Heat Pump Air Preheating Layout for Low-Temperature COP Gains
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioning and heat pump systems have a relatively low Coefficient of Performance (COP), requiring substantial energy to heat ambient air in low-temperature conditions, which limits their efficiency in providing heat to indoor spaces.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates an energy-efficient arrangement with a pre-heating mechanism using multiple heat exchangers and pumping devices to pre-heat ambient air before it is delivered to the ventilating heat exchanging unit, optimizing the refrigerant and water flow paths to enhance heat transfer and reduce energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional air conditioning and heat pump systems are used to heat ambient air in low-temperature conditions, then the indoor space can be heated, but a substantial amount of energy is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating of ambient air using waste heat from refrigerant condensation before the air enters the indoor space. The pre-heating heat exchanger captures thermal energy from the refrigerant during its condensation phase, and this pre-heated air then requires less additional heating energy to reach the desired indoor temperature, thereby reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the waste heat generated during refrigerant condensation into a useful resource for pre-heating ambient air. Instead of dissipating this thermal energy unused, the pre-heating heat exchanger captures it and applies it to warm the incoming ambient air, transforming what would be wasted energy into a beneficial pre-heating source that reduces the load on the main heating system.
2Ease of operation
If the temperature of ambient air is very low, then fresh air can be supplied to indoor space, but a substantial amount of energy is needed to heat up the ambient air
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-heating heat exchanger acts as an intermediary device between the refrigerant condensation process and the ambient air supply system. It mediates the heat transfer from the refrigerant to the ambient air, providing a intermediate heating stage that reduces the temperature differential required in the main heating system, thereby lowering overall energy requirements while maintaining fresh air supply functionality.
3Temperature
If the temperature of ambient air is very low, then the central air conditioning heat pump system can be used to generate heat, but the Coefficient of Performance (COP) is relatively low
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the waste heat from refrigerant condensation into a useful pre-heating source, thereby improving the overall Coefficient of Performance. By capturing and utilizing this previously wasted thermal energy to pre-heat ambient air before it enters the indoor space, the system reduces the total heating energy required from the main heat pump, thereby improving COP and reducing energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary heating of ambient air using waste heat recovery before the air requires main heating. This preliminary action reduces the temperature lift required from the main heat pump system, improving its operating efficiency and Coefficient of Performance by reducing the work required for the same heating output.
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 configuration increases the overall Coefficient of Performance (COP) by reducing the energy needed to heat ambient air and allows for more heat to be generated in indoor spaces for a given work done by the system, improving energy efficiency and heat delivery.
Implementation Method 1
a first energy saver heat exchanger connected to the first main heat exchanger and the second main heat exchanger through at least one of the connecting pipes; a second pumping device connected to the first energy saver heat exchanger through at least one of the connecting pipes; and a second energy saver heat exchanger supported in the supporting frame at a positioned between the ventilating heat exchanging unit and the air intake opening
Implementation Method 2
The water having absorbed heat from the refrigerant is then pumped to various terminal devices such as the fresh air supplying device 23P. The water delivered to the fresh air supplying device 23P is arranged to carry out heat exchange with the ambient air in the fresh air heat exchanger 233P.
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioning and heat pump system includes a main heat exchange system, a heat distribution system and an energy efficient arrangement. The energy efficient arrangement includes a first energy saver heat exchanger connected to a first main heat exchanger and the second main heat exchanger of the main heat exchange system, a second pumping device connected to the first energy saver heat exchanger, and a pre-heating heat exchanger supported in the supporting frame at a positioned between a ventilating heat exchanging unit and an air intake opening of a ventilating device. The pre-heating heat exchanger is connected to the second pumping device and the first energy saver heat exchanger.