Variable capacity evaporative cooling system for air and water conditioning

Abstract

The invention relates to a multi-component air conditioning system that cools air below the pre-treatment wet bulb temperature without the use of a mechanical vapor compression system. A heat exchanger cools air followed by an evaporative cooling process that further cools the air through the vaporization of water. A heat rejection unit removes warm air from the system and cools water that can be recycled into a reservoir. A chamber separation plate can be moved to adjust the capacities of the cooling unit and the heat rejection unit. The flow of water through the system can also be controlled. This allows greater variability of capacity and temperature control.

1 . A system for cooling air or water, said system comprising:
 a. a cooling unit;   b. a heat rejection unit;   c. a water management system; and   d. a chamber separation plate;   wherein the cooling unit is comprised of a sensible heat exchanger and an evaporative porous media unit;   wherein the chamber separation plate separates the cooling unit and the heat rejection unit and is movable along a shaft such that its position determines the capacities of the cooling unit and the heat rejection unit.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a control system maintains a target air and/or water temperature by controlling at least one of fan speed, water circulation and the position of the chamber separation plate. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the water management system controls the flow of water through at least one of the sensible heat exchanger and the evaporative porous media unit. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling unit is comprised of multiple sensible heat exchangers and/or multiple evaporative porous media units. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the water management system controls the flow of water through at least one of the sensible heat exchangers and the evaporative porous media units. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the heat rejection unit cools circulating water adiabatically using evaporative porous media. 
     
     
         7 . A method of conditioning air and/or water comprising steps of:
 a. directing ambient air into a cooling unit;   b. circulating water through the cooling unit;   c. conditioning the ambient air with a heat exchanger and/or with evaporative porous media;   d. exhausting warm air with a heat rejection unit; and   e. adjusting the position of a chamber separation plate to control the capacities of the cooling unit and the heat rejection unit;   
       wherein the chamber separation plate separates the cooling unit and the heat rejection unit and is movable along a shaft. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , including a step of maintaining a target air and/or water temperature by controlling at least one of fan speed and water circulation. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , including a step of using a water management system to control the flow of water through at least one of the sensible heat exchanger and the evaporative porous media. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , including a step of cooling air in a second sensible heat exchanger. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , including a step of cooling air in a second evaporative porous media unit. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein a water management system controls the flow of water through at least one of the sensible heat exchangers and the evaporative porous media units. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the heat rejection unit cools water adiabatically using evaporative porous media. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a water management system controls the flow of water through at least one of the sensible heat exchangers and the evaporative porous media units.