Cooling system using ejector and membrane
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling systems lack an efficient method for cooling and dehumidifying indoor air while maintaining a simple structure and low weight, which is essential for improving the coefficient of performance (COP) of refrigeration cycles.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system utilizing an ejector and a membrane, where high-pressure steam generated from an external heat source, such as solar or geothermal heat, is used to evaporate water in an evaporation chamber, and the system includes an ejector membrane to discharge moisture to the outside air, while an indoor dehumidifying membrane further dehumidifies indoor air, enhancing the cooling and dehumidification process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional cooling systems are used, then cooling function is provided, but the system complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the compression function from the traditional vapor compression cycle and replaces it with an ejector-based pressure reduction mechanism. The ejector uses the high-pressure steam's kinetic energy to create a vacuum that draws in and compresses the refrigerant vapor, eliminating the need for a separate compressor and simplifying the system structure while maintaining the cooling function.
Solution Approach 2:
The high-pressure steam serves multiple functions: it provides the driving force for the ejector, acts as the refrigerant in the evaporation chamber, and enables both cooling and dehumidification processes simultaneously. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the system.
2Loss of energy
If traditional dehumidification methods are used, then moisture removal is achieved, but energy efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition of water from liquid to vapor in the evaporation chamber, where the high-pressure steam condenses and releases latent heat that drives the ejector. Additionally, the phase change of moisture in the air to liquid form through the membrane separation process enables efficient dehumidification with minimal energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The semi-permeable membrane acts as an intermediary that selectively separates moisture from the air stream without requiring high energy input. The membrane allows water vapor to pass through while blocking dry air, enabling passive dehumidification that significantly improves energy efficiency compared to traditional mechanical dehumidification methods.
3Quantity of substance
If ejector membrane is added for moisture discharge, then dehumidification performance improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a semi-permeable porous membrane material that allows selective passage of water vapor molecules while blocking larger air molecules. This passive separation mechanism improves dehumidification performance without requiring additional mechanical components, control systems, or energy input, thus avoiding increased device complexity despite the enhanced moisture discharge capability.
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 system effectively cools and dehumidifies indoor air by leveraging the ejector's suction force to evaporate water, improving the COP of the refrigeration cycle and enhancing energy use efficiency through the use of renewable heat sources.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporation chamber connected to a sub-suction port of the ejector, water stored therein being evaporated by a suction force of the ejector and sucked into the sub-suction port
Implementation Method 2
an ejector membrane provided at the discharge port of the ejector to permeate moisture discharged from the ejector due to a difference in partial pressure of moisture between a discharge side of the ejector and outside air
Implementation Method 3
an indoor dehumidifying membrane provided inside the indoor unit to permeate and discharge moisture in high-temperature and humid indoor air sucked into the indoor unit to dehumidify the indoor air
Implementation Method 4
cooling a refrigerant by performing heat exchange between the refrigerant and water cooled by evaporation latent heat generated in the evaporation chamber
Implementation Method 5
cooling the indoor air by performing heat exchange between the refrigerant cooled in the evaporation chamber and the indoor air passing through the indoor unit
Data Source
AI summary
The cooling system may dehumidify and cool the indoor air by using the ejector, the ejector membrane, the evaporation chamber, and the indoor dehumidifying membrane. In addition, the coefficient of performance of the cooling system may be improved by cooling the refrigerant using evaporation latent heat generated in the evaporation chamber by the suction force of the ejector and cooling the indoor air using the refrigerant. In addition, by using solar heat to generate high-temperature and high-pressure steam and supply the generated steam to the ejector, energy use efficiency may be improved. In addition, since the temperature of the steam generated in the steam generating portion may be lowered by arranging and using the two first and second ejectors in multiple stages, energy efficiency may be further improved by reducing the consumption of the heat source required for steam generation.