Chiller-heat pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vapor absorption systems are limited in generating hot water above 40-43 °C and cannot simultaneously provide both heating and refrigeration without additional components and increased costs, energy consumption, and CO2 emissions.
Innovation Solution
A double-effect or single-effect vapor absorption cycle apparatus with a condenser, vapor generator, evaporators, absorbers, heat exchangers, and a heat recovery unit, utilizing a refrigerant-absorbent pair like Li-Br and water, which allows selective operation for heating, refrigeration, or both, without additional electrical or heat inputs, by optimizing heat exchange and energy recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional vapor absorption systems are used, then the system structure is simple, but the maximum hot water temperature is limited to 40-43 °C and cannot provide both heating and refrigeration simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two separate absorption cycles: a high-temperature absorption cycle for heating (capable of producing water up to 90°C) and a low-temperature absorption cycle for refrigeration. Each cycle operates independently with its own generator, absorber, evaporator, and condenser, allowing both heating and refrigeration functions to be achieved simultaneously without temperature limitations of conventional single-cycle systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines two absorption cycles (high-temperature heating cycle and low-temperature refrigeration cycle) into a single integrated system that shares common components such as the refrigerant-absorbent pair (lithium bromide-water), heat exchangers, and control mechanisms. This merging allows the system to provide both heating and refrigeration simultaneously while reducing overall system complexity and component count compared to completely separate systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional components are added to enable simultaneous heating and refrigeration, then the temperature capability and versatility improve, but the device complexity and capital investment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a universal refrigerant-absorbent pair (lithium bromide-water) that serves both the high-temperature heating cycle and the low-temperature refrigeration cycle. Common components such as heat exchangers, pumps, and control systems are designed to perform multiple functions across both cycles, reducing the need for duplicate specialized components and thereby lowering overall system complexity despite the enhanced versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temperature dimension by operating two absorption cycles at different temperature levels simultaneously. The high-temperature cycle operates for heating applications (up to 90°C) while the low-temperature cycle operates for refrigeration applications. This dimensional approach allows the system to provide diverse thermal outputs without requiring a proportional increase in component count, as each cycle leverages the same fundamental absorption mechanism at different operating conditions.
3Reliability
If conventional separate heating and refrigeration systems are used, then each system can be optimized for its specific function, but the energy consumption and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system recovers and utilizes waste heat from the refrigeration cycle's condenser to preheat water or provide thermal input to the heating cycle's generator. Similarly, heat rejected during the heating cycle can be recovered for use in the refrigeration cycle. This heat recovery mechanism reduces the total external heat input required from fossil fuel sources, thereby lowering energy consumption and operating costs while maintaining reliable heating and refrigeration functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-cycle absorption system is thermally driven, using heat energy rather than mechanical energy to power both heating and refrigeration functions. The system utilizes available heat sources (such as waste heat, solar thermal energy, or low-grade process heat) to drive the absorption cycles, eliminating the need for high-grade electrical energy typically required by vapor compression systems. This self-service approach using thermal energy reduces dependency on expensive electrical power and lowers overall energy consumption.
4Adaptability or versatility
If vapor compression heat pumps are used, then heating and refrigeration can be provided efficiently, but the use of mechanical energy increases operating costs and environmental impact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical vapor compression system with a thermal absorption system. Instead of using mechanical compressors driven by electrical motors to circulate refrigerant, the system uses thermal energy to drive the absorption and desorption processes. The refrigerant (water) is absorbed by the absorbent (lithium bromide) in the absorber and released in the generator through heating, eliminating the need for mechanical compression and high-grade electrical energy input while providing both heating and refrigeration functions efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters from mechanical energy-driven (vapor compression) to thermal energy-driven (vapor absorption). By operating at different temperature levels and using heat transfer as the primary driving force, the absorption system achieves heating and refrigeration without the high electrical energy consumption associated with mechanical compression systems. The use of lithium bromide-water as the refrigerant-absorbent pair enables operation with low-grade thermal energy sources, further reducing energy costs and environmental impact.
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 apparatus efficiently generates hot water up to 90 °C for heating and provides refrigeration, reducing energy consumption, CO2 emissions, and capital investment, while allowing flexible operation for heating, refrigeration, or both, using existing heat sources.
Implementation Method 1
The absorption systems utilize the ability of liquids or salts to absorb vapors of a working fluid to obtain the heating and the cooling effect
Implementation Method 2
The heat causes the refrigerant to desorb from the absorbent and vaporize
Implementation Method 3
These vapors flow to a condenser, where the heat is rejected and the refrigerant is condensed to a high-pressure liquid
Implementation Method 4
This liquid refrigerant is then sent to a low-pressure evaporator, where it evaporates by absorbing heat and providing the cooling effect
Implementation Method 5
A double-effect or single-effect vapor absorption cycle apparatus with a condenser, vapor generator, evaporators, absorbers, heat exchangers, and a heat recovery unit
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for providing heating and/or refrigeration effect and a method thereof is disclosed which provides simultaneous heating and refrigeration, only heating or only refrigeration, using a double-effect vapor absorption cycle or a single-effect vapor absorption cycle. The present invention comprises providing a heat input to an absorbent in a generator (14) to obtain a concentrated absorbent which is fed to a set of absorbers (28,32) which are located in co-operation with a set of evaporators (26;34) provided with a condensed refrigerant, to obtain heating and/or refrigeration effect. The heat/energy used during the process is recovered by a plurality of heat exchangers such that the wastage of energy and utilities is minimized. The present invention substantially reduces the CO2 emissions, thus is eco-friendly.