Method of operating a heat cycle system, heat cycle system and method of modifying a heat cycle system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat cycle systems face challenges in improving efficiency and producing electric energy, particularly in terms of coefficient of performance (COP) and energy conversion.
Innovation Solution
A heat cycle system incorporating a rotatable expander unit that generates mechanical motion to power the compressor and a larger evaporator capacity, operating with enhanced thermodynamic processes such as isentropic expansion and isobaric/isothermal evaporation, replacing the traditional expansion valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If an expansion valve is used in a conventional heat cycle system, then the system structure is simple, but the system cannot generate electric energy and has lower efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional expansion valve (a passive mechanical component) with a rotatable expander unit that functions as both an expansion device and a prime mover. The expander converts the expansion work of the refrigerant into rotational mechanical energy, which drives the compressor and generates surplus electric energy through a coupled generator. This substitution transforms a simple pressure-reducing component into an active energy-converting device, resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The expander unit enables the system to serve itself by using the refrigerant expansion process to generate the mechanical work needed to drive the compressor. The rotational motion from the expander directly powers the compressor, reducing or eliminating the need for external electric power input. This self-service mechanism improves energy efficiency while maintaining operational simplicity through direct mechanical coupling.
2Productivity
If the evaporator capacity is increased to improve evaporation efficiency, then the evaporation capacity increases, but the pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the evaporator design by changing key parameters such as heat exchange surface area, tube diameter, and flow distribution characteristics. The evaporator is designed with enhanced heat transfer surfaces and optimized flow paths that increase the evaporation capacity while maintaining low flow resistance. This allows the system to achieve higher productivity without suffering from excessive pressure drops that would reduce overall system efficiency.
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
The system achieves improved COP and generates electric energy without loss in performance, reducing pressure drop and enhancing energy efficiency through the use of a rotatable expander and oversized evaporator.
Implementation Method 1
operating the expander unit to expand the working fluid from the third state to a fourth state with a fourth pressure, a fourth temperature and a fourth enthalpy
Implementation Method 2
operating the evaporator to evaporate the working fluid from the fourth state to the first state
Implementation Method 3
The evaporator 14 may be configured to exchange heat with a heat supplying circuit 15, such that the working fluid undergoes evaporation, wherein heat is received by the evaporator 14
Implementation Method 4
The condenser 11 may be configured to exchange heat with a heat delivery circuit 12, wherein heat is delivered from the condenser 11, whereby the temperature of the working fluid may be reduced... and the enthalpy of the working fluid is reduced
Implementation Method 5
The compressor 10 is configured to increase the pressure of the working fluid, such that P2>P1
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a heat cycle system, wherein the heat cycle system comprises a working fluid, which is cycled through a circuit comprising a compressor, a condenser, an expander unit, and an evaporator and wherein the expander unit is configured to generate a rotating mechanical motion, comprises operating the evaporator at an evaporator working fluid evaporation capacity that is at least about 110% of the nominal evaporator working fluid evaporation capacity. There is also disclosed a heat cycle system as well as a method of modifying a heat cycle system.