Dehumidification device and dehumidification system

Abstract

First and second adsorption heat exchangers are provided for first and second heat exchange chambers, respectively, and each interchangeably function as an evaporator or a condenser. If the first adsorption heat exchanger functions as an evaporator in the first heat exchange chamber, a first adsorption block is arranged at a position downstream of the first adsorption heat exchanger. If the second adsorption heat exchanger functions as an evaporator in the second heat exchange chamber, a second adsorption block is arranged at a position downstream of the second adsorption heat exchanger.

1 . A dehumidification device comprising:
 a refrigerant circuit including first and second adsorption heat exchangers loaded with an adsorbent and performing alternately a first operation in which the first adsorption heat exchanger functions as an evaporator to dehumidify air and the second adsorption heat exchanger functions as a condenser to regenerate the adsorbent and a second operation in which the first adsorption heat exchanger functions as a condenser to regenerate the adsorbent and the second adsorption heat exchanger functions as an evaporator to dehumidify the air;   first and second heat exchange chambers provided with the first and second adsorption heat exchangers, respectively;   a switching mechanism configured to change airflow paths such that air that has passed through one of the first and second heat exchange chambers that is provided with the adsorption heat exchanger functioning as an evaporator is supplied to a humidity-controlled space and that air to regenerate the adsorbent flows through the other heat exchange chamber provided with the adsorption heat exchanger functioning as a condenser;   a first adsorption block loaded with the adsorbent, configured to bring air into contact with the adsorbent, and arranged at a position downstream of the first adsorption heat exchanger if the first adsorption heat exchanger functions as an evaporator in the first heat exchange chamber; and   a second adsorption block loaded with the adsorbent, configured to bring air into contact with the adsorbent, and arranged at a position downstream of the second adsorption heat exchanger if the second adsorption heat exchanger functions as an evaporator in the second heat exchange chamber.   
     
     
         2 . The dehumidification device of  claim 1 , wherein
 the switching mechanism changes the airflow paths such that the air passing through each of the first and second adsorption heat exchangers flows in an opposite direction when the adsorption heat exchanger functions as an evaporator from when the adsorption heat exchanger functions as a condenser.   
     
     
         3 . The dehumidification device of  claim 1 , wherein
 the switching mechanism changes the airflow paths such that the air passing through each of the first and second adsorption heat exchangers flows in the same direction when the adsorption heat exchanger functions as an evaporator as when the adsorption heat exchanger functions as a condenser.   
     
     
         4 . The dehumidification device of  claim 1 , wherein
 the first and second adsorption blocks are arranged so as to be spaced apart from the first and second adsorption heat exchangers, respectively.   
     
     
         5 . The dehumidification device of  claim 1 , wherein
 the first and second adsorption blocks are arranged so as to be in contact with the first and second adsorption heat exchangers, respectively.   
     
     
         6 . A dehumidification system comprising:
 the dehumidification device of  claim 2 ; and   a heater configured to heat air to regenerate the adsorbent, wherein   the switching mechanism changes airflow paths such that air that has passed through the heater flows in one of the first and second heat exchange chambers that is provided with the adsorption heat exchanger functioning as a condenser.   
     
     
         7 . The dehumidification system of  claim 6 , further comprising
 an adsorption rotor loaded with an adsorbent and including an adsorption portion and a regeneration portion, the adsorption portion dehumidifying air that has passed through one of the first and second heat exchange chambers that is provided with the adsorption heat exchanger functioning as an evaporator by bringing the air into contact with the adsorbent, the regeneration portion regenerating the adsorbent by bringing the air that has passed through the heater into contact with the adsorbent, wherein   the air that has passed through that one of the first and second heat exchange chambers that is provided with the adsorption heat exchanger functioning as an evaporator is supplied to the humidity-controlled space through the adsorption portion of the adsorption rotor, and   the switching mechanism changes the airflow paths such that air that has passed through the heater and the regeneration portion of the adsorption rotor in this order flows in the other one of the first and second heat exchange chambers that is provided with the adsorption heat exchanger functioning as a condenser.   
     
     
         8 . The dehumidification device of  claim 2 , wherein
 the first and second adsorption blocks are arranged so as to be spaced apart from the first and second adsorption heat exchangers, respectively.   
     
     
         9 . The dehumidification device of  claim 3 , wherein
 the first and second adsorption blocks are arranged so as to be spaced apart from the first and second adsorption heat exchangers, respectively.   
     
     
         10 . The dehumidification device of  claim 2 , wherein
 the first and second adsorption blocks are arranged so as to be in contact with the first and second adsorption heat exchangers, respectively.   
     
     
         11 . The dehumidification device of  claim 3 , wherein
 the first and second adsorption blocks are arranged so as to be in contact with the first and second adsorption heat exchangers, respectively.