Systems and methods for utilizing geothermal cooling to cool open air structures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling technologies for livestock, particularly dairy cows, are not environmentally friendly and unsustainable, contributing to climate change issues, and are inefficient in areas with limited water supplies or high humidity, as they rely on non-renewable energy sources and large water usage.
Innovation Solution
A geothermal cooling system using a closed-loop configuration with below-ground and above-ground tubing networks, circulating water to exploit the constant temperature of the earth for cooling, which is environmentally sustainable and efficient, even in drought-stricken or high-humidity conditions, without the need for refrigerant-based systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If evaporative cooling technologies are used to cool livestock, then cooling effectiveness is improved, but water consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the state of water from liquid spray to ice particles through phase change, transforming evaporative cooling into contact cooling. Ice particles are generated by freezing water and breaking it into small particles that are distributed among livestock, providing cooling through direct contact and melting, thereby reducing water consumption while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes phase transition of water from liquid to solid (freezing) and then to liquid again (melting of ice particles). Water is frozen into ice particles that are distributed to livestock, where they melt and absorb heat, providing efficient cooling with minimal water usage compared to traditional evaporative cooling.
2Temperature
If fossil fuel fed air conditioning is used to cool open-air structures, then cooling capability is improved, but environmental harm increases due to CO2 emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses renewable energy sources (wind power, solar power) to drive the cooling process, making the system self-sufficient and environmentally friendly. The ice storage unit stores cooling capacity during off-peak hours, and the natural convection currents distribute cooled air without requiring additional energy input, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and CO2 emissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces mechanical compression-based air conditioning with a passive cooling system that uses ice melting and natural convection currents. Instead of using fossil fuel-fed compressors and refrigerants, the system utilizes phase change of ice and natural air movement to provide cooling, eliminating harmful emissions.
3Productivity
If traditional heat pumps and heat exchangers are installed in open-air structures, then cooling efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and removes traditional complex components such as heat pumps, heat exchangers, and refrigeration systems from the open-air structure. Instead, it uses a simple ice storage unit and natural convection currents to provide cooling, significantly reducing device complexity while maintaining cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a simplified model of cooling by storing ice in an ice storage unit and allowing natural convection to distribute the cooling effect, replacing complex mechanical systems with a simpler analogous system that achieves the same cooling purpose through phase change and natural air movement.
4Temperature
If cooled air is provided in open-air structures, then heat stress relief is improved, but energy waste increases due to air escape
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling by freezing water into ice particles and storing them in the ice storage unit during off-peak hours. During hot periods, the stored ice particles are distributed to livestock, providing cooling without requiring continuous energy input, thereby preventing energy waste associated with continuous air conditioning 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
The geothermal cooling system effectively reduces heat stress in livestock by utilizing the stable earth temperature to cool open-air structures, conserving water, and avoiding environmental impacts associated with traditional cooling methods, making it a sustainable and cost-effective solution for various climates.
Implementation Method 1
a geothermal loop that includes a below-ground tubing field and at least one above-ground bank of tubing fluidically coupled with the below-ground tubing field via a pumping device. The geothermal loop is configured to cool water by circulating the water through the below-ground tubing field
Implementation Method 2
cool water from the geothermal loop. The cooled water is then used to cool at least a portion of an interior of the open-air structure, and/or at least one animal housed within the open-air structure through convection and evaporation
Implementation Method 3
cooling technologies and methods have therefore been developed in an effort to alleviate heat stress. Existing cooling technologies, however, are generally not considered to be environmentally friendly, sustainable solutions
Implementation Method 4
The positive pressure zone causes a flow of air and moisture from the positive pressure zone toward the negative pressure zone, thereby further cooling the open-air structure and/or at least one animal housed within the open-air structure
Data Source
AI summary
A geothermal cooling system comprises an open-air structure and a closed, geothermal loop configured to cool an environment in which the open-air structure is located. The loop comprises a below-ground tubing field comprising one or more tubing loops, at least one above-ground bank of tubing coupled to the open-air structure, at least one fluid supply line fluidically coupling the below-ground tubing field and the above-ground bank of tubing, and at least one fluid return line fluidically coupling the below-ground tubing field and the above-ground bank of tubing. The loop comprises at least one pump operably coupled to the supply line and configured to apply a pressure differential sufficient to draw fluid from the below-ground tubing field through the supply line and into the above-ground bank of tubing arranged to circulate the fluid via gravity through the above-ground bank of tubing and return the fluid to the below-ground tubing field.