Electrochemical Compressor Preheater to Prevent Refrigerant Condensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In vapor compression refrigeration cycles, the working fluid often condenses before reaching the condenser due to insufficient preheating in electrochemical compressor systems, leading to reduced efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a preheater to superheat the working fluid to a temperature above its vaporization point before compression, using an electrically resistive element or waste heat to maintain the fluid in a superheated state within the inlet chamber of the electrochemical compressor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the working fluid is compressed directly without preheating in an electrochemical compressor system, then the compression process is simpler, but the working fluid condenses before reaching the condenser, reducing system efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompression process complexityVSAvoidsystem efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The preheater performs preliminary heating of the working fluid before compression to raise its temperature above the vaporization point. This preliminary action prevents condensation during compression and ensures the working fluid reaches the condenser in the correct phase, resolving the contradiction between simple compression and system efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of energy

If a preheater is added to superheat the working fluid before compression, then condensation is reduced and system efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem efficiencyVSAvoiddevice structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The preheater is integrated with the electrochemical compressor by positioning it in the inlet chamber where waste heat from the compressor is utilized. This merging approach adds the preheating function without requiring a completely separate heating system, thus improving efficiency while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses its own waste heat from the compression process to preheat the incoming working fluid through the preheater. This self-service approach provides the necessary superheating without external energy input, improving system efficiency while avoiding additional complex heating systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the working fluid temperature is increased above vaporization point before compression, then condensation during compression is prevented, but additional energy is required for heating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworking fluid phase stabilityVSAvoidheating energy

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The preheater utilizes waste heat from the electrochemical compressor to heat the working fluid before compression. This self-service mechanism ensures reliable phase stability of the working fluid while avoiding additional external energy input, as the heating energy is recovered from the system's own operational waste heat.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The waste heat that would otherwise be discarded from the compression process is converted into a useful resource by using it to preheat the incoming working fluid through the preheater. This converts a harmful waste product into a beneficial heating source, ensuring phase stability without net energy loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 significantly reduces the likelihood of condensation, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the heat pump system by ensuring the working fluid remains in a superheated state, improving energy savings and thermal management capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

using an electrically resistive element or waste heat to maintain the fluid in a superheated state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 2

a preheater that heats a working fluid to a superheated temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

the preheater is configured to heat a working fluid to a superheated temperature delta

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuperheating: Superheating

Data Source

PatentUS10228161B2Electrochemical compressor utilizing a preheater

Publication Date: 2019.03.12 USA FORTESCUE IP INC

AI summary

An electrochemical compression system utilizes a preheater to heat an electrochemically active working fluid to a superheated temperature delta prior compression. Heating the electrochemically active working fluid to a superheated temperature ensures there will be no condensation before the fluid reaches the condenser and therefore increases efficiency and effectiveness of the system. A preheater may be configured in a chamber upstream of the electrochemical compressor and one or more valves may control the delivery of the superheated fluid to the compressor. A preheater may be configured in an enclosure, having a valve at the inlet and outlet and retain the electrochemically active fluid at a superheated temperature. A preheater may be configured within or attached to a gas diffusion media, flow-filed or current collector and may be in direct communication with the fluid.