Heating or cooling system and method for reducing or removing solidide phase change material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heating and/or cooling systems face inefficiency due to the deposition of crystals during the phase change process, requiring additional energy input for mechanical removal, which reduces system efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A heating and/or cooling system with a refrigerant circuit and a heat transfer circuit that includes an energy conversion device to drive reducing means for removing solidified phase change material from heat transfer components, utilizing energy converted from the refrigerant, such as kinetic or electric energy, to power devices like ultrasonic, piezoelectric, or scraping mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical devices are used to scrape deposited crystals off the generator or heat transfer surface, then the crystals are removed, but additional energy input is required which reduces system efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the refrigerant's own kinetic energy and pressure to drive the energy conversion device, which in turn powers the reducing means to remove crystals. The system serves itself by utilizing its operational energy to perform maintenance functions without external power input.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical scraping devices with an energy conversion device that converts refrigerant energy into useful work. This substitution eliminates the need for separate mechanical removal systems and their associated energy consumption.
2Productivity
If phase change material is circulated through the system, then heating and cooling functions are achieved, but solidified material deposits on heat transfer surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The reducing means extracts and removes solidified phase change material from the heat transfer surfaces, preventing harmful deposits while maintaining the beneficial phase change heat transfer process. The crystals are separated and removed from the circulating slurry.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy conversion device acts as an intermediary between the refrigerant circuit and the heat transfer circuit, using energy from the refrigerant to power the crystal removal process without directly interfering with the phase change heat transfer function.
3Device complexity
If the system operates in conventional mode without energy recovery, then simplicity is maintained, but energy efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the refrigerant circuit and heat transfer circuit through the energy conversion device, allowing energy to be transferred and utilized between the two circuits. This integration enables energy recovery and utilization without requiring separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy conversion device serves multiple functions: it converts refrigerant energy into useful work, powers the crystal removal process, and maintains system operation. This multi-functionality reduces overall energy requirements while adding 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
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.
Implementation Method 1
an energy conversion device which is configured to convert energy transported by the refrigerant into energy of a target form of energy
Implementation Method 2
the heat transfer medium can comprise or be a phase change material... One of the main issues is the deposition of crystals formed during the phase change process
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention 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 invention also relates to a corresponding method for reducing or removing solidified phase change material.