Chemical heat pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Chemical heat pumps with a single reaction section cannot maintain the temperature of the outflow gas constant at a target temperature over a long period due to thermal storage medium deterioration and limited duration in the heat-release state, leading to instability in temperature output.
Innovation Solution
A chemical heat pump configuration with two reaction sections, where the heat-storing-time flow direction and heat-release-time flow direction are opposite for each section, allowing for alternating states to maintain stability and extend the duration of constant temperature output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single reaction section is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the duration of constant temperature output becomes limited and temperature stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The reaction system is divided into multiple reaction sections (first reaction section and second reaction section) that can operate independently. Each section contains thermal storage medium and can undergo heat-release or heat-storing states separately, allowing the system to maintain continuous operation by switching between sections as one depletes its thermal storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system alternates between heat-release states and heat-storing states in a periodic manner. When one reaction section is in heat-release state providing constant temperature output, the other section is in heat-storing state recharging thermal energy, and they switch roles periodically to maintain continuous operation.
2Device complexity
If the heat-storing-time flow direction and heat-release-time flow direction are the same, then the device complexity is reduced, but the temperature stability deteriorates due to thermal storage medium deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The flow directions are inverted between heat-storing and heat-release operations. During heat-storing state, the fluid flows in one direction through the reaction section, while during heat-release state, the fluid flows in the opposite direction. This inversion optimizes heat transfer efficiency and compensates for thermal storage medium deterioration by ensuring uniform utilization of the medium throughout its service life.
3Device complexity
If a single reaction section is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the temperature output becomes unstable over time
Solution Approach 1:
The reaction system is divided into multiple reaction sections (first reaction section and second reaction section) that can operate independently. Each section contains thermal storage medium and can undergo heat-release or heat-storing states separately, allowing the system to maintain continuous operation by switching between sections as one depletes its thermal storage capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching between different reaction sections and alternating between heat-release and heat-storing states. This parameter switching allows fresh thermal storage medium to be periodically introduced into the active heat-release section, resetting the system to optimal performance and maintaining stable temperature output over extended periods.
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 effectively maintains the outflow gas temperature constant at the target temperature with greater stability over a longer period by optimizing the flow directions and alternating states, reducing the impact of thermal storage medium deterioration.
Implementation Method 1
a property of the thermal storage medium itself (first property) of that 'undergoing an exothermic reaction with steam and forming a hydrate with release of heat'
Implementation Method 2
a property of the hydrate (second property) of 'upon receiving of external heat, undergoing an endothermic reaction for the hydrate and being dehydrated through release of steam from the hydrate and with storing of heat'
Implementation Method 3
The steam having moved to the evaporation-condensation section undergoes phase transition (condensation) and turns into water (liquid)
Implementation Method 4
Steam generated by phase transition (evaporation) of water in the evaporation-condensation section moves from the evaporation-condensation section to the reaction section
Implementation Method 5
a fluid channel that causes heat exchange between a fluid flowing therein and the thermal storage medium
Data Source
AI summary
This chemical heat pump includes two reaction sections R1 and R2 containing a thermal storage medium; an evaporation-condensation section D containing water or steam; and two fluid channels individually disposed so as to correspond to the reaction sections. A “first state in which R1 is set to a heat-storing state and R2 is set to a heat-release state” and a “second state in which R1 is set to a heat-release state and R2 is set to a heat-storing state” are alternately applied every time after a first period elapses. For each reaction section, in the heat-release state, a fluid is caused to flow from a first side to a second side of the corresponding fluid channel over a first period; and, in the heat-storing state, a fluid is caused to flow from the second side to the first side of the corresponding fluid channel over a second period.