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US 7,093,455 B2Granted
Vapor-compression evaporative air conditioning systems and components
AssigneeThe Texas A&M University System
InventorsMark T. Holtzapple, Richard Davison, G. Andrew Rabroker
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Abstract
Novel vapor compression evaporative cooling systems which use water as a refrigerant are provided, as are methods for using same. Also provided are novel compressors, compressor components, and means for removing noncondensibles useful in such cooling systems.
Claims11
A method for cooling air comprising the steps of:
- compressing a large volume of low-pressure water vapor with a compressor, thereby creating a vacuum on a quantity of water in an evaporator and causing evaporation and said water to be cooled;
- pumping cooled water from said evaporator and contacting said cooled water countercurrently with room air in a room air contactor, thereby cooling room air;
- routing water from said room air contactor to said evaporator, causing said water to flash and cool;
- sending compressed water vapors exiting the compressor to a condenser for condensation;
- countercurrently directly contacting said water vapors exiting the condenser with a stream of chilled water from said evaporator to reduce the water content from air;
- removing noncondensibles from said condenser;
- routing liquid water from the condenser to an ambient-air contactor, where ambient air is contacted countercurrently with liquid water pumped from the condenser;
- providing make-up water to replace evaporated water;
- and
- draining salt water.
7 more elements
A method for cooling air comprising the steps of:
- compressing a large volume of low-pressure water vapor in a plurality of compressor stages, thereby creating a vacuum on a quantity of water in a plurality of evaporators and causing said water to be cooled;
- pumping cooled water from said evaporators and contacting said cooled water countercurrently with room air in a room air contactor, thereby cooling room air;
- routing water from said room air contactor to said evaporators, causing said water to flash and cool;
- sending compressed water vapors exiting the last compressor stage to a condenser for condensation;
- countercurrently directly contacting said water vapors exiting the condenser with a stream of chilled water from at least one said evaporators to reduce the water content from air;
- removing noncondensibles from said condenser;
- routing liquid from the condenser to an ambient air contactor, where ambient air is contacted countercurrently with liquid water pumped from the condenser;
- providing make-up water to replace evaporated water;
- and
- draining salt water.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.