System and method for cooling a space in a vehicle

Abstract

A system for cooling a space in a vehicle comprises a sorption wheel, at least one heat exchanger, at least a first humidifier unit and at least one fuel cell, wherein the sorption wheel is adapted for drying ambient air and for conveying dried process air to the downstream heat exchanger and the heat exchanger is adapted for cooling process air, with the heat exchanger being connected to the first humidifier unit for humidifying cooled process air, and wherein the fuel cell is connected to the sorption wheel and adapted for making available fuel cell exhaust air for regenerating the sorption wheel and water to be introduced into the first humidifier unit. Since the utilization of fuel cells is increasingly considered in modern vehicles and, in particular, commercial aircraft, the system according to the invention makes it possible to realize a symbiotic relationship between already installed fuel cells and cooling systems in vehicles, in which the further use of the waste products heat and humidity leads to fuel savings. In addition, an evaporative cooling method is presented, in which a fuel cell serves for supplying heat and water.

1 . A system for cooling a space in a vehicle, comprising:
 a sorption wheel;   at least one heat exchanger downstream from the sorption wheel;   at least a first humidifier unit; and   at least one fuel cell;   wherein the sorption wheel is adapted for drying ambient air and for conveying dried process air to the heat exchanger, the heat exchanger being adapted for cooling the process air, wherein the heat exchanger is connected to the first humidifier unit for humidifying the cooled process air; and   wherein the fuel cell is connected to the sorption wheel and to the first humidifier unit and is adapted for providing fuel cell exhaust air for regenerating the sorption wheel and water to the first humidifier unit.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least a second humidifier unit that is connected to the space to receive and humidify space exhaust air and to the fuel cell to receive water therefrom. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the heat exchanger is adapted for transferring heat of the process air from the sorption wheel to space exhaust air. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fuel cell is a low-temperature fuel cell. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a valve for optionally mixing exhaust air from the heat exchanger and the fuel cell exhaust for regenerating the sorption wheel. 
     
     
         6 . A method for cooling a space in a vehicle, comprising the steps of:
 introducing ambient air into a sorption wheel and subsequent drying the air by the sorption wheel;   cooling the process air by a heat exchanger;   humidifying the process air by a first humidifier unit with water from a fuel cell;   introducing the process air into the space;   heating space exhaust air by the heat exchanger and discharging the space exhaust air into the surroundings; and   regenerating the sorption wheel by fuel cell exhaust air of the fuel cell and conveying water from the fuel cell into the first humidifier unit.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising the steps of:
 conveying water from the fuel cell into a second humidifier unit; and   humidifying the space exhaust air by the second humidifier unit.   
     
     
         8 . The use of an evaporative cooling system with a fuel cell as a heat source for regenerating a sorption wheel and as a water source for supplying at least a first humidifier unit with water for humidifying air therein. 
     
     
         9 . A vehicle comprising at least one space and at least one system according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . The vehicle of  claim 9  wherein the vehicle comprises an aircraft.