Heat pump for a HVACandR system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing combined HVAC&R systems that utilize both vapor compression and absorption heat pumps require large quantities of water for cooling, increasing operating costs, and struggle to effectively extract energy from low temperature heat sources to generate sufficient heating fluid.
Innovation Solution
A combined HVAC&R system that integrates a vapor compression system with an absorption heat pump, utilizing an intermediate fluid loop to transfer thermal energy from the vapor compression system to the absorption heat pump, allowing for efficient energy extraction and generation of high-temperature heating fluid without a cooling tower.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If cooling towers are used to provide cooling fluid to the condenser of the vapor compression system and/or the condenser of the absorption heat pump, then the system can effectively dissipate heat, but the system consumes relatively large quantities of water, thereby increasing operating costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling functions of the vapor compression system and the absorption heat pump into a single integrated cooling tower system. The cooling tower receives hot cooling fluid from both the vapor compression condenser and the absorption heat pump condenser, allowing simultaneous heat dissipation from both systems while sharing a single water consumption resource, thereby reducing total water usage compared to separate cooling towers for each system
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling tower is designed to serve multiple functions: it cools the vapor compression system condenser, cools the absorption heat pump condenser, and can optionally provide pre-cooling to the absorption heat pump generator. This multi-functional design allows a single cooling tower to handle thermal management for both heat pump systems, reducing overall water consumption while maintaining effective heat dissipation
2Adaptability or versatility
If the system utilizes both vapor compression and absorption heat pumps, then the system can provide comprehensive heating and cooling capabilities, but the device complexity increases due to the integration of multiple systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the vapor compression system and absorption heat pump into a single integrated HVAC&R system with shared components. The vapor compression system includes a compressor, evaporator, and condenser, while the absorption heat pump includes an absorber, generator, and condenser. These systems are thermally coupled through shared cooling fluid loops and can operate independently or in coordination, providing comprehensive heating and cooling while reducing overall system complexity compared to completely separate systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate fluid loop that acts as a thermal mediator between the vapor compression system and the absorption heat pump. This intermediate loop allows thermal energy to be transferred between the two systems without direct mechanical coupling, simplifying the integration while maintaining the versatility of both systems operating in various modes
3Use of energy by moving object
If the absorption heat pump uses an intermediate fluid loop to transfer thermal energy, then the system can efficiently extract energy from low temperature heat sources, but the system requires additional components and thermal exchange relationships
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an intermediate fluid loop as a thermal mediator between the vapor compression system condenser and the absorption heat pump evaporator. This intermediate loop enables efficient heat transfer from low-temperature sources to the absorption heat pump while maintaining separate fluid circuits, allowing efficient energy extraction without requiring direct thermal contact between the two systems
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal energy transfer path is segmented into distinct stages: the vapor compression condenser transfers heat to the intermediate fluid loop, which then transfers heat to the absorption heat pump evaporator. This segmentation allows each thermal exchange to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system efficiency in extracting energy from low-temperature heat sources
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 reduces operating costs by eliminating the need for a cooling tower and enhances the system's coefficient of performance, enabling efficient energy utilization from low temperature heat sources to produce a substantial amount of thermal energy with a relatively low input.
Implementation Method 1
The refrigerant is configured to change phases between vapor, liquid, and combinations thereof in response to being subjected to different temperatures and pressures associated with operation of the vapor compression system
Implementation Method 2
an absorption evaporator configured to place a working fluid in thermal communication with the intermediate fluid loop
Implementation Method 3
an absorber configured to mix the working fluid in an absorbent to form a mixture
Implementation Method 4
a generator configured to heat the mixture and separate the working fluid from the absorbent
Implementation Method 5
a generator configured to heat the mixture and separate the working fluid from the absorbent
Implementation Method 6
an absorbent condenser configured to place the working fluid in thermal communication with a heating fluid
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system that includes a vapor compression system and an absorption heat pump. The vapor compression system includes a compressor configured to circulate refrigerant through the vapor compression system, an evaporator configured to place the refrigerant in thermal communication with a low temperature heat source, and a condenser configured to place the refrigerant in thermal communication with an intermediate fluid loop. The absorption heat pump includes an absorption evaporator configured to place a working fluid in thermal communication with the intermediate fluid loop, an absorber configured to mix the working fluid in an absorbent to form a mixture, a generator configured to heat the mixture and separate the working fluid from the absorbent, and an absorbent condenser configured to place the working fluid in thermal communication with a heating fluid.