How does the Barton evaporation engine work?

Answer 1

I'll give it a go.It is a adiabatic expansion cycle.Adiabatic meaning not lossing or gaining heat.Think of a steam engine, a cyclinder with a sealed piston inside connected to a rod .The rod is connected to a fly wheel.The weight of the fly wheel continues motion after the power stroke.The momentum has driven the piston to the bottom of the cyclinder.This has compressed the air and heated it.Then an atomized water spray is injected.This combination causes the mist to evaporate and expand.As the water vapor expands it now pushes the piston up[power stroke] as the moist air expands it absorbs heat=latent cooling.When the piston is close to the top a oneway valve opens and the gas escapes then the valve closes.Right after it starts back down pushed by the rod connected to the spinning fly wheel,another oneway valve opens in the opposite direction sucking hot air from outside then closes.This air has been preheated by a solar collector, waste heat or any other source.These engines have the advantage of being able to use low grade heat like passive solar.they do need dry air or a dehumidifier to condition the moist air first.For hot humid locations a liquid desiccant would work well.