ENERGY EFFICIENT DEHUMIDIFYING REFRIGERATION SYSTEM

摘要

An evaporator setpoint temperature for a refrigeration system is adjusted by an electronic control module to maximize a ratio of volume of condensate produced per unit of electricity consumed. When the control module detects a change in the relative humidity of air entering an evaporator in the refrigeration system, the module determines the new dew point for the air, compensates the dew point value by a predetermined offset value, and changes the setpoint for refrigerant temperature in the evaporator to the compensated dew point value. The control module operates the refrigeration system to drive the evaporator temperature to the compensated dew point value. Refrigeration system parameters measured and modified by the control module include operating speed of compressors, number of operating compressors, refrigerant flow through an expansion valve, compressor suction pressure, and fan speeds for the condenser and evaporator.

主权项

1. An apparatus, comprising:
a refrigeration system comprising a first compressor and an evaporator connected in series in a closed fluid circuit; a humidity sensor positioned to measure a relative humidity value for inlet air to said evaporator; a first temperature sensor positioned to measure a temperature value for inlet air to said evaporator; a second temperature sensor positioned to measure a temperature value for refrigerant in said evaporator; and an electronic control module adapted to store a setpoint offset value, said electronic control module electrically connected to said humidity sensor, said first temperature sensor, and said second temperature sensor, said electronic control module adapted to compute a dew point temperature value from said relative humidity value and said temperature value for inlet air, said electronic control module adapted to adjust an operating of speed of said first compressor until said temperature value for refrigerant is approximately equal to a compensated evaporator setpoint temperature calculate by subtracting said setpoint offset value from said dew point temperature, and when said electronic control module receives a changed value of relative humidity from said humidity sensor, said electronic control module autonomously calculates a new dew point temperature and adjusts said operating speed of said first compressor until a new temperature value for said refrigerant is approximately equal to a new compensated evaporator setpoint temperature.