Membrane-based air conditioning systems

Abstract

An air conditioning (AC) system is provided that uses a sulfonated copolymer (SC) layer as a selectively permeable ion exchange membrane. The sulfonated block copolymer has an IEC greater than 0.5 meq / g. In embodiments, the sulfonated block copolymer is used to form the membrane itself or to bond / coat onto a membrane or foam. In embodiments, the AC uses an electric field across a membrane in a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) or dehumidifier to transport moisture, producing a dry air stream, along with an evaporative cooler for latent heat removal via evaporative induced cooling of the dry air stream from the dehumidifier. The system operates as a closed loop, where cooled room air is recirculated or looped back through the dehumidifying MEA to produce dry air for the evaporative cooler and conditioned air.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 913,421, filed October 10, 2019, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 935,305, filed November 14, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 966,011, filed January 26, 2020, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to air conditioners and air dehumidifiers that include sulfonated copolymer membranes. [Background technology]

[0003] Conventional coolers based on heat removal by water evaporation are of two types: (1) large cooling towers for cooling large spaces, which provide indirect evaporative cooling but cannot be easily scaled down due to infrastructure size requirements, and (2) air coolers, which provide direct evaporative cooling by humidifying the surrounding environment but do not work well in high-humidity environments due to humidity saturation issues.

[0004] Traditional refrigerant-based air conditioning (A / C) systems provide indirect cooling by exchanging heat with process air through cyclical refrigerant condensation and evaporation cycles. AC is inefficient due to condensation resulting from a temperature drop in the process air, which counteracts the system's cooling efficiency. Dehumidification is often the primary function of refrigerant-based systems, which often include an air heating cycle after the dehumidification step, limiting air temperature distribution and further reducing system efficiency.

[0005] Prior art dehumidification systems based on desiccant wheels or refrigeration cycles have very high energy requirements for dehumidifying the moist air, regenerating the desiccant, and operating the refrigeration cycle.

[0006] As climate change causes various environmental problems, especially with increasing demand for air conditioning, there is a need for more energy-efficient air conditioning devices for cooling and dehumidifying homes, offices, factories, etc., because the current state of technology is energy intensive and results in high carbon emissions at the energy generation level. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to an AC system including either a dehumidification unit or an evaporative cooling unit, or both, wherein the dehumidification unit and the evaporative cooling unit comprise a selectively permeable ion-exchange polymer-based membrane assembly. The membrane assembly can contain primarily, if not entirely, a sulfonated copolymer (SC), or can be prepared as an SC-based composite material with other materials, such as foam. The SC preferably has an IEC greater than 0.5 meq / g. In an embodiment, the humidification unit uses a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) including a pair of electrodes. Applying a voltage to the MEA allows moisture from the air to diffuse from the inlet side to the outlet side of the MEA. The selectively permeable ion-exchange polymer-based membrane is permeable to moisture from the air but not to other air components, so that dehumidified air is produced after the MEA extracts moisture from the humid air. The selectively permeable ion-exchange polymer-based membrane in the evaporative cooling unit functions as a water evaporation medium, and water molecules present within the membrane evaporate as they absorb latent heat from the warm air passing through it, resulting in cooling of the airflow. The air conditioning system operates as a closed loop, with the room air looping back to the dehumidifying and evaporative cooling unit for another round of cooling and dehumidification.

[0008] The evaporative cooling unit includes an air intake, one or more selectively water-permeable high ion exchange capacity membrane assemblies, a water source for supplying water to the membranes that function as the evaporative medium, one or more fans with fan blades that can be coated with the selectively permeable membranes, and air return. The dehumidification unit includes one or more selectively water-permeable high ion exchange capacity membranes, a pair of electrodes positioned on two opposing sides of the membrane, a power supply for generating a voltage between the electrodes, and dehumidified air return. The dehumidification unit can be used to dehumidify air with a relative humidity (RH) of at least 10%. The electrodes can incorporate materials including metals, metal oxides, organometallic compounds, and inorganic and organic compounds. The electrodes may also include one or more particles or components in the form of, for example, carbon cloth, woven and nonwoven conductive materials, nanotubes, nanosheets, or nanoparticles.

[0009] In another aspect, the selectively water-permeable high ion exchange capacity membrane allows proton exchange across the membrane and has an ion exchange capacity of greater than 0.5 meq / g. The membrane can include one or more SC layers having a thickness of about 5 microns to about 500 microns. In other embodiments, the SC can have a degree of sulfonation of at least 25%. In certain embodiments, the membrane is made primarily of at least one sulfonated polymer or copolymer. The membrane can provide antibacterial properties.

[0010] In embodiments, the sulfonated copolymer can have any of the following configurations: ABDBA, ADBDA, (ADB) n A, (ABD) n A, (ABD) n X, and (ADB) nThe X. A block is preferably essentially free of sulfonic acid or sulfonate ester functional groups and is selected from one or more of polymer units of (i) para-substituted styrene monomers, (ii) ethylene, (iii) alpha olefins of 3 to 18 carbon atoms, (iv) 1,3-cyclodiene monomers, (v) monomers of conjugated dienes having a vinyl content of less than 35 mole percent before hydrogenation, (vi) acrylic acid esters, (vii) methacrylic acid esters, and (viii) mixtures thereof, wherein n is an integer from 2 to about 30, and X is a coupling agent residue.

[0011] The B block can contain from about 10 to about 100 mole percent sulfonic acid or sulfonate ester functional groups, based on the number of monomer units, and comprises segments of one or more polymerized vinyl aromatic monomers, where n is an integer from 2 to about 30, and X is a coupling agent residue. The D block can contain a hydrogenated polymer or copolymer of a conjugated diene selected from isoprene and 1,3-butadiene and mixtures thereof, where n is an integer ranging from 2 to about 30, and X is a coupling agent residue.

[0012] Alternative permselective ion exchange materials that can be used in this application include perfluorinated and sulfonated polymers, or sulfonated block polymers with an (ABA)n structure.

[0013] The evaporative cooling components of air conditioners can be surface coated with selectively permeable materials, such as sulfonated styrenic block copolymers, that have selectively hydrophilic properties, which exhibit a significantly higher enthalpy of vaporization compared to that of free water, facilitating a greater temperature drop in passing air per mass unit of water evaporated. This surface coating can be applied onto conventional evaporative cooling media by spraying, dipping, painting, or casting processes, or the coating can be applied onto specially designed fans with a water supply within the fan blade surface. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an air conditioning system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a dehumidifying component within an air conditioning unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a hollow fiber membrane (HFM) assembly. [Figure 4A] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example stack of selectively water-permeable membranes in a dehumidification system. [Figure 4B] 4B is a schematic diagram of the center plate in each layer of moisture extraction from FIG. 4A. [Figure 4C] 1 shows details of a moisture extraction plate assembly with vacuum-driven diffusion, with design features designed to maximize active membrane surface area. [Figure 4D] 1 shows a schematic of a dehumidifying core with vacuum connections for moisture extraction. [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the entire air conditioning system. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a window-type air conditioner. [Figure 7A] 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a fan for use in an air conditioner. [Figure 7B] 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a hollow blade in a fan. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a side view of an embodiment of a window-based air conditioning system. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating various components in an embodiment of an air conditioning system. [Figure 10] 10 is a psychrometric chart for the embodiment of the system shown in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] 1 is another humid air chart corresponding to a cooling and dehumidification process showing the condition of the process air at different stages. [Figure 12] 1 is yet another psychrometric chart showing the conditions of the process air at different stages of the cooling process. [Figure 13]FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an experimental setup for evaluating the saturation efficiency of an evaporative cooler (for some examples). [Figure 14A] 1A and 1B are photographs showing side and rear views of a prototype of an embodiment of an air conditioning system. [Figure 14B] 14B is a photograph showing a front view of the prototype of FIG. 14A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The following terms are used throughout this specification:

[0016] "Air conditioning device" or "air conditioning system" or the like refers to a system for referencing the humidity, temperature, airflow, etc. of the air in an enclosed space such as a building, room, vehicle, etc. that requires dehumidification or cooling. The term "air conditioning system" can be used to refer to HVAC systems, "refrigeration units," "cooling systems," "chillers," "humidity reference systems," "integrated dehumidification and cooling systems," etc.

[0017] A dehumidifier may be used interchangeably with a dehumidifying unit.

[0018] Moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) is a measure of the flux, or passage of water vapor, through a substrate, or the permeability of a substrate that is permeable to at least one fluid component but not others. MVTR is typically expressed in g / m 2 / day or liters / m 2 It is expressed in units of days. ASTM E-96B and ASTM F1249 provide standard methods for measuring MVTR.

[0019] "Wet" or "humid air" generally refers to air having a relative humidity (RH) of >50%, or preferably >60%, although the term "humid" can also be used in a relative sense to characterize air having RH levels that require some degree of dehumidification. For example, air having an RH value of less than 50% can be considered "humid air" in spaces requiring very low humidity levels, such as storage rooms used to store moisture-sensitive materials.

[0020] "Membrane" may be used interchangeably with "film" and includes, for example, selectively permeable ion exchange materials having films, coatings, foams, or any planar structure that have specific properties, such as hydrophilicity and air permeability, but are substantially impermeable to other air components and entrained air particles, making them suitable dehumidifying and cooling media for various types of air conditioning systems. The term "membrane" can also refer to an assembly of membrane bundles, membrane stacks, or hollow fibers, multiple membrane layers, or composite substrates comprising two or more materials, at least one of which is a selectively water-permeable ion exchange material.

[0021] "Sulfonated copolymer membrane" or "SC-based membrane" or SC membrane refers to a membrane comprising at least one sulfonated copolymer (SC), a membrane containing SC as a primary substrate material, or a membrane prepared from SC. SC can be incorporated into membranes, hybrid membranes, or composite membrane assemblies by various means, such as coating or laminating the exterior or interior surface of a membrane (e.g., a hollow membrane fiber or a hollow inner core of a microfiber) with an SC layer or film, or by bonding or inserting one or more SC layers into a membrane assembly or composite membrane containing multiple layers prepared using different porous materials or different types of SC layers.

[0022] "Membrane electrode assembly" (MEA) refers to a membrane assembly that includes at least a membrane and a pair of electrodes, as well as other components such as sulfonated copolymers, membrane frames, metallic or non-metallic particles, catalysts, nanoparticles, graphene sheets, etc. that promote or allow the net diffusion of a fluid, such as a vapor or gas, through the membrane when a voltage is applied across the electrodes.

[0023] "Ion exchange capacity" or IEC refers to the total active sites or functional groups involved in ion exchange in a polymer electrolyte membrane. Conventional acid-base titration methods are generally used to determine IEC; see, for example, "Determination of the ion exchange capacity of anion-selective membranes," International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Volume 39, Issue 10, March 26, 2014, pages 5054-5062.

[0024] "Vacuum" or "under vacuum" generally refers to a portion of an air conditioning system that has a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure. The terms "vacuum" or "under vacuum" can also refer to a portion of an air conditioning system that has a lower pressure relative to, for example, a side of a membrane, membrane assembly, or MEA, or another or opposite side or portion.

[0025] The present disclosure relates to an air conditioning (AC) system that includes a dehumidification unit and an evaporative cooling unit. The AC uses a selectively water-permeable ion-exchange polymer-based membrane for dehumidification. In embodiments, the selectively water-permeable ion-exchange polymer-based membrane is also used in an evaporative cooling system that relies on cooling by water evaporation. The membrane comprises a sulfonated copolymer (SC). In embodiments, the SC-based membrane is used in a dehumidifier membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for dehumidification. The MEA uses an electric field across the SC-based membrane to extract and remove water vapor from relatively humid air circulating inside an enclosed structure, such as a room, facility, or building.

[0026] Sulfonated Copolymers for Use in Membranes: Membranes for use in AC systems are characterized by good ion exchange capacity and proton conductivity, as well as glass transition temperatures, providing both flexibility and material strength, and good stability and swelling characteristics even when hydrated. The membranes are formed predominantly or substantially entirely from sulfonated copolymers that are sufficiently sulfonated to contain 10-100 mole percent sulfonic acid or sulfonate functional groups, based on the number of monomer units in the copolymer. In embodiments, the SC is used to form a coating on a substrate surface, with the substrate being made from the same or a different material. In other embodiments, the membrane is used as a single or multiple SC layers or films, each having a specific or preselected thickness.

[0027] In embodiments, the SC is a sulfonated block copolymer having a block copolymer molecular architecture with three or more blocks, designed to phase separate to form ion-conducting domains that allow water permeation, a process that can be accelerated by the application of a voltage. In embodiments, the SC is selected from the group of perfluorosulfonic acid polymers such as sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene copolymers, polystyrene sulfonates, sulfonated block copolymers, polysulfones such as polyethersulfones, polyketones such as polyetherketones, and mixtures thereof.

[0028] In embodiments, the sulfonated polymer is characterized as being fully or selectively sulfonated to contain from 10-100 mol % sulfonic acid or sulfonate functional groups based on the number of sulfonatable monomer units in the sulfonated copolymer ("degree of sulfonation"). In embodiments, the sulfonated polymer has a degree of sulfonation of >25 mol %, or >50 mol %, or <95 mol %, or 25-70 mol %.

[0029] In embodiments, the sulfonated polymer is characterized as having a self-killing effect to kill at least 99% of microorganisms within 5 minutes of contact with the coating material.

[0030] In embodiments, the sulfonated polymer is ABA, ABABA, (ABA) n X, (AB) n X, ADBDA, ABDBA, (ADB) n X, (ABD) n In embodiments, SC is a sulfonated block copolymer having one or more copolymer block architectures corresponding to either ABA, (AB)X, ABDBA, (ABD)X, ADBDA, and (ADB)X, or mixtures thereof, where n is an integer from 2 to about 30, X is a coupling agent residue, and each D block is preferably a polymer block that is resistant to sulfonation. In embodiments, SC is a linear structure corresponding to ABA, (AB)X, ABDBA, (ABD)X, ADBDA, and (ADB)X, or a mixture thereof. n- X and (ADB) n X, and n ranges from 3 to 6. Two or more of the A, B, C, and D blocks may be the same or different.

[0031] In an embodiment, the A block is a polymer segment of an acrylic or methacrylic ester. In an embodiment, the A block is selected from polymerized para-substituted styrene monomers, ethylene, alpha-olefins of 3 to 18 carbon atoms, 1,3-cyclodiene monomers, monomers of conjugated dienes having a vinyl content of less than 35 mole percent before hydrogenation, acrylic esters, methacrylic esters, and mixtures thereof. When the A block is a polymer of 1,3-cyclodiene or a conjugated diene, the block is preferably hydrogenated after polymerization of the block copolymer and before sulfonation of the block copolymer. When the A block is a hydrogenated polymer of 1,3-cyclodiene monomers, such monomers can be selected from the group consisting of 1,3-cyclohexadiene, 1,3-cycloheptadiene, and 1,3-cyclooctadiene. The A block can contain up to 15 mole percent of vinyl aromatic monomers, such as those present in the B block.

[0032] The B block can contain from about 10 to about 100 mole percent sulfonic acid or sulfonate ester functional groups, based on the number of monomer units, and comprises segments of one or more polymerized vinyl aromatic monomers selected from unsubstituted styrene monomers, ortho-substituted styrene monomers, meta-substituted styrene monomers, alpha-methylstyrene monomers, 1,1-diphenylethylene monomers, 1,2-diphenylethylene monomers, and mixtures thereof.

[0033] The D-block may comprise a hydrogenated polymer or copolymer of a conjugated diene selected from isoprene, 1,3-butadiene, and mixtures thereof.

[0034] X is the residue of a coupling agent selected from those known in the art, including polyalkenyl coupling agents, dihaloalkanes, silicon halides, siloxanes, polyfunctional epoxides, silica compounds, esters of monohydric alcohols and carboxylic acids (e.g., methyl benzoate and dimethyl adipate), and epoxidized oils.

[0035] In embodiments, SC has the general structure AB, ABA, (AB).sub.n, (ABA) n , (ABA) n X, (AB) nThe hydrogenated sulfonated block copolymer has a monoalkenyl arene unit, n is an integer from 2 to about 30, and X is a coupling agent residue. Prior to hydrogenation, each A block is a monoalkenyl arene polymer block, and each B block is a reference distribution copolymer block of at least one conjugated diene and at least one monoalkenyl arene. Following hydrogenation, about 0-10% of the arene double bonds are reduced, and at least about 90% of the conjugated diene double bonds are reduced. Each A block has a number average molecular weight of about 3,000 to about 60,000. Each B block has a number average molecular weight of about 30,000 to about 300,000. Each B block includes a terminal region adjacent to the A block that is rich in conjugated diene units, and one or more regions not adjacent to the A block that are rich in monoalkenyl arene units. The total amount of monoalkenyl arene in the hydrogenated block copolymer is about 20% to about 80% by weight. The weight percent of monoalkenyl arenes in each B block is about 10% to about 75%. At least 25% of the aromatic rings of the alkenyl arenes are sulfonated. The hydrogenated sulfonated block copolymer has an ionic conductivity greater than 0.08 Siemens / cm.

[0036] Examples of SCs that can be used are disclosed in published U.S. Patent No. 8,222,346, as well as U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 20130108880 and 20140014289, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. SCs can be prepared by anionic polymerization, such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 20130108880 and 20140014289, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. In various embodiments, the process can include polymerizing appropriate monomers in solution with a lithium initiator. The prepared block copolymer is sulfonated to obtain a sulfonated polymer product in solution and in micellar form. After the sulfonation reaction, the block copolymer can be cast directly to form a membrane or film.

[0037] In embodiments, the sulfonated copolymer is a sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene copolymer having a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) backbone, vinyl ether (e.g., -O-CF2-CF-O-CF2-CF2-) side chains terminating in sulfonic acid groups within the cluster regions.

[0038] In embodiments, the sulfonated polymer is polystyrene sulfonate, examples of which include potassium polystyrene sulfonate, sodium polystyrene sulfonate, and copolymers of sodium polystyrene sulfonate and potassium polystyrene sulfonate (e.g., polystyrene sulfonated copolymers) with molecular weights of >100,000 daltons, >400,000 daltons, and up to 1,500,000 daltons. The polystyrene sulfonated polymer can be either crosslinked or uncrosslinked. In embodiments, the polystyrene sulfonated polymer is not crosslinked and is water soluble.

[0039] In embodiments, the sulfonated polymer is a polysulfone selected from the group consisting of aromatic polysulfone, polyphenylene sulfone, aromatic polyether sulfone, dichlorodiphenoxy sulfone, sulfonated substituted polysulfone polymers, and mixtures thereof. In embodiments, the sulfonated polymer is a sulfonated polyether sulfone copolymer, which can be made using reactants including a sulfonate salt such as potassium hydroquinone 2-sulfonate (HPS) with other monomers, such as bisphenol A and 4-fluorophenyl sulfone. The degree of sulfonation in a polymer can be referenced by the amount of HPS units in the polymer backbone.

[0040] In embodiments, the sulfonated polymer is a polysulfone, such as a polyaryletherketone (SPEEK), obtained by sulfonating polyetherketoneketone (PEKK). Polyetherketoneketone is produced using diphenyl ether and benzenedicarboxylic acid derivatives. Sulfonated PEEK is available as an alcohol- and / or water-soluble product for subsequent use in membrane coatings, casting into membranes and films.

[0041] In embodiments, the SC has an IEC of >0.5 meq / g, or 1.5-3.5 meq / g, or >1.25 meq / g, or >2.2 meq / g, or >2.5 meq / g, or >4.0 meq / g, or <4.0 meq / g.

[0042] The use of sulfonated copolymers makes SC membranes hydrophilic and hygroscopic, and they are permeable to water but impermeable to air and gases such as nitrogen and oxygen. Membranes containing sulfonated copolymers are characterized by selective permeability, with ion exchange properties. SC membranes are also characterized by excellent water vapor transport rate (MVTR) properties and excellent ion exchange capacity.

[0043] SC membranes are also characterized by undergoing significant swelling upon absorption of water, such as at least 100% at ambient temperatures. In embodiments using sulfonated block copolymers having a degree of sulfonation (e.g., at least 25 mol%), SC membranes also exhibit antimicrobial properties, making them particularly useful for adding AC cooling to indoor spaces to sterilize the air.

[0044] In embodiments, the SC membrane (film) or SC-containing coating has a thickness of >1 μm, or >5 μm, or 5-50 μm, or <100 μm, or <75 μm, or < μm. In embodiments, the membrane / coating may comprise a nanocomposite material and may have an average pore size of <1 μm, or <0.5 μm, or <0.1 μm.

[0045] Sulfonated copolymer membranes for use in A / C: Air conditioning units are characterized by including at least an SC membrane. Moisture from the air can be extracted through a water-permeable membrane by creating a pressure differential between the inlet and downstream ends or portions of the membrane assembly, which drives the diffusion of water molecules from the inlet side to the other side of the membrane.

[0046] Depending on the unit, e.g., a dehumidification unit or an evaporative cooling unit, the SC membrane may be in a form other than a sheet, e.g., a net, a screen mesh or grid, a woven, nonwoven, perforated, or apertured plate, a foam, a hollow fiber membrane, or a pad with interconnecting gaps and passageways throughout the body to which the SC is coated or bonded. In embodiments, the SC membranes may be spiraled or arranged in stacks either parallel or perpendicular to the direction of airflow.

[0047] The membrane can comprise an SC bonded or embedded in a frame, another membrane or membranes, a polymer matrix, or a plurality of fiber bundles by methods known in the art, such as casting. The SC membrane can also be applied as a coating on a fiber matrix or on fan blades in an evaporative cooler.

[0048] In embodiments, SC membranes can be in the form of hollow membrane fibers, for example, as a bundle of multiple microporous fibers. Each fiber in the microfiber bundle can include a radial microporous matrix structure and a hollow capillary interior, with the SC polymer preferably coated on the surface of each fiber. In embodiments, the inner surface of each hollow fiber is coated with at least one SC polymer layer, and the hollow fiber provides mechanical support for the water-selective SC layer or layers. In hollow membrane embodiments, the SC coating or film can be applied to the inner surface, the outer surface, or both the inner and outer surfaces of the hollow fiber. Hollow fiber membranes are known in the art, for example, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 05,762,798, incorporated herein by reference.

[0049] The membrane can be bonded to a frame or another perforated layer, which serves as a support structure through which air and moisture can flow freely. The frame can be made of metal or plastic and can be formed into any conceivable shape, including, but not limited to, honeycomb and corrugated structures. In embodiments, the frame can have a honeycomb, spiral, nonwoven, or multi-porous design for high surface area, with the proton-conducting membrane applied on multiple sides, with one side used as an opening for air inflow. In other embodiments, the frame is shaped as a corrugated sheet with channels to increase the exposed area. For example, depending on the amount of moisture to be removed or the size of the room, the number of membrane frames can be varied by adding or removing one or more frames.

[0050] The shape-retaining frame can be thermally or mechanically formed and is preferably rigid, semi-rigid, or substantially rigid. As used herein, a rigid, semi-rigid, or substantially rigid frame refers to a frame comprising a material or structure capable of maintaining its shape under its own weight. Suitable frame materials include fiberglass, aluminum, carbon, or rigid polymers based on polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, styrene / acrylonitrile / butadiene copolymer, nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene, aramid-based polymer fibers, metals, metal alloys, cellulose, cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate, and combinations thereof.

[0051] A single frame may support a single membrane on each side, or the membrane assembly may be ten -9 kg / s-cm 2 To allow for higher voltage requirements for mass fluxes of the order of 1.0 meq / g, a unit may contain two or more membranes, each supported by a frame connected in series in parallel. In one embodiment, a 5 ton air conditioning unit with a sensible heat ratio of about 0.6 can be fitted with a 30 m 2 less SC membrane is required.

[0052] The frame preferably has a sufficient thickness to maintain strength without impeding air flow or moisture transport. Frame thickness can range from about 25 microns to about 500 microns, from about 100 microns to about 500 microns, or from 200 microns to 500 microns, or at least 300 microns. Thickness typically depends on several factors, including the number of layers in the frame, the air flow rate, and the pressure used.

[0053] The frame can be porous, with pore sizes sufficient to allow direct air contact without impeding moisture transport or significant pressure drop. The pore sizes can range from 0.1 to 200 microns, e.g., about 5 microns, up to about 8 to 10 mm, or larger, and the frame surface between the pores is sufficient to allow, for example, a film or coating containing a selectively permeable ion exchange polymer to be bonded onto the frame and maintain the film's adhesion.

[0054] When the SC polymer is applied as a coating to a membrane, matrix, fiber, or the like, the coating can be prepared using different solvent systems depending, for example, on the desired coating thickness or the intended use of the membrane, for example, whether the membrane is for a dehumidifier or an evaporative cooler.

[0055] In evaporative cooler embodiments, the SC-mediated evaporative cooling process is achieved by the evaporation of water that feeds an evaporative cooler membrane, which acts as a substrate that enables thermal energy transfer between the relatively warm, dehumidified flowing air and the cooler water molecules at or near the membrane surface over which the warm, dehumidified air flows.

[0056] Thermal energy from relatively warm flowing air molecules near the membrane surface can be absorbed by cooler water molecules at or near the membrane surface, resulting in cooling of the flowing air and evaporation of water molecules from the membrane surface. Thermal energy transfer can also occur through collisional energy transfer between relatively cool (low energy) water vapor molecules evaporating from the membrane surface and relatively warm (high energy) flowing air molecules. Also, the vapor pressure difference on the opposing membrane surfaces promotes evaporation of water from the lower vapor pressure side of the membrane.

[0057] In an embodiment of the dehumidification unit, the SC membrane is in the form of a hollow fiber. Wet air flows through the hollow fiber, which is under vacuum. The hollow fiber provides a large dehumidification surface area and can be oriented parallel or perpendicular to the air flow. A vacuum is applied inside the hollow fiber membrane, creating an osmotic pressure gradient between the hollow core of the fiber (which is substantially under vacuum) and the outer surface of the fiber. The resulting osmotic gradient, created by the pressure difference between the outer and inner surfaces of the membrane fiber, allows the selectively permeable ion exchange polymer-coated fiber to efficiently extract water from the flowing, moist air.

[0058] Dehumidification Assembly: In embodiments, the dehumidification assembly uses at least one membrane assembly having an SC membrane with a selective water transport capacity, e.g., as indicated by IEC, of ​​greater than 0.5 meq / g for excellent water transport properties. The SC membrane can be used as part of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), or a vacuum system, or a membrane electrode assembly under vacuum.

[0059] In a membrane electrode assembly, the SC membrane is used as a selective transport membrane sandwiched between a cathode and an anode, for example, with a permeation layer comprising a composite structure. In an embodiment, the SC membrane covers the cross-sectional area of ​​a circulation channel in a dehumidifier. A low-humidity air stream is circulated from an air-conditioned room, and an opposite air stream (having a RH of 30-95%) is circulated from the external ambient environment.

[0060] In a vacuum system, the opposite or downstream side of the membrane assembly can be maintained at a lower pressure compared to the inlet side, for example by using a vacuum pump, to remove moisture from the air entering from the inlet side, which is collected on the other side of the membrane, where the extracted water is carried out of the dehumidifier unit along with other gases such as nitrogen and oxygen if the membrane is permeable to those gases.

[0061] One embodiment of the vacuum system uses hollow SEC membranes. Air dehumidification occurs as the air passes through the hollow fiber membranes, with a vacuum applied to the outside of the hollow fibers. In another embodiment of the vacuum system, sulfonated membranes are assembled into modular, thin frame layers with alternating passages for process air and vacuum, with a perforated solid backing plate configuration. The vacuum artificially reduces water vapor pressure, creating a favorable osmotic pressure gradient between the process air and the vacuum side. Examples of vacuum membrane assemblies are shown in Figures 3 and 4A. Note that the vacuum membrane assembly can also be used as an MEA assembly with electrodes to enhance air dehumidification.

[0062] In an MEA assembly, when a voltage is applied across the electrodes, water molecules entering through the MEA air inlet undergo oxidation at the positive electrode (anode), causing the water molecules to dissociate (split) into protons and oxygen molecules, as shown in the following oxidation half-reaction (1): The positively charged protons diffuse toward the negative electrode (cathode), where they combine with oxygen molecules and undergo reduction, regenerating water molecules according to the following reaction (2): The net result of the voltage-driven chemical reactions occurring in the MEA 105 is the transport of water molecules from the anode (positive electrode) to the cathode (negative electrode) side of the MEA.

[0063] H2O → 1 / 2O2 + 2H + +2e - (1) 1 / 2O2+2H + +2e - →H2O(2)

[0064] In an MEA assembly, a proton-conducting SC membrane is sandwiched between two electrodes. When a voltage is applied between the electrodes, the membrane allows moisture from the airflow to diffuse across the electrodes. Moisture from the airflow entering the anode side flows across the composite structure to the airflow on the cathode side, where it exits as a dehumidified airflow. The voltage applied between the electrodes can be varied, for example, based on the desired moisture removal capacity of the MEA. For example, the applied voltage across the membrane can range from a few millivolts to about 10 volts, e.g., less than 5 volts or about 2-7 volts. The higher the applied voltage, the greater the vapor transmission rate, and therefore the moisture removal capacity. The applied current density may also vary depending on environmental conditions, e.g. 2 The current can range from a few microamperes to tens of amperes per amp.

[0065] Electrodes can include a binder and one or more conductive materials, such as carbon or graphene particles, as well as other materials in the form of nanoparticles, nanotubes, woven or nonwoven fabrics, among others. Electrodes can also incorporate metals or metal components, such as Pd, LaNi5, or Ti3Ni, that can form metal hydrides or metal oxides, such as WO3, ReO3, MoO3, MnO2, or NiOOH·H2O. Electrodes for proton-conducting membranes can be prepared by methods known in the art, including electroplating or spray coating. In some embodiments, Pt and TiO2 nanoparticles are deposited on the cathode and anode, and their surfaces can be coated with a selectively permeable ion-exchange polymer membrane. TiO2 can promote water dissociation, increase the hydrophilicity of the membrane, and increase oxygen diffusion, especially when carbon-based materials are incorporated into the MEA. TiO2 is also inexpensive, widely available, and nontoxic. The modified electrode surface allows for improved water absorption and conductivity.

[0066] The conductive material can include a catalytic material for catalyzing a particular desired reaction on at least one electrode. The catalyst can be added alone or supported on other support materials. Examples of catalysts that can be used in the electrodes include platinum, iridium, tin, and various compounds thereof. For example, the cathode can include a platinum (Pt) catalyst combined with carbon particles to convert protons (H + ) to form water. The anode may also include a catalyst for reducing water.

[0067] The MEA may also include a gas diffusion layer (GDL). GDLs are typically made from porous materials such as carbon fiber that form an electrically conductive woven or nonwoven surface. GDLs can be used to facilitate heat and mass transfer and provide a mechanical scaffold for the MEA. GDLs can also minimize catalytic corrosion or loss of any metal or metal compound particles deposited on the electrode surfaces (e.g., from fluid flow across the membrane electrodes). Two or more gas diffusion layers may be used on opposite surfaces or sides of an SC-based membrane, and the cathode and anode may contain metal or metal compound particles such as Pt or TiO particles. A thin polymer film can be deposited on the GDL to improve contact between the membrane and the GDL, extend the useful life of the GDL, and minimize loss of any added metal particles such as TiO nanoparticles.

[0068] In embodiments with an MEA, given that energy requirements are a function of flux, the humidity level correlates with the power requirements to facilitate dehumidification. The higher the humidity level of the air to be dehumidified, the higher the power requirements. For example, a significant increase in the humidity level of the air can substantially increase the power required for dehumidification. Therefore, when the power source is limited (e.g., solar-based), a lower voltage is preferably applied across the MEA to reduce the power required for dehumidification. The power requirements for moving water depend on the specific selectively permeable ion exchange polymer properties, and the use of materials with high ion exchange capacity (IEC) combined with high MVTR (flux) properties enables dehumidification with significantly improved energy efficiency.

[0069] With an MEA, dehumidification occurs continuously without the need to regenerate the membrane assembly. Furthermore, the use of an MEA allows dehumidification to occur when the cathode air inlet is at a higher relative humidity than the anode air inlet, working against the natural humidity gradient and allowing the system to drive dehumidification regardless of external environmental conditions. MEAs fabricated with high MVTR and ion exchange capacity can also operate with minimal energy requirements in many environmental conditions. In a dehumidifying MEA embodiment, air from the room to be cooled ("RAO") transfers its moisture to the ambient air inlet ("AAI") by passing through a dehumidifier, and water vapor is removed by MEA operation. In the unit, the dehumidifier continuously maintains its dehumidification capacity without reaching saturation. After passing through the dehumidifying MEA, the dry air ("EAI" or evaporator air inlet) is directed to an evaporative cooler located inside the room. After moisture transport / removal through the membrane, the ambient air ("AAO") and moisture are directed outside the building / room to be cooled.

[0070] The dehumidifier unit may be equipped with a condenser vessel or piping to allow for moisture removal. In some embodiments, the dehumidifying MEA may be designed for an air conditioning (AC) unit with one dehumidifier to one evaporative cooler, or as an AC unit with multiple evaporative coolers and one dehumidifier located separately, but all in one closed loop.

[0071] In addition to AC applications, it should be noted that MEAs can also be used in other applications, such as electrolytic transfer across membranes in fuel cells. Selectively permeable ion-exchange polymers with IEC values ​​of at least 0.5 meq / g can also be used in general cooling applications, such as cooling towers, including those used in nuclear power plants. For example, selectively permeable ion-exchange polymers can be used in cooling units comprising a heat pipe as a heat transfer element and a porous ceramic tube coated with one or more layers of selectively permeable ion-exchange polymer to achieve cooling by liquid (e.g., water) evaporation.

[0072] Evaporative Cooling Unit: In evaporative cooling, water is evaporated by and into a dry air stream to provide cooler air. Heat is removed from the ambient air to accommodate the evaporation, thus producing cooler air. Evaporative cooling of the dry air stream from the dehumidifier is achieved in the indoor unit. In an evaporative cooler, dry air passes through one or more fans. Water is dripped onto an evaporative cooling pad or media, where it is absorbed by a film. Evaporation of water by the dry air stream passing over these substrates results in the removal of latent heat for the exiting cooled air (evaporator air outlet "EAO") to cool the room.

[0073] Evaporative cooling offers several advantages over conventional air conditioning systems, which require hydrocarbon-based refrigerants for their vapor compression cycles, for example. Evaporative coolers do not require commonly used refrigerants, have relatively few mechanical parts, and are therefore less expensive and easier to construct than conventional air conditioning systems. Importantly, evaporative coolers have a much smaller carbon footprint than conventional refrigerant-based air conditioning systems. This advantage makes evaporative coolers a very attractive alternative to conventional air conditioning systems, given the growing demand for environmentally friendly technologies as a result of growing concerns about the effects of global warming. Evaporative coolers are also more affordable than conventional air conditioning systems, thus providing a practical alternative for many people around the world who cannot afford the cost of conventional air conditioning systems but who are currently experiencing rising temperatures for longer periods of time. As a result, cooling systems are increasingly becoming a necessity, rather than simply a luxury, in many parts of the world.

[0074] Membrane-based cooling systems share some similar characteristics with membrane-based dehumidifiers. In evaporative coolers, water, aqueous solutions, or other liquids are used to achieve the cooling process through liquid evaporation of liquid molecules transported and absorbed into the membrane. A pressure difference or gradient between two opposite sides or surfaces of the membrane drives the diffusion of liquid, such as water, from the inlet side, which has a higher vapor pressure, toward the opposite membrane surface, which is exposed to a lower vapor pressure. Upon reaching the opposite surface of the membrane, the liquid molecules evaporate. The evaporation rate of the liquid molecules depends on how low the vapor pressure is on the other side of the membrane.

[0075] The heat / energy required for water evaporation from the surface of a water-immersed membrane can be provided by relatively warm air passing over the membrane's surface. Absorption of heat from the air (called sensible heat) drives the evaporation of the liquid, which in turn cools the flowing dry air. Water molecules evaporated from the membrane surface can become entrained in the flowing air, which increases the humidity of the flowing air to various degrees depending on the rate of water evaporation, which is dependent on the temperature and vapor pressure above the membrane surface where evaporation occurs. Depending on environmental parameters such as pressure, pressure gradient, and ambient temperature, evaporative coolers can be used not only to cool air, but also to store and refrigerate food and beverages.

[0076] In an embodiment, the evaporative cooling unit includes a fan assembly and an evaporative cooling pad or media. Note that the fan assembly may be part of the evaporative cooling unit or may be a separate component for circulating air within the AC unit but still be part of the AC unit.

[0077] In embodiments, the evaporative cooling pad (cooling medium) comprises a conventional membrane / pad used in the prior art made, for example, from porous fibers, paper, etc. However, SC membranes, or selectively permeable ion exchange polymer-based membranes, offer significant advantages over conventional membrane-based evaporative coolers because, for example, by coating the membrane with a selectively permeable ion exchange polymer, membranes used in conjunction with SC can achieve greater cooling while requiring less water and therefore less frequent water reservoir refilling, especially when using portable-sized evaporative coolers.

[0078] In one embodiment, the evaporative cooler includes a high-velocity mist evaporation system, such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20140027528, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. At least one of the fans includes an axial fan, with multiple nozzles on the blades of at least one fan. The nozzles are configured with a mist-emitting nozzle type spun to induce centrifugal fluid pressure within the nozzle to generate fine mist, which rapidly evaporates into the refreshing airflow via the high mist exit velocity. In an embodiment, the nozzles can be located at or adjacent to the fan blade tips. In this way, the relatively high tip speed of the fan relative to the rest of the rotating fan ensures that the nozzle velocity is accordingly high. Meanwhile, the actual refreshing airflow velocity caused by the fan blades is relatively low to conserve energy.

[0079] In an embodiment, a portion of the evaporative cooling medium may include an SC coating on a hollow fiber membrane, where water is supplied to the hollow side of the fiber, which wets the polymer coating and provides cooling by evaporation of the water from the membrane surface.

[0080] In other embodiments, the fan assembly includes at least one evaporative cooling medium (cooling pad) stretched across the fan blades. In yet other embodiments, the fan assembly includes multiple fan blades coated with SC or covered with SC-based membrane films (e.g., by immersion or spray coating) to enable evaporative cooling through water evaporation from the SC-coated fan blades. Passing air is driven by the fan geometry, and centrifugal force exerted by the fan rotation drives water into the SC membrane. The cooling effect is enhanced considering that the enthalpy of free water evaporation is significantly lower than the enthalpy of absorbed water in the selectively permeable material, promoting reduced water consumption for a similar cooling effect. Fans with membrane-coated fan blades enable faster water evaporation rates and also increase the airflow rate, thus increasing the efficiency of one or more cooling units. This is particularly advantageous when large air volumes need to be cooled, such as when cooling large enclosed areas.

[0081] The evaporative cooling system may comprise a primary evaporative cooling system alone, or may be provided as an additional evaporative cooling system separate from one or more of the other evaporative cooling medium configurations described herein.

[0082] Additional Components: In an embodiment (not shown), the AC system further comprises an energy recovery unit to provide fresh air flow as the first component from the indoor air intake. The order of components shown can be changed depending on the requirements of a humid air system, meaning that the air can be cooled and then dehumidified, or dehumidified and then cooled.

[0083] In embodiments (not shown), the air can be cooled in stages with intermediate steps for dehumidification to maximize cooling efficiency without saturating the process air with moisture. In these cases, the AC further comprises at least one air propulsion fan that can be located anywhere in the system. The air propulsion fan can be either axial, tangential, or of other design.

[0084] A / C Operation: The air conditioning unit is characterized by at least an SC membrane covering the cross-sectional area of ​​the circulation channel in the dehumidifier and an optional SC membrane stretching across the fan blades in the evaporative cooler. Moisture from the air can be extracted by a water-permeable membrane by creating a pressure difference between the inlet and downstream ends or portions of the membrane assembly, which drives the diffusion of water molecules from the inlet side to the other side of the membrane. The opposite or downstream side of the membrane assembly can be maintained at a lower pressure compared to the inlet side, for example, by using a vacuum pump, removing moisture from the air entering from the inlet side, which is collected on the opposite side of the membrane, where the extracted water is carried out of the dehumidifier unit along with other gases, such as nitrogen and oxygen, if the membrane is permeable to those gases.

[0085] The SC-mediated evaporative cooling process is achieved by the evaporation of water that feeds into an evaporative cooler membrane, which acts as a substrate that allows for the transfer of thermal energy between the relatively warm, dehumidified, flowing air and the cooler water molecules at or near the membrane surface over which the warm, dehumidified air flows.

[0086] Thermal energy from relatively warm flowing air molecules near the membrane surface can be absorbed by cooler water molecules at or near the membrane surface, resulting in cooling of the flowing air and evaporation of water molecules from the membrane surface. Thermal energy transfer can also occur through collisional energy transfer between relatively cool (low energy) water vapor molecules evaporating from the membrane surface and relatively warm (high energy) flowing air molecules. Also, the vapor pressure difference on the opposing membrane surfaces promotes evaporation of water from the lower vapor pressure side of the membrane.

[0087] In an embodiment, the air conditioning unit uses membranes, such as hollow fiber membranes (HFMs), in both the dehumidification unit (DEH) and the evaporative air conditioner (EVAP), with the membranes of the DEH and EVAP units positioned immediately adjacent to each other. The separate membranes of the DEH and EVAP units may be positioned side-by-side adjacent to each other or on top of each other. The DEH and EVAP membranes can be physically separated by applying epoxy potting to the adjacent sides or surfaces of the two separate membranes. In an embodiment, an area or space within the air conditioning system directly above or to the side of the two adjacent membrane surfaces is provided to allow airflow from one membrane to the other adjacent membrane. This arrangement allows for a more compact air conditioning system. Here, airflow requiring cooling, humidification, or both can first enter the air conditioning system through either the DEH or EVAP air inlet. For example, airflow from an enclosed space or outdoor ambient airflow may first enter the dehumidifier unit and then proceed to the cooling stage.

[0088] The disclosed air conditioning system allows for independent reference of humidity and temperature, providing flexibility regarding the range of desired temperature and humidity levels. These variables can be selected depending on the prevailing external conditions, the personal preferences of the occupants of the structure being dehumidified or cooled, or the type of equipment that needs to adjust the air humidity and temperature. For example, if the air in the room is already at the desired temperature but needs to undergo further dehumidification, the cooling unit can be turned off.

[0089] In embodiments, excess water vapor and other gases, such as nitrogen, can be purged from the system as exhaust air, for example, by using a fan, air compressor, or vacuum pump to exhaust gases through a return outlet, maintaining the required pressure differential and allowing evaporative cooling to occur as needed, depending on any selected temperature and / or humidity settings, or for as long as the dehumidifier and cooling unit are operating. The dehumidified and cooled air then enters a room where the air temperature and humidity level are regulated. Once the air in the room becomes relatively humid and / or warm, the humid warm air is circulated back to the dehumidifier / evaporative cooler, and the cycle begins again until the desired temperature and / or humidity level is reached.

[0090] Depending on the prevailing environmental conditions or the intended use of the SC membrane-based air conditioning system, only one of the integrated dehumidifier and cooling units may need to be enabled or powered on. For example, a warm, humid indoor air stream typically requires both cooling and dehumidification. In this case, the cooling and dehumidification units of the air conditioning system must be enabled. When the indoor air is cold and humid, only the dehumidifier is typically running.

[0091] It should be noted that the dehumidifier and cooling units are assembled in series, with the evaporative cooling unit located either before or after the dehumidifier unit. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the air conditioning system includes multiple evaporative cooling and dehumidification units for capacity adjustment based on environmental demand, or for service during maintenance, or for replacing equipment for maintenance. In yet other embodiments, the system includes multiple evaporative cooling and dehumidification components, which can operate independently of each other, each with an independent or regulated reference, drawing in and exhausting air to a regulated area. The evaporative cooling and dehumidification processes can occur within the same unit or can be separated into different independent devices with separate or integrated reference units. When evaporative cooling and dehumidification occur within the same unit, a reversible fan can be used to precede the cooling with dehumidification, allowing dehumidification to precede the cooling step.

[0092] Compared to conventional membranes used for evaporative cooling, SC-based membranes enable more efficient cooling, achieving lower cooling temperatures compared to conventional evaporative cooling media, or requiring less water due to the higher enthalpy of vaporization of absorbed water in such membranes compared to the free water typical of conventional evaporative cooling media. This advantage therefore allows for greater flexibility in the design of evaporative cooling systems and their range of applications, which range from cooling enclosed spaces to food storage and refrigeration. Another advantage offered by SC-based cooling systems is their relatively low cost compared to conventional commercial air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Importantly, SC-based cooling systems do not require hydrocarbon-based refrigerants, particularly refrigerants that are implicated in or contribute to global warming to varying degrees. Therefore, the air conditioning system has a low environmental impact, a beneficial and desirable feature of any next-generation air conditioning system.

[0093] The air conditioning units of the present disclosure are characterized by their energy efficiency and lack of the need for chemical refrigerants. The units can be designed and sized to cool buildings, homes, or confined areas such as mobile homes and freight carriers with a low environmental footprint compared to prior art air conditioning units. The units can also be adapted to be solar-powered for dehumidifier and evaporative cooler operation for dramatically lower energy requirements. The units can also be used for general cooling applications such as cooling towers, including those in nuclear power plants.

[0094] Reference is made to the drawings, which illustrate embodiments of an AC system.

[0095] 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an SC membrane-based AC system 100 including an evaporative cooling unit 106 and a dehumidification unit 102 for cooling and / or dehumidifying a room 103 within an enclosed structure. The AC system 100 may be installed adjacent to or through a wall (e.g., as a window or split system) of the room / space 103 to be cooled.

[0096] The SC-based air conditioning system 100 can be based on one of several possible configurations, for example, as a window unit or as an external unit installed near the structure to be cooled and / or dehumidified. The choice of air conditioning configuration depends on various criteria, such as the size of the structure to be dehumidified and / or cooled, the typical environmental conditions in the area where the air conditioning system is to be installed, cost, etc.

[0097] The SC-based membrane 104 forms part of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) 105 of the dehumidification unit 102. The SC-based membrane 104 provides efficient air dehumidification and cooling at a relatively low cost due to the SC-based membrane's favorable combination of good proton conductivity, mechanical or tensile properties, swelling properties, hydrophilicity, and stability in the hydrated state.

[0098] The AC system 100 has at least one fan 112 for directing humidified room air 107 to the MEA of a dehumidifier unit 102, which can be located outdoors. The dehumidifier 102 extracts moisture from the cooled, humidified room 107 air through the MEA 105, thereby allowing water vapor to pass from the air but preventing the passage of other air components, such as nitrogen, oxygen, and argon, as well as small particles in the air. Diffusion of water molecules across the SC-based membrane 104 in the MEA 105 is facilitated by application of a voltage across a positive electrode (anode) 108 and a negative electrode (cathode) 109 on two opposing surfaces or sides of the SC-based membrane 104.

[0099] The SC-based dehumidifier unit 102 can be used to dehumidify air having relative humidity (RH) values ​​in the range of 10-95%. In an embodiment, when the dehumidified air needs to be cooled, it is sent to an evaporative cooling pad 106. After extracting water vapor from the moist air, the MEA dehumidifier unit 102 can exhaust the extracted indoor air moisture to an external air stream, for example, via air return 110. Alternatively, the collected air moisture can be sent to a water reservoir 111 that supplies water to the evaporative cooling pad 106, and the extracted moisture can be used for evaporative cooling.

[0100] In addition to at least one fan 112 for drawing air through the cooling pad and the water reservoir 111, the evaporative cooler 106 may also include one or more of a water level reference valve for the water supply, a pump for pumping water to the membrane assembly, a water distribution unit such as a sprayer, sprinkler, or spray nozzle for distributing water throughout the membrane assembly, a drain container located at or near the bottom of the cooler housing for collecting water, and a drain pipe or outlet for water removal.

[0101] In an embodiment (not shown) of the evaporative cooling unit 106, the water supplied to the membrane by the water reservoir 111 is preferably configured to enter through the side of the membrane to maximize water absorption by the membrane and also maximize water evaporation from the membrane surface where water evaporation occurs. Water from the water reservoir 111 can enter the side or surface of the membrane oriented parallel or perpendicular to the membrane surface where water evaporation occurs. However, in general, the water supplied to the membrane may enter the membrane from any side, surface, site, or portion of the membrane that maximizes water absorption by the membrane and also maximizes water evaporation from another membrane side or surface. Water absorption by the membrane and water evaporation from the membrane surface can also be optimized by adjusting the flow rate of water supplied to the membrane.

[0102] Although not shown in FIG. 1, the dehumidifier and cooler unit is typically housed in a protective housing made from a corrosion-resistant material such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), engineering plastic, or fiberglass.

[0103] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a dehumidification component within an air conditioning unit that includes a selectively permeable ion-exchangeable membrane assembly to remove moisture from indoor process air and reject it into an outdoor air stream, enabling indoor return air to a reference moisture content. A selectively permeable ion-exchange SC polymer can be used to drive moisture transport to enable indoor dehumidification via an MEA mechanism, such as that shown in Figure 1, in which the selectively permeable ion-exchange polymer membrane is energized via electrodes to drive moisture in one direction. In an embodiment (not shown), moisture transport can also be driven via a second mechanism, in which the SC polymer membrane is used in an assembly of polymer membranes, such as a series of mechanical support structures, and a vacuum is applied to the moisture removal stream. These two mechanisms are not mutually exclusive and can be used in combination to achieve optimal energy efficiency of the AC system.

[0104] As shown in Figure 2, a dehumidification assembly or stack 200 having multiple selectively permeable ion exchange polymer membranes, e.g., SC membrane layers, forms an enclosure for two independent air streams: 1) humid indoor air intake 201, which is returned to the room as dehumidified air 202; and 2) outdoor air intake 203, which is exhausted to the outside as humidified air 204. SC membranes can also be used in the form of a composite or one or more sheets with the SC film covering the surface area of ​​the air flow channels, allowing passing moisture to transfer to an adjacent air stream.

[0105] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a hollow fiber membrane (HFM) assembly 300 with SC polymer-coated fibers that uses a dehumidifier air inlet 304 and a dehumidified air return 305 to allow water transfer from air passing through a vacuum chamber for dehumidification. The hollow fiber membrane assembly provides mechanical support and high surface area through multiple hollow bundles of SC polymer-coated fibers 303, allowing for a compact design with high moisture removal rates. The HFM can be installed in an assembly sized based on the humid air requirements of the system. The vacuum chamber is equipped with a vacuum outlet 301 and sealed by a potting system 302.

[0106] 4A is a schematic diagram illustrating yet another embodiment of a dehumidification assembly 400 comprised of a stack of SC membranes disposed within a frame and plate assembly having alternating process air channels 401 and vacuum chambers 402. The SC membranes 403 are provided with a modular frame layer support structure for mechanical support against the forces generated by the vacuum chambers. The vacuum chambers 402 between the air channels 401 establish a permeability gradient between the alternating air channels 401 and the vacuum regions 402.

[0107] 4B, the vacuum chamber and membrane 403 are supported by a plate 404 with equally spaced perforations 405 for the passage of moisture. The backing plate can be attached to the membrane assembly 400 using fasteners or support lugs 406.

[0108] Figure 4C shows the components of a moisture extraction plate assembly with vacuum-driven diffusion, with design features designed to maximize active membrane surface area. In Figure 4C, a top view of a dehumidification plate assembly 410 is shown, along with a side view showing the two layers of the plate assembly 412. The moisture extraction plate has a plurality of spacer fins 411 that allow the passage of process air. The moisture extraction assembly is provided with a plurality of moisture extraction ports 413, each with a threaded vacuum connection 414. The moisture extraction assembly is provided with a support frame 415 (as shown via a side view). The thickness is gradually reduced, as indicated by the support frame 416, allowing for dimensional optimization to support the SC membrane 417.

[0109] 4D is a diagram of another embodiment of a membrane stack or array 430 having multiple plates exhibiting an SC membrane layer 431, using the support structure 415 of the plate assembly 410 (FIG. 4C). The plate frame 411 secures each vacuum layer component in place and provides spacing between the plate layers via fins, creating space for process air passages 433. Each plate frame 416 is provided with single or multiple moisture extraction ports 414, which are in turn connected to a vacuum source via vacuum extraction connections 432 to activate dehumidification of the passing process air. A similar stack or array can be used to house a membrane electrode assembly, e.g., a membrane 431 (or an MEA, if connected to a power source).

[0110] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall air conditioning system 500 including a cooling unit 501, a dehumidifying unit 502, and a fan 503, in conjunction with a vacuum source or power source, when the system is used in the context of a membrane electrode assembly. As shown, the evaporative cooling unit 501 and the dehumidifying unit 502 are arranged in series, which can be installed as a window-type air conditioning system. At least one fan 503 draws room air toward the membrane-based evaporative cooling unit 501 and the dehumidifier unit 502. At least one of the membrane assemblies in either the evaporative cooler 501 or the dehumidifier 502 includes one or more SC membranes, structures, or layers. A vacuum pump or power source 504 is connected to the air conditioning unit 500 to drive the dehumidification of the process air and collect excess moisture and condensate extracted from the air conditioning unit 500. At least a portion of the collected water may be sent to the membrane-based evaporative cooling unit 501.

[0111] Either the cooling unit 501 or the dehumidifier unit 502, or both, may be adjusted to a lower power setting or turned off manually or automatically if the circulating indoor air remains within the desired temperature and humidity levels for a certain period of time. Alternatively (not shown), the evaporative cooling and humidification units may be installed separately and operated independently in different room locations. Here, indoor air first enters the dehumidifier unit for dehumidification, and the dehumidified air is sent to an evaporative cooling unit installed in another part of the room where the dehumidified air cools. After evaporative cooling, the cooled and dehumidified indoor air enters the room where conditioned air circulates for a period of time. The circulated indoor air then undergoes another cycle of cooling and dehumidification steps, with the entire air conditioning system operating in a closed loop. Depending on the prevailing environmental conditions, the evaporative cooler, dehumidifier, or both may be set to a lower power setting or turned off manually or automatically depending on the environmental conditions.

[0112] 6 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an air conditioner with an AC unit 600, e.g., an evaporative cooler, in combination with or independent of a membrane electrode assembly based dehumidification system. The dehumidification unit 601 includes a dehumidification tunnel 602 into which air is directed either directly from an indoor air intake or from an evaporative cooling unit. As shown, an airflow selection damper 603 allows the air conditioner to be used as a dehumidifier, cooler, or air conditioner by directing the air through the cooler 601 before reaching the dehumidification tunnel 602 or by directing the air from the air intake 604 directly to the dehumidification tunnel 602.

[0113] FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an evaporative cooling unit 700 having a fan assembly 701. The fan assembly is designed not only to direct airflow but also to function as an evaporative cooling medium for evaporating water. The fan assembly provides evaporative cooling via one or more membrane layers coated with or laminated with an SC film or SC polymer incorporated on the fan blades 702. A water source 703 supplies water to the membrane coating the fan blades 702. The fan blades 702 preferably include water channels (e.g., the fan blades include a hollow inner core or section) that allow water from a water reservoir to enter the fan blades 702 through water conduits that lead to the fan blades, which function as a water distribution system. Condensed water or liquid droplets from the fan assembly 701 are collected by a water tank 704 below or adjacent to the fan assembly 701.

[0114] The fan blade 702 preferably comprises a porous or solid material having water distribution channels to allow the supplied water flowing through the hollow interior portion of the fan blade to permeate a membrane on the fan blade 702.

[0115] FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram detailing an embodiment of a hollow blade 705 that can be used in the evaporative cooling unit 700 shown in FIG. 7A. Water used for evaporative cooling may be supplied by a nearby water reservoir 703 or by a water reservoir within the fan hub 706. A film may be deposited directly on the fan blade 705 in the form of a coating or laminate, eliminating the need for a separate membrane unit to serve as the evaporative medium adjacent to the fan. Water in liquid form, water vapor, or water mist may be supplied to the surface of the fan blade from a water source near the fan assembly or through a water reservoir located within the fan assembly, for example, in the fan hub 706. Water supplied from the fan hub 706 may be supplied through the hollow core 707 of the hollow fan blade to the membrane coating the fan blade 705, where it permeates through small perforations in the hollow fan blade 705. Alternatively, water from the fan hub 706 may be pumped into the hollow core 707 of the fan blades 705 made from a water-permeable material, from where the water permeates towards the fan blade surface and is then absorbed by a film coated on the fan blades 705.

[0116] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a window-type evaporative cooling unit 800 including a powered fan, an evaporative cooling unit, and a membrane electrode assembly dehumidification tunnel. The cooling chamber includes an air inlet 801 and an air outlet 802 at the other end of the cooling assembly 803. An axial fan 804 is used to draw airflow (e.g., from either a dehumidifier unit, a room, or the outside air) through the air inlet 801 and into the evaporative cooling unit 800. The axial fan 804 can include metal or non-metal fan blades. The fan blades may be at least 2 inches-5 inches in diameter (or width), although other dimensions may be used. In some embodiments, the fan may be perforated, made from a porous material, or coated with a selectively permeable ion-exchange SC polymer membrane. A tangential fan 805 can be located near or at the cooling unit's air outlet 802. A water reservoir 806 supplies water to an evaporative pad or media 807. A water tank 808 collects excess water or water condensate. Pump 809 supplies water to evaporative cooling pad 807 .

[0117] The axial fan 804 may have blades coated or laminated with a proton conducting membrane, for example an SC membrane. The dehumidification tunnel 810 consists of a space for passing air to be dehumidified with an outer wall 811 made of a dehumidifying MEA that removes moisture from the process air, expelling excess moisture from the outside 802 into an air stream driven by a fan 805 for disposal.

[0118] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of an air conditioning system 900. The system uses an evaporative cooler 901 and a selectively permeable membrane assembly dehumidifier 902, which can be based on a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) 903 (or a vacuum-driven core assembly). The evaporative cooling unit 901 can have SC membrane components in an evaporative cooling pad 904 or in an air intake fan 905 that drives air from the dehumidifier 902. An ambient air intake (AAI) collects moisture displaced from the room air drawn into the dehumidifying core before cooling in the evaporative cooling system. The conditioned air is then returned to the room 907. In this diagram, AAO refers to ambient air directed to the exterior. EAI refers to the evaporator air inlet. EAO refers to the evaporator air outlet. RAO refers to the room air outlet. RC refers to room conditions.

[0119] Ambient air (AAI) at an initial temperature, e.g., T=15°C, and high humidity, e.g., RH=80%, enters the AAI inlet of dehumidifier 902, where dehumidification occurs. The dehumidified AAI then exits dehumidifier 902 as dry air 906. Because the target room temperature is the same as the AAI's initial temperature, the dehumidified AAI 906 simply flows through cooling unit 901 without undergoing cooling and enters room 904 at a lower humidity, e.g., RH=65%. After dehumidified air 906 has circulated within room 904 for a period of time, the circulated room air exits room 904 at a higher temperature, e.g., T=27°C, but at a lower humidity level, e.g., RH=60%. The now warm air leaving room 904 then flows back into dehumidifier 902. Being relatively dry with a lower humidity, e.g., RH=60%, the warm dry air flows through the dehumidifier 902 without dehumidification and is cooled by passing through the cooling unit 901. After being cooled, the cooled air is sent back into the room. [Example]

[0120] The following illustrative examples are non-limiting.

[0121] [Example 1] This example demonstrates how to prepare hollow fiber membranes. A 5 wt. % solution of Nexar 9200 (manufactured by Kraton Polymers) in a 50:50 solution of 1-propanol and toluene was prepared. Hollow polypropylene membrane fiber bundles with different pore sizes, ranging from 0.10 to 10 microns and diameters ranging from 25 to 300 mm, were obtained from Tisch Scientific. The fiber bundles were placed in a molding vessel. As shown in Figure 3, one end of the bundle was potted with epoxy to secure it to one end of the molding vessel, leaving the openings of the hollow membrane fibers exposed. An elastic O-ring was attached to the other end of the molding vessel (for subsequent connection to a pressure source). The Nexar solution was added to the tube, and the vessel was pressurized as needed to force the Nexar solution into the hollow membrane. The assembly was allowed to dry overnight.

[0122] [Example 2] Experimental results for wind tunnel variables are correlated with the evaporative cooling efficiency of a reference evaporative medium associated with an identical unit coated with a selectively permeable membrane with ion exchange capacity. The experimental setup for generating the data is shown in the schematic diagram in Figure 13. In Table 1, a fan generates air movement, and the air velocity is measured by an anemometer. Dry-bulb temperature (DBT) and wet-bulb temperature (WBT) are measured by sensors placed before and after the evaporative cooler. Water consumption is measured by a flow meter and confirmed by the level change in the measuring jar. Pressure drop is measured across the evaporative cooler. The resulting data are used to calculate the separation efficiency, shown in Table 1. As shown, for similar pressure drop, saturation efficiency, and air velocity for different fan speed settings, the use of an SC membrane (Nexar 2.0 IEC) reduces water consumption. For example, it goes from 0.91 to 0.64 for an air velocity of 0.98 m / s.

[0123] [Table 1]

[0124] Table 2 below summarizes the reduction in water consumption due to saturation efficiency as a function of air velocity. The reduction is the result of the presence of an exchange membrane that is selectively water permeable and applied over the reference evaporative cooling pad. Cooling is the same with less water.

[0125] [Table 2]

[0126] [Example 3] Examples were performed to demonstrate that SC membranes with an IEC of at least 0.5 meq / g can be used for food freezing in addition to applications in AC systems. In these examples, porous ceramic containers such as clay pots (e.g., pot-in-pot refrigerators) are coated with a thin SC layer on the order of a few microns. The clay pot requires less water to achieve cooling and / or achieve at least a 2°C improvement in cooling compared to clay pots without the SC coating.

[0127] [Example 4] In this example, data was obtained using an MEA as a mechanism to dehumidify a static, sealed chamber. Electrodes were provided in the chamber with an SC membrane located inside, along with Rh sensors inside and outside the chamber. The results demonstrate that in the context of an MEA, the MVTR characteristics vary according to the IEC of the SC membrane. Table 3 shows results with an SC membrane having an IEC of 2.5. Table 4 shows the resulting data obtained from an SC membrane having an IEC of 1.0.

[0128] [Table 3]

[0129] [Table 4]

[0130] [Example 6] Computer simulations were performed to predict operational humid air conditions. Using an MEA as the moisture extraction mechanism, the dehumidifying membrane electrode assembly can maintain the relative humidity of the air directed to the evaporative cooler at 75% or less, and the evaporative cooler can reduce the temperature of the water by at least 5°C, or at least 7°C, or at least 10°C. For the computer simulations, climate data from a tropical climate location was integrated into a psychrometric chart detailing the starting and ending indoor environment for various starting climate conditions. In all simulations, the indoor airflow was 600 cfm and the maximum ambient airflow was 1100 cfm.

[0131] Various scenarios were simulated: 1) variable discharge with dehumidifier RH (relative humidity) at exhaust with constant airflow; 2) variable ambient mass flow rate with dehumidifier airflow at constant RH; and 3) ambient conditions - room mixing with evaporator.

[0132] Figure 10 is a humid air chart obtained from a computer simulation of the cooling and dehumidification process involving the air conditioning system shown in Figure 9 based on a set of conditions: dehumidifier exhaust RH = 70%, evaporator efficiency = 56%, indoor cycle = 600 cfm, and ambient cycle = 1100 cfm. The available cooling loads include SCL = 13936 kJ, LCL = 19003 kJ, tonnage = 2.60 tons, evaporator water load = 1.98 L, and dehumidifier water discharge load = 9.73 L.

[0133] The room temperature is T=27°C and the humidity ratio is HR=13.73. When the SC-based air conditioning system is turned on, it draws in ambient air at T=15°C and HR=8.69, which flows through the SCMEA dehumidifier. After passing through the dehumidification step, the air exits the dehumidifier at T=19.3°C and HR=5.33 and enters the next stage of air conditioning, the cooling stage. After undergoing cooling, the air temperature has decreased from T=19.3°C to T=15°C (the same as the ambient air inlet temperature) and the humidity has increased from HR=5.33 to HR=7.04. The cooled air is then sent to circulate inside the room and then sent to the air conditioning unit for further cooling, dehumidification, or both.

[0134] Figure 11 is yet another humidity chart from a computer simulation corresponding to the cooling and dehumidification process by a membrane-based evaporative cooler unit and a dehumidifier unit in a scenario where the external ambient conditions are warm and humid (30.8 to 33.2°C, 70% to 80% relative humidity). In this case, the air conditioning system operates to compensate for the sensible and latent loads in response to a dehumidifier exhaust RH of 65%, an evaporator efficiency of 44%, an indoor cycle of 600 cfm, and an ambient cycle of 1100 cfm. The cooling load is 0.26 tons, an evaporator water load of 1.75 L, and a dehumidifier water exhaust of 0.39 L.

[0135] The room again initially has a temperature of T = 27.0°C and a humidity level of 13.73. When the selectively permeable ion-exchange polymer-based air conditioning system is turned on, it draws in air at a temperature of T = 33°C (higher than room temperature) and a humidity level of 22.91 (higher humidity than room air), and then flows through the selectively permeable ion-exchange polymer-based MEA dehumidifier. After passing through the dehumidification step, the air exits the dehumidifier at a temperature of T = 30.8°C and a humidity level of 13.39 and enters the next stage of air conditioning, the cooling stage. After cooling, the air temperature returns to T = 27.0°C (same as room air temperature) and a humidity level of 14.90 (slightly more humidity than room air). The cooled and dehumidified air then flows into the room, where it circulates and is sent to the air conditioning unit for another round of cooling, dehumidification, or both, as needed.

[0136] Figure 12 is a humid air chart illustrating an example scenario in which the outdoor air is very warm (T 36.5°C to 42°C) and dry, placing a significant thermal load on the air conditioning system, which is then used solely to humidify the indoor air from HR=13.73 to HR=14.9 while maintaining the room temperature at a set point of 27°C. During this process, the dehumidifier exhaust RH is approximately 47%, the evaporator efficiency is 64%, the indoor cycle is 600 cfm, and the ambient cycle is 1100 cfm. The available cooling load includes 0 kJ SCL, -3320 kJ LCL, and -0.26 tons tonnage. The evaporator water load is 4.39 L, and the dehumidifier discharge is 3.03 L.

[0137] As used herein, the term "comprising" means including the elements or steps identified after the term, but any such elements or steps are not exhaustive and embodiments may include other elements or steps. The terms "comprising" and "including" are used herein to describe various aspects, although the terms "consisting essentially of" and "consisting of" may be used in place of "comprising" and "including" to provide more specific aspects of the present disclosure and are disclosed.

Claims

1. An air conditioning system, a) an inlet for drawing air into the air conditioning system; b) a fan assembly having a plurality of fan blades for circulating air within the air conditioning system; c) at least one evaporative cooler unit, an evaporative cooling medium comprising a selectively permeable ion exchange polymer; at least one evaporative cooler unit comprising: a water supply for supplying water to the evaporative cooling medium; d) at least one dehumidifier unit, a membrane assembly including at least one membrane comprising a selectively permeable ion exchange polymer; i) a pair of electrodes disposed on two opposite sides of said at least one membrane in combination with a power source for generating a voltage between the electrodes; ii) an airtight chamber in contact with the at least one membrane, the airtight chamber being connected to a vacuum source to allow moisture extraction from the at least one membrane in contact with the airtight chamber; at least one dehumidifier unit comprising: e) an outlet for returning air from the air conditioning system; the permselective ion exchange polymer is a sulfonated copolymer having an ion exchange capacity of at least 0.5 meq / g; The selectively permeable ion exchange polymer is coated on the plurality of fan blades.

2. An air conditioning system, a) an inlet for drawing air into the air conditioning system; b) a fan assembly having a plurality of fan blades for circulating air within the air conditioning system; c) at least one evaporative cooler unit, an evaporative cooling medium comprising a selectively permeable ion exchange polymer; at least one evaporative cooler unit comprising: a water supply for supplying water to the evaporative cooling medium; d) at least one dehumidifier unit, a membrane assembly including at least one membrane comprising a selectively permeable ion exchange polymer; i) a pair of electrodes disposed on two opposite sides of said at least one membrane in combination with a power source for generating a voltage between the electrodes; ii) an airtight chamber in contact with the at least one membrane, the airtight chamber being connected to a vacuum source to allow moisture extraction from the at least one membrane in contact with the airtight chamber; at least one dehumidifier unit comprising: e) an outlet for returning air from the air conditioning system; the permselective ion exchange polymer is a sulfonated copolymer having an ion exchange capacity of at least 0.5 meq / g; The selectively permeable ion exchange polymer membrane is stretched across the plurality of fan blades.

3. the membrane assembly comprises a plurality of membranes as hollow fiber membranes, each having a hollow core, the exterior of the hollow fiber membranes being coated with the selectively permeable ion exchange polymer, the hollow cores of the hollow fiber membranes being connected to the vacuum source to allow for water extraction from the fiber membranes; or 2. The air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the membrane assembly comprises a plurality of membranes arranged in a frame and plate assembly having alternating process air channels and vacuum chambers while the membranes are each supported on a support frame, the alternating vacuum chambers interconnected with the vacuum source to allow moisture extraction from the membranes, and the selectively permeable ion exchange polymer is coated or laminated onto the support frame.

4. 10. The air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the sulfonated copolymer is selectively sulfonated to contain 10-100 mole percent sulfonic acid or sulfonate functional groups based on the number of sulfonatable monomer units in the sulfonated copolymer.

5. 10. The air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the sulfonated copolymer is selected from the group consisting of perfluorosulfonic acid polymers, polystyrene sulfonates, sulfonated block copolymers, polysulfones, polyketones, and mixtures thereof.

6. 2. The air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the sulfonated copolymer is a sulfonated tetrafluoroethylene copolymer having a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) backbone and vinyl ether side chains terminating in sulfonic acid groups within the cluster regions.

7. 6. The air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the membrane comprising a selectively permeable ion exchange polymer comprises a sulfonated block copolymer film having a thickness of from about 5 microns to about 500 microns.

8. 5. The air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the sulfonated copolymer is a sulfonated block copolymer having a degree of sulfonation of at least 25 mole percent.

9. The at least one sulfonated block copolymer is selected from the group consisting of A-B-D-B-A, A-D-B-D-A, (A-D-B) ｎ A, (A-B-D) ｎ A, (A-B-D) ｎ X, and (A-D-B) ｎ X, the A block is essentially free of sulfonic acid or sulfonate ester functional groups and is selected from one or more of polymerized (i) para-substituted styrene monomers, (ii) ethylene, (iii) alpha olefins of 3 to 18 carbon atoms, (iv) 1,3-cyclodiene monomers, (v) monomers of conjugated dienes having a vinyl content of less than 35 mole percent before hydrogenation, (vi) acrylic acid esters, (vii) methacrylic acid esters, and (viii) mixtures thereof; n is an integer from 2 to about 30; and X is a coupling agent residue; the B block contains from about 10 to about 100 mole percent sulfonic acid or sulfonate ester functional groups, based on the number of monomer units, and comprises segments of one or more polymerized vinyl aromatic monomers, n is an integer from 2 to about 30, and X is a coupling agent residue; the D block comprises a hydrogenated polymer or copolymer of a conjugated diene selected from isoprene, 1,3-butadiene, and mixtures thereof, n is an integer from 2 to about 30, and X is a residue of a coupling agent; n is an integer from 2 to about 30; The air conditioning system according to claim 1 , wherein X is a residue of a coupling agent.

10. 6. The air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the fan assembly includes a nozzle on one or more of the fan blades through which water from a water reservoir flows, and wherein water mist is generated when the plurality of fan blades rotate.

11. An air conditioning system, (a) at least one dehumidifier unit, a dehumidifier air intake; A membrane electrode assembly, a dehumidifying membrane comprising a sulfonated copolymer; a pair of electrodes disposed on two opposite sides of the membrane; a power source that generates a voltage between the pair of electrodes; and a dehumidified air return. at least one dehumidifier unit comprising a membrane electrode assembly; (b) at least one evaporative cooler unit, an evaporative cooler air intake; at least one evaporative cooling membrane comprising a sulfonated block copolymer; a water source for supplying water to the evaporative cooling membrane; at least one fan for facilitating a flow of air from the air intake toward the at least one evaporative cooling membrane, wherein the air from the evaporative cooler air intake is cooled by water evaporation from the at least one evaporative cooling membrane; and and a cooling air return. at least one evaporative cooler unit; An air conditioning system, wherein the sulfonated copolymer used in either or both of the at least one dehumidifier unit and the at least one chiller unit has an ion exchange capacity of at least 0.5 meq / g and a degree of sulfonation of at least 25 mol %.

12. An air conditioning system, at least one dehumidifier unit, a dehumidifier air intake; 1. A membrane assembly comprising: at least one membrane comprising a sulfonated block copolymer; an airtight chamber in contact with the at least one membrane, the airtight chamber being connected to a vacuum source to allow for moisture extraction from the at least one membrane; and a dehumidified air return. at least one dehumidifier unit comprising a membrane assembly; at least one evaporator cooler unit, an evaporator cooler air intake; at least one evaporator cooling pad comprising a sulfonated copolymer membrane; a water source for supplying water to the evaporator cooling pad; at least one fan for facilitating a flow of air from the air intake toward the at least one evaporator cooling pad, the air from the air intake being cooled by water evaporation from the at least one evaporator cooling pad; and an evaporator cooler air return; at least one evaporator cooler unit; 1. An air conditioning system, wherein the sulfonated copolymer used in one or both of the at least one dehumidifier unit and the at least one chiller unit has an ion exchange capacity of at least 0.5 meq / g, a degree of sulfonation of at least 25 mole %, and a thickness of between about 5 microns and about 500 microns.

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