System and method for using hot gas re-heat for humidity control
First Claim
1. A method of providing humidity control to air for an interior space, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a first refrigerant circuit having a first compressor, a first condenser and a first evaporator;
providing a second refrigerant circuit having a second compressor, a second condenser and a second evaporator;
providing a hot gas re-heat circuit connected to the first refrigerant circuit, the hot gas re-heat circuit having a re-heat coil positioned adjacent to the first evaporator, and the hot gas re-heat circuit being configured, when enabled, to bypass the first condenser and to permit refrigerant to flow from the first compressor through the re-heat coil to the first evaporator;
enabling the first refrigerant circuit and the second refrigerant circuit in response to a demand for humidity control and a demand for cooling, wherein the demand for cooling is one of a demand for stage one cooling and a demand for stage two cooling; and
enabling the hot gas re-heat circuit in response to a demand for humidity control and a demand for stage one cooling.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A humidity control method is provided for a multi-stage cooling system having two or more refrigerant circuits. A hot gas re-heat circuit having a hot gas re-heat coil is connected to one of the refrigerant circuits and is placed in fluid communication with the output airflow from the evaporator of that refrigerant circuit to provide additional dehumidification to the air. Humidity control is only performed during cooling operations and ventilation operations. During a first stage cooling operation using only one refrigerant circuit and having a low cooling demand, the request for humidity control activates the hot gas re-heat circuit for dehumidification and activates a second refrigerant circuit to provide cooling capacity. During a second stage cooling operation using two or more refrigerant circuits and having a high cooling demand, the request for humidity control is suspended and is initiated only upon the completion of the second stage cooling demand.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of providing humidity control to air for an interior space, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a first refrigerant circuit having a first compressor, a first condenser and a first evaporator; providing a second refrigerant circuit having a second compressor, a second condenser and a second evaporator; providing a hot gas re-heat circuit connected to the first refrigerant circuit, the hot gas re-heat circuit having a re-heat coil positioned adjacent to the first evaporator, and the hot gas re-heat circuit being configured, when enabled, to bypass the first condenser and to permit refrigerant to flow from the first compressor through the re-heat coil to the first evaporator; enabling the first refrigerant circuit and the second refrigerant circuit in response to a demand for humidity control and a demand for cooling, wherein the demand for cooling is one of a demand for stage one cooling and a demand for stage two cooling; and enabling the hot gas re-heat circuit in response to a demand for humidity control and a demand for stage one cooling. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system for an interior space, the HVAC system comprising:
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a first refrigerant circuit having a first compressor, a first condenser and a first evaporator; a second refrigerant circuit having a second compressor, a second condenser and a second evaporator; a hot gas re-heat circuit connected to the first refrigerant circuit, the hot gas re-heat circuit having a re-heat coil positioned adjacent to the first evaporator, and the hot gas re-heat circuit being configured, when enabled, to bypass the first condenser and to permit refrigerant to flow from the first compressor through the reheat coil to the first evaporator; and a control system to control operation of the first refrigerant circuit, the second refrigerant circuit and the hot gas re-heat circuit, the control system enabling the first refrigerant circuit, the second refrigerant circuit and the hot gas re-heat circuit in response to demands for humidity control and stage one cooling, and the control system enabling the first refrigerant circuit and the second refrigerant circuit and disabling the hot gas re-heat circuit in response to demands for humidity control and stage two cooling. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification