Run-Around Coil Integration for Pump-Free Latent Heat Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional chilled water air conditioning systems require a specialized fluid pump for energy exchange between return and supply air flows, adding cost, complexity, and maintenance needs, while also requiring larger equipment spaces due to separate coils for precooling and primary cooling functions.
Innovation Solution
Integrating the primary chilled water coil with the run-around system's precooling coil and reheat coils to share cooling duties, eliminating the need for a separate pump and allowing for compact design by using existing pressure in the water supply, and combining precooling and primary cooling functions into a single coil.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a specialized fluid pump is used for energy exchange between return and supply air flows, then the cooling and dehumidification function is achieved, but the device complexity and maintenance needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the specialized fluid pump from the system by utilizing the existing pressure differential in the chilled water supply system to drive the run-around loop fluid circulation. This removes the problematic component while maintaining the energy exchange function between return and supply air flows.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing chilled water supply system pressure, originally intended only for cooling coil operation, is made to serve dual purposes: it now also drives the run-around loop fluid circulation for energy exchange. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated pump infrastructure.
2Productivity
If separate coils are used for precooling and primary cooling functions, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the equipment space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the precooling coil and primary cooling coil into a single integrated coil assembly. The run-around loop energy exchange mechanism enables this merged coil to perform both precooling and primary cooling functions sequentially, reducing equipment space while maintaining cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The run-around loop fluid continuously circulates through the merged coil, first absorbing heat during the precooling phase and then continuing to absorb heat during the primary cooling phase. This continuous action allows a single coil to perform multiple cooling functions that would traditionally require separate coils.
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 solution enables efficient cooling and dehumidification over a wide range of conditions, reduces equipment size, and eliminates the need for a separate pump, improving system efficiency and reducing maintenance, while allowing for continuous operation independent of sensible cooling requirements.
Implementation Method 1
a precooling coil in operative fluid communication with the return air flow... which exchanges thermal energy with the return air flow
Implementation Method 2
a primary cooling coil... which extracts heat from the precooled air flow
Implementation Method 3
a reheat coil... which adds thermal energy to the cooled air flow
Implementation Method 4
Methods and apparatus for latent heat extraction of an air stream
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for latent heat extraction of an air stream eliminates the need for recirculation pumps and uses the pressure in the chilled water supply to the primary chilled water cooling coil to motivate the water through the precooling and reheat coils of a run-around system. The energy transfer lowers the air temperature entering the primary coil so that the primary coil can provide a greater amount of latent heat extraction from the air stream. Both the precooling and the primary coils can share the primary cooling function for periods of peak cooling demand when precooling is not required thereby reducing the required primary cooling coil size. Enhancements combine the function of the precooling coil and the primary cooling coil into a single coil which is specially circuited for installation in the space of a standard chilled water coil eliminating the need for larger equipment rooms.