Heat and mass exchange module and use thereof

Abstract

A heat and mass exchange (HMX) module comprising a plurality of plates in a spaced-apart arrangement and provided with a plurality of air channels for air flow and a plurality of liquid channels for flow of liquid, wherein a liquid channel is present on a surface of a plate and is arranged adjacent to an air channel with a mutual exchange surface, wherein the liquid channel is provided with a width extending substantially perpendicular to a flow direction in the liquid channel, further comprising means for setting a flow profile over the width of the liquid channel.

1 . A heat and mass exchange (HMX) module comprising a plurality of plates in a spaced-apart arrangement and provided with a plurality of air channels for air flow and a plurality of liquid channels for flow of liquid, wherein a liquid channel is present on a surface of a plate and is arranged adjacent to an air channel with a mutual exchange surface, wherein the liquid channel is provided with a width extending substantially perpendicular to a flow direction in the liquid channel, further comprising means for setting a flow profile over the width of the liquid channel. 
     
     
         2 . The HMX module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the means for setting a flow profile are configured such that flow of liquid in a second area is reduced relative to flow in a first area, which second area is located more closely to an outlet of the air channel than the first area. 
     
     
         3 . The HMX module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the means for setting a flow profile comprise a first entry and a second entry to the liquid channel, wherein the first entry differs from the second entry. 
     
     
         4 . The HMX module as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the first and the second entry have a different cross-sectional area. 
     
     
         5 . The HMX module as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the first entry is coupled to a first container for liquid and the second entry is coupled to a second container for liquid, and wherein the containers are configured for containing liquid in different states. 
     
     
         6 . The HMX module as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the states of the liquid are chosen from different temperature, different concentration, different pressure, different composition. 
     
     
         7 . The HMX module as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising at least one container for liquid overlying said plurality of plates, wherein said liquid channels are provided with entry regions for entry of liquid from the at least one container. 
     
     
         8 . The HMX module as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the flow profile is set in that a density of the entry regions along the width of the liquid channel and/or cross-sectional area of an entry region varies along the width of the liquid channel. 
     
     
         9 . The HMX module as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the flow profile is set in that entry regions for the liquid channel are arranged at varying height in the at least one container. 
     
     
         10 . The HMX module as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the entry regions are mutually separated by means of closed regions. 
     
     
         11 . The HMX module as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the liquid channels are defined as layers of a wicking material onto the plates, wherein said a top side of the layer of wicking material is at least partially closed for liquid entry in the closed regions. 
     
     
         12 . The HMX module as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the wicking material is locally compressed in the closed regions. 
     
     
         13 . The HMX module as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein a spacer is present between a first and a second adjacent plate, said spacer locally compressing the wicking material in the closed regions, without compression of the wicking material in the entry regions. 
     
     
         14 . The HMX module as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the air channel is provided with an inlet and an outlet, such that the air flows in a flow direction extending substantially parallel to the width of the liquid channel. 
     
     
         15 . An air-conditioner comprising the heat and mass exchange module of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         16 . Use of the heat and mass exchange module of  claim 1  for heat exchange between a fluid in the air channel and a liquid in the liquid channel. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A method of conditioning air using a heat and exchange module comprising a plurality of air channels and a plurality of liquid channels, wherein a first air channel and a first liquid channel have a mutual exchange surface, comprising the steps of:
 Applying an air flow into the plurality of air channels, said air flow flowing in a first flow direction;   Applying a liquid flow into at least a first section of said liquid channels, said liquid flow flowing in a second flow direction different from the first flow direction, therewith creating cross-flow;   Wherein the air is conditioned towards at least one predefined output parameter, in that a flow profile of the liquid is set.   
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the air flow is applied so as to provide a laminar flow. 
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , further comprising the step of applying a second liquid flow into a second section of the liquid channels. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The method as claimed in  claim 18 , further comprising the step of sensing input parameters and/or output parameters of the air flow to obtain sensing results, and using the sensing results for controlling the first and/or the second liquid flow. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . (canceled)