Indirect evaporative cooling system

Abstract

Indirect evaporative cooling air conditioning device (1), comprising an air inlet; a plurality of plates (10), forming a stack (2), 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 by the effect of water evaporation, from the wet face, each plate extending along a longitudinal axis; the stack (2) is held in a cooling module (3), the cooling module is configured to be inserted into a base (4) and removed from the base.

Description

Title of the invention: Air conditioning device using indirect evaporative cooling Technical field

[0001] The technical field of the invention is an air cooling device by indirect evaporative cooling. PREVIOUS ART

[0002] Indirect evaporative cooling air coolers, also referred to as indirect adiabatic dew point coolers, have been known for several decades.

[0003] The principle of such coolers is shown schematically in [Fig. 1]. It is based on the use of an evaporative exchanger, within which the incoming air (dotted Dien arrow in [Fig.l]), is cooled, without humidification, potentially down to its dew point. The cooling is produced by a circulation of the air in contact with a Pb plate called a cooling plate, cooled by evaporation of water. 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 [Fig.l]. In [Fig.l], the dashed arrow corresponds to the air to be cooled, the mixed dashed arrow represents the cooled air or air in the process of cooling, the solid arrow corresponds to the air circulating in the humid channel, and the evaporation of which causes cooling of the plate. This nomenclature is retained on the application.

[0004] A portion of the cooled air, in contact with the dry face of the cooling plate, is evacuated, so as to cool a room: arrow D2. Another portion 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 D3. The air thus reinjected heats up, evaporating the water present on the wet face of the cooling plate: arrow D4. 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.

[0005] Compared to the most common air conditioning devices, 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, based on compression of a refrigerant. It is known that refrigerants can have harmful consequences on the environment.

[0006] Examples of indirect cooling devices have been described in WO2016134417 and in WO2022184871.

[0007] An important aspect of this type of device is the need to maintain a certain level of wetting, i.e. a certain quantity of water, along the wet faces, delimiting the wet channel, in contact with which the air can evaporate the water. The evaporation of water generates the cooling of the plate.

[0008] One difficulty is that the water, when evaporating, can cause fouling of the device, by the deposition of particles, for example mineral salts. The accumulation of particles can lead to fouling of the device, hindering the wetting of the plates.

[0009] Prolonged wetting of wet surfaces, coupled with a humid air temperature that may be high, can be conducive to bacterial development.

[0010] Another source of fouling is linked to dust contained in the air to be cooled. One possibility is to use filters at the air intake. But the use of such filters requires frequent changing to avoid clogging.

[0011] Beyond fouling, the device may undergo aging, under the effect of contact between water and certain components of the device, for example the plates, or under the effect of exposure to UV radiation. Statement of the invention

[0012] 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: - an air intake, intended to admit air to be cooled; - a plurality of plates, forming a stack, the plates being spaced from each other along a transverse axis, each plate comprising 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 evaporation of water, from the wet face;

[0013] the device being such that, in the stack: - two adjacent plates delimit a channel, the channel being: • either a dry channel, delimited by two dry faces of two adjacent plates, • either a wet channel, delimited by two wet faces 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; - each dry channel extends, along a longitudinal axis, between a hot 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; - each wet channel extends along the longitudinal axis, between a wet inlet and a wet outlet, the wet outlet being intended for evacuation of humidified air following the flow in the wet channel, the wet channel being configured so as to receive a portion of the air emerging from the dry channel;

[0014] the device being characterized in that: - the stack is held in a cooling module; - the cooling module is configured to be inserted into a base and removed from the base, the base defining a housing into which the cooling module can be inserted, the base being arranged to receive the air to be cooled and / or discharge the hot and humid air resulting from the stacking and / or discharge the cooled air.

[0015] According to one possibility: - the base defines a housing, the housing being intended to be occupied by the cooling module; - the housing is configured to allow translation of the cooling module within the housing, so as to insert the cooling module from the housing or remove the cooling module from the housing.

[0016] According to one possibility, the base defines different housings, each housing being configured to be occupied by the cooling module.

[0017] According to one possibility: - the base extends between a front face and a rear face; - when the cooling module is inserted into the base, the front face and / or the rear face form a stop to define a position of the cooling module in the base.

[0018] Preferably, each wetted face of a set of wetted faces of wet channels is coated with a capillary structure conducive to diffusion of water, by capillarity, along said wetted face.

[0019] The stacking can be such that: - each wet channel extends between a wet inlet and several wet outlets, distributed along the lateral axis; - wet outlets of different wet channels are aligned parallel to the transverse axis; - the stack comprises at least one closure wall, extending opposite wet outlets aligned along the transverse axis, the closure wall delimiting an evacuation chamber, configured to collect the wet air leaving each wet channel.

[0020] The base may comprise or be configured to be connected to a ventilation system, arranged to allow an entry of the air to be cooled into the dry channels and / or an extraction of the air resulting from the wet channels and / or the cooled air resulting from the dry channels.

[0021] The cooling module may comprise at least one bearing wall, the bearing wall being configured to bear on a seal when the cooling module is inserted into the base, the seal being disposed between the bearing wall and the base.

[0022] According to one possibility - the base has a front face and a back face; - the cooling module has a front support wall and a wall rear support, so that when the cooling module is inserted into the base: • the rear support wall is pressed against the rear face; • the front support wall is pressed against the front face; - a front seal is arranged between the front support wall and the front face; - a rear seal is arranged between the rear support wall and the rear face; • so as to ensure a seal between: - the cold outlets of the dry channels and an internal space, extending around the cooling module, between the front support wall and the rear support wall, and delimited by the base; - wet outlets of wet channels and internal space.

[0023] The front support wall and the rear support wall may be annular, and extend around the stack.

[0024] Another object of the invention is a method for cooling air in a room, using a device according to the first object of the invention, comprising: - actuation of the ventilation system, so as to: • admit the air to be cooled through the air intake of the device; • directing part of the cooled air, having flowed through a dry channel, into a wet channel; • extract another part of the cooled air, having flowed through the dry channel, towards the room; • extract the humid air emerging from each humid channel, outside the room; - wetting of the wetted faces of different plates of at least one stack of the device. FIGURES

[0025] [Fig.l] describes the principles of adiabatic cooling.

[0026] [Fig.2] shows an example of stacking plates, forming dry channels and wet channels.

[0027] [Fig.3A] shows a dry face of a plate.

[0028] [Fig.3B] shows a wet face of a plate.

[0029] [Fig.4] shows a top view of a wetted face of a plate.

[0030] Figures 5A to 5E show an example of a stack of plates. On the Figures 5A to 5E show the outlet, called the cold outlet, of each dry channel of the stack, as well as the inlet, called the wet inlet, of each wet channel.

[0031] [Fig.6A] represents a cooling module, supporting the stacks, facing a housing which it is intended to occupy in a base.

[0032] [Fig.6B] shows a base defining four housings.

[0033] [Fig.6C] shows the rear face of a base.

[0034] [Fig. 7] shows the stack shown schematically in Figures 5A to 5E. In [Fig. 7], we are facing the outlet, called the wet outlet, of each wet channel of the stack, as well as the inlet of each dry channel. PRESENTATION OF SPECIAL EMBODIMENTS

[0035] [Fig.2] shows a detail of a stack 2 of plates of a device which is the subject of the invention. The device is intended to blow cooled air into a room.

[0036] By room is meant an enclosure whose air is to be cooled. The room may be a room in a building, of the residential or industrial type, or a room in a means of transport, for example a cabin of a vehicle.

[0037] The geometry of the stack is similar to that described in application WO2022184871. Figure 2 shows four plates. 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 Pxy- Each plate extends, parallel to a longitudinal axis X, along a length i, and, parallel to a lateral axis Y, along a width h. The stack extends, parallel to the transverse axis Z, along a height h. The height h depends on the number of plates. The length / , the width i and the height h are shown in [Fig.5A]. The stack is delimited by a lower plate and an upper plate.

[0038] During operation of the device, the transverse axis Z is assumed to be vertical, oriented upwards, to within ± 30° or within ± 10°. This allows water to flow by gravity from the upper plate to the lower plate, as described below.

[0039] Each plate 10 has a wet face 10w and a dry face 10d. The faces respectively dry and wet of the same plate are opposite, in the sense that they are distant from 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.

[0040] The stack is such that the wet (respectively dry) faces of two consecutive plates face each other. Two wet faces 10w, facing each other, and belonging to two adjacent plates, delimit a wet channel 20w. Two dry faces 10d, facing each other, and belonging to two adjacent plates, delimit a dry channel 20d.

[0041] Each wetted face 10w is intended to be, as regularly as possible, wetted with water.

[0042] In [Fig.2], each plate has been assigned a rank n, n being a natural integer, n is incremented between two successive plates along the Z axis, in the opposite direction to the Z axis. Thus, the plates 10n, 10n+i, 10n+2 and 10n+3 have been represented. Each plate has a wet face, indicated by the index w, and a dry face, indicated by the index d. The wet faces 10n>w, 10n+ijW, of the respective plates 10n, 10n+i delimit a wet channel 20w. The dry faces 10n+i_d, 10n+2jd, of the respective plates 10n+i, 10n+2 delimit a dry channel 20d,. The wet faces 10n+2jW, 10n+3jW, of the respective plates 10n+2, 10n+3 delimit a wet channel 20w.

[0043] Thus, the stack is formed by alternating dry channels 20d and wet channels 20w. Each dry channel extends, along the longitudinal axis X, between a hot inlet 20djin, through which the hot air to be cooled flows, and a cold outlet 20djOUt. The ventilation system is configured to allow air to flow through the dry channels and the wet channels. The cold outlet 20djOUt may be intended to be connected to a cooled air outlet, configured to blow the cooled air into the room.

[0044] The air to be cooled is drawn or blown into the device by a ventilation system, not shown in [Fig. 2], through an inlet. The ventilation system comprises one or more fans. In the example of [Fig. 2], the air to be cooled is admitted parallel to a longitudinal axis X.

[0045] The ventilation system 2 is described in more detail in connection with Figures 6A to 6C

[0046] Each dry channel 20d is connected to an adjacent wet channel 20w by a fluid junction 20'. Each wet channel 20w extends, along the longitudinal axis X, between the fluid junction 20' and a wet outlet 20WjOUt. The fluid junction 20' is arranged between the hot inlet 20djin and the cold outlet 20djOUt, or at the cold outlet 20djOUt. The fluid junction 20' is advantageously closer to the cold outlet 20djOUt than to the hot inlet 20djin. Thus, considering the direction of flow air in the dry channel, the fluid junction 20' is arranged in the dry channel 20d, upstream of the cold outlet 20djOUt or at the cold outlet, the latter case corresponding to the example shown. The device 1 is such that under the effect of the ventilation system, a portion of the air flowing through a dry channel 20d is admitted into a wet channel 20w adjacent to it through the fluid junction 20'. The fluid junction 20' can 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 20' is formed at a longitudinal end of the plate. A portion of the cooled air is then drawn into at least one wet channel 20w adjacent to the dry channel 20d, at the cold outlet 20djOUt. The airflow rate flowing into the wet channel 20w is adjusted by the device's ventilation system.This is facilitated by the fact that the flow, in each dry channel, is preferentially carried out according to a laminar regime, the air speed being for example between 0.5 ms 1 and 3 ms i .

[0047] The fluid junction 20', coupled to the ventilation system, may be such that 50 to 75% of the air flow flows toward the cold outlet 20djOUt, while 25% to 50% of the air flow flows through the fluid junction, toward the wet channel 20w. It is noted that the air flow through each wet channel 20w, represented by solid arrows in [Fig. 2], is carried out in a direction opposite to the air flow in the dry channel adjacent to it, the latter being represented by a dashed arrow in [Fig. 2]. The device is thus configured to operate counter-currently. The cooled air, emanating from each dry channel, is represented by a dot-dash arrow.

[0048] In the following figures, the legend associated with the arrows, representing the flows, is identical: dashed arrow for dry air, mixed dashed arrows for cooled air, and solid line arrows for humid air.

[0049] The length / can be between 5 cm and 1 m, and preferably between 10 cm and 30 cm. The length / is preferably: - 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. - 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.

[0050] Two adjacent plates 10n, 10n+i 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.

[0051] [Fig.3A] shows two plates 10n, 10n+i according to a first embodiment. In [Fig.3A], the dry face 10d>n of the plate 10n can be seen. The respective wet faces 10w>n and 10w>n+i of the plates 10n, 10n+i delimit a wet channel 20w. The latter extends between a wet inlet 20Wjin and a wet outlet 20WjOUt. Each outlet 20WjOUt is formed at a notch 17 made on the plates. A notch corresponds to a localized reduction in the length of the plate. Between two successive notches, along the lateral axis, two successive plates delimiting a wet channel are joined to each other, which forms a wet partition 13. At each notch 17, the successive plates delimiting a wet channel 20w are spaced from each other, so as to define an opening 13' forming a wet outlet 20WjOUt. Such a configuration is described in more detail in application FR2207710.

[0052] Each plate is delimited by two lateral edges 11, 12 extending parallel to the longitudinal axis X, and spaced from each other along the lateral axis Y. At each lateral edge 11, 12, a wet channel is delimited by a first capillary structure 21. The first capillary structure 21 is formed by a first capillary material allowing diffusion of liquid, in this case water, by capillarity, as well as storage of said liquid. In this example, the liquid considered is water, which constitutes the preferred embodiment, without excluding the possibility of using another liquid.

[0053] The term capillary material designates a material permeable to a liquid, and allowing diffusion of the liquid by capillarity, which generates a capillary pumping phenomenon.

[0054] Each first capillary structure 21 extends along the entire lateral edge of the wet channel. The thickness of each first capillary structure, defined along the transverse axis Z, is preferably greater than 0.3 mm or 0.5 mm. Preferably, the thickness of each first capillary structure is less than 5 or 10 mm. The thickness range 0.5 mm - 5 mm is considered optimal. Preferably, the thickness of each first capillary structure 21 is such that the first capillary structure is in contact with the two wetted faces delimiting a wet channel.

[0055] The first capillary material has a capillary rise height of the order of a few centimeters. By capillary rise height is meant a height at which the water migrates, by capillary pumping, into the first capillary material held vertically.

[0056] [Fig.3B] shows an example of a wetted face 10w n+i of the plate 10n+i shown in [Fig.3A]. Along the lateral axis Y, each first capillary structure 21 extends with a width preferably between 1 mm and 30 mm, preferably between 3 mm and 10 mm. Each first capillary structure is intended to form a water buffer reservoir, at each wet channel. The fact that each first capillary structure forms a buffer reservoir makes it possible to avoid a continuous supply of water.

[0057] In this example, each first capillary structure 21 extends, along the longitudinal axis X, between two opposite longitudinal ends 21x. In the example shown, the water feeds each first capillary structure 21, by capillarity, from each longitudinal end 21x, according to the arrows Fh. The migration takes place parallel to the longitudinal axis X.

[0058] The water supply of the first capillary structures belonging to adjacent wet channels is described below, in connection with [Fig.5A]: the first capillary structures 21 of two adjacent wet channels, aligned along the Z axis, are in contact with each other, so as to allow circulation of water from one first capillary structure to the other, the contact between said first capillary structures forming a fluidic contact (or bridge).

[0059] The wetted face 10w>n+i is coated with a second capillary structure 22 here taking the form of a thin sheet. The second capillary structure 22 is arranged in contact with the plate 10n+i. The second capillary structure 22 extends from at least one first capillary structure 21. In the example shown in [Fig.3B], the second capillary structure 22 extends between the two first capillary structures 21, the latter forming the lateral borders of the wet channel. The thickness of the second capillary structure 22 is less than the thickness of each first capillary structure 21. Preferably, the thickness of the second capillary structure 22 is at least 2 times or 3 times less than the thickness of each first capillary structure 21. Thus, the thickness of the second capillary structure 22 is less than 1000 μm.The thickness of the second capillary structure 22 is preferably between 10 μm and a few hundred μm, for example between 10 μm and 400 μm. The second material may be a paper-type material, for example blotting paper or a non-woven or woven material. It is sufficiently thin to allow cooling of the plate under the effect of evaporation of the water soaking the second capillary structure. However, it is sufficiently thick to allow sufficient capillary pumping.

[0060] The capillary rise height of the second material is greater than the capillary rise height of the first material. The capillary rise height of the second material is preferably greater than 10 cm, or even greater than 20 cm or 30 cm.

[0061] Under the effect of capillary pumping, the water stored in each first capillary structure 21 migrates through the second capillary structure 22, along the wetted face. The migration of water through each second capillary structure 22 is shown by the arrows F2.

[0062] Thus, at the level of a wet channel, the migration of the liquid takes place: - along the longitudinal axis X, through each first capillary structure 21, from at least one longitudinal end 21x; - then from each first capillary structure 21, through the second capillary structure 22, along the wet face.

[0063] The amount of water evaporating from each second capillary structure is compensated by capillary pumping of the water stored in each first capillary structure. This makes it possible to maintain, along each wetted face, a sufficient amount of water to allow evaporation in the wet channel. This results in cooling of the plate, allowing cooling of the air circulating in the adjacent dry channel, according to the operating principle described in connection with [Fig.l]. However, by evaporating, deposits can accumulate, in particular within the second capillary structure, as described in the prior art. This results in fouling accumulating at each wetted face.

[0064] In [Fig. 4], the wet face is shown as described in connection with Figures 3A and 3B. The first two capillary structures 21 are distinguished, extending along the lateral edges 11, 12 of the plate, as well as a second capillary structure 22, extending between the first capillary structures, along the wet face.

[0065] At each dry channel, along each notch 17, the adjacent plates, delimiting the dry channel, join, forming a curved dry partition. Thus, a dry partition, closing a dry channel, extends between two wet outlets 20 WjOUt of two adjacent wet channels.

[0066] Closure walls 18, called wet closure walls, are applied against the stack of plates 10, facing each wet outlet. Each wet closure wall 18 makes it possible to collect the wet air leaving different wet channels. Thus, each wet closure wall 18 makes it possible to form an evacuation chamber 20, making it possible to collect the wet air resulting from wet channels, and to transport the wet air, in a sealed manner, facing the dry partitions, the latter being formed at the level of each notch.

[0067] [Fig.5A] represents a stack 2 of plates 10, alternately delimiting dry channels and wet channels. The stack is supported by a frame 2', part of which is shown in [Fig.5A]. The frame 2' and the stack form a cooling module 3.

[0068] In [Fig.5B], a detail of the stack is shown. The first three plates 10i, 102, 103 of the stack have been identified. The rank n assigned to each plate is lower the higher the plate is when the transverse axis is vertical. The plate 10i corresponds to the upper plate of the stack. Each longitudinal end 21x of a first capillary structure is connected to a longitudinal end of an adjacent first capillary structure by a fluid connection, for example by a simple contact. A water inlet makes it possible to wet the first structure ca upper pillar, that is to say the first capillary structure formed at the level of the wet channel delimited by the plates of the lowest rank (n = 1 and 2 when the first plates delimit a wet channel, or n = 2 and 3 when the first plates of rank 1 and 2 delimit a dry channel. The water migrates, by capillarity, along the first capillary structure 21, along the longitudinal axis. In addition, under the effect of gravity, the water migrates, from one end to the other, between the successive first capillary structures. Thus, the wetting of the first capillary structures is carried out: - along each first capillary structure 21, by capillarity, along the longitudinal axis X; - between the first capillary structures extending in two different wet channels, by the combined action of capillarity and gravity, along the transverse axis Z.

[0069] In [Fig.5C], the complete cooling module 3 is shown. The cooling module 3 defines water inlets 25, taking the form of a well, intended to be supplied with water. Each well 25 is in fluid contact with each first upper capillary structure. Each first upper capillary structure is wetted by the water flowing from the well 25 arranged directly above said first capillary structure. The water migrates by capillarity along the first capillary structure, as well as, by capillarity and gravity, towards the adjacent first capillary structure. The migration of the water towards the different first capillary structures is thus carried out by combining longitudinal diffusion and transverse diffusion.

[0070] The water inlet is connected to a water inlet, coming from outside the device. A portion of the water distributed at the water inlet may come from a receptacle connected to a water outlet 26.

[0071] In [Fig.5D], a detail of the upper part of the stack shown in [Fig.5C] is shown. The upper wet channel is delimited by the plates 101 and 102. The well 25 is supplied with water, so as to wet the first capillary structure arranged between the plates 101 and 102, then, step by step, the first capillary structures arranged between the plates 103 and 104, then 105 and 106....

[0072] [Fig.5E] shows the lower part of the stack. An orifice 26 allows the flow of excess water flowing from the first lower capillary structure, i.e. the first lowest capillary structure. The excess water can be collected in a receptacle. A pump, not shown, is configured to recover the water from the receptacle so as to re-supply the water inlet 25. The water supply to the water inlet 25 comprises water coming from outside the device, as well as water collected through the water outlet 26. It is noted that the excess water, collected in the receptacle, has not undergone evaporation. It is therefore not concentrated in insoluble impurities, such as minerals, present in the water. It can therefore be readmitted into the water inlet 25, without risk of clogging the device.

[0073] Due to its thickness, greater than the thickness of the second capillary structures 22 with which it is in contact, each first capillary structure 21 behaves as a buffer reservoir. Thus, a portion of the water intended for wetting the second capillary structures 22 is temporarily stored in the first capillary structures. This buffer storage function allows sequential supply of each water inlet 25.

[0074] The arrangement of the first capillary structures 21 and the second capillary structures 22 allows controlled wetting of each wetted face delimiting wet channels. The diffusion of water by capillarity, along the wetted faces, makes it possible to maintain sufficient wetting to allow effective cooling of the plates.

[0075] The supply of each water inlet 25 allows a renewal of the water circulating in the device. The water supply of the device can be sequential, thanks to the buffer storage function conferred by the first capillary structures 21. The surplus water is collected at the level of receptacles 26, and can be pumped to be directed towards the water inlet 25. As a result, the device does not have a water evacuation. This facilitates its implementation, by minimizing the installation constraints. This is particularly the case in individual housing.

[0076] According to one possibility, the first capillary structures 21 and the second capillary structures 22 are made of the same capillary material. In other words, the first capillary material is identical to the second capillary material. Preferably, at the lateral edges, the thickness of the capillary material is greater than its thickness along the wetted faces. This makes it possible to maintain a controlled humidity level along each wetted face. According to this possibility, the first capillary structure is formed by a first thickness of the capillary material. The second capillary structure is formed by a second thickness of the capillary material, less than the first thickness.

[0077] According to one possibility, the second capillary structure is formed by structuring each wetted face, for example by providing channels configured to allow capillary pumping.

[0078] Whatever the embodiment, at least one wetted face, or even each wetted face delimiting at least one wet channel, comprises a capillary structure making it possible, by capillary pumping, to maintain a quantity of water, as uniform as possible, and as constant as possible, along said wet face.

[0079] As mentioned in the prior art, under the effect of the evaporation of water, solid particles, for example mineral salts, can accumulate in the structure. capillary deposited along each wetted face. Such accumulation can compromise uniform distribution of moisture along the wetted faces. Given the small thickness of the wet channels, generally a few millimeters, individual plate replacement is not feasible.

[0080] The design of the device makes it possible to address this constraint. As shown in Figures 6A and 6C, the stack of plates is supported by the frame 2'. The cooling module 3 is configured to be inserted into a base 4. The base 4 is shown in Figures 6A to 6C. The base 4 designates a structure, preferably fixed, arranged to receive the air to be cooled and to evacuate the hot and humid air resulting from each stack. The base 4 is connected to the ventilation system 6. In the example shown, the ventilation system 6 comprises a first fan 6b allowing an admission of air to be cooled into the device 1. The base 4 comprises a second fan 62, shown in [Fig.6C], configured to evacuate the humid air emerging from the humid channels and the evacuation chambers 20.

[0081] The base 4 defines at least one housing 5. By housing, we mean a hollow cavity, in which a cooling module 3, supporting a stack of plates 2, can be inserted. In the example described in connection with Figures 6A to 6C, the base defines four different housings, each housing being distinct from one another. Thus, the base can receive four different modules. The base comprises the ventilation system 6 or is configured to be connected to the ventilation system 6.

[0082] The base 4 extends between a rear face 4r and a front face 4a. The front face and the rear face form faces on which the cooling module rests when it is inserted into the base. The front and rear faces extend from an annular casing 4C, extending around each housing intended to receive a cooling module. The front and rear faces form stops for defining the position of the cooling module in the housing 5.

[0083] The insertion of the cooling module 3 into the base 4 is carried out by translation. In the example shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, the cooling module 3 is translated into the base 4 by sliding on slides 9. The latter are arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis X, on either side of the housing intended to be occupied by the cooling module. The slides are provided in the base. The faces and rear form stops making it possible to block the translation of the cooling module.

[0084] According to other configurations, the translation of the cooling module 3 is carried out parallel to the transverse axis Z or parallel to the lateral axis Y.

[0085] [Fig.7] shows a view of the cooling module 3 facing the hot inlets 20djin of the dry channels 20d. The hot inlets 20djin are intended to receive the air to be cooled, the latter coming from the air intake of the device. At the level of each hot inlet 20djin, the plates delimiting each dry channel 20d are spaced apart from each other, so as to form an opening 15'. Between each opening 15', a dry partition is provided, along the notches 17, by contact between the plates delimiting the dry channel.

[0086] When the cooling module is inserted into the base 4, the hot inlets 20djin are arranged near the rear face 4r of the base 4. The hot and humid air, emerging from the humid outlets 20WjOUt, is collected by the second fan 62 to be discharged outside the room to be cooled. The cold outlet 20djOUt of each dry channel 20d is located near the front face 4a, so as to blow the cooled air into the room.

[0087] In order to maintain a seal between the cooled air and the hot air to be cooled, a front seal 7a and a rear seal 7r are interposed between the cooling module 3 and the base 4, respectively at the front face 4a and the rear face 4r. The front and rear seals have been shown in [Fig.6B]. On the cooling module 3, a front bearing surface 8a and a rear bearing surface 8r. bear respectively on the front seal 7a and the rear seal 7r when the cooling module is inserted into the base 4. Thus, when the cooling module is inserted into the base 4: - the front seal 7a is interposed between the front bearing surface 8a of the cooling module and the front face 4a of the base; - the rear seal 7r is interposed between the rear bearing surface 8r of the cooling module and the rear face 4r of the base

[0088] Prior to the introduction of the cooling module into the base, each joint is secured either to the base or to the cooling module.

[0089] Thus, when the cooling module is inserted into the base: - the front face is located near the cold outlet of various dry channels; - the rear face is located near the hot inlet of different dry channels; - the front face extends between the cold outlet of the dry channels and the rear face; - the rear face extends between the hot inlet of the dry channels and the front face; - the front support wall 8a rests on the front face 4a; - the rear support wall 8r rests on the rear face 4r - so as to ensure a seal between: • the cold outlet of the dry channels 20d and an internal space, extending around the stack 2, between the front face 4a and the rear face, and delimited by the envelope 4c formed by the base, around the stack. The internal space is occupied by the humid air emerging from the evacuation chambers 20, before the evacuation outside the room to be cooled by the second fan 62. The internal space extends between the cooling module and the base, being delimited by the front support wall and the rear support wall. It acts as a collector for the humid air emerging from evacuation chambers 20, upstream of the second fan 62. The term "upstream" is to be interpreted according to the direction of the air flow, during operation of the device. • the 20djin hot inlet of the dry channels and the internal space.

[0090] The front support wall 8a and the rear support wall 8r are preferably annular: they form a contour around the stack held in the chassis.

[0091] The cooling module can be fixed in the base 4 by fixing means 9', for example screws or nuts. The fixing means are reversible, so as to allow simple and manual removal of the cooling module 3 from the base 4.

[0092] An important aspect of the invention is that the cooling module 3, comprising the plates 10, can be easily removed from the base 4 to be replaced by a new cooling module. The replacement of the cooling module 3 is carried out regularly, when it is considered that the risk of fouling of the wet channels is high, or when aging under the effect of water or exposure to UV radiation is too pronounced. The replacement of the cooling module can be carried out for example every 2 or 3 years or 5 years. All or part of the removed cooling module can be recycled.

[0093] The design of the device is modular, each cooling module 3 being able to be inserted into a base 4. The number of housings 5 ​​formed in a base, and therefore the number of cooling modules that it is capable of receiving, depends on the required cooling power. The modular design simplifies the manufacture of the device, because the same cooling module can be inserted into bases of different shapes, dedicated to different applications: domestic application, application in industrial buildings or application in a means of transport.

[0094] Another notable advantage is that the base 4 and each cooling module 3 can be handled independently of each other. This makes it possible to limit the mass of the components to be handled, in particular during installation. Advantageously, during installation, the base is fixed to a host structure, for example a civil engineering structure. The cooling modules are then inserted one after the other into the base.

[0095] Preferably, the base 4 is configured so that the ventilation system 6 can simultaneously address different cooling modules. Thus, the first fan and the second fan allow the admission of hot air into several cooling modules and / or the extraction of hot and humid air from said cooling modules.

Claims

Claims

1. An 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 a stack (2), the plates being spaced from each other along a transverse axis (Z), each plate comprising a dry face (10d) opposite a wet face (10w), the wet face of each plate being configured to be wetted by water, each plate being intended to be cooled under the effect of evaporation of water, from the wet face; the device being such that, in the 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 (20w), delimited by two wet faces (10w) 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; - each dry channel (20d) extends, along a longitudinal axis (X), between a hot inlet (20djin), connected to the air intake, and a cold outlet (20djOUt), the cold outlet being intended for evacuation of cooled air following the flow of air in the dry channel; - each wet channel (20w) extends along the longitudinal axis, between a wet inlet (20Wjin) and a wet outlet (20WjOUt), the wet outlet being intended for evacuation of humidified air following the flow in the wet channel, the wet channel being configured so as to receive a portion of the air emerging from the dry channel; the device being characterized in that: - the stack is held in a cooling module (3); - the cooling module is configured to be inserted into a base (4) and removed from the base, the base defining a housing (5) into which the cooling module can be inserted, the base being arranged to receive the air to be cooled and / or discharge the hot and humid air resulting from the stacking and / or discharge the cooled air.

2. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: - the base defines a housing (5), the housing being intended to be occupied by the cooling module; - the housing is configured so as to allow translation of the cooling module inside the housing, so as to insert the cooling module from the housing or remove the cooling module from the housing.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the base defines different housings, each housing being configured to be occupied by the cooling module.

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: - the base (4) extends between a front face (4a) and a rear face (4r); - when the cooling module is inserted into the base, the front face and / or the rear face form a stop to define a position of the cooling module in the base.

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which each wetted face of a set of wetted faces of wet channels is coated with a capillary structure (22) conducive to diffusion of water, by capillarity, along said wetted face.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the stack is such that: - each wet channel extends between a wet inlet and several wet outlets, distributed along the lateral axis; - wet outlets of different wet channels are aligned parallel to the transverse axis; - the stack comprises at least one closure wall (18), extending opposite wet outlets aligned along the transverse axis, the closure wall delimiting an evacuation chamber (20), configured to collect the wet air leaving each wet channel.

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base comprises or is configured to be connected to a ventilation system, arranged to allow an entry of the air to be cooled into the dry channels and / or an extraction of the air resulting from the wet channels and / or of the cooled air resulting from the dry channels.

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling module comprises at least one bearing wall (8a, 8r), the bearing wall being configured to bear on a seal (7a, 7r) when the cooling module is inserted into the base, the seal being arranged between the bearing wall and the base.

9. Device according to claim 8, in which 1 - the base (4) comprises a front face (4a) and a rear face (4r); - the cooling module (3) comprises a front support wall (8a) and a rear support wall (8r), so that when the cooling module is inserted into the base: • the rear support wall 8r is pressed towards the rear face 4r; • the front support wall 8a is pressed towards the front face 4a; - a front seal (7a) is arranged between the front support wall and the front face; - a rear seal (7r) is arranged between the rear support wall and the rear face; • so as to ensure a seal between: - the cold outlets of the dry channels (20d) and an internal space, extending around the cooling module (3), between the front support wall and the rear support wall, and delimited by the base; - wet outlets of wet channels (20w) and internal space.

10. A device according to claim 9, wherein the front bearing wall and the rear bearing wall are annular, and extend around the stack.

11. A method of cooling air in a room, using a device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: - actuation of the ventilation system, so as to: • admit the air to be cooled through the air intake of the device; • directing part of the cooled air, having flowed through a dry channel, into a wet channel; • extract another part of the cooled air, having flowed through the dry channel, towards the room; • extract the humid air emerging from each humid channel, outside the room; - wetting of the wetted faces of different plates of at least one stack of the device.

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