Absorption heat pump system and method of using the same

Abstract

An absorption heat pump system that can include a first assembly, a second assembly, and a thermal coupler is disclosed herein. The first assembly can include a condenser and an evaporator. The second assembly can include an absorber, a desorber, and a heat exchanger. The thermal coupler can include a first gas inlet, a second fluid inlet, and a mixed fluid outlet. The system can be configured with a first gas outlet of the desorber in fluid communication with the first gas inlet of the thermal coupler, and the mixed fluid outlet of the thermal coupler in fluid communication with a mixed fluid inlet of the evaporator. The system can also include a coolant absorber inlet and outlet on the absorber and a coolant condenser inlet and outlet on the condenser, with the coolant absorber outlet in fluid communication with the coolant condenser inlet.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0001]The United States Government has rights in this invention pursuant to Contract No. DE-AC05-00OR22725 between the United States Department of Energy and UT-Battelle, LLC. The Government has certain rights in the invention.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This disclosure relates to the field of heat pumps, and more particularly to apparatus and methods of using absorption heat pump systems.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]According to the 2009 Buildings Energy Data Book, space cooling and heating, as well as water heating, use 49.8% and 25.2% of primary energy consumed in U.S. residential and commercial buildings, respectively. (U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, 2009a). Moreover, most of the primary energy is produced by fossil fuels which result in the emissions of gasses which harm the environment. Thus, it has become more important than ever to develop energy-efficient and en...

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Benefits of technology

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Problems solved by technology

Moreover, most of the primary energy is produced by fossil fuels which result in the emissions of gasses which harm the environment.

One drawback to LiBr / water absorption water heater systems is that they are unable to operate at typical water heating temperatures due to solution crystallization hazards.

Crystallization results in interruption of machine operation.

However, crystallization must be avoided to prevent the formation of slush in the piping network, which results in flow blockages and service interruptions.

Restarting absorber operation after crystallization is a labor intensive and time consuming process, which prevents LiBr / water from being a viable working fluid for absorption heat pumping systems.

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