CONTACTOR MODULE WITH HYDROPHOBIC CAPILLARY MEMBRANES, INTEGRATED IN A HEAT EXCHANGER AND HYBRID PLANT FOR THE DEHUMIDIFICATION/CONDITIONING OF AIR

摘要

The present invention concerns a contact module (10) operating with three fluids, air, coolant fluid and desiccant solution, with hydrophobic tubular membranes for the dehumidification and/or cooling of process air, said contact module comprising plurality of conduits (1) for the refrigerant fluid, in particular typically frigorific evaporating fluid, the contact module being characterized in that: - the space between said plurality of conduits (1) is substantially filled with a plurality of capillary pipes (2) in hydrophobic micro-porous membrane whose lumen is suitable to be crossed by air, and whose main extension direction is perpendicular to said plurality of conduits (1); - on the two opposite surfaces of the contact module at the ends of said plurality of capillary pipes, one or more closing material layers, in particular of hardening resin, are disposed, for incorporating the end parts of said plurality of capillary pipes and sealing the thus created space between said plurality of capillary pipes, said space being suitable to let a desiccant solution pass which laps the external surface of said plurality of capillary pipes without being able to penetrate in their interior owing to the hydrophobic nature of their material, said two opposite surfaces having been subjected to cutting mechanical operations to the end of opening the lumen of said more capillary pipes making thus possible the passage of the air to be dehumidified and/or cooled; - on the opposite surfaces at the ends of said plurality of conduits (1) respective collectors (2) are arranged for the collection of the coolant fluid and the desiccant solution. The invention further concerns an integrated plant (300, 400) for the dehumidification and conditioning of air, which makes use of one or two contact modules according to the invention.