Solar energy assisted air-conditioning apparatus and method

Air-conditioning apparatus for utilizing solar energy comprising:

• solar energy collecting means comprising liquid-conducting means having an inlet end and an outlet end;
• reservoir means having an inlet and outlet;
• first duct means connecting said outlet and said inlet end;
• and second duct means connecting said outlet end and said inlet;
• a quantity of hygroscopic liquid of predetermined heat capacity contained in said reservoir means;
• pumping means for progressively circulating said liquid through a circuit comprising said first duct means, said liquid conducting means, said second duct means, and said reservoir;
• a solution-concentrating means connected with said circuit for withdrawing some of said liquid from a portion of said circuit and returning it to another downstream portion of said circuit in more concentrated condition;
• an enclosure for an air-conditioned space;
• an enclosed air-processing assembly having inlet port and an outlet port connected with separate portions of said enclosure, said assembly comprising a first chamber connected with said inlet port to receive a stream of air;
• first liquid dispersing means in the first chamber connected by a third duct means to said circuit to receive liquid from said circulating means and disperse in said stream;
• fourth duct means for returning liquid after contact with said airstream to a downstream portion of said circuit;
• second circulating means for propelling said stream of air through said assembly, a second chamber connected with the first chamber and containing a liquid-conducting heat exchanger in supply duct relation with said second duct means and return duct relation with a downstream portion of the circuit;
• and a third adiabatic cooling chamber connected with said enclosure to discharge said stream of air thereinto containing a second liquid dispersing means for mixing liquid with said stream;
• and water supply means connected to the second liquid-dispersing means;
• and
• control means for selectively operating said heat exchanger and said first and second liquid dispersing means.

A method of conditioning air involving the collection and use of solar energy comprising the steps of:

• circulating a hygroscopic liquid through a circuit containing a solar energy collector and a reservoir passing air to be conditioned as a current through an air-processing assembly to an air-conditioned space;
• dehumidifying the air withdrawing some of said liquid from said circuit and dispersing it within said current of air in one zone of said assembly and returning the used liquid to the reservoir;
• adiabatically cooling the air in another zone of the assembly after said dehumidification bypassing the current of air through an adiabatic cooling zone wherein the current of air is subjected to highly dispersed water;
• alternatively, when heating of said air current is required, preventing said steps of dehumidification and adiabatic cooling, and heating said current by withdrawing heated liquid from said circuit and directing it through a heat exchanger positioned in a third zone of said assembly within said current air and returning the liquid from the heat exchanger to a portion of said circuit downstream from the point of withdrawal for said liquid;
• and
• preventing said withdrawal of liquid for said heating of the air current when performing said dehumidification and adiabatic cooling steps.