Patent ID: 7721460
Filing Date: 2010-05-25
Classification: F24F,F26B

Abstract:
1. Apparatus comprising: a liquid permeable substrate having a first surface and an opposed second surface, the liquid permeable substrate permeable to heat and mass transfer therethrough between the first and second surfaces; a liquid desiccant carried by and permeating the liquid permeable substrate, the liquid desiccant capable of circulating in the substrate between the first surface of the substrate and the second surface of the substrate; a first air stream having a first heat and moisture content flowing parallel to the second surface of the substrate in heat and mass transfer proximity with the second air stream flowing directionally different than the first air stream; a second air stream having a second heat and moisture content flowing parallel to the second surface of the substrate in heat and mass transfer proximity with the second air stream flowing directionally different than the first air stream; the first heat and moisture content of the first air stream greater than the second heat and moisture content of the second air stream; the first air stream interacting with the first surface of the substrate exposing the liquid desiccant at the first surface of the substrate to the first heat and moisture content of the first air stream; the second air stream interacting with the second surface of the substrate exposing the liquid desiccant at the second surface of the substrate to the second heat and moisture content of the second air stream; a temperature and concentration differential imparted to the liquid desiccant from the first surface of the substrate to the second surface of the substrate in response to exposure of the liquid desiccant at the first surface of the substrate to the first heat and moisture content of the first air stream and exposure of the liquid desiccant at the second surface of the substrate to the second heat and moisture content of the second air stream causing the liquid desiccant to develop micro-cyclic energy transfer in the liquid desiccant between the first surface of the substrate and the second surface of the substrate transferring heat and moisture from the first heat and moisture content of the first air stream to the second heat and moisture content of the second air stream thereby reducing the heat and moisture content of the first air stream and increasing the heat and moisture content of the second air stream.