Heating and/or cooling system and method for reducing or removing solidified phase change material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional HVAC systems with phase change slurry (PCS) face inefficiency due to the need for additional energy input to remove solidified phase change material from heat transfer components, which reduces system performance.
Innovation Solution
A heating and/or cooling system incorporating a refrigerant circuit with an energy conversion device that drives reducing means to remove solidified phase change material from the heat transfer circuit, utilizing energy converted from the refrigerant, such as mechanical or electric energy, to power devices like ultrasonic, piezoelectric, or scraping mechanisms within the heat exchanger.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical scrapping device is provided to remove solidified phase change material, then the phase change material can be removed from the heat transfer surface, but additional energy input is required which reduces system efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses its own refrigerant expansion energy to drive the reducing means for removing solidified phase change material. The refrigerant circuit's inherent energy is converted to mechanical or electrical energy that powers the removal mechanism, making the system self-sufficient without external energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the state parameters of the refrigerant (pressure, temperature, phase) to generate energy. By controlling refrigerant expansion and phase changes, the system converts thermal energy into mechanical or electrical energy to drive the phase change material removal process.
2Productivity
If the phase change slurry is circulated through the system, then heating and cooling functions are provided, but solidified phase change material accumulates and needs removal
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant acts as an intermediary energy carrier that transfers energy to the reducing means. The refrigerant circuit mediates between the heat transfer circuit and the reducing means, converting thermal energy into the form needed to remove solidified phase change material without direct mechanical intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces traditional mechanical scrapping systems with an energy conversion-based system. Instead of using separate mechanical actuators powered by external motors, the system uses refrigerant expansion and phase change to generate the necessary mechanical or electrical energy for material removal.
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
Enables the removal of solidified phase change material without additional energy input, enhancing system efficiency by leveraging existing energy conversion processes within the refrigerant circuit to power the reduction means, thus maintaining system performance without extra energy expenditure.
Implementation Method 1
the refrigerant can transport energy due to its motion and/or due to its pressure. Energy transported by the refrigerant due to its motion is for example kinetic energy. Energy transported by the refrigerant due to its pressure is for example potential energy which can be converted to a different form of energy by expanding the refrigerant.
Implementation Method 2
the heat transfer medium can comprise or be a phase change material as a phase change slurry (PCS)
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a heating and/or cooling system having an energy conversion device included in a refrigerant circuit and having reducing means for reducing and/or removing solidified phase change material from a component of a heat transfer circuit, wherein the reducing means are driven by energy provided from the energy conversion device. The disclosure also relates to a corresponding method for reducing or removing solidified phase change material.