Patent Abstract:
A robust, relatively simple air quality control system that can control the air quality in buildings during both the heating and cooling seasons. In one illustrative embodiment, a first air stream is directed through an air treatment module and back into the inside space. A desiccant in the air treatment module adsorbs water, volatile organic compounds and/or particulate material from the first air stream. A second air stream is then directed through the air treatment module to a location outside of the inside space. The second air stream is preferably heated relative to the first air stream so that at least a portion of the adsorbed water, volatile organic compounds and/or particulate material are desorbed from the desiccant into the second air stream. The second air stream carries the desorbed water, volatile organic compounds and/or particulate material to a location outside the inside space.

Full Description:
This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/748,624, filed Dec. 22, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,428,608. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to methods and devices for improving indoor air quality. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and devices for controlling humidity and/or for removing volatile organic compounds and particulate material from the inside space. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Indoor air quality is a subject of increasing concern. Indoor air quality is impacted by several air contaminants such as humidity, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi volatile organic compounds (SVOCs), and particulate material. While it is desirable to control the level of humidity at a precise level, it is also desirable to cause a high rate of removal of the other components such as VOCs and particulate materials. 
     Normally, indoor air quality in commercial buildings is managed by controlling the fresh air ventilation rate. Leakage and sometimes outside combustion air supply provides sufficient refresh air supply for most residential structures. However, it will be more important to control the air composition as homes and buildings become tighter and as concern over the presence of organic impurities and particulates becomes greater. Currently, carbon adsorption, sometimes known as carbon filtration, is used to remove organic vapors from air streams. The strategy is usually to add enough carbon granules to an adsorption bed to remove organic compound impurities from the air for a period of weeks or months. Under normal circumstances, the carbon is used for three to six months and then replaced. Unfortunately, the performance and usage of this type of system is limited by cost of purchase and disposal of large carbon canisters and by the amount of back-pressure that can be tolerated in the forced air system. 
     Although it is important to remove organic impurities from building air, it is also important to remove or add the proper amount of water vapor. Humidity control is necessary because air that is too wet causes mold and other undesirable contaminants. This generates biologically-derived organic compounds and air dispersed biological molecules, which can cause health and building structure problems. Air that is too dry causes a decrease in the function of mucous membranes, which decreases human disease resistance. 
     While organic compounds typically should be removed at a level as high as possible, humidity should be controlled within a range, such as between 40-60% relative humidity. In the winter, humidity can be increased to this range by use of wicking or ultrasonic dispersion methods in commercial and residential buildings. In the summer, humidity can be decreased to this range by over-cooling the air at the cooling coil in the main air handling unit, and then re-heating the over-cooled air to a more reasonable supply level. The air is over-cooled to wring out the desired excess water. Reheat is often accomplished with a heating coil located in the main air handler and immediately downstream of the cooling coil (central reheat), or with smaller re-heat coils located in the discharge/supply registers (called terminals) located within the occupied space. A limitation of this approach is that over-cooling the air and then re-heating the over-cooled air can consume significant energy. Further, the cost and complexity of such systems can be high. For these and other reasons, the humidity in residential buildings is typically not controlled during the cooling season. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides methods and devices for improving indoor air quality by providing a robust, relatively simple system that can control the air quality in buildings during both the heating and cooling seasons. In doing so, the present invention can control the humidity and remove volatile organic compounds and particulate material from the inside space. 
     In one illustrative embodiment of the present invention, and during a first cycle, a first air stream is directed through an air treatment module and back into the inside space. During this first cycle, a desiccant in the air treatment module adsorbs water, volatile organic compounds and/or particulate material from the first air stream. During a second cycle, a second air stream is directed through the air treatment module to a location outside of the inside space. The second air stream is preferably heated relative to the first air stream so that at least a portion of the adsorbed water, volatile organic compounds and/or particulate material are desorbed from the desiccant into the second air stream. The second air stream carries the desorbed water, volatile organic compounds and/or particulate material to a location outside the inside space. 
     The air treatment module preferably includes a chamber with an inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet. A first valve selectively obstructs the first outlet, and a second valve selectively obstructs the second outlet. The first air stream is directed through the air treatment module and back into the inside space by closing the first valve and opening the second valve. During this cycle, the air treatment module adsorbs water, volatile organic compounds and/or particulate material from the first air stream. 
     The second air stream is then directed through the air treatment module to a location outside of the inside space by opening the first valve and closing the second valve. The second air stream can be heated to a temperature above the first air stream in any number of ways, including for example, activating a heating element during a cooling cycle, or restricting the flow of the second air stream during a heating cycle. Other illustrative embodiments are contemplated, as further described below. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a system for treating air within an inside space in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an additional view of the system of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a graph showing desiccant water inventory on the vertical axis and time on the horizontal axis; 
     FIG. 4 is a graph showing desiccant water inventory on the vertical axis and time on the horizontal axis; 
     FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of an additional illustrative embodiment of a system in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of yet another illustrative embodiment of a system in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is an additional view of the system of FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of yet another illustrative embodiment of a system in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic representation of yet another illustrative embodiment of a system in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic representation of yet another illustrative embodiment of a system in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 11 is a plan view of an illustrative embodiment of a panel in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 is a plan view of an additional illustrative embodiment of a panel in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a fiber in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a fiber or granule  892  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a fiber  992  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description should be read with reference to the drawings, in which like elements in different drawings are numbered in like fashion. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. In some cases, the drawings may be highly diagrammatic in nature. Examples of constructions, materials, dimensions, and manufacturing processes are provided for various elements. Those skilled in the art will recognize many of the examples provided have suitable alternatives which may be utilized. 
     FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of an inside space  20  and a system  100  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The system  100  may be used to treat the air within the inside space  20  by removing vapors (e.g., organic vapors), gases, and particles. Additionally, the system  100  may be used to humidify and de-humidify the air within the inside space  20 . Additional embodiments of a system in accordance with the present invention may also be used to ventilate the inside space  20  by introducing fresh air into the inside space  20 . 
     In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 1, the system  100  includes a controller  102  that is coupled to a motor  104 . The motor  104  is coupled to a blower  106 . The blower  106  is in fluid communication with a first duct  110  and a second duct  112 . The blower  106  may be used to draw air from the inside space  20  through the first duct  110  and return air to the inside space  20  via second duct  112 . 
     An air treatment module  120  is disposed in fluid communication with the blower  106  and the inside space  20 . The air treatment module  120  includes a plurality of walls  122  defining a chamber  124 , and an inlet  126  in fluid communication with the chamber  124 . The air treatment module  120  also includes a first outlet  128 , a second outlet  130 , a first valve  132 , and a second valve  134 . Each outlet is in fluid communication with the chamber  124 . The first valve  132  is preferably adapted to selectively obstruct the first outlet  128 . Likewise, the second valve  134  is preferably adapted to selectively obstruct the second outlet  130 . The first valve  132  is coupled to a first actuator  136  and the second valve  134  is coupled to a second actuator  138 . 
     In FIG. 1, it may be appreciated that the controller  102  is coupled to the first actuator  136  and the second actuator  138 . The controller  102  is preferably adapted to selectively actuate the first valve  132  and the second valve  134 . In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the first valve  132  is in a closed position and the second valve  134  is in an open position. With the first valve  132  and the second valve  134  in the positions shown in FIG. 1, a first air stream  140  passes through the chamber  124  and is directed into the inside space  20 . 
     FIG. 2 is an additional view of the system  100  of FIG.  1 . In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the first valve  132  has been actuated to an open position by the first actuator  136  and the controller  102 . The second valve  134  has been actuated to a closed position by the second actuator  138  and the controller  102 . With the first valve  132  and the second valve  134  in the positions shown in FIG. 2, a second air stream  142  passes through the chamber  124  and is directed to a location outside of the inside space  20 . In FIG. 2, this location has been labeled VENT. 
     An air treatment matrix  144  is disposed within the chamber  124  of the air treatment module  120 . In the embodiment of FIG.  1  and FIG. 2, the air treatment matrix  144  includes a first panel  146 , a second panel  148  and a third panel  150 . In a preferred embodiment, the first panel  146  is adapted to remove particles from the air that passes through the chamber  124 . The second panel  148  is adapted to adsorb water vapor from the air that passes through the chamber  124 , and the water vapor adsorbed by the second panel  148  may be selectively desorbed in a process which may be referred to as regeneration. The third panel  150  is adapted to adsorb organic vapors from the air that passes through the chamber  124 . In a particularly preferred embodiment, the organic vapors adsorbed by the third panel  150  may be selectively desorbed in a process which may be referred to as regeneration. The number, type, and relative position of the panels may be varied, as many embodiments of the air treatment matrix  144  are contemplated without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Various illustrative embodiments of panels for use in the air treatment matrix  144  will be described below. 
     The system  100  also includes a furnace  152  having a heat exchanger  154  that is in fluid communication with the blower  106  and the air treatment module  120 . The furnace  152  may be used to heat an air stream passing through the heat exchanger  154 . In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the furnace  152  is coupled to the controller  102 . The controller  102  is preferably adapted to selectively activate the furnace  152 . 
     The system  100  may be used to remove vapors from the air in the inside space  20 . One method of removing vapors from the air of the inside space  20  may proceed as follows: 
     1) Directing a first air stream  140  (shown in FIG. 1) from the inside space  20  through the air treatment module  120  and back into inside space  20 , wherein air treatment module  120  adsorbs vapor from first air stream  140 . 
     2) Positioning the first valve  132  and the second valve  134  so that a second air stream  142  (shown in FIG. 2) passing through the air treatment module  120  is directed to a location outside of the inside space  20 . 
     3) Activating the furnace  152  to heat second air stream  142  so that second air stream  142  has a temperature that is higher than the temperature of the first air stream  140 , wherein at least a portion of vapor adsorbed by the air treatment module  120  is desorbed from the air treatment module  120  and carried away by second air stream  142 . Examples of vapors that may be suitable in some applications include water vapor, organic vapors, and volatile organic compounds (VOC&#39;s). Examples of organic vapors include ether vapors, hydrocarbon vapors, aldehyde vapors, ester vapors, ketone vapors, amide vapors, and amine vapors. 
     In one method in accordance with the present invention, the air treatment matrix  144  is adapted to adsorb water vapor from first air stream  140 . In this method, second air stream  142  may be directed through the air treatment matrix  144  until substantially all of the water adsorbed from first air stream  140  by the air treatment module  120  is desorbed into second air stream  142 . This approach is illustrated in FIG. 3, which is a graph showing desiccant water inventory on the vertical axis and time on the horizontal axis. In FIG. 3 it may be appreciated that the desiccant water inventory approaches zero during each cycle. 
     It is to be understood that after the very first cycle, the water content and/or the VOC content will not be zero. Instead, the low point in FIG. 3 will be a characteristic determined by the adsorbent type, regeneration time, and temperature. Similarly, the high point will be determined by the feed composition, adsorption time and temperature. The difference between the low and high contents is the effective dynamic capacity. Thus, the 0% and 100% values in FIG. 3 represent 0% and 100% of the effective dynamic capacity. 
     Methods in accordance with the present invention are also contemplated in which second air stream  142  is directed through the air treatment matrix  144  until a portion of the water adsorbed from first air stream  140  by the air treatment module  120  is desorbed into the second air stream  142 . This approach is illustrated in FIG. 4, which is a graph showing desiccant water inventory on the vertical axis and time on the horizontal axis. In FIG. 4 it may be appreciated that some water remains in the desiccant throughout each cycle. 
     In some applications, it may be desirable to allow some water to remain adsorbed within the air treatment module  120 . For example, in one method, water is intentionally left in the air treatment module  120 , and a gas which is present in first air stream  140  forms an acidic solution with the water present in the air treatment module  120 . This method may be advantageously used to remove gases from the air in the inside space  20 . Examples of gases that may be removed using this approach include carbon dioxide gas, and nitrogen dioxide gas. 
     FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of an additional illustrative embodiment of a system  200  in accordance with the present invention. The system  200  of FIG. 5 is substantially similar to the system  100  of FIGS. 1 and 2, except that the system  200  includes a third valve  256 . The third valve  256  is coupled to a third actuator  258  that is coupled to a controller  202 . The third valve  256  may be selectively activated to place the blower  206  in fluid communication with air that is outside of the inside space  20 . The controller  202  is preferably adapted to selectively activate the third valve  256  to introduce fresh air into the inside space  20 . 
     The system  200  of FIG. 5 also includes a temperature transducer  260  that is coupled to the controller  202  and is adapted to supply the controller  202  with a signal which is indicative of the air temperature within the inside space  20 . The system  200  also includes a humidity transducer  262  that is coupled to the controller  202  and is adapted to supply the controller  202  with a signal which is indicative of the humidity of the air within the inside space  20 . The controller  202  may use the signals from the temperature transducer  260  and the humidity transducer  262  as input to control algorithms. It should be appreciated that the system  100  of FIG. 1 may also include the temperature transducer  260  and/or the humidity transducer  262  without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It should also be appreciated that other systems in accordance with the present invention may include the temperature transducer  260  and/or the humidity transducer  262  without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of yet another illustrative embodiment of a system  300  in accordance with the present invention. The system  300  of FIG. 6 includes an air conditioner  364  having a compressor  366 , a condenser  368  and an evaporator  370 . In FIG. 6, a first air stream  340  is shown flowing through the evaporator  370 . The evaporator  370  may be used to cool first air stream  340  before it enters the inside space  20 . In FIG. 6 it may be appreciated that the system  300  includes a fourth valve  372 , a fifth valve  374 , and a sixth valve  376 . 
     FIG. 7 is an additional view of the system  300  of FIG.  6 . In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the fourth valve  372 , the fifth valve  374 , and the sixth valve  376  have each been actuated by actuators (not shown) so that they direct the flow of a second air stream  342 . The actuators associated with the fourth valve  372 , the fifth valve  374 , and the sixth valve  376  are all preferably coupled to the controller  302 . Second air stream  342  flows past the condenser  368  and through the chamber  324  of the air treatment module  320 . In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the condenser  368  may be used to heat the second air stream  342 . 
     FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of yet another illustrative embodiment of a system  400  in accordance with the present invention. The system  400  of FIG. 8 includes a furnace  452  having a heat exchanger  454 . The system  400  also includes an air conditioner  464  having a compressor  466 , a condenser  468  and an evaporator  470 . In the diagram shown, the evaporator  470  and heat exchanger  454  are on opposite sides of the chamber. It is contemplated however, that the evaporator  470  and heat exchanger may be placed at or near a single location such as a conventional furnace/air conditioning system. The operation of the system  400  during a cooling season may be described with reference to Table 1 below. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 First 
                 Second 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Stage 
                 Compressor 
                 Blower 
                 Valve 
                 Valve 
                 Furnace 
               
               
                 Stage 
                 Description 
                 466 
                 406 
                 432 
                 434 
                 452 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 A 
                 Start 
                 ON 
                 OFF 
                 CLOSED 
                 OPEN 
                 OFF 
               
               
                 B 
                 Cooling-dry 
                 ON 
                 ON 
                 CLOSED 
                 OPEN 
                 OFF 
               
               
                 D 
                 Cooling-Stop 
                 OFF 
                 ON 
                 CLOSED 
                 OPEN 
                 OFF 
               
               
                 E 
                 Regeneration-heating 
                 OFF 
                 ON 
                 OPEN 
                 CLOSED 
                 ON 
               
               
                 F 
                 Regeneration-purge 
                 OFF 
                 ON 
                 OPEN 
                 CLOSED 
                 OFF 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Stage A of Table 1 is a beginning stage in which the blower  406  is off and the air conditioner compressor  466  is on. During stage B, the blower  406  is turned on so that an air stream flows past the second valve  434  and the evaporator  470  into the inside space  20 . This provides cold air into space  20 . Vapors are preferably adsorbed from the air as the air stream flows through the air treatment matrix  444 . In stage D, the cooling of the air stream is stopped by turning the compressor  466  off. 
     Stage E is a regeneration/heating stage. In stage E, the first valve  432  is opened and the second valve  434  is closed so that an air stream is directed through the air treatment matrix  444  to a location outside of the inside space  20 . The furnace  452  is turned on so that it heats the air stream. The heated air stream heats the air treatment matrix, causing it to desorb the previously adsorbed vapors. The desorbed vapors are carried by the air stream to a location outside of the inside space  20 . During Stage F, the furnace  452  is turned off, but the flow of the purging air stream continues, preferably allowing the air treatment matrix  444  to cool. 
     The operation of the system  400  during a heating season may be described with reference to Table 2 below. It may be noted in Table 2, the compressor  466  of the air conditioner  464  typically remains off. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 First 
                 Second 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Stage 
                 Compressor 
                 Blower 
                 Valve 
                 Valve 
                 Furnace 
               
               
                 Stage 
                 Description 
                 466 
                 406 
                 432 
                 434 
                 452 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 A 
                 Start 
                 OFF 
                 OFF 
                 CLOSED 
                 OPEN 
                 OFF 
               
               
                 B 
                 Heating 
                 OFF 
                 ON 
                 CLOSED 
                 OPEN 
                 ON 
               
               
                 D 
                 Heating 
                 OFF 
                 ON 
                 CLOSED 
                 OPEN 
                 OFF 
               
               
                 E 
                 Regeneration-heating 
                 OFF 
                 ON 
                 OPEN 
                 CLOSED 
                 ON 
               
               
                 F 
                 Regeneration-purge 
                 OFF 
                 ON 
                 OPEN 
                 CLOSED 
                 OFF 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Stage A of Table 2 is a beginning stage in which the blower  406  is off and the furnace  452  is off. During stage B, both the blower  406  and the furnace  452  are turned on so that an air stream flows past the heat exchanger  454  of the furnace  452  and into the inside space  20 . Vapors are preferably adsorbed from the air as the air stream flows through the air treatment matrix  444 . In stage D, the heating of the air stream is stopped by turning the furnace off. Turning the furnace off and on may be used to regulate the temperature of the air contained within the inside space  20 . 
     Stage E is a regeneration/heating stage. In stage E, the first valve  432  is opened and the second valve  434  is closed so that an air stream is directed through the air treatment matrix  444  to a location outside of the inside space  20 . The furnace  452  is turned on so that it heats the air stream. The heated air stream heats the air treatment matrix, causing it to desorb vapors. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the volumetric flow rate of air passing through the air treatment matrix  444  is less during the regeneration stage, thereby causing an increase in temperature of the air passing through the air treatment matrix  444 . The desorbed vapors are preferably carried away by the air stream to a location outside of the inside space  20 . During Stage F, the furnace  452  is turned off, but the flow of the purging air stream continues, preferably allowing the air treatment matrix  444  to cool. 
     FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic representation of yet another illustrative embodiment of a system  500  in accordance with the present invention. The system  500  of FIG. 9 operates using a single valve (first valve  532 ). The system  500  includes a furnace  552  having a heat exchanger  554 . The system  500  also includes an air conditioner  564  having a compressor  566 , a condenser  568  and an evaporator  570 . 
     The system  500  of FIG. 9 also includes an air treatment matrix  544 . The illustrative air treatment matrix  544  includes a first panel  546 , a second panel  548 , a third panel  550 , a fourth panel  594 , a fifth panel  596 , and a sixth panel  598 . In a preferred embodiment, the first panel  546  and the sixth panel  598  are roughing filters (e.g., 20-30% ASHRAE according to ASHRAE standard 52.5). The second panel  548  and the fifth panel  596  are high efficiency filters (e.g., &gt;90% efficiency according to ASHRAE standard 52.2). The third panel  550  and the fourth panel  594  include a plurality of fibrils and an adsorbent material. 
     The operation of the system  500  may be described with reference to Table 3 below. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 First 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Compressor 
                 Blower 
                 Valve 
                 Furnace 
               
               
                 Stage 
                 Description 
                 566 
                 506 
                 532 
                 552 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 A 
                 Start 
                 ON 
                 OFF 
                 CLOSED 
                 OFF 
               
               
                 B 
                 Cooling-dry 
                 ON 
                 ON 
                 CLOSED 
                 OFF 
               
               
                 D 
                 Cooling-Stop 
                 OFF 
                 ON 
                 CLOSED 
                 OFF 
               
               
                 E 
                 Regeneration- 
                 OFF 
                 ON 
                 OPEN 
                 ON 
               
               
                   
                 heating 
               
               
                 F 
                 Regeneration- 
                 OFF 
                 ON 
                 OPEN 
                 OFF 
               
               
                   
                 purge 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Stage A of Table 3 is a beginning stage in which the blower  506  is off, the air conditioner compressor  566  is off, and the furnace  552  is off. During stage B, the blower  506  is turned on so that an air stream flows past the evaporator  570  into the inside space  20 . Vapors are preferably adsorbed from the air as the air stream flows through the air treatment matrix  544 . 
     Stage E is a regeneration/heating stage. In stage E, the first valve  532  is opened allowing an air stream to pass to a location outside of the inside space  20 . Referring to FIG. 9, it will be noted that the regeneration/heating stage may be accomplished utilizing a single valve, namely first valve  532 . This single valve operation reduces the complexity of system  500 . 
     Also during stage E, the furnace  552  is turned on so that it heats the air stream. The heated air stream, preferably, heats the air treatment matrix  544 , causing it to desorb vapors as it passes through the first panel  546 , the second panel  548 , and the third panel  550  of the air treatment matrix  544 . The desorbed vapors are preferably carried away by the air stream to a location outside of the inside space  20 . During Stage F, the furnace  552  is turned off, but the flow of the purging air stream continues, preferably allowing the air treatment matrix  544  to cool. 
     FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic representation of yet another illustrative embodiment of a system  600  in accordance with the present invention. The system  600  of FIG. 10 includes an air treatment matrix  644  having a heater  678 . The heater  678  preferably includes a heating element  680 . The operation of the system  600  may be described with reference to Table 4 below. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 First 
                 Second 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Stage 
                 Compressor 
                 Blower 
                 Valve 
                 Valve 
                 Heater 
               
               
                 Stage 
                 Description 
                 666 
                 606 
                 632 
                 634 
                 678 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 A 
                 Start 
                 ON 
                 OFF 
                 CLOSED 
                 OPEN 
                 OFF 
               
               
                 B 
                 Cooling-dry 
                 ON 
                 ON 
                 CLOSED 
                 OPEN 
                 OFF 
               
               
                 D 
                 Cooling-Stop 
                 OFF 
                 ON 
                 CLOSED 
                 OPEN 
                 OFF 
               
               
                 F 
                 Regeneration-heating 
                 OFF 
                 ON 
                 OPEN 
                 CLOSED 
                 ON 
               
               
                 F 
                 Regeneration-purge 
                 OFF 
                 ON 
                 OPEN 
                 CLOSED 
                 OFF 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Stage A of Table 4 is a beginning stage in which the blower  606  is off and the air conditioner compressor  666  is on. During stage B, the blower  606  is turned on so that an air stream flows through the air treatment matrix  644  and into the inside space  20 . This provides cool air into space  20 . Vapors are preferably adsorbed from the air as the air stream flows through the air treatment matrix  644 . In stage D, the cooling of the air stream is stopped by turning the compressor  666  off. 
     Stage E is a regeneration/heating stage. In stage E, the first valve  632  is opened and the second valve  634  is closed so that an air stream is directed through the air treatment matrix  644  to a location outside of the inside space  20 . The heater  678  is turned on so that it heats the air treatment matrix  644  causing it to desorb vapors. The desorbed vapors are preferably carried away by the air stream to a location outside of the inside space  20 . During Stage F, the heater  678  is turned off, but the flow of the purging air stream continues, preferably allowing the air treatment matrix  644  to cool. 
     FIG. 11 is a plan view of an illustrative embodiment of a panel  747  in accordance with the present invention. Panel  747  is preferably included in an air treatment matrix as described above. 
     The panel  747  comprises a frame  782  and a plurality of fibrils  784 . In the embodiment of FIG. 11, the fibrils  784  are arranged in a substantially randomly intertangled pattern. The fibrils  784  define a plurality of the air flow pathways  786 . The air flow pathways  786  are preferably substantially tortuous. The panel  747  also preferably includes a dessicant deposition preferably disposed between lobes of the fibrils  784 . 
     It is to be appreciated that various desiccants may be utilized without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Examples of desiccants which may be suitable in some applications are included in the list below which is not exhaustive: alumina, aluminum oxide, activated carbon, barium oxide, barium perchlorate, calcium bromide, calcium chloride, calcium hydride, calcium oxide, sulfate, glycerol, glycols, lithium aluminum hydride, lithium bromide, lithium chloride, lithium iodide, magnesium chloride, magnesium perchlorate, magnesium sulfate, molecular sieves, phosphorus pentoxide, potassium hydroxide (fused, sticks, etc.), potassium carbonate, resins, silica gel, sodium hydroxide, sodium iodide, sulfuric acid, titanium silicate, zeolites, zinc bromide, zinc chloride, and combinations of such desiccants. The desiccants may be used in various forms. For example, the desiccant may a solids and/or a liquid. The desiccant may also comprise part of an aqueous solution. 
     FIG. 12 is a plan view of an additional illustrative embodiment of a panel  749  in accordance with the present invention. Panel  749  is preferably included in an air treatment matrix as described above. The illustrative panel  749  includes a frame  782  and a plurality of walls  722  defining a plurality of the air flow channels  790 . In the embodiment of FIG. 12, each air flow channel  790  has a substantially polyhedral shape including an inlet surface, an outlet surface and four side surfaces. The air flow channels  790  may have other shapes (e.g., cylindrical, decahedral, etc.) without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The panel  749  also preferably includes a deposition  788  overlaying at least some of walls  722 . In some embodiments, walls  722  include an electrically conductive material that warms when an electrical current is provided therethrough. Thus, the walls  722  may act as heating element  780  of FIG.  10 . 
     The deposition  788  preferably includes a desiccant. The deposition  788  may include additional materials without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Examples of additional materials include odor absorbent materials. For example, an exemplary deposition may include a desiccant, a first odor absorbent, and second odor absorbent. By way of a second example, the deposition may include carbon, a zeolite and chemically coated alumina or silica. 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a fiber or granule  792  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Fiber or granule  792  had a trilobal shape, and includes a plurality of lobes  793 . The fiber or granule  792  may further include a deposition  788  overlaying an outer surface of at least one of the lobes  793 . 
     In one illustrative embodiment, a panel may be provided that includes a plurality of granules, like granules  792  of FIG. 13, randomly stacked so that they define a plurality of air flow pathways. The air flow pathways are preferably substantially tortuous. The plurality of granules may be contained between a front screen and a back screen. An outer frame may be disposed about the outer edges of the front screen and the back screen. 
     Each granule  792  preferably includes a deposition  788  overlaying one or more outer surfaces of the granule  792 , the deposition  788  preferably includes a desiccant. The deposition  788  may, of course, include additional materials. For example, the deposition  788  may include a desiccant, a first odor absorbing material and a second absorbing material. By way of a second example, deposition  788  may include carbon, a zeolite, and chemically coated alumina or silica. Additional embodiments of granule  792  are possible without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, embodiments of granule  792  which do not include deposition  788  have been envisioned. Embodiments of granule  792  have also been envisioned in which the body granule  792  is formed of a desiccant material. In the embodiment of FIG. 13, the granule  792  has a generally trilobal shape. Granules in accordance with the present invention may have other shapes (e.g., spherical, tubular, etc.) without deviating from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a fiber or granule  892  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Referring back to FIG. 11, it is contemplated that the fibrils  784  of FIG. 11 may have a generally triad shape, as shown in FIG.  14 . In the embodiment of FIG. 14, fiber  892  includes a plurality of lobes  893  with endcaps, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,057,368, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a fiber  992  in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Referring back to FIG. 11, it is contemplated that the fibrils  784  of FIG. 11 may have a generally triad shape, as shown in FIG.  15 . In the embodiment of FIG. 15, fiber  992  includes a plurality of lobes with endcaps  993 . In the embodiment of FIG. 15, a desiccant deposit  995  is disposed between each adjacent pair of lobes  993 . 
     Having thus described the preferred embodiments of the present invention, those of skill in the art will readily appreciate that yet other embodiments may be made and used within the scope of the claims hereto attached. Numerous advantages of the invention covered by this document have been set forth in the foregoing description. It will be understood, however, that this disclosure is, in many respects, only illustrative. Changes may be made in details, particularly in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts without exceeding the scope of the invention. The invention&#39;s scope is, of course, defined in the language in which the appended claims are expressed.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1