District Heating Network Heat Pump Integration Using Flow Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat pumps operating with a transcritical process are not effectively integrated into heating networks due to conflicting requirements of high temperature differences and efficient operation, which are not compatible with the typical small temperature differences in heating networks.
Innovation Solution
A method that divides the heat transfer medium into two partial flows, allowing for hydraulic control and management of the heat transfer circuit, enabling the heat pump to operate efficiently by optimizing temperature differences and integrating a heat storage system to manage heat distribution and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If heat transfer medium is supplied to the heat output side of the heat pump to achieve high temperature difference, then the coefficient of performance (COP) is improved, but the temperature difference requirement conflicts with heating network requirements for smallest possible temperature differences
Solution Approach 1:
The heat transfer medium flow is divided into two partial flows using a distributor: a first partial flow is supplied to the heat output side of the heat pump to achieve intensive heating and high temperature difference, while a second partial flow is directed through a bypass to maintain small temperature differences in the heating network. This segmentation allows simultaneous optimization of heat pump efficiency and network compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the distribution of heat transfer medium between the two partial flows based on operating conditions. The distributor enables flexible control of flow rates to optimize the temperature difference across the heat pump while maintaining compatibility with heating network requirements, allowing the system to adapt to varying thermal demands.
2Temperature
If heat transfer medium flow rate is limited to heat more intensively, then the temperature of heat transfer medium leaving the heat output side is controlled, but the flow rate control requires hydraulic management complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic control system is segmented into two independent partial flow paths managed by a distributor. Each partial flow can be controlled separately to achieve the desired temperature output without requiring complex centralized control, simplifying the overall hydraulic management while maintaining precise temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributor acts as an intermediary device that automatically divides the heat transfer medium flow into two partial flows with different flow rates. This intermediary component simplifies the control architecture by providing passive flow distribution based on system design rather than requiring active control mechanisms for each flow path.
3Temperature
If heat pump operates with transcritical process using non-condensing gases, then high temperatures are achieved suitable for old buildings, but the pressure and temperature limitations during evaporation and condensation cannot be exploited
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the operating parameters of the heat pump by using non-condensing gases in a transcritical process instead of conventional condensing refrigerants. This parameter change allows the heat pump to achieve high temperatures suitable for old buildings without being constrained by traditional pressure and temperature limitations associated with phase change refrigerants.
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 allows for the efficient integration of transcritical heat pumps into heating networks, providing high temperatures suitable for old buildings and stabilizing the power network by optimizing heat and electricity management.
Implementation Method 1
heat pumps operating with a transcritical process
Implementation Method 2
the heat transfer medium flowing to the heat output side of the heat pump is guided via a distributor
Implementation Method 3
the heat transfer medium leaving the heat consumer is stored in a heat accumulator
Implementation Method 4
a first partial flow of the heat transfer medium is supplied to the heat output side of the heat pump and heated and a second partial flow of the heat transfer medium is guided into a bypass
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A method for heat and electricity management in a district heating network, wherein a heat transfer medium circulating in the district heating network is routed through both a heat output side and a heat input side of a heat pump, in particular a heat pump operated with a transcritical process. The heat transfer medium flowing to the heat output side of the heat pump is routed through a distributor, at which the heat transfer medium can be divided into at least two partial flows depending on the respective operating mode. A first partial flow of the heat transfer medium is supplied to the heat output side of the heat pump and heated. A second partial flow of the heat transfer medium is routed into a bypass. After passing through the heat output side, the heat transfer medium is supplied to at least one heat consumer, and the heat transfer medium leaving the heat consumer is stored in a thermal storage unit.The second partial flow of the heat transfer medium, directed into the bypass, is routed past the heat output side of the heat pump, past at least one heat consumer and past the heat storage unit.