Low Temperature Cooler/Condenser

This invention relates to condensers for air conditioning or other refrigeration systems.

In an air cooled condenser the temperature to which the condensed refrigerant can be cooled is, in the limit, the dry bulb temperature of the air. As a result, as the ambient temperature rises the condensing temperature increases, thus reducing the system efficiency. An improvement can be achieved, however, if the air temperature can be lowered prior to passing it over the coils of the condenser. There are prior art disclosures of this technique.

In U.S. Pat. No. 2,655,795 an evaporative pad composed of fibrous material such as excelsior is placed in the incoming air stream. Water trickles down through the pad and is evaporated by the air passing through it, lowering the temperature of the air.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,427,005 an inclined pad is used in much the same manner. The pad in this case is aspen-wood.

In both of these prior art approaches it will be recognized that mineral deposits will eventually clog the pad decreasing its effectiveness.

The structure of a cooler/condenser is modified by adding a bed of beads together with means for applying water to the beads. The bed is positioned so that incoming air will pass through it and be cooled by giving up the heat of vaporization of the water, prior to passing over the tubes containing the fluid to be cooled or condensed.

The drawing is a schematic, cross-section of a cooler/condenser in accordance with the invention.

Referring to the drawing, air cooled condenser 10 is illustrated. Under the influence of fan 12 which is driven by motor 14, air is drawn into the condenser at its base through grill 16. Spray nozzle 18 sprays water into the path of the incoming air. The water laden air rises up and through bed 20. Bed 20 in accordance with the invention is composed of beads which are contained by lower and upper screens 22 and 24 respectively together with wall 26. Although screens are shown in the drawing other forms of foraminated walls may be employed. Barrier 28 redirects the air downwardly so that it passes through tube coil 30 before again rising and passing out of condenser 10.

In passing through bed 20 water is deposited upon the beads and evaporates therefrom causing a temperature reduction in the air. Obviously, the limit to which the temperature can be reduced is the wet bulb temperature.

Nozzle 18 may be supplied with water from any suitable source such as the household water system, preferably without requiring any additional pump to increase pressure. Because of entrained materials within the water, eventually deposits will form on the beads in bed 20. To reduce the increased pressure drop across bed 20 which thereby results, periodically the spray from nozzle 18 is turned off and the beads in bed 20 are allowed to dry. In the dry condition the air flow through bed 20 causes the beads to tumble or become fluidized. This bouncing and rubbing of the beads against each other causes the mineral deposits to break loose and be blown from bed 20. The water spray can then be resumed.

The beads in bed 20 are not critical from the standpoint of size or material. Glass beads nominally 3.2 .times. 10.sup.-3 meters in diameter may be used, although other materials and sizes may be employed.

Tube coil 30 is preferably of the finned type.

It should be noted that even with the water turned off, the condenser will continue to operate, but at reduced effectiveness. Also, when the dry bulb temperature is low enough to do the requisite cooling, the water may be turned off.

Although a specific embodiment of a cooler/condenser has been illustrated and described, it will be obvious that changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.