Patent ID: 6513339
Filing Date: 2003-02-04
Classification: F24F,F24S,F26B,F28D,F28F,Y02B,Y02E

Abstract:
A solar air conditioner comprising,a. a solar collector that comprises a collector surface that is oriented to receive thermal energy from the sun and a means for spreading desiccant fluid over said collector surface so that said solar radiation warms said desiccant fluid and evaporates water from it, b. a mass-transfer device that transfers moisture from a primary air stream to said desiccant fluid, c. cooling means that is in contact with said primary air stream and that is capable of cooling said primary air stream to a temperature that is lower than the ambient wet-bulb temperature, and d. a fluid circuit that includes said mass transfer device and said solar collector so that moisture moves from said primary air stream into said desiccant fluid in said mass-transfer device; desiccant fluid moves from said mass transfer device to said solar collector which uses solar energy to evaporate water from the desiccant fluid; and concentrated desiccant fluid returns to said mass-transfer device; and said cooling means lowers the temperature of said primary air stream so as to cool and dehumidify said primary air stream.