Air conditioning system with evaporative cooling system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioning systems with cooling towers face high manufacturing and maintenance costs due to long pipe extensions through building structures, high water circulation rates, and high power consumption, necessitating a more efficient and compact cooling solution.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a multiple-effect evaporative condenser system with highly efficient heat exchanging pipes and a reduced water circulation rate, eliminating the need for a cooling tower and allowing for a more compact, lightweight design that can be easily installed without occupying building space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional cooling tower system is used, then heat rejection is achieved, but the distance between condenser and cooling tower requires long pipe extensions through building structures, leading to high manufacturing and maintenance costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the condenser and cooling tower functions into a single integrated multiple-effect evaporative condenser unit. The condenser heat exchanger is positioned within the same housing as the evaporative cooling section, eliminating the need for separate cooling towers and long external pipe connections, thereby reducing both manufacturing complexity and installation costs
Solution Approach 2:
The multiple-effect evaporative condenser performs multiple functions within a single device: it acts as both a condenser for heat rejection and an evaporative cooler for water cooling. The system integrates refrigerant condensation, cooling water cooling, and water evaporation functions in one compact unit, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall system complexity
2Use of energy by moving object
If a conventional cooling tower system is used, then cooling is achieved, but high water circulation rate (approximately 0.73 m3/RT·hr) is required, resulting in high power consumption by the water pump
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the cooling system by using a multiple-effect evaporative condenser that operates at much lower water circulation rates (0.03-0.06 m3/RT·hr) compared to conventional cooling towers. The system achieves effective cooling through evaporative cooling mechanisms and optimized heat exchange, dramatically reducing the energy required for water circulation while maintaining cooling performance
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes phase transition of water from liquid to vapor in the evaporative cooling section. Water evaporates on the outer surfaces of the heat exchanging pipes, absorbing heat from the refrigerant and cooling water, thereby achieving efficient cooling with minimal water circulation. This phase change mechanism replaces the high-volume water circulation required in conventional cooling tower systems
3Quantity of substance
If a multiple-effect evaporative condenser is used, then water circulation rate is reduced, but the system must achieve the same heat rejection effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent increases the heat exchange surface area by wrapping heat exchanging pipes in a spiral configuration around the evaporative cooling section. This three-dimensional arrangement maximizes the contact area between the refrigerant, cooling water, and evaporating water, enabling efficient heat rejection with minimal water circulation. The spiral configuration allows the system to achieve the required heat exchange effectiveness in a compact space with reduced water flow
Solution Approach 2:
The condenser is divided into multiple sections (first condenser section, second condenser section, third condenser section) with heat exchanging pipes arranged in different orientations and positions. This segmentation allows optimized heat exchange in each zone, with pipes positioned to maximize exposure to evaporating water while maintaining structural efficiency. The segmented design ensures effective heat rejection across the entire unit with reduced water circulation requirements
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 solution significantly reduces energy consumption and manufacturing costs while maintaining effective heat exchange, allowing for efficient cooling without the need for extensive building modifications.
Implementation Method 1
The cooling water enters the condenser 1P through a water inlet 11P and absorbs heat from the refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a first fill material unit provided underneath the first heat exchanging pipes, wherein the cooling water collected in the first water collection basin is arranged to sequentially flow through exterior surfaces of the first heat exchanging pipes and the first fill material unit
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioning system using a predetermined amount of refrigerant includes an evaporator unit, a compressor unit, an evaporative cooling system including at least one multiple-effect evaporative condenser connected to the compressor for effectively cooling the refrigerant. Each of the multiple-effect evaporative condensers includes an air inlet side and an air outlet side which is opposite to the air inlet side, a pumping device adapted for pumping a predetermined amount of cooling water at a predetermined flow rate, a first cooling unit and a second cooling unit. The refrigerant flows through heat exchanging pipes in the first cooling unit and the second cooling unit. The cooling water is arranged to pass through the first cooling unit and the second cooling unit in a sequential order and perform heat exchange with the refrigerant.