New technology developed by researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado may someday eliminate the energy-gobbling
condensers and compressors currently in use in air conditioners. NREL engineer
Eric Kozubal and other staff members think energy use and summertime
electricity bills can both be reduced with their new prototype, a design that
could make air conditioning units 90 percent more efficient than ones available
today.
The new Desiccant-Enhanced eVaporative air conditioner
combines an evaporative cooler and a desiccant to reduce heat and humidity.
While neither technique is new, a design that combines them in a fashion
effective enough for commercial use is innovative and holds promise for
success. Additionally, the desiccant used, calcium chloride, is less harmful to
the environment than the chlorofluorocarbons used as refrigerants in
traditional AC systems.
NREL estimates that building a cost competitive air
conditioning system will take three to five years and could reduce usage and
costs by an estimated 25% or more.
