Title: Indirect evaporative cooler using membrane-contained, liquid desiccant for dehumidification

Abstract

An indirect evaporative cooler for cooling inlet supply air from a first temperature to a second, lower temperature using a stream of liquid coolant and a stream of exhaust or purge air. The cooler includes a first flow channel for inlet supply air and a second flow channel adjacent the first for exhaust air. The first and second flow channels are defined in part by sheets of a membrane permeable to water vapor such that mass is transferred as a vapor through the membrane from the inlet supply air to a contained liquid desiccant for dehumidification and also to the exhaust air as heat is transferred from the inlet supply air to the liquid coolant. A separation wall divides the liquid desiccant and the coolant but allows heat to be transferred from the supply air to the coolant which releases water vapor to the counter or cross flowing exhaust air.

Inventors:

Kozubal, Eric Joseph; Slayzak, Steven Joseph

Issue Date:

2014-07-08

Research Org.:

National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1143660

Patent Number(s):

8,769,971

Application Number:

12/864,071

Assignee:

Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC (Golden, CO)

DOE Contract Number:  

AC36-99GO10337

Resource Type:

Patent

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION