Heat Pump System with Dual Heating Cycles for Waste Heat Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat pump systems require additional auxiliary heating devices to meet heating demands, leading to increased complexity and component count, as they struggle to utilize thermal energy from condensers effectively.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump system with multiple cycles and valves that utilize waste heat from a power generator to provide heating, including a cooling cycle, a first heating cycle with a compressor and expander, and a second heating cycle with a turbine, allowing for selective supply of heat sources and controlled operation to meet heating and electricity generation demands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If thermal energy from condenser is used for heating, then heating function is provided, but heating requirement cannot be met due to insufficient energy
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is divided into two separate cycles: a first cycle using the condenser for basic heating and a second cycle using a dedicated heater for supplementary heating. This segmentation allows each cycle to be optimized for its specific function and enables independent control of heating sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between the first cycle (condenser-based heating) and the second cycle (heater-based heating) based on heating demand. The control unit activates the second cycle when additional heating is required, enabling flexible adaptation to varying thermal requirements.
2Use of energy by moving object
If auxiliary heating device is added to supplement energy, then heating requirement is met, but number of components increases and structure becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The second cycle components (heater, expansion valve, and associated piping) are designed to serve dual purposes: providing supplementary heating when needed and integrating seamlessly with the existing refrigeration cycle. This multi-functionality reduces the need for entirely separate auxiliary systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The second heating cycle is merged with the first cycle by sharing common components such as the refrigerant circulation system and control unit. The expansion valve from the refrigeration cycle is repurposed to control refrigerant flow to the heater, reducing component count and simplifying the overall system architecture.
3Use of energy by moving object
If auxiliary heating device is added, then heating function is supplemented, but individual operation and control of components is required
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the heating demand and thermal conditions, automatically determining when to activate the second cycle and when to rely on the first cycle alone. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need for manual intervention and simplifies operation by providing automated, intelligent control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-regulation by automatically switching between heating cycles based on detected thermal requirements. The control unit independently manages the activation and deactivation of the second cycle without requiring user intervention, making the system easy to operate while maintaining adequate heating supply.
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
The system effectively uses waste heat for heating and generates additional electricity, reducing the need for auxiliary devices and improving energy efficiency by leveraging heat exchange between different media and cycles.
Implementation Method 1
the power generator and the evaporator is connected to each other so as to perform heat exchange to cause the cooling medium cooled by the evaporator to cool the power generator
Implementation Method 2
a second cycle configured to circulate a second heating medium, exchanging heat with the first heating medium through the heat exchanger, therethrough
Implementation Method 3
a first cycle configured to circulate a first heating medium therethrough. The first cycle includes a compressor
Implementation Method 4
The first expander may be a turbine configured to generate electric energy during the circulation of the first heating medium
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a heat pump system. The heat pump system removes heat generated during the generation of electric energy using a power generator and also performs heating using waste heat. Since an additional heat source is created in order to meet a heating requirement, heating control is effectively achieved, and electric power is produced so as to meet the demand of electric energy. When the power generator is likely to be over-cooled in the cold season, cooling of the power generator is stably performed by controlling the temperature and the flow rate of a cooling medium moving to the power generator.