Adsorption heat pump system and method of generating cooling power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Adsorption heat pump systems face inefficiencies due to large sensible heat loss during adsorption and desorption processes, leading to reduced cooling power generation and increased energy consumption, particularly when using fossil fuels and multiple adsorbers with temperature differences.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates an evaporator and an adsorber that regenerate using thermal energy at a temperature higher than the evaporation temperature, with a method involving two cooling power generation processes and a regeneration process utilizing chemical thermal storage to efficiently and continuously generate cooling power, minimizing sensible heat loss by using latent heat transfer with materials like ammonia or water vapor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a pair of adsorbers with large temperature difference between adsorption and desorption is used, then the adsorption heat pump can operate, but the sensible heat loss becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition of the heat medium (evaporation and condensation) to transfer thermal energy. The heat medium evaporates at a constant evaporation temperature during adsorption and condenses at a constant condensation temperature during desorption, replacing the conventional approach that relies on large temperature differences in the adsorbers themselves. This phase transition approach maintains constant temperatures during heat exchange, significantly reducing sensible heat loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a heat medium as an intermediary substance to facilitate heat transfer between the adsorbers and the external environment. Instead of directly heating and cooling the adsorbers through large temperature differences, the heat medium acts as a mediator that evaporates and condenses at controlled temperatures, enabling efficient heat transfer while minimizing sensible heat loss in the adsorbers.
2Ease of operation
If separate determination of end timing for desorption and adsorption processes is used, then the processes can be controlled independently, but continuous cooling power generation is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic alternation between adsorption and desorption processes in the pair of adsorbers. While one adsorber is performing adsorption at the evaporation temperature, the other is performing desorption at the condensation temperature. This periodic switching ensures that cooling power is continuously generated without interruption, as one adsorber is always in the adsorption state while the other is in the desorption state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves continuous cooling power generation by ensuring that at least one adsorber is continuously in the adsorption state while the other is in the desorption state. The periodic switching between adsorbers maintains uninterrupted cooling output, eliminating idle periods and ensuring continuous useful action throughout the system operation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If fossil fuels are used for heating in conventional adsorption heat pumps, then heating can be provided, but thermal efficiency is reduced due to large sensible heat loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies phase transition of the heat medium to replace conventional sensible heat transfer methods. When fossil fuels are used for heating, the heat medium condenses at a constant condensation temperature, releasing latent heat efficiently. This phase transition approach minimizes sensible heat loss in the adsorbers and improves overall thermal efficiency compared to conventional methods that rely on large temperature differences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal parameters of the system by maintaining constant evaporation and condensation temperatures through phase transitions. Instead of allowing large temperature variations in the adsorbers, the system operates at fixed temperature points determined by the phase transition properties of the heat medium. This parameter stabilization reduces sensible heat loss and improves thermal efficiency while maintaining the heating function.
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
This approach enables efficient and continuous cooling power generation with reduced sensible heat loss and enhanced coefficient of performance (COP) by recovering heat energy and stabilizing adsorbent material regeneration, improving thermal efficiency in adsorption heat pump systems.
Implementation Method 1
an adsorber that is connected with the evaporator, adsorbs the heat medium therein
Implementation Method 2
an evaporator that evaporates a heat medium
Implementation Method 3
the adsorber is also regenerated by receiving thermal energy at a temperature higher than or equal to the regeneration temperature for evaporating the heat medium
Data Source
AI summary
A heat pump including an evaporator and an adsorber is provided. The adsorber is regenerated by applying heat from a chemical thermal storage reactor, a heat accumulator or an external heat source, at a temperature higher than or equal to a temperature to regenerate the adsorber.