Air conditioning device using indirect cooling by evaporation
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023764962
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-09-08
- Filing Date
- 2023-09-07
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-16
Smart Images
Figure 1.1
Abstract
Description
[0001] Description
[0002] Title: Indirect evaporative cooling air conditioning device
[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD
[0004] The technical field of the invention is an air cooling device by indirect evaporative cooling.
[0005] PREVIOUS ART
[0006] Indirect evaporative cooling air coolers, also known as indirect adiabatic dew point coolers, have been around for several decades.
[0007] The principle of such coolers is shown schematically in Figure 1. It is based on the use of an evaporative exchanger, in which the incoming air (dash-dotted arrow Fi in Figure 1) is cooled, without humidification, potentially down to its dew point. Cooling is produced by air circulation in contact with a plate Pi, called the cooling plate, cooled by water evaporation. The cooling plate has a dry face, in contact with which the air to be cooled flows, and a wet face, wetted by water, the water being symbolized by circles in Figure 1. In Figure 1, the dashed arrows represent the air that is cooled or is being cooled.
[0008] Part of the cooled air, in contact with the dry face of the cooling plate, is evacuated, so as to cool a room: arrow Fj. Another part of the cooled air is reinjected into the cooler and directed so as to flow in contact with the wet face of the cooling plate: arrow F3. The air thus reinjected heats up, evaporating the water present on the wet face of the cooling plate. This results in a drop in the temperature of the cooling plate. The air thus heated, loaded with humidity, is then evacuated outside the room.
[0009] Compared to the most common air conditioning systems, a notable advantage of such coolers is the absence of refrigerant. These devices only need to be powered by water. This results in a more favorable environmental balance than conventional air conditioners, which rely on compressing a refrigerant. It is known that refrigerants can have harmful consequences for the environment. An example of an indirect cooling system was described in WO2016134417. In this system, the air to be cooled flows through channels parallel to each other. The same is true for the air circulating through channels with wetted surfaces. However, the arrangement of coplanar channels, separated from each other, is not optimal in terms of pressure drop. Another example of an indirect cooling system was described in WO2014205204.
[0010] Outside the technical field of indirect cooling air conditioning, document GB2367886 describes a plate heat exchanger, allowing heat exchange between a cold fluid and hot air.
[0011] An example of an indirect evaporative cooling device has been described in application PCT / EP2022 / 055490 (WO2022184871). The invention described below is an improvement of this device, to optimize the air flow in the device and the compactness.
[0012] STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0013] A first object of the invention is an air conditioning device with indirect evaporative cooling, the device being intended to blow cooled air into a room, the device comprising:
[0014] - an air intake, intended to admit air to be cooled;
[0015] - a plurality of plates, forming a stack, the plates being spaced from each other along a transverse axis, each plate having a dry face opposite a wet face, the wet face of each plate being configured to be wetted by water, each plate being intended to be cooled under the effect of water evaporation, from the wet face, each plate extending along a longitudinal axis, between a first edge and a second edge, each edge forming one end of the plate in a plane perpendicular to the transverse axis; the device being such that, in each stack:
[0016] - two adjacent plates delimit a channel, the channel being:
[0017] • either a dry channel, delimited by two dry faces of two adjacent plates,
[0018] • either a wet channel, delimited by two wet faces of two adjacent plates;
[0019] - the plates are arranged so as to form an alternation between dry channels and wet channels, each dry channel being adjacent to a wet channel, two adjacent dry and wet channels respectively being connected by a fluid junction; - each dry channel extends, along the longitudinal axis, between an air inlet, connected to the air intake, and a cold outlet, the cold outlet being intended for the evacuation of cooled air following the flow of air in the dry channel;
[0020] - each wet channel extends along the longitudinal axis, between the fluid junction and a wet outlet, the wet outlet being intended for evacuation of humidified air following the flow in the wet channel; the device may be such that
[0021] - the wet outlets of each wet channel are distributed along a lateral axis, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis;
[0022] - the stack comprises several wet pipes, distributed along the lateral axis, each wet pipe being connected to several wet outlets of different respective wet channels of the stack, each wet pipe being configured to receive the humidified air emerging from different wet channels;
[0023] - the wet pipes from the stack open into the same wet collection chamber;
[0024] - the wet collection chamber opens into an exhaust opening, configured to exhaust the wet air collected in the wet collection chamber, the wet collection chamber extending between the wet pipes of the stack and the exhaust opening.
[0025] According to one possibility, the device comprises several wet collection chambers, each wet collection chamber being connected to one or more stacks, the respective discharge openings of the wet collection chambers opening into the same secondary collection chamber, so that the air emerging from each of said wet collection chambers is collected in the secondary collection chamber.
[0026] The device may comprise two adjacent stacks, each stack comprising a plurality of wet conduits, distributed along the lateral axis, each wet conduit being connected to a plurality of wet outlets of different respective wet channels of the stack, each wet conduit being configured to receive humidified air emerging from different wet channels. The wet collection chamber may extend between the two adjacent stacks.
[0027] According to one possibility,
[0028] - the device comprises two adjacent stacks along the transverse axis; the wet pipes of said two adjacent stacks open into the wet collection chamber.
[0029] According to one possibility:
[0030] - the device comprises two adjacent stacks, along the longitudinal axis, the adjacent stacks being arranged on either side of a central cavity;
[0031] - the two adjacent stacks are each connected to a wet collection chamber;
[0032] - the respective discharge openings of each of the wet collection chambers open into the central cavity, the central cavity forming the secondary collection chamber.
[0033] According to one possibility, each stack includes:
[0034] • a front part, comprising the air inlets of the dry channels and the wet outlets of the wet channels of the stack, as well as the wet pipes;
[0035] • a rear part, comprising the cold outlets of the dry channels of the stack.
[0036] The wet collection chamber may be configured to direct air from the front portion to the rear portion of the stack, with the exhaust opening emerging from the rear portion of the stack.
[0037] According to one possibility, each stack comprises
[0038] • a front part, comprising the air inlets of the dry channels and the wet outlets of the wet channels of the stack, as well as the wet pipes;
[0039] • a rear part, comprising the cold outlets of the dry channels of the stack;
[0040] • a longitudinal face, connecting the front part and the rear part.
[0041] The wet collection chamber may be configured to direct air from the front portion to the longitudinal face of the stack, with the exhaust opening extending across the longitudinal face of the stack.
[0042] According to one possibility, the device comprises a cold collection chamber, connected to the respective cold outlets of dry channels of the stack, the cold collection chamber being configured to collect the air emerging from each cold outlet.
[0043] According to one possibility:
[0044] - the stack is connected to at least several intake ducts, distributed along the lateral axis, each intake duct being connected to several dry inlets of different respective dry channels of the stack, each intake duct being configured to distribute the air to be cooled in different dry channels; - the intake ducts extend from the same intake chamber, the intake chamber forming the inlet for the air to be cooled.
[0045] According to one possibility:
[0046] - each wet pipe extends, perpendicular to the transverse axis, according to a cross-section;
[0047] - the or each wet collection chamber extends, perpendicular to the transverse axis, according to a cross-section;
[0048] - the cross-sectional area of the or each wet collection chamber is greater than the cross-sectional area of each wet pipe to which the or each wet collection chamber is connected.
[0049] FIGURES
[0050] Figure 1 describes the principles of adiabatic cooling.
[0051] Figure 2 shows an example of a stack of plates, forming dry channels and wet channels.
[0052] Figures 3A to 3J show a first embodiment of the invention.
[0053] Figures 4A to 4C show a second embodiment of the invention.
[0054] PRESENTATION OF SPECIAL EMBODIMENTS
[0055] Figure 2 shows a detail of a stack 30 of plates of a device which is the subject of the invention. The device is intended to blow cooled air into a room.
[0056] The geometry of the stack is similar to that described in application PCT / EP2022 / 0055490. The stack may comprise a few dozen or even hundreds of plates, for example between 30 and 1000 plates 10. The plates 10 are arranged parallel to each other, perpendicular to a transverse axis Z. Each plate 10 extends parallel to a plane P X Y- Each plate extends, parallel to a longitudinal axis X, along a length l, and, parallel to a lateral axis Y, along a width L. The stack extends, parallel to the transverse axis Z, along a height h. The height h depends on the number of plates.
[0057] Apart from the first and last plates, delimiting the device along a transverse axis Z, each plate 10 has a wet face 10 wand a dry face 10d. The dry and wet faces of the same plate are opposite, in the sense that they are distant from each other by the thickness of the plate. The thickness of each plate, along the Z axis, is as small as possible, taking into account the mechanical strength constraints. The thickness depends on the material forming the plate. The thickness can be between 10 μm and 1 mm, or even between 10 μm and 500 μm. The invention exploits the conduction of heat along the Z axis, through each plate 10.
[0058] A wet side 10 wis intended to be wetted with water as evenly as possible. The water may be placed directly on the plate, or indirectly, the plate comprising, at the wet face, a material, called wet material, soaked with water. This may, for example, be a material allowing water to be pumped by capillarity from a water supply. The material may, for example, comprise cellulose or a polymer structure. Wetting of a wet face may also be ensured by fluid channels, arranged along the wet face, and allowing water to be pumped by capillarity from the water supply. In the remainder of the description, the term plate includes a possible capillary structure formed or deposited on the plate.
[0059] The stacking is such that the wet (respectively dry) faces of two consecutive plates face each other. Two wet faces 10 w, facing each other, and belonging to two adjacent plates, delimit a wet channel 20 w . Two dry faces 10d, facing each other, and belonging to two adjacent plates, delimit a dry channel 20d. The channels, dry or wet, are delimited by two lateral uprights, not shown, extending along a plane XZ. The lateral uprights are spaced from each other by the width L of each plate, along the lateral axis Y.
[0060] Thus, the stack is formed by alternating between dry channels 20d and wet channels 20 w . Each dry channel extends, along the longitudinal axis X, between an air inlet 20d,in and a cold outlet 20d, O ut- The ventilation system is configured to allow airflow through both dry and wet channels. The cold outlet 20d, out may be intended to be connected to a cooled air exhaust, configured to blow the cooled air into the room.
[0061] The air to be cooled is drawn into the device by a ventilation system, not shown in Figure 2, through an inlet. The ventilation system comprises one or more fans. In the example in Figure 2, the air to be cooled is admitted parallel to a longitudinal axis X.
[0062] Each dry channel 20d is connected to a wet channel 20 w adjacent by a fluid junction 21. Each wet channel 20 w extends, along the longitudinal axis X, between the fluid junction 21 and a wet outlet 20 w , ou t. The fluid junction 21 is arranged between the air inlet 20dj n and the cold output 20d, ou t, or at the cold outlet 20d, ou t- The fluid junction 21 is advantageously closer to the cold outlet 20d,ou t than the air inlet 20d,in. Thus, considering the direction of air flow in the dry channel, the fluid junction 21 is arranged in the dry channel 20d, upstream of the cold outlet 20d, ou t or at the cold outlet. The device 1 is such that under the effect of the ventilation system, part of the air flowing through a dry channel 20d is admitted into a wet channel 20 w being adjacent to it through the fluid junction 21. The fluid junction 21 may be formed by a simple opening made in the plate separating the wet channel from the dry channel. In the examples shown, the fluid junction 21 is formed at a second edge, forming a longitudinal end of the plate. A portion of the cooled air is then sucked into at least one wet channel 20 w adjacent to the dry channel 20d, at the level of the cold outlet 20d, O ut-The air flow rate flowing in the wet channel 20 wis adjusted by the device's ventilation system. This is facilitated by the fact that the flow, in each dry channel, is preferably carried out according to a laminar regime, the air speed being for example between 0.5 ms 1 and 3 m.s' i
[0063] The fluid junction 21, coupled to the ventilation system, may be such that 50 to 75% of the air flow flows towards the cold outlet 20d, ou t, while 25% to 50% of the air flow flows through the fluid junction, towards the wet channel 20 w . Note that the airflow through each wet channel 20 w is carried out in a direction opposite to the air flow in the adjacent dry channel. The device is thus configured to operate counter-currently.
[0064] The length l can be between 5 cm and lm, and preferably between 10 cm and 30 cm. The length l is preferably:
[0065] - less than the width L, for example at least 1.5 times less, or even at least 2 times less or at least 3 times less than the width L.
[0066] - and / or lower than the height h, for example at least 1.5 times lower, or even at least 2 times lower or at least 3 times lower than the height h.
[0067] Two adjacent plates 10 are spaced apart from each other, parallel to the Z axis, by a distance preferably less than 2 cm, or even less than 1 cm or 0.5 cm. The spacing between two adjacent plates can advantageously be between 0.5 mm and 2 mm.
[0068] In the example shown, each plate is flat. According to possible variants, the edges of two adjacent plates can move closer to or further apart. The movement of two adjacent plates towards and away from each other makes it possible to form openings and partitions respectively. An example of plate movement is described in connection with Figure 3A.
[0069] Each plate 10 comprises openings 11, extending around an axis parallel to the transverse axis Z. The first openings 11 are preferably arranged near the same longitudinal edge of each plate. By longitudinal edge (or end) is meant one of the edges of the plate 10 along the longitudinal axis X. By proximity is meant at a distance preferably less than 5 cm from an edge of the plate perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X. The first openings 11 are made closer to the air inlet 20d,in than to the cold air outlet 20d,O ut- In the example shown in Figures 2A to 2E, each light 11 forms a wet outlet 20 w ,out of a wet channel 20 w .
[0070] Two first lights 11 respectively formed on two adjacent plates 10 delimiting the same wet channel 20 w open into the latter. Thus, a wet channel 20 w is in fluid communication with at least one first lumen 11. Two first lumens 11, respectively formed on two adjacent plates, delimiting the same dry channel 20d, and aligned along the evacuation axis, are connected to each other by a sealed wall 15, crossing the dry channel and forming a wet pipe. The sealed wall is tubular, around the evacuation axis. The stack is arranged so that different sealed walls are aligned around an axis parallel to the transverse axis. Each alignment forms a wet pipe 17.
[0071] Each tubular watertight wall 15 passing through a dry channel 20d can be obtained by a watertight seal, or by a local approximation of the walls delimiting the dry channel, as shown in FIG. 3A.
[0072] Figures 3A to 3J show a first example embodiment of a device according to the invention. Figure 3A shows a part of a stack 30 of plates 10. Figure 3A is a 3D representation from a torque plane parallel to the transverse axis Z and the lateral axis Y. The plates 10 of the stack 30 alternately delimit dry channels 20d and wet channels 20 w . The dry channels 20d comprise watertight walls 15. Each watertight wall 15 passing through a dry channel is obtained by locally bringing together the two plates delimiting said channel. In this example, the plates delimiting each dry channel are placed in contact with each other, which forms the watertight wall 15.
[0073] Figure 3B is an enlarged view of the stack shown in Figure 3A. Three wet pipes 17 are distinguished, distributed along the lateral axis Y. Each wet pipe is connected to several wet outlets of different respective wet channels of the stack. Each wet pipe receives the humidified air emerging from different wet channels
[0074] Figure 3C shows two adjacent stacks 30i, 30 s identical to the stack 30 shown in Figures 3A and 3B. The stacks 30 i; 30 s extend, along the transverse axis Z. A wet collection chamber 35 extends between the stacks 30 i;30s. The wet collection chamber 35 is intended to receive the wet air flowing through different wet pipes 17 of at least one stack. In the example shown in FIG. 3C, the wet collection chamber 35 comprises inlet openings 37 and an outlet opening 39. Each inlet opening 37 is connected to a wet pipe 17. Thus, the inlet openings are distributed along the lateral axis Y. Each wet pipe 17 opens onto an inlet opening 37.
[0075] In this embodiment, each stack comprises several wet conduits 17, distributed along the lateral axis Y. Each wet conduit 17 is connected to several wet outlets of different respective wet channels of the stack. Each wet conduit is configured to receive the humidified air emerging from different wet channels. The wet collection chamber 35 extends between the two adjacent stacks. Thus, the wet conduits 17 of the two adjacent stacks open into the wet collection chamber. The wet collection chamber 35 opens onto the discharge opening 39. The latter is configured to discharge the wet air collected in the wet collection chamber 35. Thus, the wet collection chamber 35 extends between the wet conduits of the stack 17 and the discharge opening 39.
[0076] Each wet pipe 17 extends, in a plane perpendicular to the transverse axis Z, according to a cross-section. Similarly, the wet collection chamber 35 extends, in a plane perpendicular to the transverse axis Z, according to a cross-section. The cross-section of the wet collection chamber 35 is greater than the cross-section of each wet pipe 17. Preferably, the cross-section of the wet collection chamber 35 is equal, or at least equal to the cumulative cross-sections of each wet pipe to which it is connected. This limits the pressure loss.
[0077] In the example shown in Figure 3C, the wet collection chamber is delimited, along the transverse axis Z, by a lower wall 35j and an upper wall 35 s The wet collection chamber has inlet openings 37 provided on the lower wall 35j and on the upper wall 35 s. The intake openings on the bottom wall collect the humidified air from the wet pipes 17 of the lower stack 30j. The intake openings on the top wall collect the humidified air from the wet pipes 17 of the upper stack 30 s . In Figure 3D, the upper face 35 is shown. s of the wet collection chamber 35.
[0078] As shown in Figure 3E, each stack 30 extends between a front face 30f and a rear face 30 r. The front and rear faces are opposite each other. The front and rear faces extend parallel to the longitudinal axis Y and the transverse axis Z. The front and rear faces are connected by two lateral faces 30|. Each lateral face 30i extends along the transverse axis Z and the longitudinal axis X. The inlet of each dry channel and the outlet of each wet channel open onto the front face. The wet conduits 17 extend along the front face. The wet collection chamber extends from the front face to the rear face. The discharge opening 39 opens from the rear face. In Figure 3E, only the plates extending at the ends of the stack are shown on each stack. The same is true for Figures 3F to 3J.
[0079] The cooled air emerges from each dry channel, at the rear face 30 r of each stack.
[0080] Figure 3F shows different stacks 30 a, 30d, 30 s forming a first part IA of a device 1. As described in connection with Figure 3E, the stacks 30j, 30 s are adjacent stacks along the transverse axis Z. A first wet collection chamber 35i is arranged between the two stacks 30j and 30 s A second wet collection chamber 352 is arranged between the two stacks 30i and 30 a . In the example shown, the stack 30j is segmented into two halves. The humid air emerging from a first half of the humid channels, closest to the first humid collection chamber 35i, propagates towards the latter. The humid air from a second half of the channels, closest to the second humid collection chamber 352, propagates towards the latter. In Figure 3F, the flow of humid air, through the stacks, has been shown by straight arrows.
[0081] It is understood that within the 30j stack, the direction of flow of the humid air emerging from each humid channel depends on the relative position of the humid channel with respect to the collection chambers coupled to the stack. Such a configuration makes it possible to reduce the pressure drop resulting from the flow of humid air through the humid pipes. Indeed, the distance between each outlet of a humid channel and the humid collection chamber is less than or equal to half the height h of the stack. If the humidified air emerging from all the humid channels flowed towards the same humid collection chamber, the distance between each outlet of a humid channel and the humid collection chamber could be between h / 2 and h for the most distant channels. This would lead to an increase in the pressure drop, which would result in a higher energy consumption of the device's ventilation system.In the configuration shown in Figure 3F, the maximum distance traveled by humid air, between an outlet of a humid channel and the humid collection chamber, is less than or equal to h / 2.
[0082] In Figure 3F, a secondary collection chamber 40 is also shown. The secondary collection chamber 40 is connected to several wet collection chambers. In Figure 3F, the secondary collection chamber 40 is connected to the first wet collection chamber 35i and to the second wet collection chamber 352. The secondary collection chamber 40 has different inlet openings 41, each inlet opening being configured to be connected to an outlet opening 39 of a wet collection chamber 35. The secondary collection chamber 40 has an outlet opening 42. The outlet opening 42 allows for evacuation of air having flowed through the secondary collection chamber 40.
[0083] Thus, each stack 30 is coupled to at least one wet collection chamber 35. And different wet collection chambers 35 are associated with the same secondary collection chamber. This arrangement allows a certain homogenization (within ± 10% or ± 20%) of the air flow in each wet column, and consequently, in each wet channel. This is due to the fact that the pressure drop seen by the wet air propagating in each wet channel is relatively homogeneous in the different wet channels.
[0084] In Figure 3G, an inlet 51 of an evacuation chamber 5 described later is shown. The inlet 51 is connected to the evacuation opening 42.
[0085] Figure 3H shows the device 1, comprising the first part IA, described in connection with Figures 3F and 3G, as well as a second part IB. The stacks 30 forming the first part IA are adjacent, along the longitudinal axis X, to the stacks 30 forming the second part IB. The device comprises a central cavity 2, extending between the stacks respectively forming the parts IA and IB. The parts IA and IB are symmetrical with respect to a plane parallel to the lateral axis Y and to the transverse axis Z, and passing into the central cavity 2, at an equal distance from the parts IA and IB. Within the same part, each stack 30 is connected at least to one humid collection chamber 35. The secondary collection chamber 40 extends into the central cavity 2. The secondary collection chamber 40 is configured to collect the humid air resulting from the humid collection chambers 35.The arrangement of the secondary collection chamber in the central cavity, between stacks forming the first and second parts IA, IB, allows for a gain in compactness.
[0086] The cooled air discharges from each stack into the central cavity 2. The central cavity 2, around the secondary collection chamber 40, forms a cold collection chamber, connected to the respective cold outlets of dry channels of each stack. The cold collection chamber is configured to collect the air discharged from each cold outlet.
[0087] Figure 31 shows the first part 1A of the device previously described, connected to an evacuation chamber 5. The evacuation chamber 5 extends between an interface 51, connected to the secondary collection chamber 40, and an evacuation duct 52. The evacuation chamber comprises a fan 50, ensuring the flow of humid air successively through the humid conduits 17, the humid collection chambers 35, the secondary collection chamber 40 and the evacuation chamber 5.
[0088] Figure 3J shows the device described in connection with Figures 3F to 3H. An intake chamber 3 is shown, allowing the intake of air to be cooled towards the inlet of the dry channels 20. <j, ainsi qu'un collecteur de sortie 6, configuré pour diriger l'air refroidi collecté dans la cavité centrale 2 vers la pièce à refroidir. Le collecteur de sortie comporte un ventilateur 60, de façon à insuffler l'air refroidi dans une pièce à refroidir.
[0089] Figures 4A to 4C represent a device 1' according to a second embodiment. The device comprises stacks, extending between a front face 1f and a rear face 1r. Figure 4A represents the exterior of the device 1'. Figure 4B represents a sectional view in a plane passing through the transverse axis Z and the lateral axis Y. The general structure of the device according to the second embodiment is similar to that of the device according to the first embodiment. The device is divided into two symmetrical parts 1A, 1B. Each part comprises stacks aligned along the transverse axis and separated from each other by a wet collection chamber 35. Each stack comprises a succession of dry channels and wet channels. The sectional plane passes through the wet conduits 17 which collect the wet air emerging from each wet channel. Each stack 30 is arranged between two collection chambers 35.
[0090] As described in connection with the first embodiment, within each stack, the humid air flows in two opposite directions toward the nearest humid collection chamber 35. In Figure 4B, the flow of the humid air is shown by straight arrows. This makes it possible to limit the pressure drop, as described in connection with Figure 3F.
[0091] At the outlet of each wet pipe 17, the wet air propagates inside a collection chamber 35, up to an evacuation opening 39. Unlike the previous embodiment, the wet collection chamber 35 is configured to direct the air from the towards the longitudinal face 30| of the stack. Each evacuation opening 39 extends on the longitudinal face 30i of a stack.
[0092] The device comprises a first part IA and a second part IB. The respective stacks of each part 30 are aligned along the longitudinal axis Z. A central cavity 2 extends between the two parts IA, IB. Two adjacent stacks, along the lateral axis Y, belonging respectively to two different parts, are separated by the central cavity. The central cavity acts as a secondary collection chamber 40. The latter is connected to the wet collection chambers 35 of each stack. The secondary collection chamber opens onto an evacuation chamber 5, taking the form of a conduit. The circulation of the wet air successively in the wet pipes 17, the wet collection chambers 35 and the secondary collection chamber 40, is controlled by a fan 50.
[0093] In Figure 4B, each stack comprises a solid middle plate 32, closing the wet pipes 17. In each pipe, the propagation of the wet air resulting from the wet channels is carried out from the middle plate 32 towards the intake openings 37. The middle plate 32 also provides a mechanical holding function for each stack. It is inserted into notches made in the lateral face 30i of the stacks.
[0094] In Figure 4C, the rear face l is shown r and the front face lf of the device l'. The front face allows the admission of air to be cooled, by means of an intake chamber 3. The intake chamber forms the inlet of air to be cooled. The rear face allows a flow of cooled air, opening dry channels.
[0095] The second embodiment is particularly suitable for a configuration in which the rear face of the device is arranged against a wall. This makes it possible to obtain a device whose size, along the longitudinal axis X, is reduced.
[0096] According to one variant, the device may be such that at least one stack is connected to at least several intake ducts, distributed along the lateral axis Y. Each intake duct is connected to several inlets of different respective dry channels of the stack. Each intake duct is configured to distribute the air to be cooled into different dry channels. According to such a variant, the intake ducts connected to the stack extend from the same intake chamber, the intake chamber forming the inlet for the air to be cooled. The invention allows optimized management of air flows, in particular humid air, by limiting pressure losses. It thus allows a certain homogenization of the air flow circulating in the channels of the stacks. It also makes it possible to propose compact devices, or devices whose geometry is adapted to a particular use.
Claims
CLAIMS 1. Indirect evaporative cooling air conditioning device (1), the device being intended to blow cooled air into a room, the device comprising: - an air intake, intended to admit air to be cooled; - a plurality of plates (10), forming at least one stack (30), the plates of the stack being spaced from each other along a transverse axis (Z), each plate comprising a dry face (10d) opposite a wet face (10 w), the wet face of each plate being configured to be wetted by water, each plate being intended to be cooled under the effect of water evaporation, from the wet face, each plate extending along a longitudinal axis, between a first edge and a second edge, each edge forming one end of the plate in a plane perpendicular to the transverse axis; the device being such that, in each stack: - two adjacent plates delimit a channel, the channel being: • either a dry channel (20d), delimited by two dry faces (10d) of two adjacent plates, • either a wet channel (20 w ), delimited by two wet faces (10 w ) of two adjacent plates; - the plates are arranged so as to form an alternation between dry channels and wet channels, each dry channel being adjacent to a wet channel, two adjacent dry and wet channels respectively being connected by a fluid junction (21); - each dry channel (20d) extends, along the longitudinal axis (X), between an air inlet (20d,in), connected to the air intake, and a cold outlet (20d, ou t), the cold outlet being intended for the evacuation of cooled air following the flow of air in the dry channel; - each wet channel (20 w ) extends along the longitudinal axis, between the fluid junction (21) and several wet outlets (20 w ,out), each wet outlet being intended for evacuation of humidified air following the flow in the wet channel; the device being characterized in that, for each stack: - the wet outlets of each wet channel are distributed along a lateral axis (Y), perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis; - the stack comprises several wet pipes (17), distributed along the lateral axis, each wet pipe being connected to several wet outlets of different channels respective wet channels of the stack, each wet conduit being configured to receive humidified air emerging from different wet channels; - the wet pipes of the stack open into the same wet collection chamber (35); - the wet collection chamber opens onto an evacuation opening (39), configured to evacuate the wet air collected in the wet collection chamber, the wet collection chamber extending between the wet pipes (17) of the stack and the evacuation opening; and in that the device comprises two adjacent stacks, the wet collection chamber extending between the two adjacent stacks. Device according to claim 1, comprising several wet collection chambers (35), each wet collection chamber being connected to one or more stacks (30), the respective evacuation openings of the wet collection chambers opening into the same secondary collection chamber (40), so that the air emerging from each of said wet collection chambers is collected in the secondary collection chamber. Device according to claim any one of the preceding claims, wherein: - the device comprises two adjacent stacks along the transverse axis; - the wet pipes of said two adjacent stacks open into the wet collection chamber. Device according to any one of claims 2 or 3 in which: - the device comprises two adjacent stacks, along the longitudinal axis, the adjacent stacks being arranged on either side of a central cavity (2); - the two adjacent stacks are each connected to a wet collection chamber; - the respective discharge openings of each of the wet collection chambers open into the central cavity, the central cavity forming the secondary collection chamber. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each stack comprises: • a front part, comprising the air inlets of the dry channels and the wet outlets of the wet channels of the stack, as well as the wet pipes; • a rear part, comprising the cold outlets of the dry channels of the stack; and wherein the wet collection chamber is configured to direct air from the front portion to the rear portion of the stack, the exhaust opening opening from the rear portion of the stack.
6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each stack comprises • a front part, comprising the air inlets of the dry channels and the wet outlets of the wet channels of the stack, as well as the wet pipes; • a rear part, comprising the cold outlets of the dry channels of the stack; • a longitudinal face, connecting the front portion and the rear portion; and wherein the wet collection chamber is configured to direct air from the front portion to the longitudinal face of the stack, the discharge opening extending across the longitudinal face of the stack.
7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a cold collection chamber, connected to the respective cold outlets of dry channels of the stack, the cold collection chamber being configured to collect the air emerging from each cold outlet.
8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which: - the stack is connected to at least several intake ducts, distributed along the lateral axis, each intake duct being connected to several dry inlets of different respective dry channels of the stack, each intake duct being configured to distribute the air to be cooled in different dry channels; - the intake ducts extend from a single intake chamber, the intake chamber forming the air inlet to be cooled.
9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which: - each wet pipe extends, perpendicular to the transverse axis, according to a cross-section; - the or each wet collection chamber extends, perpendicular to the transverse axis, according to a cross-section; - the cross-sectional area of the or each wet collection chamber is greater than the cross-sectional area of each wet pipe to which the or each collection chamber is connected.