Abstrict The present invention provides a liquid desiccant air conditioner
including an absorption air conditioner and a liquid desiccant dehumidifier.
The dehumidifier includes a liquid desiccant absorber for absorbing
moisture contained in ambient air entering the dehumidifier and
passing through the desiccant absorber. A boiler is provided for
boiling partially preheated dilute liquid desiccant to evaporate
moisture to reconstitute the liquid desiccant into concentrated
liquid desiccant. In a preferred embodiment, a first heat exchanger
fluidly communicates with the desiccant absorber and a second heat
exchanger. The first heat exchanger is operable to transfer heat
from the concentrated liquid desiccant to the dilute liquid desiccant
directed to the first heat exchanger from the desiccant absorber
to raise the temperature of the dilute liquid desiccant to a first
temperature. A condenser fluidly communicates with the boiler to
receive steam generated by boiling the liquid desiccant in the boiler,
and with the first heat exchanger to receive partially heated dilute
liquid desiccant from the first heat exchanger at the first temperature.
The condenser is operable to sensibly heat the dilute liquid desiccant
therein to a second temperature by recovering the latent heat of
condensation as steam delivered from the boiler is condensed. The
second heat exchanger fluidly communicates with the condenser, the
boiler and the first heat exchanger. The second heat exchanger is
operable to transfer heat from concentrated liquid desiccant directed
to the second heat exchanger from the boiler to the dilute liquid
desiccant directed to the second heat exchanger from the condenser
at the second temperature to raise the temperature of the dilute
liquid desiccant to a third temperature. The dilute liquid desiccant
at the third temperature is directed to the boiler and the concentrated
liquid desiccant from the second heat exchanger is directed to the
first heat exchanger. The second heat exchanger is disposed with
respect to the boiler to recover waste heat from the boiler. A pump
is provided for pumping concentrated liquid desiccant into the absorber.
A fraction of the steam from the boiler is used to regenerate the
refrigerant in the absorption air conditioner.
Claims 1. A liquid desiccant air conditioner, comprising: a liquid desiccant
absorber for absorbing moisture contained in ambient air entering
the dehumidifier and passing through said desiccant absorber, said
desiccant absorber constructed and arranged for receiving concentrated
liquid desiccant and dispensing dilute liquid desiccant; a boiler
for boiling partially preheated dilute liquid desiccant to evaporate
moisture to reconstitute the liquid desiccant into concentrated
liquid desiccant; a first condenser fluidly communicating with said
boiler to receive steam generated by boiling liquid desiccant in
said boiler, said first condenser further fluidly communicating
with said absorber to receive dilute liquid desiccant from said
absorber, said first condenser being operable to sensibly heat the
dilute liquid desiccant therein by recovering the latent heat of
condensation as steam delivered from said boiler is condensed, to
preheat said dilute liquid desiccant prior to delivery to said boiler;
a second condenser; an evaporator through which a refrigerant is
passed to effect cooling of dehumidified ambient air from said desiccant
absorber passing through said evaporator; an expansion valve disposed
between said condenser and said evaporator; a refrigerant absorber
fluidly communicating with said evaporator to receive vaporized
refrigerant from said evaporator, said refrigerant absorber containing
an absorbent for absorbing the vaporized refrigerant; a regenerator
for separating refrigerant from the absorbent, said regenerator
fluidly communicating with said second condenser to supply separated
refrigerant to said second condenser, said regenerator fluidly communicating
with said refrigerant absorber to receive a solution of absorbent
and refrigerant from said refrigerant absorber and return absorbent
from said regenerator to said refrigerant absorber, said regenerator
fluidly communicating with said boiler to receive steam from said
boiler as a heat input; and a pump for pumping the solution of absorbent
and refrigerant from said refrigerant absorber to said regenerator.
2. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 1 further
comprising a heat exchanger fluidly communicating with said desiccant
absorber, said condenser and said boiler, said heat exchanger operable
to transfer heat from the concentrated liquid desiccant directed
to said heat exchanger from said boiler to the dilute liquid desiccant
directed to said heat exchanger from said desiccant absorber, and
to deliver preheated dilute liquid desiccant to said condenser,
wherein said condenser further preheats said dilute liquid desiccant
prior to delivery to said boiler.
3. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 1 further
comprising a heat exchanger fluidly communicating with said condenser,
said boiler and said desiccant absorber, said heat exchanger operable
to transfer heat from concentrated liquid desiccant directed to
said heat exchanger from said boiler to the preheated dilute liquid
desiccant directed to said heat exchanger from said condenser to
further preheat the dilute liquid desiccant prior to delivery to
said boiler, said heat exchanger being disposed with respect to
said boiler to recover waste heat from said boiler.
4. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 1 wherein
said desiccant absorber includes a top and a bottom and comprises:
a plurality of horizontally and vertically disposed interconnected
microglass fiber plates; a distributor disposed above said fiber
plates at said top of said desiccant absorber for introducing the
concentrated desiccant into said desiccant absorber; and a drain
pan for collecting the dilute desiccant disposed at said bottom
of said desiccant absorber.
5. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 1 wherein
said desiccant absorber includes a plurality of absorber pads bonded
together and disposed side-by-side, said desiccant absorber further
comprising a top distributor pan for distributing liquid desiccant
to a top side of said pads, and a drain pan for collecting dilute
liquid desiccant from a bottom side of said pads.
6. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 1 wherein
said boiler includes an inner vessel and an outer vessel, a heating
element disposed in said inner vessel, and a pipe communicating
heated liquid desiccant from said inner vessel and disposed within
said outer vessel, whereby liquid desiccant is returned to said
outer vessel from said condenser and is heated in said outer vessel
by hot liquid desiccant passing through said pipe prior to entering
said inner vessel.
7. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 2 wherein
said heat exchanger comprises at least one tube assembly including
an inner tube concentrically disposed within an outer tube to define
an annulus therebetween.
8. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 7 wherein
dilute liquid desiccant from said desiccant absorber is passed through
said inner tube, and concentrated liquid desiccant is passed through
said annulus.
9. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 7 wherein
dilute liquid desiccant from said desiccant absorber is passed through
said annulus, and concentrated liquid desiccant is passed through
said inner tube.
10. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 7 wherein
said inner tube is fabricated from Teflon, and said outer tube is
fabricated from silicone rubber.
11. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 2 wherein
said heat exchanger comprises at least one tube assembly including
an inner tube fabricated from Teflon concentrically disposed within
an outer tube fabricated from silicone rubber to define an annulus
therebetween.
12. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 3 wherein
said heat exchanger comprises at least one tube assembly including
an inner tube concentrically disposed within an outer tube to define
an annulus therebetween, said at least one tube assembly being coiled
around said boiler to recover said waste heat.
13. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 12 wherein
dilute liquid desiccant from said condenser is passed through said
inner tube, and concentrated liquid desiccant from said boiler is
passed through said annulus.
14. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 12 wherein
dilute liquid desiccant from said condenser is passed through said
annulus, and concentrated liquid desiccant from said boiler is passed
through said inner tube.
15. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 12 wherein
said inner tube is fabricated from Teflon, and said outer tube is
fabricated from silicone rubber.
16. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 3 wherein
said heat exchanger comprises at least one tube assembly including
an inner tube fabricated from Teflon concentrically disposed within
an outer tube fabricated from silicone rubber to define an annulus
therebetween.
17. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 1 wherein
said condenser comprises an inner shell disposed within an outer
housing defining at least one chamber between said inner shell and
said housing.
18. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 17 wherein
said inner shell is fabricated from materials selected from the
group of inconel, monel, titanium, Teflon, Teflon-coated copper,
Teflon-coated aluminum, and Teflon-coated stainless steel; and said
outer shell is fabricated from materials selected from the group
of Teflon, polycarbonate, polyvinylidene fluoride, polypropylene,
silicone rubber, polyethylene, and polystyrene.
19. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 17 wherein
said condenser further comprises at least one steam inlet communicating
steam from said boiler with said at least one chamber and at least
one solution inlet communicating dilute liquid desiccant with said
inner shell.
20. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 17 wherein
said condenser further comprises at least one steam inlet communicating
steam from said boiler with said inner shell and at least one solution
inlet communicating dilute liquid desiccant with said at least one
chamber.
21. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 1 wherein
said condenser comprises a housing and a plurality of tubes, said
tubes being supported by opposing support plates, said tubes communicating
with a steam inlet to receive steam from said boiler, said housing
including a solution inlet to receive dilute liquid desiccant.
22. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 21 wherein
said tubes are at least one of convoluted and corrugated.
23. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 21 wherein
said tubes are fabricated from Teflon, and said support plates include
at least one silicone rubber sheet attached thereto.
24. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 17 wherein
said inner shell divides said housing into two separate compartments,
each compartment having a steam inlet and a condensate outlet, said
housing further comprising a plurality of baffles to prevent short
circuiting from said steam inlets to said condensate outlets.
25. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 1 wherein
said condenser comprises at least one tube assembly including an
inner tube defining a first flow passageway and an outer tube, said
inner tube being disposed within said outer tube to define an annular
second flow passageway therebetween, wherein liquid desiccant is
communicated through a first of said flow passageways and steam
is communicated through a second of said flow passageways.
26. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 25 wherein
said inner tube is at least one of convoluted and corrugated.
27. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 25 wherein
said tube assembly is coiled.
28. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 1 further
comprising a frame fabricated from materials selected from the group
of polypropylene, polyethylene, Teflon, polyvinylidene fluoride,
polycarbonate, PVC and polystyrene.
29. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 1 wherein
said liquid desiccant is selected from the group of aqueous LiCl,
LiBr and CaCl.sub.2.
30. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 29 wherein
said liquid desiccant is a mixture of at least two of aqueous LiCl,
LiBr and CaCl.sub.2.
31. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 1 wherein
said boiler includes a vessel fabricated from plastic.
32. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 31 wherein
said plastic is selected from the group of Teflon, polycarbonate,
fiber glass and polyvinylidene fluoride.
33. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 1 further
comprising means for pumping concentrated liquid desiccant into
said desiccant absorber.
34. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 1 further
comprising an indirect evaporative cooler for cooling the incoming
ambient air with exhaust air prior to passing the incoming air through
said desiccant absorber.
35. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 1 further
comprising a direct evaporative cooler for further cooling the air
cooled by said evaporator.
36. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 34 further
comprising a direct evaporative cooler for further cooling the air
cooled by said evaporator.
37. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 1 further
comprising an indirect evaporative cooler for cooling dehumidified
air from said desiccant absorber with exhaust air prior to passing
the dehumidified air through said evaporator.
38. A liquid desiccant air conditioner, comprising: a liquid desiccant
absorber for absorbing moisture contained in ambient air entering
the dehumidifier and passing through said desiccant absorber, said
desiccant absorber constructed and arranged for receiving concentrated
liquid desiccant and dispensing dilute liquid desiccant; a boiler
for boiling partially preheated dilute liquid desiccant to evaporate
moisture to reconstitute the liquid desiccant into concentrated
liquid desiccant; a condenser fluidly communicating with said boiler
to receive steam generated by boiling liquid desiccant in said boiler,
said condenser further fluidly communicating with said absorber
to receive dilute liquid desiccant from said absorber, said condenser
being operable to sensibly heat the dilute liquid desiccant therein
by recovering the latent heat of condensation as steam delivered
from said boiler is condensed, to preheat said dilute liquid desiccant
prior to delivery to said boiler; an indirect evaporative cooler
for cooling the incoming ambient air with exhaust air prior to passing
the incoming air through said desiccant absorber; and a direct evaporative
cooler for further cooling the exiting said desiccant absorber.
39. A liquid desiccant air conditioner, comprising: a liquid desiccant
absorber for absorbing moisture contained in ambient air entering
the dehumidifier and passing through said desiccant absorber, said
desiccant absorber constructed and arranged for receiving concentrated
liquid desiccant and dispensing dilute liquid desiccant; a boiler
for boiling partially preheated dilute liquid desiccant to evaporate
moisture to reconstitute the liquid desiccant into concentrated
liquid desiccant; a condenser fluidly communicating with said boiler
to receive steam generated by boiling liquid desiccant in said boiler,
said condenser further fluidly communicating with said absorber
to receive dilute liquid desiccant from said absorber, said condenser
being operable to sensibly heat the dilute liquid desiccant therein
by recovering the latent heat of condensation as steam delivered
from said boiler is condensed, to preheat said dilute liquid desiccant
prior to delivery to said boiler; an indirect evaporative cooler
for cooling air from said desiccant absorber with exhaust air; and
a direct evaporative cooler for further cooling air exiting said
indirect evaporative cooler.
40. A liquid desiccant air conditioner, comprising: a liquid desiccant
absorber for absorbing moisture contained in ambient air entering
the dehumidifier and passing through said desiccant absorber, said
desiccant absorber constructed and arranged for receiving concentrated
liquid desiccant and dispensing dilute liquid desiccant, a boiler
for boiling partially preheated dilute liquid desiccant to evaporate
moisture to reconstitute the liquid desiccant into concentrated
liquid desiccant; a first heat exchanger operable to transfer heat
from the concentrated liquid desiccant to the dilute liquid desiccant
directed to said first heat exchanger from said desiccant absorber
to raise the temperature of the dilute liquid desiccant to a first
temperature; a first condenser fluidly communicating with said boiler
to receive steam generated by boiling liquid desiccant in said boiler,
said first condenser further fluidly communicating with said first
heat exchanger to receive partially heated dilute liquid desiccant
from said first heat exchanger at said first temperature, said first
condenser being operable to sensibly heat the dilute liquid desiccant
therein to a second temperature by recovering the latent heat of
condensation as steam delivered from said boiler is condensed; a
second heat exchanger fluidly communicating with said first condenser,
said boiler and said first heat exchanger, said second heat exchanger
operable to transfer heat from concentrated liquid desiccant directed
to said second heat exchanger from said boiler to the dilute liquid
desiccant directed to said second heat exchanger from said first
condenser at said second temperature to raise the temperature of
the dilute liquid desiccant to a third temperature, said dilute
liquid desiccant at the third temperature being directed to said
boiler and said concentrated liquid desiccant being directed to
said first heat exchanger, said second heat exchanger being disposed
with respect to said boiler to recover waste heat from said boiler;
and a pump for pumping concentrated liquid desiccant into said absorber;
a second condenser; an evaporator through which a refrigerant is
passed to effect cooling of dehumidified ambient air from said desiccant
absorber passing through said evaporator; an expansion valve disposed
between said condenser and said evaporator; a refrigerant absorber
fluidly communicating with said evaporator to receive vaporized
refrigerant from said evaporator, said refrigerant absorber containing
an absorbent for absorbing the vaporized refrigerant; a regenerator
for separating refrigerant from the absorbent, said regenerator
fluidly communicating with said second condenser to supply separated
refrigerant to said second condenser, said regenerator fluidly communicating
with said refrigerant absorber to receive a solution of absorbent
and refrigerant from said refrigerant absorber and return absorbent
from said regenerator to said refrigerant absorber, said regenerator
fluidly communicating with said boiler to receive steam from said
boiler as a heat input; and a pump for pumping the solution of absorbent
and refrigerant from said refrigerant absorber to said regenerator.
41. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 25 further
comprising an air vent.
42. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 41 wherein
said air vent comprises Teflon tape.
43. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 41 wherein
said air vent is a float-type air vent.
44. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 1 wherein
a fraction of the liquid desiccant leaving said first condenser
is recirculated to said liquid desiccant absorber.
45. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 34 wherein
at least a fraction of water supplied to said indirect evaporative
cooler is obtained from condensate produced in at least one of said
first condenser and said regenerator.
46. The liquid desiccant air conditioner recited in claim 35 wherein
at least a fraction of water supplied to said direct evaporative
cooler is obtained from condensate produced in at least one of said
first condenser and said regenerator.
Description [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of
Appl. Ser. No. 08/984741 filed Dec. 4 1997.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to room air cooling
and dehumidification, and more particularly, to a liquid desiccant
air conditioner which is energy efficient, corrosion resistant,
and capable of operation with low energy usage.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Typical air conditioning units operate on a vapor compression
cycle. Over recent years, the phase out of CFC based air conditioning
units has been dictated by environmental concerns. One alterative
to vapor compression units, is the absorption system. The basic
elements include an evaporator, condenser, absorber, pump, heat
exchanger, throttle valve and regenerator. In the absorption cycle,
an "absorbent" is used to absorb the refrigerant in the
vaporized state after leaving the evaporator. The vaporized refrigerant
is converted back into the liquid phase in the absorber. Heat released
in the absorption process is rejected to cooling water passed through
the absorber. A solution of absorbent and refrigerant is pumped
to a regenerator, where heat is added and the more volatile refrigerant
is separated from the absorbent through distillation. The refrigerant
is then communicated to the condenser, expansion valve and evaporator
in a conventional manner. A heat exchanger may be used for heat
recovery between the absorbent returned to the absorber and the
absorbent-refrigerant solution delivered to the regenerator.
[0006] Absorption systems currently represent only a small percentage
of commercial refrigeration systems because they are generally bulky
and inefficient.
[0007] However, with concerns over CFCs and ever increasing energy
costs, the absorption unit has potential to provide efficient cooling
by taking advantage of waste heat. This may be provided by combining
such an absorption unit with a liquid desiccant dehumidifier.
[0008] It is known in the art to dehumidify ambient air using liquid
desiccant systems. These devices typically utilize hygroscopic liquids
such as lithium bromide (LiBr), lithium chloride (LiCl) or calcium
chloride (CaCl.sub.2) as the desiccant solution. In a desiccant
system, the desiccant solution absorbs moisture from ambient air
exposed to the solution. As the desiccant solution continues to
absorb moisture, it becomes dilute and must be regenerated. In the
regeneration process, the desiccant solution is heated to evaporate
the excess moisture or the desiccant solution is brought into contact
with a hot gas to desorb the excess moisture. In some expedients,
air regenerators are used to regenerate the desiccant. These arrangements
have relatively high operating costs as energy is required to provide
a source of heat and to generate a suitable flow of air. In others,
boiler-type regenerators are employed. However, boiler embodiments
are expensive, as the corrosive nature of liquid desiccant solutions
necessitates the use of costly corrosion resistant metals.
[0009] A liquid desiccant dehumidification system in which a liquid
desiccant is regenerated with a boiler is described in U.S. Pat.
No. 4939906 ("the '906 Patent"). The '906 Patent discloses
a gas-fired desiccant boiler and a combined desiccant regenerator/interchange
heat exchanger, in which the combined regenerator/heat exchanger
utilizes steam produced from the boiler to provide heat for partial
regeneration. The desiccant boiler has a liquid/vapor separator
chamber and thermosyphon recirculation to reduce scale and corrosion
of the boiler. Specifically, the overall system is shown in FIG.
1 wherein outdoor air is drawn into the system through an inlet
duct 22 and is evaporatively cooled by a water spray 24. The cooled
air is directed to a desiccant conditioner 26 to which return air
is also directed through a duct 30. In the desiccant conditioner
26 the return air is contacted with a liquid desiccant solution
from a sprayer 28. The desiccant liquid is disclosed as lithium
calcium chloride.
[0010] This dehumidified air is then supplied to the space to be
dehumidified, or it can be sensibly cooled through an evaporative
cooler 32. The desiccant dehumidifies the air stream, and in the
process its moisture-absorbing capability is reduced; this capability
is regenerated by passing a portion of the dilute desiccant from
the conditioner 26 to a first interchange heat exchanger 44 wherein
the temperature of the desiccant is raised. The weakened desiccant
is partially concentrated in an air-desiccant regenerator 46 in
which heated air from a regeneration air heater 48 contacts the
liquid desiccant. This desiccant is pumped through a second interchange
heat exchanger 52 and thereafter to a desiccant boiler 56 in which
regeneration of the desiccant is completed. The water vapor generated
in the desiccant boiler 56 raises the temperature of the air passing
through the regeneration air preheater 48. The interchange heat
exchangers 44 52 reduce the temperature of the regenerated desiccant
as it returns along the pipe 60 to the conditioner 26.
[0011] The boiler 56 is depicted in FIG. 2 and operates on natural
circulation, with the density of the fluid (part liquid, part vapor)
in the "fired" tubes 70 being less than the density of
the liquid in the outer "unfired" tube 74.
[0012] A porous ceramic burner 80 facilitates combustion to provide
a heat source and hot combustion gases are blown through a combustion
chamber formed by a housing 88 enclosing the fired tubes 70 and
flow across fins 90 of the fired tubes 70. Weak desiccant is pumped
into the fired tubes 70 through a manifold 94 which causes water
in the desiccant to be vaporized. Accordingly, a density differential
is created between the fluid in the fired tubes 70 and the unfired
tubes 74 connected between the manifold 94 and a liquid/vapor separator
98 outside the combustion chamber housing 88. This density differential
induces a natural flow of desiccant solution up the fired tubes
70 and down the unfired tubes 72. In this manner, the natural circulation
of desiccant keeps the inside walls of the fired tubes 70 coated
with desiccant to thereby reduce or prevent "hot spots"
from forming on the inside of the fired tubes 70 to reduce corrosion
and scale build up in the fired tubes 70.
[0013] The liquid vapor separator 98 at the top of the boiler 56
separates water vapor from the concentrated liquid desiccant. A
portion of the concentrated desiccant is withdrawn from the bottom
of the liquid/vapor separator 98 and is returned to the desiccant
conditioner 26. Water vapor flowing out of the top of the liquid/vapor
separator 98 is subsequently condensed to heat air for use in an
earlier regeneration step shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0014] The combined regenerator/interchange heat exchanger, depicted
in FIGS. 3 and 4 comprises two (2) interchange heat exchangers
44 52 the desiccant regenerator 46 and the regeneration air heater
48. The combined desiccant regenerator/interchange heat exchanger
is identified by the reference numeral 102 and is constructed by
alternately stacking two (2) different corrugated plates (see FIG.
4) to define alternating flow channels. Water vapor or steam from
the desiccant boiler 56 is introduced near the top of the regenerator/exchanger
102 in alternate channels (plate A). This water vapor is condensed,
thereby transferring heat to the air and weak desiccant entering
adjacent channels near the top of the regenerator/heat exchanger
102 (plate B).
[0015] The upper portion of each plate corresponds to the desiccant
regenerator 46 and regeneration air heater 48. As the water vapor
condenses, the weak desiccant and air mixture is heated and the
desiccant is partially regenerated. Warm air and moisture are exhausted
by fan 106 to the outdoors. An entrainer 108 is provided to prevent
desiccant from escaping the combined regenerator/exchanger 102.
The partially regenerated desiccant flows into the middle of a channel
plate B, and is further heated by the hot concentrated desiccant
removed from the liquid/vapor separator 98. Hot concentrated desiccant
from the boiler 56 is introduced at the middle of plate A while
the partially regenerated desiccant is removed from the middle of
plate B. The partially regenerated desiccant is then pumped to the
desiccant boiler 56. Diluted desiccant from the regenerator/heat
exchanger 102 is introduced at the bottom of the plate A and is
heated by the hot desiccant from the boiler 56. The heated dilute
desiccant from the regenerator/heat exchanger 102 is then removed
from the center of plate B and pumped to the top of plate B.
[0016] The apparatus shown and described in the '906 Patent suffers
from several disadvantages. The regeneration process described therein
requires the flow of hot air through the system in order to operate.
This necessitates the use of additional components such as fans,
air preheaters, and liquid/vapor separators, which adds system complexity.
Furthermore, the multiple stacked plate interchange heat exchanger
configuration is complex and takes up a relatively large amount
of space.
[0017] The present invention provides an improved air cooling system
comprising an absorption air conditioner operating in conjunction
with a liquid desiccant dehumidifier.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0018] It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid
desiccant air conditioner which dehumidifies and cools ambient air
in a combined liquid desiccant-refrigerant absorption cycle.
[0019] It is another object of the present invention to provide
a liquid desiccant air conditioner which does not require CFCs.
[0020] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
a liquid desiccant air conditioner which is energy efficient.
[0021] It is still another object of the present invention to provide
a liquid desiccant air conditioner which does not require a compressor.
[0022] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a liquid desiccant air conditioner which does not require any external
heat input to effect regeneration of the refrigerant absorbent.
[0023] It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid
desiccant air conditioner which efficiently regenerates the liquid
desiccant using a simple arrangement having a minimum number of
components.
[0024] It is still another object of the present invention to provide
a liquid desiccant air conditioner which utilizes primarily plastic
components to prevent corrosion.
[0025] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a liquid desiccant air conditioner in which steam to desiccant heat
recovery takes place in a condenser.
[0026] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
a liquid desiccant air conditioner in which plastic components are
used for the interchange heat exchangers.
[0027] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a liquid desiccant air conditioner in which the waste heat radiating
from the boiler is utilized in an interchange heat exchanger for
desiccant regeneration.
[0028] It is still another object of the present invention to provide
a liquid desiccant air conditioner having a boiler which is primarily
elongated in a horizontal orientation to minimize the temperature
gradient and consequent concentration differential in the liquid
desiccant.
[0029] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide
a liquid desiccant air conditioner which is lightweight, energy
efficient, and inexpensive to manufacture.
[0030] In accordance with the foregoing objects and additional
objects that will become apparent hereinafter, the present invention
provides a liquid desiccant air conditioner, including a liquid
desiccant absorber for absorbing moisture contained in ambient air
entering the dehumidifier and passing through the desiccant absorber,
the desiccant absorber constructed and arranged for receiving concentrated
liquid desiccant and dispensing dilute liquid desiccant. A boiler
is provided for boiling partially preheated dilute liquid desiccant
to evaporate moisture to reconstitute the liquid desiccant into
concentrated liquid desiccant. A condenser fluidly communicates
with the boiler to receive steam generated by boiling liquid desiccant
in the boiler, and with the absorber to receive dilute liquid desiccant
from the absorber. The condenser is operable to sensibly heat the
dilute liquid desiccant therein by recovering the latent heat of
condensation as steam delivered from the boiler is condensed, to
preheat the dilute liquid desiccant prior to delivery to the boiler
to increase operating efficiency. An evaporator effects cooling
of dehumidified air delivered from the desiccant absorber. A refrigerant
is vaporized in the evaporator and passed to a refrigerant absorber
which contains an absorbent solution such as, for example, ammonia-water
or water-lithium bromide. The refrigerant-absorber solution is pumped
to a regenerator in which the refrigerant is separated from the
absorbent. The regenerator fluidly communicates with the boiler
to receive steam from the boiler as a heat input to effect regeneration.
A second condenser receives the reconstituted refrigerant from the
regenerator. The refrigerant passes through the second condenser,
and from there through an expansion valve and into the evaporator
in a conventional manner. A heat exchanger may be used to recover
heat from the absorbent as it is returned to the refrigerant absorber
to preheat the refrigerant-absorbent solution prior to introduction
of the solution into the regenerator.
[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the invention provides a liquid
desiccant air conditioner including a liquid desiccant absorber
for absorbing moisture contained in ambient air entering the dehumidifier
and passing through the desiccant absorber, the desiccant absorber
constructed and arranged for receiving concentrated liquid desiccant
and dispensing dilute liquid desiccant. A boiler is provided for
boiling partially preheated dilute liquid desiccant to evaporate
moisture to reconstitute the liquid desiccant into concentrated
liquid desiccant. A first heat exchanger fluidly communicates with
the desiccant absorber and a second heat exchanger. The first heat
exchanger is operable to transfer heat from the concentrated liquid
desiccant to the dilute liquid desiccant directed to the first heat
exchanger from the desiccant absorber to raise the temperature of
the dilute liquid desiccant to a first temperature. A condenser
fluidly communicates with the boiler to receive steam generated
by boiling the liquid desiccant in the boiler, and with the first
heat exchanger to receive partially heated dilute liquid desiccant
from the first heat exchanger at the first temperature. The condenser
is operable to sensibly heat the dilute liquid desiccant therein
to a second temperature by recovering the latent heat of condensation
as steam delivered from the boiler is condensed. The second heat
exchanger fluidly communicates with the condenser, the boiler and
the first heat exchanger. The second heat exchanger is operable
to transfer heat from concentrated liquid desiccant directed to
the second heat exchanger from the boiler to the dilute liquid desiccant
directed to the second heat exchanger from the condenser at the
second temperature to raise the temperature of the dilute liquid
desiccant to a third temperature. The dilute liquid desiccant at
the third temperature is directed to the boiler and the concentrated
liquid desiccant from the second heat exchanger is directed to the
first heat exchanger. The second heat exchanger is disposed with
respect to the boiler to recover waste heat from the boiler. A pump
is provided for pumping concentrated liquid desiccant into the absorber.
An evaporator effects cooling of dehumidified air delivered from
the desiccant absorber. A refrigerant is vaporized in the evaporator
and passed to a refrigerant absorber which contains an absorbent
solution such as, for example, ammonia-water or water-lithium bromide.
The refrigerant-absorber solution is pumped to a regenerator in
which the refrigerant is separated from the absorbent. The regenerator
fluidly communicates with the boiler to receive steam from the boiler
as a heat input to effect regeneration. A second condenser receives
the reconstituted refrigerant from the regenerator. The refrigerant
passes through the second condenser, and from there through an expansion
valve and into the evaporator in a conventional manner. A heat exchanger
may be used to recover heat from the absorbent as it is returned
to the refrigerant absorber to preheat the refrigerant-absorbent
solution prior to introduction of the solution into the regenerator.
[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the desiccant absorber includes
a top and a bottom and comprises: a plurality of horizontally and
vertically disposed interconnected microglass fiber plates; a distributor
disposed above the fiber plates at the top of the desiccant absorber
for introducing the concentrated desiccant into the desiccant absorber;
and a drain pan for collecting the dilute desiccant disposed at
the bottom of the desiccant absorber.
[0033] The first heat exchanger comprises at least one tube assembly
including an inner tube concentrically disposed within an outer
tube to define an annulus therebetween. The dilute liquid desiccant
from the desiccant absorber is passed through the inner tube, and
the concentrated liquid desiccant is passed through the annulus,
or vice-a-versa.
[0034] The second heat exchanger comprises at least one tube assembly
including an inner tube concentrically disposed within an outer
tube to define an annulus therebetween. The tube assembly is coiled
around the boiler to recover waste heat passing through the walls
of the boiler. The concentrated liquid desiccant from the boiler
is passed through the annulus and the partially heated dilute liquid
desiccant from the condenser is passed through the inner tube, or
vice-a-versa.
[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the inner tubes of the heat exchangers
are fabricated from Teflon and the outer tubes are fabricated from
silicone rubber.
[0036] The inner tubes may be convoluted or corrugated to increase
the available heat transfer area.
[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the condenser comprises an inner
shell disposed within an outer housing defining at least one chamber
between the inner shell and the housing. Steam is directed to the
inner shell from the boiler through a steam inlet. The housing includes
a solution inlet to direct partially heated dilute liquid desiccant
from the first heat exchanger into the at least one chamber. A solution
outlet communicates with the chamber and directs partially heated
dilute desiccant at the second temperature to the second heat exchanger.
The inner shell is fabricated from materials including inconel,
monel, titanium, Teflon, Teflon-coated copper, Teflon-coated aluminum,
and Teflon-coated stainless steel; and the outer shell is fabricated
from materials including Teflon, polycarbonate, polyvinylidene fluoride,
polypropylene, silicone rubber, polyethylene, and polystyrene.
[0038] In an alternative embodiment, the condenser comprises at
least one steam inlet communicating steam from the boiler with the
at least one chamber and at least one solution inlet communicating
partially heated dilute liquid desiccant from the first heat exchanger
with the inner shell.
[0039] The condenser may incorporate a plurality of fins associated
with the inner shell and a plurality of fins associated with the
housing. The inner shell may be provided with a plurality of baffles
to prevent short circuiting from the steam inlet to the condensate
outlet.
[0040] In another embodiment, the condenser comprises a housing
and a plurality of convoluted tubes. The tubes are supported by
opposing support plates, and communicate with a steam inlet to receive
steam from the boiler. The housing includes a solution inlet to
receive partially heated dilute liquid desiccant from the first
heat exchanger, and a solution outlet through which partially heated
dilute liquid desiccant is delivered to the second heat exchanger.
The tubes are fabricated from Teflon, and the support plates include
at least one silicone rubber sheet attached thereto.
[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the respective components are
disposed with respect to one another to take advantage of gravity
feed to communicate the liquid desiccant from the absorber to the
boiler via the first and second heat exchangers and the condenser,
thereby eliminating the need for multiple pumps in the system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0042] In accordance with the above, the present invention will
now be described in detail with particular reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0043] FIG. 1 is a schematic of a first embodiment of a liquid
desiccant air conditioner in accordance with the present invention;
[0044] FIG. 2 is a schematic of a second embodiment of a liquid
desiccant air conditioner in accordance with the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 3 is a schematic of a third embodiment of a liquid
desiccant air conditioner in accordance with the present invention;
[0046] FIG. 4 is a schematic of a fourth embodiment of a liquid
desiccant air conditioner in accordance with the present invention;
[0047] FIG. 5 is a schematic of a fifth embodiment of a liquid
desiccant air conditioner in accordance with the present invention;
[0048] FIG. 6 is a schematic of a sixth embodiment of a liquid
desiccant air conditioner in accordance with the present invention;
[0049] FIG. 7 is a schematic of a seventh embodiment of a liquid
desiccant air conditioner in accordance with the present invention;
[0050] FIG. 8 is an exploded isometric view of the portable liquid
desiccant dehumidifier in accordance with the present invention;
[0051] FIG. 8A is a block diagram depicting the general operation
of the liquid desiccant dehumidifier;
[0052] FIG. 9 is an exploded isometric view of a desiccant absorber
assembly;
[0053] FIG. 9A is a detail view of the microglass fiber plates
in the absorber;
[0054] FIG. 9B is a side elevational view of a desiccant absorber
in another embodiment;
[0055] FIG. 9C is a detail view of the absorber pads;
[0056] FIG. 9D is an isometric view of the desiccant absorber of
FIG. 9B;
[0057] FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a boiler;
[0058] FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a coiled interchange heat
exchanger and the boiler;
[0059] FIG. 11A is an isometric view of a boiler in an alternative
embodiment;
[0060] FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a split interchange heat
exchanger;
[0061] FIG. 12A is a plan view of an inner tube for an interchange
heat exchanger having a convoluted profile;
[0062] FIG. 12B is a plan view of an inner tube for an interchange
heat exchanger having a corrugated profile;
[0063] FIG. 13 is an isometric cut-away view of a condenser in
a first embodiment;
[0064] FIG. 14 is an isometric cut-away view of an inner shell
of the condenser shown in FIG. 13;
[0065] FIG. 15 is an isometric cut-away view of a condenser in
a second embodiment;
[0066] FIG. 16 is an isometric cut-away view of a condenser in
a third embodiment;
[0067] FIG. 17 is an isometric view of a condenser in a fourth
embodiment;
[0068] FIG. 18 is an isometric view of a condenser is a fifth embodiment;
[0069] FIG. 19 is an isometric cut-away view of a frame for housing
the respective components of the system; and
[0070] FIG. 20 is an isometric cut-away view depicting the frame
and some of the components installed therein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0071] Referring to the several views of the drawings, there is
shown a liquid desiccant air conditioner ("LDA"), generally
characterized by the reference numeral 10.
[0072] FIG. 1 is a schematic of the LDA 10 in a first embodiment.
The LDA 10 is principally comprised of a liquid desiccant dehumidifier
200 and an absorption air conditioner 202. The details of the liquid
desiccant dehumidifier 200 are described in detail below and are
the same as disclosed in U.S. Appl. Ser. No. 08/984741 to the same
assignee, filed Dec. 4 1997. The liquid desiccant dehumidifier
200 primarily includes an absorber 12 condenser, 86 and boiler
34. An interchange heat exchanger 58 is disposed between boiler
34 and condenser 86 and a split interchange heat exchanger 66 is
located between condenser 86 and absorber 12. These components are
described below. Specifically, the LDA 10 dehumidifies incoming
ambient air prior to effecting sensible cooling of the air in the
air conditioner 202. The absorption cycle employs waste heat generated
by the boiler 34 of liquid desiccant dehumidifier 200 for energy
efficient cooling and dehumidification. The air conditioner 202
employs the known absorption cycle, and includes an absorber 204
a pump 206 a heat exchanger 208 at throttle valve 210 a regenerator
212 an evaporator 214 a condenser 216 and an expansion valve
218. In the absorption cycle, an absorbent, such as aqueous ammonia
or aqueous lithium bromide, is used to absorb refrigerant in the
vaporized state after leaving evaporator 214. The vaporized refrigerant
is absorbed back into the liquid phase in absorber 204. Heat released
in the absorption process is rejected to cooling water or air passed
through absorber 204. A solution of absorbent and refrigerant is
pumped to regenerator 212 where heat is added and the more volatile
refrigerant is separated from the absorbent. The refrigerant is
then communicated to condenser 216 through expansion valve 218
and into the evaporator 214 in a conventional manner. A heat exchanger
208 may be used for heat recovery between the warm absorbent returned
to the absorber 204 through throttle valve 210 and the absorbent-refrigerant
solution delivered from the absorber 204 to the regenerator 212
via pump 206. The regenerator 212 fluidly communicates with boiler
34 to receive steam generated in reconstituting the liquid desiccant
as described below. In this manner, no external heat input is required
to regenerate the refrigerant. The heat exchanger 208 can configured
as described below with respect to interchange heat exchanger 66
of the liquid desiccant dehumidifier 200.
[0073] FIG. 2 is a schematic of a second embodiment of the LDA
10 which adds an indirect evaporative cooler 220 for cooling the
incoming air with exhaust air from the residence prior to passing
the incoming air through the desiccant absorber 12. The indirect
evaporator cooler 20 receives a water supply from condenser 86 and
regenerator 212. Fresh air is directed into the cooler 220 from
the ambient, cooled, and thereafter delivered to desiccant absorber
12. The remainder of the cycle operates as described above.
[0074] FIG. 3 is a schematic of a third embodiment of the LDA 10
which adds a direct evaporative cooler 222 to the embodiment of
FIG. 2. The direct evaporative cooler 222 is operable to further
cool the air prior to delivery to the ambient. Water is supplied
to cooler 222 from condenser 86 and regenerator 212. FIG. 4 is a
schematic of a fourth embodiment of the LDA 10 in which the ambient
air is first directed into the absorber 12 for dehumidification,
and then into the indirect evaporative cooler 220 for cooling. FIG.
5 is a schematic of a fifth embodiment of the LDA 10 which is similar
to that shown in FIG. 1 but adds the direct evaporative cooler
222.
[0075] FIG. 6 is a schematic of a sixth embodiment of the LDA 10
which does not utilize a refrigerant. In this expedient, the LDA
10 cooperates with an indirect evaporative cooler 220 and a direct
evaporative cooler 222 to cool and dehumidify the incoming air.
The air is directed through indirect evaporative cooler 220 cooled,
and thereafter delivered to the desiccant absorber 12. The dehumidified
air is then passed through the direct evaporative cooler 222 where
it is further cooled by sensible cooling, and exhausted to the ambient.
The principle of operation is generally the same as described above.
Water from condenser 86 is delivered to indirect evaporative cooler
220 and direct evaporative cooler 222. Exhaust air from the residence
is communicated to the indirect evaporative cooler 220. FIG. 7 is
a schematic of a seventh embodiment of the LDA 10 which is similar
to that shown in FIG. 6 and described above, but here the incoming
ambient air is first dehumidified in the desiccant absorber 12
and thereafter cooled in the indirect evaporative cooler 220.
[0076] Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 8A, the desiccant dehumidifier
section 100 includes liquid desiccant absorber 12 for absorbing
moisture contained in air entering air conditioner 10 and passing
through desiccant absorber 12. The desiccant absorber 12 is constructed
and arranged for receiving concentrated liquid desiccant at the
top of desiccant absorber 12 and dispensing dilute liquid desiccant
from the bottom of desiccant absorber 12. The desiccant solution
may be any one of several conventional solutions, including aqueous
LiBr, LiCl or CaCl.sub.2 as described above, or any mixture of
these solutions. Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 9A, desiccant absorber
12 includes a distributor 14 disposed at the top of desiccant absorber
12 which receives concentrated liquid desiccant and delivers the
liquid desiccant through a plurality of "spaghetti" tubes
16 extending radially outward from a central hub 18. The desiccant
absorber 12 includes a plurality of horizontally and vertically
disposed interconnected microglass fiber plates. The vertical plates
are identified by the reference numeral 20 and are supported by
horizontal interconnecting fiber plates 22 as shown. The top plate
22 is referred to as a distribution sheet. The concentrated desiccant
wicks into the distribution sheet 22 and down the vertical plates
20. The vertical plates 20 contain beads 21 which separate and support
contiguous vertical plates 20. Ambient air is drawn into the unit
and forced through the microglass fiber plates by a fan 23 (see
FIG. 8), where the moisture in the air is removed as the air makes
contact with the liquid desiccant. As the desiccant dehumidifies
the air stream, the moisture-absorbing capability of the desiccant
is reduced and the desiccant must be regenerated. This dilute desiccant
is collected in a drain pan 24 disposed at the bottom of desiccant
absorber 12. The drain pan 24 includes an intermediate support plate
26 defining at least one drain hole 28 which enables the dilute
desiccant to flow into a bottom chamber defined between support
plate 26 and a bottom wall 30 of drain pan 24. A drain tube 32 including
a one-way or check valve 33 extends from the bottom chamber to direct
the dilute desiccant out of absorber 12. The absorber components
are disposed within a frame 35 as shown in FIG. 19 which can be
fabricated from materials including, but not limited to, polypropylene,
polyethylene, Teflon, polyvinylidene fluoride, polycarbonate, PVC
or polystyrene. The frame 35 includes a plurality of shelves 37a,
37b, and 37c for supporting the respective components of the unit
described below.
[0077] In an alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 9B-9D, a plurality
of absorber pads 20a are stacked side-by-side and bonded together
at the ends with an adhesive "A" (or taped) so that the
gaps between the pads 20a are completely sealed to force the liquid
desiccant to wick through the pads 20a. The pads 20a are received
in an aperture or slots in a top tray or distributor pan 25 and
a bottom tray or drain pan 27. Any gaps between the pads 20a and
the pans 25 27 may be filled with an RTV silicone sealant or like
material. Liquid desiccant is communicated into the distributor
pan 25 through an inlet 29. This configuration prevents the liquid
desiccant from just flowing over the surface of the pads, and consequently
increases absorber efficiency. The trays 25 27 effectively prevent
spillage of liquid desiccant from the absorber 12 in the event of
tilting. In addition, the liquid desiccant supplied to the distributor
pan 25 forms a thin film on the pan surfaces to reach every distributor
pad 20a to improve desiccant distribution.
[0078] The dilute liquid desiccant is regenerated into concentrated
desiccant by boiling the liquid desiccant in a boiler 34 at a temperature
in the range of from approximately 260.degree. F. to 320.degree.
F. An improvement over prior art systems resides in the use of steam
to desiccant heat recovery to directly preheat the dilute liquid
desiccant. The dilute liquid desiccant is thus passed through a
condenser and preheated using the latent heat of condensation of
the steam produced by boiling the liquid desiccant. Preferably,
a series of interchange heat exchangers are employed to further
preheat the dilute liquid desiccant entering the boiler 34 by recovering
heat from the concentrated liquid desiccant delivered to absorber
12 from boiler 34 to further increase operating efficiency. These
components are described in more detail below.
[0079] The boiler 34 is shown in FIG. 10 and is configured in
the shape of a tub or vessel having an elongated horizontal dimension.
The horizontal elongation provides a uniform temperature gradient,
and thus a uniform concentration level of the liquid desiccant solution,
as compared to a vertically elongated boiler. The boiler 34 includes
side walls 36 a bottom wall 38 a top wall 40 and a peripheral
support flange 42. The boiler 34 is constructed from materials including,
but not limited to, polycarbonate, polyvinylidene fluoride, Teflon,
fiber glass and the like. A heating element 44 is coiled proximal
to the bottom wall 40 as shown, and is connected to a pair of leads
46 in a conventional manner. A thermocouple 48 extends into boiler
34 to monitor the internal temperature. The leads 46 and thermocouple
48 extend through top wall 40. The heating element 44 and thermocouple
48 are operably associated with a controller (not shown) for maintaining
boiler 34 at the optimum temperature. A pair of steam outlets 50
extend through top wall 40 to deliver steam generated by boiling
the liquid desiccant to a condenser described in more detail below.
[0080] Referring now to FIG. 11 a drain tube 51 is coupled to
one of the side walls 36 to enable boiler 34 to be emptied as required.
A U-fitting 52 is coupled to the upper region of one of the side
walls 36 to receive preheated dilute liquid desiccant from the condenser
through an inlet port 54 and to dispense concentrated liquid desiccant
through an outlet port 56. The U-fitting 52 communicates with a
coiled interchange heat exchanger 58 which comprises at least one
tube assembly including an inner tube 60 concentrically disposed
within an outer tube 62 to define an annulus 64 therebetween. The
tube assembly is coiled around boiler 34 to recover the waste heat
radiating through side walls 36. This arrangement is exemplary,
as the tube assembly could be embedded within the side walls 36
or disposed in contact with top wall 40. The concentrated liquid
desiccant from boiler 34 enters the annulus 64 through side wall
36 and is directed to outlet port 56. The partially heated dilute
liquid desiccant from the condenser is passed through the inner
tube 60 in a direction counter to the concentrated liquid desiccant
and enters boiler 34 through side wall 36.
[0081] Alternatively, the concentrated liquid desiccant is passed
through inner tube 60 and the dilute liquid desiccant is passed
through annulus 64. In a preferred embodiment, inner tube 60 is
fabricated from Teflon, and outer tube 62 is constructed from silicone
rubber. The Teflon inner tube 60 has relatively high heat conductivity,
while the outer silicone rubber tube 62 has a relatively low thermal
conductivity, and is a good insulator. These components can withstand
relatively high temperatures (.about.400.degree. F.), and are not
corroded by the desiccant solution. To improve efficiency, inner
tube 60 may be convoluted as shown in FIG. 12A or corrugated as
shown in FIG. 12B. It is to be understood that the use of this type
of Teflon/silicone rubber tube-in-tube heat exchanger is not limited
to a liquid desiccant system. There are many applications in which
this arrangement may be employed. The particular operation of the
coiled interchange heat exchanger 58 will be described in more detail
below.
[0082] Referring now to FIG. 11A, there is shown an isometric view
of an boiler 34a in an alternative embodiment, having a double-wall
configuration including an inner wall 400 and an outer wall 402
which define an inner vessel 404 and an outer vessel 406. A heating
element 408 extends into the inner vessel 404 and around the floor
as shown. The incoming liquid desiccant from condenser 86 enters
the outer vessel 406 of the boiler at inlet 410. Hot liquid desiccant
from the inner vessel 404 is communicated into pipe 412 which coils
through the outer vessel 406 to effect heat transfer with the incoming
liquid desiccant. The desiccant puddle contained in the outer vessel
406 is heated and the hottest portion of the liquid is forced to
rise to the top of the vessel 406. It is then fed into the inner
vessel 404 via an inlet 414. A thermocouple 416 is disposed in the
inner vessel 404 as described above to control the boiler temperature.
This arrangement forces any heat radiated or conducted from the
inner vessel 404 to flow through the desiccant puddle in the outer
vessel 406 thereby reducing thermal losses, and pressure losses
attributable to long flow paths. The heating element 408 is disposed
below the pump suction or inner vessel boiler outlet 415a so that
heating element 408 is always immersed in a pool of liquid desiccant
within the inner vessel 404. In this manner, the pump 80 stops drawing
liquid desiccant from inner vessel 404 before it is reduced to a
level beneath the heating element 408. Hot liquid desiccant leaves
the boiler through outlet 415b. This arrangement eliminates the
need for a low-level control switch. High level control in the boiler
is necessary to provide consistent dehumidification and to prevent
excess liquid buildup. A high level control switch can be eliminated
by sizing the inner vessel 404 with an internal volume equal to
approximately twice the volume of pooled liquid desiccant accumulation.
This takes advantage of the inherent desiccant properties to make
the system flexible to adapt to varying weather conditions without
compromising performance.
[0083] Referring now to FIG. 12 there is depicted a split interchange
heat exchanger 66 which includes a pair of tube assemblies 68.
Each tube assembly 68 comprises an inner tube 70 concentrically
disposed within an outer tube 72 to define an annulus 74 therebetween.
The dilute liquid desiccant from desiccant absorber 12 is gravity
fed to the interchange heat exchanger 66 where it is directed through
a manifold 76 and into the inner tubes 70. Concentrated liquid desiccant
from boiler 34 is first delivered through coiled interchange heat
exchanger 58 and thereafter directed through a U-fitting 78 coupled
to the respective outer tubes 72 and into the annuli 74. Alternatively,
dilute liquid desiccant is passed through annuli 74 and concentrated
liquid desiccant is passed through inner tubes 70. In this manner,
heat is transferred from the concentrated liquid desiccant to the
dilute liquid desiccant within split interchange heat exchanger
66. The concentrated liquid desiccant is thereafter drawn into a
pump 80 (see FIGS. 8 and 8A) through a U-fitting 82 coupled to the
respective outer tubes 72. The pump 80 delivers the concentrated
liquid desiccant to distributor 14 of absorber 12. The partially
heated dilute liquid desiccant flows through a manifold 84 to the
condenser. During this stage, the dilute liquid desiccant dispensed
from absorber 12 is raised to a first temperature. As discussed
above with respect to coiled interchange heat exchanger 58 the
inner tubes 70 may be fabricated from Teflon and the outer tubes
72 may be constructed from silicone rubber. Likewise, the inner
tubes may be provided with a convoluted or corrugated profile as
shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, respectively.
[0084] The partially heated liquid desiccant at the first temperature
is delivered to a condenser 86 from split interchange heat exchanger
66 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 8A. Referring now to FIGS. 13 and 14
there is depicted a first embodiment of condenser 86 which is comprised
of an inner shell 88 disposed within an outer housing 90 defining
at least one chamber 92 between inner shell 88 and housing 90. The
housing 90 includes a plurality of side walls 94 a top wall 96
and a bottom wall 98. A pair of steam tubes 100 communicate with
inner shell 88 through top wall 96 to deliver steam from boiler
34. A pair of air vents 102 likewise communicate with chamber 92
through top wall 96 to evacuate excess air therefrom. A condensate
tube 104 communicates with inner shell 88 through bottom wall 98
to drain condensate into a condensate pan 106 (see FIG. 8A). An
inlet tube 108 communicates with chamber 92 through one of the side
walls 94 to deliver partially heated dilute desiccant to condenser
86 from split interchange heat exchanger 66. An outlet tube 110
is similarly disposed to communicate with chamber 92 on an opposite
side of condenser 86 to deliver dilute desiccant which is sensibly
heated to a second temperature by the latent heat of condensation
as the steam condenses in the inner shell 88 to the coiled interchange
heat exchanger 58 via the inlet port 54 of U-fitting 52 shown in
FIGS. 8 and 11. A fraction of the desiccant flow leaving the condenser
may be recirculated to the desiccant absorber 12. This reduces the
flow rate to the boiler 34 to lower heat loss and increase energy
efficiency. In addition, this maintains a relatively high flow through
the absorber 12 and condenser 86 to yield a higher absorption and
condensation capacity. To facilitate heat transfer, inner shell
88 is fabricated from materials including inconel, monel, titanium,
Teflon, Teflon-coated copper, Teflon-coated aluminum, and Teflon-coated
stainless steel. The housing 90 is fabricated from materials including
Teflon, polycarbonate, polyvinylidene fluoride, polypropylene, silicone
rubber, polyethylene, and polystyrene. If a plastic such as Teflon
is used for the housing 90 the wall thickness is made suitably
thick to provide the necessary insulating properties.
[0085] The condenser 86 may incorporate a plurality of fins 112
located on the exterior of inner shell 88 and a plurality of fins
114 disposed on bottom wall 98 of housing 90. The inner shell 88
may be provided with a plurality of baffles 116 to prevent short
circuiting from steam inlets 100 to condensate outlet 104.
[0086] Although depicted with the steam being directed into the
inner shell 88 and the liquid desiccant being directed into the
chamber 92 the opposite arrangement may be employed with the liquid
desiccant directed into the inner shell 88 and the steam delivered
to the chamber 92. Referring now to FIG. 15 there is shown an alternative
embodiment of a condenser 86a, including a housing 90a and inner
shell 88a, where the inner shell 88a segregates housing 90a into
two compartments 92a, 92b, respectively. A steam inlet tube 100a
communicates with compartment 92a, and a steam inlet tube 100b communicates
with compartment 92b. Partially heated dilute desiccant solution
is delivered to inner shell 88a through solution inlet 108a, and
is sensibly heated by the latent heat of condensation as the steam
condenses in the respective chambers 92a, 92b.
[0087] Condensate flows out of chambers 92a, 92b, via condensate
outlets 104a, 104b, respectively. Partially heated dilute desiccant
at the second temperature flows out of inner shell 88a through solution
outlet 110a to coiled interchange heat exchanger 58. Baffles 112a,
112b are provided in chambers 92a, 92b, respectively.
[0088] Referring now to FIG. 16 there is shown a third embodiment
of a condenser 86b, comprising a housing 90b and a plurality of
tubes 118 which may be convoluted or corrugated as described above
with regard to the interchange heat exchangers and shown in FIGS.
12A and 12B. The tubes 118 are supported by opposing support plates
120 and communicate with respective steam inlets 100c, 100d through
which steam is delivered from boiler 34. The housing 90b includes
a liquid desiccant solution inlet 108b to receive dilute liquid
desiccant from split interchange heat exchanger 66 and an outlet
110b to deliver partially heated liquid desiccant at the second
temperature to the coiled 10 interchange heat exchanger 58. The
tubes 118 are fabricated from Teflon, and the support plates 120
include at least one silicone rubber sheet attached thereto.
[0089] Referring now to FIG. 17 there is shown another embodiment
of a condenser 86c, utilizing multiple double-pipe heat exchangers.
Each double-pipe heat exchanger comprises an outer straight tube
300 and an inner convoluted tube 302 concentrically disposed within
the outer tube. A small annular gap is defined between the outer
and inner tubes 300 302 which forces the fluid to follow a "screw-like"
tortuous path through the convolutions at high velocity. This arrangement
provides high heat transfer coefficients and condensation capacity.
The components can be fabricated from plastics such as polypropylene,
Teflon, PVDF or silicone rubber. Dilute liquid desiccant from split
Interchange heat exchanger 66 is directed into a manifold 304. Similarly,
steam from boiler 34 flows into a manifold 306 through inlet ports
308. Manifold 304 communicates with the inner convoluted tubes 302.
Steam flows through the annuli formed between outer tubes 308 and
inner tubes 302 causing the dilute liquid desiccant entering the
heat exchangers from manifold 304 to be partially heated to the
second temperature. This heated liquid desiccant is delivered to
the coiled interchange heat exchanger 58 from exit manifold 310.
Condensate is collected in manifold 312 and is then delivered to
pan 106. Air vents are utilized to ensure reliable gravity assisted
drain flow of the liquid desiccant from the absorber 12 to the boiler
34. In a preferred embodiment, small pieces of Teflon tape having
a micro-pore structure can be used in the vent assembly. The Teflon
material is hydrophobic and has a micro-pore structure which enables
the free passage of air while preventing steam or desiccant leakage.
The air vent 314 comprises a tube 316 extending upwardly from manifold
310. The tube 316 includes a polypropylene mesh 318 and a piece
of Teflon tape 320 in a laminated structure. Alternatively, conventional
float-based air vents, such as air vents manufactured by Honeywell,
can be utilized to vent air from the system.
[0090] Referring now to FIG. 18 in another embodiment the condenser
86d comprises multiple coiled double pipe heat exchangers. Each
double pipe heat exchanger includes an outer straight tube 300a
and inner convoluted tube 302a concentrically disposed within the
outer tube 300a. Steam from boiler 34 enters a manifold 306a, from
where it is communicated into the annuli formed between outer tubes
300a and inner tubes 302a. Dilute liquid desiccant is delivered
to manifold 304a and thence into the inner tubes 302a. Partially
heated liquid desiccant exits into manifold 310a, and is delivered
to coiled Interchange heat exchanger 58. Condensate flows through
outlets 312a to pan 106. This condenser 86d, operates on the same
principles and offers the same advantages as the double-pipe condenser
86c described above.
[0091] Referring now to FIG. 20 the respective components of the
LDA 10 are shown stacked within frame 35 (the components of the
absorption air conditioner 202 are not shown).
[0092] During the operating cycle, ambient air is drawn into the
unit, through absorber 12 and exhausted to the room by fan 23. The
moisture in the air is extracted as the air makes contact with the
liquid desiccant wicking across the microglass fiber wick plates
20 22. Dilute liquid desiccant is gravity fed from drain pan 24
of absorber 12 to manifold 76 of split interchange heat exchanger
66 wherein it is raised to a first temperature through heat transfer
from concentrated liquid desiccant flowing through annuli 74. The
dilute liquid desiccant at the first temperature is then delivered
to the condenser 86 in which the latent heat of condensation as
the steam condenses sensibly heats the liquid desiccant to the second
temperature. The liquid desiccant at the second temperature is thereafter
delivered to the coiled interchange heat exchanger 58 in which it
is further heated to a third temperature prior to introduction into
boiler 34 for regeneration. The coiled interchange heat exchanger
58 recovers waste heat radiating from the walls 36 of boiler 34.
The concentrated liquid desiccant solution produced by boiling the
liquid desiccant is drawn through the coiled interchange heat exchanger
58 and split interchange heat exchanger 66 and thereafter delivered
to distributor 14 of absorber 12 by pump 80. The stacking of the
respective components as shown in FIG. 8 provides for the gravity
feed of dilute liquid desiccant from absorber 12 to boiler 34 through
the first and second heat exchangers and the condenser, thereby
eliminating the need for multiple pumps in the system.
[0093] The present invention has been shown and described in what
are considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments.
It is anticipated, however, that departures can be made therefrom
and that obvious modifications will be implemented by persons skilled
in the art. |