Heat pump system using co2 as first heat pump medium and water as second heat pump medium
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heat pump systems, particularly those using CO2, face inefficiencies and complexity due to high pressures and the need for complex components, especially in supercritical operation, and the use of refrigerants with high global warming potential.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump system is proposed that thermally couples a CO2 heat pump with a water heat pump, using a first and second heat exchanger for efficient heat transfer, allowing the CO2 system to operate subcritically and reducing the need for high-pressure components, while using water as a working medium to achieve efficient cooling and heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If CO2 heat pump operates in supercritical mode to achieve higher temperatures, then heating capability is improved, but system complexity and high-pressure components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two independent heat pump arrangements: a first heat pump arrangement using CO2 and a second heat pump arrangement using water or other working fluids. Each arrangement operates independently at its optimal pressure and temperature levels, with the coupler enabling thermal interaction. This segmentation allows the CO2 system to avoid supercritical high-pressure operation while still achieving high heating temperatures through the coupled second arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
A coupler for thermal coupling is introduced as an intermediary component between the first and second heat pump arrangements. This coupler enables heat transfer between the two systems without requiring the CO2 system to operate in supercritical mode, thus achieving high heating temperatures through the second arrangement while keeping the CO2 arrangement simpler.
2Temperature
If CO2 heat pump operates at high pressure to achieve higher temperatures, then heating capability is improved, but energy expenditure increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into two heat pump arrangements operating at different pressure levels, the CO2 arrangement can operate at lower pressures with lower energy expenditure, while the second arrangement handles the high-temperature heating requirement, optimizing overall energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters of the two heat pump arrangements differently: the first arrangement (CO2) operates at lower pressures and temperatures, while the second arrangement operates at higher temperatures but can use working fluids with more favorable pressure-temperature characteristics, reducing total energy expenditure compared to a single supercritical CO2 system.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If water is used as working medium in second heat pump arrangement, then environmental friendliness is improved, but heat transfer efficiency may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The coupler acts as a thermal intermediary that optimizes heat transfer between the CO2 arrangement and the water-based second arrangement. This specialized heat transfer interface compensates for water's lower heat transfer coefficients compared to refrigerants, maintaining efficient heat transfer while using environmentally friendly water as the working medium.
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 enables efficient heat transfer and reduces energy expenditure, allowing the CO2 system to operate subcritically year-round, simplifying the system design and reducing environmental impact by minimizing high-pressure components and using water as a more environmentally friendly refrigerant.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat pump arrangement (101) configured to operate with a first heat pump medium containing CO2
Implementation Method 2
a coupler (103) for thermally coupling the first heat pump arrangement with the second heat pump arrangement
Implementation Method 3
a second heat pump arrangement (102) configured to operate with a second heat pump medium comprising water (H2O)
Implementation Method 4
The steam is fed through the suction line 12 to a compressor/condenser system 14
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
A heat pump system comprises the following features: a first heat pump arrangement (101) configured to operate with a first heat pump medium containing CO2; a second heat pump arrangement (102) configured to operate with a second heat pump medium containing water; and a coupler (103) for thermally coupling the first heat pump arrangement with the second heat pump arrangement.