Last year, Arvada, Colo.-based Idalex Technologies, a research and development company, announced the discovery of a new thermodynamic cycle that captures significant amounts of energy from the atmosphere.
The Maisotsenko Cycle takes it name from one of Idalex Technologies’ founders, Dr. Valeriy Maisotsenko, who has been researching this phenomenon for 40 years. The Maisotsenko Cycle captures energy from the atmosphere using the latent heat of evaporation through a unique heat and mass exchanger. Using one apparatus, the exchanger can cool any fluid to within a few degrees of the dew point temperature of ambient air. In addition, no moisture is added to the cooled fluid. Previously, it was thought that this was thermodynamically impossible.
This new cycle, which works both above and below atmospheric temperature and pressure, can dramatically improve any process that needs fluid cooling and/or saturated air. Applications include combustion and steam cycles, comfort cooling, cooling towers and fuel cells. The Maisotsenko combustion turbine cycle (MCTC) is said to produce power with fuel efficiencies above 60% without a bottoming cycle steam turbine. The MCTC is similar to the humid air turbine (HAT) cycle, but it uses far less equipment with much higher heat transfer rates and less pressure drop. Other benefits of the MCTC include lower NOx emissions and greatly reduced equipment costs compared to any other power cycle.
With the MCTC, the amount of superheating or humidifying is easily controlled and changed during operation, allowing added power or greater efficiency. The equipment uses existing shell and tube heat exchanger technologies, built in a new configuration.
Yuba Heat Transfer, a Division of Connell LP, has calculated and designed the heat and mass transfer equipment for the Maisotsenko Compressed Air Saturator/Turbine Exhaust Cooler. Idalex used the Maisotsenko Cooling Cycle to create a heat and mass exchanger for comfort cooling, which is called the Coolerado Cooler. The Coolerado Cooler has a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER) of 40, more than tripling existing commercial cooling system efficiencies. A government-testing agency has verified the Coolerado Cooler’s efficiency and near dew point delivery of cool air.
For more information go to www.idalextechnologies.com .
