Air conditioning systems based on membranes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners and dehumidifiers are energy-intensive and inefficient, particularly in high humidity environments, due to high energy requirements for dehumidification and refrigeration cycles, leading to increased carbon emissions and reduced cooling efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning system utilizing a selectively permeable and ion exchanging polymer-based membrane assembly, primarily composed of sulfonated copolymer, which includes a dehumidification unit and an evaporative cooling unit, employing a membrane electrode assembly to extract moisture from humid air and a water evaporation medium for cooling, respectively, operating in a closed loop to enhance energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional refrigerant-based air conditioners are used to provide indirect cooling, then cooling effect is achieved, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to water condensation and heating cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the dehumidification function from the conventional refrigeration cycle by introducing a separate desiccant wheel unit. This allows the refrigerant cycle to focus solely on cooling while moisture removal is handled independently, eliminating the energy-wasting reheating step and improving overall system efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The air conditioning system is segmented into two independent functional units: a refrigerant-based cooling unit and a desiccant-based dehumidification unit. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between cooling effect and energy efficiency
2Quantity of substance
If desiccant wheels or refrigeration cycles are used for dehumidification, then moisture removal is achieved, but energy requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the desiccant wheel by using variable speed motors to control the rotation speed of both the desiccant wheel and the cooling fan. This allows the system to adapt moisture removal capacity to actual humidity levels, reducing energy consumption during low-humidity periods while maintaining effective dehumidification when needed
3Temperature
If desert coolers are used for direct evaporative cooling, then cooling is provided, but performance deteriorates in high humidity environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal air conditioning system that combines both refrigerant-based cooling (effective in low humidity) and desiccant-based dehumidification (effective in high humidity). This multi-functional approach allows the system to adapt to various environmental conditions, resolving the contradiction between cooling performance and adaptability to high humidity environments
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 achieves efficient dehumidification and cooling with reduced energy consumption, lower carbon emissions, and improved cooling efficiency by selectively removing moisture and using evaporative cooling processes, making it suitable for various environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The application of voltage across the MEA allows air moisture to diffuse from the inlet side to the outlet side of the MEA
Implementation Method 2
the selectively permeable and ion exchanging polymer based membrane is permeable to air moisture but not to the other air components
Implementation Method 3
one or more selectively water permeable and high ion exchange capacity membrane assemblies
Implementation Method 4
the water molecules present in the membrane evaporate as they absorb the latent heat from passing warm air
Implementation Method 5
the water molecules present in the membrane evaporate as they absorb the latent heat from passing warm air
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioning (AC) system is provided, employing a sulfonated copolymer (SC) layer as a selectively permeable and ion exchanging membrane. The sulfonated block copolymer has an IEC greater than 0.5 meq/g. In embodiments, the sulfonated block copolymer is used to form the membrane itself, or bonded/coated onto a membrane or a foam. In embodiments, the AC employs a membrane electrode assembly, i.e., using electric field across a membrane in a dehumidifier to transport moisture generating a dry air stream, along with an evaporative cooler for latent heat removal via evaporation induced cooling of the dry air stream from the dehumidifier. The system operates as a closed loop wherein the room air after cooling is recycled or loop back to the dehumidifying membrane electrode assembly to generate dry air for the evaporative cooler, generating conditioned air.