Heat Pump Flow Switching for High-Temperature Heat Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
In existing heat pump apparatuses, the efficiency decreases as the temperature of the heat storage medium rises, leading to a decrease in the amount of heat transferred from the heat medium to the heat storage medium, resulting in reduced performance.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump apparatus with a flow-passage switching device that switches the flow passage for the heat medium between two paths, allowing it to bypass the use-side heat exchanger when the temperature of the heat storage medium is high, thereby reducing the pressure and improving efficiency by allowing heat transfer to continue effectively through both the heat-storage and use-side heat exchangers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the temperature of the heat storage medium increases to store heat, then the heat storage capacity increases, but the amount of heat transferred from the heat medium decreases and the heat pump efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the flow passage configuration changeable based on operating conditions. The flow passage switching device dynamically switches between a first flow passage (connecting compressor-discharge side to heat-reception side) and a second flow passage (connecting heat-storage side to heat-reception side) depending on the heat storage medium temperature, allowing the system to adapt to varying thermal conditions and maintain optimal heat transfer efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the flow passage configuration parameter based on the heat storage medium temperature. When the temperature is low, the first flow passage is used for maximum heat storage; when the temperature is high, the second flow passage is used to maintain heat transfer efficiency. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between heat storage capacity and heat transfer amount.
2Quantity of substance
If the temperature of the heat storage medium rises, then more heat is stored, but the temperature of the heat medium returning to the compressor increases and heat pump efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches flow passages based on temperature conditions. When heat storage medium temperature is high, the flow passage switching device activates the second flow passage, allowing the heat medium to flow from the heat-storage heat exchanger to the heat-reception side heat exchanger, thereby controlling the returning heat medium temperature and maintaining heat pump efficiency while continuing to store heat.
3Quantity of substance
If the flow passage is switched to allow heat storage, then heat can be stored in the heat storage tank, but the heat pump efficiency decreases due to reduced heat transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the flow passage configuration parameter based on operating conditions. By switching between the first flow passage (for heat storage) and the second flow passage (for maintaining heat transfer efficiency), the system optimizes both heat storage capacity and heat pump efficiency according to the heat storage medium temperature, resolving the contradiction between these two parameters.
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 maintains heat transfer efficiency even when the heat storage medium reaches high temperatures, reducing the pressure of the heat medium discharged from the compressor and enhancing the overall efficiency of the heat pump.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure reducing device configured to expand a heat medium flowing into the pressure reducing device to reduce a pressure of the heat medium
Implementation Method 2
a heat-reception-side heat exchanger into which the heat medium flowing from the pressure reducing device flows, the heat-reception-side heat exchanger being configured to cause heat exchange to be performed between the heat medium and a heat source
Implementation Method 3
a compressor configured to suck the heat medium flowing from the heat-reception-side heat exchanger, compress the heat medium to increase a pressure of the heat medium
Implementation Method 4
a heat-storage heat exchanger into which the heat medium discharged from the compressor flows, the heat-storage heat exchanger being configured to cause heat exchange to be performed between the heat medium and a heat storage medium
Data Source
AI summary
A heat pump apparatus includes a use-side heat exchanger that causes heat exchange to be performed between a heat medium flowing from a heat-storage heat exchanger and a heat usage medium, and a flow-passage switching device that switches a flow passage for the heat medium to a first flow passage that circulates through a heat-reception-side heat exchanger and the heat-storage heat exchanger without extends through the use-side heat exchanger or a second flow passage that circulates through the heat-reception-side heat exchanger and the heat-storage heat exchanger via the use-side heat exchanger. Even when the temperature of the heat storage medium rises, heat received from a heat source can be stored in the heat storage medium by a heat pump, while a decrease of the efficiency of the heat pump can be reduced.