IT202100023297A1 - COOLING PLANT AND PROCEDURE - Google Patents

Description

Description of the invention entitled:

"COOLING PLANT AND PROCEDURE"

FIELD OF APPLICATION

The present invention relates to a cooling system and method, in which the system has large cooling capacities. cooling and ? preferably used in commercial and/or industrial applications. For example, the cooling system has a power that can? vary from a few hundred to a few thousand kW.

STATE OF THE ART

Cooling systems of the industrial type are known which each comprise both a cooling apparatus, in turn provided with a plurality of of modules, or heat exchange devices, both a plurality? of units cooling, the number of which pu? vary, for example, from 2 to 30 units?.

In particular, each heat exchange device of the cooling equipment can be associated with at least one? unit? cooling element, which is arranged in correspondence with an inlet area of the respective heat exchange device.

Furthermore, each heat exchange device can operate as a cooler and ? equipped with one or more fan devices capable of generating an air flow from the aforementioned inlet area to an outlet area thereof. This air flow, entering the heat exchange device, crosses one or more? batteries of finned cooling tubes, in which ? circulated an operating fluid, which for example can? understand one more coolants, such as ethylene glycol, water, or both, or phase change fluids (refrigerants).

In order to improve the performance of these known cooling systems can? be introduced, or used, water at each unit? cooling, what? to change the conditions of inlet temperature and humidity? of the air flow generated by the corresponding fan device. In particular, the water used in the inlet area has a lower temperature than the ambient temperature outside the unit. of cooling.

A type of known cooling system with adiabatic spray system provides that the unit? cooling system comprises, or consists of, water nebulisation nozzles arranged upstream of the finned tube banks, in correspondence with the inlet area of the heat exchange device. Usually, these nozzles introduce water, at low pressures and high flow rates, directly onto the finned tube batteries, so as to achieve a specific cooling on each of them and, consequently, increase and/or improve the capacity? of heat dissipation of each heat exchange device. These known systems have for? T drawback that they require the use of considerable quantities of water and that the fan device, generating the air flow, also sucks in atomized water particles, for which all the components of each heat exchange device must be made, or lined with anticorrosive materials.

Another type of plant known with an adiabatic system with evaporative pads, provides that the unit? of cooling includes one or more? evaporative panels arranged upstream of the set of finned tubes, i.e. towards the inlet area of the air flow generated by the fan device. In this case, the introduction of water takes place above the evaporative pads and instead of? enter the water directly on the finned tube coils, ? expected to introduce water on the evaporative pads. What? by doing, each evaporative panel manages to pre-cool the air entering the unit? cooling system, lowering its temperature even by about 10 K, before it reaches the finned tube battery.

Are the aforementioned evaporative pads known per se? and are made up of a plurality? of corrugated sheets of cellulose and, those available on the market, usually each have the shape of a parallelepiped.

Generally, during operation of the equipment of this last type of adiabatic system, in order to optimize the cooling efficiency of the evaporative pads, each of the latter must be constantly and totally wet.

As an example, for a standard size evaporative pad of 15 x 60 x 180 cm, each unit? of cooling must deliver, for example through the aforesaid nozzles, a few liters per minute, for example from 2 to 4, ie on average 3 liters per minute. Furthermore, it should be taken into account that, on average, a cooling system of this type operates for about 2 to 8 hours a day, therefore considerable quantities are required. of water.

An inconvenience related to the prolonged use of the aforementioned evaporative pads, ? that the supply of water for several hours can? lead to the formation of non-negligible deposits of limestone or other substances, even harmful ones, inside the panels themselves, with consequent health problems, given that these substances can then be volatilised, or transported, by the air flow generated from the fan device and then, if necessary, recirculated.

For this reason, the manufacturers of evaporative pads recommend that they be washed at the end of each work cycle longer than a few hours and, furthermore, that each washing operation be performed by dispensing about 6 liters of water per minute on each evaporative pad. , for about 15-20 minutes, in order to totally remove any substances that may have deposited, or formed, inside them during normal operation.

There? has the drawback of having to use a water flow rate that is ? practically double compared to the flow rate required during normal operation, the cio? to the water that is introduced on the evaporative pads to cool the flow of air entering the appliance, with consequent considerable waste of water and an increase in production costs.

For example, in the case of a cooling system that has 20 units? cooling systems having evaporative pads of the aforementioned exemplary dimensions, of which at least one ? associated with a respective heat exchange device, and reasonably assuming an average water consumption during regular operation of about 3 liters per minute, about 60 liters of water are used in one minute to spray the evaporative pads of the 20 units? of cooling. If we now consider the washing operation, assuming a consumption of about 6 liters per minute as indicated above, about 120 liters of water are consumed in one minute, necessary for washing the evaporative pads of these 20 units. cooling .

Therefore, ? It is clear that the hydraulic pipes through which the water that must be introduced onto the evaporative pads passes must be sized according to the flow rate required during pad washing. Why? these hydraulic pipes are oversized with respect to the dimensions necessary to guarantee the passage of the flow rate necessary for spraying the evaporative pads during normal operation.

Is there therefore a need? to perfect, or produce, a cooling system which can overcome at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art.

To do what? ? is it necessary to solve the technical problem of washing the evaporative pads by limiting the pi? It is possible to use large quantities of water.

In particular, an object of the present invention ? is to build a cooling system and develop a cooling process in which the cleaning of the evaporative pads is performed efficiently, while limiting the amount? of water consumed. Another aim of the present invention ? that of realizing a cooling system which is economical, versatile and which allows to limit the dimensioning of the hydraulic system associated with it.

To obviate the drawbacks of the prior art and to obtain these and further objects and advantages, the Applicant has studied, tested and implemented the present invention.

DISCOVERY DISPLAY

The present found ? expressed and characterized in the independent claims. The dependent claims disclose other characteristics of the present invention or variants of the idea of the main solution.

In accordance with the aforesaid objects and to solve the aforesaid technical problem in a new and original way, also obtaining considerable advantages with respect to the state of the prior art, a cooling system according to the present invention comprises both a cooling apparatus having a plurality of of heat exchange devices, each provided with impeller means configured to generate a flow of air from an inlet area to an outlet area and with main heat exchange means in which an operating fluid flows, both a plurality of units cooling elements, each provided with secondary heat exchange means, arranged so as to be invested by the aforementioned air flow and configured to carry out a first heat exchange with the aforementioned air flow such as to modify the temperature of the aforementioned air flow, and means dispensing devices configured to alternatively dispense a first flow of water onto the aforementioned secondary heat exchange means, when a respective unit? cooling ? in an operating condition, and a second flow rate of water, when a respective unit? cooling ? in a washing condition, and in which each heat exchange device ? associated with at least one unit? of cooling.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, each unit? of cooling also comprises adjustment means associated with the corresponding delivery means and configured to adjust and selectively switch the delivery of water, by the latter, from the aforementioned first flow rate of water to the aforementioned second flow rate of water, and vice versa, during operation of the cooling system. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention , the cooling system also comprises a unit? control electronics operatively associated with at least the aforesaid adjustment means and configured to command the total and/or partial opening or closing of at least one of the aforesaid adjustment means at a time, thus to allow the regulation and selective switching of water delivery from the aforementioned first water flow rate to the aforementioned second water flow rate, and vice versa, in at least one unit? of cooling at a time, during regular operation of the cooling system.

What? doing, you get the advantage of having a versatile cooling system, with which? it is possible to carry out the washing of the aforesaid first means of heat exchange also during the operation of the plant, thus saving a considerable quantity of water used for the aforesaid washing.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the aforementioned unit? control electronics can? be also associated with the aforesaid fan means for controlling the activation and stopping of the latter, according to the aforesaid operating condition and, respectively, of the aforesaid washing condition of the aforesaid at least one unit? of cooling.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the aforesaid main heat exchange means are configured to carry out a second heat exchange with the aforesaid air flow, such as to make that the aforementioned air flow passes from the aforementioned second temperature to a third temperature and the aforementioned operating fluid passes from a first operating temperature to a second operating temperature, lower than the aforementioned first operating temperature.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention , the aforesaid adjustment means can comprise at least one electrovalve of the proportional type.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a cooling method carried out by means of a cooling system which comprises both a cooling apparatus having a plurality of of heat exchange devices, each provided with fan means and main heat exchange means, is a plurality? of units cooling devices, each provided with secondary heat exchange means and delivery means, wherein to each heat exchange device ? associated with at least one unit? of cooling, and in which the method comprises both an operating phase which in turn includes a wetting sub-phase, in which the aforesaid delivery means deliver a first flow rate of water onto the aforesaid secondary heat exchange means, a suction, in which the aforesaid ventilation means generate a flow of air from an inlet area to an outlet area, and a first heat exchange sub-phase, in which the aforesaid air flow passes through the aforesaid heat exchange means secondary devices to modify its own temperature following the heat exchange carried out, and a washing phase in which the aforesaid delivery means deliver a second flow of water onto the aforesaid first heat exchange means.

Furthermore, the method provides for an adjustment step in which adjustment means for each unit? cooling systems regulate and selectively switch the delivery of water, by the aforesaid delivery means, from the aforesaid first water flow rate to the aforesaid second water flow rate, and vice versa, to selectively carry out the aforementioned operating phase and the aforementioned washing phase during regular operation of the cooling system.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a unit? control electronics of the cooling system commands the total and/or partial opening or closing of at least one of the aforesaid adjustment means at a time, thus to selectively allow the passage from the aforementioned operating phase to the washing condition phase, and vice versa, in at least one unit? of cooling at a time, while the cooling system is in operation.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the aforementioned unit? control electronics can? also control the operation and T stop of the aforesaid fan means, when? has the aforementioned operating phase and, respectively, the aforementioned washing phase started, in the corresponding unit? of cooling.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the aforementioned operating phase also includes a second heat exchange phase in which, in each heat exchange device, the aforementioned air flow passes through the aforementioned main heat exchange means, in in which an operating fluid initially having a first operating temperature flows, to carry out a second heat exchange, whereby the aforementioned air flow passes from the aforementioned second temperature to a third temperature and the aforementioned operating fluid passes from a first operating temperature at a second operating temperature, lower than the aforementioned first operating temperature.

ILLUSTRATION OF THE DESIGNS

These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following description of embodiments, provided by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

- fig. 1 ? a schematic and simplified axonometric view of a cooling system according to the present invention;

- fig. 2 ? a schematic representation of unit? cooling systems included in the cooling system of fig.1;

- fig. 3 ? a side view, schematized and partially sectioned, of the cooling system in fig. 1 , in which a? unit? cooling ? in one operating condition and another in a washing condition; - fig. 4 ? a view as in fig. 3 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

- fig. 5 ? an isometric view, enlarged, d? a detail of the system in fig. 1;

- fig. 6 ? an axonometric view, schematic and simplified, of a cooling system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

It should be noted that in this description the phraseology and terminology used, as well as the figures of the attached drawings also as described have the sole function of illustrating and better explaining the present invention having a non-limiting exemplifying function of the invention itself, being the scope of protection defined by the claims.

For ease of understanding, identical reference numerals have been used wherever possible to identify identical commonalities in the figures. It should be understood that elements and features of one embodiment may be conveniently combined or incorporated into other embodiments without further specification.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT

FOUND

With reference to figure 1, a cooling system 10 according to the present invention comprises both a cooling apparatus A having a plurality of heat exchange devices D placed side by side, both a plurality? of units of cooling U (U1, U2, .. ., Un), wherein to each heat exchange device D ? associated with at least one? unit? of cooling U.

In the present description, it is indicated with ?n? the number of units? of cooling U, where ?n? ? an integer preferably between 2 and 30.

To the cooling system 10 ? associated with a hydraulic system, not represented in its entirety in the attached drawings, which comprises at least one main supply conduit 11 (fig. 2) configured to supply cooling water to each unit? of cooling U.

Furthermore, it is specified that the term cooling water means water having a cooling temperature TR which is ? lower than the external temperature, in the following first temperature T1, the cio? the temperature of the environment surrounding the cooling system 10.

It should be noted that the sizing of the main supply duct 11 depends on the number n of units? of cooling U present in the cooling system 10 and must be such as to allow the delivery of the correct quantity of water required.

Upstream of the main supply conduit 11 pu? an inlet valve 12 may be arranged, which has the function of selectively opening or closing the cooling water entering the cooling system 10.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, two units are associated with each heat exchange device D of the cooling apparatus A. of cooling U. Therefore, as illustrated in fig. 1, the units? U of the cooling system 10 are coupled to each other and arranged along two symmetrical rows with respect to a longitudinal plane Y.

As illustrated in figures 3 and 4, to each heat exchange device D ? associated with a first unit? cooling, for simplicity? indicated with Ui, and a second unit? cooling, for simplicity? indicated U2, which are independent of each other.

It should be noted that although the description refers to the unit? of cooling U1, U2, what is described ? valid for each unit? cooling system U forming part of the cooling system 10.

In the example provided here, each heat exchange device D of the cooling equipment A ? divided, by means of a separating wall 13, into two parts symmetrical to each other with respect to the longitudinal plane Y, each of which comprises a fan device 15 configured to generate an air flow F, from a lateral inlet area ZI to a outlet ZU, and a bank of finned tubes, hereinafter bank 17, arranged in such a position as to be crossed by the air flow F, and comprising a plurality? of finned tubes in which an operating fluid FE flows which initially has a first operating temperature, or inlet temperature, TE1. For example, the operating fluid FE comprises at least one coolant, such as ethylene glycol, or phase change fluid (refrigerant). Each fan device 15 ? arranged at an upper wall 20 of the respective heat exchange device D and ? operated, for example, by an electric motor, of a known type and not shown in the drawings. Furthermore, each fan device 15 ? provided with at least one fan 21 which, when activated, ? capable of generating the air flow F by inhaling external air.

In the example provided here, the coils 17 present in the heat exchange device D are inclined, with respect to a generic vertical direction, towards the inlet zone ZI and mirror each other with respect to the longitudinal plane Y, substantially forming a ?V shape ? (figures 1 and 3). This inclination allows both the correct arrangement of the unit? cooling system U, and the correct closure of any air by-pass. In accordance with other embodiments of the present invention, the batteries 17 can be vertical, as illustrated in fig. 4, or they could have other shapes and/or a different inclination.

Each unit? system U comprises at least one evaporative panel 16 (figures 3 and 4), arranged along the air flow in correspondence with the inlet area ZI of the heat exchange device D, and a cooling water delivery group 19, which is operatively associated with the main supply duct 11 and arranged above the respective evaporative pad 16.

The evaporative pads 16 are fixed in a known way, for example by means of supports not shown in the drawings, to the respective inlet zone ZI of the unit. cooling units U1, U2 and substantially have the shape of a parallelepiped. Each evaporative panel 16 (fig. 5) can? be made, for example, with a plurality? of corrugated cellulose sheets, arranged next to each other and shaped so as to define a plurality of full spaces and empty spaces, through which passes the air sucked in? external.

It should be noted that the air flow F therefore passes, in sequence, the evaporative panel 16 and the battery 17 (figures 3 and 4), thus determining a first and, respectively, a second heat exchange of the? air entering the unit? cooling U1, how will it be? more explained in detail below.

In particular, the evaporative pads 16 are configured to receive and retain the cooling water delivered by the dispensing unit 19 and having the cooling temperature TR, so that when the air flow F crosses the empty spaces and interacts with the ?water, there is a cooling of the external air, which passes from the first temperature T1 to a second temperature T2, lower than T1.

It should also be noted that the operating fluid FE present in the finned tubes of the battery 17 has a first operating temperature TE1 which is ? higher than this second temperature T2 of the air flow F and consequently than the cooling temperature TR of the water. Therefore, when the air flow F passes through the battery 17, it undergoes a second heat exchange, in this case a heating, passing from the second temperature T2 to a third temperature T3. At the same time, in this second heat exchange, the operating fluid FE undergoes cooling, passing from the first operating temperature TE1 to a second operating temperature, or outlet temperature TE2.

Therefore, summarizing in the following relations the symbolic values of the temperatures of the air flow F and of the operating fluid FE, before and after the heat exchanges which take place in the cooling system 10, we obtain: TE2<TE1; T3>T2 and T2<T1

In this way the main objective is reached for which the units? cooling U are associated with the heat exchange devices D, which consists in the decrease of the operating temperature of the operating fluid FE present in the coil 17.

The dispensing unit 19 (figures 2, 3, 4 and 5) comprises a distributor tube 22 to which associated with a plurality? of dispensing nozzles 23 configured to dispense a certain flow rate of cooling water onto an upper part 25 of a corresponding evaporative pad 16. In particular, the dispensing group 19 is capable of delivering both an operating flow rate PE for normal operation of the operating panel 16, i.e. when the unit? flow rate U is in an operating condition CE (cooling unit Ui in figures 3 and 4), and a washing flow rate PL for washing the evaporative pad 16, i.e. when the unit? cooling unit U is in a flushing condition CL (cooling unit U2 in figures 3 and 4).

Furthermore, in order to ensure complete wettability? of the evaporative panel 16, the dispensing nozzles 23 are arranged uniformly along the entire width of the latter, so as to that their jets can reach every area of the upper part 25, as shown in figures 2 and 5.

In the example provided here, the dispensing unit 19 ? covered by a closing panel 26 (figures 1, 3, 4 and 6) which, for example, can? be pivoted to the upper wall 20 of the unit? of cooling U.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, each unit? cooling system U comprises a solenoid valve 27 (figures 2, 3, 4 and 5), for example of the proportional type, interposed between the main supply duct 11 and the distributor tube 22.

The solenoid valve 27 ? configured to selectively adjust and switch the water delivery by the delivery nozzles 23, so that the latter can deliver the correct flow rate of cooling water during operation of the cooling system 10, for example by switching from the operating flow rate PE to that of washing PL, and vice versa.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the cooling system 10 also comprises at least one unit control electronics 29, of a type known per se, operatively connected to each solenoid valve 27.

The unit control electronics 29 ? configured to command the total and/or partial opening or closing of each solenoid valve 27 during operation of the cooling system 10. In particular, the unit? control electronics 29 ? capable of commanding the opening or closing, for example total or partial (for example by having about half of its maximum flow rate), even of only one solenoid valve 27 at a time, advantageously even more? one at a time, in relation to specific operational needs, or combinations.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the fan device 15 can be of the type capable of passing from a condition of full use to a condition of partial use and, therefore, to a stopped condition. In this case, the unit? control electronics 29 ? configured to also control each fan device 15 so that its condition of use, or operation, is correlated to the open or closed condition of the solenoid valve 27 present in the same unit? cooling U, how will it be? more explained in detail below.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, in correspondence with the lower part of the evaporative pads 16 there can be a collection channel 30 is provided, illustrated in greater detail in figures 3 and 4, configured to collect and convey the cooling water which can? fall from the evaporative pads 16 completely wet, especially when the unit? of cooling U ? in the washing condition CL. Furthermore, the collection channel 30 can? be advantageously connected to a water recirculation group, not shown in the drawings, which allows the previously used cooling water to be reused, thus reducing? further waste.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in fig. 6, each unit? cooling U pu? be provided, in correspondence with the inlet area ZI, with two evaporative panels, one of which is upper 16a and one lower 16b. In particular, the upper evaporative pad 16a ? arranged vertically, while the lower panel 16b is inclined inwards, with an orientation which substantially follows that of the banks 17 of finned tubes, in the hypothesis in which they are arranged as illustrated in the embodiment described with reference to fig. 3.

The operation of the cooling system 10 described up to now, which corresponds to the method according to the present invention, comprises the following steps.

It is specified, that to make more? simple and intuitive the following description, you will describe? the procedure for a generic unit? cooling U, it being understood that there? will be valid for all other units? cooling U present in the cooling system 10.

Initially, the inlet valve 12 ? open to let cooling water enter the main supply line 1 1.

Normally, during regular operation of the cooling system 10, each unit? of cooling U ? in a CE operating condition. This operating condition CE provides for the delivery to the evaporative pads 16 of a first operating flow PE necessary for their correct operation (cooling unit LE in fig. 3). By way of example, without limits to the generality, the PE exercise scope can? have an average value of about 3 liters of water per minute for each panel.

Therefore, the method comprises a main operation phase, in which, in a wetting sub-phase, the unit? control electronics 29 controls the solenoid valves 27 of each unit? U so that these open partially, for example about halfway, and allow, through the delivery nozzles 23, to deliver the operating flow rate PE of cooling water onto the evaporative pads 16. In this way the temperature occurs in correspondence with the evaporative pads 16 ? substantially equal to the cooling water cooling temperature TR.

Subsequently, in an aspiration sub-phase, the unit? control electronics 29 commands each fan device 15 to operate the fans 21 and thus start the intake of air from the outside through the inlet area Z1, thus generating? the air flow F.

In a subsequent first heat exchange sub-phase, the air flow F, passing through the evaporative pads 16 and interacting with the cooling water present in the latter, undergoes cooling, passing from the first temperature T1 to the second temperature T2 . In particular, during this cooling, temperature decreases of up to about 10 K can occur.

Subsequently, in a second heat exchange sub-phase, the air flow passes through the battery 17 in which the operating fluid FE flows having a first operating temperature TE1, higher than T2; therefore, the air flow F undergoes a second heat exchange, this time a heating, passing from the second temperature T2 to the third temperature T3, obviously higher than the second temperature T2. At the same time, the operating fluid FE undergoes a corresponding cooling, passing from the first operating temperature TE1 to the second operating temperature TE2.

Then, in an emission subphase, the cooled airflow is emitted from the outlet zone ZU.

In order to obtain a significant saving of water and avoid waste, during the regular operation of the cooling system 10 described above, in addition to the operating phase, it is necessary to there is also a washing phase that ? run sequentially on x unit? of cooling U at a time, where x ? an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than n and ? based on specific business needs.

In the washing phase the unit? of cooling U passes from the operating condition CE to the washing condition CL in which, in addition to the water supplied with the operating flow rate PE, ? an additional quantity of cooling water is dispensed, until reaching a desired washing flow rate PL (cooling unit U2 in fig. 3).

By way of example, without limiting the generality, the washing flow rate PL provides for the delivery of a double quantity of water compared to the operating flow rate PE, therefore about 6 liters of water per minute. This quantity of water allows the evaporative pads 16 to be washed abundantly and to remove any harmful substances present therein. Therefore, in this washing phase the unit? control electronics 29 commands the solenoid valve 27 of the unit? of cooling U that ? in the condition of washing CL, cos? to open it completely and allow, through the dispensing nozzles 23, to dispense the washing flow rate PL of cooling water on the evaporative panel 16.

At the same time, given the double quantity of water present in the evaporative panel 16, the unit? control electronics 29 commands the respective fan device 15 to stop the fan 21, consequently also interrupting the suction of the fan air. There? must be done to prevent water particles from being drawn into the unit? of cooling U, avoiding possible corrosive effects.

By way of example, this washing phase ? performed for about 15-20 minutes and only after a prolonged cycle of operation of the cooling system 10.

Running the washing phase sequentially on x unit? of cooling U at a time, and exploiting a part of the quantity of water that would come already? normally supplied during the operating phase, in addition to a significant water saving, there is also the advantage of optimizing the sizing of the main supply duct 11, which will result therefore larger in size? contained, and therefore less expensive. By way of example, assuming a cooling system 10 comprising ten units? of cooling U, in which for each of them ? 3 liters of water per minute for the operating phase and 6 liters of water per minute for the washing phase, the following water consumption would be obtained in the operating and washing phases:

- Exercise phase:

3 l/min x 10 U = 30 l/min supplied by the main supply pipe 11

- Sequential washing phase of a unit? of cooling U at a time, during regular operation of the cooling system 10:

3 l/min x 9 U 6 l/min x 1 U = 33 l/min delivered from the main supply line 11

Considering now a washing step of the state of the art, which ? performed simultaneously in all ten units? of cooling U, following the operating phase, we obtain:

6 l/min x 10 U = 60 l/min supplied by the main supply line 1 1

Comparing the results obtained, it is clear that the sizing of the main supply duct 11 by exploiting a sequential type washing phase will be? definitely more contained and therefore optimized with respect to the condition of the state of the art.

? It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts can be made to the cooling system 10 and to the method described up to now, without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.

For example, according to other embodiments not shown in the drawings, the heat exchange device D can be made without the separation wall 13 and pu? be equipped with a single central fan device.

Or, according to other embodiments not shown in the drawings, the heat exchange device D could be constituted only by half left, or right, of the heat exchange device D illustrated in figures 3 or 4.

? It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, an expert in the art could realizing other equivalent forms of cooling systems and processes, having the characteristics set forth in the claims and therefore all falling within the scope of protection defined therein. In the claims that follow, the references in brackets have the sole purpose of facilitating reading and must not be considered as limiting factors of the scope of protection defined by the claims themselves.

Claims (10)

1. Cooling system (10) including: - a cooling apparatus (A) having a plurality? of heat exchange devices (D), each equipped with: - fan means (15) configured to generate a flow of air (F) from an inlet area (ZI) to an outlet area (ZU), and - main heat exchange means (17) in which an operating fluid flows, - a plurality? of units (U), each equipped with: - secondary heat exchange means (16), arranged so as to be invested by said air flow (F) and configured to carry out a first heat exchange with said air flow (F) such as to modify the temperature of said air flow (F), e - dispensing means (19) configured to alternatively dispense onto said secondary heat exchange means (16) a first flow rate of water (PE), when a respective unit? of cooling (U) ? in an operating condition (CE), and a second flow rate of water (PL), when a respective unit? of cooling (U) ? in a wash condition (CL), and wherein to each heat exchange device (D) ? associated with at least one unit? cooling (U), said cooling system (10) being characterized in that each unit? of cooling (U) also comprises adjustment means (27) associated with the corresponding delivery means (19) and configured to selectively adjust and switch the delivery of water, by said delivery means (19), from said first flow rate of water (PE) to said second flow rate of water (PL), and vice versa, during operation of said cooling system (10). 2. Cooling system (10) as in claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises a unit? control electronics (29) operatively associated with at least said adjustment means (27) and configured to command the total and/or partial opening or closing of at least one of said adjustment means (27) at a time, thus ? to allow the regulation and selective switching of water delivery from said first water flow rate (PE) to said second water flow rate (PL), and vice versa, in at least one unit? cooling system (U) at a time, during the operation of said cooling system (10). 3. Cooling system (10) as in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said unit? control electronics (29) can? also be associated with said fan means (15) to control the activation and shutdown of the latter, according to said operating condition (CE) and, respectively, of said washing condition (CL) of said at least one unit ? cooling (U). 4. Cooling system (10) as in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said main heat exchange means (17) are configured to carry out a second heat exchange with said air flow (F) such as to make s? That: - said air flow (F) passes from said second temperature (T2) to a third temperature (T3) hotter? higher than said second temperature (T2), and - said working fluid (FE) passes from a first working temperature (TE1) to a second working temperature (TE2), lower than said first working temperature (TE1). 5. Cooling system (10) as in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said adjustment means comprise at least one proportional type solenoid valve (27). 6. Cooling process of a cooling system (10) comprising both a cooling apparatus (A) having a plurality of of heat exchange devices (D), each provided with fan means (15) and main heat exchange means (17), both a plurality of units cooling devices (U), each provided with secondary heat exchange means (16) and delivery means (19), wherein each heat exchange device (D) ? associated with at least one unit? of cooling (U), and in which said process comprises: - an exercise phase which in turn includes: - a wetting sub-phase, in which said dispensing means (19) dispenses a first flow of water (PE) onto said secondary heat exchange means (16), - an aspiration sub-phase, in which said ventilation means (15) generate a flow of air (F) from an inlet area (ZI) to an outlet area (ZU), and - a first heat exchange sub-phase, in which said air flow (F) passes through said secondary heat exchange means (16) to modify its own temperature following the heat exchange carried out, - a washing phase in which said delivery means (19) deliver a second flow rate of water (PE) onto said first heat exchange means (16), said cooling process being characterized in that ? foreseen a phase of regulation of each unit? (U) by means of regulation means (27) which selectively regulate and switch the water delivery, by said delivery means (19), from said first water flow rate (PE) to said second water flow rate ( PL), and vice versa, to selectively and alternatively carry out said exercise phase and said washing phase during the operation of said cooling system (10). 7. Cooling process as in claim 6, characterized in that a unit? control electronics (29) of said cooling system (10) commands the total and/or partial opening or closing of at least one of said adjustment means (27) at a time, thus to selectively allow the passage from said exercise phase to said washing phase, and vice versa, in at least one unit? cooling system (U) at a time, during the operation of said cooling system (10). 8. Cooling process as in claim 6 or 7, characterized in that said unit? control electronics (29) can? command the start-up and stop of said fan means (15), when? started said exercise phase and, respectively, said washing phase, in the corresponding unit? cooling (U). 9. Cooling process as in claims 6, 7 or 8, characterized in that said operating phase also includes a second heat exchange phase in which, in each heat exchange device (D), said air flow ( F) passes through said main heat exchange means (17), in which an operating fluid flows initially having a first operating temperature (TE1), to carry out a second heat exchange, whereby said air flow (F) passes from said second temperature (T2) to a third temperature (T3), higher than said second temperature (T2) and said operating fluid passes from a first operating temperature (TE1) to a second operating temperature (TE2), lower than said first operating temperature (TE1). 10. Use of a cooling system (10) as in claims 1 to 5 for implementing a cooling process as in claims 6 to 9.