Refrigeration system with adiabatic electrostatic cooling device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigeration systems face inefficiencies due to excess water runoff and coil saturation from moisture pads, leading to reduced cooling performance and potential scale and corrosion issues, as well as unnecessary water usage.
Innovation Solution
An evaporative cooling system with electrostatically charged water sprays applied to moisture panels, utilizing a moisture sensor and controller to optimize water supply, ensuring adequate coverage and retention while minimizing runoff and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If water is supplied to moisture pads for evaporative cooling, then cooling efficiency is improved, but water runoff and coil saturation occur leading to reduced performance and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates moisture sensors that continuously monitor the moisture content of the moisture pads and provide feedback signals to the controller. The controller adjusts the water supply rate based on this feedback, increasing water supply when pads are dry to maintain cooling efficiency, and decreasing supply when pads are sufficiently moistened to prevent runoff and coil saturation. This closed-loop control resolves the contradiction by dynamically balancing cooling performance with system reliability.
2Quantity of substance
If excess water is supplied to moisture pads, then adequate moisture coverage is ensured, but water runoff increases causing waste and potential scale/corrosion issues
Solution Approach 1:
Moisture sensors monitor the actual moisture content of the pads and provide feedback to the controller. The controller adjusts the water supply rate accordingly - supplying sufficient water to achieve adequate moisture coverage for evaporative cooling, while preventing excess water supply that would cause runoff and waste. This feedback-controlled approach ensures optimal water utilization.
3Temperature
If continuous water supply is provided to moisture pads, then cooling performance is maintained, but energy consumption increases and water usage becomes unnecessary
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous water supply, the system uses periodic action controlled by moisture sensors. The sensors detect when moisture pads need replenishment and trigger water supply only at those intervals. The controller supplies water to maintain adequate moisture coverage for evaporative cooling, then stops supply until the pads dry out again. This periodic operation maintains cooling performance while significantly reducing unnecessary energy consumption and water usage compared to continuous supply.
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 enhances cooling efficiency, reduces water usage, and prevents coil saturation by effectively attracting and retaining water on the moisture panels, thereby improving the overall performance and longevity of the refrigeration system.
Implementation Method 1
An evaporative cooling system with electrostatically charged water sprays applied to moisture panels
Implementation Method 2
evaporative cooling system with electrostatically charged water sprays applied to moisture panels
Data Source
AI summary
An evaporative cooling device for a refrigeration system includes one or more heat exchanger coils, a first moisture panel, a second moisture panel, a first nozzle array, a second nozzle array, a moisture sensor, and a controller. The first moisture panel and the second moisture panel are separated by a distance and disposed external to the one or more heat exchanger coils. The first nozzle array is disposed external to the first moisture panel and the second nozzle array is disposed external to the second moisture panel. The first nozzle array and the second nozzle array are configured to provide an atomized spray of electrostatically charged droplets. The moisture sensor is configured to provide a signal representative of a moisture level. The controller is configured to receive the signal representative of the moisture level and control a supply of water.