Adiabatic cooler or condenser comprising a heat exchanger assembly through which an air flow flows

Abstract

An adiabatic cooler or condenser (10) comprising at least one set of heat exchangers (20; 30) through which an airflow (A1, A2) passes, and comprising at least a first group including a first heat exchanger (21; 31) through which a fluid to be condensed or cooled is intended to circulate, and a first air humidification device (23; 33) located upstream of the first heat exchanger (21; 31). This set of heat exchangers includes at least a second group located upstream or downstream of the first group, comprising a second heat exchanger (22; 32) through which a fluid to be condensed or cooled is intended to circulate, and a second air humidification device (24; 34) located upstream of the second heat exchanger (22; 32).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of cold generation, more particularly, fluid cooling circuits, for example water, and refrigeration circuits.

[0002] More specifically, the present invention relates in particular to coolers and air-cooled condensers. A cooler according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from document CN 1 450 325A.

[0003] A fluid cooling circuit may include one or more air / liquid heat exchangers.

[0004] A refrigeration circuit generally includes successively a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and an evaporator.

[0005] Cooling circuits and refrigeration circuits allow for the efficient and economical removal of heat generated by a device, for example an air conditioning system, a cold room, or industrial processes, to an external environment.

[0006] The present invention finds a privileged application for so-called "adiabatic" coolers and air-cooled condensers, with water dispersion or with media.

[0007] The cooler differs from the air-cooled condenser only in that the heat removed is not used to condense a gas into a liquid but simply to cool a fluid.

[0008] The following considerations apply to both air-cooled condensers and fluid coolers.

[0009] In an adiabatic air-cooled condenser illustrated on the figure 1A The refrigerant is condensed by blowing an airflow A, set in motion by one or more fans 2, over a heat exchanger 3 containing the refrigerant and configured to change the refrigerant from a gaseous state FE to a liquid state FS. The movement of the airflow A is represented by arrows. The airflow A passes through only one heat exchanger.

[0010] The adiabatic air condenser 1 includes an air humidification device 4 located upstream of the heat exchanger coil 3 in the direction of airflow A. As illustrated in the figure 1A , the air humidification device 4 includes a medium 4a, a system 4b for spraying the medium 4a with a fluid, for example water, disposed above said medium 4a and configured to humidify said medium 4a and a system 4c for recovering or collecting humidification fluid after it has passed through the medium 4a.

[0011] The condensing coil comprises either a plurality of tubes and fins or microchannels. A refrigerant circulates within the tubes of the condensing coil. These tubes are connected to a refrigerant inlet manifold and a refrigerant outlet manifold. In the case of a finned-tube heat exchanger, the tubes of the condensing coil are interconnected, according to the number of passes, by 180° bends.

[0012] The example illustrated on the figure 1B differs from the method of implementation of the figure 1A solely by the fact that the air humidification device includes a fluid spraying system 5 via spray nozzles. The spraying system 5 is mounted upstream of the heat exchanger coil 3 in the direction of airflow A.

[0013] However, in such adiabatic coolers / condensers, the heat exchange between the air and the battery is not optimal.

[0014] In the context of reducing the energy consumed to cool or condense a fluid, there is a need to improve the heat exchange of adiabatic coolers / condensers.

[0015] The present invention therefore aims to overcome the above disadvantages and to improve so-called "adiabatic" water-dispersion or media-based coolers / condensers in order to increase the heat exchange between the air and the heat exchange coil.

[0016] The invention relates to an adiabatic cooler or condenser according to claim 1.

[0017] The terms "upstream" and "downstream" are taken into consideration in the direction of airflow in the adiabatic cooler or condenser.

[0018] Alternatively, the two heat exchangers can be combined into a single heat exchanger during manufacturing, while leaving a space within the exchanger—that is, between two exchanger sections—to integrate a humidification device. The connection between the two heat exchanger sections can then be achieved tube by tube, i.e., circuit by circuit, using 180° bends.

[0019] For example, in a first case where the second group is arranged downstream of the first group, the adiabatic cooler or condenser includes, in the direction of circulation of the airflow set in motion for example by fans mounted on the adiabatic cooler or condenser, the first external air humidification device, the first external heat exchanger, directly downstream of the first external air humidification device, the second internal air humidification device directly downstream of the first heat exchanger and the second internal heat exchanger directly downstream of the second internal air humidification device.

[0020] In a second case where the second group is arranged upstream of the first group, the adiabatic cooler or condenser includes, in the direction of circulation of the airflow set in motion for example by fans mounted on the adiabatic cooler or condenser, the second external air humidification device, the second external heat exchanger, directly downstream of the second external air humidification device, the first internal air humidification device directly downstream of the second heat exchanger and the first internal heat exchanger directly downstream of the first internal air humidification device.

[0021] Thus, adding a unit comprising a heat exchanger and a humidification device increases the heat exchange between the air and the heat exchanger by increasing air humidification and thus reduces the temperature of the cooled or condensed fluid.

[0022] The heat exchanger assembly groups are arranged in series in the airflow.

[0023] For example, the groups in the heat exchanger assembly are in contact. In the case where the heat exchanger assembly comprises more than two groups, for example three, adjacent groups are in contact.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the fluid to be condensed or cooled is intended to circulate in one of the heat exchangers towards the other of the heat exchangers so as to form a counter-current heat exchange with respect to the airflow passing through the heat exchanger assembly.

[0025] According to another embodiment, the fluid to be condensed or cooled is intended to circulate in the other of the heat exchangers towards one of the heat exchangers so as to form a co-current heat exchange with respect to the airflow passing through the heat exchanger assembly.

[0026] Advantageously, each of the air humidification devices includes at least one system for spraying an air humidification fluid.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the air humidification device of at least one of the groups further comprises a medium configured to humidify the airflow entering the heat exchangers and the spraying system comprises a system for spraying said medium with a humidifying fluid, said spraying system being disposed above the medium and configured to humidify said medium.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the air humidification device of at least one of the groups is media-free and the spraying system further includes a spraying system comprising at least one spray nozzle configured to spray the humidification fluid directly onto the heat exchanger of said at least one of the groups.

[0029] In general, a sprinkler system is a system for watering a medium with a humidifying fluid or a system for spraying with a humidifying fluid, for example water.

[0030] For example, one or each of the air humidification devices includes a humidification medium or component configured to humidify the airflow entering the heat exchangers.

[0031] Each media in an air humidification device is placed upstream of a heat exchanger in the direction of the airflow set in motion by the fans.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the air humidification device of one of the groups comprises a medium and a system for spraying said medium with a humidifying fluid disposed above the medium and configured to humidify said corresponding medium, and the air humidification device of the other of the groups comprises only a system for spraying with a humidifying fluid, without media.

[0033] The medium is, for example, made of absorbent material.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the heat exchangers of the heat exchanger assembly extend in a substantially vertical direction.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the heat exchangers of the heat exchanger assembly extend in a direction inclined relative to a vertical direction, for example at 45°.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the adiabatic cooler or air condenser comprises two sets of heat exchangers, each through which an airflow passes.

[0037] The present invention will be better understood upon study of the detailed description of embodiments, taken by way of non-limiting examples and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which: [ Fig 1A ] ] Fig 1B ] represent, very schematically, two examples of the implementation of an adiabatic cooler or condenser with a media according to the prior art; [ Fig 2 ] represents, very schematically, an adiabatic cooler or condenser with a medium according to an embodiment of the invention; [ Fig 3A ] ] Fig 3B ] represent, very schematically, respectively the front and rear faces of one of the heat exchanger assemblies of the adiabatic cooler or condenser with media of the figure 2 ; Fig 4A ] ] Fig 4B ] represent, very schematically, respectively the front and rear faces of one of the heat exchanger assemblies of an adiabatic cooler or condenser with media according to another embodiment of the invention; [ Fig 5A ] ] Fig 5B ] represent, very schematically, respectively the front and rear faces of one of the heat exchanger assemblies of an adiabatic cooler or condenser with a media not conforming to the invention; [ Fig 6A ] ] Fig 6B ] represent, very schematically, respectively the front and rear faces of one of the heat exchanger assemblies of an adiabatic cooler or condenser with a medium according to another embodiment not conforming to the invention; [ Fig 7 ] represents, very schematically, an adiabatic cooler or condenser with a medium according to an embodiment of the invention; [ Fig 8 ] represents, very schematically, an adiabatic cooler or condenser with a medium according to an embodiment of the invention; [ Fig 9 ] represents, very schematically, an adiabatic cooler or condenser with a medium according to an embodiment of the invention; [ Fig 10 ] represents, very schematically, an adiabatic cooler or condenser with a medium according to an embodiment of the invention; and [ Fig 11 ] represents, very schematically, an adiabatic cooler or condenser with media according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0038] In the following description, the terms "internal" and "external" refer to the inside of the adiabatic cooler or condenser; the internal parts are closer to the inside of the adiabatic cooler or condenser than the external parts.

[0039] On the figure 2 Figure 10 shows an adiabatic cooler / condenser in its entirety, assumed to be in a vertical position. The adiabatic cooler / condenser 10 can be of the air-cooled type, through which a fluid to be condensed circulates, or of the cooler type, through which a fluid to be cooled circulates.

[0040] The adiabatic cooler / condenser 10 comprises a casing 12 having four vertical side walls (not referenced), namely two side walls, a transverse front wall, and a transverse rear wall. The casing 12 further comprises a top wall and a floor or bottom wall forming a base. The walls of the casing 12 together define an internal enclosure 13. The adiabatic cooler / condenser 10 includes one or more fans 16 mounted on the top wall of the casing 12 and configured to move the airflow A.

[0041] The adiabatic cooler / condenser 10 further comprises two sets of heat exchangers 20, 30, each through which a separate airflow A1, A2 passes. In other words, an airflow passes through only one set of heat exchangers 20, 30.

[0042] Alternatively, the adiabatic cooler / condenser 10 could comprise only a single set of heat exchangers through which an airflow passes.

[0043] Each of the heat exchanger assemblies 20, 30 comprises two heat exchange batteries 21, 22; 31, 32 or heat exchangers arranged in parallel in the inner enclosure 13 of the casing 12 and two air humidification devices 23, 24; 33, 34 mounted in parallel and alternately with respect to the heat exchange batteries.

[0044] In other words, in the direction of the airflow set in motion by the fans 16, the adiabatic cooler / condenser 10 includes a first external air humidification device 23; 33, a first external heat exchange coil 21, 31, directly downstream of the first external air humidification device 23; 33, a second internal air humidification device 24; 34 directly downstream of the first coil 21, 31 and a second internal heat exchange coil 22, 32, directly downstream of the second internal air humidification device 24; 34.

[0045] The first external air humidification device 23; 33 and the first external heat exchange battery 21, 31 form a first group and the second internal air humidification device 24; 34 and the second internal heat exchange battery 22, 32 form a second group arranged downstream of the first group in the direction of airflow.

[0046] Alternatively, each heat exchanger assembly could be designed to include more than two heat exchanger coils and associated humidification devices, for example, three. The number of heat exchanger coils is the same as the number of humidification devices.

[0047] As illustrated on the figure 2 And, without limitation, the first group is in contact with the second group. Alternatively, a space could be provided between the two groups. It could also be provided that a single heat exchanger comprises two exchanger sections separated by a space in which a humidification device is mounted.

[0048] Generally, the two groups are arranged in series in the direction of airflow.

[0049] Each heat exchanger coil comprises either a plurality of tubes and fins (not shown) or microchannels. A fluid, for example, a fluid to be cooled or condensed, such as a refrigerant, water, glycol, a water-glycol mixture, or any other fluid suitable for condensation or cooling, circulates through the tubes of each heat exchanger coil. In the case of an air-cooled condenser, the heat exchanger coils are configured to change the refrigerant to be condensed from a gaseous to a liquid state. The gaseous fluid at the inlet (FG) is condensed to deliver a liquid fluid at the outlet (FS).

[0050] Alternatively, in the case of a cooler, the heat exchange coils are configured to cool the fluid circulating within them. The outlet fluid (FS) is cooled relative to the inlet fluid (FE).

[0051] Each of the air humidification devices 23, 24; 33, 34 is configured to humidify the airflow entering the batteries 21, 22; 31, 32. Each of the air humidification devices 23, 24; 33, 34 is associated with a battery.

[0052] Each air humidification device 23, 24; 33, 34 is arranged upstream of a battery 21, 22; 31, 32 in the direction of the airflow set in motion by the fans 16.

[0053] The air humidification device 23, 24; 33, 34 includes a spraying system 23b, 24b; 33b, 34b of a fluid upstream of the associated battery.

[0054] In the example shown on the figure 2 The air humidification device 23, 24; 33, 34 includes a medium 23a, 24a; 33a, 34a or humidification unit arranged upstream of a battery 21, 22; 31, 32 in the direction of the airflow set in motion by the fans 16.

[0055] The medium is usually made of absorbent material.

[0056] The fluid spraying system 23b, 24b; 33b, 34b is here in the form of a system for spraying the media 23a, 24a; 33a, 34a with a humidifying fluid, for example, water. The spraying system 23b, 24b; 33b, 34b is, here, arranged above each of the media 23a, 24a; 33a, 34a and configured to humidify said associated media.

[0057] Alternatively, the air humidification devices 23, 24; 33, 34 could be provided for without a medium. In the case where the air humidification devices 23, 24; 33, 34 are without a medium, the spraying system takes the form of a humidification fluid spray system located upstream of a battery, as will be described in detail with reference to the figures 7 à 11 .

[0058] One could also combine a humidification device 23; 33 from one of the groups comprising a medium and a watering system for said medium and a humidification device 24; 34 from the other group lacking a medium and comprising a spraying system in the form of a spraying system as will be described in detail with reference to figures 7 à 11 .

[0059] In general, each of the air humidification devices 23, 24; 33, 34 includes at least one fluid spraying system, such as a system for watering a medium with a humidifying fluid or a system for spraying a humidifying fluid.

[0060] As illustrated, and in no way limiting, the air humidification device 23, 24; 33, 34 includes a system 23c, 24c; 33c, 34c for recovering or collecting the humidification fluid after it has passed through the corresponding medium 23a, 24a; 33a, 34a.

[0061] In the case where the air humidification devices 23, 24; 33, 34 are without media, the recovery system 23c, 24c; 33c, 34c collects the humidification fluid after spraying by the spraying system.

[0062] In the illustrated example, the side walls of the adiabatic cooler / condenser are separate from the external batteries 21, 31 of each of the heat exchanger assemblies 20, 30.

[0063] Alternatively, it could be provided that the external side wall of at least one of the external batteries 21, 31 of the heat exchanger assemblies 20, 30, or even of both external batteries, form the side walls of the casing 12.

[0064] In the case where the side walls of the external batteries form the side walls of the casing 12, and in the case of an adiabatic cooler / condenser, the external air humidification device 23, 33 of each of the heat exchanger assemblies 20, 30 is disposed outside the casing 12.

[0065] It is possible to arrange the heat exchanger arrays within the same set vertically, at an angle, or even horizontally. If the air-cooled condenser / cooler comprises two heat exchanger arrays, these arrays can be arranged vertically, horizontally, or inclined, for example, at 45° to form a V.

[0066] THE figures 3A et 3B illustrate respectively the front face 20a and the rear face 20b of one of the heat exchanger assemblies 20 of the figure 2 .

[0067] The heat exchanger assemblies 20 and 30 are identical to each other; only heat exchanger assembly 20 will be described in detail with reference to figures 3A et 3B .

[0068] The external heat exchange battery 21 comprises a front face 21a and a rear face 21b, opposite the front face 21a.

[0069] The front face 21a of the external heat exchange battery 21 includes a fluid inlet manifold 25a and a fluid outlet manifold 25b.

[0070] As illustrated, the fluid inlet manifold 25a is connected by a first row of tubes 26a of the battery to the front face 21a of the external battery 21 of the assembly 20 and the fluid outlet manifold 25b is connected by a second row of tubes 26b to the front face 21a of said battery 21.

[0071] Similarly, the internal heat exchange battery 22 comprises a front face 22a and a rear face 22b, opposite the front face 22a.

[0072] The front face 22a of the internal heat exchange battery 22 includes a fluid inlet manifold 27a and a fluid outlet manifold 27b.

[0073] As illustrated, the fluid inlet manifold 27a is connected to a first row of tubes 28a of the battery on the front face side 22a of the internal battery 22 of the assembly 20 and the fluid outlet manifold 27b is connected to a first row of tubes 28b on the front face side 22a of said battery 22.

[0074] The first and second rows of tubes 26a, 26b, 28a, 28b of each battery 21, 22 are connected by welding respectively to the corresponding fluid inlet manifold and fluid outlet manifold.

[0075] The input collector 25a of the external battery 21 and the output collector 27b of the internal battery 22 are connected by a conduit 29.

[0076] As illustrated on the figure 3B , the rear face 21b, 22b of the external and internal batteries 21, 22 also includes a plurality of tubes 26c, 28c having 180° elbows welded for the circuitry of the corresponding battery.

[0077] In the example illustrated on the figures 3A et 3B , the fluid to be condensed or cooled flows from the internal battery 22 to the external battery 21 and thus forms a heat exchange known as "counter-current" with respect to the air flow A passing through the heat exchanger assembly 20.

[0078] Alternatively, the fluid to be condensed or cooled could be provided for to flow from the external battery 21 to the internal battery 22 and thus form a heat exchange known as "co-current" with respect to the air flow A through the heat exchanger assembly 20. In this case, the manifold 25a would be a fluid outlet manifold from the external battery 21 and would be connected to the manifold 27b which would be an inlet manifold of the internal battery 21.

[0079] In general, the output manifold of one of the batteries in a heat exchanger assembly is connected to the input manifold of the other of the batteries in said heat exchanger assembly.

[0080] In the embodiment illustrated on the figures 4A et 4B in which the same elements bear the same references, differs from the embodiment illustrated on the figures 3A et 3B solely by the fact that the connection of the two parts of the heat exchanger or heat exchangers 21, 22 is made by manufacturing tube by tube, i.e. circuit by circuit, by 180° bends (not visible on the figures 4A et 4B ).

[0081] As illustrated on the figures 4A et 4B , the external heat exchange battery 21 comprises a front face 21a and a rear face 21b, opposite the front face 21a.

[0082] The front face 21a of the external heat exchange battery 21 includes a first row of fluid inlet tubes 26a and a fluid outlet manifold 25b.

[0083] As illustrated, the fluid outlet manifold 25b is connected by a second row of tubes 26b to the front face 21a side of said battery 21.

[0084] Similarly, the internal heat exchange battery 22 comprises a front face 22a and a rear face 22b, opposite the front face 22a.

[0085] The front face 22a of the internal heat exchange battery 22 includes a fluid inlet manifold 27a and a first row of fluid outlet tubes 28b.

[0086] As illustrated, the fluid inlet manifold 27a is connected to a second row of fluid inlet tubes 28a on the front face side 22a of the internal battery 22 of the assembly 20.

[0087] Each of the tubes in the first row of tubes 26a of the external battery 21 fluid inlet is connected to a tube in the first row of tubes 28b of the internal battery 22 fluid outlet by a corresponding conduit 29.

[0088] As illustrated on the figure 4B , the rear face 21b, 22b of the external and internal batteries 21, 22 also includes a plurality of tubes 26c, 28c having 180° elbows welded for the circuitry of the corresponding battery.

[0089] In the example illustrated on the figures 4A et 4B , the fluid to be condensed or cooled flows from the internal battery 22 to the external battery 21 and thus forms a heat exchange known as "counter-current" with respect to the air flow A passing through the heat exchanger assembly 20.

[0090] Alternatively, the fluid to be condensed or cooled could be provided for to flow from the external battery 21 to the internal battery 22 and thus form a heat exchange known as "co-current" with respect to the air flow A through the heat exchanger assembly 20. In this case, the tubes of the first row of tubes 26a would be fluid outlet tubes from the external battery 21 and the tubes of the first row of tubes 28b would be fluid inlet tubes.

[0091] In the embodiment illustrated on the figures 5A et 5B in which the same elements bear the same references, the rear face 21b of the external battery 21 includes the fluid inlet manifold 25a and the rear face 22b of the internal battery 22 includes the fluid outlet manifold 27b.

[0092] The input collector 25a of the external battery 21 and the output collector 27b of the internal battery 22 are connected by a conduit 29.

[0093] In the example illustrated on the figures 5A et 5B , the fluid to be condensed or cooled flows from the internal battery 22 to the external battery 21 and thus forms a heat exchange known as "counter-current" with respect to the air flow A passing through the heat exchanger assembly 20.

[0094] Alternatively, the fluid could be provided to flow from the external battery 21 to the internal battery 22 and thus form a heat exchange known as "co-current" with respect to the air flow A through the heat exchanger assembly 20. In this case, the manifold 25a would be a fluid outlet manifold from the external battery 21 and would be connected to the manifold 27b which would be an inlet manifold for the internal battery 21.

[0095] In general, the output manifold of one of the batteries in a set of heat exchangers is connected to the input manifold of the other of the batteries in said set of heat exchangers.

[0096] In general, the inlet collectors 25a, 27a and the outlet collectors 25b, 27b of the batteries 21, 22 can be arranged on the same face of the battery, as can be seen on the figure 3A or can be arranged on two opposite faces of the battery, as can be seen on the figures 5A et 5B The arrangement of the inlet and outlet collectors depends on the battery's pass count. When the battery's pass count is even, the inlet and outlet collectors are on the same side, i.e., on the same face of the battery. When the battery's pass count is odd, the inlet and outlet collectors are on opposite sides, i.e., on two opposite faces of the battery.

[0097] Alternatively, it could also be envisaged that the batteries of the heat exchanger assembly are not connected to each other.

[0098] In the illustrated examples, and in no way limiting the application, the inlet of the input collector 27a and the outlet of the output collector 25b are located in the lower part of the batteries 21, 22. Alternatively, the inlet of the input collector 27a and the outlet of the output collector 25b could be located elsewhere on the batteries 21, 22.

[0099] In the embodiment illustrated on the figures 6A et 6B in which the same elements bear the same references, differs from the embodiment illustrated on the figures 5A et 5B solely by the fact that the connection of the two parts of the heat exchanger or heat exchangers 21, 22 is made by manufacturing tube by tube, i.e. circuit by circuit, by 180° bends (not visible on the figures 6A et 6B ).

[0100] As illustrated on the figures 6A et 6B , the external heat exchange battery 21 comprises a front face 21a and a rear face 21b, opposite the front face 21a.

[0101] The front face 21a of the external heat exchanger battery 21 includes a fluid outlet manifold 25b and the rear face 21b of the external heat exchanger battery 21 includes a first row of fluid inlet tubes 26a.

[0102] As illustrated, the fluid outlet manifold 25b is connected by a second row of tubes 26b to the front face 21a side of said battery 21.

[0103] Similarly, the internal heat exchange battery 22 comprises a front face 22a and a rear face 22b, opposite the front face 22a.

[0104] The front face 22a of the internal heat exchange battery 22 includes a fluid inlet manifold 27a and the rear face 21b of said battery 22 includes a first row of fluid outlet tubes 28b.

[0105] As illustrated, the fluid inlet manifold 27a is connected to a second row of fluid inlet tubes 28a on the front face side 22a of the internal battery 22 of the assembly 20.

[0106] Each of the tubes in the first row of tubes 26a of the external battery 21 fluid inlet is connected to a tube in the first row of tubes 28b of the internal battery 22 fluid outlet by a corresponding conduit 29.

[0107] In the example illustrated on the figures 6A et 6B , the fluid to be condensed or cooled flows from the internal battery 22 to the external battery 21 and thus forms a heat exchange known as "counter-current" with respect to the air flow A passing through the heat exchanger assembly 20.

[0108] Alternatively, the fluid to be condensed or cooled could be provided for to flow from the external battery 21 to the internal battery 22 and thus form a heat exchange known as "co-current" with respect to the air flow A through the heat exchanger assembly 20. In this case, the tubes of the first row of tubes 26a would be fluid outlet tubes from the external battery 21 and the tubes of the first row of tubes 28b would be fluid inlet tubes.

[0109] The method of implementation of the figure 7 , in which the same elements bear the same references, differs from the implementation of the figure 2 , solely because one of the groups lacks media.

[0110] As illustrated on the figure 7 , each set of heat exchangers 20, 30 comprises two heat exchange batteries 21, 22; 31, 32 or heat exchangers arranged in parallel in the inner enclosure 13 of the casing 12 and two air humidification devices 40a, 24; 40b, 34 mounted in parallel and alternately with respect to the heat exchange batteries.

[0111] In other words, in the direction of the airflow set in motion by the fans 16, the adiabatic cooler / condenser 10 includes a first external air humidification device 40a, 40b, a first external heat exchange coil 21, 31, directly downstream of the first external air humidification device 40a, 40b, a second internal air humidification device 24, 34, directly downstream of the first coil 21, 31 and a second internal heat exchange coil 22, 32, directly downstream of the second internal air humidification device 24, 34.

[0112] Each of the first external air humidification devices 40a, 40b and the first associated external heat exchange battery 21, 31 form a first group and each of the second internal air humidification devices 24, 34 and the second associated internal heat exchange battery 22, 32 form a second group arranged downstream of the first group in the direction of airflow.

[0113] The first external air humidification device includes a spraying system, here in the form of a 40a, 40b spraying system comprising a plurality of spray nozzles configured to spray a humidifying fluid, for example water, directly onto the external face of the associated external battery 21, 31.

[0114] The first external air humidification device further includes a system 23c, 33c for recovering or collecting the humidification fluid sprayed by the associated spraying system 40a, 40b.

[0115] The first external air humidification device is media-free.

[0116] The second internal air humidification device includes a medium 24a, 34a or humidification element disposed upstream of the associated internal battery 22, 32 in the direction of the airflow set in motion by the fans 16.

[0117] The medium is usually made of absorbent material.

[0118] The second internal air humidification device further includes a fluid spraying system 24b, 34b, in this case, a system for spraying the media 24a, 24b with a humidifying fluid, for example, water. The spraying system 24b, 34b is positioned above the media 24a, 34a and configured to humidify said associated media.

[0119] Alternatively, the first external air humidification device could be provided to include a medium and a system for spraying said medium, and the second internal air humidification device could be devoid of media and include a system for spraying a humidification fluid directly onto the external face of the associated internal battery 22, 32.

[0120] Each of the air humidification devices 40a, 24; 40b, 34 is associated with a battery 21, 22; 31, 32.

[0121] Batteries 21, 22; 31, 32 are identical to the batteries described with reference to figures 2 à 6 and will not be described further here.

[0122] The method of implementation of the figure 8 , in which the same elements bear the same references, differs from the implementation of the figure 2 , solely by the fact that one of the groups in the first set of 20 heat exchangers is devoid of media and includes a fluid spraying system.

[0123] As illustrated on the figure 8 , the first set of heat exchangers 20 includes two heat exchange batteries 21, 22; 31, 32 or heat exchangers arranged in parallel in the inner enclosure 13 of the envelope 12 and two air humidification devices 23, 41a mounted in parallel and alternately with respect to the heat exchange batteries.

[0124] In other words, in the direction of the airflow set in motion by the fans 16, the adiabatic cooler / condenser 10 includes a first external air humidification device 23, a first external heat exchange coil 21, directly downstream of the first external air humidification device 23, a second internal air humidification device 41a directly downstream of the first coil 21 and a second internal heat exchange coil 22 directly downstream of the second internal air humidification device 41a.

[0125] The first external air humidification device 23 includes a medium 23a or humidification element disposed upstream of the external battery 21 in the direction of the airflow set in motion by the fans 16.

[0126] The medium is usually made of absorbent material.

[0127] The first external air humidification device further comprises a fluid spraying system 23b, here in the form of a system for spraying the medium 23a with a humidifying fluid, for example water, and a humidifying fluid recovery system 23c. The spraying system 23b is, here, arranged above the medium 23a and configured to humidify said associated medium.

[0128] The second internal air humidification device includes a spraying system, here in the form of a spraying system 41a comprising a plurality of spray nozzles configured to spray a humidifying fluid, for example water, directly onto the external face of the internal battery 22.

[0129] The second external air humidification device further includes a 24c system for recovering or collecting the humidification fluid sprayed by the spraying system 41a.

[0130] The second external air humidification device is media-free.

[0131] Alternatively, the second external air humidification device could be provided to include a medium and a system for spraying said medium, and the first internal air humidification device could be devoid of media and include a system for spraying a humidification fluid directly onto the external face of the external battery 21.

[0132] Each of the air humidification devices 23, 41a is associated with a battery 21, 22.

[0133] Batteries 21 and 22 are identical to the batteries described with reference to figures 2 à 6 and will not be described further here.

[0134] The second set of heat exchangers 30 is also identical to the second set of heat exchangers 30 with reference to the figures 2 à 6 and will not be described further here.

[0135] The method of implementation of the figure 9 , in which the same elements bear the same references, differs from the implementation of the figure 8 , solely by the fact that the batteries 21, 22 of the first set 20 of heat exchangers are not vertical and are here arranged in an inclined manner.

[0136] The method of implementation of the figure 10 , in which the same elements bear the same references, differs from the implementation of the figure 2 , solely by the fact that the groups of each set 20, 30 of heat exchangers are media-free and include a fluid spraying system.

[0137] As illustrated on the figure 10 , each of the first and second sets of heat exchangers 20, 30 comprises two heat exchange batteries 21, 22; 31, 32 or heat exchangers arranged in parallel in the inner enclosure 13 of the casing 12 and two air humidification devices 40a, 41a; 40b, 41b mounted in parallel and alternately with respect to the heat exchange batteries.

[0138] The first external air humidification device 40a; 40b and the first external heat exchange battery 21, 31 form a first group and the second internal air humidification device 41a, 41b and the second internal heat exchange battery 22; 33 form a second group arranged downstream of the first group in the direction of airflow.

[0139] The first external air humidification device includes a spraying system, here in the form of a 40a, 40b spraying system comprising a plurality of spray nozzles configured to spray a humidifying fluid, for example water, directly onto the external face of the associated external battery 21, 31.

[0140] The first external air humidification device further includes a system 23c, 33c for recovering or collecting the humidification fluid sprayed by the associated spraying system 40a, 40b.

[0141] The first external air humidification device is media-free.

[0142] The second internal air humidification device includes a spraying system, here in the form of a 41a, 41b spraying system comprising a plurality of spray nozzles configured to spray a humidifying fluid, for example water, directly onto the external face of the associated internal battery 22, 32.

[0143] The second external air humidification device further includes a system 24c, 34c for recovering or collecting the humidification fluid sprayed by the associated spraying system 41a, 41b.

[0144] The second external air humidification device is media-free.

[0145] Each of the air humidification devices 40a, 41a; 40b, 41b is associated with a battery 21, 22; 31, 32.

[0146] Batteries 21, 22; 31, 32 are identical to the batteries described with reference to figures 2 à 6 and will not be described further here.

[0147] The method of implementation of the figure 11 , in which the same elements bear the same references, differs from the implementation of the figure 10 , solely by the fact that the batteries 21, 22; 31, 32 of each set 20, 30 of heat exchangers are not vertical and are here arranged in an inclined manner with respect to the vertical direction, in order to form together a V shape.

[0148] Of course, the invention also covers any possibility of combining the embodiments together.

[0149] Thanks to the invention, the heat exchange of the adiabatic cooler / condenser is increased.

Claims

1. Adiabatic cooler or condenser (10) comprising at least one heat exchanger assembly (20; 30) through which an air flow (A1; A2) flows, and comprising at least one first group comprising a first heat exchanger (21; 31) wherein a fluid to be condensed or cooled is intended to circulate, and a first air humidification device (23; 33; 40a, 41a; 40b, 41b) arranged upstream of the first heat exchanger (21; 31), the adiabatic cooler or condenser being characterised in that the heat exchanger assembly comprising at least one second group is arranged either upstream or downstream of the first group comprising a second heat exchanger (22; 32) wherein a fluid to be condensed or cooled is intended to circulate, and a second air humidification device (24; 34; 40a, 41a; 40b, 41b) is arranged upstream of the second heat exchanger (22; 32), the heat exchanger assemblies (20; 30) being arranged in series in the air flow, each of the heat exchangers (21, 22; 31, 32) being delimited by a first face (21a, 22a) and a second face (21b, 22b) opposite to the first face (21a, 22a), characterised in that: - the first face (21a, 22a) of each of the heat exchangers (21, 22; 31, 32) comprises an inlet manifold (25a, 27a) of the fluid to be condensed or cooled, and a fluid outlet manifold (25b, 27b), - the first face (22a) of one of the heat exchangers (22; 32) comprises a first row of fluid inlet tubes (28a) connected to the inlet manifold (27a), and at least one second row of fluid outlet tubes (28b) connected to the outlet manifold (27b), - the first face (21a) of the other heat exchanger (21; 31) comprises a first row of fluid inlet tubes (26a) connected to the inlet manifold (25a), and at least one second row of fluid outlet tubes (26b) connected to the outlet manifold (25b), - each of the tubes in the second row of fluid outlet tubes (28b) of one of the heat exchangers (22; 32) is connected to a tube in the first row of fluid inlet tubes (26a) of the other heat exchanger (21; 31) via a conduit (29), or the inlet manifold (25a) of the other exchanger and the outlet manifold (27b) of said exchanger are connected by a conduit (29), - the second face (21b, 22b) of each of the heat exchangers (21, 22; 31, 32) comprises a plurality of tubes (26c, 28c) for the circuiting of the corresponding heat exchanger.

2. Adiabatic cooler or condenser (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first group and the second group are in contact with one another.

3. Adiabatic cooler or condenser (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid to be condensed or cooled is intended to circulate in one of the heat exchangers (22; 32) towards the other heat exchanger (21; 31), so as to form a countercurrent heat exchange with respect to the air flow (A1) passing through the heat exchanger assembly (20; 30).

4. Adiabatic cooler or condenser (10) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fluid to be condensed or cooled is intended to circulate in the other heat exchanger (21) towards one of the heat exchangers (22) so as to form a co-current heat exchange with respect to the air flow (A1) passing through the heat exchanger assembly (20; 30).

5. Adiabatic cooler or condenser (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the air humidification devices (23, 24; 33, 34) comprises at least one system (23b, 24b; 33b, 34b, 40a, 41a; 40b, 41b) for sprinkling an air humidification fluid.

6. Adiabatic cooler or condenser (10) according to claim 5, wherein the air humidification device (23, 24; 33, 34) of at least one of the groups further comprises a medium (23a, 24a; 33a, 34a) configured to humidify the air flow entering the heat exchangers (21, 22; 31, 32), and wherein the sprinkling system (23b, 24b; 33b, 34b) comprises a system for spraying said medium with a humidification fluid, said spraying system being disposed above the medium and configured to humidify said medium.

7. Adiabatic cooler or condenser (10) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the air humidification device (40a, 41a; 40b, 41b) of at least one of the groups is devoid of medium and wherein the sprinkling system (40a, 41a; 40b, 41b) further comprises a spraying system comprising at least one spraying nozzle configured to spray the humidification fluid directly onto the heat exchanger (21, 22; 31, 32) of said at least one of the groups.

8. Adiabatic cooler or condenser (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat exchangers (21, 22; 31, 32) of the heat exchanger assembly extend in a substantially vertical direction.

9. Adiabatic cooler or condenser (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the heat exchangers (21, 22; 31, 32) of the heat exchanger assembly extend along a direction substantially tilted with respect to a vertical direction.

10. Adiabatic cooler or condenser (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising two heat exchanger assemblies (20; 30) through each of which an air flow (A1; A2) flows.

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