Heat Pump Hot Water Cycle Split for Simultaneous Space Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hot water supply apparatuses using heat pumps face inefficiencies in both hot water supply and heating performance, particularly due to the limitations in refrigerant temperature distribution and the need for continuous operation across heating and cooling modes.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a dual refrigerant cycle system with a first refrigerant cycle for hot water supply and a second refrigerant cycle for heating, utilizing a cascade heat exchanger to optimize refrigerant temperature usage and include flow switches and flow adjustment devices to manage refrigerant flow direction, ensuring efficient heat transfer and continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single refrigerant cycle is used for both hot water supply and heating, then the device complexity is reduced, but the hot water supply performance and heating performance cannot be optimized simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the refrigerant cycle into two separate cycles: a first refrigerant cycle dedicated to hot water supply and a second refrigerant cycle dedicated to heating. This segmentation allows each cycle to be independently optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and performance optimization.
2Productivity
If refrigerant temperature is increased to improve hot water supply performance, then hot water supply efficiency is improved, but heating performance deteriorates due to insufficient temperature differential
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the hot water supply function and heating function into different refrigerant cycles with different refrigerants, the system can maintain high refrigerant temperatures for hot water supply while maintaining appropriate temperature differentials for heating, thus resolving the performance trade-off.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different refrigerants with different thermal properties to different parts of the system: the first refrigerant is optimized for hot water supply conditions while the second refrigerant is optimized for heating conditions, allowing each subsystem to operate at its optimal temperature range.
3Device complexity
If conventional heat exchange method is used between refrigerant and water, then the system structure is simple, but heat transfer efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition heat exchangers where the refrigerant undergoes phase change (evaporation and condensation) during heat exchange with water. This phase transition process significantly enhances heat transfer efficiency compared to conventional heat exchange methods, while maintaining reasonable system structure.
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 enhances both hot water supply and heating performance by maximizing refrigerant temperature utilization and allowing continuous operation across heating and cooling modes, improving overall efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a cascade heat exchanger in which the first refrigerant and a second refrigerant are heat-exchanged with each other
Implementation Method 2
a hot water supply heat exchanger in which heat is transferred from the first refrigerant to water
Data Source
AI summary
A hot water supply apparatus associated with a heat pump is provided. The hot water supply apparatus performs a hot water supply operation using a high temperature refrigerant that has been discharged from a compressor, and simultaneously performs an indoor heating operation using a two-stage refrigerant cycle. This allows the apparatus to supply hot water while simultaneously providing heating/cooling to an indoor space.