Pulsing Adiabatic Gas Cooler for Water-Saving Pre-Cooling Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional adiabatic gas cooling systems are inefficient and wasteful, particularly in commercial refrigeration, as they continue to use water when it is not needed, leading to resource wastage and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a pulsing adiabatic gas cooler system that utilizes two sensors to determine temperature differences between ambient and pre-cooled air, enabling the water distribution system to spray water only when the temperature difference is below a predetermined threshold, thereby conserving resources like water and electricity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If water is continuously sprayed to pre-cool ambient air, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water distribution system operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously. The controller activates the water spray for predetermined time intervals (e.g., 5-15 seconds) followed by off periods, creating a pulsing action that maintains cooling effectiveness while dramatically reducing water consumption compared to continuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates temperature sensors that continuously monitor ambient air temperature and provide feedback to the controller. The controller uses this feedback to determine when to activate the water spray based on predetermined temperature thresholds, ensuring water is only used when cooling is actually needed and optimizing the balance between cooling effectiveness and water conservation
2Temperature
If water spray duration is extended, then pre-cooling performance is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses short, intensive water spray pulses rather than extended continuous operation. Each spray cycle lasts only predetermined short intervals (e.g., 5-15 seconds), and the system relies on the thermal mass of the air and the cumulative effect of repeated cycles to achieve desired pre-cooling performance, thereby minimizing energy consumption while maintaining effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The water spray duration and frequency are dynamically adjusted based on real-time temperature feedback from sensors. The controller modifies the spray cycle parameters adaptively, extending or shortening spray duration as needed to achieve optimal pre-cooling performance with minimum energy input, rather than using fixed extended spray periods
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 approach enhances the efficiency of cooling systems by reducing unnecessary water usage and energy consumption, thereby conserving resources and improving overall system performance.
Implementation Method 1
The water distribution system is operable to provide a spray of water to pre-cool ambient air before it enters the condenser coils
Data Source
AI summary
A method by a controller of a cooling system includes calculating a difference between a first temperature of ambient air and a second temperature of pre-cooled air. The pre-cooled air is ambient air that has been cooled by water from a water distribution system before it enters one or more condenser coils. The method further includes determining that the difference between the first and second temperatures is less than or equal to a predetermined temperature difference, and in response, determining that the first temperature is greater than or equal to a minimum temperature. The method further includes, if the first temperature is greater than or equal to the minimum temperature, instructing the water distribution system to distribute the water to pre-cool the ambient air for a predetermined length of time and to disable the distribution of the water after the predetermined amount of time has elapsed.