Three-Way Heat Exchange Module With Controlled Fluid Flow

Abstract

A three-way heat exchanger includes an airflow inlet, an airflow outlet, a heat transfer fluid inlet manifold extending proximate the airflow outlet, and a heat transfer fluid outlet manifold extending proximate the airflow outlet. The heat exchanger also includes panel assemblies each including a frame defining a heat transfer fluid channel and a membrane positioned on the frame and defining a desiccant channel. The heat transfer fluid channel is connected to the heat transfer fluid inlet and outlet manifolds for channeling a flow of the heat transfer fluid therebetween counter to the airflow direction. Each panel assembly also includes a heat transfer fluid flow guide positioned in the heat transfer fluid channel to control the flow of the heat transfer fluid counter to the airflow direction.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A three-way heat exchanger operable to transfer heat between a heat transfer fluid, a liquid desiccant, and air, the three-way heat exchanger comprising:
 an airflow inlet and an airflow outlet;   a heat transfer fluid inlet manifold extending proximate the airflow outlet and a heat transfer fluid outlet manifold extending proximate the airflow inlet; and   panel assemblies arranged with airflow gaps defined between adjacent panel assemblies to allow the air to flow between the airflow inlet and the airflow outlet in an airflow direction, each panel assembly comprising:
 a frame defining a heat transfer fluid channel, the heat transfer fluid channel being connected to the heat transfer fluid inlet and outlet manifolds for channeling a flow of the heat transfer fluid therebetween counter to the airflow direction; 
 a membrane positioned on the frame and defining a desiccant channel for a flow of the liquid desiccant; and 
 a heat transfer fluid flow guide positioned in the heat transfer fluid channel to control the flow of the heat transfer fluid counter to the airflow direction, the heat transfer fluid flow guide defining a heat transfer fluid flow path including a series of passageways, each passageway extending across the airflow direction. 
   
     
     
         2 . The three-way heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the heat transfer fluid flow guide comprises a sheet body and baffles located on the sheet body, wherein the baffles define the heat transfer fluid flow path. 
     
     
         3 . The three-way heat exchanger of  claim 2 , wherein the baffles are located on both sides of the sheet body and define a first heat transfer fluid flow path on one side of the sheet body and a second heat transfer fluid flow path on another side of the sheet body. 
     
     
         4 . The three-way heat exchanger of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second heat transfer fluid flow paths are complementary, and wherein the heat transfer fluid flow paths each define a winding path. 
     
     
         5 . The three-way heat exchanger of  claim 3 , wherein each panel assembly comprises two membranes, each membrane positioned on one side of the frame, wherein one membrane defines a first desiccant channel and another membrane defines a second desiccant channel, wherein the first heat transfer fluid flow path is defined between the sheet body and the first desiccant channel and the second heat transfer fluid flow path is defined between the sheet body and the second desiccant channel. 
     
     
         6 . The three-way heat exchanger of  claim 5 , wherein each panel assembly comprises two plates, each plate positioned between one of the membranes and the frame, wherein the plates separate the desiccant channels from the heat transfer fluid channel. 
     
     
         7 . The three-way heat exchanger of  claim 6 , wherein the heat transfer fluid flow guide includes protrusions on the sheet body to maintain a width of the heat transfer fluid channel, measured between the plates, when the heat transfer fluid is flowed through the heat transfer fluid channel at a negative pressure. 
     
     
         8 . The three-way heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the airflow direction is horizontal and the passageways of the heat transfer fluid flow path each extend vertically across the airflow direction. 
     
     
         9 . The three-way heat exchanger of  claim 8 , wherein a clearance is defined in the heat transfer fluid channel above the heat transfer fluid flow guide, the clearance being connected to one or more of the passageways of the heat transfer fluid flow path to capture entrained air from the flow of the heat transfer fluid. 
     
     
         10 . The three-way heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein, for each panel assembly, an area of the heat transfer fluid channel located proximate the airflow inlet of the three-way heat exchanger is separated from the heat transfer fluid flow path by the heat transfer fluid flow guide. 
     
     
         11 . A three-way heat exchanger operable to transfer heat between a heat transfer fluid, a liquid desiccant, and air, the three-way heat exchanger comprising:
 a heat transfer fluid inlet manifold and a heat transfer fluid outlet manifold; and   panel assemblies arranged with airflow gaps defined between adjacent panel assemblies to allow the air to flow through the three-way heat exchanger, each panel assembly comprising:
 a frame defining a heat transfer fluid channel, the heat transfer fluid channel being connected to the heat transfer fluid inlet and outlet manifolds for channeling a flow of the heat transfer fluid through the panel assembly; 
 two membranes positioned on the frame, each membrane defining a desiccant channel separated from the heat transfer fluid channel; and 
 a heat transfer fluid flow guide positioned in the heat transfer fluid channel, the heat transfer fluid flow guide comprising:
 a sheet body; and 
 baffles defining a first flow path on one side of the sheet body and a second flow path on another side of the sheet body, wherein the first and second flow paths are separated by the sheet body. 
 
   
     
     
         12 . The three-way heat exchanger of  claim 11 , wherein the sheet body is shaped to allow the heat transfer fluid in the heat transfer fluid channel to flow on each side of the sheet body through each flow path. 
     
     
         13 . The three-way heat exchanger of  claim 11 , wherein each flow path includes a series of passageways to define a winding path. 
     
     
         14 . The three-way heat exchanger of  claim 11 , wherein the frame and the heat transfer fluid flow guide have complementing alignment features for orienting the heat transfer fluid flow guide in the heat transfer fluid channel. 
     
     
         15 . The three-way heat exchanger of  claim 11 , wherein the baffles and the sheet body are made integrally of one material. 
     
     
         16 . The three-way heat exchanger of  claim 11 , wherein each panel assembly comprises two plates, each plate positioned between one of the membranes and the frame to separate the desiccant channels from the heat transfer fluid channel, and wherein the heat transfer fluid flow guide includes protrusions on the sheet body to maintain a width of the heat transfer fluid channel, measured between the plates, when the heat transfer fluid is flowed through the heat transfer fluid channel at a negative pressure. 
     
     
         17 . A heat exchanger operable to transfer heat between a heat transfer fluid and air, the heat exchanger comprising:
 a heat transfer fluid inlet manifold and a heat transfer fluid outlet manifold; and   panel assemblies arranged with airflow gaps defined between adjacent panel assemblies to allow the air to flow through the heat exchanger, each panel assembly comprising:
 a frame connected to the heat transfer fluid inlet and outlet manifolds; 
 two plates positioned on the frame, the plates and the frame defining a heat transfer fluid channel for channeling the heat transfer fluid through the panel assembly; and 
 a heat transfer fluid flow guide positioned in the heat transfer fluid channel, the heat transfer fluid flow guide comprising:
 a sheet body; 
 baffles on the sheet body, the baffles defining a flow path for the heat transfer fluid in the heat transfer fluid channel; and 
 protrusions on the sheet body to maintain a width of the heat transfer fluid channel, measured between the plates, when the heat transfer fluid is flowed through the heat transfer fluid channel at a negative pressure. 
 
   
     
     
         18 . The heat exchanger of  claim 17 , wherein the baffles, the protrusions, and the sheet body are made integrally of one material. 
     
     
         19 . The heat exchanger of  claim 18 , wherein the one material is a polymer material. 
     
     
         20 . The heat exchanger of  claim 17 , wherein the heat transfer fluid flow guide is able to float in the heat transfer fluid channel.