Heat pump system using latent heat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat pump systems face challenges such as large installation sizes, reliance on local legislation, limited heat flux due to ice formation, and inability to use external waste heat sources, particularly in densely populated areas where space is limited and ice extraction is complex and costly.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump system that extracts latent heat from a reservoir to form ice slurry, allowing for the random input of external liquids and removal of ice slurry, reducing reservoir size and complexity, and enabling the use of rainwater and waste heat as sources, independent of local legislation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If open loop systems extract specific heat from groundwater or surface water, then heat can be supplied to heat consumers, but the system requires large installation sizes with supply and return lines placed at sufficient distance from each other
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies phase transitions by extracting latent heat during the freezing of water in the reservoir, forming ice slurry. This allows much higher heat extraction per unit volume compared to specific heat extraction, thereby reducing the required reservoir size and installation footprint while maintaining or increasing heat output.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from extracting heat through large horizontal distances (open loop) or large ground areas (closed loop) to extracting latent heat vertically within a compact reservoir through phase change, effectively utilizing the third dimension and reducing overall installation footprint.
2Power
If closed loop systems extract latent heat from water in the ground, then heat flux increases, but ice-layers form around the tubing limiting further heat extraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ice slurry formed during latent heat extraction from the reservoir and replaces it with liquid water. This prevents ice layer accumulation around the heat exchanger tubing, maintaining continuous and reliable heat extraction capability while allowing high heat flux through phase change.
Solution Approach 2:
The system discards the formed ice slurry from the reservoir and recycles liquid water back into it. This continuous removal of ice and replenishment of liquid water ensures that the heat exchanger remains surrounded by liquid, maintaining reliable heat transfer conditions while enabling sustained latent heat extraction.
3Power
If open loop systems use groundwater or surface water as heat source, then latent heat could be extracted, but ice formed is very difficult being pumped again into the injection well or body of water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of ice formation (which would clog pumps and injection wells) into a beneficial process by designing the system to intentionally form ice slurry in a controlled reservoir environment, extract latent heat, and then remove the ice slurry in a controlled manner, thereby eliminating the operational difficulties of open loop systems.
4Duration of action of moving object
If closed loop systems store sufficient heat in the underground or water reservoir to supply heat during winter, then heat can be supplied during cold periods, but the reservoir size becomes very large restricting application in densely populated areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the high latent heat of fusion of water during phase transition from liquid to solid. This allows a much smaller reservoir volume to store sufficient heat energy for winter supply, as latent heat extraction provides approximately 8 times more energy per unit mass compared to specific heat extraction, thereby enabling application in densely populated areas with limited space.
5Reliability
If heat pump systems rely on local legislation regarding ground and surface water use, then environmental regulations are met, but the system becomes dependent on varying legal frameworks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal system that can operate with various water sources (rainwater, process water, groundwater) and handling methods (evaporation, controlled discharge, ice slurry removal) within a single integrated design. This multi-functional approach allows the system to adapt to different local regulations and environmental conditions without requiring fundamentally different system architectures, thereby maintaining both regulatory compliance and system flexibility.
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 approach reduces the size and complexity of heat pump systems, allows for efficient use of external thermal energy, and facilitates recharging during warm seasons, making it suitable for urban areas and reducing dependence on local regulations.
Implementation Method 1
a heat-exchanger (A) extracting latent heat from liquid stored in a reservoir (B), thereby forming ice slurry (F)
Data Source
AI summary
A heat pump system is disclosed comprising a heat-exchanger extracting latent heat from liquid stored in a reservoir, thereby forming an ice slurry. The heat pump also includes a device for delivering the heat to a heat consumer. The heat pump system includes a random input of extrinsic liquid into the reservoir and a device for removing ice slurry stored in the reservoir outward the system.