Dual-Pump Heat Exchange Control for Mixed-Load Air Conditioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Air conditioning systems face inefficiencies during low load operations, particularly when some indoor units perform heating and others cooling, as existing systems often require multiple pumps to operate, leading to decreased efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The system operates with only one pump when the total capacity required by indoor units is below a set capacity, using a configuration with multiple heat exchangers and pumps that can be controlled by valves to manage water flow efficiently, allowing for simultaneous heating and cooling operations with reduced energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple pumps are provided for simultaneous heating and cooling operations, then the system can handle diverse load requirements, but energy efficiency deteriorates during low load operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of operating pumps based on real-time load requirements. During low load operations, only one pump operates while the other remains standby. During high load operations, both pumps operate simultaneously. This dynamic configuration optimizes energy efficiency while maintaining the capability to handle diverse heating and cooling demands.
Solution Approach 2:
Each pump is designed with multi-functionality to handle both heating and cooling operations. The pumps can independently serve different indoor units for heating or cooling, allowing the system to maintain versatility with fewer simultaneously operating pumps, thereby reducing energy consumption during low load conditions.
2Power
If two pumps operate simultaneously, then sufficient cooling capacity is provided, but system efficiency deteriorates during low load conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs partial action by operating only one pump during low load conditions instead of both pumps. This partial operation provides sufficient cooling capacity for low demand scenarios while avoiding the energy waste of running both pumps at full capacity. When cooling demand increases, the system transitions to excessive action by activating both pumps to meet the higher capacity requirements.
3Ease of operation
If independent pumps are connected to each heat exchanger, then flexible control is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the pump control into independent controllable units, where each pump can be independently activated or deactivated based on load requirements. This segmentation allows flexible control during simultaneous heating and cooling operations while managing device complexity by using only the necessary number of pumps at any given time rather than requiring all pumps to operate continuously.
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 enables efficient operation during low load conditions by ensuring only necessary pumps are active, optimizing energy use and maintaining performance across varying load demands.
Implementation Method 1
the refrigerant and water are heat exchanged with each other
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an air conditioning apparatus. The air conditioning apparatus includes an outdoor unit through which a refrigerant circulates, a plurality of indoor units through which water circulates, the plurality of indoor units comprising a first indoor heat exchanger and a second indoor heat exchanger, and a heat-exchange device configured to connect the outdoor unit to the indoor unit, the heat exchange device including a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger, in which the refrigerant and water are heat exchanged with each other. The heat exchange device includes a first inflow tube extending from the first indoor heat exchanger toward the first heat exchanger to guide a flow of the water, a second inflow tube extending from the second indoor heat exchanger toward the second heat exchanger to guide the flow of the water, a first pump provided in the first inflow tube and a second pump provided in the second inflow tube. When a portion of the indoor unit performs a heating operation, and the other portion of the indoor unit performs a cooling operation, when a total capacity required for the indoor unit is equal to or less than a set capacity, the first pump or the second pump operates, and when the total capacity required for the indoor unit exceeds the set capacity, the first pump and the second pump operate.