Aircraft membrane dehydration cooling architecture

A cooling system comprising:

• an air source to provide cooling air to the cooling system;
• a first system compressor operable to pressurize the air;
• a second system compressor downstream of the first system compressor operable to further pressurize the air;
• a condenser positioned downstream of the second compressor operable to condense water from the air;
• a water separator positioned downstream of the condenser, the condenser operable to remove water from the air;
• a membrane dehydration device positioned downstream of the water separator, the membrane dehydration device operable to remove substantially all of the remaining water vapor remaining in the air;
• a first system turbine operable to receive dried air from the membrane dehydration device and expand and cool the air to a subfreezing temperature;
• and
• a system heat exchanger configured to receive the subfreezing air and cool a secondary airflow.

A method comprising:

• providing air from an source;
• compressing the air in a first system compressor;
• cooling the air in a first heat exchanger downstream of the compressor;
• compressing the air in a second system compressor;
• cooling the air in a second heat exchanger downstream of the second system compressor;
• condensing water from the air in a condenser;
• removing water from the air in a water separator,
• removing additional water vapor from the air in a membrane dehydration device;
• expanding the air in a first system turbine to a subfreezing temperature;
• cooling secondary air, electronic components and mechanical components with the subfreezing air.