Variable Pressure Drop Adiabatic Cooler Airflow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Adiabatic coolers and condensers face inefficiencies in heat exchange and pressure drops, leading to increased energy consumption and potential health risks from vesicular entrainment, particularly due to heterogeneous airflow and droplet entrainment.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a heat exchanger with a variable pressure drop coefficient and air humidification system that modulates airflow and pressure drop along the height of the exchanger, using a combination of media and spray nozzles to enhance air humidification and pressure drop generation, thereby homogenizing cooling and reducing pressure drops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a uniform pressure drop is applied across the heat exchanger, then the structure is simple, but the airflow becomes heterogeneous and droplet entrainment occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the pressure drop coefficient at different heights of the heat exchanger. The coefficient is minimum at the bottom and maximum at the top, creating locally adapted pressure drops that compensate for gravitational effects on water dispersion and ensure uniform airflow distribution throughout the heat exchanger height.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the pressure drop coefficient variable rather than constant. The coefficient changes dynamically with height, allowing the system to adapt to the varying airflow conditions and gravitational effects at different positions, thereby maintaining optimal airflow uniformity.
2Ease of operation
If the pressure drop coefficient is increased near the fan to compensate for airflow heterogeneity, then airflow uniformity improves, but pressure losses and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the pressure drop coefficient at different heights of the heat exchanger. The coefficient is minimum at the bottom and maximum at the top, creating locally adapted pressure drops that compensate for gravitational effects on water dispersion and ensure uniform airflow distribution throughout the heat exchanger height.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of pressure drop coefficient from a constant value to a variable value that depends on height. This parameter change allows the system to optimize airflow distribution without excessive pressure losses by applying the right amount of pressure drop at each location.
3Productivity
If water dispersion is used for adiabatic cooling, then cooling efficiency improves, but vesicular entrainment and health risks occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the pressure drop coefficient at different heights of the heat exchanger. The coefficient is minimum at the bottom and maximum at the top, creating locally adapted pressure drops that compensate for gravitational effects on water dispersion and ensure uniform airflow distribution throughout the heat exchanger height.
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 improves heat exchange efficiency, reduces energy consumption, and minimizes the risk of vesicular entrainment by balancing airflow and pressure drops across the heat exchanger, ensuring consistent cooling and safety standards are met.
Implementation Method 1
an air humidification device mounted upstream of the heat exchanger in the direction of airflow and configured to humidify the airflow entering the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
at least one heat exchanger or thermal exchanger through which a fluid is intended to circulate
Implementation Method 3
at least one device for generating a pressure drop located upstream and/or downstream of the heat exchanger in the direction of airflow, said device generating a pressure loss comprising a coefficient of pressure loss that varies in the direction of the height of the heat exchanger
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Adiabatic cooler or condenser (10) comprising at least one heat exchanger (20; 30) in which a fluid to be cooled or condensed is intended to circulate and intended to be traversed by an airflow (A1, A2), at least one component (16) intended to set said airflow (A1, A2) in motion and at least one air humidification device (23; 33) mounted upstream of the heat exchanger (20; 30) and configured to humidify the airflow entering the heat exchanger.The adiabatic cooler or condenser (10) includes at least one pressure loss generating element (S) disposed upstream and/or downstream of the heat exchanger (20; 30) in the direction of airflow circulation, said pressure loss generating element (S) includes a pressure loss coefficient that varies in the direction of the height (HB) of the heat exchanger, said pressure loss coefficient increasing in the direction of the airflow movement element (16).