JPH1054586A - Air-conditioning system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To increase the regenerative capacity of a desiccant and make it recover its adsorption capacity quickly by retarding the adsorption of moisture in the treated air by the desiccant and by accelerating the increase of temperature of the regenerated air to decrease its relative humidity when the dehumidifying action of the desiccant is inadequate. SOLUTION: A controller 350 is provided for an auxiliary heating means 310 and a damper 370. When the dehumidifying action of a desiccant is inadequate, especially before the start, the controller actuates the auxiliary heating means 310 to heat the regenerated air and by adjusting the opening of the damper 370 controls the operation in such a manner as to decrease the flow rate of the regenerated air. By thus providing an operating mode preceding a start regenerated air of high temperature with a low relative humidity is produced and a desiccant rotor 103 can be regenerated to recover a good moisture-adsorption capacity. The auxiliary heating means 310 is useful not only in the operation mode of starting step but can also be used as an auxiliary means when the amount of heating of a heat pump is inadequate during operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air conditioning system, and more particularly to an air conditioning system capable of continuously performing a desiccant moisture adsorption process and a heat pump desiccant regeneration process.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 5 shows a prior art disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,430,864, which includes a processing air path A,
Regeneration air path B and two desiccant beds 103A,
103B, and a heat pump 200 for regenerating the desiccant and cooling the processing air. This heat pump 200 has two desiccant beds 103A and 103A.
The heat exchangers 210 and 220 buried in B are used as high and low heat sources. One desiccant bed performs an adsorption step by passing process air, and the other desiccant performs a regeneration step by passing regeneration air. After the air-conditioning process has been performed for a predetermined time, the four-way switching valves 105 and 106 are switched to flow the regeneration and processing air to the opposite desiccant bed to perform the reverse process.

[0003]

In the prior art as described above, since the high and low heat sources of the heat pump 200 and the respective desiccants are integrated with each other, the amount of heat corresponding to the cooling effect ΔQ is equal to the heat pump (refrigerator). Is loaded as is. That is, the effect beyond the capacity of the heat pump (refrigerator) cannot be obtained. Therefore, it is not possible to obtain the effect of simply increasing the complexity of the device.

Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, as shown in FIG. 6, a high-temperature heat source 220 of a heat pump is disposed in a regeneration air path B to heat regeneration air, and a heat pump of a heat pump is disposed in a processing air path A. It is conceivable to arrange the low-temperature heat source 240 to cool the processing air, and to provide the heat exchanger 104 for performing sensible heat exchange between the processing air after passing through the desiccant 103 and the regeneration air before passing through the desiccant 103.
Here, the desiccant 103 uses a desiccant rotor that rotates over both the processing air path A and the regeneration air path B.

As a result, as shown in the psychrometric chart of FIG. 7, in addition to the cooling effect by the heat pump, a cooling effect (ΔQ) combining the cooling effect by sensible heat exchange between the processing air and the regeneration air is obtained. Therefore, higher efficiency than the air conditioning system of FIG. 5 can be obtained with a compact configuration.

However, even in the air-conditioning system having such a configuration, when the desiccant naturally absorbs moisture and the moisture absorbing ability is reduced in a case such as when the system is started after a long-term stoppage of the system, FIG. As indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 7, at the beginning of the operation, sufficient moisture was not absorbed from the treated air, and the temperature at the desiccant outlet did not rise much (state (L)). For this reason, the temperature difference between the processing air and the regeneration air in the sensible heat exchanger 104 is small, the amount of exchange heat is small, the regeneration air cannot be heated sufficiently, and the inlet temperature of the high-temperature heat source 220 of the heat pump for the regeneration air also decreases. State (R)). Even if the heat pump is operated from such a state, the regeneration air cannot be sufficiently heated (state (T)), and therefore, there is a problem that the desiccant does not recover its moisture absorbing ability, so that the start-up of the system is delayed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning system which is capable of quickly recovering the desiccant's moisture absorbing ability and has excellent starting characteristics.

[0008]

Means for Solving the Problems The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the invention described in claim 1 adsorbs moisture in processing air in a processing air path.
An air conditioning system comprising: a desiccant to be regenerated in a regeneration air path; and a heat pump configured to use the treatment air as a low heat source and operate as a high heat source to supply heat for desiccant regeneration to the regeneration air. An air conditioning system comprising: means for suppressing the rate of adsorbing moisture to the desiccant; and means for promoting the temperature rise of the regeneration air in the regeneration air path.

With this configuration, when the desiccant does not have a sufficient dehumidifying effect, the desiccant suppresses the moisture adsorption rate of the treated air and promotes the temperature rise of the regeneration air, thereby lowering the relative humidity of the regeneration air. As a result, the desiccant regeneration ability is enhanced, so that the desiccant adsorption ability can be quickly restored.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the regeneration air heating means reduces the flow rate of the regeneration air in the regeneration air path and increases the temperature of the regeneration air. Item 2. The air conditioning system according to item 1. As a method of decreasing the flow rate, there is a method of adjusting the damper opening, etc.
The adsorption speed can be controlled by simple means, and an operation state suitable for the situation can be obtained.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the regeneration air heating means reduces the flow rate of the regeneration air by controlling the rotation speed of a blower for the regeneration air. Since the air conditioning system of the present invention, the suction speed can be accurately controlled. The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the regeneration air temperature raising means raises the temperature of the regeneration air using an auxiliary heating means arranged on the upstream side of the desiccant in the regeneration air path. Since the air conditioning system according to any one of Items 1 to 3, the regeneration capacity can be quickly restored using the auxiliary heat source.

The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that the adsorption speed suppressing means stops the moisture adsorption speed by stopping the circulation of the processing air in the processing air path. Since the air conditioning system is described, the adsorption speed can be suppressed by the simplest means. The invention according to claim 6 is the air-conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the adsorption speed suppressing means has a bypass flow path in a processing air path from a downstream side of the desiccant to an upstream side. Therefore, the adsorption speed can be controlled by relatively simple means and by adjusting the bypass flow rate.

The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that the adsorption speed suppressing means controls the desiccant moisture adsorption speed by controlling the number of revolutions of a blower of the processing air. It is an air conditioning system. This also allows the suction speed to be controlled.

According to the present invention, the desiccant which is adsorbed in the processing air in the processing air path and is regenerated in the regeneration air path, the processing air is used as a low heat source, and the regenerated air is used as a high heat source. And a heat pump for supplying heat for desiccant regeneration to the regeneration air by controlling the rate of moisture adsorption to the desiccant in the processing air path and increasing the temperature of the regeneration air in the regeneration air path. This is a method for controlling an air conditioning system, characterized by promoting air conditioning.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a desiccant air conditioner according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a view showing a basic configuration of an air conditioning system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Among them, a configuration of a part of a vapor compression heat pump 200 includes a compressor 260, an evaporator 240, and a condenser 22.
0, a vapor compression refrigeration cycle is formed with the expansion valve 250 as a constituent device, the evaporator 240 has a heat exchange relationship with the processing air after passing through the desiccant 103, and the condenser 220
Is a cycle that forms a heat exchange relationship with the regenerated air before passing through the desiccant 103. Desiccant rotor 1
Numeral 03 is configured so that the desiccant rotates in a predetermined cycle across both the processing air path A and the regeneration air path B, as described with reference to FIG.

The processing air path A is connected to the air-conditioned space and the suction port of the blower 102 for introducing return air through a path 107, and the discharge port of the blower 102 is connected to the desiccant rotor 103 through a path 108. The outlet of the processing air of the rotor 103 is connected to the sensible heat exchanger 104, which has a heat exchange relationship with the regeneration air, via the path 109. The outlet of the processing air of the sensible heat exchanger 104 is connected to the evaporator (cooler) 240. And the outlet of the processing air of the evaporator 240 is connected to the humidifier 105 via the path 111, and the outlet of the processing air of the humidifier 105 is connected to the processing air outlet serving as the air supply port and the path 112. To form a cycle of process air.

On the other hand, the regeneration air path B connects the regeneration air inlet with the suction port of the blower 140 for introducing outside air through the path 124, and the discharge port of the blower 140 has a sensible heat heat exchange relation with the processing air. The outlet of the regeneration air of the sensible heat exchanger 104 is connected to the condenser (heater) 220 via the path 126, and the outlet of the regeneration air of the condenser (heater) 220 is connected to the auxiliary heating. And the outlet of the regeneration air of the auxiliary heating means 310 is connected to the regeneration air inlet of the desiccant rotor 103 via the path 128, and the exit of the regeneration air of the desiccant rotor 103 is connected to the damper 370. 129 and the damper 3
The outlet of 70 is connected to an external space via a path 130, thereby forming a cycle for taking in regeneration air from the outside and exhausting the same to the outside. In the drawing, circled letters K to U are symbols indicating the state of air corresponding to FIG.

A controller 350 is provided for the auxiliary heating means 310 and the damper 370. This is because the auxiliary heating means 310 is operated to heat the regeneration air, and the opening degree of the damper 370 is adjusted to reduce the flow rate of the regeneration air, particularly before starting, when the desiccant dehumidifying action is not sufficient. Such operation control is performed. At this time, the heat pump 200 and the processing air blower 102
Does not operate, and therefore evaporator 240 and condenser 220
Is not cooled or heated, and the processing air is controlled so as not to flow.

Next, as in the desiccant air-conditioning system using the heat pump configured as described above as a heat source, the desiccant naturally absorbs moisture and the moisture absorption capacity is reduced as in the start of operation after a long-term stop. The operation in such a case will be described with reference to the psychrometric chart of FIG. Such an operation mode is performed to enable a smooth start at the time of starting operation after a long-term stop of the system. The outside air (state Q) used as the regeneration air passes through the path 124 and
It is sucked by 40 and pressurized and sent to the sensible heat exchanger 104. In the sensible heat exchanger 104, no heat exchange is performed because the processing air is not flowing, and thus the regeneration air passes without increasing the temperature.

The regenerated air that has exited the sensible heat exchanger 104 is sent to the condenser (heater) 220 via the path 126. However, since the heat pump is stopped, the temperature does not rise and passes without change (state S). . The regeneration air that has exited the condenser (heater) 220 is heated by the auxiliary heating means 310 via the path 127. At this time, the flow rate of the regeneration air is controlled by the damper 370.
And the heat capacity of air is small, so that a small amount of heating can eventually raise the temperature to 60 to 80 ° C. as in the case of operation at the rated load (state T), and the relative humidity But low regeneration air can be obtained. The regeneration air having a sufficiently reduced relative humidity after exiting the auxiliary heating means 310 passes through the desiccant rotor 103 to remove moisture from the desiccant rotor and perform a regeneration operation. The regeneration air that has passed through the desiccant rotor 103 passes through a path 129,
After passing through the damper 370, it is discarded as exhaust gas.

In this manner, even when the desiccant 103 absorbs moisture naturally due to a long-term stop and the moisture absorbing ability is reduced, the auxiliary heating means 310 switches the regeneration air to the operation mode before the start before the start. While heating, the opening degree of the damper 370 is adjusted to reduce the flow rate of the regeneration air, and the desiccant 103 is regenerated by producing high-temperature regeneration air having a low relative humidity required for regeneration of the desiccant 103, thereby achieving sufficient moisture absorption. The ability can be restored.

Next, after preparation for starting the desiccant to a state in which the desiccant has sufficiently recovered the moisture absorption capacity is completed,
The operation of the present embodiment after starting will be described with reference to the cycle indicated by the solid line in FIG. In the processing air path A, the introduced return air (processing air: state K)
7, the air is sucked into the blower 102, the pressure is increased, and
According to the present embodiment, the desiccant has a sufficient dehumidifying ability even at the time of startup, so that the desiccant rotor absorbs the moisture in the processing air with the desiccant rotor to reduce the absolute humidity. The temperature of the air rises due to the heat of adsorption (state L). The air whose humidity has decreased and the temperature has increased is sent to the sensible heat exchanger 104 via the path 109, where it is cooled by exchanging heat with outside air (regenerated air) (state M). The process air leaving the sensible heat exchanger 104 passes through a path 110
Then, it passes through the evaporator (cooler) 240 and is cooled (state N). The cooled processing air is sent to the humidifier 105, and its temperature is reduced in the isenthalpy process by water injection or vaporization humidification (state P), and is returned to the air-conditioned space via the path 112 as air supply.

On the other hand, in the regeneration air path B, the damper 370 is fully opened at the same time as the start by the controller 350.
The auxiliary heating means 310 operates as follows in a stopped state. Outside air used as regeneration air (state Q)
Is sucked into the blower 140 via the path 124, is pressurized, and is sent to the sensible heat exchanger 104. The sensible heat exchanger 104 exchanges heat with the processing air to increase the temperature (state R). The regenerated air exiting the sensible heat exchanger 104 is sent to a condenser (heater) 220 via a path 126 and is heated to 60 to 80 ° C. (state S), and the relative humidity is reduced. Condenser (heater)
Regenerated air exiting 220 and having a reduced relative humidity passes through path 127
After passing through the auxiliary heating means 310 as it is (state T), water is removed from the desiccant rotor to perform a regeneration action. The regenerated air that has passed through the desiccant rotor 103 passes through a path 129, a damper 370 that is fully opened upon startup, and a path 1.
After 30, it is discarded outside as exhaust gas.

Next, the cycle of the vapor compression refrigeration cycle portion of the desiccant air conditioning system will be described. The refrigerant evaporates by removing latent heat of evaporation from the processing air that has exited the desiccant 103 in the evaporator (cooler) 240, is sucked by the compressor 260 through the path 204, is compressed, and then passes through the path 201 and is condensed (heater). 220 and heat of condensation is desiccant 103
It is released to the regenerated air before flowing into and condensed. The condensed refrigerant reaches the expansion valve 250 via the path 202, is decompressed and expanded there, and then returns to the evaporator (cooler) 240.

In this way, first, the desiccant is regenerated in a start preparation step of reducing the flow rate of the regenerating air to produce high-temperature regenerating air having a low relative humidity to restore a sufficient moisture absorbing ability. Since the ventilation of the system and the operation of the heat pump are started, the temperature of the desiccant outlet of the processing air rises immediately after the start, and the temperature of the sensible heat exchanger outlet of the regenerated air, which has a heat exchange relationship with it, also rises. By operation, the regeneration air temperature at the outlet of the condenser is also increased, so that regeneration air having a low relative humidity is obtained, and thus sufficient regeneration capacity is obtained immediately after the start of operation. Therefore, it is possible to provide an air conditioning system having excellent start-up characteristics.

In this embodiment, the auxiliary heating means 310 is provided. However, the auxiliary heating means 310 may be used only when the regeneration capability is restored in a short time, and an inexpensive device is desirable. However, a heat pump may be used as another heating method. The auxiliary heating means 310 may be used not only in the operation mode for starting preparation but also as an auxiliary means when the heating amount of the heat pump is not sufficient during the operation. Auxiliary heating means such as this can easily obtain a high temperature, and conversely, when trying to obtain a high temperature with a heat pump, the compression ratio of the compressor becomes excessive, so the auxiliary heating device is located upstream of the desiccant of the regeneration air and condensed. It is desirable to provide it downstream of the vessel.

The auxiliary heating means 310 and the damper 37
0 means the auxiliary heating means 3 by the controller 350, especially when the desiccant dehumidifying action is not sufficient before starting.
10 heats the regeneration air, and the damper 370 is closed to control the flow rate of the regeneration air. However, as means for detecting that the desiccant dehumidifying effect is not sufficient before the start, Means for detecting that the set time has been exceeded with a timer for measuring the elapsed time after the stoppage of the full-open operation may be used, or means for detecting the amount of moisture absorption by the weight of the desiccant may be used. As means for determining the completion of the start preparation operation mode, the start preparation operation mode is always terminated by the timer after the fixed time of the start preparation operation mode for a predetermined time. Alternatively, the regeneration air temperature after the desiccant has been detected during the operation mode of the start preparation may be detected, and the regeneration air temperature may be increased to a constant value by utilizing the phenomenon that the heat absorption by the desiccant disappears after the regeneration is completed. If the value exceeds the value, the start preparation operation mode may be terminated and the start may be performed. Alternatively, the relative humidity difference may be detected at the entrance / exit of the desiccant of the processing air, and the relative humidity difference may be determined to be smaller than a predetermined value.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a vapor compression heat pump 2 of an air conditioning system is used.
The configuration of the portion of 00 is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the auxiliary heating means for the path of the regeneration air is omitted, and the path of the processing air is connected from the downstream side of the desiccant to the inlet of the blower on the upstream side. Paths 381 and 382 for bypassing and a damper 380 are provided in the bypass path. This allows
As in the first embodiment, when the desiccant has naturally absorbed moisture and the moisture absorption capacity has been reduced, such as when the desiccant air-conditioning system starts operating after a long-term stop, Regeneration of desiccant is mainly performed as an operation mode. Then, while operating the heat pump 200, the opening degree of the regeneration air damper 370 is adjusted by the controller 350 to reduce the amount of regeneration air, and then heated by the condenser 220 of the heat pump 200, the temperature is increased, and the relative humidity is increased. Decrease and increase the regeneration ability. On the other hand, the process air bypass damper 380 is opened, and the process air is circulated by-pass between the blower 102 and the desiccant 103,
By suppressing the supply of water from the outside of the processing air, the adsorption of water to the desiccant is suppressed, and the regeneration of the desiccant is promoted.

The operation of the desiccant air-conditioning system according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to the psychrometric chart of FIG. 4 in a case where the desiccant absorbs moisture spontaneously due to a long-term stop and the moisture absorption capacity is reduced. The introduced processing air (state K) is mixed with the bypass air (state L) after passing through the desiccant (state J), sucked by the blower 102 through the path 107, pressurized, and sent to the desiccant rotor 103 through the path 108. Then, the moisture in the air is adsorbed by the desiccant rotor's moisture absorbent, the absolute humidity decreases, and the temperature of the air rises due to the heat of adsorption (state L). The amount of water adsorbed in the adsorption process is the difference between the state J and the state L, which is smaller than the amount adsorbed from the state K to the state L during the normal operation with the bypass closed, and water replenishment can be suppressed. The air whose humidity has decreased and whose temperature has increased divides into two, one of which is in a path 10.
9, is sent to the sensible heat exchanger 104, is cooled by exchanging heat with outside air (regenerated air) (state M), is cooled through the evaporator (cooler) 240 through the path 110 (state M) N), it is sent to the humidifier 105, the temperature is reduced in the isenthalpy process by water injection or vaporization humidification (state P), and returned to the air-conditioned space via the path 112 as air supply. The other one of the branches is the bypass path 381, 382 as described above.
Then, the air is mixed with the processing air in the state K through the bypass damper 380.

On the other hand, the regeneration air (state Q)
4, the air is sucked by the blower 140, pressurized and sent to the sensible heat exchanger 104, cools the processing air and rises in temperature (state R), and passes through the path 126 to the condenser (heater) 22.
0, and the flow rate is adjusted to the damper 37 as in the first embodiment.
In the state where the heat capacity is reduced at 0 and heated by the heat pump, the temperature finally rises to 60 to 80 ° C. (state T), and the relative humidity decreases. The regeneration air having a reduced relative humidity passes through the desiccant rotor 103 to remove moisture from the desiccant rotor and perform a regeneration operation. The regenerated air that has passed through the desiccant rotor 103 is discarded as exhaust gas through a path 129.

As described above, while the regeneration capacity of the regeneration air is increased, the adsorption capacity of the desiccant 103 can be restored as the operation mode before the start by suppressing the moisture adsorption of the processing air. According to this operation mode, even in the operation mode before the start, the processing air can be slightly supplied to the air-conditioned space at low humidity and low temperature. The operation during the operation after the operation mode before the start is ended and the operation mode is shifted to the normal operation mode is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore, the description thereof is omitted.

In the second embodiment, an auxiliary heating means may be used downstream of the condenser 220 in the regeneration air path B as in the first embodiment. The first and second
In this embodiment, as a means instead of the damper or a means used in combination with the damper, the rotation speed of the blower may be controlled by the controller 350 to reduce the flow rate of the regeneration air, and the rotation speed of the blower may also be controlled. By reducing the flow rate of the processing air to reduce the contact air volume between the processing air and the desiccant, moisture adsorption to the desiccant may be suppressed.

[0033]

As described above, according to the present invention, in an air conditioning system capable of continuously performing the desiccant adsorption process with the desiccant and the desiccant regeneration process with the heat pump, in particular, the desiccant dehumidifying action such as at the time of starting. When the desiccant is not enough, the desiccant suppresses the moisture adsorption rate of the treated air and reduces the relative humidity of the regeneration air to increase the desiccant regeneration ability, allowing the desiccant adsorption ability to be restored quickly, thus improving the starting characteristics. And an air conditioning system with excellent reliability can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a basic configuration of a first embodiment of an air conditioning system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a desiccant air-conditioning cycle of air of the air-conditioning system of FIG. 1 in a psychrometric chart.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a basic configuration of an air conditioning system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

4 is an explanatory diagram showing a desiccant air-conditioning cycle of air in the air-conditioning system of FIG. 3 in a psychrometric chart.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a basic configuration of a conventional air conditioning system.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a virtual air conditioning system.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a basic configuration of an air conditioning system according to the example of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 102, 140 Blower 103 Desiccant rotor 104 Sensible heat exchanger 200 Heat pump 220 Evaporator 240 Condenser 260 Compressor 310 Auxiliary heating means 350 Controller 370 Damper 381, 382 Bypass path A Processing air path B Regeneration air path

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A desiccant which adsorbs moisture in processing air in a processing air path and is regenerated in a regeneration air path, and a desiccant for desiccant regeneration by operating the processing air as a low heat source and the regeneration air as a high heat source. An air conditioning system comprising: a heat pump that supplies heat of the processing air; a means for suppressing a rate of adsorbing moisture to the desiccant in the processing air path; and a means for promoting a temperature rise of the regeneration air in the regeneration air path. Characteristic air conditioning system. 2. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the regeneration air temperature raising means decreases the flow rate of the regeneration air in the regeneration air path to increase the temperature of the regeneration air. 3. The air conditioning system according to claim 2, wherein the regeneration air temperature raising means reduces the flow rate of the regeneration air by controlling a rotation speed of a regeneration air blower. 4. The regeneration air temperature raising means raises the temperature of the regeneration air by using an auxiliary heating means arranged on the upstream side of the desiccant in the regeneration air path.
4. The air conditioning system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the adsorption speed suppressing means stops the moisture adsorption speed by stopping circulation of the processing air in the processing air path. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the adsorption speed suppressing means suppresses the moisture adsorption speed by flowing the processing air through a bypass flow path provided from a downstream side of the desiccant to an upstream side provided in the processing air path. The air conditioning system according to claim 1. 7. The air conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the adsorption speed suppressing unit controls the water adsorption speed by controlling a rotation speed of a blower of the processing air. 8. A desiccant which adsorbs moisture in the processing air in the processing air path and is regenerated in the regeneration air path, and a desiccant for desiccant regeneration by operating the processing air as a low heat source and the regeneration air as a high heat source. A heat pump that supplies heat of the air conditioning system, comprising: suppressing the rate of moisture adsorption to the desiccant in the processing air path, and promoting the temperature rise of the regeneration air in the regeneration air path. Air conditioning system control method.