U.S. patent application number 10/993518 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-25 for multi-effect cooling system utilizing heat from an engine.
Invention is credited to Cullen E. Bash, Chandrakant D. Patel, Ratnesh K. Sharma.
Application Number | 20060107674 10/993518 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36459686 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060107674 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sharma; Ratnesh K. ; et
al. |
May 25, 2006 |
Multi-effect cooling system utilizing heat from an engine
Abstract
A method of operating a multi-effect cooling system uses heat
generated from an engine having an exhaust system and cooling
system. The multi-effect cooling system includes, a primary
desorber and a secondary desorber. The primary desorber is heated
using heat from the exhaust system. The secondary desorber is
heated using heat from the cooling system.
Inventors: |
Sharma; Ratnesh K.; (Union
City, CA) ; Patel; Chandrakant D.; (Fremont, CA)
; Bash; Cullen E.; (San Francisco, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HEWLETT PACKARD COMPANY
P O BOX 272400, 3404 E. HARMONY ROAD
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ADMINISTRATION
FORT COLLINS
CO
80527-2400
US
|
Family ID: |
36459686 |
Appl. No.: |
10/993518 |
Filed: |
November 22, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/238.3 ;
62/335; 62/476 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25B 15/008 20130101;
Y02B 30/625 20130101; F25B 27/02 20130101; Y02A 30/274
20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
062/238.3 ;
062/335; 062/476 |
International
Class: |
F25B 27/00 20060101
F25B027/00; F25B 7/00 20060101 F25B007/00; F25B 15/00 20060101
F25B015/00 |
Claims
1. A method of operating a multi-effect cooling system, including a
primary desorber and a secondary desorber, utilizing heat generated
from an engine having an exhaust system and cooling system, the
method comprising: heating the primary desorber using heat from the
exhaust system; and heating the secondary desorber using heat from
the cooling system.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of heating the
primary desorber comprises heating a primary generator, wherein the
step of heating the secondary desorber comprises heating a
secondary generator, and wherein the primary desorber comprises the
primary generator and the secondary desorber comprises the
secondary generator.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the multi-effect
cooling system further includes a primary condenser, the method
further comprising: collecting heat dissipated by the primary
condenser; and transferring the collected heat from the primary
condenser to the secondary generator.
4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising: collecting
and transferring the collected heat using at least one of a heat
pipe and a thermosiphon.
5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the multi-effect
cooling system further includes an absorber and a secondary
condenser and wherein the engine is contained on a vehicle, the
method further comprising: dispersing heat generated from at least
one of the absorber and the secondary condenser using air moving
relative to the vehicle.
6. The method according to claim 3, wherein the multi-effect
cooling system further includes an absorber and a secondary
condenser and wherein the engine is contained on a vehicle, the
method further comprising: dispersing heat generated from at least
one of the absorber and the secondary condenser using water in
contact with the vehicle.
7. The method according to claim 2, wherein the multi-effect
cooling system further includes a primary absorber, the method
further comprising: collecting heat dissipated by the primary
absorber; and transferring the collected heat from the primary
absorber to the secondary generator.
8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the multi-effect
cooling system further includes a condenser and a secondary
absorber and wherein the engine is contained on a vehicle, the
method further comprising: dispersing heat generated from at least
one of the condenser and the secondary absorber using air moving
relative to the vehicle.
9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the multi-effect
cooling system further includes a condenser and a secondary
absorber and wherein the engine is contained on a vehicle, the
method further comprising: dispersing heat generated from at least
one of the condenser and the secondary absorber using water in
contact with the vehicle.
10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of heating
the primary desorber comprises heating a primary adsorber chamber,
wherein the step of heating the secondary desorber comprises
heating a secondary adsorber chamber, and wherein the primary
desorber comprises the primary adsorber chamber and the secondary
desorber comprises the secondary adsorber chamber.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the multi-effect
cooling system further includes a primary condenser, the method
further comprising: collecting heat dissipated by the primary
condenser; and transferring the collected heat from the primary
condenser to the secondary adsorber chamber.
12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising:
collecting and transferring the collected heat using at least one
of a heat pipe and a thermosiphon.
13. The method according to claim 10, wherein the multi-effect
cooling system further includes a secondary condenser and wherein
the engine is contained on a vehicle, the method further
comprising: dispersing heat generated from at least one of the
secondary adsorber chamber and the secondary condenser using at
least one of air and water outside of the vehicle.
14. The method according to claim 10, the method further
comprising: collecting heat dissipated by the primary adsorber
chamber; and transferring the collected heat from the primary
adsorber chamber to the secondary adsorber chamber.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the multi-effect
cooling system further includes a condenser and wherein the engine
is contained on a vehicle, the method further comprising:
dispersing heat generated from at least one of the condenser and
the secondary adsorber chamber using at least one of air and water
outside of the vehicle.
16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cooling system
includes a cooling fluid for collecting heat dissipated by the
engine and wherein the step of heating the secondary desorber
comprises heating the secondary desorber with heat collected from
the engine by the cooling fluid.
17. A vehicle comprising: an engine having an exhaust system and a
cooling system, both the exhaust system and cooling system
conveying heat generated from the engine; a multi-effect cooling
system having a primary desorber and a secondary desorber; means
for heating the primary desorber using heat from the exhaust system
of the engine; and means for heating the secondary desorber using
heat from the cooling system of the engine.
18. The vehicle of claim 17, further comprising: means for removing
heat from the multi-effect cooling system using at least one of air
moving relative to the vehicle and water outside of the
vehicle.
19. The vehicle of claim 17, further comprising: means for reusing
heat generated from the multi-effect cooling system.
20. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein the primary desorber further
comprises: means for desorbing a refrigerant from a solid
adsorbent.
21. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein the primary desorber further
comprises: means for desorbing a refrigerant from a liquid
absorbent.
22. A multi-effect cooling system for a vehicle including an engine
having an exhaust system and a cooling system, the cooling system
comprising: a primary desorber; a secondary desorber; a primary
heat exchanger for supplying heat to the primary desorber from the
exhaust system; and a secondary heat exchanger for supplying heat
to the secondary desorber from the cooling system.
23. The multi-effect cooling system of claim 22, wherein the
primary desorber comprises a primary generator and the secondary
desorber comprises a secondary generator.
24. The multi-effect cooling system of claim 23, further comprising
a primary condenser and wherein the secondary heat exchanger also
supplies heat to the secondary generator from the primary
condenser.
25. The multi-effect cooling system of claim 24, further
comprising: an absorber; a secondary condenser; and a third heat
exchanger for dissipating heat generated from the absorber or the
secondary condenser.
26. The multi-effect cooling system of claim 25, further
comprising: a pyroelectric device for converting the dissipated
heat to electrical energy.
27. The multi-effect cooling system of claim 23, further comprising
a primary absorber and wherein the secondary heat exchanger also
supplies heat to the secondary generator from the primary
adsorber.
28. The multi-effect cooling system of claim 27, further
comprising: a secondary absorber; a condenser; and a third heat
exchanger for dissipating heat generated from the secondary
absorber or the condenser.
29. The multi-effect cooling system of claim 22, wherein the
primary desorber comprises a primary adsorber chamber and the
secondary desorber comprises a secondary adsorber chamber.
30. The multi-effect cooling system of claim 29, further comprising
a primary condenser and wherein the secondary heat exchanger also
supplies heat to the secondary adsorber chamber from the primary
condenser.
31. The multi-effect cooling system of claim 30, further
comprising: a secondary condenser; and a third heat exchanger for
dissipating heat generated from the primary adsorber chamber or the
secondary condenser.
32. The multi-effect cooling system of claim 31, further
comprising: a pyroelectric device for converting the dissipated
heat to electrical energy.
33. The multi-effect cooling system of claim 29, wherein the
secondary heat exchanger also supplies heat to the secondary
adsorber from the primary adsorber.
34. The multi-effect cooling system of claim 33, further
comprising: a condenser; and a third heat exchanger for dissipating
heat generated from the secondary absorber or the condenser.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] An absorption cooling system provides a method of cooling
using a primary heat source as a primary energy source. Absorption
systems function in a similar manner to vapor compression systems.
However, instead of using a compressor to compress refrigerant and
supply the refrigerant to a condenser, absorption systems use a
solution circuit. The solution circuit consists of an absorber and
a generator (also known as a desorber) supplied with an absorbent.
The absorbent absorbs the refrigerant in the absorber and desorbs
the refrigerant in the generator, thus bringing the refrigerant
from a low pressure, low temperature state to a high pressure, high
temperature state. The generator then supplies the refrigerant to a
condenser.
[0002] Multi-effect absorption systems function in a similar manner
to the basic single effect absorption system. However, they include
at least two generators and either an additional absorber, an
additional condenser or both. Multi-effect absorption systems are
typically more efficient than single effect absorption systems
because they use heat dissipated from the additional absorber,
additional condenser or both and apply that heat to one of the
generators for use during the desorbing process.
[0003] An adsorption cooling system provides a method of cooling
using a primary heat source as a primary energy source. Adsorption
systems function in a similar manner to absorption systems.
However, instead of using an adsorber and generator, the adsorption
system uses two adsorber chambers operated in bi-directional modes.
In one mode, the first adsorber chamber adsorbs refrigerant from an
evaporator while the second adsorber chamber desorbs refrigerant;
which is then supplied to a condenser and the evaporator in turn.
In another mode, the second adsorber chamber adsorbs refrigerant
from the evaporator while the first adsorber chamber desorbs
refrigerant; which is then supplied to the condenser and the
evaporator in turn. In both modes, heat provides the energy for
desorbing the refrigerant from the adsorber chamber.
[0004] Multi-effect adsorptions systems function in a similar
manner to the basic single effect adsorption system. However, they
include at least another set of adsorber chambers. Multi-effect
adsorption systems are typically more efficient than single effect
adsorption systems because they use heat dissipated from the
additional adsorber or other elements and apply that heat to one of
the desorbing adsorber chambers for use during the desorbing
process.
[0005] In multi-effect cooling systems, the use of waste heat
generated by elements of the multi-effect cooling system itself
improves the coefficient of performance. However, additional
improvement of the coefficient of performance would be useful.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In accordance with an example, a method of operating a
multi-effect cooling system uses heat generated from an engine
having an exhaust system and cooling system. The multi-effect
cooling system includes a primary desorber and a secondary
desorber. The primary desorber is heated using heat from the
exhaust system. The secondary desorber is heated using heat from
the cooling system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of
example and not limitation in the accompanying figures in which
like numeral references refer to like elements, and wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 shows a simplified schematic illustration of a
multi-effect cooling system according to an embodiment of the
invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 shows a simplified model of an absorption system in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0010] FIG. 3 shows a simplified model of an absorption system in
accordance with another embodiment of the invention;
[0011] FIGS. 4A and 4B, collectively, show a simplified model of an
adsorption system in accordance with another embodiment of the
invention;
[0012] FIGS. 5A and 5B, collectively, show a simplified model of an
adsorption system in accordance with another embodiment of the
invention;
[0013] FIG. 6 shows a flow diagram of an operational mode depicting
a manner in which a multi-effect cooling system may be implemented
according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0014] FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram of an operational mode depicting
a manner in which a multi-effect cooling system may be implemented
according to another embodiment of the invention;
[0015] FIG. 8 shows a flow diagram of an operational mode depicting
a manner in which a multi-effect cooling system may be implemented
according to another embodiment of the invention;
[0016] FIG. 9 shows a flow diagram of an operational mode depicting
a manner in which a multi-effect cooling system may be implemented
according to another embodiment of the invention; and
[0017] FIG. 10 shows a flow diagram of an operational mode
depicting a manner in which a multi-effect cooling system may be
implemented according to another embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] For simplicity and illustrative purposes, the operation of a
multi-effect cooling system is described by referring mainly to
examples thereof. In the following description, numerous specific
details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding
of the examples. It will be apparent however, to one of ordinary
skill in the art, that the examples described herein may be
practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other
instances, well known methods and structures have not been
described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the examples
described herein.
[0019] Throughout the present disclosure, reference is made to a
primary desorber and a secondary desorber. Generally, a desorber
may be defined as a device in a cooling system for desorbing
refrigerant from a substance. The primary desorber may be defined
as any desorber in a multi-effect cooling system that operates at a
higher temperature and/or pressure than another desorber in the
multi-effect cooling system. The secondary desorber may be defined
as any desorber in a multi-effect cooling system that operates at a
lower temperature and/or pressure than another desorber in the
multi-effect cooling system.
[0020] In absorption type multi-effect cooling systems, the primary
desorber is a primary generator that desorbs refrigerant from an
absorbent while the secondary desorber is a secondary generator
that desorbs refrigerant from an absorbent. The secondary generator
operates at a lower temperature and/or pressure than the primary
generator. The refrigerant may be water while the absorbent may be
lithium bromide (Li--Br).
[0021] In adsorption type multi-effect cooling systems, the primary
desorber is one of at least two primary adsorber chambers that
desorbs refrigerant from an adsorbent while the secondary desorber
is one of at least two secondary adsorber chambers that desorbs
refrigerant from an adsorbent. The refrigerant may be water while
the adsorbent may be silica gel.
[0022] Reference is also made to heat generated by an engine having
an exhaust system and a cooling system. The heat generated by the
engine may be defined as any heat produced as a result of fuel
combustion by the engine. The engine may be any liquid cooled
combustion engine that produces heat. The exhaust system may be
defined as a system of pipes or conduits that carry waste gases and
heat from the combustion engine to a predetermined location,
usually outside of a compartment housing the engine. The cooling
system may be defined as a system of pipes or conduits that carry a
liquid from the engine to a radiator, which cools the liquid and
returns it to the engine, in order to reduce the engine's
temperature. In regards to the engine, reference is also made to a
vehicle having the engine. The vehicle may be defined as any mobile
apparatus including an engine as defined above. For example, the
vehicle may be a boat, airplane, truck, car, train, or any other
mobile device having an engine that generates heat.
[0023] According to an example of the invention, a multi-effect
cooling system operates to cool an area. The area may include an
insulated room or container for holding items (food and medicine
are examples) at a predetermined temperature. The area may also
include a room or container for holding heat producing devices such
as electrical equipment. Additionally, the area may include a room
or compartment occupied by a humans or animals. For example, the
area may be the interior of a passenger car, a cabin on an
airplane, a room located within a cruise ship, a data center
located on a tractor-trailer, or simply an insulated storage
compartment. The multi-effect cooling system may be located on a
vehicle or on a static structure such as a building.
[0024] The multi-effect cooling system operates utilizing heat
generated from an engine having an exhaust system and a cooling
system. In general, the multi-effect cooling system includes a
primary desorber and a secondary desorber and makes use of heat
generated in one component to supply heat to the secondary desorber
in order to increase the coefficient of performance for the entire
system. In this manner, the total amount of energy required for
cooling is reduced which saves money for the user and reduces
strain on environmental resources, such as, coal, oil, and natural
gas. The coefficient of performance for a multi-effect cooling
system may be further increased by applying additional heat to the
secondary desorber from another source. In the multi-effect cooling
system, the primary desorber operates using heat from the exhaust
system of the engine (in temperatures ranging from 300 to 800
degrees Celsius) while the secondary desorber operates using heat
from the cooling system of the engine (in temperatures ranging from
80 to 90 degrees Celsius) in addition to heat generated from other
components in the multi-effect cooling system.
[0025] In an example, the multi-effect cooling system may be a
multi-effect absorption system including a primary generator (as
the primary desorber), a secondary generator (as the secondary
desorber), a primary condenser, a secondary condenser, an absorber,
and an evaporator. The primary generator operates using heat from
the exhaust system while the secondary generator operates using
heat from the cooling system. In addition, the secondary generator
may also operate using heat collected from the primary condenser.
Under some circumstances, waste heat produced from a device being
cooled by the multi-effect cooling system may be used to operate
the secondary generator.
[0026] In another example, the multi-effect cooling system may be a
multi-effect absorption system including a primary generator (as
the primary desorber), a secondary generator (as the secondary
desorber), a condenser, a primary absorber, a secondary absorber,
and an evaporator. The primary generator operates using heat from
the exhaust system while the secondary generator operates using
heat from the cooling system. In addition, the secondary generator
may also operate using heat collected from the primary absorber.
Under some circumstances, waste heat produced from a device being
cooled by the multi-effect cooling system may be used to operate
the secondary generator.
[0027] In another example, the multi-effect cooling system may be a
multi-effect adsorption system including a primary adsorber chamber
(as the primary desorber), a secondary adsorber chamber (as the
secondary desorber), a primary condenser, a secondary condenser,
another primary adsorber chamber, another secondary adsorber
chamber, and an evaporator. The primary adsorber chamber operates
using heat from the exhaust system while the secondary adsorber
chamber operates using heat from the cooling system. In addition,
the secondary adsorber chamber may also operate using heat
collected from the primary condenser. Under some circumstances,
waste heat produced from a device being cooled by the multi-effect
cooling system may be used to operate the secondary adsorber
chamber.
[0028] In another example, the multi-effect cooling system may be a
multi-effect adsorption system including a primary adsorber chamber
(as the primary desorber), a secondary adsorber chamber (as the
secondary desorber), a condenser, another primary adsorber chamber,
another secondary adsorber chamber, and an evaporator. The primary
adsorber chamber operates using heat from the exhaust system while
the secondary adsorber chamber operates using heat from the cooling
system. In addition, the secondary adsorber chamber may also
operate using heat collected from the primary adsorber chamber.
Under some circumstances, waste heat produced from a device being
cooled by the multi-effect cooling system may be used to operate
the secondary adsorber chamber.
[0029] In any of the examples described above, heat may be
generated from components of the multi-effect cooling system such
as condensers and absorbers. Efficiencies may be improved by
dissipating this heat to the environment using air moving relative
to a vehicle or water in contact with the vehicle. For example,
moving air channeled through a radiator may dissipate heat
generated by a condenser and thus increase the overall efficiency
of the multi-effect cooling system. In another example, a heat
exchanger, such as a heat transfer plate, in contact with a body of
water, such as an ocean or lake, may dissipate heat generated by an
absorber and may thus increase the overall efficiency of the
multi-effect cooling system.
[0030] According to examples of the invention, total efficiency of
the engine and multi-effect cooling system, taken as a unit, may be
increased through a variety of manners. For instance, heat from the
exhaust system would normally be wasted. However, the primary
desorber of the multi-effect cooling system uses the exhaust heat
to operate. Therefore, the engine does not need to operate
additional electrical power generators or compressors to cool an
area, thus reducing the total load on the engine. In addition,
extra energy used to cool the engine itself, such as energy used to
operate a radiator fan, is reduced by using heat from the cooling
fluid to operate the secondary desorber. This provides a dual
benefit by reducing energy consumption of the engine and increasing
the coefficient of performance of the multi-effect cooling system.
Additionally, using heat from the cooling system may reduce the
amount of heat supplied to the primary desorber from the exhaust
system. This may reduce pressure in the exhaust system reducing the
engine's workload and thus increasing the engine's efficiency.
[0031] With reference first to FIG. 1, there is shown a block
diagram of a vehicle or static structure 100 having an engine 102,
a multi-effect cooling system 104, and a cooled area 106. The
engine 102 includes an exhaust system 108 and a cooling system 110.
The multi-effect cooling system 104 includes a primary desorber
112, a secondary desorber 114, and an evaporator 116. The exhaust
system 108 supplies heat to the primary desorber 112 in any one of
a variety of manners. One example includes routing hot exhaust
gasses through a conduit represented by arrow 118 to a heat
exchanger 120 that then provides heat to the primary desorber 112.
The hot exhaust gasses may then be routed to the environment
through a conduit designated by arrow 122. In addition or
alternatively, the hot exhaust gases may be routed back to the
exhaust system 108 through a conduit designated by arrow 124 for
further processing through a catalytic converter or muffler.
[0032] The cooling system 110 supplies heat to the secondary
desorber 114 in any one of a variety of manners. One example
includes routing hot cooling fluid through a conduit represented by
arrow 126 to a heat exchanger 128 that then provides heat to the
secondary desorber 114. The cooling fluid may then be routed back
to the cooling system 110 through a conduit designated by arrow
130.
[0033] The multi-effect cooling system 104 may include additional
components as shown and described in FIGS. 2-5B. The additional
components may vary in number and type depending on the type of
multi-effect cooling system 104 employed in the vehicle or static
structure 100. For example, absorption systems use absorbers and
generators while adsorption systems use adsorber chambers for both
adsorption and desorption processes. Some of the additional
components, designated by box 132, produce heat that is dissipated
to the environment, shown by arrow 134, through a heat exchanger
136.
[0034] In one example, the heat exchanger 136 may represent a
pyroelectric device that may be used to generate electricity to
charge batteries or provide additional electrical power to various
other components from the heat dissipated by the component 132.
Examples of suitable pyroelectric devices may be found in
co-pending and commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/678,268, filed on Oct. 6, 2003, and entitled, "Converting Heat
Generated By A Component To Electrical Energy," the disclosure of
which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0035] The multi-effect cooling system 104 provides cooling to
(removes heat from) the cooled area 106 using the evaporator 116
through any one of a variety of manners. In one example, the
evaporator 116 may exchange heat through a heat exchanger 138
removing heat from a fluid that is then routed to the cooled area
106 through a conduit designated by arrow 140. The fluid absorbs
heat from the cooled area 106 and is routed back to the heat
exchanger 138 through a conduit designated by arrow 142.
[0036] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a simplified model
of a multi-effect absorption system 200 according to an embodiment
of the invention. The multi-effect absorption system 200
illustrated in FIG. 2 is a double-effect double-condenser
absorption system and includes an evaporator 202, an absorber 204,
a secondary generator 206 (also known as a secondary desorber 114
shown in FIG. 1), a primary generator 208 (also known as a primary
desorber 112 shown in FIG. 1), a primary condenser 210 and a
secondary condenser 212. In general, absorption systems use a
refrigerant and an absorbent. For example, an absorption system may
use an ammonia/water combination, a water/lithium bromide
combination, or the like. The refrigerant vaporizes in the
evaporator 202 thereby absorbing heat Q.sub.E 216 from, for
instance, cooling fluid heated by heat dissipated from the cooled
area 106 shown in FIG. 1. The vaporized refrigerant flows to the
absorber 204, as indicated by the arrow 218, and the vaporized
refrigerant is absorbed into the absorbent contained in the
absorber 204, thereby dissipating heat Q.sub.A 220. The heat
Q.sub.A 220 may be dissipated to the environment through heat
exchanger 136 shown in FIG. 1.
[0037] The absorbent and the absorbed refrigerant flow through the
secondary generator 206 through operation of a pump 222 and then to
the primary generator 208 through operation of a pump 224, as
indicated by the arrows 226 and 228 respectively. Alternatively,
the absorbent and the absorbed refrigerant may flow to the primary
generator 208 directly through operation of a pump and direct line
(not shown). Heat Q.sub.P 230 is supplied into the primary
generator 208 from the exhaust system 108 shown in FIG. 1 and the
heat Q.sub.P 230 desorbs some of the vaporized refrigerant from the
absorbent in the primary generator 208. The desorbed refrigerant
flows to the primary condenser 210, as indicated by the arrow 232,
which condenses the refrigerant and dissipates heat Q.sub.PC 234.
The condensed refrigerant flows from the primary condenser 210 to
the secondary condenser 212 through a valve 236, as indicated by
the arrow 238.
[0038] The absorbent with the remainder of the absorbed refrigerant
then flows from the primary generator 208 to the secondary
generator 206 through a valve 240, as indicated by the arrow 242.
Heat Q.sub.PC 234 dissipated from the desorbed refrigerant is
supplied from the primary condenser 210 to the secondary generator
206. In addition, heat Q.sub.CS 244 collected from the cooling
system 110 of the engine 102 shown in FIG. 1 is also supplied to
the secondary generator 206. The heat Q.sub.PC 234 and Q.sub.CS 244
desorbs additional refrigerant from the absorbent in the secondary
generator 206. Through use of the heat Q.sub.CS 244 received from
the cooling system 110, the amount of heat necessary for the
primary generator 208 may be reduced.
[0039] The additional desorbed refrigerant then flows to the
secondary condenser 206, as indicated by the arrow 246, which
condenses the refrigerant and dissipates heat Q.sub.SC 248. The
heat Q.sub.SC 248 may be dissipated to the environment through the
heat exchanger 136 shown in FIG. 1. The condensed refrigerant from
the primary condenser 210 contained in the secondary condenser 212
mixes with the refrigerant condensed from the secondary condenser
212. The mixed condensed refrigerant then flows through a valve 250
back to the evaporator 202, as indicated by the arrow 252. Through
operation of the above-identified process, the refrigerant is
returned to a lower temperature and lower pressure state to thereby
cool the cooled area 106. The above-identified process may then be
repeated on a substantially continuous basis to provide heat
removal from the cooled area 106 through the evaporator 202.
[0040] The absorbent separated from the absorbed refrigerant in the
secondary generator 206 flows back to the absorber 204 through a
valve 254 as indicated by the arrow 256. In this regard, the
absorbent may be re-used in absorbing the vaporized refrigerant
received from the evaporator 202.
[0041] FIG. 3 shows a simplified model of a multi-effect absorption
system 300 according to another embodiment of the invention. The
multi-effect absorption system 300 illustrated in FIG. 3 is a
double-effect double-absorber absorption system and includes an
evaporator 302, a secondary absorber 304, a primary absorber 306, a
secondary generator 308 (also known as a secondary desorber 114
shown in FIG. 1), a primary generator 310 (also known as a primary
desorber 112 shown in FIG. 1), and a condenser 312. In general,
absorption systems use a refrigerant and an absorbent as described
hereinabove. The refrigerant vaporizes in the evaporator 302
thereby absorbing heat Q.sub.E 314 from, for instance, cooling
fluid heated by heat dissipated from the cooled area 106 shown in
FIG. 1. The vaporized refrigerant flows to the secondary absorber
304, as indicated by the arrow 316, and a portion of the vaporized
refrigerant is absorbed into a secondary absorbent contained in the
secondary absorber 304, thereby dissipating heat Q.sub.SA 318. The
heat Q.sub.SA 318 may be dissipated to the environment through the
heat exchanger 136 shown in FIG. 1.
[0042] The absorbent and the absorbed refrigerant flow to the
secondary generator 308 through operation of a pump 320, as
indicated by the arrow 322. The remaining refrigerant flows to the
primary absorber 306, as indicated by the arrow 324, and the
remaining refrigerant is absorbed into a primary absorbent
contained in the primary absorber 306, thereby dissipating heat
Q.sub.PA 326. The heat Q.sub.PA 326 is supplied to the secondary
generator 308.
[0043] The primary absorbent with the remaining refrigerant flow to
the primary generator 310 through operation of a pump 328, as
indicated by the arrow 330. Heat Q.sub.P 332 is supplied to the
primary generator 310 from the exhaust system 108 shown in FIG. 1
and the heat Q.sub.P 332 desorbs most of the refrigerant from the
primary absorbent in the primary generator 310. The desorbed
refrigerant flows to the secondary generator 308, as indicated by
the arrow 334. The primary absorbent flows through valve 336 to the
primary absorber 306, as indicated by the arrow 338, for re-use in
the primary absorber 306.
[0044] As indicated hereinabove, heat Q.sub.PA 326 dissipated from
the desorbed refrigerant is supplied from the primary absorber 306
to the secondary generator 308. In addition, heat Q.sub.CS 340
collected from the cooling system 110 of the engine 102 shown in
FIG. 1 is also supplied to the secondary generator 308. The heat
Q.sub.PA 326 and heat Q.sub.CS 340 desorbs refrigerant from the
secondary absorbent at the secondary generator 308. Through use of
the heat Q.sub.CS 340 received from the cooling system 110, the
amount of heat necessary for the primary generator 310 may be
reduced.
[0045] The secondary absorbent then flows through valve 342 to the
secondary absorber 304, as indicated by the arrow 344, for re-use
in the secondary absorber 304. The desorbed refrigerant from the
primary generator 310 contained in the secondary generator 308
mixes with the refrigerant desorbed at the secondary generator 308.
The combined refrigerant then flows to the condenser 312, as
indicated by the arrow 346. The condenser 312 generally operates to
condense the combined refrigerant and thereby dissipate heat
Q.sub.C 348. The heat Q.sub.C 348 may be dissipated to the
environment through heat exchanger 136 shown in FIG. 1. The
condensed refrigerant then flows through valve 350 back to the
evaporator 304, as indicated by the arrow 352. Through operation of
the above-identified process, the refrigerant is returned to a
lower temperature and lower pressure state to thereby cool the
cooled area 106. The above-identified process may then be repeated
on a substantially continuous basis to provide heat removal from
the cooled area 106 through the evaporator 302.
[0046] Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, there is shown,
collectively, a simplified model of a multi-effect adsorption
system 400 according to an example of the invention. FIG. 4A shows
the forward cycle while FIG. 4B shows the reverse cycle. Some
components in the multi-effect adsorption system 400 function as
desorbers in the forward cycle and then function as adsorbers in
the reverse cycle. As a consequence, some items in FIGS. 4A and 4B
are located in different positions in the simplified model. The
multi-effect adsorption system 400 operates according to a
reversible process, a forward cycle and a reverse cycle, each of
which provides cooling by removing heat in the evaporator 402. The
multi-effect adsorption system 400 is a double-effect
double-condenser adsorption system and includes an evaporator 402,
a first primary adsorber chamber (PAC1) 404, a second primary
adsorber chamber (PAC2) 406 (also known as the primary desorber 112
shown in FIG. 1), a first secondary adsorber chamber (SAC1) 408, a
second secondary adsorber chamber (SAC2) 410 (also known as a
secondary desorber 114 shown in FIG. 1), a primary condenser 412
and a secondary condenser 414. In general, adsorption systems use a
refrigerant and an adsorbent. For example, an adsorption system may
use water and silica gel or Kansi carbon combinations.
[0047] In the multi-effect adsorption system 400, the first primary
adsorber chamber (PAC1) 404 and the second primary adsorber chamber
(PAC2) 406 may be formed as two separate chambers arranged in such
a manner as to transfer heat between one another. Similarly, the
first secondary adsorber chamber (SAC1) 408 and the second
secondary adsorber chamber (SAC2) 410 may be formed as two separate
chambers arranged in such a manner as to transfer heat between one
another.
[0048] Referring now to the forward cycle illustrated in FIG. 4A,
some of the refrigerant vaporizes in the evaporator 402, thereby
absorbing heat Q.sub.E 416 from, for instance, cooling fluid heated
by heat dissipated from the cooled area 106 shown in FIG. 1. The
vaporized refrigerant flows to the first secondary adsorber chamber
408, as indicated by the arrow 418, and the vaporized refrigerant
is adsorbed into the adsorbent contained in the first secondary
adsorber chamber 408, thereby dissipating heat Q.sub.SA 420.
Additionally, more of the refrigerant vaporizes in the evaporator
402 thereby absorbing heat Q.sub.E 416 from, for instance, cooling
fluid heated by adsorbing heat from the cooled area 106 shown in
FIG. 1. The vaporized refrigerant flows to the first primary
adsorber chamber 404, as indicated by the arrow 422, and the
vaporized refrigerant is adsorbed into the adsorbent contained in
the first primary adsorber chamber 404, thereby dissipating heat
Q.sub.PA 424. The heat Q.sub.SA 420 and Q.sub.PA 424 may be
dissipated to the environment through the heat exchanger 136 shown
in FIG. 1.
[0049] The refrigerant adsorbed into the first secondary adsorber
chamber 408 and the first primary adsorber chamber 404 originated
from the second secondary adsorber chamber 410 and the second
primary adsorber chamber 406, respectively. Some of the refrigerant
is desorbed from the second primary adsorber chamber 406. Heat
Q.sub.P 426 is supplied into the second primary adsorber chamber
406 from the exhaust system 108 shown in FIG. 1 and the heat
Q.sub.P 426 desorbs some of the refrigerant from the adsorbent in
the second primary adsorber chamber 406. The desorbed refrigerant
flows to the primary condenser 412 as indicated by the arrow 428
which condenses the refrigerant and dissipates heat Q.sub.PC 430.
The condensed refrigerant flows from the primary condenser 412 to
the secondary condenser 414, as indicated by the arrow 432.
[0050] Likewise, some of the refrigerant is desorbed from the
second secondary adsorber chamber 410. The heat Q.sub.PC 430 is
supplied to the second secondary adsorber chamber 410 along with
the heat Q.sub.CS 434 from the cooling system 110 shown in FIG. 1
and together desorb some of the refrigerant from the adsorbent in
the second secondary adsorber chamber 410. The desorbed refrigerant
flows to the secondary condenser 414 as indicated by the arrow 436
which condenses the refrigerant and dissipates heat Q.sub.SC 438.
The condensed refrigerant then flows from the secondary condenser
414 to the evaporator 402, as indicated by the arrow 440. The heat
Q.sub.SC 438 may be dissipated to the environment through the heat
exchanger 136 shown in FIG. 1.
[0051] Referring now to the reverse cycle illustrated in FIG. 4B,
some of the refrigerant vaporizes in the evaporator 402 thereby
absorbing heat Q.sub.E 416 from, for instance, cooling fluid heated
by heat dissipated from the cooled area 106 shown in FIG. 1. The
vaporized refrigerant flows to the second secondary adsorber
chamber (SAC2) 410, as indicated by the arrow 418, and the
vaporized refrigerant is adsorbed into the adsorbent contained in
the second secondary adsorber chamber 410, thereby dissipating heat
Q.sub.SA 420. Additionally, more of the refrigerant vaporizes in
the evaporator 402 thereby absorbing heat Q.sub.E 416 from, for
instance, cooling fluid heated by heat dissipated from the cooled
area 106 shown in FIG. 1. The vaporized refrigerant flows to the
second primary adsorber chamber (PAC2) 406, as indicated by the
arrow 422, and the vaporized refrigerant is adsorbed into the
adsorbent contained in the second primary adsorber chamber 406,
thereby dissipating heat Q.sub.PA 424. The heat Q.sub.SA 420 and
the heat Q.sub.PA 424 may be dissipated to the environment through
the heat exchanger 136 shown in FIG. 1.
[0052] The refrigerant adsorbed into the second secondary adsorber
chamber 410 and the second primary adsorber chamber 406 originated
from the first secondary adsorber chamber (SAC1) 408 and the first
primary adsorber chamber (PAC1) 404, respectively. Some of the
refrigerant is desorbed from the first primary adsorber chamber
404. Heat Q.sub.P 426 is supplied into the first primary adsorber
chamber 404 from the exhaust system 108 shown in FIG. 1 and the
heat Q.sub.P 426 desorbs some of the refrigerant from the adsorbent
in the first primary adsorber chamber 404. The desorbed refrigerant
flows to the primary condenser 412 as indicated by the arrow 428
which condenses the refrigerant and dissipates heat Q.sub.PC 430.
The condensed refrigerant flows from the primary condenser 412 to
the secondary condenser 414, as indicated by the arrow 432.
[0053] Likewise, some of the refrigerant is desorbed from the first
secondary adsorber chamber 408. The heat Q.sub.PC 430 is supplied
to the first secondary adsorber chamber 408 along with the heat
Q.sub.CS 434 from the cooling system 110 shown in FIG. 1 and
together desorb some of the refrigerant from the adsorbent in the
first secondary adsorber chamber 408. The desorbed refrigerant
flows to the secondary condenser 414 as indicated by the arrow 436
which condenses the refrigerant and dissipates heat Q.sub.SC 438.
The condensed refrigerant then flows from the secondary condenser
414 to the evaporator 402, as indicated by the arrow 440. The heat
Q.sub.SC 438 may be dissipated to the environment through the heat
exchanger 136 shown in FIG. 1.
[0054] Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, there is shown,
collectively, a simplified model of a multi-effect adsorption
system 500 according to an example of the invention. FIG. 5A shows
the forward cycle while FIG. 5B shows the reverse cycle. Some
components in the multi-effect adsorption system 500 function as
desorbers in the forward cycle and then function as adsorbers in
the reverse cycle. As a consequence, some items in FIGS. 5A and 5B
are located in different positions in the simplified model. The
multi-effect adsorption system 500 operates according to a
reversible process, a forward cycle and a reverse cycle, each of
which provides cooling by removing heat in an evaporator 502. FIG.
5A shows the forward cycle while FIG. 5B shows the reverse cycle.
The multi-effect adsorption system 500 is a double-effect
single-condenser adsorption system and includes an evaporator 502,
a first primary adsorber chamber (PAC1) 504, a second primary
adsorber chamber (PAC2) 506 (also known as the primary desorber 112
shown in FIG. 1), a first secondary adsorber chamber (SAC1) 508, a
second secondary adsorber chamber (SAC2) 510 (also known as a
secondary desorber 114 shown in FIG. 1), and a condenser 512. In
general, adsorption systems use a refrigerant and an adsorbent. For
example, an adsorption system may use water and silica gel or Kansi
carbon combinations.
[0055] In the multi-effect adsorption system 500, the first primary
adsorber chamber (PAC1) 504 and the second primary adsorber chamber
(PAC2) 506 may be formed as two separate chambers arranged in such
a manner as to transfer heat between one another. Similarly, the
first secondary adsorber chamber (SAC1) 508 and the second
secondary adsorber chamber (SAC2) 510 may be formed as two separate
chambers arranged in such a manner as to transfer heat between one
another.
[0056] Referring now to the forward cycle illustrated in FIG. 5A,
some of the refrigerant vaporizes in the evaporator 502 thereby
absorbing heat Q.sub.E 514 from, for instance, cooling fluid heated
by heat dissipated from the cooled area 106 shown in FIG. 1. The
vaporized refrigerant flows to the first secondary adsorber chamber
508, as indicated by the arrow 516, and the vaporized refrigerant
is adsorbed into the adsorbent contained in the first secondary
adsorber chamber 508, thereby dissipating heat Q.sub.SA 518. The
heat Q.sub.SA 518 may be dissipated to the environment through the
heat exchanger 136 shown in FIG. 1. Additionally, more of the
refrigerant vaporizes in the evaporator 502 thereby absorbing heat
Q.sub.E 514 from, for instance, cooling fluid heated by heat
dissipated from the cooled area 106 shown in FIG. 1. The vaporized
refrigerant flows to the first primary adsorber chamber 504, as
indicated by the arrow 520, and the vaporized refrigerant is
adsorbed into the adsorbent contained in the first primary adsorber
chamber 504, thereby dissipating heat Q.sub.PA 522.
[0057] The refrigerant adsorbed into the first secondary adsorber
chamber 508 and the first primary adsorber chamber 504 originated
from the second secondary adsorber chamber 510 and the second
primary adsorber chamber 506, respectively. Some of the refrigerant
is desorbed from the second primary adsorber chamber 506. Heat
Q.sub.P 524 is supplied into the second primary adsorber chamber
506 from the exhaust system 108 shown in FIG. 1 and the heat
Q.sub.P 524 desorbs some of the refrigerant from the adsorbent in
the second primary adsorber chamber 506. The desorbed refrigerant
flows to the condenser 512 as indicated by the arrow 526 which
condenses the refrigerant and dissipates heat Q.sub.C 528.
[0058] Likewise, some of the refrigerant is desorbed from the
second secondary adsorber chamber 510. The heat Q.sub.PA 522 is
supplied to the second secondary adsorber chamber 510 along with
the heat Q.sub.CS 530 from the cooling system 110 shown in FIG. 1
and together desorb some of the refrigerant from the adsorbent in
the second secondary adsorber chamber 510. The desorbed refrigerant
flows to the condenser 512 as indicated by the arrow 532 which
condenses the refrigerant and dissipates heat Q.sub.C 528. The
condensed refrigerant then flows from the condenser 512 to the
evaporator 502, as indicated by the arrow 534. The heat Q.sub.C 528
may be dissipated to the environment through the heat exchanger 136
shown in FIG. 1.
[0059] Referring now to the reverse cycle illustrated in FIG. 5B,
some of the refrigerant vaporizes in the evaporator 502 thereby
absorbing heat Q.sub.E 514 from, for instance, cooling fluid heated
by heat dissipated from the cooled area 106 shown in FIG. 1. The
vaporized refrigerant flows to the second secondary adsorber
chamber 510, as indicated by the arrow 516, and the vaporized
refrigerant is adsorbed into the adsorbent contained in the second
secondary adsorber chamber 510, thereby dissipating the heat
Q.sub.SA 518. The heat Q.sub.SA 518 may be dissipated to the
environment through heat exchanger 136 shown in FIG. 1.
Additionally, more of the refrigerant vaporizes in the evaporator
502 thereby absorbing heat Q.sub.E 514 from, for instance, cooling
fluid heated by heat dissipated from the cooled area 106 shown in
FIG. 1. The vaporized refrigerant flows to the second primary
adsorber chamber 506, as indicated by the arrow 520, and the
vaporized refrigerant is adsorbed into the adsorbent contained in
the second primary adsorber chamber 506, thereby dissipating the
heat Q.sub.PA 522.
[0060] The refrigerant adsorbed into the second secondary adsorber
chamber 510 and the second primary adsorber chamber 506 originated
from the first secondary adsorber chamber 508 and the first primary
adsorber chamber 504, respectively. Some of the refrigerant is
desorbed from the first primary adsorber chamber 504. Heat Q.sub.P
524 is supplied into the first primary adsorber chamber 504 from
the exhaust system 108 shown in FIG. 1 and the heat Q.sub.P 524
desorbs some of the refrigerant from the adsorbent in the first
primary adsorber chamber 504. The desorbed refrigerant flows to the
condenser 512 as indicated by the arrow 526 which condenses the
refrigerant and dissipates heat Q.sub.C 528.
[0061] Likewise, some of the refrigerant is desorbed from the first
secondary adsorber chamber 508. The heat Q.sub.PA 522 is supplied
to the first secondary adsorber chamber 508 along with the heat
Q.sub.CS 530 from the cooling system 110 shown in FIG. 1 and
together desorb some of the refrigerant from the adsorbent in the
first secondary adsorber chamber 508. The desorbed refrigerant
flows to the condenser 512 as indicated by the arrow 532 which
condenses the refrigerant and dissipates heat Q.sub.C 528. The
condensed refrigerant then flows to the evaporator 502, as
indicated by the arrow 534. The heat Q.sub.C 528 may be dissipated
to the environment through the heat exchanger 136 shown in FIG.
1.
[0062] FIG. 6 shows a flow diagram of an operational mode 600
depicting a manner in which a multi-effect cooling system may be
implemented in accordance with an example of the invention. The
following description of the operational mode 600 is made with
reference to the block diagram 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, and thus
makes reference to the elements cited therein. The following
description of the operational mode 600 is one manner in which the
multi-effect cooling system 104 may be implemented. In this
respect, it is to be understood that the following description of
the operational mode 600 is but one manner of a variety of
different manners in which such a multi-effect cooling system 104
may be operated.
[0063] In the operational mode 600, the multi-effect cooling system
104 is operated utilizing heat from the engine 102. The exhaust
system 108 heats the primary desorber 112 at step 602. The cooling
system 110 heats the secondary desorber 114 at step 604. Manners in
which heat from the engine 102 may be transferred to the
multi-effect cooling system 104 are described in greater detail
with respect to FIG. 1. In addition, the exhaust system 108 and the
cooling system 110 provide substantially all of the power used to
operate the multi-effect cooling system 104.
[0064] FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram of an operational mode 700
depicting a manner in which a multi-effect cooling system may be
implemented according to an example of the invention. The following
description of the operational mode 700 is made with reference to
the block diagram 100 and schematic illustration 200 illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively, and thus makes reference to the
elements cited therein. The following description of the
operational mode 700 is one manner in which the multi-effect
cooling system may be implemented. In this respect, it is to be
understood that the following description of the operational mode
700 is but one manner of a variety of different manners in which
such a multi-effect cooling system 104 may be operated.
[0065] In the operational mode 700, the exhaust system 108 of the
engine 102 heats the primary generator 208 of the multi-effect
absorption system 200 at step 702. The heat Q.sub.P 230 provides
the primary source of energy to the multi-effect absorption system
200 for cooling the cooled area 106. The cooling system 110 of the
engine 102 heats the secondary generator 206 of the multi-effect
absorption system 200 at step 704. The heat Q.sub.CS 244 provides a
secondary source of energy to the multi-effect absorption system
200. Additionally, heat dissipated by the primary condenser 210 may
be collected at step 706. The collected heat may then be
transferred to the secondary generator 206 to provide an additional
source of energy to the multi-effect absorption system 200 at step
708. The heat may be collected and transferred in a variety of
manners including, but not limited to, using heat pipes and/or
thermosiphons (not shown) to collect and transfer heat from the
primary condenser 210 to the secondary generator 206. For example,
an evaporator of the heat pipe or thermosiphon may be wrapped
around the primary condenser 210 while a condenser of the heat pipe
or thermosiphon may be wrapped around the secondary generator
206.
[0066] In any respect, during operation of the multi-effect
absorption system 200, both the secondary condenser 212 and the
absorber 204 produce heat Q.sub.SC 248 and heat Q.sub.A 220,
respectively, which may be dissipated to the environment in a
variety of manners. For instance, the heat exchanger 136 may
disperse the heat Q.sub.SC 248 and/or the heat Q.sub.A 220 to the
environment using air moving relative to the vehicle 100 having the
engine 102 at step 710. Step 710 may be implemented if the vehicle
is a ship, automobile, train, airplane, or any other mobile
vehicle. In another example, the heat exchanger 136 may disperse
the heat Q.sub.SC 248 and/or heat Q.sub.A 220 to the environment
using water in contact with the vehicle 100 having the engine 102
at step 712. Step 712 may be implemented if the vehicle is a ship,
submarine, amphibious vehicle, or any other vehicle which moves in
an aquatic environment. In another example, heat Q.sub.SC 248 and
heat Q.sub.A 220 may be converted into electricity using a
pyroelectric device at step 714, in manners as described herein
above with respect to the heat exchanger 136.
[0067] FIG. 8 shows a flow diagram of an operational mode 800
depicting a manner in which a multi-effect cooling system may be
implemented in accordance with an example of the invention. The
following description of the operational mode 800 is made with
reference to the block diagram 100 and schematic illustration 300
illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, respectively, and thus makes
reference to the elements cited therein. The following description
of the operational mode 800 is one manner in which the multi-effect
cooling system 104 may be implemented. In this respect, it is to be
understood that the following description of the operational mode
800 is but one manner of a variety of different manners in which
such a multi-effect cooling system may be operated.
[0068] In the operational mode 800, the exhaust system 108 of the
engine 102 heats the primary generator 310 of the multi-effect
absorption system 300 at step 802. The heat Q.sub.P 322 provides
the primary source of energy to the multi-effect absorption system
300 for cooling the cooled area 106. The cooling system 110 of the
engine 102 heats the secondary generator 308 of the multi-effect
absorption system 300 at step 704. The heat Q.sub.CS 340 provides a
secondary source of energy to the multi-effect absorption system
300. Additionally, heat dissipated by the primary absorber 306 may
be collected at step 806. The collected heat may then be
transferred to the secondary generator 308 to provide an additional
source of energy to the multi-effect absorption system 300 at step
808. The heat may be collected and transferred in a variety of
manners including, but not limited to, using heat pipes and/or
thermosiphons (not shown) to collect and transfer heat from the
primary absorber 306 to the secondary generator 308. For example,
an evaporator of the heat pipe or thermosiphon may be wrapped
around the primary absorber 306 while a condenser of the heat pipe
or thermosiphon may be wrapped around the secondary generator
308.
[0069] In any regard, during operation of the multi-effect
absorption system 300, both the condenser 312 and the secondary
absorber 318 produce heat Q.sub.C 348 and heat Q.sub.SA 318,
respectively, which may be dissipated to the environment in a
variety of manners. For instance, the heat exchanger 136 may
disperse the heat Q.sub.C 348 and/or the heat Q.sub.SA 318 to the
environment using air moving relative to the vehicle 100 having the
engine 102 at step 810. Step 810 may be implemented if the vehicle
is a ship, automobile, train, airplane, or any other mobile
vehicle. In another example, the heat exchanger 136 may disperse
the heat Q.sub.C 348 and/or heat Q.sub.SA 318 to the environment
using water in contact with the vehicle 100 having the engine 102
at step 812. Step 812 may be implemented if the vehicle is a ship,
submarine, amphibious vehicle, or any other vehicle which moves in
an aquatic environment. In another example, heat Q.sub.C 348 and
heat Q.sub.SA 318 may be converted into electricity using a
pyroelectric device at step 814.
[0070] FIG. 9 shows a flow diagram of an operational mode 900
depicting a manner in which a multi-effect cooling system may be
implemented according to an example of the invention. The following
description of the operational mode 900 is made with reference to
the block diagram 100 and schematic illustration 400 illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 4A-4B, respectively, and thus makes reference to the
elements cited therein. The following description of the
operational mode 900 is one manner in which the multi-effect
cooling system 104 may be implemented. In this respect, it is to be
understood that the following description of the operational mode
900 is but one manner of a variety of different manners in which
such a multi-effect cooling system 104 may be operated.
[0071] In the operational mode 900, the exhaust system 108 of the
engine 102 heats the second primary adsorber chamber 406 of the
multi-effect adsorption system 400 at step 902. The heat Q.sub.P
426 provides the primary source of energy to the multi-effect
adsorption system 400 for cooling the cooled area 106. The cooling
system 110 of the engine 102 heats the second secondary adsorber
chamber 410 of the multi-effect adsorption system 400 at step 904.
The heat Q.sub.CS 434 provides a secondary source of energy to the
multi-effect adsorption system 400. Additionally, heat dissipated
by the primary condenser 412 may be collected at step 906. The
collected heat may then be transferred to the second secondary
adsorber chamber 410 to provide an additional source of energy to
the multi-effect adsorption system 400 at step 908. The heat may be
collected and transferred in a variety of manners including, but
not limited to, using heat pipes and/or thermosiphons to collect
and transfer heat from the primary condenser 412 to the secondary
adsorber chamber 410. For example, an evaporator of the heat pipe
or thermosiphon may be wrapped around the primary condenser 412
while a condenser of the heat pipe or thermosiphon may be wrapped
around the secondary adsorber chamber 410.
[0072] In any respect, during operation of the multi-effect
adsorption system 400, the secondary condenser 438, the first
secondary adsorber chamber 408, and the first primary adsorber
chamber 404 produce heat Q.sub.SC 438, heat Q.sub.SA 420, and heat
Q.sub.PA 424, respectively, which may be dissipated to the
environment in a variety of manners. For instance, the heat
exchanger 136 may disperse the heat Q.sub.SC 438, the heat Q.sub.SA
420, and/or the heat Q.sub.PA 424 to the environment using air
moving relative to the vehicle 100 having the engine 102 at step
910. Step 910 may be implemented if the vehicle is a ship,
automobile, train, airplane, or any other mobile vehicle. In
another example, the heat exchanger 136 may disperse the heat
Q.sub.SC 438, the heat Q.sub.SA 420, and/or the heat Q.sub.PA 424
to the environment using water in contact with the vehicle 100
having the engine 102 at step 912. Step 912 may be implemented if
the vehicle is a ship, submarine, amphibious vehicle, or any other
vehicle which moves in an aquatic environment. In another example,
heat Q.sub.SA 420 and heat Q.sub.PA 424 may be converted into
electricity using a pyroelectric device at step 914.
[0073] FIG. 10 shows a flow diagram of an operational mode 1000
depicting a manner in which a multi-effect cooling system may be
implemented according to an example of the invention. The following
description of the operational mode 1000 is made with reference to
the block diagram 100 and schematic illustration 500 illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 5A-5B, respectively, and thus makes reference to the
elements cited therein. The following description of the
operational mode 1000 is one manner in which the multi-effect
cooling system 104 may be implemented. In this respect, it is to be
understood that the following description of the operational mode
1000 is but one manner of a variety of different manners in which
such a multi-effect cooling system 104 may be operated.
[0074] In the operational mode 1000, the exhaust system 108 of the
engine 102 heats the second primary adsorber chamber 506 of the
multi-effect adsorption system 500 at step 1002. The heat Q.sub.P
524 provides the primary source of energy to the multi-effect
adsorption system 500 for cooling the cooled area 106. The cooling
system 110 of the engine 102 heats the second secondary adsorber
chamber 510 of the multi-effect adsorption system 500 at step 1004.
The heat Q.sub.CS 530 provides a secondary source of energy to the
multi-effect adsorption system 500. Additionally, heat dissipated
by the first primary adsorber chamber 504 may be collected at step
1006. The collected heat may then be transferred to the second
secondary adsorber chamber 510 to provide an additional source of
energy to the multi-effect adsorption system 500 at step 1008. The
heat may be collected and transferred in a variety of manners
including, but not limited to, using heat pipes and/or
thermosiphons to collect and transfer heat from the first primary
adsorber chamber 504 to the second secondary adsorber chamber 510.
For example, an evaporator of the heat pipe or thermosiphon may be
wrapped around the primary absorber chamber 504 while a condenser
of the heat pipe or thermosiphon may be wrapped around the
secondary adsorber chamber 510.
[0075] In any respect, during operation of the multi-effect
adsorption system 500, the condenser 528 and the first secondary
adsorber chamber 508 produce heat Q.sub.C 528 and heat Q.sub.SA
518, respectively, which may be dissipated to the environment in a
variety of manners. For instance, the heat exchanger 136 may
disperse the heat Q.sub.C 528 and/or the heat Q.sub.SA 518 to the
environment using air moving relative to the vehicle 100 having the
engine 102 at step 1010. Step 1010 may be implemented if the
vehicle is a ship, automobile, train, airplane, or any other mobile
vehicle. In another example, the heat exchanger 136 may disperse
the heat Q.sub.C 528 and/or the heat Q.sub.SA 518 to the
environment using water in contact with the vehicle 100 having the
engine 102 at step 1012. Step 1012 may be implemented if the
vehicle is a ship, submarine, amphibious vehicle, or any other
vehicle which moves in an aquatic environment. In another example,
heat Q.sub.C 528 and heat Q.sub.SA 518 may be converted into
electricity using a pyroelectric device at step 1014.
[0076] The steps illustrated in the operational modes 600, 700,
800, 900, and 1000 may be implemented manually or automatically.
For instance, in a manual operation, a user of the multi-effect
cooling system 104 may open or close valves that route exhaust
gases and/or cooling fluid to the desorbers thus providing the
desorbers with energy to operate. In an automatic implementation,
valves may be controlled by a control system. Additionally, the
control system may contain a utility, program, subprogram, in any
desired computer accessible medium. Furthermore, the operational
modes 600, 700, 800, 900, and 1000 may be embodied by a computer
program, which can exist in a variety of forms both active and
inactive. For example, they can exist as software program(s)
comprised of program instructions in source code, object code,
executable code or other formats. Any of the above can be embodied
on a computer readable medium, which include storage devices and
signals, in compressed or uncompressed form.
[0077] Examples of suitable computer readable storage devices
include conventional computer system RAM (random access memory),
ROM (read only memory), EPROM (erasable, programmable ROM), EEPROM
(electrically erasable, programmable ROM), and magnetic or optical
disks or tapes. Examples of computer readable signals, whether
modulated using a carrier or not, are signals that a computer
system hosting or running the computer program can be configured to
access, including signals downloaded through the Internet or other
networks. Concrete examples of the foregoing include distribution
of the programs on a CD ROM or via Internet download. In a sense,
the Internet itself, as an abstract entity, is a computer readable
medium. The same is true of computer networks in general. It is
therefore to be understood that those functions enumerated below
may be performed by any electronic device capable of executing the
above-described functions.
[0078] As described hereinabove, the amount of heat supplied to the
primary desorber 112 may be reduced based upon the amount of heat
supplied to the secondary desorber 114. Thus, for instance, if a
greater volume or higher temperature heat is supplied to the
secondary desorber 114, the amount of heat supplied from the
exhaust system 108 may be relatively reduced, reducing the pressure
in the exhaust system 108 of the engine 102 and thereby increasing
efficiency of the engine 102. Additionally, efficiency of the
multi-effect cooling system 104 increases because of the increase
in the coefficient of performance due to the use of heat from the
cooling system 110 of the engine 102.
[0079] For instance, an improvement to the coefficient of
performance is obtained from the arrangements described above. The
coefficient of performance of a multi-effect cooling system may be
given by the following equation: COP = EvaporatorHeatLoad
GeneratorHeatLoad = Q E Q P ##EQU1## Typically, Q.sub.CS is zero in
multi-effect cycles because the heat requirement in the secondary
desorber is fulfilled by Q.sub.X, heat obtained from another
component. This leads to higher coefficients of performance
compared to single effect cooling cycles.
[0080] By virtue of the arrangements described herein above,
additional Q.sub.CS from the cooling system 110 can reduce the
Q.sub.P consumed by the cycle without changing the delivered
cooling (that is, Q.sub.E). In one respect, because any reduction
in Q.sub.P will improve the COP, as shown in the equation above,
the COP may be improved with the additional Q.sub.CS from the
cooling system 110 of the engine. This change may improve the COP
by as much as 100%. Therefore, according to embodiments of the
invention the COP of a multi-effect cooling system may be
improved.
[0081] Additionally, the second law efficiency is improved from the
arrangements shown above. The second law efficiency (.eta..sub.II)
is defined as a ratio of actual work (W) over the available work
(W.sub.max). The available work is defined as a product of the heat
added to the system and the Carnot efficiency. In embodiments of
the invention, the available work is the total power supplied by
the engine 102 for cooling the cooled area 106. .eta. II = W W max
= 1 - W lost W max ##EQU2##
[0082] In addition, the lost work (W.sub.lost) is the heat rejected
to the environment times the Carnot efficiency. W lost = Q .times.
.times. .eta. carnot = Q .function. ( 1 - T o T exhaust ) ##EQU3##
[0083] where T.sub.o is the ambient temperature.
[0084] Any utilization of heat (Q.sub.CS) for cooling of the cooled
area 106 reduces the W.sub.lost significantly and generally
improves the second law efficiency of multi-effect cooling
systems.
[0085] By virtue of certain examples, heat generated through
operation of an engine may be supplied to a multi-effect cooling
system, either absorption or adsorption types, to cool cooling
fluid delivered to a cooled area. In one regard, the heat Q.sub.CS
collected from the cooling system of the engine, reduces the amount
of energy used by the engine to cool itself. The reduction
increases the efficiency of the engine. A dual efficiency increase
may be obtained though implementation of examples of the
multi-effect cooling systems described herein.
[0086] What has been described and illustrated herein are examples
of multi-effect cooling systems along with some of variations. The
terms, descriptions and figures used herein are set forth by way of
illustration only and are not meant as limitations. Those skilled
in the art will recognize that many variations are possible within
the spirit and scope of the examples, which are intended to be
defined by the following claims--and their equivalents--in which
all terms are meant in their broadest reasonable sense unless
otherwise indicated.
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