Membrane contactor for dehumidification systems
A contactor configured for use in a dehumidification system is provided including a plurality of contact modules. Each contact module has a porous sidewall that defines an internal space through which a hygroscopic material flows. Adjacent contact modules are fluidly coupled to form a multipass flow path for the hygroscopic material through the contactor.
1. A contactor configured for use in a dehumidification system comprising:
a plurality of similar contact modules, each contact module having a porous sidewall that defines an internal space through which a hygroscopic material flows, wherein adjacent contact modules are fluidly coupled to form a multipass flow path for the hygroscopic material.
2. The contactor according to claim 1 , wherein the porous sidewall is permeable to water vapor and impermeable to the hygroscopic material.
3. The contactor according to claim 1 , wherein air is configured to flow through a plurality of channels formed between an external side of the porous sidewall of adjacent contact modules.
4. The contactor according to claim 3 , wherein the air is configured to flow through the contactor in a single pass.
5. The contactor according to claim 3 , wherein the multipass flow path for the hygroscopic medium includes multiple passes.
6. The contactor according to claim 3 , wherein the hygroscopic material and the air are arranged in a counter cross flow configuration.
7. The contactor according to claim 1 , wherein a turbulator is arranged within at least one of the plurality of channels.
8. The contactor according to claim 7 , wherein the turbulator extends over at least a portion of a length of one of the plurality of channels.
9. The contactor according to claim 7 , wherein the turbulator is generally helical.
10. The contactor according to claim 7 , wherein the turbulator includes a flat sheet having a plurality of turbulence generating elements extending outwardly from a plane of the flat sheet.
11. The contactor according to claim 10 , wherein the plurality of turbulence generating elements are substantially identical.
12. The contactor according to claim 10 , wherein the plurality of turbulence generating elements vary in size and/or shape.
13. The contactor according to claim 3 , wherein the plurality of channels are arranged at an angle to a horizontal.
14. The contactor according to claim 13 , wherein the plurality of channels are arranged at an angle between about 1 degree and about 90 degrees.
15. The contactor according to claim 14 , wherein the plurality of channels are arranged at a 90 degree angle relative to the horizontal.
16. The contactor according to claim 13 , wherein a condensate collector configured to collect condensation is arranged adjacent an outlet end plurality of channels.