JP2012167843A - Air conditioning method and air conditioner using desiccant rotor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To implement a highly efficient dehumidifying air conditioning means eliminating dew condensation and frost, not requiring additional equipment such as a compressor inlet pressure adjusting valve and the like, and achieving cost reduction and energy saving.SOLUTION: An air conditioning chamber 12 and a regeneration chamber 14 are juxtaposed, and a desiccant rotor 20 is disposed striding over these chambers. An air cooler 50 for a heat pump device 40 is installed in the air conditioning chamber 12, and an air heater 46 is installed in the regeneration chamber 14. A rotational frequency Rca of the compressor 44 of the heat pump device 40 is controlled such that a relative humidity Hrd of air DA for regeneration on the air heater outlet side reaches a set relative humidity Hrs and an air temperature Ted on the air cooler outlet side is within a set range, and when the air temperature Ted on the air cooler outlet side is out of the set range due to load change, a blast volume of a regeneration fan 36 is controlled to bring the air cooler outlet side air temperature Ted back to within the set range.

Description

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is suitable for application to, for example, a cargo handling room adjacent to a freezer warehouse or a cut room for livestock carcass for meat, and an air conditioning method and air conditioning that enable temperature and humidity adjustment to be energy-saving and highly efficient Relates to the device.

  Conventionally, as an air-conditioning means for an air-conditioned room that needs to be kept at a low temperature and needs to be dehumidified, such as the cargo room and the cut room, it has been provided with heat pump cycle components such as a compressor and an evaporator, and a cold source and heating A heat pump device capable of supplying a source was used. However, in this heat pump device, it is not easy to balance the heat of the cold source and the heating source. For this reason, when evaporator side load fell, frosting and the fall of COP were invited.

  Further, in order to adsorb and dehumidify water vapor in the air, a desiccant rotor having a flat cylindrical body carrying an adsorbent is used. This desiccant rotor is combined with the heat pump device, and a heat pump is used to cool and heat the air to be treated that has been heated by the adsorption heat after dehumidification by the desiccant rotor, and to heat the regeneration air for regenerating the desiccant rotor. Air conditioners adapted to be performed by the apparatus are known. Such an air conditioner is disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2.

JP 2001-241893 A Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-70060

  However, in the air conditioner disclosed in Patent Literature 1, a precooler that pre-cools the air to be treated on the upstream side of the desiccant rotor, or a heat absorber 24 that cools the air to be treated after being dehumidified by the desiccant rotor (in Patent Literature 1). ), There is a risk of condensation or frost formation. For this reason, there is a problem in that dew condensation occurs and microorganisms such as molds propagate and COP decreases due to frost formation. However, Patent Document 1 does not consider measures against this problem and improvement of COP of the heat pump device.

  The air conditioner disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a configuration that takes into account the suppression of mold generation and the improvement of COP, but it is necessary to provide an adjustment valve for adjusting the suction pressure of the compressor of the heat pump device There is a high cost.

  Regeneration air used by introducing outside air to regenerate the desiccant rotor is temperature-adjusted on the upstream side of the desiccant rotor so as to reduce the relative humidity in order to ensure the dehumidifying performance of the desiccant rotor. When the air for regeneration is originally low in temperature, the temperature of the air for regeneration does not need to be so high because the absolute humidity of the air for regeneration is not high. Conventionally, regardless of the dehumidifying performance, the regeneration air temperature was adjusted to be constant in advance, resulting in energy loss.

  In view of the problems of the prior art, the present invention eliminates condensation and frost, does not require additional equipment such as a compressor suction pressure adjustment valve, and is a low-cost and highly efficient dehumidifying air-conditioning means that can achieve energy saving. It aims at realizing.

  In order to achieve such an object, the air conditioning method using the desiccant rotor of the present invention dehumidifies the air to be treated by the desiccant rotor, and cools the air to be treated which has risen in temperature by the heat of adsorption by the air cooler of the heat pump device constituting the heat pump cycle. In the air-conditioning method using the desiccant rotor that supplies the air to the air-conditioned room after heat collection and regenerates the regeneration air that regenerates the desiccant rotor with the air heater of the heat pump device, the air cooler outlet side processed air temperature is A step of detecting, and a step of controlling the rotational speed of the compressor of the heat pump device so that the relative humidity of the air heater outlet side regeneration air is in a set range and the air cooler outlet side air to be treated is in a set range; The cooling load of the air cooler fluctuates and the air temperature on the air cooler outlet side is outside the set range. When it controls the air volume of regeneration fan forming the regeneration air stream, and a step of returning the setting range air cooler outlet side to be treated air temperature, it is made of.

  In the method of the present invention, the regeneration effect of the desiccant rotor is kept high by controlling the rotational speed of the compressor of the heat pump device and controlling the relative humidity of the air heater outlet side regeneration air within a desired range. FIG. 10 is a moist air diagram. The regeneration capacity of the regeneration air is determined by the relative humidity of the regeneration air.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of operation of the air conditioner, and shows state values (summer, intermediate and winter) of regeneration air on the air heater inlet side and outlet side. In this operation example, outside air is used as regeneration air. In the intermediate period and the winter period, since the absolute humidity of the outside air is small, the dehumidifying performance can be ensured even if the heating temperature of the regeneration air by the air heater is reduced.

  In the method of the present invention, the temperature of the air cooler outlet side treated air is controlled within a desired range by controlling the rotation speed of the compressor of the heat pump device. That is, when the compressor suction pressure is too low and the air cooler outlet side treated air temperature falls below the set range, the compressor suction pressure is reduced by reducing the compressor speed and reducing the refrigerant circulation rate. To increase the temperature of the air to be treated on the outlet side of the air cooler. When the air cooler outlet side treated air temperature exceeds the set range, the air cooler outlet side treated air temperature is lowered by increasing the number of rotations of the compressor and increasing the refrigerant circulation amount.

  If the heat of adsorption at the desiccant rotor decreases due to a decrease in the amount of air to be treated supplied to the air-conditioned room and a decrease in relative humidity, and the cooling load on the air cooler of the heat pump device decreases, the evaporation temperature of the air cooler will decrease too much As a result, the heat exchange surface of the air cooler causes condensation and frost formation. In the method of the present invention, in such a case, the amount of air blown from the regeneration fan is reduced and the amount of heating load of the air heater is reduced. As a result, the cooling load amount of the air cooler is reduced, the evaporation temperature of the air cooler is increased, and the heat exchange surface of the air cooler can be raised to a temperature higher than the temperature at which condensation or frosting occurs.

  When the air cooler outlet side treated air temperature decreases, the COP of the heat pump device deteriorates, so the temperature of the air cooler outlet side treated air need not be lower than necessary. In the method of the present invention, the temperature of the air to be treated on the outlet side of the air cooler is controlled to be higher than the temperature at which condensation or frosting occurs, which contributes to the improvement of COP of the heat pump apparatus.

  On the other hand, when the air cooler outlet side treated air temperature rises too much, the air blowing amount of the regeneration fan is increased and the heating load amount of the air heater is increased. As a result, the cooling capacity of the air cooler is increased, and the air cooler outlet-side treated air temperature can be returned to the set range.

  In this way, the air cooler outlet side treated air temperature can be controlled within the set range against a wide range of fluctuations in the cooling load amount of the air cooler outlet side treated air, so that the air cooler prevents condensation and frost formation, Highly efficient operation is possible. Further, since the suction pressure control valve is not required for the suction pressure control of the compressor, the equipment cost can be reduced.

  When the air heater inlet side regeneration air temperature or the desiccant rotor inlet side processing air temperature is low, the set value of the air heater outlet side processing air temperature may be lowered. When the air heater inlet side regeneration air temperature or the desiccant rotor inlet side air temperature to be processed is high, the set value of the air heater outlet side air temperature to be processed may be increased.

  In the method of the present invention, the absolute humidity of the regeneration air upstream of the desiccant rotor is obtained from the temperature and relative humidity of the regeneration air upstream of the desiccant rotor, and the relative humidity of the air heater outlet side regeneration air is within the set range from the absolute humidity. In addition, the air temperature at the outlet side of the air heater may be controlled.

  FIG. 10 is a moist air diagram. From FIG. 10, the absolute humidity of the regeneration air can be obtained from the temperature and the relative humidity. The relative humidity of the air heater outlet side regeneration air can be determined from the absolute humidity obtained here and the air heater outlet side regeneration air temperature. If the absolute humidity of the air heater outlet side regeneration air is low by controlling the air heater outlet side regeneration air temperature and controlling the relative humidity of the air cooler outlet side treated air to the desired range, the air heater outlet side regeneration air temperature Even if it is low, the dehumidifying performance at the design stage can be maintained. As a result, when the air heater inlet side regeneration air temperature is low, in the operation of the desiccant rotor, the optimum regeneration temperature corresponding to the absolute humidity of the air can be used, so that energy-saving operation without unnecessary heating becomes possible. .

  In the method of the present invention, the relative humidity of the air heater inlet side regeneration air is set in advance according to the season, the absolute humidity is approximated from the relative humidity setting value and temperature of the air heater inlet side regeneration air, and the absolute humidity is calculated. It is preferable to control the temperature of the air heater outlet side regeneration air so that the relative humidity of the air heater outlet side regeneration air falls within a set range. The relative humidity of the air heater inlet side regeneration air is set in advance in accordance with the summer, middle and winter seasons, and the relative humidity suitable for these seasons is set in advance. Accordingly, the dehumidifying performance can be maintained only by detecting the air heater inlet side regeneration air temperature and the air heater outlet side regeneration air temperature, and the control means can be simplified and reduced in cost.

The air conditioner using the desiccant rotor of the present invention that can be directly used for carrying out the method of the present invention comprises a desiccant rotor and a heat pump cycle, and the air to be treated is dehumidified by the desiccant rotor and the temperature is increased by heat of adsorption. An air cooler that cools and collects heat, and a heat pump device that includes an air heater that heats regeneration air that regenerates the desiccant rotor, and a desiccant rotor that supplies the air to be treated cooled by the air cooler to the air-conditioned room In the air conditioner used,
The compressor rotation speed control device of the heat pump device, the regeneration fan that forms the regeneration air flow and the air flow control device thereof, the first temperature sensor that detects the air temperature on the air cooler outlet side, and the air heater outlet side The rotational speed of the compressor of the heat pump device is controlled so that the relative humidity of the regeneration air falls within the set range and the air cooler outlet side treated air temperature falls within the set range, and the cooling load amount of the air cooler varies. And a controller for controlling the air flow rate of the regeneration fan and returning the air cooler outlet side treated air temperature to the set range when the air cooler outlet side treated air temperature is outside the set range.

  In the device of the present invention, the controller controls the rotational speed of the compressor of the heat pump device and controls the circulation rate of the refrigerant, thereby controlling the relative humidity of the air heater outlet side regeneration air within a desired range. The reproduction effect is kept high. Also, when the cooling load of the air cooler fluctuates and the air cooler outlet side treated air temperature falls outside the set range, the air cooler outlet side treated air temperature is set by controlling the air flow rate of the regeneration fan with the controller. I try to return it to the range.

  Therefore, according to the apparatus of the present invention, the moisture desorption performance of the desiccant rotor can always be optimally controlled, and the dehumidifying effect of the desiccant rotor can be maintained high. Further, since the air cooler outlet side treated air temperature is controlled within the set range with respect to a wide range of fluctuations in the cooling load amount of the air cooler outlet side treated air, it is possible to prevent condensation and frost formation in the air cooler. As a result, high-efficiency operation of the COP is possible, and the compressor intake pressure adjustment valve is not required for controlling the intake pressure of the compressor, so that the equipment cost can be reduced.

  In the apparatus of the present invention, a second temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the air heater inlet side regeneration air, a humidity sensor that detects the relative humidity of the air heater inlet side regeneration air, and an air heater outlet side regeneration air temperature are detected. A third temperature sensor, and the controller includes an arithmetic device that calculates the absolute humidity of the regeneration air upstream of the desiccant rotor from the detection values of the second temperature sensor and the humidity sensor, and based on the absolute humidity, The air heater outlet side regeneration air temperature may be controlled so that the relative humidity of the air heater outlet side regeneration air falls within a set range.

  The absolute humidity of the regeneration air can be obtained from the temperature and relative humidity of the air heater inlet side regeneration air. By calculating the relative humidity of the air heater outlet side regeneration air from this absolute humidity and the air heater outlet side regeneration air temperature, controlling the air heater outlet side regeneration air temperature, and controlling the relative humidity within a desired range, moisture content can be reduced. Desorption performance can be controlled within a desired range. Thereby, the regeneration effect of the desiccant rotor can be maintained high.

  The apparatus according to the present invention comprises a second temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the air for regeneration on the inlet side of the air heater, and a third temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the air for regeneration on the outlet side of the air heater, An arithmetic device for approximating the absolute humidity of the regeneration air upstream of the desiccant rotor from the detection value of the temperature sensor of the air heater and the relative humidity of the air heater inlet regeneration air set in advance according to the season, the absolute humidity Based on the above, the temperature of the air heater outlet side regeneration air may be controlled so that the relative humidity of the air heater outlet side regeneration air falls within the set range.

  By setting the relative humidity of the air heater inlet-side regeneration air in advance in the summer, middle and winter seasons, the moisture desorption performance of the air heater outlet-side regeneration air can be achieved simply by providing the second temperature sensor. Can be controlled. Therefore, control becomes easy and the control device can be simplified and reduced in cost.

  The apparatus of the present invention comprises a third temperature sensor for detecting the air heater outlet side regeneration air temperature, and the controller is based on the absolute humidity of the air heater inlet side regeneration air set in advance according to the season, The temperature of the air heater outlet side regeneration air may be controlled so that the relative humidity of the air heater outlet side regeneration air falls within a set range. As a result, the relative humidity of the air heater outlet side regeneration air is further facilitated, and the control device can be further simplified and reduced in cost.

  According to the method of the present invention, the air to be treated is dehumidified by the desiccant rotor, and the air to be treated which has risen in temperature due to the adsorption heat is cooled and collected by the air cooler of the heat pump device constituting the heat pump cycle, and then supplied to the air-conditioned room. In addition, in an air conditioning method using a desiccant rotor in which regeneration air for regenerating the desiccant rotor is heated by an air heater of a heat pump device, a step of detecting an air cooler outlet side treated air temperature, and air heater outlet side regeneration air The step of controlling the rotation speed of the compressor of the heat pump device so that the relative humidity is in the set range and the air temperature on the air cooler outlet side is in the set range, and the cooling load amount of the air cooler fluctuates and the air cooler outlet side When the air temperature to be treated is outside the set range, the regeneration fan that creates the regeneration air flow And the process of returning the air cooler outlet side treated air temperature to the set range, the air heater outlet side regeneration air can be adjusted to the optimum temperature range for regeneration of the desiccant rotor, and thereby the desiccant rotor The dehumidifying effect can be maintained at a high level, and the temperature of the air-cooler outlet side treated air is not lowered below the required temperature of the air-conditioned room, so that condensation and frost formation in the air cooler can be prevented and unnecessary heating is not required. Energy-saving operation is possible.

  In addition, since the temperature of the air to be treated on the air cooler outlet side is not lowered more than necessary, the COP of the heat pump device can be improved, energy saving and high efficiency operation can be achieved, and a suction pressure adjusting valve is used for controlling the suction pressure of the compressor. Since it is not necessary, the equipment cost can be reduced.

  Further, according to the apparatus of the present invention, a desiccant rotor, an air cooler that constitutes a heat pump cycle, cools and collects the air to be treated that has been dehumidified by the desiccant rotor and has risen in temperature by adsorption heat, and regeneration air that regenerates the desiccant rotor A heat pump device including an air heater that heats the air, and an air conditioner using a desiccant rotor configured to supply the air to be treated cooled by an air cooler to the air conditioned chamber, the rotation speed control device for the compressor of the heat pump device, The regenerative fan that forms the regenerative air flow and the air flow rate control device thereof, the first temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the air to be treated on the air cooler outlet side, the relative humidity of the air heater outlet side regenerative air is within the set range, and The compressor of the heat pump device so that the temperature of the air to be treated on the outlet side of the air cooler falls within the set range. In addition to controlling the rotation number, when the cooling load amount of the air cooler fluctuates and the air cooler outlet side processed air temperature is out of the set range, the air flow rate of the regeneration fan is controlled, and the air cooler outlet side processed air temperature is controlled. Since the controller for returning to the setting range is provided, the same effect as the method of the present invention can be obtained.

It is a block diagram of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention method and apparatus. It is a block diagram of the control apparatus and detection apparatus of the said air conditioner. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement procedure of the said air conditioner. It is a flowchart which shows a part of operation procedure of the said air conditioner. It is a Mollier diagram which shows the heat pump cycle at the time of the compressor rotation speed increase of the said air conditioning apparatus. It is a Mollier diagram which shows the heat pump cycle at the time of the regeneration fan rotation speed increase of the said air conditioner. It is a graph which shows the test result of the air conditioner of 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram of the air conditioning apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention method and apparatus. It is a block diagram of the control apparatus and detection apparatus of an air conditioner which concern on 2nd Embodiment. It is a wet air diagram. It is a graph which shows the example of the state change of the inlet side air and outlet side air of the air heater of the air conditioner using a desiccant rotor.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the component parts described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to that unless otherwise specified.

(Embodiment 1)
1st Embodiment of the method and apparatus of this invention is described based on FIGS. In the air conditioner 10 </ b> A shown in FIG. 1, the air conditioning chamber 12 and the regeneration chamber 14 are juxtaposed via a partition wall 16. The air conditioning chamber 12 is provided with a processing fan 24, and the regeneration chamber 14 is provided with a regeneration fan 36. By these fans, airflows in opposite directions are formed in the air conditioning chamber 12 and the regeneration chamber 14.

  In the air conditioning room 12, the outside air OA is taken in by the processing fan 24, the temperature and humidity of the taken outside air OA are adjusted, and supplied to the air-conditioned room 18 as the air to be treated SA. In the regeneration chamber 14, the outside air OA or the room air RA of the air-conditioned room 18 is taken in, the temperature and humidity thereof are adjusted, and the regeneration air DA for regenerating the desiccant rotor 20 is sent to the desiccant rotor 20. The air-conditioned room 16 is used for a space in which the room needs to be kept in a low-temperature atmosphere, for example, a cargo room adjacent to a freezing warehouse for storing frozen food or the like, a cut room for meat carcass for meat.

  The desiccant rotor 20 is disposed across the air conditioning chamber 12 and the regeneration chamber 14, and rotates around the rotation shaft 20a. In the air conditioning chamber 12, the desiccant rotor 20 adsorbs and removes water vapor contained in the air SA to be treated. The region where the water vapor is adsorbed in the desiccant rotor 20 moves toward the regeneration chamber 14, and the adsorbed water vapor is released into the regeneration air DA in the regeneration chamber 14. The regeneration air DA that has taken in the water vapor from the desiccant rotor 20 is exhausted to the outside air as exhaust air EA. The desiccant rotor 20 is manufactured in a honeycomb shape with a special sheet impregnated with an adsorbent. The desiccant rotor 20 rotates at a low speed of several tens of revolutions per hour by a drive motor (not shown), and continuously repeats adsorption and regeneration. Yes. Examples of the adsorbent include inorganic adsorbents such as silica gel and zeolite, and polymer adsorbents.

  Outside air OA is taken into the air conditioning chamber 12 by the processing fan 24 provided on the upstream side. The outside air OA is pre-cooled by the precooler 22 before being taken into the air-conditioning chamber 12, and is dehumidified at a temperature equal to or lower than the dew point. The precooler 22 is not always necessary and may not be provided. The treated air SA on the outlet side of the precooler 22 is dehumidified by adsorbing water vapor by the desiccant rotor 20. When the adsorbent adsorbs water vapor, it releases the heat of adsorption and generates heat, so that the temperature of the air SA to be processed after passing through the desiccant rotor rises from before the passage. The air SA to be treated after passing through the desiccant rotor is cooled by the air cooler 50 and then supplied to the air-conditioned room 18. A temperature sensor 26 is provided on the outlet side of the air cooler 50 in the air conditioning chamber 12.

  In the regeneration chamber 14, the indoor air RA or the outside air OA of the air-conditioned room 18 is introduced as regeneration air DA. Since the indoor air RA in the air-conditioned room 18 has a lower humidity than the outside air OA, it is suitable as regeneration air. The introduced regeneration air DA is heated by the air heater 46, and the relative humidity of the regeneration air DA is adjusted. A temperature sensor 30 that detects the temperature of the air heater inlet side regeneration air DA and a humidity sensor 32 that detects the relative humidity of the air heater inlet side regeneration air DA are provided on the inlet side of the air heater 46. On the outlet side of the air heater 46, a temperature sensor 34 for detecting the temperature of the air heater outlet side regeneration air DA is provided. As can be seen from FIG. 10, when the absolute humidity is the same, the relative humidity decreases if the temperature increases, and the relative humidity increases if the temperature is low.

  The regeneration air DA heated by the air heater 46 and having a reduced relative humidity passes through the desiccant rotor 20 and takes in the water vapor adsorbed on the desiccant rotor 20 by desorbing it from the desiccant rotor 20. At this time, since the adsorbent impregnated in the desiccant rotor 20 absorbs heat when the water vapor is released, the exhaust air EA after passing through the desiccant rotor is released to the outside as humid air whose temperature has decreased.

The air conditioner 10A is provided with a heat pump device 40 that constitutes a heat pump cycle. The configuration of the heat pump device 40 is configured such that a heat circulating circuit component such as a compressor 44, an air heater 46, an expansion valve 48, and an air cooler 50 is interposed in the refrigerant circulation path 42. As the refrigerant, CO ₂ that is in a supercritical state on the high-pressure side and that can heat the regeneration air DA to a high temperature of 80 ° C. or higher by the air heater 46 may be used. A drive motor 52 that rotates the compressor 44, an inverter device 54 that controls the rotational speed of the drive motor 52, and an inverter device 38 that controls the rotational speed of the regeneration fan 30 are provided. The controller 60 inputs the detection values of the temperature sensors 26, 30, 34 and the humidity sensor 32, and controls the inverter devices 38 and 54 based on these detection values.

  FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the controller 60. In the figure, from the temperature of the air heater inlet side regeneration air DA detected by the temperature sensor 30 and the relative humidity Hrd of the air heater inlet side regeneration air DA detected by the humidity sensor 32, the calculator 620 calculates the regeneration air DA. The absolute humidity Had is calculated. Next, the calculator 618 sets the air heater outlet side air temperature set value Tas based on the absolute humidity Had. The set relative humidity Hrs (for example, Hrs = 7%) is input to the calculator 618, and the air heater outlet side air temperature set value Tas required to reach the set relative humidity Hrs is calculated. The set value Tas is input to the comparator 602.

  The air heater outlet side air temperature set value Tas is compared with the air heater outlet side air temperature detected value Tad detected by the temperature sensor 34 by the comparator 602, and the deviation is output. The PID computing unit 604 feeds back the compressor rotational speed manipulated variable Rca calculated by the output upper limit computing unit 606, which will be described later, and the PID computing is performed from the deviation and the compressor rotational speed manipulated variable Rca by the PID computing. The rotation speed setting value Rcs is output.

  The compressor rotational speed set value Rcs is sent to the output upper limit limit calculator 606, and the output upper limit limit calculator 606 sends the compressor rotational speed upper limit limit value Lmax (Rcs) sent from the output upper limit set value increase / decrease unit 612 described later. ), The compressor rotation speed manipulated variable Rca is calculated and output. The compressor rotation speed manipulated variable Rca is input to the inverter device 54 to rotate the compressor 44 and simultaneously feed back the manipulated variable Rca to the PID calculator 604. Here, the compressor rotation speed upper limit limit set value Lmax (Rcs) is a capacity limit value of the compressor 44.

  The comparator 608 compares the outlet air temperature set value Tes of the air cooler 50 with the outlet air temperature detected value Ted of the air cooler 50 detected by the temperature sensor 26, and this deviation is sent to the timer 610. In response to this deviation, the timer 610 outputs an increase / decrease amount ΔLmax (Rcs) of the compressor rotation speed upper limit limit set value Lmax (Rcs) after a predetermined time, and sends it to the output upper limit set value increase / decrease unit 612. The output upper limit set value increase / decrease unit 612 obtains the compressor rotation speed upper limit limit set value Lmax (Rcs) from the increase / decrease amount ΔLmax (Rcs), and sends it to the output upper limit limit calculator 606.

  The deviation of the comparator 602 is also sent to the timer 614. In response to this deviation, the timer 614 outputs the rotation speed manipulated variable increase / decrease value ΔRfa of the regeneration fan 36 after a predetermined time, and the regeneration fan rotation speed increase / decrease 616 Sent to. The regeneration fan rotation speed increase / decrease unit 616 calculates the rotation speed operation amount Rfa of the regeneration fan 36 from the rotation speed operation amount increase / decrease value ΔRfa, and the inverter device 38 is adjusted so that the regeneration fan 36 becomes the rotation speed operation amount Rfa. Control.

  Next, the operation procedure of the air conditioner 10A will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, the operation of the air conditioner 10A is started (S10), and after confirming that it is in operation (S11), the outlet side air temperature set value Tas of the air heater 46 is calculated (S12).

  The calculation procedure of the set value Tas will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, after starting (S120), the absolute humidity Had of the regeneration air DA is calculated by the calculator 620 from the temperature and relative humidity of the air heater inlet regeneration air DA detected by the temperature sensor 30 and the humidity sensor 32. (S122). Next, the calculator 618 calculates the air heater outlet side air temperature set value Tas from the absolute humidity Had and the set relative humidity Hrs (S124).

  When the set value Tas is 80 ° C. or less, the set value Tas is sent to the comparator 602 as it is (S126). When the set value Tas exceeds 80 ° C., the set value Tas is sent to the comparator 602 as 80 ° C. (S128). The reason why the set value Tas is 80 ° C. or lower is that when the air heater outlet side regeneration air temperature exceeds 80 ° C., the polymer sorbent carried on the desiccant rotor 20 is deteriorated or broken. However, this is not the case when a general adsorbent is used.

  Next, returning to FIG. 3, the deviation between the outlet side air temperature set value Tas of the air heater 46 and the air heater outlet side air temperature detection value Tad, and the compressor rotation speed manipulated variable Rca fed back from the output upper limit calculator 606. Based on the above, the PID calculator 604 performs PID calculation (S13), and the compressor rotational speed set value Rcs is calculated.

  Next, it is determined whether the control mask time at the start has elapsed (S14). When the control mask time has not elapsed, the rotation speed of the compressor 44 is driven at the set value Rcs calculated by the PID calculator 604, and the rotation speed of the regeneration fan 36 is driven at a preset rotation speed. (S16). The reason why the control mask time is provided is that the operation is not yet stable at the time of start-up, and control with good response cannot be performed even if the original operation control is performed.

  When the control mask time has elapsed, it is determined whether or not the outlet-side air temperature detection value Ted of the air cooler 50 detected by the temperature sensor 26 is within the set range Lmin (Tes) to Lmax (Tes) (S18). When the detection value Ted is within the set range, the timer 610 does not output the increase / decrease amount ΔLmax (Rcs) of the compressor rotation speed upper limit set value Lmax (Rcs). That is, the compressor rotation speed upper limit set value Lmax (Rcs) is not changed, the output upper limit limit calculator 606 determines the compressor rotation speed operation amount Rca (S34), and the operation amount of the inverter device of the compressor 44 is determined. 54 is controlled (S36).

  If the outlet side air temperature detection value Ted of the air cooler 50 is below the set range lower limit value Lmin (Tes), the timer 610 is set in a direction to decrease the compressor rotation speed upper limit set value Lmax (Rcs) (S22). After the time-up time has elapsed (S24), the increase / decrease amount ΔLmax (Rcs) is output. The decrease amount of the increase / decrease amount ΔLmax (Rcs) is set in proportion to the time-up time. Note that if the detection value Ted returns within the set range before the time-up time elapses, Lmax (Rcs) is not changed.

  After the time-up time elapses, the increase / decrease amount ΔLmax (Rcs) is output to the output upper limit set value increase / decrease unit 612. The output upper limit set value increase / decrease unit 612 reduces the upper limit limit setting based on the increase / decrease amount ΔLmax (Rcs). The value Lmax (Rcs) is calculated and output to the output upper limit calculator 606 (S34). The output upper limit calculator 606 calculates the compressor rotation speed manipulated variable Rca based on the upper limit limit set value Lmax (Rcs) and the set value Rcs output from the PID calculator 604 and outputs it to the inverter device 54. (S36).

  If the outlet side air temperature detection value Ted of the air cooler 50 exceeds the set range upper limit value Lmax (Tes), the timer 610 is set in a direction to increase the increase / decrease amount ΔLmax (Rcs) of the compressor speed (S28). After the time-up time has elapsed (S30), the increase / decrease amount ΔLmax (Rcs) increased in proportion to the time-up time is output to the output upper limit set value increase / decrease unit 612. If Ted returns to within the set range before the time-up time elapses, Lmax (Rcs) is not changed.

  The output upper limit set value increase / decrease unit 612 outputs the increased upper limit limit set value Lmax (Rcs) based on the increase / decrease amount ΔLmax (Rcs) (S32). The output upper limit calculator 606 calculates the compressor rotation speed manipulated variable Rca based on the upper limit limit set value Lmax (Rcs) and the set value Rcs output from the PID calculator 604 and outputs it to the inverter device 54. (S36).

  In this way, when the detection value Ted is low, the compressor rotation speed is decreased and the refrigerant circulation amount is decreased according to the outlet air temperature detection value Ted of the air cooler 50. Thereby, the suction pressure of the compressor 44 can be raised, and the air cooler outlet side treated air temperature can be raised. Conversely, when the detected value Ted is high, the compressor rotational speed is increased to increase the refrigerant circulation rate. Thereby, the suction pressure of the compressor 44 can be lowered, and the temperature of the air to be treated on the air cooler outlet side can be reduced.

  As shown in the Mollier diagram of FIG. 5, when the suction pressure of the compressor 44 decreases, the heat pump cycle line shifts from A to A ′, and the COP of the heat pump device 40 decreases. Therefore, it is better not to lower the temperature of the air cooler outlet side treated air more than necessary. In the present embodiment, the rotation speed of the compressor 44 is adjusted so that the temperature of the air cooler outlet side treated air is not lowered more than necessary, so that the COP of the heat pump device 40 is kept high and the energy saving and high efficiency operation is achieved. Is possible.

  Next, the reproduction fan 36 driven at a preset rotational speed is controlled. First, it is determined whether or not the outlet side air temperature detection value Tad of the air heater 46 is within the set range Lmin (Tas) to Lmax (Tas) (S38). When the detected value Tad is within the set range, the timer 614 is not operated (S40). That is, the timer 614 does not output the increase / decrease amount ΔRfa of the reproduction fan rotation speed. Therefore, the regeneration fan rotation speed increase / decrease unit 616 continues the operation of the regeneration fan 36 without changing the regeneration fan rotation speed manipulated variable Rfa (S54).

  If the detected value Tad is below the lower limit value Lmin (Tas) of the setting range, the timer 614 is set in a direction to decrease the rotation speed of the regeneration fan 36 (S42), and after the time-up time has elapsed (S44), the rotation speed operation is performed. An increase / decrease amount ΔRfa for decreasing the amount is output (S46). Note that if the detected value Tad returns within the set range before the time-up time elapses, the rotational speed manipulated variable Rfa is not changed.

  Based on the increase / decrease amount ΔRfa, the regenerative fan rotation speed increase / decrease unit 616 outputs a rotation speed operation amount Rfa lower than the previous time (S46), and controls the inverter device 38 so that the rotation speed operation amount Rfa is obtained. Thereby, the air cooler outlet side processed air temperature can be raised and returned to the set range.

  If the detected value Tad exceeds the upper limit value Lmax (Tas) of the setting range, the timer 614 is set to increase the rotation speed of the regeneration fan 36 (S48), and after the time-up time has elapsed (S50), the rotation speed operation is performed. An increase / decrease amount ΔRfa that increases the amount is output (S52). If Tad returns to within the set range before the time-up time elapses, the rotational speed manipulated variable Rfa is not changed.

  Based on the increase / decrease amount ΔRf, the regenerative fan rotation speed increase / decrease unit 616 outputs a rotation speed operation amount Rfa higher than the previous time (S54), and controls the inverter device 38 so that the rotation speed operation amount Rfa is obtained. Thereby, the air cooler outlet side treated air temperature can be lowered and returned to the set range.

  In this manner, when the detection value Tad is low according to the outlet side air temperature detection value Tad of the air heater 46, the rotation speed of the regeneration fan 32 is decreased to increase the air heater outlet side air temperature, and the detection value Tad is high. At that time, the rotation speed of the regeneration fan 32 is increased to lower the air heater outlet side air temperature. Thereby, the outlet side air temperature of the air heater 46 can be returned to the set range.

  In the Mollier diagram of FIG. 6, by increasing the rotation speed of the regeneration fan 36, the heat pump cycle line shifts from B to B ', and the COP of the heat pump device 40 can be improved. Therefore, when the detected value Tad exceeds the set range, the detected value Tad can be returned to the set range while improving the COP of the heat pump device 40.

  The numerical values in FIG. 1 show an example of the temperature and humidity of the air to be treated or the air for regeneration in each region when the air-conditioned room 18 is a front room (loading room) adjacent to the freezer warehouse.

  According to the present embodiment, the absolute humidity Had of the regeneration air DA is calculated by the temperature sensor 30 and the humidity sensor 32, and the air heater outlet side regeneration air DA is set to the set relative humidity Hrs (for example, Hrs = 7) from the absolute humidity Had. %), The air temperature at the outlet side of the air heater is controlled so that the dehumidifying performance of the desiccant rotor 20 can be kept high at the optimum regeneration temperature corresponding to the absolute humidity.

  In addition, since the temperature of the air to be treated on the outlet side of the air cooler 50 is not lowered below the required temperature of the air-conditioned room 18, generation of mold or the like due to condensation in the air cooler 50 can be prevented. Therefore, the air to be treated SA can be supplied to the air-conditioned room 18 in a clean state, the COP of the heat pump device 40 can be improved, and energy-saving and high-efficiency operation becomes possible. Further, since the suction pressure adjusting valve is not required to control the suction pressure of the compressor 44, the equipment cost can be reduced.

FIG. 7 shows test results obtained by actually operating the air conditioner 10A according to the first embodiment. In this test, CO ₂ is used as the refrigerant of the heat pump device 40, and the air-conditioned room 18 is a front room (a cargo handling room) adjacent to the refrigeration warehouse. In FIG. 7, the horizontal axis is the time axis, and it took 1-2 hours to perform this control operation from 1 to 12 stages. In this operation example, the air cooler outlet side air temperature detection value Ted is 7 ° C. and lower than the set value Tes of 10 ° C., and the air heater outlet side air temperature detection value Tad is the set value in the first stage at the start. 70 ° C., the same as Tas.

  If the compressor rotation speed manipulated variable Rca is reduced in order to bring the air cooler outlet side air detection value Ted closer to the set value Tes, the refrigerant circulation amount of the heat pump device 40 is reduced, and thus the air heater outlet side air temperature detection value Tad increases. At the same time, the compressor rotational speed upper limit set value Lmax (Rcs) is also reduced as the compressor rotational speed manipulated variable Rca is reduced. By this operation, the air cooler outlet side air temperature detection value Ted rises to 14 ° C. (fourth stage).

  Next, in the fourth stage, by reducing the regeneration fan operation amount Rfa, the air heater outlet side air temperature detection value Tad increases (fifth stage). By performing such control, the air cooler outlet-side air temperature detection value Ted and the air heater outlet-side air temperature detection value Tad could reach the set values in the final twelfth stage.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the method and apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 8, the air conditioner 10 </ b> B of the present embodiment is provided with only the temperature sensor 30 in the regeneration chamber 14 upstream of the air heater 46 and eliminates the humidity sensor 32. Other device configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 9 shows the configuration of the controller 60 of the air conditioner 10B. In FIG. 9, the temperature sensor 30 detects the temperature of the air heater inlet side regeneration air DA, and inputs this detected value to the calculator 620. The arithmetic unit 620 receives the seasonal relative humidity set value SHrs of the air heater inlet side regeneration air DA set in advance for each season such as summer, intermediate or winter. The seasonal relative humidity set value SHrs is set to a relative humidity that matches the season. From the temperature detection value of the temperature sensor 30 and the seasonal relative humidity set value SHrs, the calculator 620 calculates the absolute humidity Had of the regeneration air DA.

  The set relative humidity Hrs (for example, Hrs = 7%) is input from the calculator 618, and the air heater outlet side air temperature at which the relative humidity of the air heater inlet side regeneration air DA becomes the set relative humidity Hrs based on the absolute humidity Had. The set value Tas is calculated. The set value Tas is input to the comparator 602. The set value Tas is compared with the air heater outlet side air temperature detection value Tad detected by the temperature sensor 34 by the comparator 602, and the deviation is output. The other device configuration is the same as the configuration of the controller 60 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. The subsequent operation procedure is also the same as in the first embodiment.

  According to this embodiment, in addition to obtaining the same effect as the first embodiment, the temperature sensor 30 is provided only in the regeneration chamber 14 on the air heater inlet side without the humidity sensor 32, and the detected value of the temperature sensor 30 Since the absolute humidity Had of the regeneration air DA on the upstream side of the desiccant rotor is calculated from the preset seasonal relative humidity set value SHrs, there is an advantage that the control device is simple and low cost.

  In the second embodiment, the seasonal relative humidity setting value SHrs of the air heater inlet side regeneration air DA is set in advance. However, as a modification of the second embodiment, the seasonal absolute humidity of the air heater inlet side regeneration air DA is set. May be set. Thus, if the seasonal absolute humidity is set, the relative humidity of the air heater inlet side regeneration air DA can be determined from the detected value of the temperature sensor 34 and the seasonal absolute humidity. Therefore, the calculator 620 for calculating the absolute humidity of the desiccant rotor inlet side regeneration air is not necessary. Therefore, compared with the second embodiment, the control is further facilitated, and the control device is further simplified and reduced in cost.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a highly efficient dehumidifying air-conditioning means that is free from frost, does not require ancillary equipment such as a suction pressure regulating valve of a compressor, and can achieve energy saving at low cost.

10A, 10B Air-conditioner 12 Air-conditioning room 14 Reproduction room 16 Partition 18 Air-conditioned room 20 Desiccant rotor 20a Rotating shaft 22 Precooler 24 Processing fan 26 Temperature sensor (first temperature sensor)
30 Temperature sensor (second temperature sensor)
32 Humidity sensor 34 Temperature sensor (third temperature sensor)
36 Regenerative fan 38, 54 Inverter device 40 Heat pump device 42 Refrigerant circuit 44 Compressor 46 Air heater 48 Expansion valve 50 Air cooler 52 Drive motor 60 Controller 602, 608 Comparator 604 PID calculator 606 Output upper limit calculator 610, 614 Timer 612 Output upper limit set value increase / decrease unit 616 Regenerative fan rotation speed increase / decrease unit 618,620 Arithmetic unit A, A ′, B, B ′ Heat pump cycle line K Critical point D Saturated vapor line L Saturated liquid line T Isothermal line DA Regeneration air EA Exhaust Air Had Absolute humidity Hrd Relative humidity Hrs Set relative humidity SHrs Seasonal relative humidity set value OA Outside air RA Air-conditioned room air SA Processed air Rcs Compressor rotation speed setting value Rca Compressor rotation speed operation amount Tas Air heater outlet side air temperature setting Value Tad Air Air outlet temperature detection value Tes Air cooler outlet side air temperature setting value Ted Air cooler outlet side air temperature detection value Lmax (Rcs) Compressor rotation speed upper limit setting value ΔLmax (Rcs) Compressor rotation speed upper limit setting value increase / decrease amount Rfa Regenerative fan speed manipulated variable ΔRfa Regenerative fan speed increase / decrease value

Based on the increase / decrease amount ΔRfa, the regenerative fan rotation speed increase / decrease unit 616 outputs a rotation speed operation amount Rfa lower than the previous time (S46), and controls the inverter device 38 so that the rotation speed operation amount Rfa is obtained. Thus, increasing the air heater outlet side to be treated air temperature, it can be returned to the set range.

Based on the increase / decrease amount ΔRfa, the regenerative fan rotation speed increase / decrease unit 616 outputs a rotation speed operation amount Rfa higher than the previous time (S54), and controls the inverter device 38 so that the rotation speed operation amount Rfa is obtained. Thus, lowering the air heater outlet side to be treated air temperature, it can be returned to the set range.

When the compressor rotational speed manipulated variable Rca is reduced in order to bring the air cooler outlet air temperature detection value Ted closer to the set value Tes, the refrigerant circulation amount of the heat pump device 40 is reduced, and therefore the air heater outlet air temperature detection value Tad is lowered . . At the same time, the compressor rotational speed upper limit set value Lmax (Rcs) is also reduced as the compressor rotational speed manipulated variable Rca is reduced. By this operation, the air cooler outlet side air temperature detection value Ted rises to 14 ° C. (fourth stage).

Claims (7)

Regeneration of the desiccant rotor while supplying the air to the air-conditioned room after cooling and collecting the air to be treated, which has been dehumidified by the desiccant rotor and heated by adsorption heat, with the air cooler of the heat pump device that constitutes the heat pump cycle In the air conditioning method using a desiccant rotor that heats the working air with the air heater of the heat pump device,
Detecting the air cooler outlet side treated air temperature;
Controlling the rotational speed of the compressor of the heat pump device so that the relative humidity of the air heater outlet side regeneration air is in a set range and the air cooler outlet side air to be treated is in a set range;
When the cooling load of the air cooler fluctuates and the treated air temperature on the outlet side of the air cooler falls outside the setting range, the air flow rate of the regeneration fan that forms the regeneration air flow is controlled to set the treated air temperature on the outlet side of the air cooler An air conditioning method using a desiccant rotor, characterized by comprising the step of returning to a range.   The absolute humidity of the regeneration air upstream of the desiccant rotor is obtained from the temperature and relative humidity of the regeneration air upstream of the desiccant rotor, and the air heater outlet side so that the relative humidity of the air heater outlet regeneration air falls within the set range from the absolute humidity. The air conditioning method using a desiccant rotor according to claim 1, wherein the regeneration air temperature is controlled.   Relative humidity of the air heater inlet side regeneration air is set in advance according to the season, the absolute humidity is approximated from the relative humidity setting value and temperature of the air heater inlet side regeneration air, and the air heater outlet side regeneration is performed from the absolute humidity. The air conditioning method using a desiccant rotor according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of the air heater outlet side regeneration air is controlled so that the relative humidity of the working air falls within a set range. A heat pump comprising a desiccant rotor, an air cooler that constitutes a heat pump cycle, cools and heats the air to be treated that has been dehumidified by the desiccant rotor and has increased in temperature by adsorption heat, and an air heater that heats the regeneration air that regenerates the desiccant rotor In an air conditioner using a desiccant rotor provided with a device and configured to supply the air to be treated cooled by an air cooler to the air conditioned room,
The compressor rotation speed control device of the heat pump device, the regeneration fan that forms the regeneration air flow and the air flow control device thereof, the first temperature sensor that detects the air temperature on the air cooler outlet side, and the air heater outlet side The rotational speed of the compressor of the heat pump device is controlled so that the relative humidity of the regeneration air falls within the set range and the air cooler outlet side treated air temperature falls within the set range, and the cooling load amount of the air cooler varies. And a controller that controls the air flow rate of the regeneration fan and returns the air cooler outlet side treated air temperature to the set range when the air cooler outlet side treated air temperature is outside the set range. Air conditioner using desiccant rotor. A second temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the air heater inlet side regeneration air, a humidity sensor that detects the relative humidity of the air heater inlet side regeneration air, and a third temperature sensor that detects the air heater outlet side regeneration air temperature And comprising
The controller includes an arithmetic unit that calculates the absolute humidity of the regeneration air upstream of the desiccant rotor from the detection values of the second temperature sensor and the humidity sensor, and based on the absolute humidity, the relative humidity of the air heater outlet side regeneration air 5. The air conditioner using a desiccant rotor according to claim 4, wherein the air heater outlet side regeneration air temperature is controlled so as to be within a set range. A second temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the air heater inlet side regeneration air, and a third temperature sensor for detecting the air heater outlet side regeneration air temperature,
The controller approximates the absolute humidity of the regeneration air upstream of the desiccant rotor from the detection value of the second temperature sensor and the relative humidity of the air heater inlet regeneration air set in advance according to the season. The temperature of the air heater outlet side regeneration air is controlled so that the relative humidity of the air heater outlet side regeneration air falls within a set range based on the absolute humidity. An air conditioner using the desiccant rotor described. A third temperature sensor for detecting the air heater outlet side regeneration air temperature,
The controller controls the temperature of the air heater outlet side regeneration air so that the relative humidity of the air heater outlet side regeneration air falls within a set range based on the absolute humidity of the air heater inlet side regeneration air set in advance according to the season. The air conditioner using a desiccant rotor according to claim 4, wherein the air conditioner is controlled.

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