Daikin Industries, Ltd.

Kazuo Yonemoto

Manabu Yoshimi

Ryuichi Sakamoto

Chun-cheng Piao

Yuji Watanabe

Nobuki Matsui

Shuji Ikegami

Yasunori Okamoto

Akira Kamino

Shotaro Mishina

Masanobu Kawazoe

Eisaku Okubo

Isao Ohgami

Chung-cheng Piao

A humidity controller apparatus () contains an adsorption rotor () and a heater (). A first passage () along which a first air stream flows and a second passage () along which a second air stream flows are formed in the humidity controller apparatus (). The amount of heat exchange between the first and second air streams and the amount of moisture exchange between the first and second air streams vary by adjustment to the rotating speed of the adsorption rotor (), and the humidity controller apparatus () is switched between a dehumidification operation and a humidification/heating operation. During the dehumidification operation, the rotating speed of the adsorption rotor () is set low. The first air stream is dehumidified by the adsorption rotor () and then supplied to the inside of a room. The second air stream is used for regeneration of the adsorption rotor () and then discharged to the outside of the room. During the humidification/heating operation, the rotating speed of the adsorption rotor () is set high. The first air stream receives heat and moisture from the adsorption rotor () and then is supplied to the inside of the room. The second air stream is heat/moisture-adsorbed by the adsorption rotor () and then discharged to the outside of the room.

Humidity controller apparatus

A cell body receiving fuel supply to generate power, an inverter receiving output power of the cell body to convert it into ac power, and a vapor-compression refrigerating machine receiving the ac power output from the inverter as operating power and using a motor as its driving source are provided. An intermediate part of a connection line connecting the aforementioned inverter and vapor-compression refrigerating machine is connected to a refrigeration air-conditioning power board to make effective use of a fuel cell and to prevent the footprint and construction costs from increasing.

Fuel cell power generation refrigerating system

Shift conversion of hydrogen-rich reformed gas produced by reaction including partial oxidation of feed gas in a reforming reaction section ( ) is made by its water gas shift reaction with shift conversion catalyst in a shift reaction section ( ) in order to reduce CO contained in the reformed gas and enhance the yield of hydrogen. In this case, for the purpose of enabling high-temperature reformed gas from the reforming reaction section ( ) to undergo the shift conversion as it is and thereby simplifying the construction of a shift conversion unit, the reformed gas from the reforming reaction section ( ) is introduced directly into a reformed gas passage ( ) of the shift reaction section ( ) and thereby undergoes the shift reaction while heat-exchanging with the feed gas.

Modifying device

A cycle-side system ( ) is formed by duct connecting a compressor ( ), a heat exchanger ( ), a demoisturizer ( ), and an expansion device ( ) in that order. The compressor ( ) draws in room air and supply air for ventilation and compresses the same. The compressed air exchanges heat with exhaust air for ventilation in the heat exchanger ( ), thereby being cooled. Water vapor in the cooled, compressed air is removed in the demoisturizer ( ). The demoisturizer ( ) is provided with a separation membrane and separates water vapor in the compressed air without the occurrence of condensation. Thereafter, the compressed air is expanded in the expansion device ( ) to change into low-temperature air. The low-temperature air is supplied into a room. On the other hand, the heat exchanger ( ) is fed exhaust air cooled in a humidifying cooler ( ). Further, in the heat exchanger ( ), a latent heat of vaporization of moisture supplied by a humidifying part ( ) is also utilized for cooling of the compressed air.

Air-conditioning apparatus

When humidifying, almost to water vapor saturation, reformed gas that is supplied to a hydrogen electrode of a solid polymer type fuel cell ( ) and air that is supplied to an oxygen electrode of the fuel cell ( ), heating for obtaining water vapor to establish such saturation is not required. For the purpose of improving the thermal efficiency of a fuel cell system, water vapor contained in hydrogen electrode exhaust gas exhausted from the hydrogen electrode of the fuel cell ( ) is let to penetrate through a water vapor permeable membrane ( ), whereas water vapor contained either in air that is introduced into a partial oxidation reformation section ( ) or in oxygen electrode exhaust gas exhausted from the oxygen electrode is let to penetrate through the water vapor permeable membrane ( ) so that the water vapor is supplied to air that is supplied to the oxygen electrode of the fuel cell ( ).

Humidification apparatus for fuel cells

Water is used as a refrigerant, and a humidification cooler ( ) which evaporates the water to generate cold heat and a dehumidifier ( ) are provided. A compressor ( ) which compresses water vapor separated by the dehumidifier ( ) is provided. A moisture discharging device ( ) which discharges water vapor compressed in the compressor ( ) is provided. The compressor ( ) is driven by a steam turbine ( ) capable of generating rotational power from thermal energy.

Refrigeration system

Hydrogen-rich reformed gas is produced by reaction including partial oxidation of feed gas in a reforming reaction section ( ). In this case, for the purpose of reducing temperature variations in the reforming reaction section ( ), improving the thermal efficiency thereof and providing a reformer (A) with a simple and compact construction, the reformer (A) is formed in a double-wall structure consisting of a housing ( ) and partitions ( ), ( ) inside of the housing ( ), the reforming reaction section ( ) is contained between the partitions ( ), ( ), and a feed gas passage ( ) is provided by the space between the housing ( ) and the partition ( ). In this manner, the feed gas passage ( ) is provided in the surrounding area of the reforming reaction section ( ). The reforming reaction section ( ) is thermally insulated by the feed gas passage ( ) so that temperature variations in the reforming reaction section ( ) can be reduced. The feed gas in the feed gas passage ( ) is preheated by heat of reaction in the reforming reaction section ( ) so that the self-recovery of heat can improve thermal efficiency of the reformer (A). In addition, a preheater for preheating the feed gas can be formed integrally between the feed gas passage ( ) and the reforming reaction section ( ) thereby compacting the construction of the reformer.

Partial oxidation reformer

A water vapor separating section ( ), a compressor ( ), and a main heat exchanger ( ) are connected in that order to form a cycle system ( ). The inside of the water vapor separating section ( ) is divided by a water vapor permeable membrane ( ) into an air space ( ) and a water vapor space ( ). A mixture of ventilation exhaust air and outdoor air is delivered, as heat source air, to the water vapor space ( ). Water vapor contained in the heat source air passes through the water vapor permeable membrane ( ), thereby being separated from the heat source air. The water vapor separated is compressed in the compressor ( ) and thereafter delivered to the main heat exchanger ( ). In the main heat exchanger ( ), the water vapor from the compressor ( ) condenses and to-be-heated air in a utilization system ( ) is heated by heat of condensation of the water vapor.

Heat pump

In a refrigeration system ( ), an evaporator ( ) and a condenser ( ) are each formed of a container-like member ( ). The inside of the container-like member ( ) is divided into a liquid side space ( ) and a gas side space ( ) by a moisture permeable membrane ( ). Both the gas side spaces ( ) are held in a predetermined reduced-pressure condition. Both the liquid side spaces ( ) are placed in an atmospheric pressure condition. Water vapor provided by evaporation of water in the liquid side space ( ) of the evaporator ( ) passes through the moisture permeable membrane ( ) and moves to the gas side space ( ). The water vapor in the gas side space ( ) is sucked by a compressor ( ) so as to be pumped to the gas side space ( ) of the condenser ( ). In the condenser ( ), the water vapor in the gas side space ( ) moves to the liquid side space ( ) and then condensates therein.

A cyclic circuit ( ) is constructed by sequentially connecting an expander ( ), a heat exchanger ( ) and a compressor ( ). A dehumidifying mechanism ( ) is provided for dehumidifying a heat-absorbing air taken in through an inlet duct ( ). An internal heat exchanger ( ) is provided for cooling the dehumidified heat-absorbing air and then supplying it to the expander ( ). The heat-absorbing air expands in the expander ( ) to reduce its temperature. Since the heat-absorbing air has been dehumidified in advance, the moisture thereof does not condense during the expansion thereof. The heat-absorbing air having reached a low temperature through expansion flows into the heat exchanger ( ) and absorbs heat from a room air therein. Thereafter, the heat-absorbing air is compressed in the compressor ( ), regenerates a rotor member ( ) and is then discharged.

Refrigerating system

A first channel ( ) is formed by sequentially connecting a compressor ( ), a heat exchanger ( ) and an expander ( ). In the first channel ( ), an outside air is taken through a first inlet duct ( ) and supplied to a room through a first outlet duct ( ). A second channel ( ) is formed by connecting both ends of the heat exchanger ( ) to ducts ( ). In the second channel ( ), a room air is taken through the second inlet duct ( ) and discharged to outdoors through the second outlet duct ( ). A moisture absorbing section ( ) of a dehumidifying mechanism ( ) is provided in the first inlet duct ( ), while a moisture releasing section ( ) thereof is provided in the second inlet duct ( ). A rotor member ( ) including a solid adsorbent rotatively moves between the moisture absorbing section ( ) and the moisture releasing section ( ). Air dehumidified in the moisture absorbing section ( ) is supplied to the compressor ( ).

Air conditioning system

A first channel ( ) is formed by sequentially connecting a compressor ( ), a vapor separator ( ), a heat exchanger ( ) and an expander ( ). In the first channel ( ), a room air is taken as a primary air and discharged to outdoors. A second channel ( ) is formed by connecting a heat exchanger ( ) to a second inlet duct ( ) and a second outlet duct ( ). In the second channel ( ), an outside air is taken as a secondary air and supplied to a room. The vapor separator ( ) is connected to a vacuum pump ( ). The vapor separator ( ) separates vapor from the compressed primary air to dehumidify the primary air to or below the absolute humidity of the outside air. The vapor separated by the vapor separator ( ) is partly supplied to the secondary air in the second outlet duct ( ). Then, the secondary air thus humidified is supplied to the room.

Air conditioner

A compressor ( ), a heat exchanger ( ), a demoisturizer ( ), and an expansion device ( ) are duct connected in that order to form a heat source-side system ( ). The compressor ( ) draws and compresses outdoor air and exhaust air for ventilation. The compressed air is subjected to heat exchange with air for conditioning in the heat exchanger ( ). The compressed air is demoisturized in the demoisturizer ( ). Thereafter, the compressed air is expanded in the expansion device ( ), changes to low-temperature air, and then is expelled to outside the room. On the other hand, the conditioning air is delivered, through an inlet duct ( ), to the heat exchanger ( ). The conditioning air is a mixture of supply air for ventilation and air in the room. The conditioning air is subjected to heat exchange with the compressed air in the heat exchanger ( ), whereby the conditioning air is heated. Further, the conditioning air is humidified in a humidifying part ( ). Thereafter, the conditioning air is supplied into the room for effecting room heating.

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Osaka, Japan

Kazuo Yonemoto