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Vapor-selective active membrane energy exchanger for high efficiency outdoor air treatment

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  • Fix, Andrew J.
  • Braun, James E.
  • Warsinger, David M.

Abstract

As much as 40% of the total load on air conditioning systems can be attributed to condensation dehumidification. However, new water vapor-selective membranes present a unique opportunity to greatly reduce the power requirements for moisture removal by avoiding phase change and have thus been ranked as a top alternative to traditional HVAC systems. To date, however, all such systems have relied on the assumption of constant temperature, even terming the technology “isothermal dehumidification.” This work proposes a membrane-based air cooling and dehumidification approach, referred to as the Active Membrane Energy Exchanger (AMX), which is the first to provide simultaneous, yet decoupled, air cooling and dehumidification. The suggested AMX configuration uses two vapor-selective membrane modules with a water vapor compressor in between them, using the second membrane module to reject vapor into the exhaust stream. Cooling and heating coils in each membrane module channel move heat between the air streams using a vapor compression cycle. A detailed steady-state, thermodynamic model is presented for the AMX integrated within a 100% outdoor air conditioning system. The AMX’s limiting parameters and design considerations like compressor efficiency are systematically analyzed for a broad range of outdoor air conditions and compared against standard and state-of-the-art dedicated outdoor air systems. This new high efficiency approach is found to outperform all other standard and state-of-the-art systems, achieving 1.2–4.7 times the COP over conventional dedicated outdoor air treatment. Lastly, a building simulation case study predicted cooling energy savings as high as 66% in hospital buildings with 100% outdoor systems in hot, humid climates.

Suggested Citation

  • Fix, Andrew J. & Braun, James E. & Warsinger, David M., 2021. "Vapor-selective active membrane energy exchanger for high efficiency outdoor air treatment," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 295(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:295:y:2021:i:c:s030626192100427x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.116950
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Labban, Omar & Chen, Tianyi & Ghoniem, Ahmed F. & Lienhard, John H. & Norford, Leslie K., 2017. "Next-generation HVAC: Prospects for and limitations of desiccant and membrane-based dehumidification and cooling," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 200(C), pages 330-346.
    2. Qu, Ming & Abdelaziz, Omar & Gao, Zhiming & Yin, Hongxi, 2018. "Isothermal membrane-based air dehumidification: A comprehensive review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 82(P3), pages 4060-4069.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fix, Andrew J. & Oh, Jinwoo & Braun, James E. & Warsinger, David M., 2024. "Dual-module humidity pump for efficient air dehumidification: Demonstration and performance limitations," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 360(C).
    2. Liu, Wei & Chau, K.T. & Tian, Xiaoyang & Wang, Hui & Hua, Zhichao, 2023. "Smart wireless power transfer — opportunities and challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    3. Fix, Andrew J. & Pamintuan, Bryan C. & Braun, James E. & Warsinger, David M., 2022. "Vapor-selective active membrane energy exchanger with mechanical ventilation and indoor air recirculation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 312(C).
    4. Li, Hao & Zhang, Tao & Zhang, Ji & Guan, Bowen & Liu, Xiaohua & Nakazawa, Takema & Fang, Lin & Tanaka, Toshio, 2023. "Investigation of energy recovery performance and frost risk of membrane enthalpy exchanger applied in cold climates," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).

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