Patent Grant
11333433
This application claims the benefit of priority of Singapore application No. 10201708677S filed Oct. 23, 2017, the contents of it being hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
Various aspects of this disclosure relate to a radiant cooler. Various aspects of this disclosure relate to a method of forming a radiant cooler. Various aspects of this disclosure relate to a method of operating a radiant cooler.
Radiant cooling refers to the physical process by which a body loses heat to another body of lower temperature via long-wave radiation. Radiant coolers are divided into two main applications: i) infrared (IR) radiation emitter for outdoor applications; and ii) IR radiation collector for indoor applications. The first application relies on radiative exchange with outer space, which is on average is at a temperature of 4K. This allows efficient and practically free heat rejection from the facility.
Indoor radiant collectors have different designs. They may generally be represented by infrared absorbing surfaces inside the indoor space that are kept below ambient temperature. One way to achieve it is to embed a network of water pipes into ceiling, floor or walls. Alternatively, special panels with pipes thermally bonded to them are attached to ceiling or walls.
It may be impractical to have a too high density of pipes. In order to address this, each panel is made preferably of thermally conducting material that allows collection of absorbed heat from relatively large areas into the small diameter pipes. The surface of a panel that is facing the room, is usually covered with a high emissivity coating for efficient IR absorption.
Such implementation has several limitations. Firstly, there is a considerable thermal resistance between absorption surface and water in the pipe. For a tube spacing M, the characteristic panel thermal resistivity ru (in meter square kelvin per Watt or m2 K/W) may be provided by:
ru=rtM+rsM+rp+rc (1)
wherein rt represents the thermal resistivity of tube wall per unit tube spacing (in meter kelvin per Watt or mK/W), rs represents the thermal resistivity between the tube and panel per unit spacing (in meter kelvin per Watt or mK/W), rp represents the thermal resistivity of panels (in meter square kelvin per Watt or m2 K/W), and rc represents the thermal resistivity of panel coating (in meter square kelvin per Watt or m2 K/W). The presence of these resistivities puts a limit on overall heat collection capacity of the panel for fixed water temperature.
Secondly, in order to avoid condensation issues, the surface temperature of the cooler would need to be kept at least 2° C. above dew point in the ambient air. For example, at 23° C. and 60% relative humidity (RH), the dew point is 15° C. At the same time, in standard outdoor conditions in Singapore of 28° C. and 80% RH, the dew point is 25° C. Hence, in the first case, the surface temperature of the panel has to be kept at 17° C., while in the second case, it is kept at 27° C. The average temperature of human skin is 34° C. and heat transfer between skin and panel is roughly proportional to temperature difference, which would be 17° C. in the first case and only 7° C. in the second case. This means that heat collection efficiency would drop by 2.4 times. If the dew point temperature limit could be shifted further down, the cooling efficiency of the panel would also increase.
Thirdly, the same dew point consideration also requires thermal insulation of the pipes carrying chilled water. This considerably increases the cost of the system.
Fourthly, radiant exchange is proportional to the absorber area and viewing factor between two bodies. Both factors lead to the requirement of large area absorber, as well as a complex and huge network of pipes typically found in a traditional radiant cooler. This leads to high cost of materials required, aggravated by difficulties in building and maintaining the system.
Fifthly, the system may require both a chiller and a heat rejection unit, both of which are expensive and power hungry.
Sixthly, there is a need for continuous pumping of large volumes of water in order to maintain a low absorber temperature. As such, a conventional unit would require pumping of considerable amount of working fluids up to several litres per second (L/s), and a powerful pump may thus be required. Also, pipes of small diameters are preferred for improved heat transfer, which additionally increases demand on powerful water pumping capacity due to high resistance to flow over the large distance in pipes with small cross-sectional areas.
Various embodiments may relate to a radiant cooler. The radiant cooler may include a chamber. The radiant cooler may also include a vacuum pump connected to the chamber. The radiant cooler may further include an infrared absorber arranged within the chamber. A wall of the chamber may be configured to allow at least a portion of infrared light to pass through. The vacuum pump may be configured to generate a vacuum in the chamber. The infrared absorber may include a fluid, i.e. a liquid, configured to evaporate into the vacuum upon receiving thermal energy from at least the portion of infrared light.
Various embodiments may provide a method of forming a radiant cooler. The method may include connecting a vacuum pump to a chamber. The method may also include arranging an infrared absorber within the chamber. A wall of the chamber may be configured to allow at least a portion of infrared light to pass through. The vacuum pump may be configured to generate a vacuum in the chamber. The infrared absorber may include a fluid configured to evaporate into the vacuum upon receiving thermal energy from at least the portion of infrared light.
Various embodiments may provide a method of operating a radiant cooler. The method may include activating a vacuum pump connected to a chamber to generate a vacuum in the chamber so that a fluid, the fluid included in an infrared absorber arranged within the chamber, evaporates into the vacuum upon receiving thermal energy from at least a portion of infrared light that is allowed to pass through a wall of the chamber.
The invention will be better understood with reference to the detailed description when considered in conjunction with the non-limiting examples and the accompanying drawings, in which:
The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings that show, by way of illustration, specific details and embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments may be utilized and structural, and logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The various embodiments are not necessarily mutually exclusive, as some embodiments can be combined with one or more other embodiments to form new embodiments.
Embodiments described in the context of one of the methods or radiant coolers are analogously valid for the other methods or radiant coolers. Similarly, embodiments described in the context of a method are analogously valid for a radiant cooler, and vice versa.
Features that are described in the context of an embodiment may correspondingly be applicable to the same or similar features in the other embodiments. Features that are described in the context of an embodiment may correspondingly be applicable to the other embodiments, even if not explicitly described in these other embodiments. Furthermore, additions and/or combinations and/or alternatives as described for a feature in the context of an embodiment may correspondingly be applicable to the same or similar feature in the other embodiments.
In the context of various embodiments, the articles “a”, “an” and “the” as used with regard to a feature or element include a reference to one or more of the features or elements.
In the context of various embodiments, the term “about” or “approximately” as applied to a numeric value encompasses the exact value and a reasonable variance.
As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
Various embodiments may seek to address the abovementioned issues. Various embodiments may relate to a cooler which involve direct infrared (IR) absorption by a working fluid.
In other words, the radiant cooler 200 may include a chamber 202, an infrared absorber 206 included within the chamber 202, as well as a vacuum pump 204 connected to the chamber 202. The vacuum pump 204 may serve to create a vacuum within the chamber 202. The chamber 202 may includes a wall (which may be referred to as a radiation transmissive wall) which is configured so that all or at least some infrared radiation can pass through from the external environment into the chamber 202 (and to the infrared absorber 206). The infrared absorber may include a fluid. The infrared radiation may be absorbed by the fluid, which may then undergo a phase change and evaporate to the vacuum. As such, the radiant cooler 200 may absorb infrared radiation, and thereby provides cooling.
For avoidance of doubt,
The chamber 202 may be defined by one or more walls, of which at least one, i.e. the radiation transmissive wall, is configured to allow at least a portion of infrared light to pass through. In various embodiments, the wall of the chamber 202, i.e. the wall configured to allow at least a portion of infrared light to pass through, may include a film. The wall of the chamber 202 may further include or consist of a support configured to support the film. In various embodiments, the support may include a plurality of bars arranged parallel to one another. The film may be attached or adhered to the plurality of bars via any suitable means, such as adhesive or clips. In various other embodiments, the support may include a plurality of holes. The plurality of holes may extend from a first surface of the support to a second surface of the support opposite the first surface. In various embodiments, the support may be an integral portion of the wall. In various other embodiments, the support may be distinct from the wall but may be joined or attached to the wall via any suitable means.
In various embodiments, the film may be transparent or translucent. The film may be transparent or translucent to at least a wavelength, or a range of wavelengths in the infrared radiation spectrum.
In various embodiments, the film may be thin (e.g. having a thickness below 100 μm), have low permeability for air and water vapour, high transparency to infrared waves (e.g. transparency>80%), and allow large elongation at break (>200%). In various embodiments, the film may be or may include polyethylene (PE). In various other embodiments, any other suitable materials, e.g. nylon, vinyl, polypropylene, may be used.
In various embodiments, the fluid may be water. Water may have advantages such as a high latent heat of evaporation and may be safe in case of panel failure. Water may also remain as liquid in vacuum even if temperature is reduced substantially. In various other embodiments, the fluid may be any other suitable substances such as alcohol or acetone.
In various embodiments, the infrared absorber 206 may be or may include a holder configured to hold the fluid. In various other embodiments, the infrared absorber 206 may be or may include a continuously wetted material such as a porous membrane. The membrane may be made of hydrophilic materials, like cotton or cloth.
In various embodiments, the infrared absorber 206 may be the fluid. In other words, the infrared absorber 206 may consist of only the fluid.
As the fluid evaporates from the infrared absorber 206 into the vacuum, the infrared absorber 206 may be cooled via latent heat transfer associated with the phase change (i.e. from the liquid state to the gas state). In various embodiments, the infrared absorber 206 may be kept or maintained at a temperature below 15° C., e.g. 10° C. In various embodiments, the walls of the chamber 202, i.e. the radiant transmissive wall and the radiation non-transmissive wall, may be substantially equal to the temperature of the environment. The temperature of the environment may be above 15° C., e.g. above 20° C., e.g. above 25° C., e.g. above 30° C. The external surface of the walls may stay thermalized with the external environment, and there may not be condensation on the external surface of the wall. The latent heat of evaporation of water at <30 millibars (mbar) may be 2400 J/g. An evaporation rate of 40 μL/s may be sufficient to remove 100 W.
In various embodiments, the infrared absorber 206 may be suspended or held within the chamber 202. The radiant cooler 200 may include a support structure or arm extending from a wall, e.g. a radiation non-transmissive wall, of the vacuum chamber to suspend or hold the infrared absorber 206.
In various embodiments, the vacuum pump 204 may be further configured to pump or direct the evaporated fluid to an external environment. In the current context, “external environment” may refer to the environment external to the radiant cooler 200.
In various embodiments, additional fluid (i.e. additional fluid may be of the same type as the fluid already contained in the infrared absorber 206) may be provided to the infrared absorber 206 for replacing the evaporated fluid, i.e. the fluid that has evaporated into the vacuum. The additional fluid may be provided to the infrared absorber 206 at a frequency of once a day. Accordingly, the infrared absorber 206 may be continuously maintained with fluid.
In various embodiments, the radiant cooler 200 may further include a feeding pipe. The feeding pipe may extend from the external environment into the chamber 202. The feeding pipe may be configured to supply the additional fluid to the infrared absorber 206.
In other words, forming the radiant cooler may include placing or forming an infrared absorber within the vacuum, and coupling a vacuum pump to the chamber.
For avoidance of doubt, the steps shown in
The method may further include providing or supplying the fluid to the infrared absorber.
The method may also include forming the chamber. In various embodiments, the wall of the chamber, i.e. the wall of the chamber configured to allow at least a portion of infrared light to pass through (alternatively referred to as a radiation transmissive wall), may include a film. The wall of the chamber further comprises a support configured to support the film. The method may include forming the support, and adhering or attaching the film to the support. The method may further include assembling the radiation transmissive wall with one or more other walls, which may be radiation non-transmissive walls, to form the chamber. The radiation non-transmissive walls may be opaque to infrared light.
In various embodiments, the film may be transparent or translucent. The film may include polyethylene (PE).
In various embodiments, the fluid may be water.
In various embodiments, the vacuum pump may be further configured to pump the evaporated fluid to an external environment.
In other words, the method may include generating a vacuum. The fluid in the infrared absorber may then absorb infrared radiation from the external environment, and may evaporate directly into the vacuum, thereby providing a cooling effect to the external environment.
In various embodiments, activating a vacuum pump may include switching on the vacuum pump.
In various embodiments, the method may also include exposing the radiant cooler to an infrared source or body that generates or emits the infrared light.
In various embodiments, the wall of the chamber may include a film. The wall of the chamber may further include a support configured to support the film.
The film may be transparent or translucent. The film may include polyethylene (PE).
In various embodiments, the fluid may be water.
In various embodiments, the vacuum pump may be further configured to pump the evaporated fluid to an external environment.
In various embodiments, a temperature of the infrared absorber may be below 15° C., e.g. below 10° C.
In various embodiments, the method may also include providing additional fluid to the infrared absorber for replacing the evaporated fluid.
The infrared absorber 506 may include a fluid, i.e. a liquid, configured to evaporate into the vacuum upon receiving thermal energy from at least the portion of infrared light. Water may be used as the fluid as water has strong infrared (IR) absorption, is relatively low cost, non-flammable, has a low impact on the environment, and has a low degradation or deterioration effect on the chamber materials. However, other fluids may also be used.
The position of the absorber 506 may be varied in relation to the radiation transmissive wall in various design considerations.
The distance between the film 508 and the absorber 506 was about 5 cm. As shown in
The fundamental limit for PE film area may be estimated through its permeability at proposed pressure differences at a thickness of 100 um with a continuous pump rate of 5.9 m3/h (pump rate of vacuum pump). For a 100 um thick PE film, the limit may be around 2400 m2, making the concept easily scalable. In various embodiments, the radiation transmissive wall may have an area of around or less than 2400 m2.
The amount of water to be replaced in the absorber may also be estimated. It may be assumed that a 3 m by 3 m room generates a heat input in the range of 300 W (from about 3 people). If all this heat input is absorbed by the radiant cooler in a 12-hours working day, the amount of water that has to evaporate using latent heat of vaporization at 10 mbar (which may be equal to 2400 kJ/L) may be just 5.4 L. For an absorber covering the whole ceiling, it may mean that required water layer thickness be about 600 μm. This may be still longer than the IR absorption length in water, which may be below 10 μm for wavelengths in the long IR range (wavelengths above 7 μm). A standard vacuum pump may be used. A low pressure vacuum pump may alternatively be used for improved energy efficiency.
Various embodiments may relate to a radiant cooler with a cooled absorber surface separated from the external environment by an infrared transparent layer and a vacuum cavity.
Various embodiments may relate to a radiant cooler which involves direct infrared radiation or wavelengths absorption directly in the working fluid or liquid.
In various embodiments, the radiant cooler may involve heat removal from the absorber by direct evaporation into the vacuum.
The water molecules may be evacuated from the cavity by means of a standard vacuum pump. The exhaust of the pump may directly reject water molecules to outside of the building. As such, there may be no need for a separate heat rejecter, like a cooling tower.
Various embodiments may provide a radiant cooler in which infrared (IR) radiation is directly absorbed in working fluid and thus, there is no limit on cooling efficiency imposed by thermal resistivity.
Various embodiments may provide a radiant cooler in which IR absorber is placed inside vacuum chamber that thermally insulates the absorber from chamber walls, thus preserving the temperature of the walls at ambient conditions, which are above dew point.
Various embodiments may provide a radiant cooler in which the working fluid is cooled by latent heat transfer (direct evaporation into vacuum), which removes a need for continuous pumping of large quantities of chilled water.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The scope of the invention is thus indicated by the appended claims and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10201708677S | Oct 2017 | SG | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/SG2018/050523 | 10/23/2018 | WO | 00 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2019/083445 | 5/2/2019 | WO | A |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3916871 | Estes et al. | Nov 1975 | A |
| 4085734 | Gibbs | Apr 1978 | A |
| 4204521 | Mattson | May 1980 | A |
| 4287882 | Mattson | Sep 1981 | A |
| 4290412 | Krauss | Sep 1981 | A |
| 6165326 | Markopulos | Dec 2000 | A |
| 7810491 | Benvenuti | Oct 2010 | B2 |
| 8875696 | Palmieri | Nov 2014 | B2 |
| 20130291574 | Athalye | Nov 2013 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2008121999 | May 2008 | JP |
| 2008114266 | Sep 2008 | WO |
| 2015109155 | Jul 2015 | WO |
| 2017151514 | Sep 2017 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| University of California Davis, “Residential Radiant Systems: A Potential Solution to Reduce Residential Peak Demand Energy Use,” https://wcec.ucdavis.edu/residential-radiant-systems-a-potential-solution-to-residential-peak-demand-energy-use/, 2017, pp. 1-6. |
| ASHRAE, 2000 ASHRAE Systems and Equipment Handbook, Chapter 6: Panel Heating and Cooling, 2003, pp. 1-20. |
| Kim et al., “Radiant Heating and Cooling Systems,” ASHRAE Journal, Feb. 2015, pp. 28-37. |
| Morse et al., “A New Approach to Radiant Cooling for Human Comfort,” The Journal, Jun. 1961, pp. 181-186. |
| International Search Report for International Application No. PCT/SG2018/050523 dated Jan. 2, 2019, pp. 1-4. |
| Written Opinion of the International Searching Authority for International Application No. PCT/SG2018/050523 dated Jan. 2, 2019, pp. 1-4. |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20200370821 A1 | Nov 2020 | US |
