| dc.description.abstract | This work is an investigation of a novel refrigeration method called the Claridge-Culp-Pate process / cycle (referred to as CCP) that has been developed based on membrane-enabled dehumidification and cooling. Water is considered to be the primary working fluid, considering that water vapor is removed from flowing air, thus drying it. The water is then added back in as a liquid in an evaporative cooler, thus cooling the same air previously dried. One of the unique features of the CCP is the technology involved with transferring a sub-atmospheric water vapor to liquid water at atmospheric pressure in a manner that minimizes energy consumption.
The primary focus of this work is to investigate the theoretical performance of this novel refrigeration cycle/ process for various configurations of dehumidifiers and evaporative coolers and then to compare these results to those of the conventional refrigeration method, namely the theoretical vapor compression refrigeration cycle. Theoretical models of both the novel and conventional refrigeration systems were developed to determine thermodynamic variables and performance parameters while subjecting these systems to realistic operational moist air conditions, such as outdoor and indoor air temperatures and relative humidity.
The coefficient of performance (COP) as the main performance parameter of interest was calculated by using the theoretical models developed herein. In addition to determining the COP for different configurations of the Claridge-Culp-Pate (CCP) refrigeration system, the COP of the conventional vapor compression refrigeration cycle was determined for two refrigerants, namely water and R-410A, when operating between the same temperature conditions as those of the CCP system so that comparisons could be made. Using the calculated COPs as the measure of performance, the different configurations of the CCP system were compared with each other to determine the optimum arrangement of dehumidifiers and evaporative coolers for a range of outdoor temperatures and relative humidity. Comparing the above configurations of COPs to the calculated COPs for the conventional refrigeration system shows that significant energy savings are possible for air conditioning with the CCP system for all climate zones and regions. | en |
