Air conditioning and heat pump system with energy efficient heat exchanger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioning and heat pump systems have a relatively low Coefficient of Performance (COP), which limits their energy efficiency in heating and cooling operations.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a cooling tower and an energy efficient heat exchanger configuration that allows refrigerant to exchange heat with both ambient air and cooling water, enhancing the heat exchange process and improving COP by selectively using cooling water and ambient air for temperature regulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional air conditioning and heat pump systems use traditional heat exchange configurations, then the system structure is simple, but the Coefficient of Performance (COP) is relatively low
Solution Approach 1:
The outdoor heat exchanger is divided into two separate heat exchangers: a first outdoor heat exchanger for air-to-refrigerant heat exchange and a second outdoor heat exchanger for water-to-refrigerant heat exchange. This segmentation allows the system to selectively use different heat exchange paths (air or water) based on operating conditions, improving energy efficiency without requiring a completely complex new system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigerant circulation system is designed to handle multiple heat exchange modes through a single unified system. The refrigerant can alternatively flow through either the first outdoor heat exchanger (air-cooled mode) or the second outdoor heat exchanger (water-cooled mode), making the system versatile and adaptable to different operating conditions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Loss of energy
If the system uses cooling water from a cooling tower to cool refrigerant, then the COP is significantly improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into two distinct heat exchangers that operate alternatively. The second outdoor heat exchanger specifically handles water-to-refrigerant heat exchange when cooling water is available, while the first outdoor heat exchanger handles air-to-refrigerant heat exchange. This segmentation enables the system to achieve high efficiency water-cooled operation when needed without permanently increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between air-cooled and water-cooled modes based on operating conditions. The refrigerant flow path is dynamically adjusted to use the second outdoor heat exchanger for water cooling when cooling water is available and when high efficiency is required, and to use the first outdoor heat exchanger for air cooling when water is not available or when lower efficiency is acceptable.
3Loss of energy
If the system alternatively connects refrigerant to different outdoor heat exchangers based on operation mode, then the COP is improved, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant circulation system dynamically adjusts its configuration based on operating modes. The system can alternatively connect the refrigerant to the first outdoor heat exchanger for air-cooled operation or to the second outdoor heat exchanger for water-cooled operation. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to optimize energy efficiency for different operating conditions while maintaining relatively simple control logic.
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 configuration significantly improves energy efficiency by allowing the system to produce more heat or cooling for a given work input, thereby enhancing the overall performance compared to conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
the cooling water in the water storage basin is arranged to be pumped by the pump to the water collection basin for absorbing heat from refrigerant flowing through the second outdoor heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
the water in the water collection basin is arranged to be distributed on the fill material unit for releasing heat to the ambient air passing through the fill material unit
Implementation Method 3
the water in the water collection basin is arranged to be distributed on the fill material unit for releasing heat to the ambient air passing through the fill material unit
Implementation Method 4
the ambient air from the air intake opening is arranged to pass through the energy efficient heat exchanger before passing through the ventilating heat exchanging unit
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioning and heat pump system includes an outdoor main unit and an indoor heat distribution system. The main outdoor unit includes a compressor, a refrigerant storage tank, a switching valve, a first outdoor heat exchanger and a cooling tower. The indoor heat distribution system includes at least one indoor heat exchanger, and a ventilating device. The ventilating device includes a supporting frame, a ventilating heat exchanging unit and an energy efficient heat exchanger supported in the supporting frame at a position between an air intake opening and the ventilating heat exchanging unit such that the ambient air from the air intake opening is arranged to pass through the energy efficient heat exchanger before passing through the ventilating heat exchanging unit. Refrigerant circulating between the main outdoor unit and the indoor heat distribution system may be cooled by cooling water and ambient air.