U.S. patent application number 12/131572 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-03 for water mist cooling system.
Invention is credited to Tomoaki Akiyama, Takumi Ichinomiya.
Application Number | 20090293526 12/131572 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41378088 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090293526 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ichinomiya; Takumi ; et
al. |
December 3, 2009 |
WATER MIST COOLING SYSTEM
Abstract
An indoor and outdoor cooling system that is provided with a one
or more nozzles that are adapted to spray a fine water mist into
the air. The cooling system also includes a fan and a dehumidifier.
The dehumidifier is adapted to introduce dehumidified air into the
area being cooled. The mixing of the dry dehumidified air with the
water mist causes the water mist to evaporate which causes the
removal of the vaporization heat from the surrounding air to lower
the air temperature.
Inventors: |
Ichinomiya; Takumi;
(Vincennes, IN) ; Akiyama; Tomoaki; (Kurumi,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BARNES & THORNBURG LLP
P.O. BOX 2786
CHICAGO
IL
60690-2786
US
|
Family ID: |
41378088 |
Appl. No.: |
12/131572 |
Filed: |
June 2, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/271 ;
165/104.32; 62/314 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02B 30/54 20130101;
F24F 5/0035 20130101; F24F 2003/144 20130101; F24F 3/1411 20130101;
F24F 2006/143 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/271 ; 62/314;
165/104.32 |
International
Class: |
F25D 23/00 20060101
F25D023/00; F28D 5/00 20060101 F28D005/00; F28D 15/00 20060101
F28D015/00 |
Claims
1. An indoor and outdoor cooling system for cooling a given area,
the cooling system comprising: a pressurized water supply; at least
one water nozzle coupled to the pressurized water supply, the water
nozzle adapted to spray water in fine droplets to form a mist; an
air compressor for compressing air; a dehumidifier system for
dehumidifying the air compressed by the air compressor; an air
nozzle that is adapted to expel air that has been modified by the
air compressor and dehumidifier system, the air nozzle positioned
to lie near the water nozzle, and a fan adapted to assist in mixing
the mist and the modified air to cause evaporation of the mist,
which causes a decrease in the temperature of the given area.
2. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the dehumidifier system
uses porous moisture absorbent materials to dehumidify the
pressurized air.
3. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the dehumidifier system
uses a desiccant type dehumidifier.
4. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the dehumidifier system
uses a membrane dryer type dehumidifier.
5. The cooling system of claim 1, wherein the dehumidifier system
uses an adsorption type dehumidifier.
6. The cooling system of claim 5, wherein the absorption type
dehumidifier includes a first tower of absorbing material and a
second tower of absorbing material and further including a valve
that allows for the selective transfer of compressed air between
the towers.
7. The cooling system of claim 2, wherein the fan blade is
positioned behind the water nozzle and the air nozzle.
8. The cooling system of claim 7, further including a housing,
wherein the fan blade is positioned within the housing.
9. The cooling system of claim 7, wherein the at least one water
nozzle is coupled to a water manifold.
10. The cooling system of claim 2, wherein the porous moisture
absorbent material is zeolite.
11. An indoor and outdoor cooling system for cooling a given area,
the cooling system comprising: a pressurized water supply; at least
one water nozzle coupled to the pressurized water supply, the water
nozzle adapted to spray water in fine droplets to form a mist; a
compressed air supply; a dehumidifier system for dehumidifying the
compressed air supply; an air nozzle that is adapted to expel
compressed dehumidified, the air nozzle positioned to lie near the
water nozzle, and wherein the mist and the dehumidified air mix to
cause the mist to evaporate and decrease the temperature of the air
in the given area.
12. The cooling system of claim 11, wherein the dehumidifier system
uses porous moisture absorbent materials to dehumidify the
pressurized air.
13. The cooling system of claim 11, wherein the dehumidifier system
uses a desiccant type dehumidifier.
14. The cooling system of claim 11, wherein the dehumidifier system
uses a membrane dryer type dehumidifier.
15. The cooling system of claim 11, wherein the dehumidifier system
uses an adsorption type dehumidifier.
16. The cooling system of claim 15, wherein the absorption type
dehumidifier includes a first tower of absorbing material and a
second tower of absorbing material and further including a valve
that allows for the selective transfer of compressed air between
the towers.
17. The cooling system of claim 12, wherein the cooling system
includes a fan blade that is positioned behind the water nozzle and
the air nozzle.
18. The cooling system of claim 17, wherein the cooling system
further includes a housing, and wherein the fan blade is positioned
within the housing.
19. The cooling system of claim 17, wherein the at least one water
nozzle is coupled to a water manifold.
20. The cooling system of claim 12, wherein the porous moisture
absorbent material is zeolite.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present disclosure relates to machines, and particularly
to indoor and outdoor cooling machines used to cool a given area.
More particularly, the present disclosure relates to cooling
systems that cool an area without the need for closed loop cfc-type
systems. The earth is equipped with preventive features that reduce
the amount of harmful cosmic rays that contact the earth. One of
these features is the ozone layer which acts as a natural barrier
to protect the earth's surface. However, the ozone layer can be
effected by artificial gas that mankind has created. It has been
known for some time that the cooling medium CFC
(chlorofluorocarbon) is destroying the ozone layer. Every year, in
the South Pole, an ozone hole is created in the atmosphere allowing
harmful cosmic rays to contact earth. A reduced ozone layer
increase the risks of skin cancer and causes other adverse impacts.
There is a need for a complete replacement for CFC in cooling
systems.
[0002] Due to the impact of the global warming effect, many weather
changes have been seen all over the world. Because of the adverse
impact of high temperatures, various problems have occurred
throughout the world including damage and injury to people, animals
and natural surroundings. Typical examples of issues caused by
current cooling systems are the heat island phenomena in cities,
and flooding in coastal regions of the world.
[0003] Because of these global issues, the Kyoto Protocol and Bali
Protocol were announced in 2007. To ease the extreme summer heat
and the green house effect caused by global warming, water droplet
sprayers (called dry mist sprayers) were recommended. In climates,
such as Japan, where it is hot and very humid, effective
evaporation and vaporization of water droplets is not successful
and such systems only cause a temperature drop of about 2.degree.
C. to 3.degree. C., which is the same as sprinkling water.
Recently, dry mist sprayers have been installed in the crowded
areas in cities and towns to provide cooling. However, these
systems provide little cooling relief because the temperature drops
by only about 3.degree. C., and do little to provide cooling
relief. When the surrounding temperature is 25.degree. C. and
humidity is 75% or more, the dry mist sprayer increase the humidity
level in the air and increase the unpleasant feeling of high
temperature and high humidity to people in the area.
SUMMARY
[0004] According to the present disclosure, a cooling system is
provided that is designed to cool indoor and outdoor areas, such as
sporting events and other open spaces. The system also works in
buildings or completely open or closed spaces that is not possible
by traditional air conditioners.
[0005] Widespread usage of air conditioning system of the present
disclosure would reduce the heat discharge effect caused by
traditional air conditioners popularizing the air conditioner of
the present disclosure, when viewed from a larger scope, would help
solve the heat island phenomena in cities.
[0006] Current air conditioning/refrigerating equipment uses a
closed circuit heat cycle that includes CFC and ammonia, both of
which are dangerous to handle as cooling mediums. CFC, which
destroys the ozone layer and damages the earth environment, should
not be used, if possible. The present disclosure does not depend on
closed circuit heat cycles, but uses the evaporation of a direct
cooling medium. The cooling medium is dehumidified air having an
extremely low dew point that is mixed with fine droplets of water
to cool the air. Thus, an air conditioning effect in the
surrounding area is created.
[0007] In order to provide proper cooling, the cooling system is
equipped with a device that spouts fine water droplets into the air
(2 mm.about.0.1 .mu.m or less, hereinafter called mist). The
cooling system also includes a device that blows very dry
dehumidified air having a dew point of about 20.degree. C. to about
-60.degree. C., hereinafter called dehumidified air) toward the
oversaturated water vapor in the air. The cooling system causes the
dehumidified air and the mist to mix, which causes the water mist
to evaporate. Evaporation of the water mist causes, the
vaporization heat to be removed from the surrounding air. Removal
of the vaporization to cause the temperature of the surrounding air
to drop greatly. Thus cooling and air conditioning of the unlimited
outdoor space is enabled, solving a problem which was unthinkable
for traditional air conditioners.
[0008] According to the present disclosure, when water mist and
dehumidified air are sprayed at the same time into the outdoor air,
the impact of the dry dehumidified air with the mist causes the
mist to evaporate immediately to remove the vaporization heat from
the surrounding air to lower the air temperature. The experiments
conducted succeeded in lowering the temperature from about
1.degree. C. to about 15.degree. C. or more. The mist, when
vaporized, takes the vaporization latent heat from the air, which
is the heat of 539 cal per 1 atmospheric pressure, 1 gram from the
surrounding air. The drier the air that makes contact with the
mist, the bigger the evaporation latent heat effect. In the present
invention, in order to enhance this effect, cooled dehumidified air
is used. However, it is fine if the dehumidified air temperature is
about the same as the outdoor air temperature.
[0009] In the case where the cooling system is used indoors, in a
closed room, the humidity in the room increases due the continuous
production of water mist. When over saturation occurs, the mist
system is temporarily stopped, and the dehumidified air is
continuously sprayed from the dehumidifying air nozzle inside the
room. When the dehumidified air continues to be sprayed into the
room having an oversaturated water vapor condition, that is, into
the highly humid space, the oversaturated water vapor and the
adjusted dehumidified air continuously make contact, causing a
reduction in room temperature.
[0010] As to the air, where the temperature was reduced using the
present cooling device, the saturated vapor in the air becomes
oversaturated as the temperature of saturated vapor drops. Under
these conditions, moisture is discharged into the space, which
makes contact with the dehumidified air sprayed from the nozzle and
evaporates. Thus, the cycle allows the temperature to drop
continuously. Such humidification and dehumidification cycles are
repeated. If the humidity in the room drops below a set value, the
spray mist is sprayed again and the spray and dehumidified air are
mixed, causing the room to be cooled. What one can understand by
this explanation is that if the humidity in a natural air is 75% or
more, which is a high humidity, the spraying of mist is not
necessary. That is, cooling of the room can be attained by using
the natural humidity of the room as the mist. By using the cooling
system of the present disclosure, traditional air conditioning
methods are not needed.
[0011] The dehumidified air used for the present disclosure is very
dry air having a low dew point. If water mist particles that were
spouted out from the water nozzle remain in an oversaturated
condition, dehumidified air is sent out into the water mist from
the dehumidifying air nozzle as many times as desired to achieve
the desired cooling effect. Thus, second stage and third stage
evaporation/vaporization heat can be removed, accelerating cooling.
Using a traditional air conditioner multiple stage cooling is not
possible.
[0012] The cooling system in the present disclosure has a
dehumidification system that uses adsorbent materials (silica gel,
zeolite, active alumina) or hollow thread membranes (plastic air
pass-through type). However, the air can be dehumidified using a
desiccant method, to produce the dehumidified air.
[0013] According to the present disclosure, dehumidified air is
blown into the water mist that is sprayed from the air nozzle and
both the make contact. The evaporation of the water mist lowers the
temperature of the surrounding air as it takes the heat from the
air. As a result, compared with a cooling method by the dispersion
of dry mist only, the temperature is dramatically reduced.
[0014] Also, the present disclosure utilizes a natural phenomenon,
the evaporation/vaporization heat effect, which is obtained by
contacting the water mist and the dehumidified air. Since the
present disclosure cools the air by mixing the water mist and
dehumidified air, little or no ductwork is needed, reducing
construction costs.
[0015] In evaluating the electric power consumed for the present
disclosure, as compared to the power consumption of similar air
conditioners, the results are favorable. And, comparing the
vaporization latent heat of the cooling medium (CFC, ammonia etc)
of a traditional refrigerator and the present disclosure, more
cooling occurs. Thus, the consumption of power used to power the
cooling system of the present disclosure is less than a traditional
air conditioner. The traditional air conditioner can not be
effectively used outdoors or in partially open spaces. The cooling
system of the present disclosure can be easily used in open spaces,
and can obtain the cooling effect capability of the traditional air
conditioner.
[0016] The cooling system of the present disclosure does not
circulate the air in a building, but utilizes the fresh natural air
in the open space. Air circulation ducts such as those found in
traditional air conditioners in the buildings are not required.
Thus, for sites such as hospitals, the proliferation of bacteria in
air conditioning ducts and generation of bacteria can be
reduced.
[0017] Moreover, when the cooling device of the present disclosure
is used in open spaces, waste heat is not generated like
conventional air conditioning systems. Thus, as the cooling system
gets popularized, it can be anticipated that the mid summer heat
waves would be alleviated. Furthermore, by using a hollow thread
membrane dehumidifier, a battery, a manual air compressor, and a
spray generator. Low priced portable air conditioning equipment and
air conditioned clothes can be created that do not need much
electric power.
[0018] In addition, a traditional air conditioner decreases the
humidity in room space while air is being circulated. The cold
dehumidified air can cause people in the space to feel muscular
pain and other health conditions. Since the cooling system of the
present disclosure is always generating cool air with up to 100%
humidity, the cooling system may provide health benefits. At the
same time, if water mist is used for humidifying can prevent dry
skin or colds caused by dryness.
[0019] Additional features of the disclosure will become apparent
to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following
detailed description of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the
best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently
perceived.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The detailed description particularly refers to the
accompanying figures in which:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of a cooling
system;
[0022] FIG. 2 is an block diagram of a second embodiment of the
cooling system;
[0023] FIG. 3 is block diagram of a third embodiment of a cooling
system;
[0024] FIG. 4 is an block diagram of a first type of dehumidifier
used with the cooling system;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a second type of dehumidifier
used with the cooling system; and
[0026] FIG. 6 is block diagram of a third type of dehumidifier used
with the cooling system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] A cooling system 100 of the present disclosure, includes a
spouting device 1 that sprays water mist into the air, a
dehumidifier 3 that dehumidifies the air, and a compressor 4 which
pressurizes the compressed air, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The air
conditioner also includes a water tank 5 that supplies the
pressurized water to a spray device 1a for spraying water mist, a
pressurized water feed pump 7, and associated conduits 51, 52.
[0028] The spouting device 1 includes a nozzle 1a that spouts the
water mist into the air and one or more air spouting nozzles 1b
that spout the dehumidified air into the air. Spray nozzle 1a is
pressurized by water feeding pump 7 which receives water from a
water tank 5 by conduit 51. Air spouting nozzle 1b ejects
compressed air from the compressor 4 via conduit 52 which has been
dehumidified via an air dehumidifier 3.
[0029] Spouting device 1 may include a fan "F" to mix the fine
water droplets and dehumidified air. Using a fan, the pressure of
dehumidified air can be as little as 1 psi. Different types of
dehumidifiers can be used. A membrane dryer dehumidifier is shown
in FIG. 4, an adsorption type dehumidifier is shown in FIG. 5 and a
desiccant type dehumidifier is shown in FIG. 6. The desiccant type
dehumidifier is an effective dehumidification structure for use in
the cooling system.
[0030] In the membrane dryer dehumidifier MA in FIG. 4, compressed
air CA passes through the inside of a hollow thread membrane PS
(plastic fine thread membranes). Moisture runs off from the fibrous
air holes to the outer part of the surface of hollow thread
membranes PS. Moisture that adheres to the surface of the fibers is
spouted by compressed air CA 1. Thus, moisture is removed and
evacuated with air purge PA. The humidity level of the air that
passes inside the hollow thread membranes PS is adjusted according
to the method described above. The hollow thread membranes PS is
adapted to pass inside the purging air ducts. Water vapor removal
air purge PA is adapted to pass through the clearance between the
surface of hollow thread membranes positioned within the duct and
is discharged along with the water droplets removed from the
air.
[0031] The adsorption type dehumidifier in FIG. 5 includes two
towers 15 that are selectively cycled to achieve the desired
dehumidification in the pressurized air stream. As can be seen in
FIG. 5, four way valves 17, 18 are placed in front and in back of
the towers 15a, 15b which are filled with moisture adsorbent
materials such as silica gel, zeolite, and active alumina and the
like. Check valves 21, 22 prevent the reverse flow of air, and
filters 19, 20, 23 remove impurities from the air. In dehumidifier
3, while humid air passes through one tower 15a to be dehumidified,
the absorbent material in the other tower 15b can be renewed. By
switching the towers 15 alternatively, the dehumidification can be
done continuously.
[0032] Impurities in the air compressed by the compressor 4, is
removed when the compressed air passes through a dust filter 10 and
a drain water filter 20. Adjusted dehumidified air passes through
the air filter 23 by a four way valve 18. Compressed air that
passes through the dust filter 19 and drained water filter 20 goes
through a discharge port 45 by the four way valve 17.
[0033] Desiccant type dehumidifier in FIG. 6 includes a desiccant
rotor 30, a motor 32 and a drive belt 31 that transmits the drive
power of motor to the desiccant rotor 30. The desiccant
dehumidifier also includes fans 33, 34 and an electric heater 35.
The disk shaped desiccant rotor is made of adsorbent materials such
as silica gel, zeolite and active alumina and the like, and the
front surface is partitioned into lattice or honeycomb shapes.
[0034] The desiccant rotor 30 is partitioned into a treatment zone
that adsorbs the moisture from the air and a renewal zone that
removes the moisture that was adsorbed during air treatment. The
desiccant rotor 30 rotates at a fixed speed while humid air passes
through the treatment zone and the moisture that is absorbed by the
media that makes up the desiccant rotor 30 is removed. By using
this arrangement continuous dehumidification and renew can be
accomplished.
[0035] Another embodiment of the cooling system is shown in FIG. 3.
The cooling system includes a conical body 8 that is provided with
a fan 8b. The conduit 8 is structured to mix the sprayed water mist
from nozzles 8c and the dehumidified air from conduit 54, as shown
in FIG. 3. The cooling system includes conical conduit 8 that
sprays water mist, an air dehumidifying dehumidifier 9 that that
gradually sends air to conical body 8. The system also includes
spray nozzle 8C, a water tank 5, and a pump 7.
[0036] The cooling system of FIG. 3 is a fan-type spray device in
which a fan 8b is positioned within a rear part of conical body 8a.
In the front end of the conical body 8a, along its periphery, a
water header 8d is connected to duct 53, which supplies water from
a water tank 5. The water header 8d includes nozzles 8c that allow
water mist to be ejected in a forwardly direction. Behind fan 8b,
conduit 54 is positioned and is used to send the dehumidified air,
adjusted by the air dehumidifying dehumidifier 9, to the spouting
device 8. This embodiment of the cooling system may exclude a
compressor which would use less power than the first
embodiment.
[0037] During testing of the first embodiment, six spray nozzles
were used having flow rate of 60 CC/Min per unit and the water
temperature of 19.degree. C. The dehumidified air was introduced at
a volume of about 2 m.sup.3/min at a temperature of 26.5.degree.
C., a relative humidity of 3.3%, and absolute humidity 0.7 g/kg.
The outer air temperature during testing was 28.8.degree. C.
[0038] Using the above parameters the surrounding air temperature,
about 2 meters in front of the spray spout nozzle and dehumidified
air spout nozzle, was 14.7.degree. C. The outside air temperature
during the test was 28.degree. C. and the relative humidity was
82%. The wet bulb temperature, which was calculated from a
psychometric diagram, was 25.5.degree. C. Wet bulb temperature is
the lowest temperature by which vaporization can occur and
corresponds to the surrounding air temperature.
[0039] During testing of the second embodiment, six spray spouting
nozzles were used rated at 60 CC/Min per unit with a water
temperature of 19.degree. C. The dehumidified air was introduced at
a volume of 2 m.sup.3/min, a temperature of 28.6.degree. C., a
relative humidity of 2.9%, and an absolute humidity 0.7 g/kg. The
outside air temperature during testing was 31.5.degree. C.
[0040] Using above parameters the air temperature, at a position
about 2 meters in front of the spray spout nozzle and dehumidified
air spout nozzle, was lowered from 31.5.degree. C. to 16.2.degree.
C. During the test the outside air temperature was 33.5.degree. C.
and the relative humidity was 68%. The wet bulb temperature,
obtained from a psychometric diagram, was 28.3.degree. C.
[0041] During a third test only dehumidified air was spouted from
the cooling system. During the test the outside air temperature was
12.5.degree. C. and the relative humidity was 75%. No water misting
was used for this test. The dehumidified air temperature was the
same as the outside air temperature, and when only dehumidified air
was discharged into the air, the surrounding temperature at 2
meters in front of the dehumidified air spout nozzle 6, was
5.degree. C. and had a relative humidity of 43%. The reason for the
cooling is the surrounding air is cooled by the adiabatic expansion
of the dehumidified air spray. The oversaturated water vapor gets
mixed with dehumidified air and evaporates. This causes
vaporization heat to be taken from the surrounding air causing a
temperature drop. The outer air temperature was 12.degree. C. and
the relative humidity was 75% during the test. The wet bulb
temperature obtained from a psychometric diagram was 9.69.degree.
C.
[0042] While this invention has been described as having a
preferred design, the present invention can be further modified
within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is
therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of
the invention using its general principles. Further, this
application is intended to cover such departures from the present
disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to
which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of
the appended claims.
* * * * *