Electrochemical Heat Transfer System to Replace Mechanical Compressors
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vapor compression refrigerant heat transfer loops face limitations in efficiency, reliability, and noise from mechanical components, necessitating the development of 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 heat transfer through electrochemical reactions in a heat exchanger condenser and evaporator, eliminating the need for pressure-induced boiling point changes and mechanical compressors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vapor compression refrigerant loops are used, then heat transfer function is achieved, but mechanical components cause noise and reduce reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical vapor compression system with an electrochemical system. Instead of using a mechanical compressor to circulate and compress refrigerant, the invention uses electrochemical cells to transform the refrigerant between different compounds with different boiling points through electrochemical reactions. This substitution eliminates mechanical moving parts, thereby reducing noise and improving reliability while maintaining the heat transfer function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the refrigerant through electrochemical reactions. The electrochemical cells transform the refrigerant between different compounds (changing its chemical identity and boiling point) rather than changing its physical state through mechanical compression. This parameter change approach allows the system to achieve the necessary temperature and pressure conditions for heat transfer without mechanical components.
2Use of energy by moving object
If vapor compression refrigerant loops are used, then cooling function is achieved, but efficiency is limited by mechanical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the energy-intensive mechanical compression process with electrochemical transformation. The electrochemical cells use electrical energy to directly transform the refrigerant compounds, which can be more efficient than mechanical compression. This substitution improves energy efficiency by eliminating the losses associated with mechanical components while maintaining the cooling function.
3Ease of operation
If mechanical compressors are used, then refrigerant circulation is achieved, but noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the mechanical compressor that generates noise by substituting it with an electrochemical system. The electrochemical cells perform the refrigerant transformation function without mechanical moving parts, thereby eliminating the noise source while maintaining refrigerant circulation and heat transfer operation.
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 achieving targeted boiling points without mechanical compressors, reducing noise and operational complexity, while maintaining effective heat transfer performance in refrigeration and air conditioning applications.
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 heat exchanger condenser including a heat rejection side is in operative thermal communication with a heat sink
Implementation Method 4
A heat exchanger evaporator including a heat absorption side is in operative thermal communication with a heat source
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.