High-efficient integrated compressor-ejector-OHP heat pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional heat pumps, including vapor compression cycles and ejector refrigeration cycles, suffer from high energy consumption and inefficiency, particularly in handling sensible and latent heat loads, and are unable to effectively control indoor temperature and humidity.
Innovation Solution
A combined heat pump system integrating ejector refrigeration, vapor compression, and Oscillating Heat Pipes (OHPs) with two evaporators, an electrical compressor, and an ejector, allowing for decoupling of sensible and latent heat loads, and using binary fluids to optimize performance based on ambient conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If vapor compression cycle is used to cool air below dew point temperature, then both sensible and latent heat are removed, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the heat removal process into two separate evaporators: one dedicated to sensible heat removal and another for latent heat removal. This segmentation allows each evaporator to operate at optimized temperatures, avoiding the energy waste of cooling air below dew point while maintaining independent control over temperature and humidity parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
Different evaporators are assigned different thermal functions with specific temperature zones: the sensible heat evaporator operates at higher temperatures while the latent heat evaporator operates at lower temperatures. This local differentiation of thermal quality enables efficient handling of each heat type without compromising the other, reducing overall energy consumption.
2Loss of energy
If single evaporator is used in VCC, then system structure is simple, but convective heat transfer resistance reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The single evaporator is segmented into two separate evaporators with distinct functions. This eliminates the convective heat transfer resistance problem by providing dedicated heat exchange surfaces for sensible and latent heat, improving overall heat transfer efficiency despite increased system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary fluid distribution system that directs appropriate refrigerant flows to each evaporator based on thermal load requirements. This intermediary mechanism optimizes heat transfer by ensuring each evaporator receives the correct refrigerant conditions for its specific function.
3Use of energy by moving object
If ejector refrigeration cycle is used to replace VCC, then electricity consumption is reduced, but system efficiency decreases and sensitivity to ambient conditions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the advantages of both VCC and ERC by combining a compressor-based VCC system with an ejector-assisted dual evaporator configuration. The compressor provides reliable pressurization while the ejector recovers expansion energy, achieving low electricity consumption without sacrificing system efficiency or increasing ambient condition sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts operating parameters such as refrigerant flow distribution, evaporator temperatures, and ejector modulation to optimize performance across varying ambient conditions. This parameter control maintains high efficiency while reducing electricity consumption compared to traditional VCC.
4Loss of energy
If conventional AC system cools air to 5°C evaporator temperature, then cooling capacity is achieved, but temperature difference and convective resistance increase energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different evaporator surface temperatures to different thermal functions: the sensible heat evaporator operates at higher temperatures closer to the desired air temperature, minimizing convective resistance, while the latent heat evaporator operates at lower temperatures optimized for dehumidification. This local temperature optimization reduces overall energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the cooling function into two evaporators, the system avoids the need to cool all air to the low temperature required for latent heat removal. Only the portion of air requiring dehumidification contacts the low-temperature evaporator, while other air is cooled by the higher-temperature sensible heat evaporator, reducing convective heat resistance losses.
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 reduces energy consumption by at least a factor of three compared to traditional heat pumps, achieves high efficiency by eliminating convective heat transfer resistance, and operates reliably across varying climates.
Implementation Method 1
integrating OHP with the evaporator eliminates the convective heat transfer resistance between the indoor air and the evaporator's surface
Implementation Method 2
The concept of an electrical thermal compressor reduces the compression power by several folds
Implementation Method 3
an electrical compressor and an ejector as a combined electrical-thermal compressor to circulate the working fluid around the cycle
Implementation Method 4
pump the heat from low-temperature reservoirs to a high-temperature reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
A heat pump system and method of use are disclosed for cooling or heating utilizing a refrigerant that includes a compressor, an ejector in fluid communication with an output of the compressor, a condenser in fluid communication with an output of the ejector, a throttling valve in fluid communication with an output of the condenser. An evaporator having an input in fluid communication with an output of the throttling valve and an output in fluid communication with an input of the ejector and an input of the compressor. There is also disclosed for data centers, a combination evaporator-OHPs and the second plurality of combination evaporator-ejector OHPs for cooling a plurality of servers where the first plurality of combination evaporator-OHPs and the second plurality of combination evaporator-ejector OHPs each include an adjacent wicking structure that is adjacent to a vapor channel and a liquid channel.