Radiant heat pump device and method

Abstract

The present method and device is for configuring the geometry of a surface to emit highly non-diffuse radiant energy. When a target surface is placed in a region where it is targeted by the emitting surface, there can be a net heat flow from the surface emitting the radiant energy to the target surface, notwithstanding the target surface may be at higher temperature than the emitting surface. This method is employed in a radiant heat pump whereby the surface for emitting energy radiation surrounds a target. The temperature of the target, which is originally at a higher temperature than the temperature of the surface, can have further temperature increases as a result of the net heat flow thereby resulting in a useful temperature increase in the target's temperature. The target may then use the temperature increase to upgrade heat flowing through the target for use in industrial processes.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation in part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 447,679 filed May 28, 2003, claiming priority from U.S. application Ser. No. 60 / 383,115 filed May 28, 2002, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates to the field of radiant energy devices, heat transfer devices and methods and more particularly heat pumps. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] In industrialized countries, energy consumption is a fundamental aspect of commerce and personal daily life. Global energy use is rising rapidly as other nations advance toward economic parity with the industrialized world. [0004] Until recently, the significant, observable negative consequences of fossil fuel consumption were limited to relatively localized effects such as smog and acid rain. Now the majority of scientists believe that even current consumption levels are contributing to ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0019] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and device for increasing energy efficiencies by recovering

Problems solved by technology

Until recently, the significant, observable negative consequences of fossil fuel consumption were limited to relatively localized effects such as smog and acid rain.

Now the majority of scientists believe that even current consumption levels are contributing to changes in global climate which pose a high risk for the future stability of the biosphere.

This situation will worsen as consumption continues to grow.

However, it will be decades before such alternative energy technologies displace fossil fuels sufficiently to tip the GHG balance.

Unfortunately, the steam cycles on which conventional coal-fired generating plants are based run at net efficiencies below 40%.

However, most waste heat sources are well below the temperature at which a need for energy exists elsewhere.

Consequently, the scope for application of passive heat recovery is extremely limited.

Chemical heat pumps are limited to applications involving temperature ranges at which certain chemical reactions proceed at favourable rates.

This limits both the number of installations for which the technology is economic, and the flexibility of each installation to economically accommodate variations in operating conditions.

Because of the nature of the chemicals used, chemical heat pumps are also undesirable for some applications.

The major problems with vapour compression heat pumps lie in compressor technology (which is the heart of the vapour compression pump) and the availability of suitable refrigerants.

More specifically, vapour compression heat pumps have historically been considered unreliable and are complex thereby requiring maintenance.

Many manufacturing

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