JP7002048B2 - Liquid moisture absorbing material for humidity control system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid hygroscopic material that can be suitably used for a humidity control system that dehumidifies and humidifies air.

Conventionally, as a material (hygroscopic agent or desiccant) that absorbs moisture in the air, not only a solid material but also a liquid material is known. As a typical liquid moisture absorbing material, an aqueous solution of a salt of Group 1 or 2 of the periodic table (for example, an aqueous solution of lithium chloride (LiCl), calcium chloride (CaCl ₂ ), lithium bromide (LiBr), etc.) can be mentioned. Be done. Further, recently, it has been proposed to use an ionic liquid as a liquid hygroscopic material.

The ionic liquid is a salt that exists as a liquid, and a salt having a melting point of 100 ° C. or lower or 300 ° C. or lower is generally referred to as an ionic liquid. Typical configurations of ionic liquids include organic cations and organic anions, or combinations of organic cations and inorganic anions.

Examples of the system for controlling the humidity of air using an ionic liquid as a liquid moisture absorbing material include an air treatment apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1. This air treatment device includes two flow paths through which air passes and a device body that brings the air into contact with an ionic liquid (“ionic fluid” in Patent Document 1). The main body of the device is provided with two containers, and ionic liquids are stored in each container.

In this air treatment device, for example, in a humidification operation, outdoor air is taken in from one flow path and brought into contact with an ionic liquid stored in one container of the main body of the device to capture the moisture in the air. The air that has been supplemented with moisture and dried (dehumidified) is discharged to the outside of the room. In addition, outdoor air is taken in from the other flow path and comes into contact with the ionic liquid stored in the other container of the main body of the device. At this time, since the ionic liquid captures the water, the water is released from the ionic liquid to the air by being heated. As a result, the air is humidified and supplied to the room. Further, in the dehumidifying operation, the moisture in the indoor air is captured by the ionic liquid and returned to the room, and the captured moisture is released to the air from the outside and discharged to the outside.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2006-142121

In the air treatment apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, ionic liquids are stored in two containers inside the main body of the apparatus, and the air introduced into these containers is switched to perform humidification operation or dehumidification operation. ..

However, in this configuration, the air is merely brought into contact with the stored ionic liquid, and it is not possible to efficiently remove the moisture in the air or efficiently dissipate the moisture to the air. Not considered at all. Further, Patent Document 1 merely discloses that an ionic liquid can be used as a liquid moisture absorbing material, and uses an ionic liquid as a liquid moisture absorbing material in a humidity control system for dehumidifying and humidifying air. In some cases, there is no disclosure as to what kind of ionic liquid should be used.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid hygroscopic material containing an ionic liquid, which can be suitably used for a humidity control system for dehumidifying and humidifying air. And.

In the liquid moisture absorbing material for a humidity control system according to the present disclosure, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a moisture absorbing portion that absorbs moisture contained in the air by the liquid moisture absorbing material and a moisture absorbed by the liquid moisture absorbing material are absorbed in the air. It is provided with a moisture-releasing portion that discharges moisture to the air, and a humidifying portion that dissipates the released moisture to the air to humidify the moisture. However, it is used in a humidity control system in which an air contact portion for contacting the liquid moisture absorbing material with air is provided by supplying the liquid moisture absorbing material to the air flow path, and is used in a range of at least 0 ° C to 5 ° C. It is a liquid and contains an ionic liquid whose viscosity decreases as the water content increases.

According to the above configuration, since the liquid moisture absorbing material contains an ionic liquid which is a liquid at a low temperature, the air can be satisfactorily dehumidified or humidified even in a low temperature environment.

Further, when the air contact portion is provided in the moisture absorbing portion, the water content is low and the viscosity is relatively high when the liquid moisture absorbing material is supplied to the air contact portion. It is possible to effectively secure the contact time of the air and to absorb the moisture in the air satisfactorily. Further, if the liquid hygroscopic material sufficiently absorbs moisture, the viscosity is relatively low, so that the liquid hygroscopic material can be quickly discharged from the air contact portion.

Alternatively, when the air contact portion is provided in the moisture release portion, a liquid moisture absorbing material containing sufficient moisture and having low fluidity can be quickly supplied to the air contact portion. Further, even if the water content is high and the viscosity is low, if the air has a relatively high temperature, the water contained in the liquid hygroscopic material can be sufficiently dissipated to the air.

Any liquid hygroscopic material having such a configuration can be suitably used for a humidity control system for dehumidifying and humidifying air.

The present invention has the effect that it is possible to provide a liquid moisture absorbing material containing an ionic liquid, which can be suitably used for a humidity control system for dehumidifying and humidifying air with the above configuration.

It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the typical structure of the humidity control system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A) is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the moisture absorbing portion included in the humidity control system shown in FIG. 1, and (B) shows an example of the configuration of the moisture releasing portion included in the humidity control system shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other configuration example of the humidity control system shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other structural example of the humidity control system shown in FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other structural example of the humidity control system shown in FIG.

The liquid moisture absorbing material for a humidity control system according to the present disclosure includes a moisture absorbing portion that absorbs moisture contained in the air by the liquid absorbing material, a moisture absorbing portion that releases the moisture absorbed by the liquid moisture absorbing material into the air, and a moisture absorbing portion. A humidifying section that dissipates and humidifies the released moisture to the air is provided, and at least one of the moisture absorbing section and the moisture releasing section is provided with the liquid moisture absorption in the air flow path while flowing air through the air flow path. It is used in a humidity control system in which an air contact portion is provided to bring the liquid moisture absorbing material into contact with air by supplying the material. It is configured to contain an ionic liquid whose viscosity decreases as it rises.

According to the above configuration, since the liquid moisture absorbing material contains an ionic liquid which is a liquid at a low temperature, the air can be satisfactorily dehumidified or humidified even in a low temperature environment.

Further, when the air contact portion is provided in the moisture absorbing portion, the water content is low and the viscosity is relatively high when the liquid moisture absorbing material is supplied to the air contact portion. It is possible to effectively secure the contact time of the air and to absorb the moisture in the air satisfactorily. Further, if the liquid hygroscopic material sufficiently absorbs moisture, the viscosity is relatively low, so that the liquid hygroscopic material can be quickly discharged from the air contact portion.

Alternatively, when the air contact portion is provided in the moisture release portion, a liquid moisture absorbing material containing sufficient moisture and having low fluidity can be quickly supplied to the air contact portion. Further, even if the water content is high and the viscosity is low, if the air has a relatively high temperature, the water contained in the liquid hygroscopic material can be sufficiently dissipated to the air.

Any liquid hygroscopic material having such a configuration can be suitably used for a humidity control system for dehumidifying and humidifying air.

In the liquid hygroscopic material for a humidity control system having the above structure, the ionic liquid may have a molecular weight in the range of 100 to less than 300.

According to the above configuration, the cation or anion molecule is not too small or too large, and a moderate ionic strength can be obtained as an ionic liquid, so that good moisture absorption performance can be obtained.

Further, in the liquid hygroscopic material for a humidity control system having the above configuration, the ionic liquid may have a configuration in which the lower limit of the temperature of the liquid is −20 ° C. or higher.

According to the above configuration, if the ionic liquid is liquid at −20 ° C. or higher, the humidity control system can be operated well even in most cold regions.

Further, in the liquid moisture absorbing material for a humidity control system having the above configuration, the ionic liquid may have a configuration in which the cation is at least one of imidazolium, pyridinium, pyrrolidinium, ammonium, and phosphonium.

According to the above configuration, by using the ionic liquids of these cations, it is possible to obtain an ionic liquid which is a liquid at least in the range of 0 ° C. to 5 ° C. and whose viscosity decreases as the water content increases.

Further, in the liquid moisture absorbing material for a humidity control system having the above configuration, the humidity control system includes a water condensing portion that condenses the moisture released from the moisture discharging portion, and the humidifying portion is the water. The condensed portion may be configured to be humidified by using condensed water.

According to the above configuration, in the humidity control system, the released water can be used as condensed water, so that it is not necessary to replenish the humidifying water from the outside, and excess water can be stored.

Further, the liquid moisture absorbing material for a humidity control system having the above configuration contains water in advance, and the content of the water exceeds 10% by weight with respect to the total amount of the ionic liquid and water. You may.

According to the above configuration, even if the ionic liquid has flammability, by preliminarily containing water in the liquid moisture-absorbing material, the flammability of the liquid moisture-absorbing material can be suppressed or the flammability can be eliminated. Can be done.

Further, the liquid hygroscopic material for a humidity control system having the above configuration may further contain a flame retardant.

According to the above configuration, even if the ionic liquid is flammable, the flammability of the liquid hygroscopic material can be suppressed by adding a flame retardant.

Further, in the liquid moisture absorbing material for a humidity control system having the above structure, the ionic liquid may have a saturated water content of more than 20% by weight in the range of 0 ° C. to 5 ° C.

According to the above configuration, the liquid hygroscopic material can absorb moisture from the surroundings and accumulate a large amount of water when the humidity control system is not in the humidifying operation. Therefore, when the humidity control system starts the humidification operation, the accumulated water can be released at once to quickly humidify.

Further, in the liquid hygroscopic material for a humidity control system having the above configuration, the ionic liquid has a water content of 10% by weight after 1 hour has passed in a state where the relative humidity of the surroundings is in the range of 30 to 95%. It may be a configuration that exceeds.

According to the above configuration, the liquid hygroscopic material can absorb moisture from the surroundings and accumulate a large amount of water when the humidity control system is not in the humidifying operation. Therefore, when the humidity control system starts the humidification operation, the accumulated water can be released at once to quickly humidify.

Hereinafter, typical embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, the same or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals throughout all the figures, and the overlapping description thereof will be omitted.

First, a typical configuration example of a humidity control system using the liquid moisture absorbing material according to the present disclosure will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 (A) and 2 (B).

[Example of humidity control system configuration]
As shown in FIG. 1, the humidity control system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a moisture absorbing section 11, a moisture releasing section 12, a humidifying section 13, a circulation supply section 14, and a storage section 15. The moisture discharging unit 12, the circulation supply unit 14, and the storage unit 15 are connected by a moisture absorbing material pipe 16. Further, the humidifying portion 13 is connected to the humidifying portion 12 via a humidifying pipe 17. A liquid moisture-absorbing material is distributed in the moisture-absorbing material pipe 16, and the liquid moisture-absorbing material contains at least an ionic liquid as described later.

The moisture absorbing unit 11 absorbs moisture contained in the air with a liquid moisture absorbing material. The moisture releasing section 12 releases the moisture absorbed by the liquid moisture absorbing material into the air. The specific configuration of the moisture absorbing portion 11 and the moisture releasing portion 12 is not particularly limited, but in the present disclosure, the air contact portion 20 is provided on at least one of the moisture absorbing portion 11 and the moisture releasing portion 12. In the humidity control system 10 shown in FIG. 1, an air contact portion 20 is provided in both the moisture absorbing portion 11 and the moisture releasing portion 12.

The air contact portion 20 includes an air flow path 21, and by supplying a liquid hygroscopic material while flowing air through the air flow path 21, the liquid hygroscopic material and air are brought into contact with each other. When the air contact portion 20 is provided in the moisture absorbing portion 11, the liquid moisture absorbing material absorbs the moisture in the air by bringing the liquid moisture absorbing material into contact with the air. When the air contact portion 20 is provided in the moisture releasing portion 12, the moisture contained in the liquid moisture absorbing material is released to the air by bringing the liquid moisture absorbing material into contact with the air. A more specific configuration example of the air contact portion 20 will be described later.

The humidifying unit 13 humidifies the moisture released from the liquid hygroscopic material by the humidifying unit 12 by dissipating it into the air. In the present embodiment, the moisture absorbing portion 11 absorbs moisture from the outside air into the liquid moisture absorbing material and releases the moisture to the moisture releasing portion 12. Moisture released to the air flowing in the air flow path 21 in the humidifying section 12 is supplied to the humidifying section 13 via, for example, a humidifying pipe 17, so that the humidifying section 13 can use the supplied moisture, for example. Dissipate to humidify the room air. Therefore, the moisture absorbing section 11 and the moisture releasing section 12 function as a "moisture recovery section" for recovering water from the outside air, and the humidifying section 13 uses the moisture recovered by the "moisture recovery section" to collect indoor air. It will be humidified.

By providing the humidifying unit 13 separately from the humidifying unit 12, the water collected by the "moisture collecting unit" can be efficiently used for humidification, and it is not necessary to supply water from the outside for humidification. , It is possible to realize a maintenance-free or similar situation regarding humidification. Further, the humidifying unit 13 is provided with a hygrometer that measures the humidity in the room as needed, and may be configured to control the humidification according to the humidity. This enables suitable humidification according to the humidity in the room.

The circulation supply unit 14 circulates the liquid moisture absorbing material and supplies it to the air contact unit 20. The storage unit 15 stores the liquid moisture absorbing material. As shown in FIG. 1, since the moisture absorbing material pipe 16 has the moisture absorbing portion 11 and the moisture releasing portion 12 connected to each other, the liquid moisture absorbing material is supplied by the circulation supply unit 14 via the moisture absorbing material pipe 16. And it can be distributed so as to circulate in the moisture releasing portion 12. In the present embodiment, the portion of the moisture absorbing material pipe 16 in which the liquid moisture absorbing material flows from the moisture absorbing portion 11 toward the moisture releasing portion 12 is referred to as a “first pipe 16a” for convenience of explanation, and is referred to as a moisture releasing portion 12. The portion through which the liquid moisture absorbing material flows from the moisture absorbing portion 11 to the moisture absorbing portion 11 is referred to as a “second pipe 16b” for convenience of explanation.

Here, in the schematic configuration shown in FIG. 1, the circulation supply unit 14 and the storage unit 15 are provided in the second pipe 16b, and the moisture release unit 12 passes through the storage unit 15 and the circulation supply unit 14. Although the liquid moisture absorbing material flows through the moisture absorbing portion 11, this configuration is for convenience, and the present disclosure is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. For example, the circulation supply unit 14 may be provided in the first pipe 16a, may be provided in both the first pipe 16a and the second pipe 16b, and is limited to the first pipe 16a or the second pipe 16b. However, a plurality of circulation supply units 14 may be provided at any position of the moisture absorbing material pipe 16.

The storage unit 15 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 1 as in the circulation supply unit 14. For example, the storage unit 15 may be provided in the first pipe 16a instead of the second pipe 16b, or a plurality of storage units 15 may be provided in any part of the moisture absorbing material pipe 16. Further, the storage unit 15 may be integrated into another configuration. For example, a storage unit 15 as a tank for storing the liquid moisture absorbing material may be provided in a part of the moisture absorbing unit 11 or the moisture releasing unit 12.

In the humidity control system 10 according to the present disclosure, more specific configurations of the moisture absorbing section 11, the moisture releasing section 12, the humidifying section 13, the circulation supply section 14, the storage section 15, the moisture absorbing material pipe 16, and the humidifying pipe 17 are Not particularly limited, various known configurations can be preferably used. The moisture absorbing portion 11 and the moisture releasing portion 12 may be provided with at least an air contact portion 20, and the moisture absorbing portion 11 or the moisture releasing portion 12 may be provided with a configuration other than the air contact portion 20 or may be provided with a configuration other than the air contact portion 20. It may be composed of only a part 20. If the moisture absorbing portion 11 or the moisture releasing portion 12 is composed of only the air contact portion 20, the humidity control system 10 includes the "first air contact portion 20" serving as the moisture absorbing portion 11 and the moisture releasing portion 12. It can also be said that the "second air contact portion 20" is provided.

The more specific configuration of the air contact portion 20 is not particularly limited as in the moisture absorbing portion 11, the moisture releasing portion 12, the humidifying portion 13, and the like, but as a typical configuration, for example, FIG. 2A or FIG. As shown in (B), a configuration can be mentioned which is arranged along the vertical direction and includes a moisture absorbing material flow path 22 in which the liquid moisture absorbing material flows in from above and flows out from below. For example, in the case of the moisture absorbing portion 11, as shown in FIG. 2A, the second piping 16b and the first piping 16a of the moisture absorbing material pipe 16 are located above and vertically between them. A configuration in which the hygroscopic material flow path 22 is located along the direction can be mentioned.

At this time, the air flow path 21 included in the air contact portion 20 may be arranged along the vertical direction as in the moisture absorbing material flow path 22, but as shown in FIG. 2A, the air flow path 22 is connected to the moisture absorbing material flow path 22. It may be provided so as to intersect. In the example shown in FIG. 2A, the air flow path 21 is provided so as to be orthogonal to the hygroscopic material flow path 22. Therefore, air flows from the horizontal direction with respect to the liquid hygroscopic material flowing in the vertical direction. As a result, the liquid moisture absorbing material and the air can be brought into good contact with each other.

Similarly to the moisture absorbing portion 11 illustrated in FIG. 2A, the moisture absorbing material flow path 22 is arranged along the vertical direction in the moisture releasing portion 12 exemplified in FIG. 2 (B), and the air flow path 21 is the moisture absorbing material. It suffices if they are arranged so as to intersect the flow path 22 (in the directions orthogonal to each other in FIG. 2B). In the moisture discharging section 12, since the moisture contained in the liquid moisture absorbing material is dissipated, the first pipe 16a is located above and the second pipe 16b is located below. In addition, in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, the flow method of the liquid moisture-absorbing material in the moisture-absorbing material flow path 22 is illustrated by arrow c0. Other arrows will be described in the operation example of the humidity control system 10 described later.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, a heater 24 may be provided on the upstream side of the hygroscopic material flow path 22. By heating the liquid hygroscopic material absorbed by the heater 24, it is possible to make it easier to release moisture from the liquid hygroscopic material. The position of the heater 24 is not particularly limited, and may be provided in the first pipe 16a, may be provided on the upstream side of the hygroscopic material flow path 22, or may be provided in the first pipe 16a and the hygroscopic material flow path 22. A heating region may be provided between them, and the heater 24 may be arranged in this heating region.

The specific configuration of the air flow path 21 or the moisture-absorbing material flow path 22 is not particularly limited, as long as the air or liquid moisture-absorbing material is flowable and the air and liquid moisture-absorbing material are contactable. In particular, in the present embodiment, the air flow path 21 may be a normal tubular member, but the moisture absorbing material flow path 22 is space-filled in order to improve the contact frequency between the flowing liquid moisture absorbing material and air. It may be configured as long as it is composed of the solid 23 itself, or the space-filling solid 23 is filled in the tubular member.

The specific configuration of the space-filling solid 23 is not particularly limited, but typically, a configuration in which a hollow columnar body is filled along the flow direction of the liquid moisture absorbing material can be mentioned, and more specifically, for example. , Honeycomb structure can be mentioned. Since the space-filling solid 23 such as the honeycomb structure has a very large surface area as compared with a simple tubular member, the hygroscopic material flow path 22 can be configured as a “high surface area portion”. This makes it possible to bring the liquid moisture absorbing material into contact with air at a high frequency, and to efficiently absorb and release moisture.

When the space-filling solid 23 is a honeycomb structure, the honeycomb structure may generally be a structure in which hollow regular hexagonal columns are arranged in parallel without gaps. However, the cross-sectional shape of the honeycomb structure is not necessarily limited to a regular hexagon, and may be a shape similar to a regular hexagon, or may be another cross-sectional shape that is usually regarded as “honeycomb shape”. The honeycomb structure in the present embodiment is not limited to a structure having a regular hexagonal cross-sectional shape in a narrow sense, and may be a structure in a broad sense including a similar shape or the like. Further, the cross section of the columnar body is not limited to one type, and a columnar body having a plurality of types of cross sections may be filled.

If the space-filling solid 23 is configured to fill a columnar body such as a honeycomb structure, air flows in a direction intersecting (or orthogonal to) the longitudinal direction of the columnar body (that is, the flow direction of the liquid moisture absorbing material). It suffices if the liquid moisture absorbing material is provided with a structure that allows air to come into good contact with the material. As a typical example, a configuration in which a through hole such as a slit through which air can flow can be provided in the intersecting direction of the honeycomb structure can be mentioned.

Further, when the space-filling solid 23 is not a structure for filling a columnar body but a structure for filling a polyhedron, the liquid moisture absorbing material is located on a wall surface where the polyhedra are adjacent to each other and is in the flow direction of the liquid moisture absorbing material. It suffices to form a through hole to the extent that the water can flow. Further, the positions of the through holes do not necessarily have to be provided so as to be continuous along the flow direction, and the positions of the through holes adjacent to the flow direction may be intentionally shifted. This makes it possible to bend the flow of the liquid hygroscopic material and improve the frequency of contact with air.

Further, the moisture absorbing material flow path 22 is not limited to the configuration filled with the space-filling solid 23, and is other as long as it functions as a “high surface area portion” that allows air to be in good contact with the flowing liquid moisture absorbing material. The configuration can be adopted. For example, a plurality of linear bodies or rods are arranged in parallel along the stretching direction of the moisture absorbing material flow path 22 (that is, the flowing direction of the liquid moisture absorbing material), and the liquid moisture absorbing material is transmitted to these linear bodies or rods. In addition to circulating air in a direction crossing (or orthogonal to) a linear body or a rod-shaped body, there may be a configuration in which air is circulated.

Further, if the linear body, rod-shaped body, or plate-shaped body is regarded as a "parallel arrangement member" to be arranged in parallel with the hygroscopic material flow path 22 for convenience of explanation, the surface of these parallel arrangement members is smooth. However, a physical shape such as an uneven shape, a hole shape, or a crack shape may be formed on the surface thereof. When the surface of the parallel arrangement member has a physical shape such as an uneven shape, a hole shape, or a crack shape, the surface area of the parallel arrangement member is increased. As a result, the contact between the liquid moisture absorbing material and the air is promoted, so that the efficiency of moisture absorption and desorption is improved.

The specific configuration of the physical shape formed on the surface of the parallel arrangement member is not particularly limited. For example, examples of the concavo-convex shape include a shape in which a linear body line undulates (winds and undulates), a shape in which a rod-shaped rod undulates, and a shape in which a plate-shaped plate undulates. Examples of the hole shape include a shape in which a plurality of holes are formed on the surface of the parallel arrangement member, a configuration in which the parallel arrangement member itself is formed of a porous body, and the like. Examples of the crack shape include a branch of a line or a rod, a crack formed in a part of a plate-like body, and the like. Only one type of these physical shapes may be formed with respect to the parallel arrangement member, or two or more types may be formed in combination.

[Liquid hygroscopic material]
Next, the liquid hygroscopic material according to the present disclosure, which is suitably used for the above-mentioned humidity control system 10, will be specifically described.

The liquid hygroscopic material according to the present disclosure may be a liquid in the range of at least 0 ° C. to 5 ° C. and may contain an ionic liquid whose viscosity decreases depending on the water content (moisture absorption rate or water content). .. In the present embodiment, the water content is defined as a percentage (%) of the weight of water with respect to the total weight of the ionic liquid and the weight of water (total amount of the ionic liquid and water). The specific method for measuring the water content is not particularly limited, and a known method based on weight (or mass) may be used.

The ionic liquid is a liquid composed of anions and cations, and is said to refer to an ionic substance having a melting point of 300 ° C. or lower or 100 ° C. or lower, but the melting point is not necessarily limited as long as it is a liquid under the conditions of use. In the present disclosure, since it is used as a hygroscopic material in the humidity control system 10, it is an ionic substance that is a liquid in a temperature range of at least 0 ° C. to 5 ° C. based on the usage conditions of the humidity control system 10. All you need is. When the liquid hygroscopic material according to the present disclosure contains an ionic liquid that is not liquid in this temperature range, the moisture absorbing portion 11 may absorb moisture or the moisture releasing portion 12 may release the moisture absorbed, especially in winter. The humidity control system 10 cannot operate satisfactorily.

If the temperature range of 0 ° C. to 5 ° C. is defined as the "required temperature range" for convenience, the temperature range in which the ionic liquid is a liquid in the present disclosure may include the required temperature range, and the upper limit and the lower limit thereof are particularly limited. Not done. The upper limit may be, for example, a temperature range within or above normal temperature (20 ° C. ± 15 ° C., that is, 5 ° C. to 35 ° C.). If the ionic liquid is a liquid in a temperature range including normal temperature, the humidity control system 10 can be operated satisfactorily even at that temperature. Further, as the lower limit, for example, −20 ° C. or higher can be mentioned. If the ionic liquid is liquid at −20 ° C. or higher, the humidity control system 10 can be operated well even in most cold regions.

In the present disclosure, the ionic liquid may not be a liquid in another temperature range as long as it is a liquid within the required temperature range. Since the required temperature range in the present disclosure is the temperature range assumed in winter, the ionic liquid which is a liquid within the required temperature range is almost always a liquid even at room temperature.

In the liquid hygroscopic material according to the present disclosure, as described above, the ionic liquid may have a viscosity whose viscosity decreases depending on its water content. That is, the ionic liquid used in the present disclosure may have a high viscosity if the water content is low and a low viscosity if the water content is high. If the ionic liquid has a low water content and a high viscosity, the moisture absorbing unit 11 can supply a liquid moisture absorbing material having a high viscosity. As a result, the contact time between the air to be absorbed and the liquid moisture absorbing material can be satisfactorily secured. Further, if the ionic liquid has a high water content and a low viscosity, the viscosity of the moisture-releasing portion 12 increases due to the decrease in the water content, so that the contact time for sufficiently dissipating the moisture contained in the liquid moisture-absorbing material into the air. Can be secured. The specific viscosity of the ionic liquid is not particularly limited as long as it is within a range in which an appropriate fluidity can be realized.

The specific type of ionic liquid is not particularly limited. In general, an ionic liquid can be freely molecularly designed depending on the specific structure of the cation or anion, the combination of the cation and the anion, and the like, depending on the purpose of use. However, the relationship between the physical characteristics of ionic liquids and the structure of cations or anions has not yet been fully elucidated. Therefore, in the present disclosure, as described above, a liquid in the required temperature range may be used. However, the molecular weight of the ionic liquid may be in the range of 100 to less than 300.

According to the diligent studies of the present inventors, it is desirable that the ionic liquid desirable as a moisture absorbing material has a moderate ionic strength between cations and anions, and it is not desirable that the ionic strength is too strong or too weak. If the molecular weight of the ionic liquid is less than 100 or more than 300, the cation or anion molecule may be too small or too large to obtain moderate ionic strength, and good moisture absorption performance may not be obtained. There is.

The more specific type of ionic liquid is not particularly limited. Typical cations include, for example, imidazolium, pyridinium, pyrrolidinium, ammonium, phosphonium, morpholinium, piperidinium, sulfonium and the like. Among these, imidazolium, pyridinium, pyrrolidinium, ammonium and phosphonium can be preferably used. Further, only one type of cation may be selected, or a plurality of types of cations may be mixed and used.

Specific examples of the imidazolium include 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium, 1-butyl-3-dodecylimidazolium, 1-butyl-2,3-dimethylimidazolium, 1,3-dimethylimidazolium, and the like. 1,2-dimethyl-3-propylimidazolium, 2,3-dimethyl-1-propylimidazolium, 1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium, 1-ethyl-2, 3-Dimethylimidazolium, 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium, 1- (2-hydroxyethyl) -3-methylimidazolium, 1- (3-hydroxypropyl) -3-methylimidazolium, 1-hexyl- 3-Methyl imidazolium, 1-methyl-3-propyl imidazolium, 1-methyl-3-octyl imidazolium, 1-methyl-3-pentyl imidazolium, 1-allyl-3-methyl imidazolium, 1-dodecyl- Examples thereof include 3-methylimidazolium, but the present invention is not particularly limited.

Specific pyridiniums include, for example, 1-ethylpyridinium, 1-propylpyridinium, 1-butylpyridinium, 1-hexylpyridinium, 1-octylpyridinium, 1-butyl-3-methylpyridinium, 1-butyl-4. -Methylpyridinium, 1-hexyl-4-methylpyridinium, 1-ethyl-3- (hydroxymethyl) pyridinium, 1-octyl-4-methylpyridinium and the like can be mentioned, but are not particularly limited.

Specific examples of the pyrrolidinium include 1-methyl-1-propylpyrrolidinium, 1-ethyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium, 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium and 1- (2-methoxy). Ethyl) -1-methylpyrrolidinium and the like can be mentioned, but the present invention is not particularly limited.

Specific examples of ammonium include trimethylpropylammonium, butylmethylammonium, diethyl (methyl) propylammonium, amyltriethylammonium, methyltrioctylammonium, trimethylhexylammonium, tributylmethylammonium, tetrapentylammonium, and cyclohexyltrimethylammonium. , Tetrapropylammonium, Tetrabutylammonium, Tetrahexylammonium, Tetraheptylammonium, Tetraoctylammonium, Tetraamylammonium and the like, but are not particularly limited.

Specific examples of the phosphonium include tributylmethylphosphonium, tributyloctylphosphonium, tributylhexadecylphosphonium, tributyldodecylphosphonium, tributyl (2-methoxyethyl) phosphonium, trihexyl (tetradecyl) phosphonium, tetrabutylphosphonium and tetraoctylphosphonium. Etc., but are not particularly limited.

Typical anions include halogen ions such as ^Cl- , Br- ^{, and} I-; nitrogen oxide-based (NO-based) ions such as NO _2- ^, NO _3- ^, etc .; BF _4- ^, PF _6- ^, AlCl _4- Halogen ^- based inorganic acid ions such as-, AsF _6- ^, SbF _6- ^, NbF _6- ^, TaF _6- ^, etc.; (CH ₃ O) HPO _2- ^, CH ₃ PO _3- ^, etc. Phosphonic acid ions; (CH ₃ O) ) ₂ PO _2- ^, (C ₂ H ₅ O) ₂ PO _2- ^, etc. phosphate-based ions; CH ₃ COO- ^, CH ₃ SO _3- ^, CH ₃ CH ₂ OSO _3- ^, etc. Organic acid ions; CF ₃ Halogen ^- based organic acid ions such as COO- ^, CF ₃ SO _3- ^, (CF ₃ SO ₂ ) ₃ C- ^, CF ₃ CF ₂ CF ₂ COO- ^, CF ₃ CF ₂ CF ₂ CF ₂ COO-; (CF ₃ SO) ₂ ) ₂ N- ^, (CF ₃ CF ₂ SO ₂ ) ₂ N- ^, (CF ₃ SO ₂ ) (CF ₃ CO) N- ^, (CN) ₂ N- ^, etc. Not limited.

Specific ionic liquids preferably used in the present disclosure include, typically, a combination of a cation having a short substituted carbon chain (total number of carbon atoms is 6 or less) and a carboxylic acid-based or phosphonic acid-based anion. be able to. More specifically, for example, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethyl sulfate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium methanesulfonate, 1-ethyl- 3-Methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dimethylphosphate, 1- Examples thereof include ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethyl phosphate, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium methylphosphonate and the like.

The liquid hygroscopic material according to the present disclosure may contain the above-mentioned ionic liquid, but may contain components other than the ionic liquid. Therefore, the liquid moisture absorbing material according to the present disclosure may be an ionic liquid itself, or may be a composition containing an ionic liquid and other components. Specific other components are not particularly limited, and examples thereof include known additives such as flame retardants, colorants, flavoring agents (fragrances), fungicides, antifoaming agents, and viscosity modifiers. Further, although two or more kinds of ionic liquids may be used, a hygroscopic agent (desiccant) other than the ionic liquid may be mixed.

Among these, a flame retardant can be mentioned as a typical other component. As described in Patent Document 1, ionic liquids have been considered to have non-volatile, non-flammable or flame-retardant properties in the common general technical sense. However, as a result of diligent studies by the present inventors, it has become clear that some ionic liquids are flammable. Therefore, the liquid hygroscopic material according to the present disclosure preferably contains a flame retardant, depending on the type of ionic liquid.

As the flame retardant, a known flame retardant can be preferably used as long as it can be dissolved or dispersed in the ionic liquid, although it depends on the type of the ionic liquid. Specific examples of the flame retardant include halogen-based flame retardants, phosphorus-based flame retardants, inorganic flame retardants, antimony-based flame retardants, silicone compounds, hindered amine compounds, organic metal compounds, nitrogen-containing compounds and the like. Not particularly limited. Only one kind of these flame retardants may be used, or two or more kinds may be appropriately combined.

More specific flame retardants include, for example, tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBA), TBBA-bis (dibromopropyl ether), decabromodiphenyl ether (Deca-BDE), tribromofer, and bis (penta) as halogen-based flame retardants. Bromophenyl) ether, 1,2-bis (2,4,6-tribromophenoxy) ethane, hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), ethylenebis (tetrabromophthalimide), poly (dibromophenol), hexabromobenzene (HBB) ), Bromine-based flame retardants such as polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE); chlorine-based flame retardants such as chlorinated paraffin, chlorocycloalkane-based (trade name: dechloran), and chlorendic acids.

Further, for example, examples of the phosphorus-based flame retardant include triphenyl phosphate (TPP), tricresyl phosphate (TCP), trixylenyl phosphate (TXP), cresyldiphenyl phosphate (CDP), 2-ethylhexyldiphenyl phosphate, and t-butyl. Aromatic phosphates such as phenyldiphenyl phosphate, bis (t-butylphenyl) phenyl phosphate, tris (t-butylphenyl) phosphate, isopropylphenyldiphenyl phosphate, bis (isopropylphenyl) diphenyl phosphate, tris (isopropylphenyl) phosphate; Condensed phosphate esters such as bisphenol A bis-diphenyl phosphate (BDP), resorcinol bis-diphenyl phosphate (RDP), resorcinol bis-dixylenyl phosphate (RDX), biphenyl bis-diphenyl phosphate; Tris (dichloropropyl) phosphate, Triscro (Β-Chloropropeel), halogen-containing phosphoric acid ester such as trischloroethyl phosphate or halogen-condensed phosphoric acid ester containing; polyphosphates; red phosphorus; phosphoric acid ester amide; and the like can be mentioned.

Further, for example, examples of the inorganic flame retardant include metal hydroxide compounds such as aluminum hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide; zinc compounds such as zinc borate, zinc stannate and zinc sulfide; zeolite, titanium oxide, silica and carbon. Nanofillers; antimony compounds such as antimony trioxide, antimony pentoxide, antimony tetroxide, sodium antimonate; molybdenum compounds; and the like can be mentioned.

Further, for example, examples of the nitrogen-containing compound include a guanidine compound such as guanidine sulfamate; a melamine compound such as melamine sulfate; and the like.

In the liquid hygroscopic material according to the present disclosure, the content of these flame retardants is not particularly limited, and may be an amount sufficient to impart flame retardancy to the liquid hygroscopic material containing an ionic liquid as a main component. Generally, in a material containing a flame retardant, the content of the flame retardant in the material is defined as a blending amount of the flame retardant based on the weight of the material to be flame retardant. Therefore, also in the present disclosure, the content of the flame retardant in the liquid hygroscopic material is defined as the blending amount based on the ionic liquid.

In the liquid moisture absorbing material according to the present disclosure, as an example of the blending amount of the flame retardant, for example, the range of 1 to 50 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the ionic liquid contained in the liquid moisture absorbing material can be mentioned. In other words, the flame retardant may be blended in the range of 1% by weight or more and 50% by weight or less with respect to the weight of the ionic liquid contained in the liquid hygroscopic material.

Further, the preferable lower limit of the blending amount of the flame retardant may be 3% by weight (3 parts by weight) or more with respect to the weight (100 parts by weight) of the ionic liquid, and 5% by weight (5 parts by weight) or more. There may be. Further, the preferable upper limit of the blending amount of the flame retardant may be 40% by weight (40 parts by weight) or less with respect to the weight (100 parts by weight) of the ionic liquid, and 35% by weight (35 parts by weight) or less. It may be present, and may be 30% by weight (30 parts by weight) or less. The range of the preferable blending amount can be appropriately set depending on the type of the flame retardant.

Further, the liquid hygroscopic material according to the present disclosure may contain water in advance. As described above, the studies by the present inventors have revealed that some ionic liquids are flammable. Therefore, by preliminarily containing water in the liquid hygroscopic material, the flammability of the ionic liquid can be suppressed or the flammability can be eliminated.

The content of water in the liquid hygroscopic material is not particularly limited, but typically, as in the case of the above-mentioned water content (moisture absorption rate), this is based on the total amount of the ionic liquid contained in the liquid hygroscopic material and the added water. It is sufficient that water exceeds 10% by weight based on the total amount. Further, the content of water may be 20% by weight or more, or 30% by weight or more, based on the total amount. On the other hand, the upper limit of the water content may be 80% by weight or less, 50% by weight or less, or 40% by weight or less with respect to the total amount.

The method of containing water in the liquid hygroscopic material is not particularly limited. A method of adding, for example, 10% by weight or more of water to the liquid hygroscopic material may be used. Alternatively, water may be absorbed from the atmosphere into the liquid hygroscopic material while the humidity control system 10 is on standby (during operation stop) to realize a water content of, for example, 10% by weight or more. Alternatively, the water content of the liquid hygroscopic material may be adjusted to, for example, 10% by weight or more by controlling the humidification operation or dehumidification operation of the humidity control system 10.

Further, in the liquid moisture absorbing material according to the present disclosure, as described above, the ionic liquid as the main component is a liquid in the range of at least 0 ° C. to 5 ° C., and its viscosity depends on the water content (moisture absorption rate). Any one containing a decreasing ionic liquid may be used. In the present disclosure, it is preferable that the ionic liquid as the main component has a saturated water content of more than 20% by weight in the range of 0 ° C to 5 ° C (saturated water content condition), and the relative humidity of the surroundings. It is preferable that the water content exceeds 10% by weight (ambient humidity water content condition) after 1 hour has passed in a state where the water content is in the range of 30 to 95%.

When the ionic liquid satisfies at least one of these saturated moisture content conditions and ambient humidity moisture content conditions, the liquid hygroscopic material absorbs moisture from the surroundings and accumulates a large amount of water when the humidity control system 10 is not in the humidifying operation. be able to. Therefore, when the humidity control system 10 starts the humidification operation, the accumulated water can be released at once to quickly humidify.

The ambient humidity moisture content condition is a moisture content defined based on the relative humidity of the surroundings. Therefore, in the present disclosure, the ambient humidity water content condition is evaluated by the method for measuring the water content described below, which is different from the general method for measuring the water content. Specifically, the ionic liquid to be measured is placed in a petri dish so that the film thickness is about 0.6 mm and allowed to stand in a constant temperature and humidity chamber adjusted to a temperature of 5 ° C. and a humidity of 50%. At this time, the initial water content of the ionic liquid is 0.5% by weight or less. Then, the weight change of the ionic liquid when left at a wind speed of 2 m / sec for 1 hour is measured. This weight change (weight increase) is determined as the moisture absorption amount of the ionic liquid, and the weight change rate is calculated as the water content (hygroscopicity) of the ionic liquid.

In this method for measuring the water content, triethylene glycol can be used as a standard substance, and the validity of the measurement of the water content of the ionic liquid to be measured can be judged (that is, the measurement of the water content of the triethylene glycol can be measured by ions. Can be treated as a control experiment for measuring the water content of a liquid). If the water content of triethylene glycol is within the range of 9 to 13% by weight by this measuring method, it can be judged that the measurement result of the water content of the ionic liquid is accurate.

[Operation example of humidity control system]
Next, an example of the operation of the humidity control system 10 having the above configuration will be specifically described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 (A) and 2 (B).

First, as shown by the shaded double-line block arrow A1 in FIG. 1, low-temperature and high-humidity air is introduced into the air contact portion 20 provided in the moisture absorbing portion 11. If this is referred to as low-temperature and high-humidity air A1, the low-temperature and high-humidity air A1 may be, for example, outside air, and the humidity control system 10 may have a known configuration capable of introducing such outside air. The low temperature and high humidity air A1 flows into the air flow path 21 of the air contact portion 20. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2A, the air contact portion 20 includes a moisture absorbing material flow path 22 arranged in the vertical direction, and the moisture absorbing material flow path 22 is connected to the air flow path 21. On the other hand, they are provided so as to intersect (for example, orthogonally). If the arrangement direction (vertical direction) of the moisture absorbing material flow path 22 is the vertical direction, the arrangement direction (horizontal direction) of the air flow path 21 can be said to be the horizontal direction. It will flow in from the lateral direction with respect to 22.

As shown by the dotted arrow in FIGS. 1 and 2 (A), the liquid moisture absorbing material having a low water content is supplied to the moisture absorbing material flow path 22 from the second pipe 16b of the moisture absorbing material pipe 16. Assuming that this is the low water content moisture absorbing material c2, as shown in FIG. 2A, the low water content moisture absorbing material c2 flows from the upper side to the lower side of the moisture absorbing material flow path 22 as shown by the arrow c0. .. On the other hand, since the low temperature and high humidity air A1 flows in from the horizontal direction intersecting (orthogonal) in the vertical direction (vertical direction), the low temperature and high humidity air A1 from the side with respect to the flow of the low water content moisture absorbing material c2. Flows will collide.

Here, as described above, the moisture-absorbing material flow path 22 is composed of the space-filling solid 23 itself, for example, a honeycomb structure, or is a space inside a tubular member that is the main body of the moisture-absorbing material flow path 22. Any "high surface area portion" such as a configuration in which the filling solid 23 is filled may be used. In such a "high surface area portion", air is circulated by blowing air from the horizontal direction (crossing, orthogonal direction), and the liquid moisture absorbing material is circulated in the vertical direction (vertical direction). Therefore, the low water content moisture absorbing material c2 flowing through the moisture absorbing material flow path 22 flows through the flow path having a high surface area, so that it can efficiently contact the low temperature and high humidity air A1.

In addition, the main component of the liquid moisture absorbing material is an ionic liquid, and in the present disclosure, the viscosity of this ionic liquid decreases depending on the water content. Since the low water content moisture absorbing material c2 has a low water content, it has a relatively high viscosity and flows relatively slowly through the high surface area moisture absorbing material flow path 22. As a result, the contact frequency between the liquid hygroscopic material and the low temperature and high humidity air A1 can be further improved, so that the moisture contained in the low temperature and high humidity air A1 can be efficiently absorbed by the liquid hygroscopic material. ..

As a result, when the low-temperature and high-humidity air A1 passes through the moisture-absorbing material flow path 22, it becomes low-temperature and low-humidity air, that is, low-temperature and low-humidity air A2, as shown by the double-line block arrow A2 without shading. It is discharged from the route 21. Further, when the low water content moisture absorbing material c2 flows out from the moisture absorbing material flow path 22, as shown by the solid arrow, it becomes a liquid moisture absorbing material having a high water content, that is, a high water content moisture absorbing material c1, and flows into the first pipe 16a. ..

After that, the highly water-containing moisture-absorbing material c1 flows through the first pipe 16a and reaches the moisture-releasing portion 12. In the moisture releasing section 12, for example, indoor air, which is a humidity control target, is introduced into the air contact section 20. Since the indoor air is relatively hot and low in humidity compared to the outside air, it flows into the air flow path 21 as high temperature and low humidity air B1 as shown by the thick line block arrow without shading in FIGS. 1 and 2 (B). do.

In the present embodiment, the air contact portion 20 provided in the moisture releasing portion 12 includes a moisture absorbing material flow path 22 arranged in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 2B, similarly to the moisture absorbing portion 11. The moisture absorbing material flow path 22 is provided so as to intersect (for example, orthogonally) with the air flow path 21. Therefore, the high temperature and low humidity air B1 flows in from the lateral direction to the hygroscopic material flow path 22 arranged in the vertical direction.

As shown by the solid arrow in FIGS. 1 and 2B, the highly water-containing moisture-absorbing material c1 is supplied to the moisture-absorbing material flow path 22 from the first pipe 16a. Since the moisture absorbing material flow path 22 is arranged in the vertical direction, as shown in FIG. 2 (B), the highly water-containing moisture absorbing material c1 is indicated by an arrow c0 from the upper side to the lower side of the moisture absorbing material flow path 22. It will flow. At this time, since the heater 24 is provided on the upstream side of the moisture absorbing material flow path 22, the highly water-containing moisture absorbing material c1 before flowing into the moisture absorbing material flow path 22 is heated.

Since the high temperature and low humidity air B1 flows in from the lateral direction (crossing or orthogonal direction) with respect to the moisture absorbing material flow path 22, the flow of the high temperature and low humidity air B1 from the side collides with the flow of the high water content moisture absorbing material c1. .. The moisture-absorbing material flow path 22 is composed of a space-filling solid 23 which is a structure having a high surface area, and the main component of the liquid moisture-absorbing material is an ionic liquid having a high water content and a low viscosity. Therefore, the high water content moisture absorbing material c1 can smoothly flow through the moisture absorbing material flow path 22 and efficiently come into contact with the high temperature and low humidity air B1.

Here, since the high water content moisture absorbing material c1 has a lower viscosity than the low water content moisture absorbing material c2, the time for flowing through the moisture absorbing material flow path 22 is shortened. Simply put, if the distribution time is short, the frequency of contact between the liquid hygroscopic material and air will decrease, and there is a possibility that efficient moisture release will not be possible. However, since the high-temperature and low-humidity air B1 introduced into the moisture-releasing portion 12 has a relatively high temperature, the saturated water vapor pressure is higher and the humidity is lower than that of the low-temperature air. Therefore, even if the contact time with air is relatively shorter than that of the moisture absorbing portion 11, it is possible to satisfactorily release moisture from the liquid moisture absorbing material to air.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, the highly water-containing moisture-absorbing material c1 flowing into the moisture-absorbing material flow path 22 is heated by the heater 24. As a result, the moisture contained in the liquid hygroscopic material is easily evaporated, so that the high temperature and low humidity air B1 having a high saturated water vapor pressure and low humidity can be released even more satisfactorily. In other words, since the air in the moisture absorbing portion 11 has a low temperature, it is particularly desirable that the liquid moisture absorbing material has a high viscosity in order to aim for efficient moisture absorption, and in the moisture releasing portion 12, the air has a high temperature, so that the liquid is liquid. Efficient moisture release is possible even if the hygroscopic material has a low viscosity.

In this way, the high water content moisture absorption material c1 flows through the moisture absorption material flow path 22 and efficiently contacts the high temperature and low humidity air B1, so that moisture is efficiently dissipated from the high water content moisture absorption material c1 to the high temperature and low humidity air B1. Will be done. As a result, when the high temperature and low humidity air B1 passes through the moisture absorbing material flow path 22, it becomes high temperature and high humidity air, that is, high temperature and high humidity air B2, as shown by the shaded thick line block arrow B2, and becomes an air flow path 21. Is discharged from. Further, when the high water content moisture absorbing material c1 flows out from the moisture absorbing material flow path 22, it becomes a low water content moisture absorbing material c2 and flows into the second pipe 16b as shown by the dotted arrow. After that, as shown in FIG. 1, the low water content moisture absorbing material c2 is reintroduced into the moisture absorbing portion 11, so that the above-mentioned moisture absorption and desorption are repeated.

As shown in FIG. 1, the high-temperature and high-humidity air B2 is introduced into the humidifying portion 13 via the humidifying pipe 17. The humidifying unit 13 humidifies the indoor air by supplying the moisture contained in the high-temperature and high-humidity air B2. Here, as described above, if the humidifying unit 13 can measure the humidity, it is possible to humidify according to the humidity in the room. In this way, the indoor air can be satisfactorily humidified by controlling the humidification by the humidifying unit 13 instead of circulating the high-temperature and high-humidity air B2 discharged by the humidifying unit 12 as it is in the room.

Further, in the humidity control system 10 according to the present disclosure, the moisture absorbing portion 11 and the moisture releasing portion 12 are separately provided, and the liquid moisture absorbing material repeats moisture absorption and desorption while circulating through the moisture absorbing portion 11 and the moisture releasing portion 12. It is composed. As a result, energy consumption can be reduced as compared with a configuration using a conventional solid moisture absorbing material (zeolite or the like).

Specifically, in the configuration using the conventional solid hygroscopic material, it is necessary to raise and lower both the solid hygroscopic material itself and the substrate on which the solid hygroscopic material is supported. On the other hand, in the case of the configuration in which the liquid hygroscopic material is circulated as in the present disclosure, it is only necessary to raise and lower the temperature of the liquid hygroscopic material substantially. Further, by spatially partitioning the moisture absorbing portion 11 and the moisture releasing portion 12, the moisture absorbing portion 11 can always be kept at a relatively low temperature, and the moisture releasing portion 12 can always be kept at a relatively high temperature. can.

As described above, according to the present disclosure, at least an ionic liquid which is a liquid at a low temperature is used as the liquid moisture absorbing material, and the moisture absorbing portion 11 or the moisture releasing portion 12 is a liquid moisture absorbing material while flowing air through the air flow path 21. Is provided with an air contact portion 20 for supplying the air. As a result, the air can be satisfactorily dehumidified and humidified even in a low temperature environment, and by supplying the liquid hygroscopic material to the flowing air, the air and the liquid hygroscopic material are efficiently brought into contact with each other, which is efficient. Dehumidification or humidification of air can be realized.

In particular, the viscosity of the ionic liquid contained in the liquid hygroscopic material changes depending on the water content. Therefore, by supplying the liquid moisture absorbing material having a high viscosity in the moisture absorbing portion 11, the contact time between the air to be absorbed and the liquid moisture absorbing material can be satisfactorily secured. Further, in the moisture releasing section 12, even if the water content is high and the viscosity is low, if the air is relatively high in temperature, the moisture contained in the liquid moisture absorbing material can be sufficiently dissipated to the air.

[Variations, etc.]
In the present embodiment, as described above, as shown in FIG. 1, the air contact portion 20 is provided in both the moisture absorbing portion 11 and the moisture releasing portion 12, but the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the present disclosure is not limited to this. Either one of the portion 11 and the moisture releasing portion 12 may be configured to include the air contact portion 20. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, only the moisture absorbing portion 11 may be provided with the air contact portion 20, and the moisture releasing portion 12 may not be provided with the air contact portion 20.

In particular, in the moisture absorbing portion 11, since the liquid moisture absorbing material is brought into contact with the low temperature air, the moisture absorbing portion 11 includes the liquid moisture absorbing material having a high viscosity and a high surface surface portion (moisture absorbing material flow path 22). It is preferable to have an air contact portion 20. On the other hand, the moisture-releasing portion 12 does not necessarily have to include the air-contacting portion 20 because the air has a relatively high temperature and the liquid moisture-absorbing material can easily dissipate moisture by heating. The moisture-releasing unit 12 may have a configuration that can dissipate moisture from the highly water-containing moisture-absorbing material c1 and recover the moisture for humidification.

Further, in the present embodiment, the high-temperature and high-humidity air B2 discharged from the air flow path 21 of the humidifying section 12 is introduced into the humidifying section 13 via the humidifying pipe 17, but the present disclosure is limited to this. However, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, a water condensing unit 18 may be provided between the humidifying unit 12 and the humidifying unit 13.

The specific configuration of the water condensing unit 18 is not particularly limited, and a known configuration can be preferably used as long as it condenses the water released from the moisture releasing unit 12. For example, the water condensing unit 18 condenses the water vapor contained in the high temperature and high humidity air B2 by cooling (or lowering) the high temperature and high humidity air B2 flowing from the air flow path 21 through the humidifying pipe 17. Temporarily stored as liquid water (condensed water). As shown by the solid line arrow d in FIG. 4, the condensed water stored in the water condensing section 18 is supplied to the humidifying section 13 via the humidifying pipe 17 as needed, and the humidifying section 13 is supplied. Humidify the indoor air using condensed water.

In this way, since the humidity control system 10 includes the water condensing unit 18, the water contained in the high-temperature and high-humidity air B2 undergoes a phase transition to a liquid instead of a gas (water vapor), so that the water content of the liquid is used in the humidifying unit 13. It becomes possible to humidify the air. Further, if the water condensing unit 18 is configured to be able to store the condensed water, if the humidifying unit 13 does not use all the water contained in the high temperature and high humidity air B2 for humidification, excess water is stored. Can be left. Moreover, if the water is stored in the water condensing unit 18, humidification by the humidifying unit 13 can be executed even if the water absorbing unit 11 and the moisture releasing unit 12 cannot sufficiently recover the water.

The water absorbed by the liquid moisture absorbing material by the moisture absorbing portion 11 may be stored in the water condensing portion 18 via the moisture releasing portion 12, but for example, by providing the storage portion 15 in the first pipe 16a, It can also be stored in a state of being contained in the highly water-containing hygroscopic material c1.

Further, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 or 4, the moisture absorbing portion 11 and the moisture releasing portion 12 have independent configurations, but the present disclosure is not limited to this, for example. , As shown in FIG. 5, the configuration may include a moisture absorbing / releasing portion 19 in which the moisture absorbing / releasing portion 11 and the moisture releasing portion 12 are integrated.

The specific configuration of the moisture absorbing / releasing portion 19 is not particularly limited, and may be configured to include two air contacting portions 20 for the moisture absorbing / releasing portion 11 and two air contacting portions 20 for the moisture releasing portion 12 (FIG. 1). (See), and may be configured to include only the air contact portion 20 for the moisture absorbing portion 11 and to have a moisture releasing mechanism (humidifying means) different from that of the air contact portion 20 for the moisture releasing portion 12 (Fig.). 3). Alternatively, in the reverse configuration, the moisture absorbing / releasing portion 19 is provided with an air contact portion 20 for the moisture releasing portion 12, and for the moisture absorbing portion 11, a moisture absorbing mechanism (moisture absorbing means) different from that of the air contact portion 20 is provided. It may be provided.

Alternatively, the moisture absorbing / releasing unit 19 may be configured to use the same air contacting unit 20 for moisture absorption at a certain time zone and for moisture release at another time zone, or a mechanism for heating the liquid moisture absorbing material. It may be configured to repeat moisture absorption and desorption by moving (heater 24 or other heating means). Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the configuration may include a water condensing portion 18 interposed between the moisture absorbing / releasing portion 19 and the humidifying portion 13.

Further, the humidity control system 10 according to the present disclosure may be configured as a humidity control device as it is, or may be applied to, for example, an air conditioner. When applied to an air conditioner, for example, a configuration in which at least a moisture absorbing portion 11 and a moisture releasing portion 12 of the humidity control system 10 are provided in the outdoor unit of the air conditioner can be mentioned. In the humidity control system 10, the moisture absorbing portion 11 absorbs moisture in the air by the liquid moisture absorbing material, and the moisture releasing portion 12 recovers the moisture from the liquid moisture absorbing material. As a result, the humidifying unit 13 can humidify the indoor air. Furthermore, it goes without saying that the humidity control system 10 may be applied to devices or equipment other than the air conditioner 30.

The present invention will be described in more detail based on Examples and Comparative Examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto. One of ordinary skill in the art can make various changes, modifications, and modifications without departing from the scope of the present invention. The viscosity in the following examples was measured as shown below.

(Measurement of viscosity of liquid hygroscopic material)
The viscosity of the liquid moisture absorbing material was measured using a TVE-35 type viscometer manufactured by Toki Sangyo at a measurement temperature of 25 ° C. under standard cone rotor conditions.

(Example)
As a liquid moisture absorbing material, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (a reagent manufactured by Sigma-Aldrich), which is an ionic liquid, was used. This ionic liquid is a liquid in the temperature range of 0 ° C to 5 ° C.

Air was brought into contact with 100 mL of the liquid hygroscopic material (ionic liquid) at a temperature of 25 ° C., a humidity of 50%, and a wind speed of 1 m / sec for 15 minutes to absorb moisture in the air. The viscosity of the liquid hygroscopic material after moisture absorption was 107 Pa · s, and the volume increased by 2.0 mL. This significantly reduced the humidity of the air.

Further, the liquid moisture absorbing material was brought into contact with air for 15 minutes under the conditions of a temperature of 60 ° C., a relative humidity of 9%, and a wind speed of 1 m / sec to release moisture. The relative humidity at this time corresponds to the humidity obtained by heating 25 ° C. and 50% air to 60 ° C. The viscosity of the liquid hygroscopic material after dehumidification was 160 Pa · s, and the volume decreased by 2.0 mL. This significantly increased the humidity of the air.

According to this embodiment, the air is absorbed from the air to the extent that the relative humidity at 25 ° C. is significantly lowered per unit time and unit volume, and the air is humidified to the extent that the relative humidity at 60 ° C. is significantly increased. Can be done. Further, since the viscosity is high in the low humidity state and the viscosity is low in the high humidity state, it can be suitably used for a humidity control system.

(Comparative example)
As a liquid moisture absorbing material, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride (a reagent manufactured by Sigma-Aldrich), which is an ionic liquid, was used. This ionic liquid is solid in the temperature range of 0 ° C to 5 ° C.

Using the above-mentioned liquid moisture-absorbing material (ionic liquid), the moisture absorption / desorption was evaluated and the viscosity thereof was measured in the same manner as in the examples, but sufficient moisture absorption / desorption could not be realized.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the description of the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and the present invention is disclosed in different embodiments and a plurality of modifications. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the above technical means are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be widely and suitably used not only in a humidity control system or a humidity control device using a liquid moisture absorbing material, but also in the field of an air conditioner using such a humidity control system.

10 Humidification system 11 Moisture absorption part 12 Moisture release part 13 Humidification part 14 Circulation supply part 15 Storage part 16 Moisture absorption material piping 17 Humidification piping 18 Water condensing part 20 Air contact part 21 Air flow path 22 Moisture absorption material flow path 23 Space filling solid 24 heater

Claims (8)

The liquid between the moisture absorbing part and the moisture absorbing portion, the moisture absorbing portion which absorbs the moisture contained in the air by the liquid moisture absorbing material, the moisture releasing portion which releases the moisture absorbed by the liquid moisture absorbing material into the air, and the moisture absorbing portion and the moisture releasing portion. It is provided with a circulation supply unit for circulating the moisture-absorbing material, and further, separately from the moisture-absorbing unit, a humidifying unit that dissipates the released moisture to the air to humidify the moisture-absorbing unit and the releasing unit. The wet section is a moisture recovery section that recovers moisture from the outside air, and supplies the liquid moisture absorbing material to the air flow path while flowing air through the air flow path to at least one of the moisture absorbing section and the moisture releasing section. Used in a humidity control system, which is provided with an air contact portion that brings the liquid moisture absorbing material into contact with air.
It consists of a combination of a cation having a total carbon number of 6 or less and a carboxylic acid-based or phosphonic acid-based anion, which is liquid at least in the range of -20 ° C to 5 ° C and whose viscosity decreases as the water content increases. Characterized by containing an ionic liquid,
Liquid moisture absorbing material for humidity control systems. The ionic liquid is characterized in that its molecular weight is in the range of 100 to less than 300.
The liquid moisture absorbing material for a humidity control system according to claim 1. The ionic liquid is characterized in that its cation is at least one of imidazolium, pyridinium, pyrrolidinium, ammonium and phosphonium.
The liquid moisture absorbing material for a humidity control system according to claim 1 or 2 . The humidity control system includes a water condensing unit that condenses the moisture released from the moisture releasing unit.
The humidifying portion is characterized in that the water condensing portion humidifies using the condensed water.
The liquid moisture absorbing material for a humidity control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . It contains water in advance, and the content of the water is more than 10% by weight with respect to the total amount of the ionic liquid and water.
The liquid moisture absorbing material for a humidity control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 . Further characterized by containing a flame retardant,
The liquid moisture absorbing material for a humidity control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The ionic liquid is characterized by having a saturated water content of more than 20% by weight in the range of 0 ° C to 5 ° C.
The liquid moisture absorbing material for a humidity control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 . The ionic liquid is characterized in that its water content exceeds 10% by weight after 1 hour has passed in a state where the ambient relative humidity is in the range of 30 to 95%.
The liquid moisture absorbing material for a humidity control system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 .

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