.

10. System according to any one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the device

(2) cold water production comprises a refrigerating unit (5, 6, 7, 8) operating by compression and expansion of a refrigerant, the evaporator (7) of said refrigeration unit being immersed in a reservoir (9) cold water device (2).