Membrane-based desorption cooling method for passive thermal management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing passive thermal management technologies for photovoltaic modules are inadequate in terms of cooling power and system reliability, particularly for solar photovoltaic panels, which suffer from high temperatures that reduce efficiency and lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A membrane-based desorption cooling module utilizing a microporous polymeric membrane with a multi-compartment frame and a desorption-absorption process that transfers heat without energy consumption, featuring a covering layer, solution layer, and supporting layer to facilitate high-flux cooling and water harvesting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional passive thermal management technologies (finned structure, floating PV, radiative cooling) are used, then system complexity is reduced and maintenance is simplified, but cooling power and temperature reduction effectiveness are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs phase transition of water (evaporation and condensation) as the core cooling mechanism. Water evaporates from the porous membrane surface absorbing heat from the PV panel, and condenses in the air gap releasing heat to the environment. This phase change process provides high cooling power while maintaining passive operation without mechanical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses porous materials including porous membranes and porous substrates to enable water transport and evaporation. The porous structure provides large surface area for evaporation, enhances mass transfer, and allows capillary-driven water movement without external energy input, thereby improving cooling effectiveness while keeping the system simple and passive.
2Temperature
If active thermal management with mechanical components is used, then cooling power and temperature control are improved, but energy consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through capillary-driven water transport and natural convection. Water is automatically transported through the porous membrane and substrate via capillary forces without pumps. Air circulation is driven by natural convection currents created by temperature differences, eliminating the need for fans or blowers. This achieves effective cooling without external energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical systems (pumps, fans, motors) with physical phenomena-driven mechanisms. Instead of using mechanical pumps for water circulation, capillary forces in porous materials drive water movement. Instead of using mechanical fans for air circulation, natural convection currents achieve air flow. This substitution eliminates mechanical components and external energy consumption while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
3Reliability
If thicker membranes are used to increase mechanical strength, then reliability is improved, but mass transfer flux decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses porous membranes and porous substrates where the porous structure provides mechanical strength through the three-dimensional network of the substrate while maintaining high mass transfer flux. The porous architecture allows water vapor to diffuse through the material effectively, and the capillary forces in the porous structure drive water transport without requiring thick non-porous barriers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite structures combining porous membranes with porous substrates. The composite design integrates the selective transport properties of the porous membrane with the mechanical support and additional transport pathways provided by the porous substrate. This combination achieves both high mechanical reliability and high mass transfer flux that neither component could achieve alone.
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 module achieves energy-free, high-flux, and high-reliability thermal management by leveraging large vaporization enthalpy and microporous membranes for efficient heat transfer, while also harvesting water, thereby enhancing solar panel efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a covering layer for thermally conducting and transferring heat from a solar photovoltaic (PV) panel to a solution
Implementation Method 2
a membrane layer configured to act as an interface between the solution and air... only vapor is allowed to pass through the membrane layer
Implementation Method 3
The naturally-driven desorption-absorption processes involving large vaporization enthalpy yield high heat flux without energy consumption
Implementation Method 4
The naturally-driven desorption-absorption processes involving large vaporization enthalpy yield high heat flux without energy consumption
Implementation Method 5
The naturally-driven desorption-absorption processes involving large vaporization enthalpy yield high heat flux without energy consumption
Data Source
AI summary
A membrane-based desorption cooling method for passive thermal management is presented. The module includes: (i) a covering layer for thermally conducting and transferring heat from a device to a solution; (ii) a solution layer for confining H2O/absorbent mixtures in a multi-compartment frame; (iii) a membrane layer configured to act as an interface between the solution and air; and (iv) a supporting layer configured to increase the mechanical strength and including apertures to permit mass transfer from the membrane through the supporting layer. The present membrane-based desorption cooling module is able to be used for thermal management of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, electronics, batteries, or any other devices that require heat removal.