Swamp Cooler with HDPE Non-Porous Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional swamp coolers face issues with mold, mildew, calcination, and metal/mineral deposits forming on internal surfaces, leading to reduced cooling efficiency, increased operational costs, and frequent maintenance needs, especially in humid climates.
Innovation Solution
A cooling tower with an evaporative cooler is attached to a modified swamp cooler, where all internal surfaces except for indirect heat exchanger pads are made from non-porous high-density polyethylene (HDPE), eliminating the need for metal and heat exchangers within the swamp cooler, thus preventing mold, mildew, and mineral deposits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional swamp coolers use metal heat exchangers and fluid spraying devices, then cooling function is achieved, but mold, mildew, calcination and metal/mineral deposits form on internal surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes metal heat exchangers and fluid spraying/pumping devices from the swamp cooler structure and relocates them to the cooling tower. This extraction eliminates the source of harmful deposits within the swamp cooler, as water no longer contacts metal internal surfaces in the swamp cooler itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter of internal surfaces from metal to non-porous material (such as plastic or coated surfaces). This material substitution prevents adhesion of mold, mildew, calcination and metal/mineral deposits, while maintaining the cooling function through alternative heat exchange mechanisms.
2Temperature
If swamp coolers operate in humid climates, then cooling is provided, but water evaporates and forms deposits on all internal surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the water distribution system and heat exchangers from the swamp cooler and places them in the cooling tower. This separation ensures that evaporating water does not contact metal internal surfaces within the swamp cooler, preventing deposit formation while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different material properties to different locations: non-porous materials are used for internal surfaces in the swamp cooler to prevent deposit adhesion, while the cooling tower contains the water distribution and heat exchange components where evaporation occurs.
3Reliability
If frequent cleaning is performed on swamp coolers, then deposit buildup is prevented, but maintenance complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By removing metal heat exchangers and fluid spraying devices from the swamp cooler and relocating them to the cooling tower, the patent eliminates the primary surfaces that require frequent cleaning. The non-porous internal surfaces in the swamp cooler no longer accumulate deposits, significantly reducing maintenance needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs non-porous materials for internal surfaces that are resistant to deposits and do not require frequent cleaning. These materials provide long-term durability without the need for maintenance-intensive cleaning operations.
4Temperature
If water is distributed through metal tubing in swamp coolers, then cooling is achieved, but calcination and metal deposits form on internal surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of internal surfaces from metal to non-porous material (plastic or coated surfaces). This material substitution prevents calcination and metal deposits from forming on internal surfaces, as the non-porous surface does not allow adhesion of these deposits.
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 enhances cooling efficiency, extends the operational life of the system, reduces energy consumption, and minimizes maintenance requirements by preventing the formation of mold, mildew, and mineral deposits, while maintaining effective cooling performance.
Implementation Method 1
Evaporative cooling cools air by evaporating water which increases the moisture content of the air
Implementation Method 2
This evaporative process works by forcing warm air through fluidly moist heat exchange pads to remove the hot dry air's heat
Implementation Method 3
forcing warm air through fluidly moist heat exchange pads to remove the hot dry air's heat
Data Source
AI summary
Evaporative cooling system including a cooling tower attached to a modified swamp cooler. The modified swamp cooler comprising a fan, a fan housing and at least one air outlet located in a bottom of the modified swamp cooler. The cooling tower comprises at least one indirect heat exchanger and all inner surfaces of the cooling tower, except for the at least one indirect heat exchanger, are made from and/or comprise a non-porous material. The non-porous material is high-density polyethylene. The cooling tower attached to the modified swamp cooler is part of an evaporative cooling system and supplies cool air to a building or areas which desire cooling.