Dehumidifiier cascade system and process

Abstract

A dehumidification system is provided having a first cooling system which provides a sensible cooling effect and having its delivery enter a second system, in which air is favorably preconditioned using a pre-cooling upstream from and prior to dehumidification. A second unit having its own cooling element combined with an air to air heat exchanger in recovering the sensible cooling energy provides dehumidification through a dehumidification system in a cascade arrangement downstream to an air conditioning system. Pre-cooling is provided

I claim: 
     
         1 . A system for control of humidity, comprising:
 a dehumidifier;   a heat exchanger coupled to the dehumidifier;   a first pre-cooler coupled to the heat exchanger, the pre-cooler being configured to pre-cool process air prior to the entry of the process air into the heat exchanger; and   
       a return feed coupled to the heat exchanger configured to receive process air from the dehumidifier. 
     
     
         2 . The system for control of humidity as recited in  claim 1  which further includes one or more dampers, within the flow path of the process air, which are configurable within the flow path to restrict air flow in the flow path. 
     
     
         3 . The system for control of humidity as recited in  claim 2  wherein the first pre-cooler contains a refrigerant for circulation therethrough. 
     
     
         4 . The system for control of humidity as recited in  claim 1  wherein the heat exchanger is selected for the group consisting of a D-type, Z-type, L-type and cross-counter flow-type heat exchanger. 
     
     
         5 . The system for control of humidity as recited in  claim 1  which further includes feedback system, coupled to the dehumidifier and first pre-cooler, the feedback system being configured to control the operation of the first pre-cooler in connection with operating conditions detected at the dehumidifier. 
     
     
         6 . The system for control of humidity as recited in  claim 1  which further includes one or more blower fans located on a path for process air flow between the first pre-cooler and the dehumidifier. 
     
     
         7 . A method for control of humidity, comprising:
 pre-cooling process air prior to send the process air through a heat exchanger;   directing the process air, from the heat exchanger, through a dehumidifier; and   directing air from the dehumidifier through the heat exchanger so as to provide a return path from the dehumidifier.   
     
     
         8 . The method for control of humidity as recited in  claim 7 , which further includes controlling the operation of the pre-cooling in conjunction with operating conditions at the dehumidifier. 
     
     
         9 . The method for control of humidity as recited in  claim 7  wherein pre-cooled process air is provided to a plurality of process air paths within a building structure to a plurality of dehumidifiers with the building structure. 
     
     
         10 . The method for control of humidity as recited in  claim 9  wherein one or more humidifiers from the plurality of dehumidifiers may control the operation of the pre-cooling at a respective dehumidifier in conjunction with operating conditions at the respective dehumidifier. 
     
     
         11 . The method for control of humidity as recited in  claim 9  which further includes providing one or more damper, for restricting the flow of pre-cooled process air or humidified air from a return feed.