Heat pump system and method for producing and method for operating a heat pump system

Abstract

The invention describes a heat pump system (100) having the following features: a compressor outlet (113) of a first heat pump arrangement (101); a second heat pump arrangement (102, 114), which comprises an evaporator (120) and a condenser (122); a first heat exchanger (115a), which has a primary side and a secondary side, wherein the secondary side of the first heat exchanger (115a) is coupled to the evaporator (120) of the second heat pump arrangement (102); a second heat exchanger (115b), which has a primary side and a secondary side, wherein the secondary side of the second heat exchanger (115b) is coupled to the condenser (122, 306) of the second heat pump arrangement (102, 114), and a cooler (131) having a cooling inlet (132a) and a cooler outlet (132b), wherein the cooler (131) is designed to be coupled to an environment, wherein the compressor outlet (113) of the first heat pump arrangement (101) is coupled to the cooler inlet (132a) of the cooler (131), and wherein the cooler outlet (132b) of the cooler (131) is coupled to the primary side of the first heat exchanger (115a) and the primary side of the second heat exchanger (115b). The invention also describes a method for producing and a method for operating a heat pump system.

Description

[0001] Heat pump system and method for producing and method for operating a heat pump system

[0002] Description

[0003] The present invention relates to heat pumps for cooling or for an other application of a heat pump.

[0004] Fig. 5 shows a heat pump system as described in WO 2018 / 019779 in which in the first heat pump arrangement 111 CO2 is used as the working medium, while in the second heat pump arrangement 114 water is used as the working medium. In heat pump technology, water is also referred to as R718.

[0005] The first heat pump unit 111 , which is referred to as the “CO2 refrigeration unit” in Fig.

[0006] 5, is thermally coupled to the second heat pump unit 114 via a coupler. In the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the coupler consists of the first heat exchanger 115a and the second heat exchanger 115b.

[0007] In addition, a third circuit is provided in the heat pump unit 111 shown in Fig. 5, which has an outlet-side heat exchanger 130 and a cooler 131. In the exemplary application scenario, in which a supermarket is considered, the cooler 131 is arranged on the roof or on the north side in the shade of the supermarket building. A fan is typically arranged there, which blows on a liquid-air heat exchanger in order to achieve good heat transfer from the cooler 131 to the environment.

[0008] Fig. 5 shows exemplary temperatures. A CO2 gas that has been compressed and is present at a pressure of 70 bar and a temperature of 70°C, for example, is fed into the second heat exchanger 115b. Exemplary outlet-side temperatures of the second heat exchanger 115b are in the range of perhaps 48°C. Via a connecting line between the second heat exchanger 115b and the first heat exchanger 115a, which is referenced 115c in Fig. 5, the already cooled but still gaseous CO2 flows into the first heat exchanger 115a, where it is then discharged at a temperature of about 22°C. This means that actual liquefaction of the CO2 gas at the operating temperatures shown in Fig. 5 only takes place in the first heat exchanger 115a, while the gas is already cooled by more than 20K in the second heat exchanger 115b.

[0009] In the second heat pump arrangement 114 water is used as the medium. The water circuit is separated from the outside by the first heat exchanger 115a on the inlet side and by the other heat exchanger 130 on the outlet side. This allows a different pressure to be used in the third circuit or the cooler circuit, namely a pressure between 1 and 5 bar that is easy to handle. Furthermore, a water / glycol mixture is preferably used as the medium in the third circuit. The outlet of the second heat exchanger 115b on the secondary side of the heat exchanger 115b is connected to an inlet 131 a of the cooler 131 . The outlet of the cooler, which is only at a temperature of, for example, 40°C due to the heat dissipation to the environment and is referenced 131 b, goes through the other heat exchanger 130 into a secondaryside inlet of the second heat exchanger 115b. The liquid medium circulating in the cooler circuit is brought to a temperature of, for example, 46°C in the heat exchanger 130 due to the waste heat from the second heat pump arrangement. Here, for example, the condenser 122 is coupled to the further heat exchanger 130.

[0010] Commercial refrigeration units, such as those used in supermarkets to keep goods and food fresh and frozen, now generally use CO2 as a refrigerant in colder regions. CO2 is a natural refrigerant and can be used subcritically with reasonable technical effort, i.e. when the refrigerant liquefies below the critical point in the two-phase region, i.e. at condensation temperatures below 30°C, and is also advantageous in terms of energy compared to the F-gas units used to date, which work with fluorinated hydrocarbons. In Central Europe, CO2 cannot be used subcritically all year round, as high outside temperatures in summer and the heat transfer losses that occur do not permit subcritical operation. Considerable technical effort is required to ensure sufficient energy process quality in supercritical operation in a CO2 refrigeration unit of this type. In supercritical operation, heat is released from the process at a pressure above the critical point. This is also referred to as gas cooling, as liquefaction of the refrigerant is no longer possible. The gas cooler pressures rise to more than 100 bar during supercritical operation and the high-pressure part of the CO2 refrigeration system, including its heat exchangers, must be dimensioned for these high pressures. Furthermore, larger and more powerful compressors or several compressors must be connected in parallel or in series. Finally, additional components such as collectors and ejectors are used, some of which are still in the concept development phase and are intended to increase the efficiency of the system in supercritical operation.

[0011] The refrigeration technology is therefore relatively complex, not only with regard to the heat pump unit in the technical room, but also due to the pipework through the supermarket and the cooler, which must be designed for very high pressures. On the other hand, this installation is advantageous in that CO2 only has a low impact on the climate compared to other media and at the same time is non-toxic to humans, at least in manageable quantities.

[0012] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved heat pump system.

[0013] This object is achieved by a heat pump system according to claim 1 or by a method for producing a heat pump system according to claim 15 or by a method for operating a heat pump system according to claim 16.

[0014] According to the invention, a heat pump system having the following features is proposed: a compressor outlet of a first heat pump arrangement; a second heat pump arrangement, which comprises an evaporator and a condenser; a first heat exchanger, which has a primary side and a secondary side, wherein the secondary side of the first heat exchanger is coupled to the evaporator of the second heat pump arrangement; a second heat exchanger, which has a primary side and a secondary side, wherein the secondary side of the second heat exchanger is coupled to the condenser of the second heat pump arrangement. According to the proposal, the heat pump system comprises a cooler having a cooler inlet and a cooler outlet, wherein the cooler is designed to be coupled to an environment, wherein the compressor outlet of the first heat pump arrangement is coupled to the cooler inlet of the cooler, in particular directly via a line, and wherein the cooler outlet of the cooler is coupled to the primary side of the first heat exchanger and the primary side of the second heat exchanger. As proposed, in the heat pump system, working fluid flows from the cooler outlet of the cooler to both the primary side of the first heat exchanger and the primary side of the second heat exchanger. For this purpose, the line between the cooler outlet of the cooler and the primary sides of the first and second heat exchangers has a branch duct, which allows working fluid to reach the primary sides of the first and second heat exchangers at essentially the same temperature after passing through the cooler. A working fluid flow direction runs, for example, from the cooler outlet of the cooler to the primary sides of the first and second heat exchangers.

[0015] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a method for producing a heat pump system is described. The method for producing the heat pump system comprises providing a compressor outlet of a first heat pump arrangement; providing a second heat pump arrangement, which comprises an evaporator and a condenser; coupling the compressor outlet of the first heat pump arrangement to the second heat pump arrangement; providing a first heat exchanger, which has a primary side and a secondary side, wherein the secondary side of the first heat exchanger is coupled to the evaporator of the second heat pump arrangement; providing a second heat exchanger, which has a primary side and a secondary side, wherein the secondary side of the second heat exchanger is coupled to the condenser of the second heat pump arrangement, and providing a cooler having a cooling inlet and a cooler outlet, wherein the cooler is designed to be coupled to an environment, wherein the compressor outlet of the first heat pump arrangement is coupled to the cooler inlet of the cooler, and wherein the cooler outlet of the cooler is coupled to the primary side of the first heat exchanger and the primary side of the second heat exchanger.

[0016] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a method for operating a heat pump system is also described. The method for operating the heat pump system comprises coupling a compressor outlet of a first heat pump arrangement to the first heat pump arrangement; operating the first heat pump arrangement and a second heat pump arrangement, which comprises an evaporator and a condenser; operating a first heat exchanger, which has a primary side and a secondary side, wherein the secondary side of the first heat exchanger is coupled to the evaporator of the second heat pump arrangement; operating a second heat exchanger, which has a primary side and a secondary side, wherein the secondary side of the second heat exchanger is coupled to the condenser of the second heat pump arrangement, and operating a cooler having a cooling inlet and a cooler outlet, wherein the cooler is designed to be coupled to an environment, wherein the compressor outlet of the first heat pump arrangement is coupled to the cooler inlet of the cooler, and wherein the cooler outlet of the cooler is coupled to the primary side of the first heat exchanger and the primary side of the second heat exchanger.

[0017] In the proposed heat pump system and the methods of manufacturing and operating the same, only two heat exchangers are required, namely one at an inlet of the second heat pump arrangement and one at an outlet of the heat pump arrangement. In addition, carbon dioxide CO2 flows through the cooler, i.e. the same fluid that flows through the first heat pump arrangement.

[0018] The advantages of the proposed heat pump system are that the proposed heat pump system enables efficient removal of the heat from the CO2 system and a third heat exchanger can be dispensed with. Better heat transfer can be achieved in the cooler, as the cooler is also operated with CO2. This means that the cooler can be designed smaller, which saves space. In addition, the line cross-sections of the line in which the CO2 circulates can also be designed smaller. In particular, the proposed heat pump system can be operated at a temperature difference of up to 25°C or less between a high temperature T1 / T2 and a low temperature T4. The proposed heat pump system is therefore environmentally friendly. There is also a reduced temperature swing in the R718 unit, i.e. the second heat pump arrangement.

[0019] The proposed heat pump system can be provided as a kit with only the compressor outlet of a first heat pump arrangement but without a first heat pump arrangement as such or as a heat pump system with a first heat pump arrangement. In the case of a kit, the proposed heat pump system can be coupled to an existing first heat pump arrangement.

[0020] In addition, it should be noted that in a particularly preferred exemplary embodiment, the first heat pump arrangement is operated with CO2, the second heat pump arrangement is operated with water as the working medium, and the coupling of the two heat pump arrangements takes place via the first and second heat exchangers, i.e. on the input side and on the output side.

[0021] Preferred exemplary embodiments of the present invention are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0022] Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a heat pump system according to the invention with CO2 as the first working medium and water as the second working medium and an input-side and output-side interconnection;

[0023] Fig. 2 shows a further block diagram of the heat pump system according to the invention;

[0024] Fig. 3 shows a flow diagram of a method for producing a heat pump system according to the invention;

[0025] Fig. 4 shows a flow diagram of a method for operating a heat pump system according to the invention; and

[0026] Fig. 5 shows a block diagram of a heat pump system known from the prior art with CO2 as the first working medium and water as the second working medium and an input-side and output-side interconnection. Individual aspects of the invention described here are described below in Figs. 1 to 4. The principle of the present invention is illustrated in Figures 1 to 4. In the present application, identical reference numerals refer to identical or similarly acting elements, wherein not all reference numerals are set out again in all drawings where they are repeated.

[0027] All definitions provided in this application are applicable both to the proposed heat pump system 100 as well as to the proposed methods. The explanations of terms are not constantly repeated in order to avoid redundancies as far as possible.

[0028] Fig. 1 shows a heat pump system 100 having the following features: a compressor outlet 113 of a first heat pump arrangement 101 ; a second heat pump arrangement 102, which comprises an evaporator 120 and a condenser 122; a first heat exchanger 115a, which has a primary side 114a and a secondary side 114b, wherein the secondary side 114b of the first heat exchanger 115a is coupled to the evaporator 120 of the second heat pump arrangement 102; a second heat exchanger 115b, which has a primary side 114a and a secondary side 114b, wherein the secondary side 114b of the second heat exchanger 115b is coupled to the condenser 122 of the second heat pump arrangement 102. The heat pump system 100 also comprises a cooler 131 having a cooler inlet 132a and a cooler outlet 132b, wherein the cooler 131 is designed to be coupled to an environment, wherein the compressor outlet 113 of the first heat pump arrangement 101 is coupled to the cooler inlet 132a of the cooler 131 , in particular directly, and wherein the cooler outlet 132b of the cooler 131 is coupled to the primary side 114a of the first heat exchanger 115a and the primary side 114a of the second heat exchanger 115b. In the present case, direct coupling of the compressor outlet 113 to the cooler inlet 132a of the cooler 131 means that only one line is arranged between the compressor outlet 113 of the first heat pump arrangement 101 and the cooler inlet 132a of the cooler 131 , which conducts the working fluid from the compressor outlet 113 of the first heat pump arrangement 101 and the cooler inlet 132a of the cooler 131 . As can also be seen in Fig. 1 , the cooler outlet 132b of the cooler 131 is coupled to both the first heat exchanger 115a and the second heat exchanger 115b, i.e. to their primary sides 114a. For this purpose, lines are arranged between the cooler outlet 132b of the cooler 131 and the two primary sides 114a of the first and second heat exchanger 115a, 115b, which lines have a branch coduct, in order to conduct the working fluid from the cooler outlet 132b of the cooler 131 to both primary sides 114a of the first and second heat exchanger 115a, 115b. The second heat pump arrangement 102 can further comprise an evaporator 123 (see Fig. 2, for example).

[0029] Fig. 1 also shows that the cooler inlet 132a of the cooler 131 is coupled to the primary side 114a of the second heat exchanger 115b. In particular, the primary side 114a of the second heat exchanger 115b is directly coupled to the cooler inlet 132a of the cooler 131 . Working fluid, which has a first high temperature Ti , flows in the line between an outlet of the primary side 114a of the second heat exchanger 115b and the cooler inlet 132a of the cooler 131 . Preferably, the first high temperature T 1 is between 20°C and 60°C. In the line between the compressor outlet 113 of the first heat pump arrangement 101 to the cooler inlet 132a of the cooler 131 , the working fluid has a second high temperature T2.

[0030] As can also be seen in Figs. 1 and 2, the cooler inlet 132a of the cooler 131 is connected to an output of a joining portion 150, and a first inlet of the joining portion 150 is connected to the compressor outlet 113 of the first heat pump arrangement 101 , and a second inlet of the joining portion 150 is connected to an outlet of the primary side of the second heat exchanger 115b. The working fluid, which comes from the primary side 114a of the second heat exchanger 115b and which comes from the compressor outlet 113 of the first heat pump arrangement 101 , mixes in the joining portion 150. The working fluid in the joining portion 150 thus has a high temperature, which is dependent on the first high temperature T1 and the second high temperature T2.

[0031] The cooler outlet 132b of the cooler 131 is connected to an inlet of a branching portion 154, and a first outlet of the branching portion 154 is connected to an inlet of the primary side of the second heat exchanger 115b, and a second outlet of the branching portion 154 is connected to an inlet of the primary side of the first heat exchanger 115a. The working fluid flows in the branching portion 154 after it has passed the cooler. The working fluid flowing in the branching portion 152 has an average temperature T3.

[0032] Fig. 2 shows that a conveyor pump 140, for conveying working fluid to the inlet of the primary side 114a of the second heat exchanger 115b is arranged between the cooler outlet 132b of the cooler 131 and the primary side of the second heat exchanger 115b, in particular between the first outlet of the branching portion 154 and the inlet of the primary side 114a of the second heat exchanger 115b. To support a flow of the working fluid from the cooler outlet 132b of the cooler 131 to the primary side 114a of the second heat exchanger 115b, a conveyor pump 140 may be provided in the associated line. It is conceivable to arrange the conveyor pump 140 in the branching portion 154. Preferably, the conveyor pump 140 is arranged between the cooler 131 and the primary side 114b of the second heat exchanger 115b, wherein the conveyor pump 140 is configured to transport carbon dioxide to the primary side 114a of the second heat exchanger 115b.

[0033] Preferably, the cooler 131 is a carbon dioxide cooler, which is designed to have carbon dioxide flowing through it. The cooler 131 can reduce a temperature of the working fluid by up to 33%. The temperature reduction as such depends in particular on the high temperature at which the working fluid flows into the cooler 131 and on the ambient temperature.

[0034] Preferably, the heat pump system 100 has a first working fluid circuit 151 and a second working fluid circuit 152 in which circuits a working fluid circulates in a working fluid flow direction during operation of the heat pump system 100. The first working fluid circuit 151 and the second working fluid circuit 152 are fluidically separated from each other except for a passage in which the working fluid flows through the cooler 131 . In other words, only in the region between the branching portion 154 and the joining portion 150, which comprises the cooler 131 , the first working fluid circuit 151 and the second working fluid circuit 152 are not fluidically separated, but mix with each other (see Figs. 1 and 2). In the region between the branching portion 154 and the joining portion 150, the working fluid of the first working circuit 151 and the working fluid of the second working circuit 152 are mixed and flow together through the cooler 132 in one and the same working fluid flow direction.

[0035] The first working fluid circuit 151 extends from the compressor outlet 113 of the first heat pump arrangement 101 via the cooler 131 to the primary side of the first heat exchanger 115a and from the primary side of the first heat exchanger 115a to an inlet 185 of the first heat pump arrangement 101 . The first working fluid circuit 151 runs through the first heat pump arrangement 101 and exits again the first heat pump arrangement 101 at the compressor outlet 113 of the first heat pump arrangement 101.

[0036] The second working fluid circuit 152 extends from the cooler 131 to the primary side of the second heat exchanger 115b and from the primary side of the second heat exchanger 115b to the cooler 131. AT-piece can be provided in each case at an inlet of the joining portion 150 and at an outlet of the branching portion 154 in order to fluidically combine the first working fluid circuit 151 and the second working fluid circuit 152 upstream of the cooler 131 and to fluidically separate them downstream of the cooler 131 .

[0037] Preferably, the working fluid from the cooler 131 to the primary side of the first heat exchanger 115a and from the cooler 131 to the primary side of the second heat exchanger 115b has an average temperature T3. In other words, in the region between the cooler and the primary sides of the heat exchangers 115a, 115b of the second heat pump arrangement 102, the working fluid in the first working fluid circuit 151 and the second working fluid circuit 152 has the same average temperature.

[0038] Alternatively or additionally, the working fluid from the primary side of the second heat exchanger 115b to the cooler 131 has a first high temperature T1 and the working fluid from the compressor outlet 113 of the first heat pump arrangement 101 to the cooler 131 has a second high temperature T2. The first high temperature T1 is associated with the second working fluid circuit 152, and the second high temperature T2 is associated with the first working fluid circuit 151 .

[0039] Preferably, the average temperature T3 is less than the first high temperature T1 and / or the average temperature T3 is less than the second high temperature T2. In particular, the first high temperature T1 and the second high temperature T2 substantially coincide within a deviation of 20%, preferably 10%, particularly preferably 5%. In particular, the first high temperature T1 and / or the second high temperature T2 is between 20°C and 100°C in each case. Furthermore, in particular, the average temperature T3 is between 20°C and 50°C. Preferably, a fourth low temperature T4 is between 12°C and 29°C. The working fluid, which flows between the first primary side 114a of the first heat exchanger 115a to the inlet 185 of the second heat pump arrangement 102, has the fourth low temperature T4.

[0040] The heat pump system 100 is configured such that the working fluid of the second working fluid circuit 152 and the working fluid of the first working fluid circuit 151 mix before or at the cooler inlet 132a of the cooler 131 . In particular, mixing of the working fluid takes place in the joining portion 150. In other words, mixing takes place in a single line before the working fluid passes the cooler 131 , namely in the joining portion 150.

[0041] The working fluid of the first working fluid circuit 151 and the working fluid of the second working fluid circuit 152 each comprise carbon dioxide CO2, or the working fluid is carbon dioxide CO2 in each case. In particular, the working fluid in the first heat pump arrangement 101 comprises carbon dioxide CO2 and a working fluid in the second heat pump arrangement 102 comprises water H2O. In particular, the working fluid in the second heat pump arrangement 102 does not leave the second heat pump arrangement 102. Rather, the working fluid in the second heat pump arrangement 102 circulates exclusively in the second heat pump arrangement 102.

[0042] As can be seen from Figs. 1 and 2, the first heat exchanger 115a and the second heat exchanger 115b each comprise a primary side 114a and a secondary side 114b. The first heat exchanger 115a and the second heat exchanger 115b can each be designed as a plate heat exchanger, for example. A plate heat exchanger separates the working fluid from the first working fluid circuit 151 and the second working fluid circuit 152 from the working fluid in the second heat pump arrangement 102.

[0043] The first working fluid circuit 151 and the second working fluid circuit 152 are designed to each operate at a pressure that is higher than a pressure in the second heat pump arrangement 102 and that at least corresponds to a pressure in the first heat pump arrangement 101 . The first working fluid circuit 151 and the second working fluid circuit 152 are designed to use one and the same working fluid, which differs from a working fluid in the second heat pump arrangement 102.

[0044] The compressor output 113 of the first heat pump arrangement 101 can be coupled to a first already existing heat pump arrangement 101. In other words, the proposed heat pump system can be manufactured without the first heat pump arrangement 101 and can be connected to an already existing first heat pump arrangement 101. Consequently, the heat pump system described herein can be manufactured as a kit and can be integrated into an already existing first heat pump arrangement 101 to perform its function, in order to obtain a heat pump system 100 having a first heat pump arrangement 101 as is shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

[0045] Alternatively, the heat pump system 100 can be manufactured with a first heat pump arrangement 101 .

[0046] As can also be seen from Fig. 2, the inlet valve 182 is arranged at or downstream of the inlet 185 of the first heat pump arrangement 101 in the direction of flow of the working fluid in order to depressurize the working fluid entering the first heat pump arrangement.

[0047] A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method 300 for producing a heat pump system 100. The method 300 comprises: In step 310 providing a compressor outlet 113 of a first heat pump arrangement 101. In step 320 the method 300 comprises providing a second heat pump arrangement 102, which comprises an evaporator 120 and a condenser 122. In step 330 the method comprises coupling the compressor outlet 113 of the first heat pump arrangement 101 to the second heat pump arrangement 102. The coupling in step 330 comprises arranging lines as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, thereby providing a first and second working fluid circuit relay 151 , 152, respectively. The method 300 also comprises providing a first heat exchanger 115a, which has a primary side 114a and a secondary side 114b, wherein the secondary side 114b of the first heat exchanger 115a is coupled to the evaporator 120 of the second heat pump arrangement 102. The method 300 further comprises in step 350 providing a second heat exchanger 115b, which has a primary side 114a and a secondary side 114b, wherein the secondary side 114b of the second heat exchanger 115b is coupled to the condenser 122 of the second heat pump arrangement 102, 114. Finally, the method 300 comprises providing a cooler 131 having a cooler inlet 132a and a cooler outlet 132b, wherein the cooler 131 is to be coupled to an environment, wherein the compressor outlet 113 of the first heat pump arrangement 101 is coupled to the cooler inlet 132a of the cooler 131 , in particular directly, and wherein the cooler outlet 132b of the cooler 131 is coupled to the primary side of the first heat exchanger 115a and the primary side of the second heat exchanger 115b. In the present case, direct coupling of the compressor outlet 113 to the cooler inlet 132a of the cooler 131 means that only one line is arranged between the compressor outlet 113 of the first heat pump arrangement 101 and the cooler inlet 132a of the cooler 131 , which conducts the working fluid from the compressor outlet 113 of the first heat pump arrangement 101 and the cooler inlet 132a of the cooler 131 . The method 300 can be used to produce a heat pump system 100 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, provided that the heat pump system is either connected to an already existing first heat pump arrangement 102, or by also providing a first heat pump arrangement 102 and connecting the heat pump system 100 to the first heat pump arrangement 101 . It should be noted at this point that the method 300 does not include providing a first heat pump arrangement 101 , but only providing a compressor outlet 113 of a first heat pump arrangement 101 . The steps 310 to 360 can be interchanged, so that ultimately a heat pump system 100 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 results. The heat pump system 100 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is thus shown in a connected state, in which the heat pump system 100 is connected to a first heat pump arrangement. However, the proposed heat pump system can be manufactured with or without the first heat pump arrangement, as explained further above.

[0048] A further aspect of the present invention relates to a method 400 for operating a heat pump system 100. In step 410, the method 400 comprises coupling a compressor outlet 113 of a first heat pump arrangement 101 to the first heat pump arrangement 101 . Step 420 involves operating the first heat pump arrangement 101 and a second heat pump arrangement 102, which comprises an evaporator 120 and a condenser 122. Step 420 comprises operating a first heat exchanger 115a, which has a primary side 114a and a secondary side 114b, wherein the secondary side 114b of the first heat exchanger 115a is coupled to the evaporator 120 of the second heat pump arrangement 102. Step 430 comprises operating a second heat exchanger 115b, which has a primary side 114a and a secondary side 114b, wherein the secondary side 114b of the second heat exchanger 115b is coupled to the condenser 122 of the second heat pump arrangement 102. Step 450 comprises operating a cooler 131 having a cooler inlet 132a and a cooler outlet 132b, wherein the cooler 131 is to be coupled to an environment, wherein the compressor outlet 113 of the first heat pump arrangement 101 is coupled to the cooler inlet 132a of the cooler 131 , in particular directly, and wherein the cooler outlet 132b of the cooler 131 is coupled to the primary side of the first heat exchanger 115a and the primary side of the second heat exchanger 115b.

[0049] Although certain elements are described as device elements, it should be noted that this description is equally to be regarded as a description of steps of a method and vice versa. For example, the block diagrams described in Figs. 1 to 2 also represent flow diagrams of a corresponding method according to the invention.

[0050] It should also be noted that the control of the heat pump system can be implemented using software or hardware, for example. The control system can be implemented on a non-volatile storage medium, a digital or other storage medium, in particular a floppy disc or CD with electronically readable control signals, which can interact with a programmable computer system in such a way that the corresponding method for pumping heat or operating a heat pump is executed. In general, the invention thus also comprises a computer program product with a program code stored on a machine-readable medium for carrying out the method when the computer program product is running on a computer. In other words expressed, the invention can thus also be realized as a computer program with a program code for carrying out the method if the computer program runs on a computer.

Claims

Claims1 . Heat pump system (100) having the following features: a compressor outlet (113) of a first heat pump arrangement (101 ); a second heat pump arrangement (102, 114), which comprises an evaporator (120) and a condenser (122); a first heat exchanger (115a), which has a primary side and a secondary side, wherein the secondary side of the first heat exchanger (115a) is coupled to the evaporator (120) of the second heat pump arrangement (102); a second heat exchanger (115b), which has a primary side and a secondary side, wherein the secondary side of the second heat exchanger (115b) is coupled to the condenser (122, 306) of the second heat pump arrangement (102, 114); and a cooler (131 ) having a cooler inlet (132a) and a cooler outlet (132b), wherein the cooler (131 ) is designed to be coupled to an environment, wherein the compressor outlet (113) of the first heat pump arrangement (101 ) is coupled to the cooler inlet (132a) of the cooler (131 ), and wherein the cooler outlet (132b) of the cooler (131 ) is coupled to the primary side of the first heat exchanger (115a) and the primary side of the second heat exchanger (115b).

2. Heat pump system (100) according to claim 1 , in which the cooler inlet (132a) of the cooler (131 ) is further coupled to the primary side of the second heat exchanger (115b).

3. Heat pump system (100) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the cooler inlet(132a) of the cooler (131 ) is connected to the outlet of a joining portion, and a first inlet of the joining portion is connected to the compressor outlet (113) of the first heat pump arrangement (101 , 111 ), and a second inlet of the joining portion is coupled to the outlet of the primary side of the second heat exchanger (115b).

4. Heat pump system (100) according to claim 1 , 2 or 3, in which the cooler outlet (132b) of the cooler (131 ) is connected to the inlet of a branching portion (150), and a first outlet of the branching portion (154) is connected to an inlet of the primary side of the second heat exchanger (115b), and a second outlet of the branching portion (154) is connected to an inlet of the primary side of the first heat exchanger (115a).

5. Heat pump system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a conveyor pump (140) for conveying working fluid to the inlet of the primary side of the second heat exchanger (115b) is arranged between the cooler outlet (132b) of the cooler (131 ) and the primary side of the second heat exchanger (115b), in particular between the first outlet of the branching portion (154) and the inlet of the primary side of the second heat exchanger (115b).

6. Heat pump system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cooler (131 ) is a carbon dioxide cooler, which is designed to have carbon dioxide flowing through it.

7. Heat pump system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the heat pump system (100) has a first working fluid circuit (151 ) and a second working fluid circuit (152) in which circuits a working fluid circulates in a working fluid flow direction during operation of the heat pump system (100).

8. Heat pump system (100) according to claim 7, wherein the first working fluid circuit (151 ) and the second working fluid circuit (152) are fluidically separated from each other except for a passage in which the working fluid flows through the cooler (131 ).

9. Heat pump system (100) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the first working fluid circuit (151 ) extends from the compressor outlet (113) of the first heat pump arrangement (101 , 111 ) via the cooler (131 ) to the primary side of the first heat exchanger (115a) and from the primary side of the first heat exchanger (115a) to an inlet (185) of the first heat pump arrangement (101 , 111 ).

10. Heat pump system (100) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the second working fluid circuit (152) extends from the cooler (131 ) to the primary side of the second heat exchanger (115b) and from the primary side of the second heat exchanger (115b) to the cooler (131 ).11 . Heat pump system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the working fluid from the cooler (131 ) to the primary side of the first heat exchanger (115a) and from the cooler (131 ) to the primary side of the second heat exchanger (115b) has an average temperature T3, and / or wherein the working fluid from the primary side of the second heat exchanger (115b) to the cooler (131 ) has a first high temperature (T1) and the working fluid from the compressor outlet (113) of the first heat pump arrangement (101 , 111 ) to the cooler (131 ) has a second high temperature (T2), wherein the average temperature (T3) is less than the first high temperature (T1) and / or the average temperature (T3) is less than the second high temperature (T2).

12. Heat pump system (100) according to any one of claims 7 to 11 , wherein the heat pump system (100) is configured such that the working fluid of the second working fluid circuit (152) and the working fluid of the first working fluid circuit (151 ) mix before or at the cooler inlet (132a) of the cooler (131 ).

13. Heat pump system (100) according to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the first working fluid circuit (151 ) and the second working fluid circuit (152) are designed to each operate at a pressure that is higher than a pressure in the second heat pump arrangement (114, 102) and that at least corresponds to the pressure in the first heat pump arrangement (101 , 111 ), wherein the first working fluid circuit (151 ) and the second working fluid circuit (152) are designed to use one and the same working fluid, which differs from the working fluid in the second heat pump arrangement (102, 114).

14. Heat pump system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 13, wherein the compressor outlet (113) of the first heat pump arrangement (101 , 111) can be coupled to a first already existing heat pump arrangement (101 , 111 ).

15. Method for producing a heat pump system (100) comprising: providing a compressor outlet (113) of a first heat pump arrangement (101 ); providing a second heat pump arrangement (102), which comprises an evaporator (120) and a condenser (122); coupling the compressor outlet (113) of the first heat pump arrangement (101) to the second heat pump arrangement (102); providing a first heat exchanger (115a), which has a primary side and a secondary side, wherein the secondary side of the first heat exchanger (115a) is coupled to the evaporator (120) of the second heat pump arrangement (102),providing a second heat exchanger (115b), which has a primary side and a secondary side, wherein the secondary side of the second heat exchanger (115b) is coupled to the condenser (122) of the second heat pump arrangement (102); and providing a cooler (131 ) having a cooler inlet (132a) and a cooler outlet (132b), wherein the cooler (131 ) is to be coupled to an environment, wherein the compressor outlet (113) of the first heat pump arrangement (101 ) is coupled to the cooler inlet (132a) of the cooler (131 ), and wherein the cooler outlet (132b) of the cooler (131 ) is coupled to the primary side of the first heat exchanger (115a) and the primary side of the second heat exchanger (115b).

16. Method for operating a heat pump system, having the following steps: coupling a compressor outlet (113) of a first heat pump arrangement (101 ) to the first heat pump arrangement (101 ); operating the first heat pump arrangement (101 ) and a second heat pump arrangement (102, 114), which comprises an evaporator (120) and a condenser (122, 206, 306); operating a first heat exchanger (115a), which has a primary side and a secondary side, wherein the secondary side of the first heat exchanger (115a) is coupled to the evaporator (120) of the second heat pump arrangement (102), operating a second heat exchanger (115b), which has a primary side and a secondary side, wherein the secondary side of the second heat exchanger (115b) is coupled to the condenser (122) of the second heat pump arrangement (102), and operating a cooler (131 ) having a cooler inlet (132a) and a cooler outlet (132b), wherein the cooler (131 ) is to be coupled to an environment, whereinthe compressor outlet (113) of the first heat pump arrangement (101 ) is coupled to the cooler inlet (132a) of the cooler (131 ), and wherein the cooler outlet (132b) of the cooler (131 ) is coupled to the primary side of the first heat exchanger (115a) and the primary side of the second heat exchanger (115b).

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