Adiabatic Cooling Water Flow Control Using Temperature Gradients
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adiabatic cooling systems face inefficiencies due to the inability to regulate the volume flow of humidifying liquids effectively, leading to high evaporation water consumption and pump capacity requirements, which affects cooling and humidification efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using at least two temperature sensors to measure temperatures or temperature gradients at different positions along the flow direction of the humidifying liquid, allowing for the regulation of the volume flow based on the determined temperature profiles to ensure optimal evaporation surface wetting and prevent drying out.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the volume flow of humidifying liquid is increased to ensure sufficient evaporation surface wetting, then cooling and humidification efficiency is improved, but water consumption and pump capacity requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system using temperature sensors positioned at multiple locations (inlet, outlet, and intermediate positions) along the evaporation surface. These sensors continuously monitor the temperature distribution and provide feedback signals to a control unit, which adjusts the volume flow of humidifying liquid accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures optimal wetting of the evaporation surface while minimizing water consumption by dynamically adapting the water supply to actual cooling demands.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static water flow control to dynamic adjustment of humidifying liquid volume flow. The control unit modifies the water flow rate in real-time based on temperature measurements and operational conditions, allowing the system to adapt to varying cooling loads and environmental conditions. This dynamic control optimizes the balance between maintaining sufficient evaporation surface wetting and reducing water consumption.
2Loss of substance
If the volume flow of humidifying liquid is regulated to reduce water consumption, then efficiency is improved, but the evaporation surface may dry out and cooling performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary wetting of the evaporation surface before cooling operations begin and maintains a minimum water flow to prevent drying out. The control unit receives temperature feedback and proactively adjusts water supply to ensure the evaporation surface remains adequately wetted, preventing performance deterioration before it occurs. This preliminary and preventive action ensures reliable cooling performance while optimizing water consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple temperature sensors positioned at inlet, outlet, and intermediate locations provide continuous feedback on the wetting status of the evaporation surface. When temperature deviations indicate potential drying out, the control unit immediately responds by increasing water flow to maintain proper wetting conditions. This feedback mechanism ensures cooling performance stability while preventing excessive water consumption through precise, demand-based regulation.
3Device complexity
If fixed volume flow control is used with valve control, then device complexity is reduced, but the system cannot adapt to varying cooling demands and operates inefficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates temperature sensors at multiple positions along the evaporation surface that continuously monitor thermal conditions and provide feedback to a control unit. This feedback enables automatic adjustment of the humidifying liquid volume flow to match actual cooling demands, significantly improving cooling system efficiency compared to fixed flow control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces simple mechanical valve control with an electronic control mechanism that processes temperature feedback signals and automatically regulates water flow. This substitution of mechanical control with sensor-based electronic control, while increasing device complexity, enables adaptive response to varying cooling demands and optimizes cooling system efficiency through precise, demand-based flow regulation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables precise control of the humidifying liquid volume flow, reducing water consumption and pump capacity while maintaining efficient cooling and humidification, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the adiabatic cooling process.
Implementation Method 1
In adiabatic cooling, humidifying liquid such as water is evaporated to increase cooling capacity. The cooling process uses the physical principle of the energy absorption of a medium when it changes from the liquid to the gaseous state of aggregation.
Implementation Method 2
The invention relates to a method for controlling a volume flow of a humidifying liquid during adiabatic cooling
Implementation Method 3
temperatures and/or temperature gradients over time of the flow past the evaporation surface Air at least two different positions in the direction of flow of the moistening liquid are determined essentially parallel to the evaporation surface
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The method involves wetting an evaporation surface (11) with the wetting fluid that flows along the evaporation surface. The volume flow of the wetting fluid flowing over the evaporation surface is reduced after a predetermined period of wetting of the evaporation surface, and the temperatures or temporal temperature gradients of the air directed past the evaporation surface are determined at two different positions in the flow direction (15) of the wetting fluid parallel to the evaporation surface after the volume flow is reduced. The volume flow of the wetting fluid is controlled based on the determined temperatures or temporal temperature gradients. An independent claim is included for a device for regulating a volume flow of a wetting fluid during adiabatic cooling.