Binary refrigeration cycle device

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Solution Overview

Problem

In binary refrigeration cycle systems, a low temperature of the fluid flowing into the utilization-side heat exchanger reduces the compression ratio in the high temperature-side refrigeration cycle, leading to decreased compressor reliability and overall system reliability.

Innovation Solution

The system incorporates a bypass passage with a flow control valve that adjusts the flow rate of the utilization-side fluid, mixing it with the heated fluid to maintain an optimal temperature, preventing reduced compression ratios and enhancing compressor reliability by controlling the temperature conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If the temperature of the utilization-side fluid flowing into the utilization-side heat exchanger is low, then heat transfer efficiency is improved, but the compression ratio in the high temperature-side refrigeration cycle is decreased and compressor reliability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature of utilization-side fluidVSAvoidcompressor reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the flow rate of the utilization-side fluid as a controllable parameter to maintain optimal temperature conditions. By changing the flow rate parameter, the system prevents the fluid temperature from becoming too low, thereby maintaining the compression ratio within an appropriate range and ensuring compressor reliability while still enabling effective heat transfer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the flow rate of utilization-side fluid is increased, then heat supply capacity is improved, but the temperature of the fluid becomes lower and compression ratio decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat supply capacityVSAvoidcompressor reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system optimizes the flow rate parameter of the utilization-side fluid to achieve a balance between heat supply capacity and compressor reliability. By carefully controlling this parameter, the system maintains high productivity while preventing the fluid temperature from dropping below levels that would compromise the compression ratio and compressor reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the flow rate of utilization-side fluid is decreased, then the temperature of the fluid is maintained higher, but heat supply capacity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressor reliabilityVSAvoidheat supply capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system adjusts the flow rate parameter to an optimal value that simultaneously satisfies both compressor reliability requirements and heat supply capacity demands. This parameter optimization ensures that the fluid temperature remains within the appropriate range to maintain compression ratio while still delivering sufficient heat supply capacity for the application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution effectively prevents the reduction in compression ratio and compressor reliability, ensuring the binary refrigeration cycle system operates efficiently and reliably by maintaining optimal temperature conditions.

Implementation Method 1

The system incorporates a bypass passage with a flow control valve that adjusts the flow rate of the utilization-side fluid, mixing it with the heated fluid to maintain an optimal temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMixing:

Implementation Method 2

High-temperature heat extracted by a heat source-side heat exchanger as a low temperature-side evaporator provided in the low temperature-side refrigeration cycle is supplied to the heat utilization device via a utilization-side heat exchanger as a high temperature-side condenser provided in the high temperature-side refrigeration cycle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP2672204B1Binary refrigeration cycle device
Publication Date: 2017.07.05 TOSHIBA CARRIER CORP
  • EP2672204B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2672204B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2672204B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A binary refrigeration cycle system includes: a low temperature-side refrigeration cycle including a heat source-side heat exchanger that absorbs heat from an external heat source, and a low temperature-side compressor; a high temperature-side refrigeration cycle including a utilization-side heat exchanger that supplies heat to a utilization side, and a high temperature-side compressor; an intermediate heat exchanger that exchanges heat between a refrigerant in the low temperature-side refrigeration cycle and a refrigerant in the high temperature-side refrigeration cycle; a casing to which at least the utilization-side heat exchanger is mounted; a utilization-side pipe that is provided for the casing and connected to the utilization-side heat exchanger so as to exchange heat between a circulated utilization-side fluid and the refrigerant in the high temperature-side refrigeration cycle and supply the heat to the utilization side; a bypass passage that is connected to the utilization-side pipe in parallel with the utilization-side heat exchanger so as to feed the utilization-side fluid in the utilization-side pipe from a utilization-side heat exchanger outlet side to a utilization-side heat exchanger inlet side; and a fluid control unit that controls a flow of the utilization-side fluid circulated in the bypass passage.