Desiccant dehumidification system and method

摘要

A system and method for controlling the humidity of an indoor space is disclosed. The system features a desiccant wheel which rotates sequentially through a plurality of distinct process air streams in order to optimize desiccant moisture adsorption at the process side of the desiccant wheel. This moisture is then deposited on the regeneration side of the wheel upstream of a cooling coil, increasing the dew point of the air entering the coil. The latent capacity and operational temperature of the coiling coil will be increased as a result, thus enhancing the dehumidification performance of the cooling coil and the overall efficiency of the system.

主权项

1. A method of conditioning air within an indoor space using a desiccant dehumidification system, the method comprising:
a. conveying a first air stream sequentially through a bypass plenum, through a first process section of a desiccant wheel, through a supply plenum, and into a conditioned space; b. conveying a second air stream sequentially through a heating plenum, through a regeneration section of the desiccant wheel to form a freshly regenerated portion of the desiccant wheel, through a cooling plenum, through a second process section of the desiccant wheel, through the supply plenum, and into the conditioned space; c. heating the second air stream as the second air stream passes through the heating plenum; d. cooling the second air stream as the second air stream passes through the cooling plenum; e. rotating the desiccant wheel in a first direction such that the freshly regenerated portion of the desiccant wheel comes into contact with the first air stream leaving the bypass plenum before rotating into contact with the second air stream leaving the cooling plenum.