Cooling and dehumidification system

Abstract

A cooling and dehumidification system, including a rotary desiccant assembly at least partially coated with a desiccant material, the desiccant material configured to rotate, thereby providing for simultaneous loading and unloading of moisture.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An air conditioning system, comprising:
 a desiccant wheel comprising a regeneration portion and a process portion; and   a refrigerant circuit comprising:   a first condenser configured to heat a regeneration air stream to pass through the regeneration portion of the desiccant wheel;
 a second condenser configured to remove additional heat from a refrigerant of the refrigerant circuit by heating an auxiliary air stream; and 
   an evaporator configured to cool the process air stream of the process portion of the desiccant wheel.   
     
     
         2 . An air conditioning system, comprising:
 a desiccant wheel;
 a regeneration air stream configured to pass through a regeneration portion of the desiccant wheel; 
 a process air stream configured to pass through a process portion of the desiccant wheel; 
   a refrigerant circuit configured to heat the regeneration air stream and to cool the process air stream; and   an auxiliary air stream configured to remove heat from the refrigerant circuit,   wherein the auxiliary air stream is not configured to pass through the desiccant wheel.   
     
     
         3 . An air conditioning system, comprising:
 a desiccant wheel;   a regeneration air stream configured to pass through a regeneration portion of the desiccant wheel;   a process air stream configured to pass through a process portion of the desiccant wheel;   a refrigerant circuit configured such that a refrigerant passes through:   a first condenser configured to heat the regeneration air stream upstream of the regeneration portion of the desiccant wheel;   a second condenser configured to remove additional heat from the refrigerant by heating an auxiliary air stream;   an evaporator coil configured to remove moisture from the regeneration air stream after the regeneration air stream passes through the regeneration portion of the desiccant wheel; and   an evaporator configured to cool the process air stream after the process air stream passes through a process portion of the desiccant wheel,   wherein at least a portion of the regeneration air stream is configured to be recirculated from the evaporator coil such that the portion of the regeneration air stream recirculates through the first condenser, the regeneration portion of the desiccant wheel, and the evaporator coil.   
     
     
         4 . The air conditioning system of  claim 1 , wherein the refrigerant circuit further comprises a compressor configured to heat a refrigerant. 
     
     
         5 . The air conditioning system of  claim 4 , wherein the compressor is upstream of the first compressor in the refrigerant circuit, and the first compressor is upstream or the second compressor in the refrigerant circuit. 
     
     
         6 . The air conditioning system of  claim 1 , wherein the refrigerant circuit further comprises an evaporator coil configured to remove moisture from the regeneration air stream after it passes through the regeneration portion of the desiccant wheel 
     
     
         7 . The air conditioning system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the regeneration air stream is configured to be recirculated from the regeneration portion of the desiccant wheel such that the portion of the regeneration air stream recirculates through the first condenser and the regeneration portion of the desiccant wheel. 
     
     
         8 . The air conditioning system of  claim 1 , wherein the desiccant wheel is at least partially coated with a metal organic framework, a silica gel, a zeolite, or a temperature-responsive hygroscopic polymer. 
     
     
         9 . The air conditioning system of  claim 1 , wherein the desiccant wheel is configured to rotate at a predetermined constant or adjustable angular velocity. 
     
     
         10 . The air conditioning system of  claim 1 , wherein the desiccant wheel comprises a metal, a fiber-based substrate, a plastic, and/or a ceramic. 
     
     
         11 . The air conditioning system of  claim 1 , wherein the desiccant wheel comprises a fiber-based substrate. 
     
     
         12 . The air conditioning system of  claim 1 , wherein the desiccant wheel comprises paper. 
     
     
         13 . The air conditioning system of  claim 1 , wherein the desiccant wheel comprises a metal. 
     
     
         14 . The air conditioning system of  claim 1 , wherein the desiccant wheel comprises a plastic. 
     
     
         15 . The air conditioning system of  claim 1 , wherein the desiccant wheel comprises a coating comprising at least one of metal organic frameworks, silica gel, a zeolite, or temperature responsive hygroscopic polymers. 
     
     
         16 . The air conditioning system of  claim 1 , wherein the desiccant wheel comprises a substrate comprising corrugated or honeycomb flow channels. 
     
     
         17 . The air conditioning system of  claim 2 , wherein the regeneration airflow is modulated by a valve. 
     
     
         18 . The air conditioning system of  claim 1 , wherein the desiccant wheel comprises a 3D printed substrate. 
     
     
         19 . The air conditioning system of  claim 2 , wherein the refrigerant circuit is configured to cool the process air stream downstream of the process portion of the desiccant wheel.