Heat Source Tower Heat Pump Using Vacuum Boiling for Fast Regeneration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing heat pump systems for buildings in regions with hot summers and cold winters face inefficiencies in refrigeration and heating, particularly due to slow solution regeneration and inefficient heat utilization, which limits their application and safety in low-temperature, high-humidity environments.
Innovation Solution
A heat pump system with a refrigerant circuit, solution circuit, vacuum maintenance circuit, air circuit, and regenerative solution heating circuit that utilizes vacuum boiling for solution regeneration, leveraging the reduced boiling point of solutions in vacuum conditions to enhance regeneration speed and heat reutilization, with the heat released from refrigerant cooling used for solution heating and hot water production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional water evaporation method is used for solution regeneration, then the system structure is simple, but the solution regeneration speed is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by operating the solution regeneration process under vacuum conditions, which fundamentally changes the boiling point parameter of the solution. This allows water to evaporate at lower temperatures, significantly accelerating the regeneration speed while managing system complexity through controlled parameter modification rather than adding complex equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions by inducing vacuum boiling of the solution, where water rapidly transitions from liquid to vapor phase. This phase change mechanism dramatically increases the regeneration speed compared to conventional evaporation, as the vacuum condition enables rapid bubble formation and departure from the solution
2Reliability
If solution regeneration is performed to maintain system safety in low-temperature high-humidity environments, then system reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases due to additional heating requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of waste heat into a beneficial resource by using it as the heating source for solution regeneration. The waste heat from refrigerant condensation, which would otherwise be discarded, is now utilized to provide the necessary thermal energy for vacuum boiling, thereby reducing external energy consumption while maintaining system reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves self-service by using its own internal waste heat to fuel the solution regeneration process. The heat required for regeneration is supplied by the refrigerant condensation heat within the same system, creating a self-sustaining thermal cycle that reduces dependency on external energy sources
3Loss of energy
If waste heat from refrigerant condensation is discarded, then the refrigeration system operates simply, but heat utilization efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the refrigeration cycle and solution regeneration processes by integrating the waste heat from refrigerant condensation directly into the regeneration system. This combination allows the two previously separate functions to share thermal energy, improving overall heat utilization efficiency while minimizing additional system complexity through functional integration
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 approach significantly increases solution regeneration speed, ensures efficient heat reutilization, and improves the overall efficiency and safety of the heat pump system, addressing the limitations of existing systems in various operating conditions.
Implementation Method 1
uses a solution to exchange heat with air in the heat source tower
Implementation Method 2
as there is a partial pressure difference between the water vapor in the air and the water vapor on solution surface, the moisture in the air will enter the solution
Implementation Method 3
regenerates a solution by taking advantage of the characteristic that the boiling point of a solution will be reduced in vacuum
Implementation Method 4
water is evaporated from the solution
Implementation Method 5
uses the heat released from refrigerant cooling
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a heat source tower heat pump realizing solution regeneration and heat reutilization based on vacuum boiling. It comprises a refrigerant circuit, a solution circuit, a vacuum maintenance circuit, an air circuit, a regenerative solution heating circuit and a cold/hot water circuit. The unit provided by the disclosure regenerates a solution by taking full advantage of the characteristic that the boiling point of a solution will be reduced in vacuum, uses the heat released from the cooling of overheated refrigerant as the heat of solution regeneration and also uses the heat to produce heat supply hot water. While significantly raising the speed of solution regeneration, it also realizes efficient reutilization of solution regeneration heat, thoroughly solves the problem of solution regeneration of the heat pump of heat source tower system, improves the safety and reliability of the heat pump of heat source tower system in various operating conditions and realizes high overall efficiency of the system.