A group of researchers from IIT Delhi has announced the development of an innovative prototype air conditioner that can significantly reduce cooling costs. Experts warn that if current technologies remain unchanged, energy consumption in this area will triple by 2038. The new development aims to reduce the load on energy grids, as reported by ANI, a partner of the TV BRICS network.
The main feature of the new technology is the exclusion of the traditional method of dehumidifying air through its overcooling, which requires significant energy expenditure. Professor Anurag Goyal and his team have integrated a compact module with a saline solution into the system, which effectively absorbs excess moisture from the air, preventing salt particles from entering the room thanks to a special polymer membrane.
Engineers have achieved a high degree of operational autonomy: a separate heater is not required to restore the properties of the dissolved moisture. Instead, the system utilizes excess heat that is typically released into the atmosphere by conventional air conditioners through the outdoor unit.
Laboratory tests have shown impressive energy savings—an average of 33%. The efficiency of the device varies depending on climatic conditions: from 28% in high humidity conditions to 41.5% in drier regions. Scientists have already published the results of their work in an international scientific journal and are preparing the technology for mass implementation in the residential and commercial sectors of India, where the demand for cooling is growing due to rising temperatures.
