Cooling unit

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooling unit ( 1 ) comprising a block ( 2 ) having an upper side ( 3 ) and an underside ( 4 ). The block ( 2 ) comprises preferably a porous material and at least one cooling coil ( 5 ) extending at least partially through the block ( 2 ). A media is intended to be cooled in the cooling coil ( 5 ). A part of the cooling coil ( 5 ) is located a maximum of 10 cm, in the vertical direction, from the upper side ( 3 ).

1 . Cooling unit comprising a block having an upper side and an underside, and at least one cooling coil extending at least partially through the block, in which cooling coil a media is intended to be cooled, 
       characterised by the cooling coil comprising individual portions, each defined as the extension in one direction before a bent of the cooling coil, wherein at least one individual portion of the cooling coil is located a maximum of 10 cm, in the vertical direction, from the upper side, and wherein the inner diameter of the entire cooling coil is in the range of from 3 to 12 mm. 
     
     
         2 . Cooling unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the block comprises a porous material having a porosity of from 20-98%. 
     
     
         3 . Cooling unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the length of the cooling coil is in the range of from 5 to 100 m. 
     
     
         4 . Cooling unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the inner diameter of the entire cooling coil is in the range of from 4 to 8 mm. 
     
     
         5 . Cooling unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the cooling unit has a surface area of from 10-1000 m 2 . 
     
     
         6 . Cooling unit according to  claim 1 , wherein a space may be defined between individual portions of the cooling coil positioned at the same or substantially the same vertical level, and wherein said space is in the range of from 0.5 to 100 cm. 
     
     
         7 . Cooling unit according to  claim 1 , wherein all individual portions of the cooling coil have the same or substantially the same length. 
     
     
         8 . Cooling unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the block comprises at least two separate cooling coils. 
     
     
         9 . Cooling unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one individual portion of the cooling coil(s) extends adjacent said upper side essentially in a first direction, and wherein the cooling coil thereafter is bent essentially in a plane parallel to the upper side, and thereafter extends adjacent said upper side, forming another individual portion of the cooling coil, in a second direction which is essentially opposite to said first direction. 
     
     
         10 . Cooling unit according to  claim 9 , wherein a first portion of the cooling coil extends adjacent said underside essentially in a first direction, and wherein the cooling coil thereafter is bent essentially in a plane parallel to the underside, thereafter extends adjacent said underside in a second direction, forming another individual portion of the cooling coil, said direction being essentially opposite to said first direction, after which the cooling coil is bent in a vertical direction, and after which a second part of the cooling coil extends adjacent said upper side. 
     
     
         11 . Cooling unit according to  claim 1 , wherein all portions and bents of the cooling coil(s) are located a maximum of 30 cm, in the vertical direction, from the upper side. 
     
     
         12 . Cooling unit according to  claim 1 , wherein all portions and bents of the cooling coil(s) are located a maximum of 10 cm, in the vertical direction, from the upper side. 
     
     
         13 . Cooling unit according to  claim 1 , wherein all portions and bents of the cooling coil which extend most adjacent said upper side are located a maximum of 3 cm, in the vertical direction, from the upper side. 
     
     
         14 . Cooling unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said upper side is an essentially flat surface or a surface having essentially flat protrusions. 
     
     
         15 . Cooling unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said underside is an essentially flat surface or a surface having a centrally arranged recess in the vertical direction towards said upper side. 
     
     
         16 . Cooling unit according to  claim 1 , wherein said cooling unit is made of a material comprising a rubber material, a polymeric material, or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         17 . Cooling unit according to  claim 1 , wherein the block comprises a porous material comprising concrete, brick, a composite material, or a mixture thereof. 
     
     
         18 . Cooling system comprising multiple cooling units according to  claim 1 , wherein the cooling coil of each cooling unit is connected to at least the cooling coil of another cooling unit. 
     
     
         19 . Method of using a cooling unit according to  claim 1  or a cooling system according to  claim 18 , together with a media which flows through said cooling coil and is intended to be cooled, in order to generate cooling. 
     
     
         20 . Method according to  claim 19 , wherein the applied flow of the media is from 0.1 to 4.0 m/s. 
     
     
         21 . Method according to  claim 20 , wherein the applied flow of the media is from 0.4 to 2.0 m/s. 
     
     
         22 . Method according to  claim 19 , wherein the media is water.