Method of and means for controlling the condition of air in an enclosure

摘要

Apparatus for conditioning air in an enclosure includes a direct contact air/brine heat exchanger with which air in the enclosure is exchanged, and a reservoir of brine. A first brine loop is established by which brine from the reservoir is exchanged with the direct contact heat exchanger for condensing water vapor in the enclosure air onto the brine to form dilute brine that flows into the reservoir. The apparatus also includes a brine concentrator for evaporating water from the dilute brine in the first loop to produce concentrated brine that is supplied to the reservoir. The brine concentrator is preferably constructed and arranged such that a thin film of dilute brine in the first loop flows over a heat transfer surface that is heated by flue gases from a burner.