US3844737A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Desiccant system for an open cycle air-conditioning system
Assignee: GAS DEV CORP
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Filing: 1972-12-02
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Granted: 1974-10-29
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Expires: 1992-12-02
Abstract
Abstract A desiccant system, particularly adapted for a method of operation of an open-cycle air-conditioning system, comprising the use of thin sheets or layers of fibrous materials, such as a ''''paper'''' of cellulose, asbestos, fiberglass, polyesters, Teflon, Kel-F, or nylon, which have been impregnated, during their manufacture, with varying amounts of finely powdered, solid, natural or synthetic, crystalline, alkali metal or alkaline earth metal alumino-silicates, such as zeolites or ''''molecular sieve'''' materials. The impregnated papers are then formed into moisture transfer bodies, such as an L-wheel formed of corrugated paper rolled up so that the corrugations form axial passages through the wheel. A wheel of such construction can more effectively dry the ambient air without degradation by combustion products or desiccant weeping to a much lower level of humidity than prior art desiccant systems. Also, based on the vapor pressure and kinetic data and the energy required to regenerate the L-wheel, a system according to our invention would be significantly improved over the prior art and result in a higher coefficient of performance for the system, an increased depth of drying, and a reduction in wheel size. The system is particularly applicable to drying, for example, humid air having a 92* F. dry bulb temperature and an 80* F. wet bulb temperature to a moisture content of less than .003 lb. H2O/lb air.
Inventors
- 👤 R Macriss
- 👤 W Rush
- 👤 S Weil
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:07
CPC Classifications
F; F24; F24F; F24F3/00; F24F3/12; F24F3/14; F24F3/1411; F24F3/1423; B; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/02; B01D53/06; B01D53/26; B01D53/261; B01D2253/00; B01D2253/10; B01D2253/106; B01D2253/108; B01D2253/25; B01D2257/00; B01D2257/80; B01D2259/00; B01D2259/40; B01D2259/40083; B01D2259/40088; B01D2259/4009; B01D2259/65; B01D2259/655; B01D2259/657; F24F2003/1458; F24F2003/1464; F24F2203/00; F24F2203/10; F24F2203/1004; F24F2203/1016; F24F2203/1032; F24F2203/1036; F24F2203/104; F24F2203/1056; F24F2203/1064; F24F2203/1072; F24F2203/1084
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
CONTINUOUSLY CONTACTING SAID OUTSIDE AIR PASSING THROUGH SAID L-WEEL WITH A DESICCANT MATERIAL CONTAINED IN SAID L-WEEL, WHICH DESICCANT MATERIAL CONSISTS ESSENTIALLY OF A FINELY POWDERED CRYSTALLINE ZEOLITE MATERIAL, FOR A TIME SUFFICIENT TO PERMIT SAID SEOLITE MATERIAL TO SORB WATER VAPOR FROM SAID AIR TO A WATER VAPOR CONTENT OF LESS THAN ABOUT 0.003 LBS. H2O/LB. AIR, SAID AIR HAVING A DRY BULB TEMPERATURE OF ABOUT 80*F. TO 120*F., A WET BULB TEMPERATURE OF ABOUT 75*F. TO 90*F., AND AN ABSOLUTE HUMIDITY LEVEL OF ABOUT 0.017 TO ABOUT 0.022 LBS. H2O/LB. AIR
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
CONTINUOUSLY CONTACTING SAID OUTSIDE AIR PASSING THROUGH SAID L-WEEL WITH A DESICCANT MATERIAL CONTAINED IN SAID L-WEEL, WHICH DESICCANT MATERIAL CONSISTS ESSENTIALLY OF A FINELY POWDERED CRYSTALLINE ZEOLITE MATERIAL, FOR A TIME SUFFICIENT TO PERMIT SAID SEOLITE MATERIAL TO SORB WATER VAPOR FROM SAID AIR TO A WATER VAPOR CONTENT OF LESS THAN ABOUT 0.003 LBS. H2O/LB. AIR, SAID AIR HAVING A DRY BULB TEMPERATURE OF ABOUT 80*F. TO 120*F., A WET BULB TEMPERATURE OF ABOUT 75*F. TO 90*F., AND AN ABSOLUTE HUMIDITY LEVEL OF ABOUT 0.017 TO ABOUT 0.022 LBS. H2O/LB. AIR
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
140 words
IN A METHOD FOR CONDITIONING AIR INCLUDING THE STEPS OF: A. PASSING OUTSIDE AIR THROUGH A FIRST PORTION OF A ROTATING DEHYDRATING L-WHEEL TO PRODUCE RELATIVELY DRY AIR; B. PASSING SAID RELATIVELY DRY AIR THROUGH A FIRST PORTION OF A ROTATING SENSIBLE HEAT EXCHANGING S-WEEL TO PRODUCE RELATIVELY COOL DRY AIR, FOR USE IN AN ENCLOSED CONDITIONED SPACE; C. WITHDRAWING A STREAM OF EXHAUST AIR FROM SAID CONDITIONED SPACE THROUGH AN EVAPORATIVE PAD; D. PASSING SAID EXHAUSE AIR STREAM THROUGH A SECOND PORTION OF SAID S-WEEL WHEREBY SAID S-WEEL IS COOLED; E. PASSING A PORTION OF SAID EXHAUST AIR THROUGH A HEATING SECTION; F. PASSING SAID HEATED EXHAUST AIR THROUGH A SECOND PORTION OF SAID L-WEEL TO BE EXHAUSTED TO THE OUTDOORS; THE IMPROVEMENTS IN SAID STEPS PASSING OUTSIDE AIR AND EXHAUST AIR THROUGH RESPECTIVE PORTIONS OF THE L-WHEEL COMPRISING:
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
140 words
IN A METHOD FOR CONDITIONING AIR INCLUDING THE STEPS OF: A. PASSING OUTSIDE AIR THROUGH A FIRST PORTION OF A ROTATING DEHYDRATING L-WHEEL TO PRODUCE RELATIVELY DRY AIR; B. PASSING SAID RELATIVELY DRY AIR THROUGH A FIRST PORTION OF A ROTATING SENSIBLE HEAT EXCHANGING S-WEEL TO PRODUCE RELATIVELY COOL DRY AIR, FOR USE IN AN ENCLOSED CONDITIONED SPACE; C. WITHDRAWING A STREAM OF EXHAUST AIR FROM SAID CONDITIONED SPACE THROUGH AN EVAPORATIVE PAD; D. PASSING SAID EXHAUSE AIR STREAM THROUGH A SECOND PORTION OF SAID S-WEEL WHEREBY SAID S-WEEL IS COOLED; E. PASSING A PORTION OF SAID EXHAUST AIR THROUGH A HEATING SECTION; F. PASSING SAID HEATED EXHAUST AIR THROUGH A SECOND PORTION OF SAID L-WEEL TO BE EXHAUSTED TO THE OUTDOORS; THE IMPROVEMENTS IN SAID STEPS PASSING OUTSIDE AIR AND EXHAUST AIR THROUGH RESPECTIVE PORTIONS OF THE L-WHEEL COMPRISING:
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
CONTINUOUSLY REGENERATING SAID ZELOITE TO SUBSTANTIALLY ITS O HEATING SAID SEOLITE WITH SAID HEATED EXHAUST AIR FOR A TIME SUFFICIENT TO RETURN SAID ZEOLITE TO SUBSTANTIALLY ITS ORIGINAL WATER VAPOR SORPTION STEP 1 AT A TEMPERATURE BELOW
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
CONTINUOUSLY REGENERATING SAID ZELOITE TO SUBSTANTIALLY ITS O HEATING SAID SEOLITE WITH SAID HEATED EXHAUST AIR FOR A TIME SUFFICIENT TO RETURN SAID ZEOLITE TO SUBSTANTIALLY ITS ORIGINAL WATER VAPOR SORPTION STEP 1 AT A TEMPERATURE BELOW
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
continuously regenerating said zeolite in said L-wheel by heating said zeolite with said heated exhaust air for a time sufficient to return said zeolite to substantIally its original water vapor sorption capacity,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
continuously regenerating said zeolite in said L-wheel by heating said zeolite with said heated exhaust air for a time sufficient to return said zeolite to substantIally its original water vapor sorption capacity,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as in claim 1 wherein said L-wheel comprises a paper impregnated with said crystalline zeolite material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
A process as in claim 2 wherein said crystalline zeolite desiccant material is impregnated into paper during the manufacture of said paper in an amount ranging from about 25 to 90 percent by weight of the finished paper material in a dry condition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
maintaining said sorption step 1 at a temperature below said regeneration step 2, and
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
maintaining said sorption step 1 at a temperature below said regeneration step 2, and
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
MAINTAINING SAID SORPTION STEP 1 AT A TEMPERATURE BELOW SAID REGENERATING STEP 2, AND
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
MAINTAINING SAID SORPTION STEP 1 AT A TEMPERATURE BELOW SAID REGENERATING STEP 2, AND
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
MAINTAINING SAID STEPS OF SORPTION AND REGENERATION IN A REPETITIVE SEQUENCE, WHEREBY SAID PROCESS SHOW THE IMPROVED PROPERTIES OF NONDETERIORATION IN THE PRESENCE OF PRODUCTS OF COMBUSTION, LACK OF DESICCANT WEEPAGE, A HIGHER COEFFICIENT OF PERFORMACE, LOWER POWER REQUIREMENTS, SMALLER L-WEEL SIZE, SMALLER AIR MOVING EQUIPMENT, AND GREATER THERMAL AND CHEMICAL STABILITY.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
52 words
MAINTAINING SAID STEPS OF SORPTION AND REGENERATION IN A REPETITIVE SEQUENCE, WHEREBY SAID PROCESS SHOW THE IMPROVED PROPERTIES OF NONDETERIORATION IN THE PRESENCE OF PRODUCTS OF COMBUSTION, LACK OF DESICCANT WEEPAGE, A HIGHER COEFFICIENT OF PERFORMACE, LOWER POWER REQUIREMENTS, SMALLER L-WEEL SIZE, SMALLER AIR MOVING EQUIPMENT, AND GREATER THERMAL AND CHEMICAL STABILITY.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
maintaining said steps of sorption and regeneration in a repetitive sequence, whereby said process shows the improved properties of non-deterioration in the presence of products of combustion, lack of desiccant weepage, a higher coefficient of performance, lower power requirements, smaller L-wheel size, smaller air moving equipment, and greater thermal and chemical stability.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
52 words
maintaining said steps of sorption and regeneration in a repetitive sequence, whereby said process shows the improved properties of non-deterioration in the presence of products of combustion, lack of desiccant weepage, a higher coefficient of performance, lower power requirements, smaller L-wheel size, smaller air moving equipment, and greater thermal and chemical stability.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
A process as in claim 3 wherein said paper material comprises fibers selected from the group consisting of cellulosic fibers, asbestos fibers, glass fibers, synthetic plastic fibers, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
A process as in claim 4 wherein said synthetic plastic fibers are selected from the group consisting of nylon fibers, polyester fibers, poly-tetrafluoroethylene fibers, poly-chlorotrifluoroethylene fibers, copolymers of tetrafluoroethylene or chlorotrifluoroethylene with vinylidene fluoride, and mixtures of said fibers.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process as in claim 5 wherein said L-wheel material comprises glass fibers containing from 25 to 45 percent of said crystalline zeolite material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
109 words
In an open-cycle air-conditioning apparatus including a heat removal means, a rotatable moisture transfer wheel, an evaporator, heating means disposed between said heat removal means and moisture transfer wheel, and means for recirculating air through said heat removal means and moisture transfer wheel on an input flow path and an exhaust flow path, the improvement in said moisture transfer wheel comprising an apertured support material containing a finely powdered crystalline zeolite desiccant in an amount ranging from about 25 to 90 percent by weight on a dry basis, said support material being selected from the group consisting of cellulosics, glass fibers, asbestos fibers, synthetic plastic fibers, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
109 words
In an open-cycle air-conditioning apparatus including a heat removal means, a rotatable moisture transfer wheel, an evaporator, heating means disposed between said heat removal means and moisture transfer wheel, and means for recirculating air through said heat removal means and moisture transfer wheel on an input flow path and an exhaust flow path, the improvement in said moisture transfer wheel comprising an apertured support material containing a finely powdered crystalline zeolite desiccant in an amount ranging from about 25 to 90 percent by weight on a dry basis, said support material being selected from the group consisting of cellulosics, glass fibers, asbestos fibers, synthetic plastic fibers, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said synthetic plastic fibers are selected from polyamides, polyesters, poly-tetrafluoroethylene, poly-chlorotrifluoroethylene, and copolymers of vinylidene fluoride with tetrafluoroethylene and chlorotrifluoroethylene, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus as in claim 7 wherein said improved moisture transferring wheel comprises fiberglass paper formed with axial aperture therein and containing from 25 to 45 percent by weight of a said crystalline zeolite material on a dry basis.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-28 | 1978-04-29 | 1978-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-28 | 1982-04-29 | 1982-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-28 | 1986-04-29 | 1986-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |