Heat pump device and method for operating the heat pump device

Abstract

This invention relates to a heat pump device and a method for operating the heat pump device, the heat pump device comprising a heat pump circulation line (1) for a heat pump circulation line medium flowing through the primary side (2.1) of a heat transfer unit (2) and a heating circulation line (3) for a heating circulation line medium flowing through the secondary side (2.2) of the heat transfer unit (2), wherein a heating circulation pump (4) is connected upstream of the secondary side (2.2) of the heat transfer unit (2) when viewed along the operating flow direction of the heating circulation line medium. According to the invention, a check valve (5) is provided downstream of the heating circulation pump (4) and upstream of the secondary side (2.2) when viewed along the operating flow direction of the heating circulation line medium, and the check valve is designed to be closed when the heating circulation line medium flows in the opposite direction to the operating flow direction, and an exhaust device (6) is connected downstream of the secondary side (2.2) when viewed along the operating flow direction, the exhaust device being designed to prevent the flow of the heating circulation line medium along the operating flow direction from a predetermined amount of gas in the heating circulation line medium.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a heat pump device and a method for operating the heat pump device. Background Technology

[0002] A heat pump device of the type described at the beginning is known from document DE 10 2011 011 210 A1. This heat pump device comprises a heat pump circulation line for the heat pump circulation medium flowing through the primary side of a heat transfer unit and a heating circulation line for the heating circulation medium flowing through the secondary side of the heat transfer unit, wherein, viewed along the operating flow direction of the heating circulation medium, a heating circulation pump is connected upstream of the secondary side of the heat transfer unit. The heating circulation medium is typically, and hereinafter, preferably, water. Furthermore, it is applicable here and hereinafter that, in the prescribed use of the heat pump device, the heating circulation medium is pumped through the heating circulation line only in one direction, i.e., along the aforementioned operating flow direction. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The objective of this invention is to improve heat pump devices of the type described at the beginning. In particular, it should enable heat pump devices that automatically stop the continued flow in the heating circulation circuit when a gas leak occurs in the heat transfer unit.

[0004] This task is solved by means of a heat pump device and a method for operating the heat pump device according to the present invention.

[0005] In other words, according to the present invention, a check valve is provided downstream of the heating circulation pump and upstream of the secondary side, viewed along the operating flow direction of the heating circulation medium. The check valve is designed to close when the heating circulation medium flows in the opposite direction to the operating flow direction. Furthermore, an exhaust device is connected downstream of the secondary side, viewed along the operating flow direction, and this exhaust device is designed to prevent the flow of the heating circulation medium along the operating flow direction from a predetermined gas quantity in the heating circulation medium. As described in the method, this arrangement, starting from a predetermined gas quantity in the heating circulation medium, closes the check valve on one hand and prevents the flow of the heating circulation medium along the operating flow direction on the other hand.

[0006] In other words, the characteristic of the heat pump device according to the invention lies in that if a gas leak occurs in the heat transfer unit, i.e., particularly a combustible heat pump circulation medium flows from the primary side to the secondary side of the heat transfer unit, the flow of the heating circulation medium is automatically prohibited. This is ensured, on the one hand, by a check valve, that the heat pump circulation medium does not flow in the opposite direction to the operating flow direction of the heating circulation medium toward the pump. On the other hand, an venting device ensures that the outflowing heat pump circulation medium does not diffuse along the operating flow direction of the heating circulation medium. It is also particularly preferably provided that the heating circulation pump is designed to be automatically shut off when the supply of the heating circulation medium falls below a predetermined level; that is, in the case of the gas leak, not only is the entry of particularly combustible heat pump circulation medium into the heating circulation effectively prohibited, but the circulation of the heating circulation is even automatically and completely cut off.

[0007] Further advantageous embodiments of the heat pump device according to the invention are derived from the description.

[0008] For completeness, also refer to EP 3 351 868 A1 and DE 10 2016 106 061 A1. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Further advantageous aspects of the heat pump device according to the present invention will now be specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings of two embodiments.

[0010] In the attached image: Figure 1 Most of the illustrations are schematic depictions of heat pump devices with check valves and venting devices according to the present invention; Figure 2 A first embodiment of the exhaust device is shown in cross-sectional view; and Figure 3 A portion of a second embodiment of the exhaust device is shown in cross-section. Detailed Implementation

[0011] The heat pump device shown in the attached figure is configured in a known manner as a heat pump circulation line 1 for the heat pump circulation line medium flowing through the primary side 2.1 of the heat transfer unit 2 and a heating circulation line 3 for the heating circulation line medium flowing through the secondary side 2.2 of the heat transfer unit 2, wherein, viewed along the running flow direction of the heating circulation line medium, the heating circulation pump 4 is connected upstream of the secondary side 2.2 of the heat transfer unit 2.

[0012] Furthermore, preferably arranged in a known manner, the heat pump cycle line 1 includes, in addition to the heat transferor 2, a throttling device 9, another heat transferor 10, and a compressor 11. If the heat pump unit is used to heat a building (heating operation), the heat transferor 2 operates as a condenser and the other heat transferor 10 operates as an evaporator, with heat typically supplied to the evaporator by an ambient heat source, such as air heat or geothermal energy. If the heat pump unit is, conversely (which is also possible), used for cooling, the heat transferor 2 is designed to operate accordingly as an evaporator.

[0013] In addition, in the use of heat pump equipment in heating operation, the heating circulation line 3 is set up in a known manner, and optionally includes a heat dissipation device (e.g., a heating element or a floor heating device) and / or a heat storage device (e.g., a hot water storage device).

[0014] Importantly, for the heat pump device according to the present invention, firstly, a check valve 5 is provided downstream of the heating circulation pump 4 and upstream of the secondary side 2.2, observed along the operating flow direction of the heating circulation medium. This check valve is designed to close when the heating circulation medium flows in the opposite direction to the operating flow direction. Secondly, an exhaust device 6 is connected downstream of the secondary side 2.2, observed along the operating flow direction. This exhaust device is designed to prevent the flow of the heating circulation medium along the operating flow direction from a predetermined amount of gas in the heating circulation medium. According to the method described, from a predetermined amount of gas in the heating circulation medium, the check valve 5 is closed on the one hand, and the exhaust device 6 prevents the flow of the heating circulation medium along the operating flow direction on the other hand. As stated at the beginning, when leakage occurs in the heat transferor 2, the heat pump circulation medium can only reach the heating circulation line 3 to a limited extent.

[0015] It is also particularly preferred that the pressure reducing valve 12 is installed on the exhaust device 6, so that the heat pump circulation medium can be discharged into the surrounding environment of the building in the event of a leak through the pressure reducing valve.

[0016] The condition "predetermined amount" used above means here that the exhaust device 6 is designed so that flow is only stopped from a predetermined leakage rate. That is, leakage below the "predetermined" amount is completely tolerated according to the invention or isolated by the ventilation device 7, which is also described below, because the leakage has not yet caused a danger. However, small leakage will of course be "detected" by the heat pump itself over a longer period of time and will then lead to the shutdown of the heat pump.

[0017] In this particularly preferred configuration, the heat transferor 2 and / or the exhaust device 6 may optionally be arranged outside the building where the heating circulation line 3 is partially received, that is, according to the invention, it is ensured that the heat pump circulation line medium cannot reach the building at all and cannot cause damage there.

[0018] To further support the aforementioned safety function, as already described, it is particularly preferably configured that the heating circulation pump 4 is automatically shut off when the supply of heating circulation medium (to heating circulation pump 4) falls below a predetermined level. That is, the heating circulation pump 4 is shut off as soon as there is no longer sufficient heating circulation medium at the pump inlet, posing a risk of the heating circulation pump operating "dry." This lower level is caused by the venting device 6, which is further described below, ensuring that the heating circulation medium can no longer circulate in the heating circulation line 3 when it leaks in the heat transfer unit 2.

[0019] The exhaust device 6 is particularly preferably provided herein (and, unless otherwise implemented, the following description applies to all embodiments of the exhaust device according to the invention) as a container having an inlet 6.2 and an outlet 6.3 for the heating circulation medium. It is also particularly preferably provided herein that the inlet 6.2 is arranged above the outlet 6.3 during the prescribed operation of the heat pump equipment. Furthermore, it is particularly preferably provided that the outlet 6.3 is arranged at the deepest part 6.4 of the container. The container is also preferably provided herein to have a volume of at least 1.5 liters, particularly preferably at least 2.5 liters, and entirely particularly preferably at least 3.5 liters for receiving the heating circulation medium. It is also particularly preferably provided herein that the flow rate of the heating circulation medium is reduced by at least 50%, preferably 75%, in the passage from the inlet 6.2 to the container. It is entirely particularly preferably provided herein that the flow rate in the container is at most 0.4 m / s, entirely particularly preferably at most 0.3 m / s. This provision provides a significant advantage in that the gaseous heat pump circulation medium in the heating circulation medium is not carried out to the outlet 6.3 as much as possible, but can rise in the container and then be discharged.

[0020] In order to achieve flow prohibition, the exhaust device 6 is particularly preferably provided with a float 6.1 that forms a plug in the event of leakage.

[0021] According to Figure 2 In one embodiment, the float 6.1 is constructed as an elongated plug that narrows at its lower port. However, according to... Figure 3In this embodiment, the float 6.1 is constructed as a sphere. All embodiments here share the common feature that the float 6.1 has a lower density than the heating circulation medium, and if the exhaust device 6 is filled with the heating circulation medium, the float floats accordingly in the heating circulation medium. However, if the heating circulation medium is forced out of the exhaust device in the event of a heat pump circulation medium leak, the float 6.1 closes the previously described outlet 6.3. Alternatively, it is particularly preferred that the float 6.1 is designed to float below a predetermined amount of gas in the heating circulation medium (in a container completely filled with the heating circulation medium or in a container) and close the outlet 6.3 above a predetermined amount of gas.

[0022] For this purpose, it is particularly preferred that the float 6.1 is arranged above the deepest part 6.4 in the container during the specified operation of the heat pump equipment. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the float 6.1 is supported vertically within the container during the specified operation of the heat pump equipment.

[0023] More specifically (and this also applies to all embodiments of the exhaust device 6), it is particularly preferably provided that the aforementioned container is composed of a cylindrical shell 6.5 closed on both sides by cover elements 6.6. It is also particularly preferably that a preferably tubular guide element 6.7 for the float 6.1 is arranged within the container. As in... Figure 2 and 3 As shown in the figure, and particularly preferably provided here for the purpose of stabilizing the flow, the guide element 6.7 has a flow opening 6.8 for heating the circulating medium, that is, the heating circulating medium flows from the inlet 6.2 into the outer region of the container and from there into the inner region of the container through the flow opening 6.8, where the float 6.1 is movably supported and the float extends into the outlet 6.3.

[0024] Finally, it is also preferably provided that a safety valve 8 is optionally arranged between the heat transferor 2 and the exhaust device 6, and / or the exhaust device 6 has a ventilation device 7 (for rapid ventilation with small gas volumes), wherein, additionally, a valve for manual ventilation may also be provided on the exhaust device 6 (as shown).

[0025] The heat pump device according to the present invention operates normally as follows in the absence of leakage or seepage on the heat transfer unit 2, i.e., in accordance with the prescribed operation: The heating circulation medium from the heat transfer unit 2 flows into the container of the exhaust device 6 through inlet 6.2. The container is filled with the heating circulation medium, so that the float 6.1 floats on the heating circulation medium, guided by a guide element 6.7 with a flow opening 6.8. The outlet 6.3 is located at the deepest part 6.4 of the container, through which the heating circulation medium leaves the exhaust device 6 and flows in the direction of, for example, a heating element.

[0026] If a significant leak occurs on heat exchanger 2, which is absolutely undesirable, especially if a large amount of combustible heat pump circulation medium (e.g., propane) enters from heat pump circulation 1, which operates at very high pressure, into heating circulation 3, which operates at significantly lower pressure, then the heating circulation medium stored in the container of exhaust device 6 is forced out of the container, causing float 6.1 to move downward and then, based on the high pressure in the container, outlet 6.3 is sealed shut for such a long time that the majority of the heat pump circulation medium is blown out through pressure reducing valve 12. The closure of outlet 6.3, as described and even supported by the suction of heating circulation pump 4 itself, causes heating circulation pump 4 to also stop operating. That is, the entire heat pump system is completely disrupted, which is logical in such a failure, since pressure reducing valve 12 is designed to lead to the outside, thus ensuring, according to the invention, that combustible heat pump circulation medium cannot reach the building to be heated.

[0027] List of reference numerals 1. Heat pump circulation circuit 2 heat exchangers 2.1 Primary side 2.2 Secondary side 3 Heating Circulation Circuit 4 heating circulation pumps 5. Check valve 6. Exhaust system 6.1 Float 6.2 Entry 6.3 Exports 6.4 Deepest part of the container 6.5 housing 6.6 Cover Components 6.7 Guide elements 6.8 Flow opening 7. Exhaust system 8 safety valves 9 throttling devices 10 heat exchangers 11 compressors 12. Pressure reducing valve.

Claims

1. Heat pump apparatus comprising a heat pump circulation line (1) for a heat pump circulation line medium to flow through a primary side (2.1) of a heat transfer (2) and a heating circulation line (3) for a heating circulation line medium to flow through a secondary side (2.2) of the heat transfer (2), wherein, Along the flow direction of the heating circulation medium, a heating circulation pump (4) is connected upstream of the secondary side (2.2) of the heat transfer unit (2). Its features are, A check valve (5) is provided downstream of the heating circulation pump (4) and upstream of the secondary side (2.2) along the operating flow direction of the heating circulation medium. The check valve is designed to be closed when the heating circulation medium flows in the opposite direction to the operating flow direction. Along the flow direction, an exhaust device (6) is connected downstream of the secondary side (2.2). The exhaust device is designed to prevent the flow of the heating circulation medium along the flow direction from a predetermined amount of gas in the heating circulation medium. The exhaust device (6) has a float (6.1).

2. The heat pump device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The exhaust device (6) is designed as a container having an inlet (6.2) and an outlet (6.3) for the heating circulation line medium.

3. The heat pump device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The inlet (6.2) is located above the outlet (6.3) during the compliant operation of the heat pump equipment.

4. The heat pump device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The outlet (6.3) is located at the deepest part (6.4) of the container.

5. The heat pump device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The float (6.1) is positioned above the deepest part (6.4) in the container during the specified operation of the heat pump equipment.

6. The heat pump device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The float (6.1) is supported vertically within the container during the specified operation of the heat pump equipment.

7. The heat pump device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The float (6.1) is designed to float on the heating circulation line medium below the predetermined gas volume and to close the outlet (6.3) above the predetermined gas volume.

8. The heat pump device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The heating circulation pump (4) is designed to be automatically shut off when the supply of the heating circulation line medium is below a pre-defined level.

9. The heat pump device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The heat transfer device (2) and / or the exhaust device (6) may optionally be arranged outside the building that partially receives the heating circulation line (3).

10. A method for operating a heat pump device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, Starting from a predetermined amount of gas in the heating circulation medium, the check valve (5) is closed on the one hand, and the exhaust device (6) is used to prevent the heating circulation medium from flowing along the operating flow direction.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The heating circulation pump (4) is automatically shut off when the supply of medium to the heating circulation line is below the predetermined amount.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein, The heating circulation medium flows into the container of the exhaust device (6) through the inlet (6.2), characterized in that the flow rate of the heating circulation medium is reduced by at least 50% in the channel from the inlet (6.2) to the container.

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