Night-time Cold Storage Cooling Device for Arid Heat Exchangers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling devices for thermodynamic power plants in arid regions face inefficiencies in cooling air for heat exchangers, particularly in hot and dry conditions, where water is scarce and existing solutions do not effectively utilize ambient temperature and humidity differences.
Innovation Solution
A cooling device incorporating a structure with both sensitive and moisture-adsorbing materials that stores cold and humidity at night and uses these materials to cool air during the day through convective exchanges and desorption, leveraging the temperature and humidity differences to enhance cooling efficiency without water consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If water is used as a cooling source in conventional power plants, then cooling efficiency is improved, but water consumption increases which is not feasible in arid regions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the operating parameters by using ambient air temperature and humidity variations throughout the day instead of water. The sensitive material and adsorbent material are designed to operate based on temperature and humidity parameter changes, enabling cooling without water consumption in arid regions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the water-based cooling system with a material-based thermal energy storage and release system. The sensitive material and adsorbent material substitute for water as the cooling medium, using their physical and chemical properties to provide cooling effect without water consumption
2Temperature
If only sensitive material is used for cooling, then cooling capacity is provided, but humidity utilization is not optimized reducing overall efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges two functional materials - sensitive material for thermal energy storage and adsorbent material for humidity utilization - into a single integrated system. This combination allows simultaneous exploitation of temperature and humidity differences to enhance cooling efficiency beyond what either material could achieve alone
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite material system consisting of sensitive material and adsorbent material working together. The sensitive material handles thermal energy storage while the adsorbent material captures and releases humidity, creating a composite cooling system that optimizes both temperature and humidity utilization for improved productivity
3Quantity of substance
If adsorbent material is used to trap moisture, then humidity control is improved, but the exothermic adsorption process generates heat reducing cooling effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs periodic action by operating the adsorbent material in cycles - adsorbing humidity during periods when cooling is needed and desorbing during periods when heat can be dissipated. This periodic operation separates the heat-generating adsorption process from the cooling requirement periods, maintaining cooling effectiveness while achieving humidity control
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 device improves cooling efficiency by combining convective heat exchange with the sensitive material and desorption of moisture by the adsorbent material, effectively cooling air in hot and dry conditions, reducing the need for water and lowering energy costs while maintaining robustness and low maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
carry out a heat exchange with said sensitive material contained in said structure
Implementation Method 2
store the cold of the ambient air during hours when the outside temperature of the ambient air is the coldest
Implementation Method 3
a moisture-adsorbing material, to trap the moisture of the outside air put into circulation and passing through the structure
Implementation Method 4
suitable for desorbing water over a range of temperatures and relative humidity, so as to desorb water during times when the ambient air temperature is warmest
Implementation Method 5
allowing a circulation of ambient air through said structure and to carry out a heat exchange with said sensitive material
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Device for cooling air intended for a heat exchanger, in particular for a heat-to-electricity conversion installation, the device comprising a structure (30) having a sensitive material (34) and configured so as to be able to be made communicable with the outside in order to allow the circulation of ambient air through the sensitive material and to carry out a heat exchange with the sensitive material, the structure (30) further comprising a moisture-adsorbing material (38) for trapping moisture from the outside air put into circulation and passing through the structure (30), the moisture-adsorbing material (38) being a material suitable for desorbing water at a temperature below 50°C, for a relative humidity below 50%.