Patent ID: 7338548
Filing Date: 2008-03-04
Classification: B01D,F24F

Abstract:
1. A heat-modulating dehumidifier for dehumidifying and controlling the temperature of air to be delivered to a moisture-laden area, said heat-modulating dehumidifier without the use of mechanical cooling devices, comprising: (a) a desiccant rotor comprising at least two process chambers and a single reactivation chamber, through which chambers air can flow; wherein said process chambers are adapted to heat and dehumidify a process air stream to produce first and second post-process air streams; and wherein said process chambers are adapted to transfer heat to a second air stream and to transfer a selected fraction of the heat to said second air stream or said reactivation chamber; wherein the selected fraction is between 0 percent and 100 percent; (b) a first heat exchanger adapted to transfer heat from the first post-process air stream to the second air stream before the first and second post-process air streams are joined to form a combined post-process air stream; and to eject the combined post-process air stream into the moisture-laden area; (c) a first bypass damper capable of adjustably diverting at least a portion of the second air stream from said heat exchanger, and of delivering the remaining portion of the second air stream to said heat exchanger; (d) a heater for heating the second air stream, after the second air stream has passed either through or around said heat exchanger, to a temperature sufficient to remove moisture from said reactivation chamber; and (e) a control system comprising a temperature sensor and a damper actuator; wherein said damper actuator is adapted to adjust the temperature of the first post-process air by actuating said bypass damper to control the amount of the second air stream that is diverted from said heat exchanger; wherein: (f) when said temperature sensor detects that the temperature in the moisture-laden area is greater than a pre-selected level, said damper actuator adjusts the position of said bypass damper to decrease the amount of the second air stream diverted from said heat exchanger, thereby increasing heat transfer from the first post-process air stream to the second air stream and decreasing the temperature of the first post-process air stream; and when said temperature sensor detects that the temperature in the moisture-laden area is less than a pre-selected temperature, said damper actuator adjusts the position of said damper to increase the amount of the second air stream being diverted from said heat exchanger, thereby decreasing heat transfer from the first post-process air stream to the second air stream and increasing the temperature of the first post-process air stream.