A heat pump system having a refrigerant separation device and a method for operating a heat pump system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat pump systems face issues with refrigerant leaks from the primary circuit to the secondary circuit, leading to unintended refrigerant transfer, which can cause safety hazards and efficiency losses.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerant separation device with a separation tank and a deflection device that blocks the direct path of fluid flow, incorporating a safety valve and a bubble separator to prevent refrigerant leakage and form an ice plug in case of leaks, thereby preventing refrigerant from entering the secondary circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a plate heat exchanger is used in the primary circuit, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the risk of refrigerant leakage into the secondary circuit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a refrigerant separator as an intermediary device between the primary circuit (plate heat exchanger) and the secondary circuit (heating/cooling system). This separator acts as a mediator that detects refrigerant presence and prevents it from entering the secondary circuit, thus resolving the contradiction by maintaining the efficient heat transfer of the plate heat exchanger while eliminating the harmful leakage risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the harmful refrigerant from the fluid stream by introducing a refrigerant separator that specifically removes refrigerant molecules from the mixture of water and refrigerant. This extraction process separates the harmful component (refrigerant) from the useful component (heating/cooling fluid), allowing the plate heat exchanger to maintain its efficiency while preventing refrigerant contamination of the secondary circuit.
2Ease of operation
If an air separator is provided in the secondary circuit, then air removal is improved, but it cannot effectively prevent refrigerant leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static air separator into a dynamic refrigerant separator with active detection and response capabilities. The separator uses temperature sensors and control mechanisms to dynamically adjust its operation based on refrigerant presence, enabling it to switch between air removal mode and refrigerant prevention mode, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the separator device universal by enabling it to perform multiple functions: air removal, refrigerant detection, and refrigerant prevention. This multi-functional separator replaces the single-function air separator, allowing the same device to handle both air separation and refrigerant leakage prevention, thus resolving the contradiction between operational simplicity and protective reliability.
3Reliability
If a refrigerant separation device with deflection device is installed, then refrigerant leakage prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the refrigerant separator into distinct functional modules: a separation vessel for refrigerant-water separation, a deflection device for blocking refrigerant flow paths, and a control system for monitoring and response. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies maintenance, resolving the contradiction between improved reliability and reduced complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-positioning the deflection device within the separation vessel to block potential refrigerant flow paths before refrigerant can reach the secondary circuit. The device is pre-configured with blocked flow paths that automatically activate upon refrigerant detection, eliminating the need for complex real-time mechanical adjustments and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively prevents large amounts of refrigerant from entering the secondary circuit, ensuring safety and maintaining system efficiency by blocking direct fluid paths and utilizing an ice plug mechanism to manage pressure surges during leaks.
Implementation Method 1
the diverter device can ensure that, in the event of a corresponding pressure increase (especially in the case of a large refrigerant leak), an ice plug can form at the fluid outlet
Implementation Method 2
an ice plug can form at the fluid outlet, thus reducing or (completely) preventing the flow of refrigerant into the heating and/or cooling circuit
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a refrigerant separation device (19), in particular an air refrigerant separation device for a heat pump system, comprising a separation vessel (20) with at least one fluid inlet (21) and at least one fluid outlet (22) as well as a deflection device (26) which is arranged and configured such that a direct path for a fluid flowing in the separation vessel (70) during operation is at least partially, in particular completely, blocked.