Fluid Compression Device With Regeneration Bypass Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal compressors experience significant efficiency losses due to inefficiencies in the regeneration phase, particularly from the temperature pinch and compression inefficiencies, leading to increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A bypass pipe is introduced to divert a fraction of fluid during the regeneration phase, reducing the mixing of heated fluid with incoming fluid and optimizing pressure management by controlling the fluid flow through pressure and flow rate regulating valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the piston is moved back to the second end during regeneration phase, then the fluid is transferred from the hot end to the cold end through the regenerator, but significant heat transfer inefficiencies occur due to temperature pinch and compression inefficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid flow path is segmented into two separate paths: a main path through the regenerator for heat recovery, and a bypass path that allows a portion of the fluid to skip the regenerator. This segmentation enables optimization of heat transfer efficiency by controlling the proportion of fluid that undergoes regenerative heat exchange versus direct bypass, thereby reducing the negative effects of temperature pinch while maintaining regeneration functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention dynamically adjusts the flow distribution parameter between the regenerator path and bypass path using a control valve. By changing the flow rate ratio parameter, the system optimizes the balance between heat recovery efficiency and overall system productivity, addressing the contradiction between minimizing heat transfer inefficiency and maintaining regeneration phase effectiveness.
2Loss of energy
If all fluid is recirculated through the regenerator during regeneration phase, then heat recovery is maximized, but the temperature pinch and compression inefficiencies cause significant energy loss
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of recirculating all fluid through the regenerator (excessive action that causes temperature pinch), the invention applies partial action by allowing only a portion of the fluid to pass through the regenerator while the remainder bypasses it. This partial recirculation reduces the cumulative effect of temperature pinch and compression inefficiencies, thereby minimizing energy loss while still achieving beneficial heat recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass pipe acts as an intermediary pathway that mediates between the regenerator and the fluid sources/sinks. It provides an alternative route that prevents all fluid from being subjected to the inefficient regenerative heat transfer, thus reducing overall energy loss while maintaining the functional benefits of the regenerator for the portion of fluid that does pass through it.
3Loss of energy
If the bypass pipe removes a fraction of fluid during regeneration phase, then heat transfer inefficiencies are minimized, but the device complexity increases due to additional piping and control valves
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass pipe and control valve assembly serves multiple functions: it reduces heat transfer inefficiency by enabling partial bypass, it provides flow distribution control, and it can be integrated with existing thermal compressor architectures. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by delivering multiple benefits from a relatively simple addition to the system.
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 the operating efficiency of the thermal compressor by minimizing heat transfer inefficiencies and reducing energy consumption, particularly in the regeneration phase.
Implementation Method 1
the regenerator, the device comprising a supply pipe comprising an upstream end intended to be connected to a source of fluid to be compressed and a downstream end opening into the first end of the compression chamber
Implementation Method 2
the cold of the fluid from the cold chamber stores the cold in the walls of the regenerator, which will be returned to the fluid in the regeneration phase
Implementation Method 3
Compression:the piston is in the extreme position in the second end of the compression chamber (relatively hot side of the device 1). The valve of the supply line has been opened, fluid (gas or liquid) has been previously introduced and fills the volume of the first end of the compression chamber
Implementation Method 4
the bypass pipe being configured to remove a fraction of fluid during a regeneration phase during which the piston is moved from the second end to the first end of the compression chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a fluid compression device comprising a compression chamber housing a piston (5) movable between the first (3) and second (6) ends of the compression chamber, the device (1) comprising a regeneration circuit (7) connecting the first (3) and second (6) ends of the compression chamber and comprising a regenerator (17), the supply line (8) comprising a set of valve(s) (9), the device (1) comprising at least one compressed fluid discharge line (10) comprising an upstream end connected to the compression chamber and a downstream end intended to be connected to a compressed fluid receiver, the device comprising a bypass line (12) comprising an upstream end connected to the regeneration circuit (7) and a downstream end connected to a recovery device (13),the bypass line (12) being configured to remove a fraction of fluid during a regeneration phase in which the piston (5) is moved from the second (6) end to the first (3) end of the compression chamber.