Natatorium dehumidifier

Abstract

The present invention provides improved dehumidification and/or air conditioning systems, and associated methods and equipment, for example for use in a natatorium housing a swimming pool, or other buildings which may enclose sources of humidity or otherwise resulting in a need for air treatment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dehumidifier/air conditioner comprising:
 an air handler comprising a contained volume therein, the air handler comprising at least a chilled water coil, a reheat coil, and a heating coil; and   a refrigerant based chiller positioned outside of the air handler.   
     
     
         2 . The dehumidifier/air conditioner of  claim 1 , wherein the air handler processes chlorinated water vapor therein. 
     
     
         3 . The dehumidifier/air conditioner of  claim 1 , wherein the chilled water coil, the reheat coil, and the heating coil comprise waterside coils. 
     
     
         4 . The dehumidifier/air conditioner of  claim 1 , wherein the chiller is positioned outside of the air handler in an environment generally free from moisture or chlorinated water vapor. 
     
     
         5 . The dehumidifier/air conditioner of  claim 1 , wherein the air handler comprises a return air damper. 
     
     
         6 . The dehumidifier/air conditioner of  claim 5 , wherein the air handler further comprises an outdoor air damper. 
     
     
         7 . The dehumidifier/air conditioner of  claim 5 , wherein the air handler further comprises a runaround coil positioned adjacent the return air damper. 
     
     
         8 . The dehumidifier/air conditioner of  claim 6 , wherein the air handler further comprises a runaround coil positioned adjacent the outdoor air damper. 
     
     
         9 . A natatorium dehumidifier comprising:
 an air handler defining a contained volume and processing air containing potentially chlorinated water vapor therein;   a refrigerant based chiller positioned outside of the air handler.   
     
     
         10 . The natatorium dehumidifier of  claim 9 , wherein the air handler comprises at least a chilled water coil, a reheat coil, and a heating coil. 
     
     
         11 . The natatorium dehumidifier of  claim 10 , wherein the chilled water coil, the reheat coil, and the heating coil comprise waterside coils. 
     
     
         12 . The natatorium dehumidifier of  claim 9 , wherein the chiller is positioned outside of the air handler in an environment free from moisture or chlorinated water vapor. 
     
     
         13 . The natatorium dehumidifier of  claim 9 , wherein the air handler further comprises a return air damper. 
     
     
         14 . The natatorium dehumidifier of  claim 9 , wherein the air handler further comprises an outdoor air damper. 
     
     
         15 . The natatorium dehumidifier of  claim 13 , wherein the air handler further comprises a runaround coil positioned adjacent the return air damper. 
     
     
         16 . The natatorium dehumidifier of  claim 14 , wherein the air handler further comprises a runaround coil positioned adjacent the outdoor air damper. 
     
     
         17 . A natatorium comprising an enclosure containing an indoor pool, and a natatorium dehumidifier comprising an air handler and a chiller containing a refrigerant, wherein the enclosure of the natatorium and the air handler define a treated air containment space, and wherein the refrigerant of the chiller is isolated from and positioned outside of the treated air containment space. 
     
     
         18 . The natatorium of  claim 17 , wherein the indoor pool contains chlorinated water, and the refrigerant of the chiller is isolated from exposure to chlorine from the treated air containment space. 
     
     
         19 . The natatorium of  claim 17 , wherein the air handler comprises at least one air conditioning component selected from a cooling coil, a heating coil, a filter and an outside air mixing damper. 
     
     
         20 . The natatorium of  claim 17 , further comprising an enthalpy controlled 100% outdoor air economizer for precooling, cooling and/or dehumidifying the natatorium, the outdoor air economizer comprising an outdoor air damper and a supply air fan, wherein the precooling, cooling and/or dehumidification of the natatorium is provided with no mechanical energy other than a supply air fan.