Cooling Load Transfer via Heat Exchanger for Staged Retrofit
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Solution Overview
Problem
During the staged installation of a new cooling system, the new system operates at low efficiency due to handling a small number of loads, leading to frequent compressor cycling and increased energy consumption and maintenance costs, as it is not yet fully loaded.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a heat exchanger that transfers heat from the refrigerant of the old system to the new system, either directly or through an intermediary fluid, to increase the operating load and efficiency of the new system, allowing it to handle a larger thermal load and reduce the load on the old system without fully installing the new loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the new cooling system is installed in stages to replace the old system, then the transition from old to new system is smoother and continuity of cooling is maintained, but the new system operates at low efficiency due to handling a small number of loads
Solution Approach 1:
A heat exchanger is introduced as an intermediary device to transfer heat from the old refrigerant to the new refrigerant. This allows the new cooling system to receive additional thermal load during staged installation, improving compressor efficiency and reducing energy consumption while maintaining continuity of cooling service.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the old and new cooling systems through a heat exchanger that transfers thermal energy between the two refrigerant circuits. This merging allows the new system to operate more efficiently by utilizing the thermal load from the old system during the transition period.
2Ease of manufacture
If the new cooling system handles only a small number of loads during staged installation, then the installation can proceed in manageable stages, but the compressor cycles frequently and maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger acts as a mediator that provides additional thermal load to the new compressor, stabilizing its operation and reducing frequent cycling during staged installation. This improves reliability without requiring complete installation of all new system components.
3Loss of energy
If heat is transferred from the old refrigerant to the new refrigerant, then the new system's operating load and efficiency increase, but additional heat exchanger equipment is required
Solution Approach 1:
A heat exchanger is introduced as an intermediary device to transfer heat from the old refrigerant to the new refrigerant. This allows the new cooling system to receive additional thermal load during staged installation, improving compressor efficiency and reducing energy consumption while maintaining continuity of cooling service.
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 enhances the operating efficiency of the new cooling system by increasing its load during staged installation, reducing energy consumption and maintenance costs, and allowing for smoother transition from the old to the new system.
Implementation Method 1
The heat exchanger receives the first refrigerant from the first compressor and receives the second refrigerant from the second compressor. The heat exchanger transfers heat from the first refrigerant to the second refrigerant.
Implementation Method 2
The first compressor compresses a first refrigerant. The second compressor compresses a second refrigerant.
Implementation Method 3
The first load uses the first refrigerant to remove heat from a space proximate the first load. The second load uses the second refrigerant to remove heat from a space proximate the second load.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a compressor, a load, a heat exchanger, and a heater. The compressor compresses a refrigerant. The load uses the refrigerant to remove heat from a space proximate the load. The load sends the refrigerant to the compressor. The heat exchanger receives the refrigerant from the compressor. The heat exchanger transfers heat from a fluid to the refrigerant. The heat exchanger discharges the refrigerant to the compressor. The heater adds heat to the fluid.