Membrane-contactor-based air conditioner

An air conditioner, comprising:

• an air flow path defining an average air flow direction and configured to direct an air flow in the average air flow direction;
• a plurality of evaporative cooling panels comprising a first group of evaporative cooling panels disposed in the air flow path and arranged in a closed configuration to prevent a substantial portion of the air flow through the air flow path from bypassing the first group of evaporative cooling panels, wherein the plurality of evaporative cooling panels comprises a second group of evaporative cooling panels disposed in parallel with the first group of evaporative cooling panels relative to a fluid flow, the first group of evaporative cooling panels comprising a first evaporative cooling panel in parallel with a second evaporative cooling panel relative to the fluid flow, and the second group of evaporative cooling panels comprising a third evaporative cooling panel in parallel with a fourth evaporative cooling panel relative to the fluid flow;
• a membrane of the first evaporative cooling panel, the membrane defined by a plurality of microporous fibers, each microporous fiber of the plurality of microporous fibers comprising a fluid flow path configured direct the fluid flow therethrough and pores configured to block passage of the fluid flow in a liquid form through the pores but allow passage of the fluid flow in a vapor form through the pores;
• and
• a face of the membrane, wherein the first evaporative cooling panel is arranged in the closed configuration of the first group of evaporative cooling panels such that the face is disposed at an oblique angle relative to the average air flow direction and configured to facilitate passage of the air flow over the plurality of microporous fibers, generation of the vapor form from the fluid flow in the microporous fibers based on heat exchange between the fluid flow and the air flow, and release of the vapor form via the pores into the air flow.

An evaporative cooling system, comprising:

• an air flow path configured to direct an air flow through the evaporative cooling system;
• a plurality of evaporative cooling membrane panels configured to receive a liquid via a liquid supply line coupled to the plurality of evaporative cooling membrane panels and output the liquid through a liquid return line coupled to the plurality of evaporative cooling membrane panels such that the liquid is passed from the liquid supply line, through the plurality of evaporative cooling membrane panels, and through the liquid return line, wherein each evaporative cooling membrane panel of the plurality of evaporative cooling membrane panels comprises a plurality of microporous fibers configured to receive the liquid or a portion thereof, generate a vapor from the liquid or the portion thereof, and output the vapor through pores of the plurality of microporous fibers and into the air flow, and wherein the plurality of evaporative cooling membrane panels comprises:
• a first group of evaporative cooling membrane panels having a first evaporative cooling membrane panel and a second evaporative cooling membrane panel disposed in series with the first evaporative cooling membrane panel with respect to a flow of the liquid;
• and
• a second group of evaporative cooling membrane panels having a third evaporative cooling membrane panel and a fourth evaporative cooling membrane panel disposed in series with the third evaporative cooling membrane panel with respect to the flow of the liquid, wherein the first group of evaporative cooling membrane panels and the second group of evaporative cooling membrane panels are in parallel with respect to the flow of the liquid;
• and
• a controller configured to control the evaporative cooling system to circulate the flow of the liquid to the liquid supply line, through the plurality of evaporative cooling membrane panels, and through the liquid return line.

An evaporative cooling system, comprising:

• an air flow path configured to direct an air flow through the evaporative cooling system;
• a plurality of evaporative cooling membrane panels configured to receive a liquid via a liquid supply line coupled to the plurality of evaporative cooling membrane panels and output the liquid through a liquid return line coupled to the plurality of evaporative cooling membrane panels such that the liquid is passed from the liquid supply line, through the plurality of evaporative cooling membrane panels, and through the liquid return line, wherein each evaporative cooling membrane panel of the plurality of evaporative cooling membrane panels comprises a plurality of microporous fibers configured to receive the liquid or a portion thereof, generate a vapor from the liquid or the portion thereof, and output the vapor through pores of the plurality of microporous fibers and into the air flow, and wherein the plurality of evaporative cooling membrane panels comprises:
• a first group of evaporative cooling membrane panels having a first evaporative cooling membrane panel and a second evaporative cooling membrane panel disposed in parallel with the first evaporative cooling membrane panel with respect to a flow of the liquid;
• and
• a second group of evaporative cooling membrane panels having a third evaporative cooling membrane panel and a fourth evaporative cooling membrane panel disposed in parallel with the third evaporative cooling membrane panel with respect to the flow of the liquid, wherein the first group of evaporative cooling membrane panels is in parallel with the second group of evaporative cooling membrane panels with respect to the flow of the liquid;
• and
• a controller configured to control the evaporative cooling system to circulate the flow of the liquid to the liquid supply line, through the plurality of evaporative cooling membrane panels, and through the liquid return line.