Dual-Source Heat Pump System for Adaptive Building Climate Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating and cooling systems for buildings are inefficient and rely heavily on non-renewable energy sources, contributing to high energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Innovation Solution
A dual-source heat pump system integrating an air-source and ground-source heat pump, operating in parallel to provide thermal conditioning, utilizing renewable energy sources and optimizing energy use through independent control of each pump based on current conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single heat pump system is used, then the system complexity is low, but the energy efficiency and adaptability to different conditions are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent heat pump units (air-source and ground-source), each capable of operating independently or in combination. This segmentation allows the system to adapt to different operating conditions by selecting the most efficient source, while keeping each individual unit relatively simple in design.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-source heat pump system provides multiple functions by integrating both air-source and ground-source heat pump capabilities into a single thermal system. The system can switch between different energy sources (air, ground, or combination) to meet heating and cooling demands, enhancing versatility without requiring completely separate systems.
2Use of energy by moving object
If traditional heating and cooling systems are used, then the system design is simple, but the energy consumption is high and carbon emissions are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes operating parameters by selecting different heat sources (air-source or ground-source) based on ambient conditions, temperature differentials, and efficiency metrics. This parameter optimization allows the system to maintain high energy efficiency across varying operating conditions while managing complexity through automated control.
3Productivity
If dual-source heat pump system is implemented, then the energy efficiency and adaptability are improved, but the initial capital expense increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines air-source and ground-source heat pump systems into a unified dual-source configuration, allowing both systems to share common components such as the refrigerant circulation system, heat exchangers, and control mechanisms. This merging approach achieves high thermal conditioning efficiency while reducing overall capital expense compared to implementing completely separate independent systems.
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
Enhances efficiency and reduces energy costs and carbon emissions by leveraging favorable operating conditions of each source, providing comprehensive thermal management with reduced system complexity and capital expense.
Implementation Method 1
a ground-source heat exchanger positioned on the ground-source heat pump fluid circuit and configured to exchange heat with a downhole fluid
Implementation Method 2
exchange heat with the downhole fluid at the ground-source heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
an air-source heat exchanger positioned on the air-source heat pump fluid circuit and configured to exchange heat with an ambient air
Implementation Method 4
exchange heat with the ambient air at the air-source heat exchanger
Implementation Method 5
a facility heat exchanger positioned on the ground-source heat pump fluid circuit... exchanging heat with the facility fluid
Implementation Method 6
exchanging heat between the ground-source working fluid and the facility fluid at a facility heat exchanger
Implementation Method 7
ground-source working fluid for circulating through the ground-source heat pump fluid circuit to exchange heat
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal system for a facility includes a facility fluid circuit, a ground-source heat pump, and an air-source heat pump. The ground-source heat pump and the air-source heat pump each include a fluid circuit connected to the facility fluid circuit in parallel via a common facility heat exchanger. The ground-source heat pump includes a ground-source heat exchanger for transferring heat between a ground-source working fluid and a downhole fluid of a downhole fluid circuit. The air-source heat pump includes an air-source heat exchanger for transferring heat between an air-source working fluid and an ambient air. Heat can be transferred, at the facility heat exchanger, between the facility fluid and one or more of the ground-source working fluid or the air-source working fluid in order to provide thermal heating, cooling, or both to the facility.