Cooling system and method thereof

Abstract

A cooling system includes a first container having a first solution and adapted to heat the first solution to release water vapor, wherein the first container has an inlet from an ion exchange mechanism (IEM) and an outlet connected to a fluid-line, wherein the first solution is a homogenous solution including at least one desiccant compound in water; a second container having a second solution and adapted to cool the second solution via an endothermic reaction, wherein the second container has an inlet from a liquid-line and an outlet connected to IEM, wherein the second solution another homogenous solution including the at least one desiccant compound in water, a condenser adapted to condense the water vapor is connected to the fluid-line on one end and the liquid-line on another end; and a heat-exchanger adapted to transfer heat from a heat-load liquid to the cooled second solution.

Description

COOLING SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOFCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 707,032, filed on October 14, 2024, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosed subject matter relates to Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) in general. More particularly, the present disclosed subject matter relates to refrigeration systems, and thermodynamic methods based on endothermic reactions.BACKGROUND

[0003] Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems provide temperature and humidity-controlled air to various buildings, using air conditioning to dehumidify and cool air or heating systems to humidify and heat air. Conventional air conditioning often cools air below its dew point to remove moisture and then reheats it, which reduces efficiency.

[0004] Commercially available HVAC systems are based on the principles of the Carnot cycle. The Carnot cycle is a theoretical thermodynamic cycle defining the possible efficiency for a heat engine, that is based on four reversible processes: isothermal expansion, where the gas absorbs heat Q1 at constant high-temperature T1 and does work; adiabatic expansion, where the gas expands without heat exchange and cools to T2; isothermal compression where the gas releases heat Q2 at constant low- temperature T2; and adiabatic compression where the gas is compressed without heat exchange and heats back to T1. The HVAC market relies on this cycle, using a heat pump to transfer heat with a refrigerant that is compressed, releases energy, liquefies, and absorbs energy in the evaporator, a common process in most systems worldwide.

[0005] Commercially available HVAC systems use multiple mechanisms, including compressors, evaporators, condensers, expansion valves, and heat exchangers, often with different refrigerants at each stage. These systems may include auxiliarycomponents and operate with higher input power at low temperatures. Hybrid systems combine compression and absorption circuits.

[0006] Desiccant materials are substances used to absorb moisture from the air or gases, playing a vital role in controlling humidity levels across various industrial and commercial applications. They come in different forms: solid desiccants like silica gel and activated alumina are commonly used in packaging to protect goods from moisture damage. Liquid desiccants, such as lithium chloride or calcium chloride, may be employed to remove moisture from the air. These materials function through adsorption or absorption processes, where they either attract and hold moisture on their surface or absorb it into their structure.

[0007] Chemical reactions can either release or absorb energy. Exothermic reactions release energy, typically as heat, causing a temperature increase in the surroundings. The total energy of the products is lower than that of the reactants, with a negative AH indicating heat release. In contrast, endothermic reactions absorb energy, leading to a temperature decrease in the surroundings. These reactions have a positive AH, as the total energy of the products is higher than that of the reactants. Energy absorbed can manifest as thermal energy, light, or even electricity, depending on the reaction type.SUMMARY

[0008] A summary of several example embodiments of the disclosure follows. This summary is provided for the convenience of the reader to provide a basic understanding of such embodiments and does not wholly define the breadth of the disclosure. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated embodiments, and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all embodiments nor to delineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more embodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. For convenience, the term “some embodiments” or “certain embodiments” may be used herein to refer to a single embodiment or multiple embodiments of the disclosure.

[0009] Certain embodiments disclosed herein include a cooling system. The cooling system comprises: a first container having a first solution and adapted to heat the firstsolution to release water vapor, wherein the first container has an inlet from an ion exchange mechanism (IEM) and an outlet connected to a fluid-line, wherein the first solution is a homogenous solution including at least one desiccant compound in water; a second container having a second solution and adapted to cool the second solution via an endothermic reaction, wherein the second container has an inlet from a liquid-line and an outlet connected to IEM, wherein the second solution is another homogenous solution including the at least one desiccant compound in water, wherein concentration of the at least one desiccant compound in the second solution is different from concentration of the at least one desiccant compound in the first solution; a condenser adapted to condense the water vapor is connected to the fluid-line on one end and the liquid-line on another end, wherein the condenser is adapted to receive water vapor from the first container via the fluid-line; and a heat-exchanger adapted to transfer heat from a heat-load liquid to the cooled second solution, wherein the heat-exchanger is coupled to the second container for the transfer of heat.

[0010] Certain embodiments disclosed herein also include a method for using endothermic reactions in a cooling cycle. The method comprises: heating a first solution including at least one compound thereby releasing water vapor and increasing the concentration of the at least one compound in the first solution, wherein the at least one compound includes a desiccant; collecting the water vapor; condensing the water vapor into liquid water; adding the liquid to a second solution to initiate an endothermic reaction in the second solution that cools the temperature of the second solution, wherein the second solution includes the at least one compound, wherein concentration of the at least one compound in the second solution is different from concentration of the at least one compound in the first solution; and cooling a heat load using the cooled second solution.

[0011] Certain embodiments disclosed herein include the cooling system noted above, wherein the condensed water vapor is introduced to the second container via the liquidline, thereby initiating the endothermic reaction of the second solution.

[0012] Certain embodiments disclosed herein include the cooling system noted above, wherein the IEM is configured to transfer liquid water from the second container to thefirst container in order to replenish the first solution, wherein the IEM is driven by a concentration gradient.

[0013] Certain embodiments disclosed herein include the cooling system noted above, wherein the first container includes a thermostat to control a heating element and a pressure relief valve.

[0014] Certain embodiments disclosed herein include the cooling system noted above, wherein the condenser is any one of: a forced air-cooled condenser, a water-cooled condenser, an evaporative condenser, and a modular condenser.

[0015] Certain embodiments disclosed herein include the cooling system noted above, wherein the second container is an enclosed vessel designed for a chemical process.

[0016] Certain embodiments disclosed herein include the cooling system noted above, wherein the second container is at least one of: reactor vessels, storage tanks, mixing tanks, distillation columns, cryogenic tanks, drums, and barrels.

[0017] Certain embodiments disclosed herein include the cooling system noted above, wherein the second container is constructed of at least one of: stainless steel, glass- lined steel, corrosion resistant alloy, polyethylene, and fiberglass.

[0018] Certain embodiments disclosed herein include the cooling system noted above, wherein the second container is surrounded by an insulation to minimize heat loss.

[0019] Certain embodiments disclosed herein include the cooling system noted above, wherein the fluid-line is at least one of: a steam pipe, a steel pipe, a copper pipe, a plastic pipe, an insulated pipe, and a flexible hose.

[0020] Certain embodiments disclosed herein include the cooling system noted above, wherein the liquid-line is a refrigerant pipe that is at least one of: a copper pipe, an aluminum pipe, a cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) pipe, a flexible braided stainless steel, and a rubber pipe.

[0021] Certain embodiments disclosed herein include the cooling system noted above, wherein the first container is constructed of a corrosion-resistant body.

[0022] Certain embodiments disclosed herein include the cooling system noted above, wherein the first container is adapted to heat the first solution to a predefined temperature range from 30 degrees to 100 degrees Celsius.

[0023] Certain embodiments disclosed herein include the cooling system noted above, further including: a heating element coupled to the first container and is configured to heat the first solution.

[0024] Certain embodiments disclosed herein include the cooling system noted above, wherein a heat source for the heating element is at least one of: electricity, fossil fuel, residual heat waste, and solar energy.

[0025] Certain embodiments disclosed herein include the cooling system noted above, wherein the heat-exchanger employs at least one of: a cooling tower and forced air.

[0026] Certain embodiments disclosed herein include the cooling system noted above, wherein the heat-exchanger is coupled to the second container via a conductive wall, wherein the conductive wall allow convective heat transfer on both sides of the conductive wall.

[0027] Certain embodiments disclosed herein include the cooling system noted above, further including: an auxiliary-condenser coupled to the IEM, wherein the auxiliarycondenser is configured to condense the water vapor that enters the IEM.

[0028] Certain embodiments disclosed herein include the method noted above, wherein the first solution includes two desiccant compounds with different solubility.

[0029] Certain embodiments disclosed herein include the method noted above, wherein the first solution dissolves the two desiccant compounds in water.

[0030] Certain embodiments disclosed herein include the method noted above, further including: replenishing water to the first solution to reduce the concentration of the at least one compound at the first solution; and iteratively repeating heating, collecting, condensing, adding, and cooling.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The subject matter disclosed herein is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.In the drawings:

[0032] Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a cooling system designed according to the disclosed embodiments; and

[0033] Figure 2 shows a flowchart of a cooling cycle method using endothermic reactions, in some example embodiments of the disclosed embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] It is important to note that the embodiments disclosed herein are only examples of the many advantageous uses of the innovative teachings herein. In general, statements made in the specification of the present application do not necessarily limit any of the various claimed embodiments. Moreover, some statements may apply to some inventive features but not to others. In general, unless otherwise indicated, singular elements may be in plural and vice versa with no loss of generality. In the drawings, like numerals refer to like parts through several views.

[0035] The various disclosed embodiments include an innovative cooling system and thermodynamic method based on endothermic reactions of desiccant materials. Endothermic reactions are chemical reactions that absorb energy from their surroundings, usually in the form of heat. This absorption of energy is required for the reaction to proceed, making the products of the reaction have higher effective energy than the reactants. Desiccant materials are substances that are used to absorb moisture from their surroundings, helping to maintain a dry environment. Desiccant materials work by attracting and capturing water molecules, either physically or chemically, which controls humidity and may prevent water molecules from accumulating in a given space. These desiccant materials are commonly used in packaging, storage, and shipping to protect products from moisture damage.

[0036] The embodiments disclosed herein provide a system and method that harnesses the heat of solidification properties to cool a liquid close to its freezing point and remove enough heat so that the molecules arrange into a structured, crystallized form. In some embodiments, the liquid used in the present disclosure may be a solution that includes desiccant materials dissolved with water, herein referred to as a desiccant solution. It should be noted that the system and method disclosed herein regulate thedesiccant solution so that the solution never reaches a fully solid state, thereby enabling a closed-loop system that maintains a continuous endothermic cycle.

[0037] In some embodiments, the disclosed cooling system is based on mixing ions in a homogeneous solution. It is important to note that a homogeneous solution containing ions, such as a saltwater solution, is not considered a compound or a mixture, but rather a completely homogeneous substance where the ions are dissolved and uniformly distributed in the liquid. An example homogenous solution may have four ions - two from the water and two from the salt.

[0038] In some example embodiments, six ions are introduced into the cooling system. For example, a homogeneous solution having two couple of salt’s ions dissolved in water is introduced in the cooling system. Under certain conditions, some of the ions lose the ability to remain in a liquid state and, therefore, begin a crystallization process, transitioning to a solid state. Such process occurs due to the unique physical and chemical properties of the desiccant materials involved. It should be noted that six ions are utilized to describe the present disclosure for illustrative purposes and do not limit the scope of the disclosed embodiments to the six ions. Other number of ions may be introduced into the cooling system.

[0039] In an embodiment, other ions, which may not participate in the initial crystallization process, are employed to maintain the solution in a liquid state and to enable the controlled solidification (or crystallization) process, particularly in a designated container, for example, but not limited to the cooling container. To this end, desiccant salt crystallization that could obstruct the cooling system is prevented. As an example, sufficiently large desiccant salts that may obstruct the cooling system are not formed. An acceleration process based on a chain reaction resulting from the presence of endothermic salts. In an example embodiment, as long as the temperature of the solution remains sufficiently high, for example, higher than a predetermined temperature, the solution in the container would stay in a liquid state since crystallization is directly dependent on temperature.

[0040] When the solution is transferred to another container (e.g., the cooling container), and water is added, a cooling process begins, where a first salt of the salts in the container absorbs some heat in an endothermic process. The first salt of the salts inthe container may be dispersed in the solution as micro crystals. In response, the second salt undergoes a crystallization process, triggering a chain reaction that leads to further crystallization and increased cooling. In an example embodiment, as more crystallization occurs, further cooling takes place because the salts require a greater amount of energy to remain in a liquid state at lower temperatures. In an example embodiment, the crystallized second salt may be in a micro crystal form.

[0041] In an embodiment, the cooling system includes two main containers. In a first container, the solution is heated, and water is separated and transferred through a condenser to a second container. In the second container, cooling occurs, which cause the crystallization of the desiccant material to begin. The salt ions, for example, are unable to remain in a liquid state at lower temperatures, thus a crystallization process that needs more energy is initiated to maintain their liquid state. It should be noted that the techniques disclosed herein control ions and water flows between the two containers in order to maintain a high but regulated concentration of salt.

[0042] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an example cooling system 100 designed according to an embodiment.

[0043] The example cooling system 100 may include a heating tank (also referred to as a Tank or a first container) 110, a condenser 120, a container (also referred to as a second container) 130, an Ion exchange mechanism (I EM) 140, and a heat-exchanger 150. Tank 110 may be connected to a condenser 120 by a fluid-line 111 , and a condenser 120 may be connected to container 130 by a liquid-line 121.

[0044] In some embodiments, fluid-line 111 may be utilized to pass water vapor or steam from tank 110 to condenser 120. Fluid-Line 111 may be a steam pipe, such as, but not limited to, steel pipe, copper pipe, plastic pipe, insulated pipe, flexible hose, and the like, or any combination thereof.

[0045] In some embodiments, liquid-line 121 may be utilized to pass cooled water from condenser 120 to container 130. Liquid-line 121 may be a refrigerant pipe, such as, but not limited to, copper pipes, aluminum pipes, PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) pipe, flexible braided stainless steel or rubber pipe, and the like, or any combination thereof.

[0046] Tank (herein also referred to as a first container) 110 may be a heating tank designed to heat fluids such as, but not limited to, one or more desiccant solutions. Insome example embodiments, the fluids may be a solution of one or more desiccant compounds dissolved with water. The desiccant materials utilized may be selected from endothermic desiccant salts.

[0047] In an example embodiment, tank 110 is utilized to evaporate the water of the solution by heating the solution to a predefined temperature range , thereby increasing the solution concentration. In an example embodiment, the predefined temperature range is from 30 to 100 degree Celsius. It should be noted that the temperature range may be adjusted as needed. In some embodiments, the Tank 110 may be constructed from a durable, corrosion-resistant body made of materials such as, but not limited to, stainless steel, surrounded by insulation to minimize heat loss. The Tank 110 may utilize heating elements, either electric for direct heating or heat exchangers for indirect heating from an external boiler. In some embodiments, the heating source of tank 110 may utilize sources, such as, but not limited to, electricity, fossil fuel, residual heat waste, solar energy, and any combination thereof, or the like.

[0048] Additionally, or alternatively, heat exchangers may utilize residual energy. Tank 110 may also feature an inlet fed by I EM 140 and an outlet connected to Fluid-Line 111 through which water vapor exits tank 110. Tank 110 may also include a thermostat to control the heating element and a pressure relief valve (not shown).

[0049] In some embodiments, water vapor exiting the tank 110 enters condenser 120 via fluid-line 111 , where water vapor may be condensed into liquid form at a temperature suitable for liquefaction of the vapor to water. The condensation process conducted by condenser 120 involves removing heat from the water vapor. Such process may be achieved using a heat exchanger alone or by employing a cooling tower or forced air to cool the condensed water to a temperature lower than the ambient temperature in an indirect process. As a result, the water would reach the condensation temperature of the wet bulb rather than the dry bulb if no indirect cooling is used. Additionally, or alternatively, condenser 120 may be based on a heat dissipation system, such as forced air-cooled condensers, water-cooled condensers, evaporative condensers, and modular condensers.

[0050] In some embodiments, water exiting condenser 120 drips down or flows through liquid-line 121 into container 130. Such water is added to a second solution containedin container 130. In an example embodiment, the starting temperature of the solution in container 130 is 25 degrees Celsius. Adding the water to the solution in container 130 causes an endothermic reaction, that is, a chemical reaction that absorbs heat from the surroundings, usually in the form of heat. It should be noted that the solution contained in container 130 may be similar to the solution in tank 110, but with a different concentration and quantity. As an example, the solutions in tank 110 and container 130 have the same desiccants salt dissolved in water with different concentration of desiccant salt.

[0051] In some embodiments, container 130 may be an enclosed vessel used in chemical processes, designed to manage different conditions and materials. Container 130 may be made of stainless steel, glass-lined steel, corrosion resistant alloy, polyethylene, or fiberglass, and any combination thereof, or the like. Additionally, or alternatively, container 130 may include types such as, but not limited to, reactor vessels, storage tanks, mixing tanks, distillation columns, cryogenic tanks, drums, barrels, and the like, or any combination thereof.

[0052] In some embodiments, the endothermic reaction resulting from introducing water to the solution of container 130 dilutes the solution and gradually drops the temperature of the diluted solution.

[0053] In some embodiments, heat-exchanger 150 may be a device that utilizes two or more fluids (e.g., coolant) to transfer heat from a heat-load liquid (or a heat-carrying fluid to be cooled) to the cooler solution of container 130.

[0054] It should be noted that “heat-load” in the present disclosure refers to the amount of heat energy(or heat-carrying fluid) that must be added or removed to maintain a desired temperature in a venue or process, such as, but not limited to, residential HVAC, commercial HVAC, industrial processes, refrigeration systems, greenhouses, specialized equipment, and the like, or any combination thereof. Some examples of the such heat-load liquid may be warm air, water, refrigerant, and the like, or any combination thereof.

[0055] In some embodiments, IEM 140 may be utilized to transfer water and / or water ions from container 130 back to tank 110, therefore replenishing the solution in Tank 110. It should be noted that container 130 may contain a high liquid (water)concentration (i.e., low salt concentration), and tank 110 may contain a low liquid (water) concentration (i.e., high salt concentration).

[0056] In some embodiments, transferring water from container 130 back to tank 110 using IEM 140 may be driven by the concentration gradient. In an example embodiment, IEM 140 may perform a diffusion process, where direct contact between the solutions through a hole or another mechanism allows the solutions to interact. Ions at high concentrations, such as high-water concentrations in container 130, flow to areas of lower concentrations, such as low-water concentrations in tank 110.

[0057] Additionally, or alternatively, solutions may be mixed while exchanging heat. For example, pumps may transfer liquid from one side to another, with the liquid passing through a heat exchanger to keep the heat in the original container. Alternatively, a method such as revitalization, such as reverse osmosis, may be employed by the IEM 140.

[0058] In some embodiments, IEM 140 may be supported by an auxiliary-condenser 141 designed to ensure that water vapor flow from tank 110 to container 130 is prevented via the IEM 140. Thereby maintaining a temperature gradient between the two ends of IEM 140, where one end of the IEM 140 is connected to the tank 110 and the other end of the IEM 140 is connected to the container 130. As an example, the auxiliarycondenser 141 condenses any water vapor that may enter the IEM 140 from the tank 110 in order to prevent water vapor from traveling across the IEM 140 to the container 130 and, instead, returning the condensed water vapor to the tank 110.

[0059] FIG. 2 shows an example flowchart 200 of a cooling cycle method using endothermic reactions, according to the disclosed embodiments. It will be appreciated that the cooling cycle relies on a chemical phenomenon of endothermic reactions, which absorb heat energy and thereby cool the surroundings, i.e., heat-load. In some embodiments, the example cooling-cycle method 200 described herein may be implemented using the cooling-system 100 of FIG. 1.

[0060] In some embodiments, cooling-cycle 200 includes mixing ions in a homogeneous solution. Under certain conditions, some of the ions in the homogeneous solution lose the ability to remain in a liquid state and, therefore, begin a crystallization process,transitioning to a solid state. Such process occurs due to the unique physical and chemical properties of the involved materials.

[0061] The other ions, that are not crystallized, in the homogeneous solution allow the solution to maintain a liquid state and to enable the controlled solidification process, particularly in a designated container (e.g., the container 130, FIG. 1). The controlled solidification or crystallization process prevents undesired salt crystallization that may obstruct the cooling-system. As an example, undesired salt crystallization into larger solids may block one or more parts of the cooling system. An acceleration process based on a chain reaction resulting from the presence of endothermic salts. It should be noted that the solution would stay in a liquid state, as long as the temperature of the solution remains high, since crystallization is directly dependent on temperature.

[0062] In an embodiment, a cooling process begins when the homogenous solution is transferred to another chamber (e.g., the container 130, FIG. 1) and water is added, where a first salt of the salts absorbs some heat in an endothermic process. In response, a second salt undergoes crystallization, triggering a chain reaction that leads to further crystallization and increased cooling. It should be noted that, as more crystallization occurs, further cooling takes place because the salts require a greater amount of energy to remain in a liquid state at lower temperatures.

[0063] In S201 , the solution, including one or more compounds, may be heated. In some embodiments, the solution may include one or more desiccant compounds diluted with water. The compounds may be selected from a wide variety of endothermic desiccant salts.

[0064] In some embodiments, the solution may be heated in a first container in order to evaporate water molecules from the solution, thereby increasing the concentration of the solution of one or more compounds.

[0065] In some embodiments, the solution in S201 may include, for example, two salt compounds each having a different solubility. As a result, if one of the two desiccant compounds in the solution crystallizes, it will significantly magnify the endothermic reaction. A non-limiting example of the two salt compounds may be, for example, Calcium Nitrate (Ca(NO3)2) and Calcium Oxide (CaO). In an embodiment, the solution may include different concentrations of the two salt compounds. For example, thesolution may include 500 grams of the first desiccant salt and 2000 grams of the second desiccant salt mixed in one liter of water and is added to a tank (e.g., the tank 110, FIG. 1) at a temperature that maintains the solution at a pre-saturation state so that both compounds remain in liquid form and do not crystalize.

[0066] In S202, water vapor may be collected and condensed into liquid. In some embodiments, the water vapor resulting from heating the solution is collected by a condenser (e.g., the condenser 130, FIG. 1) undergoing a condensation process, thereby yielding liquid water at ambient temperature. In some embodiments, the condensation process involves removing heat from the water vapor to form liquid water, which also cools the condensed water to a temperature lower than the ambient temperature in an indirect process. As a result, the water may reach a wet bulb temperature rather than a dry bulb temperature.

[0067] In S203, the condensed liquid, e.g., water, may be added to a second solution in a second container to sustain the endothermic reaction. In some embodiments, water exiting the condenser drips down or flows into a second container, where it is mixed with the second solution and its desiccant compounds at a relatively lower temperature to initiate the endothermic reaction. The endothermic reaction absorbs heat energy, leading to a temperature decrease of the second solution and resulting in a positive enthalpy change (AH), as the total energy of the products is higher than that of the reactants.

[0068] It should be noted that AH represents the change in enthalpy during a chemical reaction, measuring the total energy of a thermodynamic system, including internal energy and the energy required to displace its environment. A positive AH indicates an endothermic reaction, where the system absorbs heat, while a negative AH indicates an exothermic reaction, where the system releases heat.

[0069] In an embodiment, the second desiccant compounds in the solution may be the same as the first desiccant compound in the solution but with different concentrations and quantities of these compounds.

[0070] It will be understood that the endothermic reaction resulting from adding water to the second solution dilutes the second solution and gradually drops its temperature, thereby yielding a cooling solution.

[0071] In some embodiments, both desiccant compounds in the solution may each consist of two salt compounds, where each of the two salt compounds have a different solubility, as depicted in the example of S201. In such embodiments, as the temperature of the second solution drops in, as described in S203, tiny crystals of the less soluble first desiccant compound would start to crystallize, while the ions of the second desiccant compound would remain in a liquid state. Therefore, the crystals of the first desiccant compound may be more efficient in absorbing heat than the second desiccant compound, which may also absorb heat but to a relatively lesser extent.

[0072] Moreover, since the solubility of salts depends on temperature, combining these two types of desiccant salts would cause a self-accelerating chain reaction: as the temperature drops, more crystallization occurs, leading to more of the first desiccant salt crystals forming in the solution, which in turn results in more cooling. Therefore, the endothermic reaction is magnified due to the solubility differences of the compounds.

[0073] In S204, a heat-load may be cooled. In some embodiments, the second solution may be utilized for cooling the heat-load by means such as heat-exchanger (e.g., the heat-exchanger 150, FIG. 1), where a heat-load liquid (or a heat-carrying fluid) flows through it, transferring heat from the heat-load liquid to the solution through a conductive wall, enhanced by convective heat transfer on both sides of the wall.

[0074] It should be noted that “heat-load" refers to the amount of heat energy (or heatcarrying fluid) that must be removed to maintain a desired temperature in applications such as residential and commercial HVAC, industrial processes, refrigeration systems, greenhouses, specialized equipment, and similar contexts.

[0075] In S205, the concentration of water the second solution may be increased, and the concentration of water the first solution may be decreased upon executing a cooling cycle as described herein. In some embodiments, water ions may be extracted from the second solution and transferred to the first solution by an ion exchange apparatus (e.g., the IEM 140, FIG. 1), thereby increasing the concentration of the solution and decreasing the concentration of the first solution to sustain the endothermic reaction cycle.

[0076] All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the disclosed embodimentand the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the disclosed embodiments, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure.

[0077] It should be understood that any reference to an element herein using a designation such as “first,” “second,” and so forth does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. Rather, these designations are generally used herein as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements or instances of an element. Thus, a reference to the first and second elements does not mean that only two elements may be employed there or that the first element must precede the second element in some manner. Also, unless stated otherwise, a set of elements comprises one or more elements.

[0078] As used herein, the phrase “at least one of’ followed by a listing of items means that any of the listed items can be utilized individually, or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be utilized. For example, if a system is described as including “at least one of A, B, and C,” the system can include A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; B and C in combination; A and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A cooling system, comprising: a first container having a first solution and adapted to heat the first solution to release water vapor, wherein the first container has an inlet from an ion exchange mechanism (IEM) and an outlet connected to a fluid-line, wherein the first solution is a homogenous solution including at least one desiccant compound in water; a second container having a second solution and adapted to cool the second solution via an endothermic reaction, wherein the second container has an inlet from a liquid-line and an outlet connected to IEM, wherein the second solution is another homogenous solution including the at least one desiccant compound in water, wherein concentration of the at least one desiccant compound in the second solution is different from concentration of the at least one desiccant compound in the first solution; a condenser adapted to condense the water vapor is connected to the fluid-line on one end and the liquid-line on another end, wherein the condenser is adapted to receive water vapor from the first container via the fluid-line; and a heat-exchanger adapted to transfer heat from a heat-load liquid to the cooled second solution, wherein the heat-exchanger is coupled to the second container for the transfer of heat.

2. The cooling system of claim 1 , wherein the condensed water vapor is introduced to the second container via the liquid-line, thereby initiating the endothermic reaction of the second solution.

3. The cooling system of claim 1 , wherein the IEM is configured to transfer liquid water from the second container to the first container in order to replenish the first solution, wherein the IEM is driven by a concentration gradient.

4. The cooling system of claim 1 , wherein the first container includes a thermostat to control a heating element and a pressure relief valve.

5. The cooling system of claim 1 , wherein the condenser is any one of: a forced air-cooled condenser, a water-cooled condenser, an evaporative condenser, and a modular condenser.

6. The cooling system of claim 1 , wherein the second container is an enclosed vessel designed for a chemical process.

7. The cooling system of claim 1 , wherein the second container is at least one of: reactor vessels, storage tanks, mixing tanks, distillation columns, cryogenic tanks, drums, and barrels.

8. The cooling system of claim 1 , wherein the second container is constructed of at least one of: stainless steel, glass-lined steel, corrosion resistant alloy, polyethylene, and fiberglass.

9. The cooling system of claim 1 , wherein the second container is surrounded by an insulation to minimize heat loss.

10. The cooling system of claim 1 , wherein the fluid-line is at least one of: a steam pipe, a steel pipe, a copper pipe, a plastic pipe, an insulated pipe, and a flexible hose.

11. The cooling system of claim 1 , wherein the liquid-line is a refrigerant pipe that is at least one of: a copper pipe, an aluminum pipe, a cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) pipe, a flexible braided stainless steel, and a rubber pipe.

12. The cooling system of claim 1 , wherein the first container is constructed of a corrosion-resistant body.

13. The cooling system of claim 1 , wherein the first container is adapted to heat the first solution to a predefined temperature range from 30 degrees to 100 degrees Celsius.

14. The cooling system of claim 1 , further comprising: a heating element coupled to the first container and is configured to heat the first solution.

15. The cooling system of claim 14, wherein a heat source for the heating element is at least one of: electricity, fossil fuel, residual heat waste, and solar energy.

16. The cooling system of claim 1 , wherein the heat-exchanger employs at least one of: a cooling tower and forced air.

17. The cooling system of claim 1 , wherein the heat-exchanger is coupled to the second container via a conductive wall, wherein the conductive wall allow convective heat transfer on both sides of the conductive wall.

18. The cooling system of claim 1 , further comprising: an auxiliary-condenser coupled to the IEM, wherein the auxiliary-condenser is configured to condense the water vapor that enters the IEM.

19. A method for using endothermic reactions in a cooling cycle, comprising: heating a first solution including at least one compound thereby releasing water vapor and increasing a concentration of the at least one compound in the first solution, wherein the at least one compound includes a desiccant; collecting the water vapor; condensing the water vapor into liquid water; adding the liquid water to a second solution to initiate an endothermic reaction in the second solution that cools a temperature of the second solution, wherein the second solution includes the at least one compound, wherein concentration of the at least onecompound in the second solution is different from concentration of the at least one compound in the first solution; and cooling a heat load using the cooled second solution.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the first solution includes two desiccant compounds with different solubility.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the first solution dissolves the two desiccant compounds in water.

22. The method of claim 19, further comprising: replenishing water to the first solution to reduce the concentration of the at least one compound at the first solution; and iteratively repeating heating, collecting, condensing, adding, and cooling.

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