Air-Cooling System Using Liquid Ejector for Low-Energy Vacuum Creation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air-cooling systems are energy-intensive and inefficient, particularly in humid environments, due to their reliance on traditional refrigerants and vacuum pumps that compress air to create vacuum, which is less efficient and consumes more energy.
Innovation Solution
The air-cooling system incorporates a pressure reducer system with a liquid ejector and a pump to create a pressure less than or equal to the saturated vapor pressure of the liquid inside the evaporator, facilitating the conversion of liquid into vapors and enhancing cooling efficiency. Additionally, a dehumidification core with a selectively permeable membrane is used to extract moisture from the air, improving humidity control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vacuum pump compressing air is used to create vacuum, then vacuum can be established, but energy consumption increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical vacuum pump system with a liquid ejector system that uses fluid dynamics (Venturi effect) to create vacuum. The liquid ejector utilizes the kinetic energy of a high-speed liquid jet to generate negative pressure, eliminating the need for mechanical compression and reducing energy consumption significantly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic principles by using a liquid (water or refrigerant) flowing through the ejector to create the vacuum effect. The liquid flow generates a pressure differential that draws vapor and non-condensable gases into the condenser, replacing the need for air-compressing vacuum pumps.
2Temperature
If traditional refrigerant-based air conditioners are used, then cooling can be provided, but energy consumption is high due to combined sensible and latent load management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cooling process into two independent stages: first, dehumidification through selective water vapor condensation in the condenser; second, sensible cooling through the evaporator. This separation allows each component to operate independently and efficiently, managing latent and sensible loads separately rather than in combination.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid ejector serves multiple functions simultaneously: it creates the necessary vacuum pressure, drives the circulation of refrigerant and water, and facilitates heat transfer. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and improves overall system efficiency.
3Temperature
If air coolers working on water evaporation are used, then cooling can be provided, but they do not work well in humid environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of water in two directions: evaporation of water in the evaporator for cooling, and condensation of water vapor in the condenser for dehumidification. The condenser's ability to condense water vapor from humid air allows the system to effectively remove latent heat and perform well in humid environments where traditional evaporative coolers fail.
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 reduces energy consumption by utilizing a non-compressible liquid to create vacuum, enhances cooling efficiency by converting liquid into vapors within the evaporator, and effectively manages humidity through the dehumidification core, resulting in a more efficient and environmentally friendly air-cooling system.
Implementation Method 1
The throat portion is adapted to increase a velocity of the liquid received from the inlet portion
Implementation Method 2
create a pressure less than or equal to a saturated vapor pressure of the liquid at an ambient temperature inside the evaporator to facilitate a conversion of at least a portion of the liquid flowing through the evaporator into vapors
Implementation Method 3
pressure less than or equal to a saturated vapor pressure of the liquid
Implementation Method 4
The outlet portion is disposed downstream of the throat portion and configured to increase a pressure inside the liquid ejector to facilitate a condensation of the vapors received from the evaporator
Implementation Method 5
The pump is fluidly connected to the liquid ejector and the reservoir and is configured to supply the liquid from the reservoir to the liquid ejector
Data Source
AI summary
An air-cooling system includes an evaporator adapted to cool an air and a reservoir for storing a liquid and providing the liquid to the evaporator. The air-cooling system also includes a pressure reducer system fluidly coupled to the evaporator and adapted to create a relatively low pressure inside the evaporator to facilitate a conversion of the liquid flowing through the evaporator into vapors. The pressure reducer system includes a liquid ejector having an inlet portion adapted to receive the liquid from the reservoir, a throat portion arranged downstream of the inlet portion and fluidly coupled to the evaporator and an outlet portion disposed downstream of the throat portion and configured to increase a pressure inside the liquid ejector. The pressure reducer system also includes a pump fluidly connected to the liquid ejector and the reservoir to supply the liquid from the reservoir to the liquid ejector.