Heat-source-tower heat pump system combined with ice maker
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat-source-tower heat pump systems have high energy consumption and costs due to the need for a costly solution concentration device to concentrate the antifreeze solution, which is necessary to maintain system operation in humid climates like the Yangtze River region.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an ice maker between the heat source tower and the heat pump unit, which uses the ice maker's evaporation and condensation channels to concentrate the antifreeze solution, replacing the high-cost concentration device and utilizing waste heat to drive the heat pump system, thereby reducing energy consumption and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a solution concentration device is added to concentrate the diluted antifreeze solution, then the system can maintain normal operation, but the equipment cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The ice maker is designed to perform dual functions: producing ice for user needs and concentrating the diluted antifreeze solution. By integrating these two functions into a single device, the system eliminates the need for a separate expensive concentration device while maintaining reliable operation. The ice maker's evaporator and condenser are used to freeze water from the diluted solution, thereby concentrating the antifreeze solution back to its required concentration level.
2Temperature
If the antifreeze solution is diluted by absorbing water from air, then heat exchange efficiency improves, but the freezing point rises requiring additional concentration equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes phase transition of water (from liquid to solid) in the ice maker's evaporator to separate water from the diluted antifreeze solution. When the diluted solution passes through the evaporator, water freezes into ice cubes while the concentrated antifreeze solution is collected. This phase change process effectively restores the antifreeze solution concentration without requiring additional energy-intensive equipment.
3Reliability
If a separate concentration device is used, then the antifreeze solution can be regenerated, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ice maker serves itself by using its own refrigeration cycle to concentrate the antifreeze solution. The system uses the ice maker's evaporator to freeze water from the diluted solution and its condenser to release the separated water, thereby regenerating the antifreeze solution concentration. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate energy-consuming concentration equipment while maintaining continuous solution regeneration capability.
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 energy savings and reduced costs by using the ice maker to concentrate the antifreeze solution and recycle it, while also improving the heat supply temperature and efficiency of the heat pump system.
Implementation Method 1
A second evaporation channel and a second condensation channel are formed in the ice maker... A liquid inlet and a concentrated liquid outlet which are communicated with the second evaporation channel
Implementation Method 2
A second evaporation channel and a second condensation channel are formed in the ice maker... a cold inlet and a hot return port which are communicated with the second condensation channel
Implementation Method 3
A first evaporation channel and a first condensation channel are formed in the heat pump unit... The cold outlet of the heat pump unit is connected to the cold inlet of the ice maker through a pipeline. The hot return port of the ice maker is connected to the hot inlet of the heat pump unit through a pipeline
Implementation Method 4
A liquid return port, a liquid outlet, an air inlet, and an air outlet are formed in the heat source tower. The air inlet is used for outdoor air to enter the heat source tower to perform heat exchange with an antifreeze solution
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a heat-source-tower heat pump system combined with an ice maker. The system includes a heat source tower and a heat pump unit. The system further includes an ice maker. The liquid outlet of the heat source tower is connected to the liquid inlet of the ice maker through a pipeline. The concentrated liquid outlet of the ice maker is connected to the liquid return port of the heat source tower. The cold outlet of the heat pump unit is connected to the cold inlet of the ice maker through a pipeline. The hot return port of the ice maker is connected to the hot inlet of the heat pump unit through a pipeline. The cold inlet and the hot outlet of the heat pump unit are respectively connected to corresponding outlet and inlet of an end of a user.