Electrochemical Heat Transfer System to Replace Mechanical Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vapor compression refrigerant heat transfer loops face limitations in efficiency, reliability, and noise from mechanical components, prompting the need for alternative heat transfer technologies.
Innovation Solution
A heat transfer system utilizing an electrochemical cell with a first and second electrode separated by an ion transfer medium, where a heat transfer fluid comprising an electrochemically active agent reversibly transforms between compounds with different boiling points, facilitating phase changes in heat exchanger condensers and evaporators without requiring pressure changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vapor compression refrigerant loops use mechanical compressors to circulate refrigerant, then heat transfer function is achieved, but noise and mechanical complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical vapor compression system with an electrochemical system. Instead of using a mechanical compressor to circulate refrigerant, the invention uses electrochemical reactions at electrodes to transform the working fluid between different compounds with different vapor pressures, thereby eliminating mechanical moving parts that generate noise and reducing reliability issues associated with mechanical wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental operating parameter from mechanical pressure compression to electrochemical compound transformation. The working fluid is transformed between different chemical compounds (e.g., from refrigerant to electrochemically modified form) that have different vapor pressures, allowing heat transfer without mechanical compression.
2Productivity
If vapor compression loops use mechanical compressors, then refrigerant circulation is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical vapor compression system with an electrochemical system. Instead of using a mechanical compressor to circulate refrigerant, the invention uses electrochemical reactions at electrodes to transform the working fluid between different compounds with different vapor pressures, thereby eliminating mechanical moving parts that generate noise and reducing reliability issues associated with mechanical wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the mechanical compressor component from the heat transfer system. By eliminating the compressor entirely and replacing it with electrochemical transformation cells, the system achieves heat transfer functionality without the complexity of mechanical compression devices, valves, and associated control mechanisms.
3Temperature
If conventional refrigeration cycles are used, then cooling function is provided, but efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the fundamental operating parameter from mechanical pressure compression to electrochemical compound transformation. The working fluid is transformed between different chemical compounds (e.g., from refrigerant to electrochemically modified form) that have different vapor pressures, allowing heat transfer without mechanical compression.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical vapor compression system with an electrochemical system. Instead of using a mechanical compressor to circulate refrigerant, the invention uses electrochemical reactions at electrodes to transform the working fluid between different compounds with different vapor pressures, thereby eliminating mechanical moving parts that generate noise and reducing reliability issues associated with mechanical wear.
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 solution enhances efficiency and reliability by eliminating the need for mechanical components that induce boiling point changes, allowing for effective heat transfer with reduced noise and improved operational performance.
Implementation Method 1
an electrochemically active agent that reversibly transforms from a first compound to a second compound at the second electrode, and from the second compound to the first compound at the first electrode
Implementation Method 2
provide a phase change of the first and second compounds in the heat exchanger condenser and in the heat exchanger evaporator
Implementation Method 3
A method of transferring heat according to the invention is disclosed in claim 2. According to the method, a heat transfer fluid comprising an electrochemically active agent is evaporated in a heat exchanger evaporator by absorbing heat from a heat source
Implementation Method 4
The heat transfer fluid including the electrochemically active agent is directed to a heat exchanger condenser, and condensed, rejecting heat to a heat
Data Source
AI summary
A heat transfer system is disclosed including heat transfer fluid flow paths (20,22,24,28) through a heat exchanger evaporator (12) and a heat exchanger condenser (16). The system includes an electrochemical cell (32) that transforms an electrochemically reactive agent in the heat transfer fluid between first and second compounds having different boiling points. In some embodiments, the electrochemically active agent can include a fluorinated organic compound including an electrochemically active substituent group that reversibly transforms between the first and second compounds. In some embodiments, the heat transfer fluid can include the electrochemically active agent and an electrochemically non-active refrigerant in a mixture.