System and method of cooling

Abstract

The invention provides a cooling fluid heat exchange unit including: a primary heat exchange unit including a closed circuit for circulation primary circuit fluid; and a secondary heat unit adapted to provide cooled air in communication with the primary heat exchange unit. The closed circuit for the cooling fluid as it passes through the primary heat exchange unit ensures that the cooling fluid is prevented from exposure to the atmosphere, and in particular, to the air forced through the heat exchange unit.

1 - 21 . (canceled)  
   
   
       22 . A fluid cooling heat exchange unit including: 
 a primary heat exchange unit including a closed circuit for fluid;    an air cooler located upstream of said primary heat exchange unit; and    a fan arrangement operable to force air through said air cooler and said primary heat exchange unit,    wherein said air cooler includes a moisture absorbent material that is, in use, maintained moist such that air forced through said air cooler is cooled by the action of evaporation prior to being forced over a portion of the closed circuit in the primary heat exchange unit.    
   
   
       23 . A fluid cooling heat exchange unit according to  claim 22  including a plurality of air inlets and outlets with the fan arrangement disposed therebetween and operable to draw air in through the plurality of inlets and force air out through the plurality of outlets.  
   
   
       24 . A fluid cooling heat exchange unit according to  claim 23  wherein a plurality of air coolers are located over said plurality of air inlets such that air drawn through said air coolers by the fan arrangement is cooled prior to being drawn or forced over the primary heat exchanger, the air subsequently being discharged through the plurality of air outlets.  
   
   
       25 . A fluid cooling heat exchange unit according to  claim 22  wherein the fluid passes through the primary heat exchange unit in thermally conductive tubing.  
   
   
       26 . fluid cooling heat exchange unit according to  claim 22  wherein the absorbent material is moistened with water.  
   
   
       27 . A fluid cooling heat exchange unit according to  claim 26  wherein the water used to moisten the absorbent material is separate from the fluid to be cooled.  
   
   
       28 . A fluid cooling heat exchange unit according to  claim 22  wherein the moisture absorbent material includes a plurality of fluted apertures where the apertures are less than 7 mm in diameter.  
   
   
       29 . A fluid cooling heat exchange unit according to  claim 22  wherein the fluid to be cooled is water.  
   
   
       30 . A fluid cooling heat exchange unit according to  claim 22  wherein the cooling fluid is ammonia.  
   
   
       31 . A fluid cooling heat exchange unit according to  claim 22  wherein the cooled air emitted from the air cooler is substantially free of fluid in a liquid state.  
   
   
       32 . A fluid cooling heat exchange unit according to  claim 22  wherein the air cooler and the primary heat exchange unit are separated by a distance along the path of air flow from the cooler to the primary heat exchange unit to reduce the likelihood of fluid in a liquid state passing from the air cooler and impinging upon the primary heat exchange unit.  
   
   
       33 . A water cooling heat exchange unit according to  claim 22  wherein the water passes through the primary heat exchange unit in thermally conductive tubing.  
   
   
       34 . A water cooling heat exchange unit according to  claim 22  wherein the absorbent material is moistened with water.  
   
   
       35 . A water cooling heat exchange unit according to  claim 34  wherein the water used to moisten the absorbent material is separate from the cooling water.  
   
   
       36 . A water cooling heat exchange unit according to  claim 22  wherein the cooling water is treated with chemicals to prevent corrosion and/or rust of metallic parts.  
   
   
       37 . A method of cooling fluid in a fluid cooling heat exchange unit, the method including the steps of: 
 passing cooling fluid of a cooling system through a primary heat exchanger having a closed fluid circuit such that the fluid is contained;    placing an air cooler upstream of the primary heat exchanger; and    causing a flow of air through said air cooler and over a portion of the closed fluid circuit wherein said air cooler includes a moisture absorbent material that is, in use, maintained moist such that the air is cooled by vaporising fluid.    
   
   
       38 . A method of converting a cooling system incorporating a first heat exchange unit including a fluid cooling heat exchange unit where the fluid is exposed to air drawn through the heat exchange unit by replacing said first heat exchange unit with a second heat exchange unit including a primary heat exchanger and an air cooler including a moisture absorbent material that is, in use, maintained moist such that air forced through the air cooler is cooled by the action of vaporisation where the fluid in the primary heat exchange unit is contained and prevented from exposure to air forced through the air cooler and then subsequently passed through the second heat exchange unit, the method including of steps of: 
 disconnecting the first heat exchange unit cooling fluid inlet and outlet connection;    reconnecting the fluid inlet and outlet to the corresponding connection points of the second heat exchange unit; and    operating the cooling system.    
   
   
       39 . A cooling system having a fluid cooling heat exchange unit including: 
 a primary heat exchange unit including a closed circuit for cooling fluid;    an air cooler including a moisture absorbent material that is maintained moist for cooling air by evaporation said air cooler located upstream of said primary heat exchange unit; and    a fan arrangement operable to force air through said air cooler and said primary heat exchange unit,    wherein air forced through said air cooler is cooled prior to being forced over a portion of said closed circuit in said primary heat exchange unit.    
   
   
       40 . A cooling system having a fluid cooling heat exchange unit including: 
 a primary heat exchange unit including a closed circuit for circulating fluid; and    a secondary heat exchange unit including a moisture absorbent material that is, in use, maintained moist, the secondary heat exchange unit adapted to provide air cooled by the action of evaporation in communication with said primary heat exchange unit.    
   
   
       41 . A water cooling heat exchange unit including: 
 a primary heat exchange unit including a closed circuit for containing cooling water;    an air cooler located upstream of said primary heat exchange unit; and    a fan arrangement operable to force air through said air cooler and said primary heat exchange unit,    wherein said air cooler includes a moisture absorbent material that is, in use, maintained moist such that air forced through said air cooler is cooled by the action of evaporation prior to being forced over a portion of the closed circuit in the primary heat exchange unit thus cooling the water contained therein.    
   
   
       42 . A water cooling heat exchange unit according to  claim 41  including a plurality of air inlets and outlets with the fan arrangement disposed therebetween and operable to draw air in through the plurality of inlets and force air out through the plurality of outlets.  
   
   
       43 . A water cooling heat exchange unit according to  claim 42  wherein a plurality of air coolers are located over said plurality of air inlets such that air drawn through said air coolers by the fan arrangement is cooled prior to being drawn or forced over the primary heat exchanger, the air subsequently being discharged through the plurality of air outlets.  
   
   
       44 . A method of cooling water in a water cooling heat exchange unit, the method including the steps of: 
 passing cooling water of a cooling system through a primary heat exchanger having a closed water circuit such that the water is contained;    placing an air cooler upstream of the primary heat exchanger; and    causing a flow of air through said air cooler and over a portion of the closed water circuit wherein said air cooler includes a moisture absorbent material that is, in use, maintained moist such that the air is cooled by vaporising the fluid.    
   
   
       45 . A method of converting a cooling system incorporating a first heat exchange unit including a water cooling heat exchange unit where the water is exposed to air drawn through the heat exchange unit by replacing said first heat exchange unit with a second heat exchange unit including a primary heat exchanger and an air cooler including a moisture absorbent material that is, in use, maintained moist such that air forced through the air cooler is cooled by the action of vaporisation where the water in the primary heat exchange unit is contained and prevented from exposure to air forced through the air cooler and then subsequently passed through the second heat exchange unit, the method including of steps of: 
 disconnecting the first heat exchange unit cooling water inlet and outlet connection;    reconnecting the water inlet and outlet to the corresponding connection points of the second heat exchange unit; and    operating the cooling system.    
   
   
       46 . A cooling system having a water cooling heat exchange unit including: 
 a primary heat exchange unit including a closed circuit for cooling water;    an air cooler including a moisture absorbent material that is maintained moist for cooling air by evaporation said air cooler located upstream of said primary heat exchange unit; and    a fan arrangement operable to force air through said air cooler and said primary heat exchange unit,    wherein air forced through said air cooler is cooled prior to being forced over a portion of said closed circuit in said primary heat exchange unit.    
   
   
       47 . A cooling system having a water cooling heat exchange unit including: 
 a primary heat exchange unit including a closed circuit for circulating water; and    a secondary heat exchange unit including a moisture absorbent material that is, in use, maintained moist, the secondary heat exchange unit adapted to provide air cooled by the action of evaporation in communication with said primary heat exchange unit.