Heat pump, systems, and methods for operating the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heating and cooling systems, particularly gas and fossil fuel-fired boilers, are inefficient, with low Coefficient of Performance (COP) and require costly infrastructure upgrades to meet domestic and commercial energy demands, while traditional heat pumps face installation challenges and high greenhouse gas emissions.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump system using supercritical carbon dioxide (CO2) as a working fluid, with a multi-stage heat exchanger and oil separator, allowing for efficient heat transfer and integration with existing infrastructure without additional installations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional CFC/HFC-based heat pumps are used to achieve higher COPs (1-3), then energy efficiency is improved, but the maximum temperatures produced are too low to effectively power standard home systems like radiators and hot water tanks, requiring significant additional infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the working fluid from traditional CFC/HFC to CO2, which enables the system to operate at higher temperatures (above 100°C) while maintaining high COP values. This parameter change in the thermodynamic properties of the working fluid resolves the contradiction between achieving high efficiency and producing sufficient temperature for standard heating systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pump system is designed to serve multiple functions: it can provide both space heating and domestic hot water, and can operate in different modes (heating, cooling, defrosting) using the same equipment. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate infrastructure for different heating applications.
2Temperature
If significant additional infrastructure like enhanced insulation or larger heat transfer devices is installed to use traditional heat pumps effectively, then temperature requirements are met, but installation costs increase and aesthetic qualities are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By changing to CO2 as the working fluid, the system achieves high temperature output (above 100°C) without requiring larger heat transfer devices or enhanced insulation. The thermodynamic properties of CO2 enable compact system design while meeting temperature requirements for standard radiators and hot water tanks.
3Temperature
If gas or fossil fuel-fired boilers are used to achieve high temperature output, then temperature requirements are met, but energy efficiency decreases with COP less than 1
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the working fluid to CO2 and operates the system in a transcritical cycle, which enables simultaneous achievement of high temperature output (above 100°C) and high energy efficiency (COP of 7 or higher). This resolves the fundamental contradiction that plagues fossil fuel boilers, where high temperature output comes at the cost of low efficiency.
4Use of energy by moving object
If CO2 heat pump systems are designed to achieve COPs of 7 or higher, then energy efficiency is improved, but the system must serve as a drop-in replacement for existing infrastructure without costly upgrades
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pump system is designed with universal compatibility to replace both fossil fuel boilers and traditional heat pumps. It can connect to existing radiators, hot water tanks, and distribution systems while providing superior efficiency. The system's ability to output high temperatures makes it compatible with standard heating infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
By using CO2 as the working fluid, the system achieves high temperature output that is compatible with existing heating infrastructure designed for fossil fuel boilers. This parameter change enables the high-efficiency heat pump to interface with legacy systems without requiring expensive upgrades to radiators, pipes, or control systems.
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 achieves COPs of 7 or higher, replacing traditional boilers without needing new infrastructure, reducing emissions, and maintaining aesthetic integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a multi-stage heat exchanger for providing heat to a plurality of heat sinks
Implementation Method 2
a working fluid re-heater or economizer
Implementation Method 3
an oil separator, reservoir, and accompanying valve assembly to extract lubricant from the working fluid
Implementation Method 4
The working fluid is expanded through multiple stages to limit flashing of the working fluid to a subcritical gas during expansion
Data Source
AI summary
A heat pump, heat pump system, and method for operating the same is provided. The heat pump preferably operates using a supercritical working fluid, from which heat is extracted through a multi-stage heat exchanger. Heat is extracted from the working fluid to supply at least two heat sinks, such as a hot water system or space heating system of a building and a working fluid re-heater or economizer. The configuration of the multi-stage heat sinks facilitates the heat pump to serve as a drop-in replacement for traditional fossil-fuel powered boilers or the like and to provide heat at temperatures typically provided by these traditional systems, eliminating the need for excess or replacement infrastructure when retrofitting or upgrading existing installations. The working fluid is expanded twice to limit flashing of the working fluid during expansion and to facilitate recirculation of such gases without damaging components of the system.