Heat Pump Tower Pre-Heating Layout for Higher COP
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioning and heat pump systems have a relatively low Coefficient of Performance (COP), which limits their energy efficiency, especially in heat pump mode.
Innovation Solution
An energy-efficient air conditioning and heat pump tower design that includes a pre-heating heat exchanger to pre-heat ambient air before it is delivered to an indoor space, enhancing the system's ability to produce more heat for a given work input by optimizing the refrigerant flow path and heat exchange processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional air conditioning and heat pump systems are used, then the system can heat or cool indoor spaces, but the Coefficient of Performance (COP) is relatively low resulting in high energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-heating ambient air before it enters the indoor space using waste heat from the refrigerant condensation process. The pre-heating heat exchanger is positioned to capture heat from the refrigerant as it condenses, and this heat is transferred to the ambient air passing through the heat exchanger, thereby pre-warming the air before delivery to the indoor space and reducing the energy required for subsequent heating operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies self-service by utilizing the waste heat generated during refrigerant condensation to pre-heat the ambient air. The heat that would otherwise be wasted is captured by the pre-heating heat exchanger and automatically used to warm the air stream, making the system self-sufficient in recovering and reusing its own waste energy without requiring external energy input
2Power
If the system operates in heat pump mode with conventional configuration, then heat can be delivered to indoor space, but a substantial amount of energy is consumed due to inefficient heat exchange arrangement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pre-heating function with the existing heat pump cycle by integrating the pre-heating heat exchanger into the refrigerant flow path. The refrigerant that would normally go directly from the compressor to the main heat exchanger instead passes through the pre-heating heat exchanger first, combining the heat transfer functions into a single integrated system that delivers both pre-heated air and maintains efficient refrigerant cycling
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-heating heat exchanger acts as an intermediary component between the refrigerant and the ambient air. It facilitates heat transfer from the hot refrigerant to the cooler ambient air, serving as a mediating device that enables efficient energy transfer and improves overall system performance by preparing the air before it reaches the main heating exchange process
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 design significantly increases the Coefficient of Performance (COP) and reduces energy consumption by pre-heating ambient air, allowing for more efficient heat delivery to the indoor space, thereby improving overall system efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a pre-heating heat exchanger to pre-heat ambient air before it is delivered to an indoor space
Implementation Method 2
pre-heat ambient air before it is delivered to an indoor space
Implementation Method 3
the refrigerant leaving the first pre-heating heat exchanger being arranged to enter the rear heat exchanger for absorbing heat from ambient air
Implementation Method 4
a compressor; a predetermined amount of vaporous refrigerant may leave the compressor
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioning and heat pump tower includes a main casing, a plurality of connecting pipes, a compressor, a front heat exchanger, a rear heat exchanger, a fan unit, and an energy efficient arrangement. The energy efficient arrangement includes a first pre-heating heat exchanger supported in a front compartment of the main casing, and positioned between an outdoor air intake opening and an outdoor heat exchanging portion of the front heat exchanger. The air conditioning and heat pump tower may be operated between an air conditioning mode for absorbing heat from the indoor space, and a heat pump mode for producing heat to the indoor space. A predetermined amount of ambient air may be drawn through the outdoor air intake opening and may be pre-heated by the energy efficient arrangement before delivering to the indoor space.