Air conditioning process and installation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning systems using R-410A refrigerant face safety concerns due to mild flammability, leading to reduced system performance and increased installation size, energy, and cost, while alternative single-phase fluids increase piping dimensions and pumping energy.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a vapor compression circuit with a first refrigerant and a secondary circuit containing a non-flammable hydrofluoroolefin or hydrochlorofluoroolefin refrigerant, such as 1,1,1,4,4,4-hexafluoro-2-butene, for efficient heat exchange without compressors, allowing safe circulation and reduced installation size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If R-410A refrigerant is used in vapor compression circuits, then high energy efficiency and non-flammability are achieved, but high global warming potential and safety concerns with HFC-32 replacement occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the refrigeration function into two separate circuits: a primary vapor compression circuit using HFC-32/HFC-125 mixture for efficient heat pumping, and a secondary single-phase circuit using HFO-1336mzzZ for safe building distribution. This segmentation allows each circuit to use refrigerants optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between efficiency and safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The HFO-1336mzzZ refrigerant in the secondary circuit acts as an intermediary between the primary refrigerant and the indoor air. It receives thermal energy from the primary circuit via heat exchangers and transfers it to the conditioned spaces, eliminating the need to circulate potentially flammable or high-GWP refrigerants through buildings.
2Reliability
If single-phase heat transfer fluids are used in secondary circuits, then non-flammability is achieved, but piping dimensions and pumping energy increase considerably
Solution Approach 1:
The system exploits phase transitions of HFO-1336mzzZ in the secondary circuit evaporators, where the refrigerant evaporates at constant temperature to absorb heat from the single-phase heat transfer fluid. This phase change mechanism enables efficient heat transfer with minimal temperature difference, reducing the required flow rate and pumping energy compared to pure single-phase heat exchange systems.
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
The method provides efficient and safe air conditioning with lower energy consumption and smaller pipe diameters, maintaining high system efficiency by using non-flammable refrigerants that change phases at low temperatures, thus reducing installation costs and energy usage.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchange between the environment and the first refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchange between the environment and the first refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
a heat exchange between the first and the second refrigerant
Implementation Method 4
a heat exchange between the second refrigerant and the air to be conditioned
Implementation Method 5
a heat exchange between the second refrigerant and the air to be conditioned
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a process for conditioning air, by means of a main circuit (1), the main circuit (1) being a vapor compression circuit, wherein a first refrigerant circulates, and a secondary circuit (2) with no compressor, wherein a non-flammable second refrigerant comprising a hydrofluoroolefin and/or a hydrochlorofluoroolefin circulates, the main circuit (1) and the secondary circuit (2) being coupled to one another; the process comprising a heat exchange between the surroundings and the first refrigerant, a heat exchange between the first and second refrigerants, and a heat exchange between the second refrigerant and the air to be conditioned. The invention also relates to an air conditioning plant for implementing the process.