Earthen evaporative heat exchanger

Abstract

A heat exchanger with earthen material for cooling ambient air may serve as an energy efficient alternative to air conditioning. The heat exchanger may take in ambient air and cool the air through evaporative heat exchange, which may be very useful during summer months in areas where the day temperatures can be very high. A fan may be used to provide airflow through an evaporating heat exchanger, which results in an airflow that is much cooler than the ambient temperature. The heat exchanger may be made from an earthen material, such as fired clay, for example, with a large surface area coming into contact with the airflow. One or more cavities may be present in the heat exchanger to hold water and allow the water to percolate through the porous earthen material.

1 . A heat exchanger comprising:
 an earthen heat exchanger element;   a reservoir in fluid connection with at least a portion of the earthen heat exchanger element; and   a plurality of holes in the earthen heat exchanger element, the holes adapted to allow air to pass through the heat exchanger.   
     
     
         2 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the earthen heat exchanger includes potter's clay, mud-based clay, terra cotta or adobe. 
     
     
         3 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , wherein the holes are formed between fins in the heat exchanger. 
     
     
         4 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a plenum directing air into the plurality of holes; and   a fan for moving the air through the plurality of holes to supply a cooled air.   
     
     
         5 . The heat exchanger of  claim 4 , wherein the cooled air is delivered to an air conditioning system. 
     
     
         6 . The heat exchanger of  claim 4 , further comprising at least one water conduit formed in the earthen heat exchanger element, the water conduit in fluid communication with the reservoir. 
     
     
         7 . The heat exchanger of  claim 1 , further comprising a pump for circulating water in the reservoir through an air/liquid heat exchanger. 
     
     
         8 . A heat exchanger comprising:
 an earthen heat exchanger element;   a reservoir in fluid connection with at least a portion of the earthen heat exchanger element;   at least one water conduit formed in the earthen heat exchanger element, the water conduit in fluid communication with the reservoir and   a plurality of holes in the earthen heat exchanger element, the holes adapted to allow air to pass through the heat exchanger.   
     
     
         9 . The heat exchanger of  claim 8 , further comprising a pump for circulating water in the reservoir through an air/liquid heat exchanger. 
     
     
         10 . The heat exchanger of  claim 9 , wherein the air/liquid heat exchanger is disposed in a cooling system, the cooling system forcing air across the air/liquid heat exchanger to provide a cooled air.