Monolithically Integrated Bi-Directional Heat Pump

Abstract

Monolithically integrated heat pump. The heat pump includes as adsorbent / absorbent condenser forming a hot terminal integrated with a phase change heat exchanger forming a cold terminal. The adsorbent / absorbent condenser and the phase change heat exchanger are integrated into a single pressure vessel.

Description

[0001]This application claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 61 / 733941, filed on Dec. 6, 2012, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.[0002]This invention was made with government support under grant no. DE-AR0000185, awarded by the Department of Energy. The government has certain rights in the invention.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]This invention relates to heat pumps and more particularly to a monolithically integrated bi-directional heat pump that integrates evaporator, condenser and adsorption bed into a single compact pressure vessel.[0004]Resistance to mass transfer fundamentally limits the performance of most heat pumps that rely on chemical driving forces for passive operation. In the case of adsorption or absorption chillers, for example, a vapor passage constriction between the evaporator and adsorber or adsorber can significantly reduce the maximum power of the heat pump. As shown in FIGS. 1A and B, the mass transfer impedance severel...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a heat pump that uses an adsorbent / absorbent condenser and a phase change heat exchanger in a single pressure vessel. This design allows for bi-directional heat pumping, and can be liquid or air cooled. The heat pump includes an adsorbent bed with microchannels that distribute heat transfer fluid, and the bed is in thermal contact with a condenser. The design improves efficiency and allows for more flexible operation.

Problems solved by technology

Resistance to mass transfer fundamentally limits the performance of most heat pumps that rely on chemical driving forces for passive operation.

In the case of adsorption or absorption chillers, for example, a vapor passage constriction between the evaporator and adsorber or adsorber can significantly reduce the maximum power of the heat pump.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and B, the mass transfer impedance severely limits the performance of some emergent heat-pump technologies, such as thermo-adsorptive batteries for electric vehicle climate control that could otherwise enable significant enhancement in electric vehicle driving range [1].

Mass transfer impedance limits the performance of some heat pump systems that use working fluids at low pressure, because of the high volumetric flow rates involved.

While the mass transfer improves if advective transport is also considered, this improvement conies at fee cost of a pressure drop that reduces the useful temperature range of the heat pump.

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