Molecular sieve chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current molecular sieve chambers for adsorption cooling systems using water as a refrigerant face inefficiencies in heat transfer and refrigerant management, particularly in the design of venting passages and molecular sieve configurations, which affect the adsorption and desorption processes.
Innovation Solution
A molecular sieve chamber comprising a matrix of cylindrical containers with venting passages having apertures, where the molecular sieve is positioned between the venting passages and the container sidewalls, allowing for efficient refrigerant flow and heat exchange, and a fan to direct air perpendicular to the containers for enhanced airflow and heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If molecular sieve is positioned between venting passage and container sidewall with apertures in venting passage wall, then refrigerant flow efficiency and heat transfer are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The venting passage wall is designed with a plurality of apertures that allow refrigerant to pass through while maintaining structural integrity. This porous structure enables efficient refrigerant flow and heat transfer between the molecular sieve and the external environment, resolving the contradiction by using aperture-based flow control rather than complex valve mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The molecular sieve chamber is divided into multiple containers arranged in a matrix, each containing molecular sieve positioned between the venting passage and sidewall. This segmentation allows parallel adsorption/desorption processes in multiple containers simultaneously, improving overall productivity while distributing the complexity across identical modular units.
2Temperature
If containers are arranged in a matrix with offset adjacent rows and spaced to form tortuous air passages, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air passages are designed to be tortuous rather than straight, following curved paths between containers. This curvature increases the contact time and surface area for heat exchange between air and container walls, improving thermal efficiency. The tortuous path compensates for manufacturing tolerances by providing multiple heat transfer opportunities along the flow path.
Solution Approach 2:
Adjacent rows of containers in the matrix are offset from one another, creating an asymmetric arrangement that naturally forms tortuous air passages. This asymmetric positioning maximizes heat transfer surface area and creates efficient airflow patterns without requiring precise alignment, as the offset geometry itself guides the air flow path.
3Temperature
If fan is added to blow air perpendicular to container longitudinal axis, then heat transfer performance is enhanced, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fan operates in periodic cycles, blowing air through the molecular sieve chamber during cooling phases and allowing passive heat dissipation during other phases. This periodic operation reduces average energy consumption compared to continuous fan operation, while still achieving effective cooling performance through concentrated heat transfer periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system design allows heat transfer to occur passively through the tortuous air passages and container surfaces when the fan is not operating. The geometry of the chamber and arrangement of containers create natural airflow paths and heat exchange surfaces that can function without active mechanical assistance, reducing the need for continuous fan operation.
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
This configuration improves the adsorption and desorption efficiency of the refrigerant, enhancing the cooling performance and stability of the molecular sieve chamber, allowing for effective temperature regulation in various applications.
Implementation Method 1
at least one molecular sieve positioned between the venting passage and the sidewall... allowing a refrigerant to pass through the wall of the venting passage to access the molecular sieve
Implementation Method 2
a fan configured to blow air between the plurality of containers in a direction generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of one of the plurality of containers
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A molecular sieve chamber comprises a plurality of containers generally parallel to another and arranged in a matrix having adjacent rows that may be offset from one another. The plurality of containers may be spaced from one another forming a plurality of tortuous air passages from a first side of the molecular sieve chamber to a second side of the molecular sieve chamber opposite the first side. Each of the plurality of containers may include a venting passage having a plurality of apertures, and at least one molecular sieve positioned between the venting passage and a solid sidewall. A fan may be configured to blow air between the plurality of containers in a direction generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the plurality of containers. The venting passages of each of the plurality of containers may be fluidly coupled to one another.