Heat exchange cell for condensing boilers and combined heating system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchange cells in condensing boilers and combined heating systems suffer from inefficient recovery of residual heat from combustion fumes, leading to heat dispersion and issues like frosting and ice formation in the heat pump, which necessitate system interruptions.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchange cell design that incorporates a burner for combustion, a conduit for a heat transfer fluid to exchange heat with the burner and combustion fumes, and an evaporator of a refrigerant circuit that lowers the ambient temperature to enhance heat exchange efficiency, thereby recovering residual heat effectively and preventing frosting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If traditional heat exchange cells are used, then the structure is simple, but heat recovery efficiency is low and heat dispersion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the evaporator of the refrigerant circuit with the heat exchange cell structure, integrating two previously separate functions into one unified device. This allows the evaporator to be positioned directly within the combustion fume pathway, enabling simultaneous heat exchange and refrigeration functions, thereby improving heat recovery efficiency without proportionally increasing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchange cell is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the combustion chamber for the burner and the heat exchange interface for the evaporator. The same structural components facilitate both combustion processes and heat transfer from fumes to the refrigerant, reducing the need for additional separate components and improving overall system efficiency
2Reliability
If the heat pump operates in cold conditions, then heating is provided, but frosting and ice formation occur causing system interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful cold environment that causes frosting into a beneficial condition by using the evaporator to actively lower the ambient temperature within the heat exchange cell. This creates optimal conditions for condensing water vapor from combustion fumes while the recovered heat prevents ice formation on the evaporator surfaces, transforming the cold condition from a problem into an advantage
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively prevents frosting and ice formation by using the evaporator to control the temperature environment before harmful condensation can occur. The heat exchange design ensures that surfaces remain at temperatures that prevent ice accumulation, eliminating the need for system shutdowns or reverse cycles that would be required in traditional systems
3Loss of energy
If the evaporator lowers ambient temperature, then heat exchange efficiency increases, but frosting risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces combustion fumes as an intermediary heat source between the evaporator and the external environment. The hot fumes serve as a thermal buffer that prevents the evaporator surfaces from becoming cold enough to frost, while still allowing efficient heat transfer to the refrigerant. This intermediary layer resolves the contradiction by enabling low temperature operation without direct exposure to frosting conditions
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 proposed solution achieves high-efficiency recovery of heat from combustion fumes, preventing heat dispersion and eliminating frosting issues, thus ensuring continuous operation of the combined heating system without the need for system reversals or interruptions.
Implementation Method 1
an evaporator (7) of a refrigerant circuit at least partially inserted within the containment volume (2). The evaporator (7) is configured to lower an ambient temperature inside the containment volume (2) so as to increase a temperature difference between the combustion fumes (4) and the environment
Implementation Method 2
The heat transfer fluid is also used for condensation of the vapours present in the combustion fumes
Implementation Method 3
The heat transfer fluid, preferably comprising water, is configured to exchange heat with the burner and/or the combustion fumes (4)
Implementation Method 4
a burner (3) configured to carry out combustion so as to produce combustion fumes (4)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Heat exchange cell (1) for condensing boilers, defining a containment volume (2), comprising a burner (3), at least one conduit (6) used for circulation of a heat transfer fluid, and an evaporator (7) of a refrigerant circuit. The burner (3) is configured to carry out combustion so as to produce combustion fumes (4). The heat transfer fluid is configured to exchange heat with the burner (3) and/or the fumes. The evaporator (7) is configured to lower an ambient temperature inside the containment volume (2), in particular of the fumes.