Condenser with Integrated Sub-Cooling Conduit to Reduce System Size
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heating and cooling systems require external heat exchanging devices for sub-cooling refrigerant, which increases cost, space requirements, and can cause pressure drops, while achieving limited sub-cooling due to small temperature differences between refrigerant and cooling fluids.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a condenser with a cooling conduit that receives a portion of condensed refrigerant at a lower temperature and pressure, allowing for enhanced sub-cooling within the condenser by exploiting a larger temperature difference between the refrigerant in the cooling conduit and the condenser chamber, thereby reducing system size and cost, and avoiding pressure drops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If an external heat exchanging device is added for sub-cooling refrigerant, then the cooling capacity is increased, but the cost and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sub-cooling function with the existing condenser by adding a cooling conduit inside the condenser chamber. This integration allows the condenser to perform both condensation and sub-cooling functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for a separate external heat exchanging device and reducing system complexity and space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling conduit is nested within the condenser chamber, with the conduit containing cooled refrigerant positioned inside the chamber containing warmer condensed refrigerant. This nested configuration enables heat exchange between the two refrigerant portions while maintaining a compact structure without requiring external components.
2Temperature
If an external heat exchanging device is used for sub-cooling, then the refrigerant temperature is reduced, but pressure drop occurs
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the sub-cooling function within the condenser, the refrigerant flows continuously through the condenser chamber and cooling conduit without requiring passage through additional external heat exchangers. This eliminates the pressure drops that would occur in external devices while still achieving the desired temperature reduction through internal heat exchange.
3Temperature
If conventional condensing conduits are used, then refrigerant condensation occurs, but sub-cooling is limited due to small temperature difference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the refrigerant flow into two distinct portions: condensed refrigerant in the condenser chamber and cooled refrigerant in the cooling conduit. This segmentation creates a larger temperature difference between the two portions, enabling more effective heat exchange and greater sub-cooling capability compared to conventional single-stream condensing conduits.
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 increases the rate of refrigerant condensation, maintains refrigerant in a suitable liquid phase, and enhances cooling capacity, ensuring efficient operation with reduced external components and improved efficiency across varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
supplying a first portion of the condensed refrigerant to the cooling conduit via a first expansion valve such that the first portion of the refrigerant decreases in pressure and temperature before entering the cooling conduit
Implementation Method 2
cooling the refrigerant in the condenser chamber by exchanging heat from the refrigerant in the condenser chamber to the first portion of the refrigerant in the cooling conduit
Implementation Method 3
condensing a refrigerant within the condenser chamber from a vapour phase to a liquid phase by exchanging heat from the refrigerant in the condenser chamber to a fluid in the condensing conduit
Data Source
AI summary
A method of cooling a refrigerant includes providing a condenser (200) including a condenser shell (202) that contains a condenser chamber (204), a condensing conduit (209), and a cooling conduit (217); condensing a refrigerant within the condenser chamber (204) from a vapour phase to a liquid phase by exchanging heat from the refrigerant in the condenser chamber (204) to a fluid in the condensing conduit (209); supplying a first portion of the condensed refrigerant to the cooling conduit (217) via a first expansion valve (310) such that the first portion of the refrigerant decreases in pressure and temperature before entering the cooling conduit (217); and cooling the refrigerant in the condenser chamber (204) by exchanging heat from the refrigerant in the condenser chamber (204) to the first portion of the refrigerant in the cooling conduit (217).