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):

8769971

Application Number:

12/864,071

Assignee:

Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC (Golden, CO)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F24 - HEATING F24F - AIR-CONDITIONING

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F28 - HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL F28D - HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT

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F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F24 - HEATING F24F - AIR-CONDITIONING

F24F1/0007 - Indoor units, e.g. fan coil units
F24F2003/1458 - {using regenerators}

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F28 - HEAT EXCHANGE IN GENERAL F28D - HEAT-EXCHANGE APPARATUS, NOT PROVIDED FOR IN ANOTHER SUBCLASS, IN WHICH THE HEAT-EXCHANGE MEDIA DO NOT COME INTO DIRECT CONTACT

F28D21/0015 - {Heat and mass exchangers, e.g. with permeable walls}
F28D15/02 - in which the medium condenses and evaporates, e.g. heat pipes {

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F24 - HEATING F24F - AIR-CONDITIONING

F24F3/147 - with both heat and humidity transfer between supplied and exhausted air
F24F2003/1435 - {comprising semi-permeable membrane}

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02B - CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS

Y02B30/54 - Free-cooling systems

F - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING F24 - HEATING F24F - AIR-CONDITIONING

F24F3/1411 - {by absorbing or adsorbing water, e.g. using an hygroscopic desiccant}
F24F13/30 - Arrangement or mounting of heat-exchangers
F24F5/0035 - {using evaporation}
F24F3/1417 - {with liquid hygroscopic desiccants}

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DOE Contract Number:  

AC36-99GO10337

Resource Type:

Patent

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION