WO2018063849A1 - Dispositif de transfert de chaleur rayonnante et membrane ou contacteur liquide pour la déshumidification ou l'humidification de l'air - Google Patents

Dispositif de transfert de chaleur rayonnante et membrane ou contacteur liquide pour la déshumidification ou l'humidification de l'air Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2018063849A1
WO2018063849A1 PCT/US2017/052144 US2017052144W WO2018063849A1 WO 2018063849 A1 WO2018063849 A1 WO 2018063849A1 US 2017052144 W US2017052144 W US 2017052144W WO 2018063849 A1 WO2018063849 A1 WO 2018063849A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
membrane
water
contacting
mixture
feed gas
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2017/052144
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Dongchan Ahn
Paul P. FISHER
Aaron J. GREINER
Alexandra N. LICHTOR
James F. Thompson
Original Assignee
Dow Corning Corporation
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 Dow Corning Corporation filed Critical Dow Corning Corporation
Publication of WO2018063849A1 publication Critical patent/WO2018063849A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • B01D53/22—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols by diffusion
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01D—SEPARATION
    • B01D53/00—Separation of gases or vapours; Recovering vapours of volatile solvents from gases; Chemical or biological purification of waste gases, e.g. engine exhaust gases, smoke, fumes, flue gases, aerosols
    • B01D53/26—Drying gases or vapours
    • B01D53/268—Drying gases or vapours by diffusion
    • 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
    • F24F2003/1435—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 comprising semi-permeable membrane
    • 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
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24F—AIR-CONDITIONING; AIR-HUMIDIFICATION; VENTILATION; USE OF AIR CURRENTS FOR SCREENING
    • F24F5/00—Air-conditioning systems or apparatus not covered by F24F1/00 or F24F3/00, e.g. using solar heat or combined with household units such as an oven or water heater
    • F24F5/0089—Systems using radiation from walls or panels

Definitions

  • the present invention provides an HVAC system that includes a radiant heat transfer device.
  • the HVAC system also includes a membrane module in fluid communication with the heat transfer device.
  • the module includes a first membrane.
  • the module includes a feed gas mixture including at least water vapor and ambient air.
  • the feed gas mixture contacts a first side of the first membrane in the membrane module.
  • the module includes a permeate mixture on a second side of the first membrane.
  • the permeate mixture is formed by the contacting of the feed gas mixture and the membrane.
  • the permeate mixture is enriched in water.
  • the module also includes a retentate mixture on the first side of the first membrane, the retentate mixture formed by the contacting.
  • the retentate mixture is depleted in water.
  • the present invention provides a method of
  • the method includes contacting a first side of a first membrane with a feed gas mixture that includes at least water vapor and ambient air.
  • the contacting forms a permeate mixture on a second side of the membrane and a retentate mixture on the first side of the membrane.
  • the membrane is in fluid communication with a radiant heat transfer device.
  • the permeate mixture is enriched in water and the retentate mixture is depleted in water.
  • the present invention provides an HVAC system including a radiant heat transfer device.
  • the HVAC system also includes a liquid contacting device in fluid communication with the heat transfer device.
  • the liquid contacting device includes a feed gas mixture including at least water vapor and ambient air.
  • the feed gas mixture contacts a liquid sorbent material in the liquid contacting device.
  • the liquid sorbent material is enriched in water by the contacting and the feed gas mixture is depleted in water by the contacting.
  • the present invention provides a method of
  • the method includes contacting a liquid sorbent material with a feed gas mixture in a liquid contacting device in fluid communication with a radiant heat transfer device.
  • the feed gas mixture includes at least water vapor and ambient air.
  • the liquid sorbent material is enriched in water and CO2 by the contacting and the feed gas mixture is depleted in water and CO2 by the contacting.
  • the present invention provides a HVAC system including a radiant heat transfer device.
  • the HVAC system also includes a membrane module in fluid communication with the heat transfer device.
  • the module includes a first membrane.
  • the module includes a feed gas mixture including at least dry ambient air.
  • the feed gas mixture contacts a first side of the first membrane.
  • the module includes a sweep liquid including water.
  • the sweep liquid contacts a second side of the first membrane.
  • the module includes a permeate mixture on the first side of the first membrane.
  • the permeate mixture is formed by the contacting of the feed gas mixture to the membrane and the contacting of the sweep liquid to the membrane.
  • the permeate mixture is enriched in water.
  • the module includes a retentate mixture on the second side of the first membrane, the retentate mixture formed by the contacting of the feed gas mixture to the membrane and the contacting of the sweep liquid to the membrane, wherein the retentate mixture is depleted in water.
  • the present invention provides a method of humidifying ambient air.
  • the method includes contacting a first side of a first membrane with a feed gas mixture including at least dry ambient air.
  • the method also includes contacting a second side of the first membrane with a sweep liquid including water to produce a permeate mixture on the first side of the first membrane and a retentate mixture on the second side of the first membrane.
  • the membrane is in fluid communication with a radiant heat transfer device.
  • the permeate mixture is enriched in water and the retentate mixture is depleted in water.
  • the present invention provides an HVAC system including a radiant heat transfer device.
  • the HVAC system also includes a liquid contacting device in fluid communication with the heat transfer device.
  • the liquid contacting device includes a feed gas mixture including dry ambient air.
  • the feed gas mixture contacts a liquid sorbent material including water in the liquid contacting device.
  • the feed gas mixture is enriched in water by the contacting and the liquid sorbent material is depleted in water by the contacting.
  • the present invention provides a method of humidifying ambient air.
  • the method includes contacting a liquid sorbent material including water with a feed gas mixture including dry ambient air in a liquid contacting device.
  • the liquid contacting device is in fluid communication with a radiant heat transfer device.
  • the feed gas mixture is enriched in water by the contacting and the liquid sorbent material is depleted in water by the contacting.
  • Various embodiments of the present invention have certain advantages over other methods of humidifying and dehumidifying air, and systems for performing the method, at least some of which are unexpected. Radiant cooling systems are desirable because of their energy efficiency and ability to reduce air handling equipment size and costs; however, their use can be limited in warm humid climates because of condensation of moisture from the chilled radiant surfaces. In various embodiments, the method or system of the present invention can address these issues by dehumidifying air prior to contact with the chilled radiant surfaces with efficient, small, and modular membrane or liquid contactor dehumidification.
  • the method or HVAC system can provide improved humidity and temperature control.
  • the method or HVAC system can provide more precise or more easily controlled humidity in various zones than other methods or systems for humidification or dehumidification, and can provide a more decentralized zone control.
  • the method or HVAC system can respond more quickly to changes in relative humidity.
  • the method or HVAC system can provide removal of humidity from air with little or no heating of the air stream (e.g., nearly isothermal management of latent load).
  • the method or system can provide a decoupling of latent and sensible loads.
  • the method or system can provide more comfortable control of indoor air temperature and humidity.
  • the method or HVAC system can provide more energy efficient humidification or dehumidification.
  • the method or HVAC system can improve the efficiency of the HVAC system as a whole in addition to the efficiency of the humidification or dehumidification system.
  • the method or HVAC system can include a chilled beam system that can operate at a lower water temperature without experiencing condensation than other methods or HVAC systems, resulting in higher efficiency.
  • the method or HVAC system can be operated with milder process temperatures (e.g., the sorbent fluid can be regenerated at a lower temperature) to allow the use of low quality heat or waste heat.
  • the method or HVAC system can be operated with a higher cold water temperature (e.g., increasing efficiency of the compressor).
  • the method or HVAC system can be operated with a single cold water source for managing both the latent and sensible loads.
  • the method or HVAC system can occupy a smaller footprint than other methods or systems for humidification or dehumidification, providing increased space utilization in buildings.
  • the method or HVAC system can be more modular than other methods or systems for humidification or dehumidification.
  • the modularity of the membrane or liquid contactor method or system can allow tailoring of humidification or dehumidification to the different zones, rather than use of the same dehumidified air for all zones, which can result in increased efficiency as each zone can independently have its own environmental variables such as moisture requirements, moisture generation, and the like.
  • the method or HVAC system can respond faster to moisture level changes in building zones than variable air volume HVAC systems. In some embodiments, the method or HVAC system can allow for a wider range of building zone dry- bulb set-point temperatures than radiant HVAC systems without membranes or liquid contacting devices. In some embodiments, the method or HVAC system can reduce the probability of water condensate formation compared to radiant HVAC systems without membranes or liquid contacting devices. [0016] In some embodiments, the method or HVAC system can remove pollutants or contaminants, providing improved air quality. In some embodiments, the method or HVAC system can reduce CO2 levels to reduce fresh air intake requirements.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates the air flow path in a central dehumidification system, in accordance with various embodiments.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates the air flow path in a decentralized dehumidification system, in accordance with various embodiments.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates an HVAC system including four active chilled beam units each having a dehumidification membrane module, in accordance with various embodiments.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates an HVAC system including four active chilled beam units each having a dehumidification membrane module, in accordance with various embodiments.
  • Recursive substituents are an intended aspect of the disclosed subject matter. Because of the recursive nature of such substituents, theoretically, a large number may be present in any given claim.
  • One of ordinary skill in the art of organic chemistry understands that the total number of such substituents is reasonably limited by the desired properties of the compound intended. Such properties include, by way of example and not limitation, physical properties such as molecular weight, solubility, and practical properties such as ease of synthesis.
  • Recursive substituents can call back on themselves any suitable number of times, such as about 1 time, about 2 times, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 30, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 750, 1000, 1500, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 10,000, 15,000, 20,000, 30,000, 50,000, 100,000, 200,000, 500,000, 750,000, or about 1 ,000,000 times or more.
  • substantially refers to a majority of, or mostly, as in at least about 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%, 99.5%, 99.9%, 99.99%, or at least about 99.999% or more.
  • organic group refers to but is not limited to any carbon-containing functional group.
  • an oxygen-containing group such as an alkoxy group, aryloxy group, aralkyloxy group, oxo(carbonyl) group, a carboxyl group including a carboxylic acid, carboxylate, and a carboxylate ester
  • a sulfur-containing group such as an alkyl and aryl sulfide group
  • other heteroatom-containing groups such as an alkyl and aryl sulfide group.
  • Non-limiting examples of organic groups include OR, OOR, OC(0)N(R) 2 , CN, CF3, OCF3, R, C(O), methylenedioxy, ethylenedioxy, N(R) 2 , SR, SOR, S0 2 R, S0 2 N(R) 2 , SO3R, C(0)R, C(0)C(0)R,
  • R can be hydrogen (in examples that include other carbon atoms) or a carbon-based moiety, and wherein the carbon-based moiety can itself be further substituted.
  • substituents or functional groups include, but are not limited to, a halogen (e.g., F, CI, Br, and I); an oxygen atom in groups such as hydroxy groups, alkoxy groups, aryloxy groups, aralkyloxy groups, oxo(carbonyl) groups, carboxyl groups including carboxylic acids, carboxylates, and carboxylate esters; a sulfur atom in groups such as thiol groups, alkyl and aryl sulfide groups, sulfoxide groups, sulfone groups, sulfonyl groups, and sulfonamide groups; a nitrogen atom in groups such as amines, hydroxyamines, nitriles, nitro groups, N-oxides, hydrazides, azides, and enamines; and other heteroatoms in various other groups.
  • a halogen e.g., F, CI, Br, and I
  • an oxygen atom in groups such as hydroxy groups
  • Non-limiting examples of substituents J that can be bonded to a substituted carbon (or other) atom include F, CI, Br, I, OR, OC(0)N(R) 2 , CN, NO, N0 2 , ON0 2 , azido, CF 3 , OCF3, R, O (oxo), S (thiono), C(O), S(O), methylenedioxy, ethylenedioxy, N(R) 2 , SR, SOR, S0 2 R, S0 2 N(R) 2 , SO3R, C(0)R,
  • R can be hydrogen or a carbon-based moiety, and wherein the carbon- based moiety can itself be further substituted; for example, wherein R can be hydrogen, alkyl, acyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl, or heteroarylalkyl, wherein any alkyl, acyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl, or heteroarylalkyl or R can be independently mono- or multi-substituted with J; or wherein two R groups bonded to a nitrogen atom or to adjacent nitrogen atoms can together with the nitrogen atom or atoms form a heterocyclyl, which can be mono- or independently multi-substituted with J.
  • branched alkyl groups include, but are not limited to, isopropyl, iso-butyl, sec-butyl, t-butyl, neopentyl, isopentyl, and 2,2- dimethylpropyl groups.
  • alkyl encompasses n-alkyl, isoalkyl, and anteisoalkyl groups as well as other branched chain forms of alkyl.
  • Representative substituted alkyl groups can be substituted one or more times with any of the groups listed herein, for example, amino, hydroxy, cyano, carboxy, nitro, thio, alkoxy, and halogen groups.
  • alkenyl refers to straight and branched chain and cyclic alkyl groups as defined herein, except that at least one double bond exists between two carbon atoms.
  • alkenyl groups have from 2 to 40 carbon atoms, or 2 to about 20 carbon atoms, or 2 to 12 carbons or, in some embodiments, from 2 to 8 carbon atoms.
  • alkynyl refers to straight and branched chain alkyl groups, except that at least one triple bond exists between two carbon atoms.
  • alkynyl groups have from 2 to 40 carbon atoms, 2 to about 20 carbon atoms, or from 2 to 12 carbons or, in some embodiments, from 2 to 8 carbon atoms. Examples include, but are not limited to - C ⁇ CH, -C ⁇ C(CH 3 ), -C ⁇ C(CH 2 CH 3 ), -CH 2 C ⁇ CH, -CH 2 C ⁇ C(CH 3 ), and -CH 2 C ⁇ C(CH 2 CH 3 ) among others.
  • acyl refers to a group containing a carbonyl moiety wherein the group is bonded via the carbonyl carbon atom.
  • the carbonyl carbon atom is also bonded to another carbon atom, which can be part of an alkyl, aryl, aralkyl cycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, heterocyclyl, heterocyclylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl group or the like.
  • the group is a "formyl” group, an acyl group as the term is defined herein.
  • Cycloalkyl groups further include polycyclic cycloalkyl groups such as, but not limited to, norbornyl, adamantyl, bornyl, camphenyl, isocamphenyl, and carenyl groups, and fused rings such as, but not limited to, decalinyl, and the like. Cycloalkyl groups also include rings that are substituted with straight or branched chain alkyl groups as defined herein.
  • Representative substituted cycloalkyl groups can be mono-substituted or substituted more than once, such as, but not limited to, 2,2-, 2,3-, 2,4- 2,5- or 2,6-disubstituted cyclohexyl groups or mono-, di- or tri- substituted norbornyl or cycloheptyl groups, which can be substituted with, for example, amino, hydroxy, cyano, carboxy, nitro, thio, alkoxy, and halogen groups.
  • cycloalkenyl alone or in combination denotes a cyclic alkenyl group.
  • aryl refers to cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that do not contain heteroatoms in the ring.
  • aryl groups include, but are not limited to, phenyl, azulenyl, heptalenyl, biphenyl, indacenyl, fluorenyl, phenanthrenyl, triphenylenyl, pyrenyl, naphthacenyl, chrysenyl, biphenylenyl, anthracenyl, and naphthyl groups.
  • aryl groups contain about 6 to about 14 carbons in the ring portions of the groups.
  • Aryl groups can be unsubstituted or substituted, as defined herein.
  • Representative substituted aryl groups can be mono-substituted or substituted more than once, such as, but not limited to, 2-, 3-, 4-, 5-, or 6-substituted phenyl or 2-8 substituted naphthyl groups, which can be substituted with carbon or non-carbon groups such as those listed herein.
  • heterocyclyl refers to aromatic and non-aromatic ring compounds containing three or more ring members, of which one or more is a heteroatom such as, but not limited to, N, O, and S.
  • alkoxy refers to an oxygen atom connected to an alkyl group, including a cycloalkyl group, as are defined herein.
  • linear alkoxy groups include but are not limited to methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy, pentyloxy, hexyloxy, and the like.
  • branched alkoxy include but are not limited to isopropoxy, sec-butoxy, tert- butoxy, isopentyloxy, isohexyloxy, and the like.
  • cyclic alkoxy examples include but are not limited to cyclopropyloxy, cyclobutyloxy, cyclopentyloxy, cyclohexyloxy, and the like.
  • An alkoxy group can include one to about 12-20 or about 12-40 carbon atoms bonded to the oxygen atom, and can further include double or triple bonds, and can also include heteroatoms.
  • an allyloxy group is an alkoxy group within the meaning herein.
  • a methoxyethoxy group is also an alkoxy group within the meaning herein, as is a methylenedioxy group in a context where two adjacent atoms of a structure are substituted therewith.
  • amine refers to primary, secondary, and tertiary amines having, e.g., the formula N(group)3 wherein each group can independently be H or non-
  • Amines include but are not limited to R-NH2, for example, alkylamines, arylamines, alkylarylamines; R2NH wherein each R is independently selected, such as dialkylamines, diarylamines, aralkylamines, heterocyclylamines and the like; and R3N wherein each R is independently selected, such as trialkylamines, dialkylarylamines, alkyldiarylamines, triarylamines, and the like.
  • R-NH2 alkylamines, arylamines, alkylarylamines
  • R2NH wherein each R is independently selected, such as dialkylamines, diarylamines, aralkylamines, heterocyclylamines and the like
  • R3N wherein each R is independently selected, such as trialkylamines, dialkylarylamines, alkyldiarylamines, triarylamines, and the like.
  • amine also includes ammonium ions as used herein.
  • amino group refers to a substituent of the form -NH2, -
  • any compound substituted with an amino group can be viewed as an amine.
  • An "amino group” within the meaning herein can be a primary, secondary, tertiary, or quaternary amino group.
  • An "alkylamino” group includes a monoalkylamino, dialkylamino, and trialkylamino group.
  • haloalkyl group includes mono-halo alkyl groups, poly-halo alkyl groups wherein all halo atoms can be the same or different, and per-halo alkyl groups, wherein all hydrogen atoms are replaced by halogen atoms, such as fluoro.
  • haloalkyl include trifluoromethyl, 1 ,1 -dichloroethyl, 1 ,2-dichloroethyl, 1 ,3-dibromo-3,3- difluoropropyl, perfluorobutyl, and the like.
  • hydrocarbon refers to a functional group or molecule that includes carbon and hydrogen atoms.
  • the term can also refer to a functional group or molecule that normally includes both carbon and hydrogen atoms but wherein all the hydrogen atoms are substituted with other functional groups.
  • weight-average molecular weight refers to M w , which is equal to ⁇ Mj 2 rij / ZMjrij, where nj is the number of molecules of molecular weight Mj.
  • the weight-average molecular weight can be determined using light scattering, small angle neutron scattering, X-ray scattering, and sedimentation velocity.
  • cur refers to exposing to radiation in any form, heating, or allowing to undergo a physical or chemical reaction that results in hardening or an increase in viscosity.
  • pore refers to a depression, slit, or hole of any size or shape in a solid object.
  • a pore can run all the way through an object or partially through the object.
  • a pore can intersect other pores.
  • a membrane that is "supported” can be 100% supported on at least one side.
  • a membrane that is “supported” can be supported at any suitable location at the majority (e.g. more than about 50%) of the surface area on either or both major sides of the membrane.
  • enriched refers to increasing in quantity or concentration, such as of a liquid, gas, or solute.
  • a mixture of gases A and B can be enriched in gas A if the concentration or quantity of gas A is increased, for example by selective permeation of gas A through a membrane to add gas A to the mixture, or for example by selective permeation of gas B through a membrane to take gas B away from the mixture.
  • a mixture of gases A and B can be depleted in gas B if the concentration or quantity of gas B is decreased, for example by selective permeation of gas B through a membrane to take gas B away from the mixture, or for example by selective permeation of gas A through a membrane to add gas A to the mixture.
  • solvent refers to a liquid that can dissolve a solid, liquid, or gas.
  • solvents are silicones, organic compounds, water, alcohols, ionic liquids, and supercritical fluids.
  • selectivity or “ideal selectivity” as used herein refers to the ratio of permeability of the faster permeating gas over the slower permeating gas, measured at room temperature.
  • P x can also be expressed as V-5/(A-t-Ap), wherein P x is the permeability for a gas X in the membrane, V is the volume of gas X which permeates through the membrane, ⁇ is the thickness of the membrane, A is the area of the membrane, t is time, ⁇ is the pressure difference of the gas X at the retentate and permeate side. Permeability is measured at room temperature, unless otherwise indicated.
  • total surface area refers to the total surface area of the side of the membrane exposed to the feed gas mixture.
  • air refers to a mixture of gases with a composition approximately identical to the native composition of gases taken from the atmosphere, generally at ground level. In some examples, air is taken from the ambient surroundings. Air has a composition that includes approximately 78% nitrogen, 21 % oxygen, 1 % argon, and 0.04% carbon dioxide, as well as small amounts of other gases.
  • room temperature refers to a temperature of about 15
  • polymer refers to a molecule having at least one repeating unit and can include copolymers.
  • the present invention can provide an HVAC system including a radiant heat transfer device in fluid communication with a membrane module or a liquid contacting device.
  • the membrane module or liquid contacting device can enrich or deplete water in a feed gas mixture including air.
  • radiant heat transfer devices include a radiant panel, environmental beam (e.g., chilled beam), fin array, mat, sail, or capillary tube mat.
  • a liquid sorbent material can be used to introduce water or to facilitate removal of water vapor from air.
  • the liquid sorbent can be regenerated in a continuous manner, and can be non-volatile, non-corrosive, and non-flammable, such as an organosilicon liquid.
  • the method can reduce the concentration of indoor pollutants such as CO2, volatile organic compounds, and chloramines.
  • the method can be used with other HVAC processes in modular fashion to provide delocalized control of temperature and humidity within a building.
  • the liquid contacting device can be any suitable device that can allow the feed gas mixture and a liquid sorbent material to directly contact one another, such as a membrane (herein, a membrane can provide direct contact between the feed gas mixture and a liquid sorbent material, or can provide contact between the liquid sorbent material and only the components of the feed gas mixture that are permeable through the membrane), column, packed column, spray tower, and a falling film-on-plate device.
  • a membrane can provide direct contact between the feed gas mixture and a liquid sorbent material, or can provide contact between the liquid sorbent material and only the components of the feed gas mixture that are permeable through the membrane
  • the liquid contacting device can flow a gas over the liquid sorbent material or bubble a gas directly into the liquid sorbent material.
  • the method is a method of dehumidifying ambient air.
  • the method can include providing a feed gas mixture including ambient air and water to a membrane or a liquid contacting device.
  • the membrane or liquid contacting device is in fluid communication with a radiant heat transfer device.
  • the first side of the membrane can be contacted with the feed gas mixture to produce a permeate mixture on the second side of the membrane and a retentate mixture on the first side of the membrane, wherein the permeate mixture is enriched in water.
  • the liquid contacting device can contact the feed gas mixture and a liquid sorbent material to enrich the liquid sorbent material in water and deplete the feed gas mixture in water.
  • the method can humidify or dehumidify a feed gas mixture.
  • dehumidification can include decreasing the concentration of water in the feed gas mixture, or the dehumidification can include the removal of substantially all of the water from the feed gas mixture.
  • the dehumidification method can remove any suitable amount of the water from the feed gas mixture.
  • the ambient air that is dehumidified can have any suitable starting relative humidity, such as a relative humidity at room temperature of about 1 % to about 100%, about 10% to about 95%, or about 1 % or less, or about 5%, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 91 , 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, or about 99% or more.
  • the feed gas mixture is depleted in water by about 1 wt% to about 100 wt%, as compared to the feed gas mixture, about 40 wt% to about 99 wt%, about 70 wt% to about 95 wt%, or about 1 wt% or less, 2 wt%, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 71 , 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81 , 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91 , 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 99.5 wt%, or about 99.9 wt% or more, to have a final relative humidity at room temperature of about 1 % to about 80%, about 2% to about 50%, or about 0.001 % or less (e.g., relative humidity can be
  • the starting dry ambient air can have any suitable relative humidity, such as a relative humidity at room temperature of about 1 % to about 80%, about 2% to about 50%, or about 0.001 % or less (e.g. relative humidity can be 0%), or about 0.01 %, 0.1 , 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, or about 80% or more.
  • a relative humidity at room temperature of about 1 % to about 80%, about 2% to about 50%, or about 0.001 % or less (e.g. relative humidity can be 0%), or about 0.01 %, 0.1 , 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, or about 80% or more.
  • the humidification method can introduce any suitable amount of water into the feed gas mixture, such as generating a relative humidity at room temperature of about 5% to about 100%, about 10% to about 95%, or about 5% or less, or about 10%, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 91 , 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, or about 99% or more.
  • the feed gas mixture can be contacted to the membrane (e.g., one or more membranes) in any suitable fashion.
  • the feed gas mixture can be allowed to contact the membrane at a pressure such that there is a positive gradient in partial pressure of the water across the membrane to drive the permeation of the water to the second side of the membrane (in a dehumidification embodiment) or to drive the permeation of the water to the first side of the membrane (in a humidification embodiment).
  • the feed gas mixture is allowed to contact the membrane at approximately ambient pressure.
  • the first side of the membrane is kept near ambient pressure, but the second side has a pressure and flow rate such that a positive partial pressure gradient of the water is maintained.
  • a pressure difference across the membrane can be such that the pressure of the feed gas mixture (on the first side of the membrane) is greater than the pressure at the second side of the membrane.
  • the pressure difference can be caused by the pressure of the feed gas mixture being at above ambient pressure; in such examples, the pressure of the feed gas mixture can be raised above ambient pressure using any suitable means, such as with a pump.
  • the pressure difference is caused by the pressure at the second side of the membrane being at or below ambient pressure; in such examples, the pressure of the second side of the membrane can be reduced below ambient pressure using any suitable device such as a blower or vacuum pump.
  • a combination of lower than ambient pressure at the second side of the membrane, and higher than ambient pressure at the first side of the membrane contributes to the pressure difference across the membrane.
  • a higher than ambient pressure on the first side of the membrane can be achieved by pumping feed gas mixture to the first side of the membrane.
  • a lower pressure can be used at the first side (e.g., generated by a blower or vacuum pump), a higher pressure (e.g., generated by a pump) can be used at the second side, or a combination thereof, to maintain a pressure gradient from the second side to the first side (e.g., in a dehumidification embodiment).
  • the temperature of the feed gas mixture can be adjusted to provide a desired degree of humidification or dehumidification, depending on the nature of the sweep medium (if used) and the membrane or liquid contactor.
  • the temperature of the feed gas mixture can be any suitable temperature, such as about room temperature to about 150 e C, about -40 e C to about 250 e C, about 30 e C to about 150 e C, about 40 e C to about 1 10 e C, about 50 e C to about 90 e C, or about room temperature, or about -40 e C or less, or about -35 e C, -30, - 25, -20, -15, -10, -5, 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 1 10, 1 15, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 150, 155, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230,
  • a sweep medium can be introduced to the second side of the membrane or to the liquid contactor at a favorable temperature and pressure to achieve a more rapid transfer of the water from the feed gas mixture into the sweep medium, e.g., to increase the flux of the water across the membrane or the flux of water from the feed gas mixture into the contacted sweep medium.
  • the sweep medium can be any suitable temperature during the contacting, such as about -60 e C to about 150 e C, about -30 e C to about 150 e C, about -20 e C to about 150 e C, about -10 e C to about 150 e C, about 0 e C to about 150 e C, about 10 e C to about 150 e C, about 20 e C to about 150 e C, about 10 e C to about 1 10 e C, about 10 e C to about 90 e C, or about -60 e C or less, or about -55 e C, -50, -45, -40, -35, -30, -25, -20, -15, -10, -5, 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 105, 1 10, 1 15, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145 e C, or about 150 e C or more.
  • the sweep medium can have any suitable pressure during the contacting with the first side of the membrane or in the liquid contactor.
  • the pressure of the sweep medium can be about 0.000,01 bar to about 100 bar, or about 0.001 bar to about 10 bar, or about 0.000,01 bar or less, about 0.000,1 bar, 0.001 , 0.01 , 0.1 , 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1 .0, 1 .2, 1 .4, 1 .6, 1 .8, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 75, or about 100 bar or more.
  • the flow rate of the feed gas mixture can be about 0.001 L/min to about 100,000 L/min, about 0.1 L/min to about 100 L/min, or about 0.001 L/min or less, 0.01 L/min, 0.1 , 1 , 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 250, 500, 750, 1 ,000, 1 ,500, 2,500, 5,000, 7,500, 10,000, 15,000, 20,000, 25,000, 50,000, 75,000, or about 100,000 L/min or more.
  • the flow rate of the sweep medium can be 0.001 L/min to about 100,000 L/min, about 0.1 L/min to about 100 L/min, or about 0.001 L/min or less, 0.01 L/min, 0.1 , 1 , 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, 20, 25, 50, 75, 100, 150, 200, 250, 500, 750, 1 ,000, 1 ,500, 2,500, 5,000, 7,500, 10,000, 15,000, 20,000, 25,000, 50,000, 75,000, or about 100,000 L/min or more.
  • the membrane or liquid contacting device is in fluid communication with a radiant heat transfer device.
  • the fluid communication of the radiant heat transfer device with the membrane or liquid contactor provides to the radiant heat transfer device at least some of material that will contact, that is contacting, that has contacted the membrane, or a combination thereof, or that will be, is, has been, or a combination thereof, in the liquid contactor (e.g., the feed gas mixture or the sweep medium).
  • the fluid communication can be a direct fluid communication (e.g., no other intervening HVAC unit operations between the radiant heat transfer device and the membrane or fluid contacting device other than transfer piping or ducts) or indirect fluid communication (e.g., one or more intervening HVAC unit operations between the radiant heat transfer device and the membrane or fluid contacting device).
  • the radiant heat transfer device can modify the temperature of at least one of the feed gas mixture, the dehumidified or humidified feed gas mixture (e.g., the permeate mixture in a humidification embodiment, or a retentate mixture in a dehumidification embodiment, or the contacted feed gas mixture emerging from a liquid contactor), and the sweep medium (e.g., at least one of prior to contacting the membrane or entering the liquid contactor, during contacting, and after contacting the membrane or exiting the liquid contactor).
  • the dehumidified or humidified feed gas mixture e.g., the permeate mixture in a humidification embodiment, or a retentate mixture in a dehumidification embodiment, or the contacted feed gas mixture emerging from a liquid contactor
  • the sweep medium e.g., at least one of prior to contacting the membrane or entering the liquid contactor, during contacting, and after contacting the membrane or exiting the liquid contactor.
  • the radiant heat transfer device can modify the temperature of the feed gas mixture, dehumidified or humidified feed gas mixture, or sweep medium via transfer of thermal energy or radiation to the feed gas mixture or sweep medium (e.g., heating the gas mixture or sweep medium) or transfer of thermal energy or radiation from the feed gas mixture or sweep medium to a heat sink (e.g., cooling the gas mixture or sweep medium).
  • the radiant heat transfer device can be any suitable device that can modify temperature of a gas or liquid medium via transfer of thermal energy or radiation, such as including at least one of a radiant panel, beam, fin array, mat, sail, and a capillary tube mat. Examples of devices used for cooling air can include chilled beams, chilled ceiling panels, chilled sails, chilled mats and capillary tube mats.
  • the driving force for heat transfer can be maintained by circulating a pre- cooled heat transfer medium (typically a liquid such as water) to reduce the temperature of the air stream.
  • a pre- cooled heat transfer medium typically a liquid such as water
  • Such devices can either be classified as active or passive devices.
  • active chilled beams can require a dedicated air stream that is driven by a fan or blower to help induce secondary air flows over the radiant heat transfer surface.
  • Passive devices can rely upon induced air currents without the assistance of a fan or blower.
  • the heat transfer medium can be pre-heated instead of pre-cooled to provide heating of air during the winter.
  • one or more of the membranes can be hydrophobic membranes.
  • a hydrophobic membrane can reduce the wetting of water to the membrane.
  • a hydrophobic membrane can have any suitable degree of hydrophobicity.
  • one or more of the membranes can be hydrophilic membranes.
  • a hydrophilic membrane can increase the wetting of water to the membrane.
  • a hydrophilic membrane can have any suitable degree of hydrophilicity.
  • Embodiments of the membrane include a cured product of a silicone
  • composition such a cured product of an organopolysiloxane composition.
  • Various methods of curing can be used, including any suitable method of curing, including for example
  • hydrosilylation curing condensation curing, free-radical curing, amine-epoxy curing, radiation curing, cooling, or any combination thereof.
  • One or more of the membranes can be dense membranes.
  • One or more of the membranes can be nonporous.
  • Some types of pores can penetrate from one major side of a membrane to another major side, such as cylindrical pores shaped approximately as cylinders, or such as sponge pores, for example pores that include randomly shaped cavities or channels, that form a connection from one major side to the other major side.
  • Some types of pores do not penetrate from one major side of a membrane to another major side, such as blind pores, also referred to as surface pores.
  • Some types of sponge pores can also not penetrate from one major side of the membrane to the other major side.
  • a dense membrane of the present invention can include substantially no pores, including both pores that penetrate from one major side to the other major side, and including pores that do not penetrate from one major side to the other major side, such as less than about 100,000 pores per mm 2 , or less than about 10,000, 1000, 100, 50, 25, 20, 15, 10, 5, or less than about 1 pore per mm 2 .
  • a dense membrane can include substantially no pores that penetrate from one side to the other, such as less than about 100,000 penetrating pore per mm 2 , or less than about
  • a dense membrane can have substantially zero pores penetrating from one major side of the membrane to the other major side having a diameter larger than about 0.00001 , 0.0001 , 0.001 , 0.005, 0.01 , 0.05, 0.1 , 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1 , or larger than about 2 ⁇ , such as less than about 100,000 pores per mm 2 , or less than about 10,000, 1000, 100, 50, 25, 20, 15, 10, 5, or less than about 1 pore per mm 2 .
  • Pore size can be determined by the average size of the pore throughout its path through the entire thickness or only partway through the membrane.
  • Pore size can be determined by the average size of the pore at the surface of the membrane. Any suitable analytical technique can be used to determine the pore size.
  • Embodiments encompass dense membranes having any combination of approximate maximum sizes from the dimensions given in this paragraph for each of the pores passing all the way through the membrane, cylinder pores, sponge pores, blind pores, any other type of pore, or combination thereof.
  • a dense membrane does have at least one of pores passing all the way through the membrane, cylinder pores, sponge pores, blind pores, and any other type of pore, wherein the pores have a size smaller than the maximum size of the dimensions given in this paragraph.
  • the one or more membranes can have any suitable thickness.
  • the one or more membranes have a thickness of about 1 ⁇ to about 20 ⁇ , or about 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 1 1 , 12, 13, 14, or 15 ⁇ to about 20 ⁇ .
  • the one or more membranes have a thickness of about 0.1 ⁇ to about 300 ⁇ , or about 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 ⁇ to about 200 ⁇ .
  • the one or more membranes have a thickness of about 0.01 ⁇ to about 2000 ⁇ , or about 0.01 ⁇ or less, about 0.1 ⁇ , 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 1 10, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, 300, 350, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1250, 1500, 1750 ⁇ , or about 2000 ⁇ or more.
  • the one or more membranes can be selectively permeable to one substance over another.
  • the one or more membranes are selectively permeable to water vapor over other compounds in the feed gas mixture.
  • the membrane has a water vapor permeability coefficient of the water vapor of about 0.001 Barrer or less, or at least about 0.01 Barrer, 0.1 , 1 , 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 120, 140, 160, 180, 200, 240, 280, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1 ,000, 1 ,200, 1 ,400, 1 ,600, 1 ,800, 2,000, 2,500, 3,000, 4,500, 5,000, 6,000, 8,000, 10,000, 12,000, 14,000, 16,000, 18,000, 20,000, 25,000, 30,000, 35,000, 40,000, 45,000, 50,000, 75,000, or at least about 100,000 Barrer or more, when tested at room temperature without the sweep medium present.
  • the one or more membranes can have any suitable shape.
  • An array of fibers or sheets may be bundled to form a membrane module that may be surrounded partially or completely by a frame or shell.
  • the one or more membranes are plate-and- frame membranes, spiral wound membranes, tubular membranes, capillary fiber membranes, or hollow fiber membranes.
  • the one or more membranes can be a hollow fiber membrane module containing a plurality of hollow fiber membranes, each fiber having a bore side and a shell side.
  • the fibers in a hollow fiber membrane module can collectively have a bore side and a shell side accessible through a single connector on each side of the module.
  • the fibers in a hollow fiber membrane module can have a bore side and a shell side accessible through multiple connectors placed at various points in the module.
  • the feed gas mixture can be contacted to the bore side of the one or more hollow fiber membranes, and the sweep medium can be contacted to the shell side.
  • the feed gas mixture can be contacted to the shell side of the one or more hollow fiber membranes, and the sweep medium can be contacted to the bore side.
  • the membrane modules may take on any shape and aspect ratio.
  • the membrane module has a rectangular or square cross section that fits into an air channel or duct.
  • the membrane module is cylindrical has a circular cross-section.
  • the module geometry is suitable to minimize axial air pressure drops (in the direction of air flow) while fitting conveniently into the air channel.
  • the one or more membranes can be free-standing or supported by a porous substrate.
  • the pressure on either side of the one or more membranes can be about the same.
  • the pressure on the first side of the one or more membranes can be higher than the pressure on the second side of the one or more membranes.
  • the pressure on the second side of the one or more membranes can be higher than the pressure on the first side of the one or more membranes.
  • any number of membranes can be used to accomplish the humidification or dehumidification. Any combination of free-standing and supported membranes can be used. Any suitable surface area of the one or more membranes can be used. For example, the surface area of each membrane, or the total surface area of the membranes, can be about 0.01 m 2 , 0.1 , 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1200, 1400, 1600, 1800, 2000, 2200, 2400, 2600, 2800, 3000, 3200, 3400, 3800, 4000, 5000, 10,000, 50,000,
  • the one or more membranes are one or more hollow tube or fiber membranes. Any number of hollow tube or fiber membranes can be used. For example, 1 hollow tube or fiber membrane, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000, 100,000 or about 1 ,000,000 hollow tube or fiber membranes can be used together as the one or more membranes.
  • the one or more membranes are crosslinked silicone or organopolysiloxane hollow tube or fiber membranes.
  • the one or more membranes are one or more free standing hollow tube or fiber membranes (e.g., having no porous support).
  • the one or more membranes are crosslinked silicone or organopolysiloxane free standing hollow tube or fiber membranes (e.g., having no porous support).
  • the one or more hollow tube or fiber membranes can be in the form of a modular cartridge, such that the one or more membranes can be easily replaced or maintained.
  • the inside of the one or more hollow tube or fiber membranes can be the first side of the one or more membranes, and the outside of the one or more hollow tube or fiber membranes can be the second side of the one or more membranes.
  • the outside of the one or more hollow tube or fiber membranes can be the first side of the one or more membranes, and the inside of the one or more hollow tube or fiber membranes can be the second side of the one or more membranes.
  • a pressure difference is maintained between the first and second side of the one or more hollow tube or fiber membranes.
  • various embodiments of the present invention can provide a module that allows limited or no heat transfer from a sweep medium to the feed gas mixture or vice versa. In other embodiments, various embodiments of the present invention can provide a module that allows substantial heat transfer from a sweep medium to the feed gas mixture or vice versa. For example, the present invention can provide a system that allows concurrent heat and mass exchange between the feed gas mixture and a sweep medium.
  • the membrane is supported on a porous or highly permeable non-porous substrate.
  • the substrate can be any suitable substrate.
  • a supported membrane has the majority of the surface area of at least one of the two major sides of the membrane contacting a porous or highly permeable non-porous substrate.
  • a supported membrane on a porous substrate can be referred to as a composite membrane, where the membrane is a composite of the membrane and the porous substrate.
  • the porous substrate on which the supported membrane is located can allow gases or liquids to pass through the pores and to reach the membrane.
  • the supported membrane can be attached (e.g., adhered) to the porous substrate.
  • the supported membrane can be in contact with the substrate without being adhered.
  • the porous substrate can be partially integrated, fully integrated, or not integrated into the membrane.
  • the membrane is unsupported, also referred to as freestanding.
  • the majority of the surface area on each of the two major sides of a membrane that is free-standing is not contacting a substrate, whether the substrate is porous or not.
  • a membrane that is free-standing can be 100% unsupported.
  • a membrane that is free-standing can be supported at the edges or at the minority (e.g., less than 50%) of the surface area on either or both major sides of the membrane.
  • a free-standing membrane can have any suitable shape, regardless of the percent of the free-standing membrane that is supported. Examples of suitable shapes for free-standing membranes include, for example, squares, rectangles, circles, tubes, cubes, spheres, cones, cylinders, and planar sections thereof, with any thickness, including variable thicknesses.
  • the membrane can be made of any suitable materials, such as organic material, silicone, inorganic materials, or any combination thereof, such that the method can be performed as described herein.
  • the membrane can be polymeric.
  • the membrane can be porous, and can optionally include a dense skin.
  • the membrane is porous with a hydrophobic coating.
  • the membrane has a porous support wherein the pores are filled with a highly permeable polymer.
  • the membrane can include a polymer such as cellulose acetate, nitrocellulose, a cellulose ester, polysulfone, a polyether sulfone, polyacrylonitrile, polyamide, polyimide, a polyethylene, a polypropylene,
  • the membrane can include poly(etheretherketone) (PEEK), a polybenzimidazole, a polystyrene, a polyacrylate, a polymethacrylate, a polyvinylalcohol, a polyether, a polyaryletherketones, a polyester, a polyacetylene, a poly(1 -trimethylsilyl-1 - propyne), a poly(methylpentene), a fluroropolymer such as a polytetrafluoroethylene or a poly(perfluorovinyl ether), a polycarbonate, or an epoxy resin.
  • PEEK poly(etheretherketone)
  • PEEK polybenzimidazole
  • a polystyrene a polyacrylate, a polymethacrylate, a polyvinylalcohol
  • a polyether a polyaryletherketones
  • polyester a polyacetylene, a poly(1 -trimethylsily
  • the membrane can include a polymer that is crosslinked or not crosslinked.
  • the membrane can include a crosslinked polymer, such as a polyvinyl polymer (e.g., polyvinyl chloride), a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber such as polyisoprene or polybutadiene, an EPDM (ethylene-propylene diene monomer) rubber, a nitrile rubber, an acrylic rubber, a fluoroacrylate rubber, a polyurethane, polyisobutylene, a silicone, or a fluorosilicone.
  • a polyvinyl polymer e.g., polyvinyl chloride
  • a natural rubber e.g., polyvinyl chloride
  • a synthetic rubber such as polyisoprene or polybutadiene
  • EPDM ethylene-propylene diene monomer
  • a nitrile rubber such as acrylic rubber, a fluoroacrylate rubber, a polyurethane, polyisobutylene
  • the membrane can include materials crosslinked chemically or non-chemically through physical crosslinks in phase-separated domains.
  • the membrane can be a ceramic membrane, including inorganic materials such as alumina, titania, zirconia oxides, silicon carbide, or glassy materials.
  • the membrane can be a silicone membrane, such as an organopolysiloxane membrane.
  • the one or more membranes can include the cured product of an organosilicon composition.
  • the organosilicon composition can be any suitable organosilicon composition.
  • the curing of the organosilicon composition gives a cured product of the organosilicon composition.
  • the curable organosilicon composition includes at least one suitable
  • the silicone composition includes suitable ingredients to allow the composition to be curable in any suitable fashion.
  • the organosilicon composition can include any suitable additional ingredients, including any suitable organic or inorganic component, including components that do not include silicon, or including components that do not include a polysiloxane structure.
  • the cured product of the silicone composition includes a polysiloxane.
  • the curable silicon composition can include molecular components that have properties that allow the composition to be cured.
  • the properties that allow the silicone composition to be cured are specific functional groups.
  • an individual compound contains functional groups or has properties that allow the silicone composition to be cured by one or more curing methods.
  • one compound can contain functional groups or have properties that allow the silicone composition to be cured in one fashion, while another compound can contain functional groups or have properties that allow the silicone composition to be cured in the same or a different fashion.
  • the functional groups that allow for curing can be located at pendant or, if applicable, terminal positions in the compound.
  • the curable silicon composition can include an organosilicon compound.
  • the organosilicon compound can be any organosilicon compound.
  • the organosilicon compound can be, for example, a silane (e.g, an organosilane), a polysilane (e.g., an organopolysilane), a siloxane (e.g., an organosiloxane such as an organomonosiloxane or an organopolysiloxane), a polysiloxane (e.g., an organopolysiloxane), or a polysiloxane-organic copolymer, such as any suitable one of such compound as known in the art.
  • the curable silicone composition can contain any number of suitable organosilicon compounds, and any number of suitable organic compounds.
  • An organosilicon compound can include any functional group that allows for curing.
  • the organosilicon compound can include a silicon-bonded hydrogen atom, such as organohydrogensilane or an organohydrogensiloxane.
  • the organosilicon compound can include an alkenyl group, such as an organoalkenylsilane or an organoalkenyl siloxane.
  • the organosilicon compound can include any functional group that allows for curing.
  • the organosilane can be a monosilane, disilane, trisilane, or polysilane.
  • the organosiloxane can be a disiloxane, trisiloxane, or polysiloxane.
  • the structure of the organosilicon compound can be linear, branched, cyclic, or resinous.
  • Cyclosilanes and cyclosiloxanes can have from 3 to 12 silicon atoms, alternatively from 3 to 10 silicon atoms, alternatively from 3 to 4 silicon atoms.
  • the organosilicon compound can be an organopolysiloxane compound.
  • the organopolysiloxane compound has an average of at least one, two, or more than two functional groups that allow for curing.
  • the organopolysiloxane compound can have a linear, branched, cyclic, or resinous structure.
  • the organopolysiloxane compound can be a homopolymer or a copolymer.
  • the organopolysiloxane compound can be a disiloxane, trisiloxane, or polysiloxane.
  • the organopolysiloxane compound can be a single organopolysiloxane compound.
  • organopolysiloxane or a combination including two or more organopolysiloxanes that differ in at least one of the following properties: structure, viscosity, average molecular weight, siloxane units, and sequence.
  • a sweep medium such as a silicone fluid can be used to sweep the shell-side or bore-side of a hollow fiber membrane module, or to contact the feed gas mixture in a liquid contactor, to add or remove water from a feed gas mixture.
  • the sweep liquid can then be regenerated for re-use.
  • the sweep medium can be prepared to use again to hydrate (water can be added to the sweep medium) or dehydrate (water can be removed from the sweep medium) a feed gas mixture such as through the use of a second module, or by use of another liquid contactor to contact the sweep liquid with ambient air or another sweep medium.
  • the water can be desorbed from the sweep fluid using a higher temperature than used during the absorption, optionally without the use of a vacuum pump.
  • the absorption can be performed with at least one of a colder temperature of the sweep medium and a higher pressure of the surrounding environment (e.g., gaseous environment) in contact with the sweep medium, while during desorption at least one of a higher temperature of the sweep medium and a lower pressure of surrounding environment (e.g., gaseous environment) in contact with the sweep medium is used.
  • the sweep medium absorbs water vapor across a membrane from a feed gas mixture, and the sweep medium is then regenerated either by direct contact with air or dry gas or by desorption across a membrane to air or dry gas.
  • the sweep medium is recirculated for reuse without being regenerated (e.g., multiple passes).
  • a sweep fluid containing sorbed water or that has been desorbed is not regenerated immediately but sent to another process or stored for future use.
  • the present invention provides methods of using a membrane or liquid contactor in combination with a sweep medium.
  • the sweep medium can be contacted to the second side of a membrane to help sweep away some or substantially all of the water that permeates through the membrane into the second side, thus helping maintain a strong driving force for mass transfer of the water across the membrane.
  • the sweep medium can be contacted to the second side of the membrane to provide water that permeates through the membrane into the first side.
  • the feed gas mixture and sweep medium can have any suitable flow configuration with respect to one another.
  • the movement of the sweep medium can lessen the concentration of the water immediately adjacent the membrane or immediately adjacent the feed gas mixture in a liquid contactor, which can increase the rate of transfer of the water.
  • the amount of the feed gas mixture and sweep medium contacting the membrane over a given time, or contacting one another in a liquid contactor can be increased or maximized, which can improve the humidification or dehumidification performance of the membrane by increasing or optimizing the transfer of the water.
  • the feed gas mixture and sweep medium flow in similar directions. In other examples, the feed gas mixture and sweep medium flow in at least one of countercurrent or crosscurrent flow.
  • Flow configurations can include multiple flow patterns, for example about 10%, 20 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, or 90% of the feed gas mixture and sweep medium can have a crosscurrent flow while the other about 90%, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, or 10% of the feed gas mixture and sweep medium have a countercurrent flow, a similar flow direction (e.g., co-current flow), or a radial flow direction with respect to one another (e.g., bore flow along length while sweep flow is along a radial direction). Any suitable combination of flow patterns is encompassed within embodiments of the present invention.
  • the flow rate of the feed gas mixture and the flow rate of the sweep medium can be independently adjusted to give any suitable feed gas mixture to sweep medium flow ratio.
  • feed gas mixture to sweep medium flow ratios there can be an optimum range of feed gas mixture to sweep medium flow ratios to accomplish a desired amount of humidification or dehumidification for a given system, configuration, and operating conditions.
  • the optimal feed gas mixture to sweep liquid flow ratio can be different from the optimal ratio for a process where the water is removed from the feed gas mixture into a sweep medium.
  • the sweep medium can include a vacuum, ambient pressure, or greater than ambient pressure.
  • the sweep medium can include a gas, a liquid, or a combination of a gas or liquid.
  • the gas can be any suitable gas, such as ambient air, compressed air, oxygen, nitrogen, helium, or argon.
  • the liquid can be any suitable liquid, such as an aqueous liquid, an organic solvent, or a silicon fluid such as an organosilicon fluid.
  • the vacuum can be any suitable vacuum, and can be based on at least one of the vapor pressure of the water at the temperature used, the temperature of the system, and the flow rates of the feed gas mixture and the sweep medium.
  • the vacuum can be 0.000,01 bar to about 1 bar, or about 0.001 bar to about 0.5 bar, or about 0.000,01 bar or less, about 0.000,1 bar, 0.001 , 0.01 , 0.1 , 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, or about 1 bar or more.
  • a vacuum pump can be preceded by a trap, such that water does not enter the pump.
  • the sweep medium can be water or can include a large proportion of water.
  • the sweep medium can be 100 wt% water, or about 99 wt%, 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 92, 90, 85, 80, 75, 70, 65, 60, 55, 50, 45, 40, 35, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or about 1 wt% or less water.
  • the sweep medium can be air having less water therein than the feed gas mixture desired to be dehumidified, such as air taken from a drier location in the environment (e.g., a different part of the building).
  • the sweep medium includes an organosilicon fluid, such as about 0.1 wt% or less, or 1 wt%, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 95, 96, 97, 97, 98, 99, or about 99.9 wt% or more.
  • the organosilicon fluid can be at least one of absorbent and adsorbent, e.g., the organosilicon fluid can be a sorbent fluid.
  • the organosilicon fluid can include at least one of an organosiloxane and an organosilane.
  • the organosilicon fluid is substantially non-volatile and having a modest moderate viscosity, such as 10 to 500 cP at 1 rad/s, to be pumpable and stable at the temperatures of use without using excessive energy to convey the fluid.
  • the sweep fluid can be substantially non-reactive with the water, contaminants, or pollutants being absorbed, and optionally non-reactive with the other components of the feed gas mixture.
  • the organosilicon fluid includes at least one organosilicon compound, and can additionally include any other suitable compound, including any suitable organic or inorganic component, including components that do not include silicon, including any suitable solvent or non-solvent.
  • the organosilicon fluid can be, for example, a silane (e.g, an organosilane), a polysilane (e.g., an organopolysilane), a siloxane (e.g., an organosiloxane such as an organomonosiloxane or an organopolysiloxane), or a polysiloxane (e.g., an organosilane), or a polysiloxane (e.g., an organosilane), or a polysiloxane (e.g., an organosilane), or a polysiloxane (e.g., an organosilane), a siloxane (e.g., an organosilane
  • organopolysiloxane such as any suitable one of such compound as known in the art.
  • the organosilane can be a monosilane, disilane, trisilane, or polysilane.
  • organosiloxane can be a disiloxane, trisiloxane, or polysiloxane.
  • the structure of the organosiloxane can be a disiloxane, trisiloxane, or polysiloxane.
  • organosilicon compound can be linear, branched, cyclic, or resinous.
  • Cyclosilanes and cyclosiloxanes can have from 3 to 12 silicon atoms, alternatively from 3 to 10 silicon atoms, alternatively from 3 to 4 silicon atoms.
  • the sweep medium has properties that allow it to absorb or desorb the water at a suitable speed and at sufficient quantity, such that a sufficiently efficient humidification or dehumidification process occurs.
  • the sweep medium has properties that allow it to desorb the water to achieve a suitably low concentration of the water in the sweep medium over a suitably short period of time, such that a sufficiently efficient humidification or dehumidification process occurs. While some sweep mediums, such as liquids including organosilicon fluids, can have the right balance of properties allowing efficient combined absorption and desorption processes, others can be better suited for either absorption or desorption process.
  • the organosilicon fluid can include an organosilicon (e.g., an organopolysiloxane, an organosiloxane, or an organosilane) having at least one silicon- bonded substituent chosen from any suitable hygroscopic group, or chosen from at least one of -OH, -H, halogen, substituted or unsubstituted (C-
  • organosilicon e.g., an organopolysiloxane, an organosiloxane, or an organosilane
  • silicon-bonded substituent chosen from any suitable hygroscopic group, or chosen from at least
  • C2fj)hydrocarbyloxy e.g., alkoxy, such as methoxy, or acyloxy, such as acetoxy
  • an ether or polyether e.g., terminated with a hydroxy group or a (C-
  • C2o)a!kyl spacer acrylate (e.g., bonded via C2 or C3 carbon or via an oxygen-atom, optionally including a (C-
  • one or more silicon-bonded substituents are bonded to non-terminal silicon atoms.
  • the mole percent of silicon-bonded functional groups is the ratio of the number of moles of siloxane units in the organopolysiloxane having the silicon- bonded group to the total number of moles of siloxane units in the organopolysiloxane, multiplied by 100.
  • an organosilicon including at least one hydroxy group can be a hydroxydiorganosilyl-terminated polydiorganosiloxane, such as a hydroxydimethylsilyl- terminated polydimethylsiloxane, a hydroxymethylvinylsilyl-terminated polymethylvinylsiloxane, a hydroxy-terminated polymethylvinylsiloxane-polydimethylsiloxane random copolymer, a hydroxydiorganosilyl-terminated polyalkyl(haloalkyl)siloxane, a
  • hydroxymethyl(trifluoromethylethyl)silyl-terminated polymethyl(trifluoromethylethyl)siloxane a hydroxy-terminated polydimethylsiloxane oligomer diol, a hydroxy-terminated oligomeric trifluoropropyl methylsiloxane, a hydroxy-terminated 3-(3-hydroxypropyl)-heptamethyltrisiloxane which has been ethoxylated (e.g., poly(ethylene oxide) substituted at one or more hydroxy groups, a hydroxy-terminated heptamethyl-3-(propyl(poly(ethylene oxide))trisiloxane), an acetoxy- or methoxy-terminated heptamethyl-3-(propyl(poly(ethylene oxide))trisiloxane, a poly(ethylene oxide)-substituted heptamethyltrisiloxane having an acetoxy or a methoxy cap
  • the organosilicon fluid is an organosilane fluid.
  • an organosilane can have the formula R ⁇ Si-F ⁇ -SiR ⁇ , wherein R ⁇ is silicon-bonded substituent chosen from any suitable hygroscopic group, or chosen from at least one of -OH, -H, halogen, substituted or unsubstituted (C-
  • an ether or polyether e.g., terminated with a hydroxy group or a (C-i -C ⁇ oJa!kyl group, having a degree of polymerization of about 2 to about 1 ,000, 3-100, 4-50, 5-20, or about 6-10, wherein the ether or polyether is bonded via an alkyl group or via an oxygen-atom, optionally including a (C-i -C ⁇ nJa!kyl spacer), acrylate (e.g., bonded via C2 or C3 carbon or via an oxygen-atom, optionally including a (C-
  • the variable R 2 can be a hydrocarbylene group free of aliphatic unsaturation, such as having a formula selected from monoaryl such as 1 ,4-disubstituted phenyl, 1 ,3-disubstituted phenyl; or bisaryl such as 4,4'-disubstituted-1 ,1 '-biphenyl, 3, 3'-disubstituted-1 ,1 '-biphenyl, or similar bisaryl with a hydrocarbon chain including 1 to 6 methylene groups bridging one aryl group to another.
  • the organosilicon fluid can include or can be an organosiloxane fluid.
  • the organosiloxane fluid can include an
  • organopolysiloxane compound An organopolysiloxane compound can be nonfunctionalized, having only alkyl groups substituted to each siloxy group.
  • An organopolysiloxane compound can be functionalized, having groups other than alkyl groups (e.g., other than methyl groups) substituted to at least one siloxy group, such as silicon-bonded substituent chosen from any suitable hygroscopic group, or chosen from at least one of -OH, -H, halogen, substituted or unsubstituted (C-
  • ether or polyether is bonded via an alkyl group or via an oxygen-atom, optionally including a (C-i -C ⁇ oJa!kyl spacer), acrylate (e.g., bonded via C2 or
  • the organopolysiloxane compound has an average of at least one, two, or more than two non-alkyl (e.g., non-methyl) functional groups per molecule.
  • the organopolysiloxane compound can have a linear, branched, cyclic, or resinous structure.
  • the organopolysiloxane compound can be a
  • the organopolysiloxane compound can be a disiloxane, trisiloxane, or polysiloxane.
  • the organosilicon fluid includes
  • the sweep medium can include one compound or more than one compound.
  • the sweep medium can include a silicone fluid, an organic oil, a polyether, or halogen-substituted versions thereof.
  • the sweep medium can include one or more organic compounds dissolved or suspended therein, wherein the compounds can be liquid, solid, or gas (e.g., in pure form at standard temperature and pressure).
  • the sweep medium can include or can be a salt solution, such as lithium chloride, lithium bromide, sodium chloride, calcium chloride, and magnesium chloride.
  • the sweep medium may also optionally contain heat stabilizers, antifoams, rheology modifiers, corrosion inhibitors, acid scavengers, base scavengers, dyes, pigments, surfactants, or a combination thereof, such as to make the solution more amenable to extended use and monitoring.
  • the sweep medium can be depleted in the water (as compared to a saturated or semi-saturated state).
  • the organopolysiloxane can include only siloxy-repeating units (e.g., can be non-copolymeric).
  • the organopolysiloxane can be a copolymer that includes at least one other repeating unit in addition to siloxy-repeating units.
  • the other repeating unit in the copolymer can be formed by a water-compatible organic polymer, an alcohol-compatible organic polymer, or any combination thereof.
  • any optional ingredient described herein can be present in the membrane, in the composition that forms the membrane, or in the sweep medium (e.g., at a concentration of about 0.001 wt% or less, or about 0.005 wt%, 0.01 , 0.05, 0.1 , 0.5, 1 , 1 .5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 95, 98, 99, or about 99.9 wt% or more); alternatively, any optional ingredient described herein can be absent from the membrane, the composition that forms the membrane, or the sweep medium.
  • Liquids can optionally be used.
  • An example of a liquid includes water, an organic solvent, any liquid organic compound, a silicone liquid, a salt solution, organic oils, ionic fluids, and supercritical fluids.
  • Other optional ingredients include polyethers having at least one alkenyl group per molecule, thickening agents, fillers and inorganic particles, stabilizing agents, waxes or wax-like materials, silicones, organofunctional siloxanes, alkylmethylsiloxanes, siloxane resins, silicone gums, silicone carbinol fluids can be optional components, water soluble or water dispersible silicone polyether compositions, silicone rubber, hydrosilylation catalyst inhibitors, corrosion inhibitors, adhesion promoters, heat stabilizers, UV stabilizers, and flow control additives.
  • the present invention provides an HVAC system or apparatus including a radiant heat transfer device in fluid communication with a membrane module or a liquid contacting device.
  • the membrane module or liquid contacting device can enrich or deplete water in a feed gas mixture including air.
  • the HVAC system or apparatus can be any suitable system or apparatus that can be used to perform an embodiment of a method of humidifying or dehumidifying air as described herein.
  • the present invention provides an HVAC system for dehumidifying ambient air.
  • the HVAC system includes a radiant heat transfer device in fluid communication with a membrane module or a liquid contacting device.
  • the membrane module can include a first membrane, and a feed gas mixture including at least water vapor and ambient air contacting the first side of the first membrane.
  • the membrane module can include a permeate mixture on the second side of the first membrane, wherein the permeate mixture is formed by the contacting and is enriched in water.
  • the membrane module can include a retentate mixture on the first side of the first membrane that is formed by the contacting, wherein the retentate mixture is depleted in water.
  • the liquid contacting device can include a feed gas mixture including at least water vapor and ambient air.
  • the liquid contacting device can include a feed gas mixture contacting a liquid sorbent material, wherein the liquid sorbent material is enriched in water by the contacting and the feed gas mixture is depleted in water by the contacting.
  • the HVAC system utilizes a chilled water supply that provides cold water at a temperature sufficient for both cooling the indoor air in a radiant heat transfer device and for removing humidity from the air stream through absorption into the sorbent fluid in a contactor or membrane.
  • the HVAC system utilizes a heated water supply that provides warm water at a temperature sufficient for both heating the indoor air in a radiant heat transfer device and for introducing humidity to the air stream through desorption from the sorbent fluid or water in a contactor or membrane.
  • the HVAC system utilizes multiple membrane modules or liquid contactors with multiple radiant heat transfer devices to provide decentralized climate control.
  • the HVAC system utilizes multiple membrane modules or liquid contactors with multiple radiant heat transfer devices to provide decentralized climate control, but with a single centralized array or bank of one or more membrane modules or contactors for regeneration of the sorbent fluid.
  • the HVAC utilizes a centralized array or bank of one more membrane modules or contactors for absorption of water vapor, and a centralized membrane bank of one or more membrane modules or contactors for regeneration (desorption) of the sorbent fluid.
  • the absorption and desorption units can be located anywhere inside or outside the building, including between floors, in the walls, on the roof, and located on any interior or exterior surface including walls, windows, floors, ceilings, sub-floors and basements, and roofs.
  • the membrane or contacting units are also each in fluid communication with an air filter that reduces dust and particulates in the air stream prior to entry of the air into the membrane or contacting unit.
  • the present invention provides an HVAC system for humidifying ambient air.
  • the HVAC system includes a radiant heat transfer device in fluid communication with a membrane module or a liquid contacting device.
  • the membrane module can include a first membrane, and a feed gas mixture including at least dry ambient air contacting the first side of the first membrane.
  • the membrane module includes a sweep liquid including water that is contacting the second side of the first membrane.
  • the membrane module includes a permeate mixture on the first side of the first membrane, wherein the permeate mixture is formed by the contacting of the feed gas mixture to the membrane and the contacting of the sweep liquid to the membrane, and wherein the permeate mixture is enriched in water.
  • the membrane module includes a retentate mixture on the second side of the first membrane, wherein the retentate mixture is formed by the contacting of the feed gas mixture to the membrane and the contacting of the sweep liquid to the membrane, and wherein the retentate mixture is depleted in water.
  • Silicone sorbent Fluid A was a heptamethyl-3-(propyl(poly(ethylene
  • Silicone sorbent Fluid B was a heptamethyl-3- (propyl(poly(ethylene oxide))trisiloxane, wherein the polyether had a number average degree of polymerization of 8 and the polyether was methoxy-capped.
  • An air and water vapor mixture was fed to an absorption membrane module consisting of silicone hollow fiber membranes.
  • the air and water vapor mixture entered the tube side of the absorption hollow fiber membrane module.
  • Silicone sorbent fluids were pumped on the shell side of the absorption hollow fiber membrane module, countercurrent to the air flow.
  • Water vapor was removed from the feed air and water vapor mixture by transfer of water vapor through the membrane and into the silicone sorbent fluids.
  • Dehumidified air exited the absorption hollow fiber membrane module.
  • Water vapor was removed from the silicone sorbent fluids by pumping said liquids, at an elevated temperature, on the shell side of a desorption membrane module consisting of silicone hollow fiber membranes.
  • Silicone membrane contactor dehumidification data including the silicone sorbent fluids used (1 ), the thickness of the silicone membrane in the absorption and desorption modules (2), the inlet silicone polyether liquid temperatures to the absorption (3) and desorption (4) membrane modules, the silicone polyether liquid flow rates (5), the air and water vapor mixture flow rate to the absorption (6) and desorption (7) modules, the dew point of the air and water vapor mixture entering the absorption module (8), the dew point of the air and water vapor mixture exiting the absorption module (9), and the change in dew point between the air and water vapor mixture entering and exiting the absorption module (10).
  • Table 1 Silicone membrane contactor dehumidification data, including the silicone sorbent fluids used (1 ), the thickness of the silicone membrane in the absorption and desorption modules (2), the inlet silicone polyether liquid temperatures to the absorption (3) and desorption (4) membrane modules, the silicone polyether liquid flow rates (5), the air and water vapor mixture flow rate to the absorption (6) and desorption (7) modules,
  • Dry air at 0% RH was fed to a membrane module consisting of silicone hollow fiber membranes.
  • the dry air entered the tube side of the hollow fiber membrane module.
  • Liquid water was pumped on the shell side of the hollow fiber membrane module,
  • Silicone membrane contactor humidification data including the liquid water flow rate (1 ), the liquid water temperature (2), the bone-dry air flow rate (3), the relative humidity of the air stream exiting the membrane module (4), and the dew point of the air stream exiting the membrane module (5).
  • Table 3 Packed column dehumidification data, including the silicone sorbent fluids used (1 ), the inlet silicone polyether liquid temperatures to the absorption (2) and desorption (3) packed columns, the silicone polyether liquid flow rates (4), the air and water vapor mixture flow rate to the absorption (5) and desorption (6) packed columns, the dew point of the air and water vapor mixture entering the absorption packed column (7), the dew point of the air and water vapor mixture exiting the absorption packed column (8), and the change in dew point between the air and water vapor mixture entering and exiting the absorption packed column (9).
  • An air and water vapor mixture was fed to an organic membrane module consisting of fluoropolymer hollow fiber membranes.
  • the air and water vapor mixture entered the tube side of the absorption hollow fiber membrane module.
  • Silicone sorbent fluids were pumped on the shell side of the absorption hollow fiber membrane module, countercurrent to the air flow.
  • Water vapor was removed from the feed air and water vapor mixture by transfer of water vapor through the membrane and into the silicone sorbent fluids.
  • Dehumidified air exited the absorption hollow fiber membrane module.
  • the available contact area of the absorption membrane modules was 0.7 m 2 , based on the outer diameter of the hollow fiber.
  • Zone A The sensible heat of three separate 1000 ft 2 zones, denoted as Zone A, Zone B, and Zone C, in a commercial building is controlled via four active chilled beams in each zone, each beam 6 ft x 2 ft, to maintain a zone dry-bulb temperature of 21 °C in Zone A, Zone B, and Zone C.
  • Chilled water at 15°C flows through a pipe or pipes into the chilled beams to cool the supply air, defined as the combination of primary air and induction air, and control the dry-bulb temperature.
  • the desired dew point set point in Zone A is 10°C
  • the desired dew point set point in Zone B is 12°C
  • the desired dew point set point in Zone C is 14°C.
  • a total of 1080 cfm of humid air, at a dew point of 20°C, is dehumidified at a central location by any viable method including cooling by refrigeration or chilled water to condense and remove water, contacting air with a desiccant wheel to remove water vapor, or contacting air either directly or indirectly with a liquid desiccant to remove water vapor.
  • the 1080 cfm of centrally-dehumidified air is distributed to each zone such that Zone A, Zone B, and Zone C each receives 360 cfm of centrally- dehumidified air.
  • the 360 cfm of centrally-dehumidified air that each zone receives is considered the primary air source for the active chilled beams.
  • the dew point of the centrally- dehumidified air must be at least 10°C to meet the minimum zone dew point (that being Zone A, 10°C).
  • the flow of air in the central dehumidification system of this Example is illustrated in Figure 1 .
  • the sensible heat of a 1000 ft 2 zone in a commercial building is controlled via four active chilled beams, each 6 ft x 2 ft, to maintain a zone dry-bulb temperature of 21 °C.
  • a total of 360 cfm primary air is distributed to the four active chilled beams.
  • the dew point of the primary air is 18°C and the dew point of the air in the zone is 14°C.
  • the active chilled beams are designed to have an induction ratio of 2:1 , resulting in a supply air stream, defined as the combination of primary air and induction air, of 1080 cfm air.
  • the dew point of the supply air is 15°C.
  • Chilled water at 15°C flows through a pipe or pipes into the chilled beams to cool the supply air and control the dry-bulb temperature.
  • Water vapor in the primary air and supply air will condense on the pipe or pipes transferring chilled water in the chilled beams. This is a result of the temperature of the outside of the chilled water pipe or pipes being less than the dew point of primary air and supply air.
  • the sensible heat of a 1000 ft 2 zone in a commercial building is controlled via four active chilled beams, each 6 ft x 2 ft, to maintain a zone dry-bulb temperature of 21 °C.
  • a total of 360 cfm primary air is distributed to the four active chilled beams.
  • the dew point of the primary air is 18°C and the dew point of the air in the zone is 14°C.
  • the active chilled beams are designed to have an induction ratio of 2:1 , resulting in a supply air stream, defined as the combination of primary air and induction air, of 1080 cfm air.
  • Silicone hollow fiber membrane absorption modules are placed upstream of each of the active chilled beams to dehumidify primary air before it enters the beams.
  • Primary air is fed to the tube side of the modules. Fluid A is pumped on the shell side of the modules, countercurrent to the air flow. Akin to Reference Example 1 , the dew point of the primary air is reduced from 18°C to 14°C. The dew point of the supply air is 14°C. Chilled water at 15°C flows through a pipe or pipes into the chilled beams to cool the supply air and control the dry-bulb temperature. The water vapor in the primary air, induction air, and supply air will not condense on the pipe or pipes transferring chilled water in the chilled beams. This is a result of the temperature of the outside of the chilled water pipe or pipes being greater than the dew point of the primary air, induction air, and supply air.
  • the sensible heat of a 1000 ft 2 zone in a commercial building is controlled via four radiant heat beams, each 6 ft x 2 ft, in which hot water flows through pipes and transfers heat to air to maintain a zone dry-bulb temperature of 21 °C.
  • a total of 360 cfm primary air is distributed to the four radiant heat beams.
  • the dew point of the primary air is 0°C and the dew point of the air in the zone is 5°C.
  • the radiant heat beams are designed to have an induction ratio of 2:1 , resulting in a supply air stream, defined as the combination of primary air and induction air, of 1080 cfm air.
  • Silicone hollow fiber membrane modules are placed upstream of the radiant heat beams to humidify primary air before it enters the beams.
  • Primary air is fed to the tube side of the modules.
  • Liquid water is pumped on the shell side of the modules, countercurrent to the air flow.
  • the dew point of the primary air is increased from 0°C to 15°C.
  • the dew point of the supply air is 9°C.
  • Hot water at 80°C flows through a pipe or pipes into the radiant heat beams to heat the supply air and control the dry- bulb temperature.
  • the supply air dew point is 9°C (nearly 50% RH at 21 °C) and is considered comfortable.
  • the sensible heat of a 1000 ft 2 zone in a commercial building is controlled via four active chilled beams, each 6 ft x 2 ft, to maintain a zone dry-bulb temperature of 21 °C.
  • a total of 360 cfm primary air is distributed to the four active chilled beams.
  • the dew point of the primary air is 18°C and the dew point of the air in the zone is 14°C.
  • the active chilled beams are designed to have an induction ratio of 2:1 , resulting in a supply air stream, defined as the combination of primary air and induction air, of 1080 cfm air.
  • Organic membrane modules consisting of fluoropolymer-coated porous polypropylene hollow fiber membranes are placed upstream of the active chilled beams to dehumidify primary air before it enters the beams.
  • Primary air is fed to the tube side of the modules.
  • Fluid A is pumped on the shell side of the modules, countercurrent to the air flow.
  • the dew point of the primary air is reduced from 18°C to 14°C.
  • the dew point of the supply air is 14°C.
  • Chilled water at 15°C flows through a pipe or pipes into the chilled beams to cool the supply air and control the dry-bulb temperature.
  • the water vapor in the primary air, induction air, and supply air will not condense on the pipe or pipes transferring chilled water in the chilled beams. This is a result of the temperature of the outside of the chilled water pipe or pipes being greater than the dew point of the primary air, induction air, and supply air.
  • the sensible heat of a 1000 ft 2 zone in a commercial building is controlled via four active chilled beams, each 6 ft x 2 ft, to maintain a zone dry-bulb temperature of 21 °C.
  • a total of 360 cfm primary air is distributed to the four active chilled beams.
  • the dew point of the primary air is 18°C and the dew point of the air in the zone is 14°C.
  • the active chilled beams are designed to have an induction ratio of 2:1 , resulting in a supply air stream, defined as the combination of primary air and induction air, of 1080 cfm air.
  • Absorption packed columns are placed upstream of the active chilled beams to dehumidify primary air before it enters the beams.
  • Primary air is fed to the bottom side of the absorption packed columns. Fluid A is pumped to the top side of the absorption packed columns, countercurrent to the air flow.
  • the dew point of the primary air is reduced from 18°C to 14°C.
  • the dew point of the supply air is 14°C.
  • Chilled water at 15°C flows through a pipe or pipes into the chilled beams to cool the supply air and control the dry-bulb temperature.
  • the water vapor in the primary air, induction air, and supply air will not condense on the pipe or pipes transferring chilled water in the chilled beams. This is a result of the temperature of the outside of the chilled water pipe or pipes being greater than the dew point of the primary air, induction air, and supply air.
  • the sensible heat of a 1000 ft 2 zone in a commercial building is controlled via four active chilled beams, each 6 ft x 2 ft, to maintain a zone dry-bulb temperature of 21 °C.
  • a total of 360 cfm primary air is distributed to the four active chilled beams.
  • the dew point of the primary air is 18°C and the dew point of the air in the zone is 14°C.
  • the active chilled beams are designed to have an induction ratio of 2:1 , resulting in a supply air stream, defined as the combination of primary air and induction air, of 1080 cfm air.
  • Silicone hollow fiber membrane modules are placed upstream of the active chilled beams to dehumidify primary air before it enters the beams.
  • the sensible heat of a 1000 ft 2 zone in a commercial building is controlled via four active chilled beams, each 6 ft x 2 ft, to maintain a zone dry-bulb temperature of 21 °C.
  • a total of 360 cfm primary air is distributed to the four active chilled beams.
  • the dew point of the primary air is 18°C and the dew point of the air in the zone is 14°C.
  • the active chilled beams are designed to have an induction ratio of 2:1 , resulting in a supply air stream, defined as the combination of primary air and induction air, of 1080 cfm air.
  • Silicone hollow fiber membrane modules are placed upstream of the active chilled beams to dehumidify primary air before it enters the beams.
  • Primary air is fed to the tube side of the modules.
  • a vacuum pump applies vacuum on the shell side of the modules.
  • the dew point of the primary air is reduced from 18°C to 14°C.
  • the dew point of the supply air is 14°C.
  • Chilled water at 15°C flows through a pipe or pipes into the chilled beams to cool the supply air and control the dry-bulb temperature.
  • the water vapor in the primary air, induction air, and supply air will not condense on the pipe or pipes transferring chilled water in the chilled beams. This is a result of the temperature of the outside of the chilled water pipe or pipes being greater than the dew point of the primary air, induction air, and supply air.
  • Zone A The sensible heat of three separate 1000 ft 2 zones, denoted as Zone A, Zone B,and Zone C, in a commercial building is controlled via four active chilled beams in each zone, each beam 6 ft x 2 ft, to maintain a zone dry-bulb temperature of 21 °C in Zone A, Zone B, and Zone C.
  • Chilled water at 15°C flows through a pipe or pipes into the chilled beams to cool the supply air and control the dry-bulb temperature.
  • the desired dew point set point in Zone A is 10°C
  • the desired dew point set point in Zone B is 12°C
  • the desired dew point set point in Zone C is 14°C.
  • the 360 cfm of humid air dedicated to Zone A is dehumidified to a dew point of 10°C by a decentralized membrane and/or liquid contacting device as described in the present invention.
  • the 360 cfm of humid air dedicated to Zone B is dehumidified to a dew point of 12°C by a decentralized membrane and/or liquid contacting device as described in the present invention.
  • the 360 cfm of humid air dedicated to Zone C is dehumidified to a dew point of 14°C by a decentralized membrane and/or liquid contacting device as described in the present invention.
  • the 360 cfm of decentrally-dehumidified air that each zone receives is considered the primary air source for the active chilled beams.
  • Humid air is dehumidified only to the extent dictated by the zonal dew point set point, and no further, translating to energy savings relative to the process described in Reference Example 5 in which humid air must be dehumidified to a larger extent to meet the minimum zonal dew point set point.
  • dehumidified air at 10°C entering Zone B and Zone C in Reference Example 5 may be considered too dry by occupants desiring a dew point of 12°C and 14°C, respectively.
  • dehumidified air at 12°C and 14°C entering Zone B and Zone C, respectively, in the current example may be considered comfortable by occupants desiring said dew points.
  • the flow of air in the decentralized dehumidification system of this Example is illustrated in FIG. 2.
  • Example 8 An HVAC system described in Prophetic Example 8 is replicated, but this time uses a packed column rather than the membrane desorber bank to perform the regeneration of the silicone fluid.
  • the packed desorption column is packed with Rashig rings and operated at the same fluid temperature and exhaust air flow rates as in Example 8.
  • a membrane module in fluid communication with the heat transfer device, wherein the module comprises
  • a feed gas mixture comprising at least water vapor and ambient air, the feed gas mixture contacting a first side of the first membrane
  • Embodiment 2 provides the system according to Embodiment 1 , wherein the radiant heat transfer device comprises at least one of a radiant panel, a chilled beam, a fin array, a capillary tube mat, and a chilled sail.
  • Embodiment 4 provides the system according to Embodiment 3, wherein the first side of the hollow fiber membrane is the bore-side and the second side of the hollow fiber membrane is the shell-side.
  • Embodiment 5 provides the system according to Embodiment 3, wherein the first side of the hollow fiber membrane is the shell-side and the second side of the hollow fiber membrane is the bore-side.
  • Embodiment 6 provides the system according to any one of Embodiments 1 -5, wherein the first membrane is a hydrophobic membrane.
  • Embodiment 7 provides the system according to Embodiment 6, wherein the hydrophobic membrane is a nonporous membrane.
  • Embodiment 8 provides the system according to Embodiment 7, wherein the nonporous membrane is a dense silicone membrane.
  • Embodiment 9 provides the system according to any one of Embodiments 1 -8, further comprising a sweep medium comprising at least one of a sweep gas, a sweep liquid, and a vacuum, the sweep medium contacting the second side of the membrane.
  • Embodiment 1 1 provides an HVAC system comprising:
  • a feed gas mixture comprising at least dry ambient air, the feed gas mixture contacting a first side of the first membrane;
  • a sweep liquid comprising water contacting a second side of the first membrane; a permeate mixture on the first side of the first membrane, the permeate mixture formed by the contacting of the feed gas mixture to the membrane and the contacting of the sweep liquid to the membrane, wherein the permeate mixture is enriched in water;
  • a retentate mixture on the second side of the first membrane the retentate mixture formed by the contacting of the feed gas mixture to the membrane and the contacting of the sweep liquid to the membrane, wherein the retentate mixture is depleted in water.
  • Embodiment 12 provides a method of dehumidifying ambient air, the method comprising contacting a first side of a first membrane with a feed gas mixture comprising at least water vapor and ambient air to produce a permeate mixture on a second side of the first membrane and a retentate mixture on the first side of the first membrane, wherein the membrane is in fluid communication with a radiant heat transfer device, the permeate mixture is enriched in water, and the retentate mixture is depleted in water.
  • Embodiment 13 provides the method according to Embodiment 12, wherein the radiant heat transfer device is selected from a radiant panel, a chilled beam, a fin array, a capillary tube mat, and a chilled sail.
  • Embodiment 14 provides the method according to any one of Embodiments 12 or 13, wherein the membrane is a hollow fiber membrane module comprising a bundle of hollow fibers, wherein the fibers collectively have a bore-side and a shell-side.
  • Embodiment 15 provides the method according to Embodiment 14, wherein the first side of the hollow fiber membrane is the bore-side and the second side of the hollow fiber membrane is the shell-side.
  • Embodiment 16 provides the method according to Embodiment 14, wherein the first side of the hollow fiber membrane is the shell-side and the second side of the hollow fiber membrane is the bore-side.
  • Embodiment 18 provides the method according to Embodiment 17, wherein the hydrophobic membrane is a nonporous membrane.
  • Embodiment 19 provides the method according to Embodiment 18, wherein the nonporous membrane is a dense silicone membrane.
  • Embodiment 20 provides the method according to any one of Embodiments 12- 19, further comprising contacting the second side of the first membrane with a sweep medium comprising at least one of a sweep gas, a sweep liquid, and a vacuum.
  • Embodiment 21 provides the method according to Embodiment 20, wherein the sweep medium is a sweep liquid.
  • Embodiment 22 provides the method according to Embodiment 21 , wherein the sweep liquid comprises an organosilicon fluid.
  • Embodiment 23 provides the method according to any one of Embodiments 12- 22, wherein the first membrane has a water vapor permeability coefficient of at least about 25,000 Barrer at room temperature.
  • Embodiment 24 provides a method of humidifying ambient air, the method comprising:
  • Embodiment 25 provides an HVAC system comprising:
  • the liquid contacting device comprises a feed gas mixture comprising at least water vapor and ambient air, the feed gas mixture contacting a liquid sorbent material, wherein the liquid sorbent material is enriched in water by the contacting and the feed gas mixture is depleted in water by the contacting.
  • Embodiment 26 provides a method of dehumidifying ambient air, the method comprising:
  • liquid sorbent material contacting a liquid sorbent material with a feed gas mixture comprising at least water vapor and ambient air in a liquid contacting device in fluid communication with a radiant heat transfer device, wherein the liquid sorbent material is enriched in water by the contacting and the feed gas mixture is depleted in water by the contacting.
  • Embodiment 27 provides an HVAC system comprising:
  • liquid contacting device in fluid communication with the heat transfer device, wherein the liquid contacting device comprises a feed gas mixture comprising dry ambient air, the feed gas mixture contacting a liquid sorbent material comprising water, wherein the feed gas mixture is enriched in water by the contacting and the liquid sorbent material is depleted in water by the contacting.
  • Embodiment 28 provides a method of humidifying ambient air, the method comprising:
  • a liquid sorbent material comprising water with a feed gas mixture comprising dry ambient air in a liquid contacting device in fluid communication with a radiant heat transfer device, wherein the feed gas mixture is enriched in water by the contacting and the liquid sorbent material is depleted in water by the contacting.
  • Embodiment 29 provides the method or system of any one or any combination of Embodiments 1 -28 optionally configured such that all elements or options recited are available to use or select from.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Separation Using Semi-Permeable Membranes (AREA)

Abstract

Divers modes de réalisation de l'invention concernent des systèmes et des procédés de déshumidification ou d'humidification de l'air, et des procédés d'utilisation de ceux-ci. Dans divers modes de réalisation, la présente invention peut fournir un système HVAC comprenant un dispositif de transfert de chaleur rayonnante en communication fluidique avec un module de membrane ou un dispositif de contact de liquide. Le module de membrane ou le dispositif de contact de liquide peut enrichir ou appauvrir l'eau dans un mélange de gaz d'alimentation comprenant de l'air.
PCT/US2017/052144 2016-09-28 2017-09-19 Dispositif de transfert de chaleur rayonnante et membrane ou contacteur liquide pour la déshumidification ou l'humidification de l'air WO2018063849A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201662400655P 2016-09-28 2016-09-28
US62/400,655 2016-09-28

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2018063849A1 true WO2018063849A1 (fr) 2018-04-05

Family

ID=59997468

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2017/052144 WO2018063849A1 (fr) 2016-09-28 2017-09-19 Dispositif de transfert de chaleur rayonnante et membrane ou contacteur liquide pour la déshumidification ou l'humidification de l'air

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2018063849A1 (fr)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108619868A (zh) * 2018-07-26 2018-10-09 北京卫星环境工程研究所 基于复合微孔膜的空气除湿器及除湿装置
WO2020028299A1 (fr) 2018-07-31 2020-02-06 Dow Silicones Corporation Composition, mousse d'élastomère de silicone formée à partir de celle-ci et procédés de formation correspondants
WO2020139805A1 (fr) 2018-12-28 2020-07-02 Dow Brasil Sudeste Industrial Ltda. Article composite pour appareil isolant, appareil comprenant un article composite, et procédé associé

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20120118147A1 (en) * 2010-11-12 2012-05-17 The Texas A&M University System Systems and methods for air dehumidification and cooling with membrane water vapor rejection
WO2012151429A1 (fr) * 2011-05-03 2012-11-08 University Of Mississippi Déshumidification, déshydratation ou séchage de gaz non comprimés au moyen de membranes sélectives à l'égard de l'eau et d'une partie du rétentat comme entraînement de perméat par aspiration
WO2014052419A1 (fr) * 2012-09-26 2014-04-03 Dow Corning Corporation Procédé de séparation d'un gaz à l'aide d'au moins une membrane en contact avec un liquide à base d'organosilicium

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20120118147A1 (en) * 2010-11-12 2012-05-17 The Texas A&M University System Systems and methods for air dehumidification and cooling with membrane water vapor rejection
WO2012151429A1 (fr) * 2011-05-03 2012-11-08 University Of Mississippi Déshumidification, déshydratation ou séchage de gaz non comprimés au moyen de membranes sélectives à l'égard de l'eau et d'une partie du rétentat comme entraînement de perméat par aspiration
WO2014052419A1 (fr) * 2012-09-26 2014-04-03 Dow Corning Corporation Procédé de séparation d'un gaz à l'aide d'au moins une membrane en contact avec un liquide à base d'organosilicium

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN108619868A (zh) * 2018-07-26 2018-10-09 北京卫星环境工程研究所 基于复合微孔膜的空气除湿器及除湿装置
WO2020028299A1 (fr) 2018-07-31 2020-02-06 Dow Silicones Corporation Composition, mousse d'élastomère de silicone formée à partir de celle-ci et procédés de formation correspondants
WO2020139805A1 (fr) 2018-12-28 2020-07-02 Dow Brasil Sudeste Industrial Ltda. Article composite pour appareil isolant, appareil comprenant un article composite, et procédé associé

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US9731245B2 (en) Method of separating a gas using at least one membrane in contact with an organosilicon fluid
Liang et al. Robust thin film composite PDMS/PAN hollow fiber membranes for water vapor removal from humid air and gases
Kim et al. Harnessing clean water from power plant emissions using membrane condenser technology
Bui et al. On the theoretical and experimental energy efficiency analyses of a vacuum-based dehumidification membrane
Kistler et al. Membrane modules for building ventilation
Lau et al. Reverse-selective polymeric membranes for gas separations
Ito Dehumidification of air by a hygroscopic liquid membrane supported on surface of a hydrophobic microporous membrane
Sridhar et al. Separation of carbon dioxide from natural gas mixtures through polymeric membranes—a review
Zhang Fabrication of a lithium chloride solution based composite supported liquid membrane and its moisture permeation analysis
Das et al. Experimental performance of indirect air–liquid membrane contactors for liquid desiccant cooling systems
WO2018063849A1 (fr) Dispositif de transfert de chaleur rayonnante et membrane ou contacteur liquide pour la déshumidification ou l'humidification de l'air
US10213747B2 (en) Membranes for gas separation
KR100783784B1 (ko) 제습모듈용 유무기 복합중공사막
Asasian-Kolur et al. Membrane-based enthalpy exchangers for coincident sensible and latent heat recovery
Bui et al. Studying the characteristics and energy performance of a composite hollow membrane for air dehumidification
JP4629603B2 (ja) 分離膜並びに該分離膜を具備する複合膜、加湿エレメント、除湿エレメント、加湿器、除湿器及び調湿システム
Naim et al. Polyetherimide hollow fiber membranes for CO 2 absorption and stripping in membrane contactor application
Lee et al. Integrated membrane contactor absorber/regeneration column process for CO2 capture with large scale module at various operating conditions
US10537853B2 (en) Method of removing volatile compounds from emulsions
JP6243481B2 (ja) 水分離複合膜
US9962657B2 (en) Method of and system for separating volatile siloxane from feed mixture
JP2015192927A (ja) ガス分離膜およびガス分離装置
Abdollahi et al. Investigating the performance of PES and PC hollow fiber membranes in air humidification
Kian Jon et al. Membrane Air Dehumidification
Prabakaran et al. Membrane Dehumidification and Cooling: Fundamentals and Applications

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 17777727

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 17777727

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1