Re: GAS-L: Heat engine for dehumidification compressor?

[David <orchlogw@kootenay.com>]

Hello Kevin:
I am not an engineer, but my initial thought was to use the driven spindle of
a Stirling engine to turn the shaft of a dehumidifier compressor. But as I
thought about it more, an ideal heat engine for this application would pump
refrigerant internally. Is this not what is being discussed in the 'Gas
"topping" turbines' thread using ammonia? My concern too lies with sealing
the system against loss of refrigerant.

As for the recovered heat, I was thinking of a low-pressure hot water
exchanger in the kiln to preheat the lumber (standard practice), but continue
to use it through the drying schedule if it were surplus energy. After
preheating, and when a compressor unit is located within the insulated kiln,
the operator will typically need to open vents to keep the dry bulb temp from
climbing too high for the good of the lumber and within operating range of
the compressor's design. If the energy is cheap, and we had no other use for
it, venting warm moist air will be acceptable, (that's how the vast majority
of kilns operate) and will shorten the drying time if the species of lumber
can withstand it.

The arguement against a hybrid design like this is that you need to build 2
separate systems. I would agree, except that many small lumber processors
such as myself could make good use of it seasonally for hydronic heating
shops, home, hot tub...

Thanks,
David

Kevin Chisholm wrote:

> Could you please elaborate on what you mean by "kinetic energy of a heat
> engine?"
> ...
> Could you please elaborate on what pressure differentials you had in mind?
> Also, what do you mean by "makeup vented moisture?"
>
> Kevin Chisholm

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