Device and method for increasing the heat yield of a heat source
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat pump systems are limited by the thermal coupling between the heat source and heat sink, which restricts the temperature of the heat source return and heat sink flow, leading to suboptimal utilization of the heat source's heat content and reduced heat output.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a bypass line that branches off part of the heat sink return upstream of the evaporator and merges with the heat sink flow downstream of the condenser, allowing the evaporator to further cool the heat sink return and increase the heat source's temperature, thereby enhancing heat yield without direct contact with the heat source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the heat source is thermally coupled to the heat sink via a heat exchanger, then heat transfer occurs, but the temperature of the heat source return is limited by the temperature of the heat sink return
Solution Approach 1:
The heat sink return flow is divided into two separate streams: one stream passes through the evaporator for additional cooling, while the other stream bypasses the evaporator and goes directly to the heat exchanger. This segmentation allows independent temperature control for each stream, enabling the heat source return temperature to be reduced below the original heat sink return temperature without being constrained by it.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaporator acts as an intermediary component that extracts additional heat from a portion of the heat sink return flow before it reaches the heat exchanger. This intermediary heat extraction mechanism enables the system to achieve lower heat source return temperatures than would be possible with direct thermal coupling alone, thereby increasing the heat yield.
2Temperature
If the heat sink flow temperature is limited by the heat source flow temperature, then thermal equilibrium is maintained, but the heat source cannot be fully utilized
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the heat sink return flow into two separate streams with different temperature profiles, the system can deliver heat at multiple temperature levels to meet different thermal demands. This allows more complete utilization of the heat source's thermal energy spectrum, reducing wasted heat content.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter distribution in the heat sink circuit by introducing the evaporator, which creates a colder stream. This parameter change enables the heat source to be utilized more fully by matching different temperature levels to different heat demands, thereby reducing energy loss.
3Ease of operation
If a bypass line is added to branch off heat sink return upstream of the evaporator, then heat pump control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass line serves multiple functions: it provides heat pump output control by regulating the flow split, enables additional heat extraction through the evaporator, and allows flexible operation modes. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a single structural addition.
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 allows for increased heat output and improved heat utilization from both industrial waste heat and geothermal sources, reducing the need for complex cooling devices and enhancing the thermal performance of district heating networks.
Implementation Method 1
the evaporator of the heat pump is thermally coupled to the heat sink return (22) upstream of the heat exchanger for heat absorption
Implementation Method 2
a heat exchanger that is thermally connectable to the heat source via a heat source flow and a heat source return, wherein the heat sink has a heat sink flow and a heat sink return, and the heat sink is connected and thermally coupled to the heat exchanger via the heat sink flow and the heat sink return
Implementation Method 3
the bypass line is thermally coupled to the condenser of the heat pump, and is joined to the heat sink flow downstream of the condenser
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for increasing the heat yield of a heat source (6), said device comprising a heat sink (2) and a heat pump (4) with a condenser (41) and an evaporator (42), the heat sink (2) having a heat sink feed line (21) and a heat sink return line (22) with respect to a thermal coupling to the heat sink (6) by means of a heat exchanger (12), and the condenser (41) of the heat pump (4) being thermally coupled to the heat sink feed line (21) for dissipating heat to the heat sink (2). According to the invention, the evaporator (42) of the heat pump (4) is thermally coupled to the heat sink return line (22) for the purpose of heat absorption. The invention further relates to a method for increasing the heat yield of a heat source (6) by means of a device (1) according to the present invention or according to one of its embodiments.