Duct mounted dehumidifier using parallel air flow

Abstract

In one aspect, a dehumidifier is provided for installation in an air duct of an HVAC system. The air duct has air flowing therethrough controlled by a blower of the HVAC system. The dehumidifier includes an enclosure, which includes a compressor connected to an evaporator and a condenser. The evaporator has a first air flow rate for the air flowing therethrough. The condenser has a second air flow rate for the air flowing therethrough, wherein the second air flow rate is higher than the first air flow rate. In another aspect, the evaporator has a first air impingement surface area for the air flowing therethrough. The condenser has a second air impingement surface area for the air flowing therethrough, wherein the air impingement surface area is larger than the first air impingement surface area. Another aspect is drawn to a system wherein a dehumidifier is installed in an air duct.

1 . A dehumidifier for installation in an air duct of an HVAC system, wherein the air duct has air flowing therethrough controlled by a blower of the HVAC system, the dehumidifier comprising:
 an enclosure configured for installation in the air duct;   a compressor;   an evaporator connected to the compressor, the evaporator having a first air flow rate for the air flowing therethrough; and   a condenser connected to the compressor, the condenser having a second air flow rate for the air flowing therethrough, the second air flow rate being higher than the first air flow rate.   
   
   
       2 . The dehumidifier of  claim 1  wherein the evaporator and condenser are arranged so that air flowing through the duct flows through both the evaporator and condenser in parallel. 
   
   
       3 . The dehumidifier of  claim 1  further comprising a heat exchanger connected to the evaporator. 
   
   
       4 . The dehumidifier of  claim 3  wherein the heat exchanger is an air-to-air heat pipe heat exchanger. 
   
   
       5 . The dehumidifier of  claim 1  wherein the condenser is positioned to accept outlet air from the evaporator. 
   
   
       6 . A dehumidifier for installation in an air duct of an HVAC system, wherein the air duct has air flowing therethrough controlled by a blower of the HVAC system, the dehumidifier comprising an enclosure comprising:
 an enclosure configured for installation in the air duct;   a compressor;   an evaporator connected to the compressor, the evaporator having a first air impingement surface area for the air flowing therethrough; and   a condenser connected to the compressor, the condenser having a second air impingement surface area for the air flowing therethrough, the second air impingement surface area being larger than the first air impingement surface area.   
   
   
       7 . The dehumidifier of  claim 6  wherein the evaporator and condenser are arranged so that air flowing through the duct flows through both the evaporator and condenser in parallel. 
   
   
       8 . The dehumidifier of  claim 6  further comprising a heat exchanger connected to the evaporator. 
   
   
       9 . The dehumidifier of  claim 8  wherein the heat exchanger is an air-to-air heat pipe heat exchanger. 
   
   
       11 . A dehumidification system comprising:
 a blower of an HVAC system;   an air duct of the HVAC system, wherein the air duct has air flowing therethrough controlled by the blower;   a dehumidifier enclosure installed in the air duct comprising:
 a compressor, 
 an evaporator connected to the compressor, the evaporator having a first air rate for the air flowing therethrough; and 
 a condenser connected to the compressor, the condenser having a second air flow rate for the air flowing therethrough, the second air flow rate being higher than the first air flow rate. 
   
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the evaporator and condenser are arranged so that air flowing through the duct flows through both the evaporator and condenser in parallel. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 11  further comprising a heat exchanger connected to the evaporator. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the heat exchanger is an air-to-air heat pipe heat exchanger. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the condenser is positioned to accept outlet air from the evaporator. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the air duct is a return duct of the HVAC system. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the air duct is a supply duct of the HVAC system. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the air duct is a fresh air supply duct of the HVAC system. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the compressor operates only when the blower operates. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 11  wherein the evaporator is thicker than the condenser.