Heat Pump Desuperheater Buffering for Higher Flow Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat pumps transfer the entire energy content of the refrigerant to the heat transfer medium in the condenser, limiting the maximum heat transfer medium temperature and resulting in high electrical power consumption and reduced compressor efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic system with a buffer storage tank, circulating pump, and desuperheater connected in series or parallel, allowing for increased heat transfer medium temperature and energy storage, while maintaining a constant flow temperature, thereby reducing compressor power consumption and extending its service life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the entire energy content of the refrigerant is transferred to the heat transfer medium in the condenser, then the heat transfer is maximized, but the maximum heat transfer medium temperature is limited and electrical power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat transfer process is segmented into two independent stages: first the condenser transfers heat to raise the heat transfer medium temperature, then the desuperheater further heats the heat transfer medium using the hot refrigerant gas. This segmentation allows each component to operate optimally without the temperature limitations of a single-stage system, reducing overall energy consumption while achieving higher temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The desuperheater acts as an intermediary component between the refrigerant circuit and the heat transfer medium circuit. It utilizes the hot refrigerant gas (which would otherwise be wasted) as a secondary heat source to further heat the heat transfer medium, thereby increasing the temperature level without proportionally increasing electrical power consumption.
2Reliability
If a higher temperature level of the heat transfer medium is achieved, then the coefficient of performance of the compressor is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The desuperheater is merged with the existing condenser and refrigerant circuit in a way that utilizes already-present components (compressor, refrigerant flow path) while adding only the necessary heat exchange surface area. This integration approach achieves higher temperature levels and improved coefficient of performance without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The desuperheater serves multiple functions: it acts as a heat exchanger for raising heat transfer medium temperature, a superheater for the refrigerant, and an energy recovery device. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve higher temperature levels and improved performance without adding dedicated single-purpose components, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity.
3Quantity of substance
If the heat transfer medium temperature is increased, then more energy can be stored in the buffer tank, but the condensation temperature must be lowered
Solution Approach 1:
The heating process is segmented into two stages: the condenser operates at the original condensation temperature to provide base heating, while the desuperheater operates at a lower condensation temperature to provide additional heating. This segmentation allows the system to store more energy in the buffer tank while maintaining acceptable condensation temperatures in both stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters by introducing a second heating stage with different temperature conditions. The desuperheater operates with lower condensation temperature than the main condenser, allowing the heat transfer medium to reach higher temperatures and enabling greater energy storage in the buffer tank without excessively lowering the main condensation temperature.
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 improves the coefficient of performance of the compressor, allows for higher energy storage in the buffer tank, and ensures the compressor operates within its application limits, reducing CO2 emissions and operating costs.
Implementation Method 1
A desuperheater is provided, which is designed as a parallel heat exchanger to the heat pump circuit and is heated with the water in a tank
Implementation Method 2
The heat transfer medium flows through a condenser of a heat pump and absorbs the heat pump's energy there
Implementation Method 3
In conventional heat pumps, the entire energy content of the refrigerant is transferred to the heat transfer medium in the condenser
Implementation Method 4
Device for controlling the heat output of the heat pump with buffering of the thermal energy
Implementation Method 5
The buffer store is preferably designed as a layered store in such a way that warm heat transfer medium is removed from its top and stored again from above and that cold heat transfer medium is removed from its underside and also stored again from below
Implementation Method 6
A hydraulic module consisting of a circulation pump, pipes, shut-off valves, control valves, pressure gauge and thermometer is usually used so that the heat transfer medium rotates in the circuit
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for controlling the heating capacity of a heat pump. Said device has a storage cycle, wherein transported heat energy can be buffered in a storage container (2). The aim of the invention is to increase the temperature level of the heat transfer medium and to store the maximum energy possible in the storage container (2). For this purpose, a desuperheater (8) is provided in the cycle of the heat transfer medium. A condenser (6) of the heat pump can supply a volume flow of the heat transfer medium to said desuperheater in a controlled manner.