Air Conditioner Misting Coil Cooling for Lower Condensation Energy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Air conditioning systems face inefficiencies in cooling due to high energy consumption, leading to increased electricity costs and environmental impact, as they rely on refrigerant condensation processes that require significant electrical power to complete.
Innovation Solution
A misting system is introduced that sprays water onto the air conditioner's condensing coils, reducing their temperature through evaporation, thereby accelerating the refrigerant's condensation process, which in turn reduces the energy needed for the compressor and fan operation, leading to lower electricity consumption and extended equipment lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If refrigerant condensation is performed using conventional air cooling, then the refrigerant can be condensed, but high energy consumption is required leading to increased electricity costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies evaporative cooling by utilizing the phase transition of water from liquid to vapor. Water is sprayed onto the condensing coils where it evaporates, absorbing heat from the refrigerant and accelerating its condensation process. This phase change mechanism provides efficient cooling with significantly lower energy consumption compared to conventional air cooling methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces water as an intermediary cooling medium between the refrigerant and the environment. Instead of directly cooling the refrigerant with ambient air, water is used as a mediator that absorbs heat from the condensing coils through evaporation, thereby indirectly cooling the refrigerant more efficiently
2Reliability
If high power is used for compressor and fan operation, then refrigerant condensation can be completed, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system ensures reliable refrigerant condensation by utilizing the phase transition of water from liquid to vapor on the condensing coils. This evaporative process efficiently removes heat from the refrigerant, guaranteeing complete condensation while significantly reducing the power required by the compressor and fan compared to conventional air cooling
3Temperature
If conventional air cooling is used for condensing coils, then cooling can be achieved, but equipment lifespan is reduced due to higher energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends equipment lifespan by using evaporative cooling where water undergoes phase transition on the condensing coils. This method effectively removes heat from the coils, maintaining optimal operating temperatures with lower energy consumption, thereby reducing thermal stress and wear on the compressor and fan components
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
The misting system enhances the cooling efficiency of air conditioners by reducing energy consumption, lowering operational costs, and prolonging the life of compressor and fan components, while minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
spraying a mist of water on the air conditioner's condensing coils so that, as the water hits the coils and evaporates, it reduces the temperature of the coils
Implementation Method 2
the refrigerant's condensation process, which in turn reduces the energy needed for the compressor and fan operation
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a housing that includes a front face, a rear face, a front-face cut out on the front face, a rear-face cut out on the rear face, a front-face screen to cover the front-face cut out, and a rear-face screen to cover the rear-face cut out. A box insertable between the front face and the rear face. The box includes a plurality of wicks behind the front face of the housing when the box is inserted in the housing. The box includes a water connection fitting coupled to the plurality of wicks through a controllable valve. The controllable valve has an open position and closed position.