Multimode Cooling and Desalination System Using Shared Heat Source
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional desalination and cooling technologies are energy-intensive, and existing hybrid systems that integrate ejector cooling and humidification-dehumidification (HDH) systems face inefficiencies due to separate heat sources and internal consumption of cooling effects, limiting their adoption for sustainable water production and cooling needs.
Innovation Solution
A multimode system integrating an ejector cooling cycle (ECC) system with a humidification-dehumidification (HDH) system, utilizing a common external heat source and valves to switch between dual-purpose, cooling, and desalination modes, allowing for internal heat recovery and efficient energy use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional desalination and cooling technologies are used separately, then each system can be optimized independently, but energy consumption is high and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the ejector cooling system and HDH desalination system into a single integrated unit where the condenser serves dual functions: condensing refrigerant vapor from the cooling cycle and heating saline water for desalination. This merging eliminates the need for separate heat sources and reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining independent optimization capabilities for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The condenser is designed as a multi-functional component that performs both refrigerant condensation and saline water heating simultaneously. This universal component approach reduces the total number of system components needed while enabling energy sharing between the cooling and desalination processes, thereby reducing overall energy consumption without excessive complexity.
2Loss of energy
If existing hybrid systems integrate ejector cooling and HDH systems with separate heat sources, then each system can operate independently, but energy efficiency decreases and operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heat source functions by using a single external heat source that supplies thermal energy to both the ejector generator and the HDH heater simultaneously. This eliminates the need for separate heat sources, improves energy efficiency through shared thermal input, and simplifies operational control while maintaining independent system functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements internal heat recovery where the condenser uses the heat it generates during refrigerant condensation to preheat saline water before it enters the heater. This self-service heat recovery mechanism improves overall energy efficiency by utilizing waste heat within the system without requiring additional external energy input or complex operational intervention.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cooling effects are consumed internally by the dehumidifier, then system integration is achieved, but external cooling benefit is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the thermal processes by separating the cooling function (evaporator providing external cooling) from the desalination heating function (heater processing saline water). The ejector acts as an intermediary that connects these segmented functions, allowing the system to maintain both internal integration for desalination and external cooling capability simultaneously through proper functional separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality by directing different thermal processes to different locations: the evaporator provides localized cooling for external spaces, while the heater and condenser handle localized heating for desalination. This spatial and functional differentiation allows the system to achieve both integration and external benefit by optimizing each local function for its specific purpose.
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 improved energy performance by using a single heat source for both systems, reducing energy consumption and enhancing the coefficient of performance (COP) of the ECC system and efficiency of the HDH system, making it more suitable for renewable energy sources like solar power.
Implementation Method 1
an ejector for the primary flow and the secondary flow to pass through to obtain a super-heated stream of the refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
The ECC system and the HDH system are connected at the condenser for heat exchange between the super-heated stream and the saline water to pre-heat the saline water
Implementation Method 3
a heater for heating saline water
Implementation Method 4
a humidifier for humidifying a carrier gas using the saline water
Implementation Method 5
a dehumidifier for dehumidifying the carrier gas to obtain desalinated water
Data Source
AI summary
A multimode system for cooling and desalination includes a humidification-dehumidification (HDH) system, an ejector cooling cycle (ECC) system and valves. The HDH system includes a heater, a humidifier and a dehumidifier. The ECC system includes a generator, an evaporator, an ejector and a condenser. The valves are configured to connect to inlets and outlets of the heater, the generator and a heat source so that by selectively opening and closing the valves, the heat source is connected to the heater while disconnected from the generator, or connected to the generator while disconnected from the heater, or connected to both the heater and the generator, or disconnected from both the heater and the generator. The ECC system and the HDH system are connected at the condenser for heat exchange.