CO2 District Energy Network With Decentralized Phase-State Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional district energy systems face inefficiencies in energy transfer, require extensive underground piping, and pose safety risks due to leakage, while also needing multiple pipes and working fluids, which increase energy losses and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A district energy system utilizing CO2 as the energy transfer medium, with decentralized compressor units, heat pumps, and a dual-pipe network that adjusts thermodynamic states at the customer's location to meet specific building needs, minimizing energy losses and using internal recirculation for direct energy transfer between heating and air-conditioning modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water pipes are implemented in underground channels for district energy systems, then energy transfer is achieved, but safety issues arise due to possible leakage problems affecting electrical and telecommunication wires
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the transfer medium from liquid water to gaseous CO2. This parameter change eliminates leakage risks to electrical wires while maintaining energy transfer capability through phase change heat exchange mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of CO2 leakage into a benefit by utilizing CO2's phase change properties. The CO2 is deliberately allowed to evaporate and condense in controlled manner to transfer heat, turning what could be a harmful leakage into a useful heat exchange mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pipes are used in conventional district energy systems to provide heating and cooling services, then all energy service requirements are met, but device complexity and energy losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the CO2 transfer medium universal by enabling it to perform multiple functions: heat transfer for heating, heat absorption for cooling, and thermal energy storage. This multi-functionality is achieved through controlling CO2 phase changes, allowing a single pipe system to replace multiple dedicated pipes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges heating, cooling, and thermal storage functions into a single integrated system using CO2 as the universal transfer medium. This consolidation reduces the number of separate pipes and systems needed, thereby reducing device complexity and associated energy losses.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional district energy systems use separate working fluids for heat pump and pipe network, then specific functions are optimized, but energy losses occur in additional heat-exchangers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs CO2 as a universal working fluid that performs all functions previously requiring separate fluids: heat pumping, heat transfer in pipes, and thermal storage. This eliminates the need for intermediate heat exchangers between different fluid systems, reducing energy losses.
4Loss of energy
If decentralized compressor units and heat pumps are installed at customer locations to adjust thermodynamic state, then energy losses are minimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the district energy system into decentralized units at customer locations, each capable of independently adjusting CO2 thermodynamic state. This segmentation allows localized optimization of energy transfer, minimizing losses by matching supply and demand conditions at each building rather than using a centralized approach.
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 approach reduces energy losses, minimizes pipe requirements, enhances safety by eliminating leakage risks, and allows for efficient use of latent heat, while enabling CO2 storage and reuse for fire extinction or fuel cell applications.
Implementation Method 1
make use of the latent heat of the transfer medium instead of the specific heat
Implementation Method 2
the thermodynamic state of the working fluid, CO2, is not defined only at a central heating/cooling plant, but also directly at the customer's place
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
District energy system comprising a pipe system, end user's locations, and an optional plant for transferring an energy transfer medium between said end user' s locations and/or between said optional plant and said end user's locations, characterized by the fact that said energy transfer medium is CO2.