Heat pump system with multi-stage heat transfer and method therefor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat pump systems with series-connected gas coolers/condensers suffer from inefficient fluid flow regulation and excessive heat loss, which reduces their efficiency, especially in heating applications where high temperatures are required.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump system design where the second heat exchanger is arranged upstream of the first in countercurrent direction, with a branching line section that divides the fluid flow into two partial flows, allowing for adjustable ratios of volume flow through each exchanger via a control device, eliminating storage and optimizing heat transfer efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two gas coolers/condensers are connected in series in the refrigerant circuit with separate fluid circuits, then heat transfer to multiple fluids is enabled, but heat transfer efficiency to a single fluid is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the two series-connected gas coolers/condensers to transfer heat to the same fluid rather than separate fluids. The fluid circuit is configured so that both heat exchangers contribute to heating the same fluid stream, maximizing heat transfer efficiency while maintaining the series configuration in the refrigerant circuit.
2Loss of energy
If two gas coolers/condensers are arranged in series in the airflow direction, then heat transfer to air is enabled, but the volume flow rate through both exchangers is the same and inlet air is unheated, reducing heating efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing a controllable fluid division system that dynamically adjusts the volume flow rate distribution between the two gas coolers/condensers. A control device divides the fluid flow into different portions that can be independently regulated, allowing the first gas cooler to receive a higher volume flow rate for preheating and the second gas cooler to receive a lower volume flow rate for final heating, thereby improving overall heating efficiency.
3Ease of operation
If a buffer storage tank is used to control fluid flow through two heat exchangers, then flow regulation is enabled, but heat loss to the environment occurs and system efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the buffer storage tank from the system by implementing a direct flow division approach. Instead of using a storage tank to regulate fluid flow between heat exchangers, the system uses a control device that directly divides the fluid stream into controllable portions, allowing precise flow regulation without intermediate storage and associated heat losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control device as an intermediary element that mediates fluid flow distribution between the heat exchangers. This control device acts as a flow splitter that can dynamically adjust the proportion of fluid directed to each heat exchanger, providing the same flow regulation function as a buffer tank would but without the drawbacks of heat loss and system complexity.
4Loss of energy
If the volume flow rate of fluid through the second heat exchanger is increased, then heat transfer capacity is improved, but the pump can only deliver the entire inflow to the second heat exchanger, reducing flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the fluid flow into multiple independent portions using a control device. The fluid stream is segmented into different flow paths that can be independently regulated, allowing one portion to be directed to the first gas cooler and another portion to the second gas cooler. This segmentation enables flexible volume flow rate adjustment at each heat exchanger independently, improving both heat transfer capacity and system adaptability.
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 controllable temperature increase of the fluid and efficient heat transfer, reducing unnecessary heat loss and improving system efficiency, particularly in high temperature ranges, while also saving materials, weight, and costs by omitting storage components.
Implementation Method 1
a first heat exchanger (7) designed as a gas cooler/condenser for transferring heat from the compressed refrigerant to the fluid, and a second heat exchanger (9) designed as a gas cooler/condenser, connected in series downstream of the first heat exchanger in the refrigerant flow direction for transferring heat from the refrigerant to the fluid
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a heat pump system (1) comprising a refrigerant circuit (3) with a first heat exchanger (7) designed as a gas cooler/condenser and a second heat exchanger (9) designed as a gas cooler/condenser connected in series with the first heat exchanger (7) downstream in the refrigerant flow direction, wherein the heat pump system (1) is designed such that, for the fluid in a counterflow direction to the refrigerant, the second heat exchanger (9) is arranged upstream of the first heat exchanger (7) after a supply line (15), and the line for the fluid branches into two line sections (21, 23) after the second heat exchanger (9) at a junction (19).wherein the first line section (21) comprises the first heat exchanger (7) on the fluid side, and wherein the second line section (23) leads without a reservoir to an inlet (31) into the supply line (15) for the fluid upstream of or at the fluid inlet (17) of the second heat exchanger (9), and a control device (33) is arranged and configured for controlling the ratio of the volume flow rate of the first partial flow to the volume flow rate of the second partial flow of the fluid flowing from the branch (19) into the second line section (23) to the inlet (31). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating the heat pump system according to the invention.