Hybrid EHP-GHP Air Conditioner Load Control Under Unstable Power
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioners, particularly gas heat pump (GHP) types, face challenges in efficiently managing load changes and energy consumption, especially during unstable power supply and demand conditions, leading to potential compressor breakdowns and increased energy costs.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an electric heat pump (EHP) and GHP system with inverter-driven EHP compressors and bypass pipes in the GHP compressors allows for linear load changes, high efficiency operation, and reduced energy consumption by controlling the frequency of the current applied to the EHP compressor and using bypass pipes to manage refrigerant flow in the GHP compressors, enabling operation without electric power during peak demand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a gas heat pump (GHP) type air conditioner uses an engine driven by gas fuel to drive the compressor, then it is not influenced by supply and demand of electric power, but it faces challenges in efficiently managing load changes and energy consumption during unstable power supply conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the compressor into two separate compressors: an EHP compressor driven by electric motor and a GHP compressor driven by gas engine. This segmentation allows independent control of each compressor based on operating conditions, enabling efficient load management while maintaining reliability during unstable power supply conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between EHP and GHP compressors based on power supply conditions and load requirements. The control unit monitors power supply stability and automatically selects the appropriate compressor type, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions and optimize both reliability and productivity.
2Productivity
If an electric heat pump (EHP) type air conditioner uses a compressor driven by electric power, then the compressor is easily controlled by controlling current and responds easily to partial load, but it is influenced by supply and demand of electric power
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass pipe acts as an intermediary component that connects the discharge side and suction side of the GHP compressor. This allows refrigerant to circulate through the bypass pipe when the GHP compressor is not actively compressing, enabling smooth transition between EHP and GHP operation and maintaining system reliability during power supply fluctuations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching between different compressor types based on power supply conditions. When electric power is unstable, the control unit changes the operating parameter from EHP compressor mode to GHP compressor mode, maintaining productivity while ensuring reliability.
3Loss of energy
If the system integrates both EHP and GHP compressors, then it enables efficient load management and reduced energy consumption, but it increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
Both the EHP compressor and GHP compressor are designed with identical basic structures and refrigerant circulation paths. The bypass pipe integrates with the existing refrigerant circuit, allowing the system to achieve multi-functionality (electric and gas driven modes) without significantly increasing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the EHP and GHP compressors into a single integrated unit with shared refrigerant circulation paths and control systems. The bypass pipe is integrated into the GHP compressor system, allowing both compressor types to operate within a unified framework, reducing overall system complexity despite the dual-compressor configuration.
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 solution minimizes compressor breakdowns, improves start efficiency, reduces energy consumption, and ensures smooth operation even during unstable power supply and demand conditions, while allowing for efficient load management and reduced electric power consumption.
Implementation Method 1
an inverter-driven EHP compressors... by controlling the frequency of the current applied to the EHP compressor
Implementation Method 2
using bypass pipes to manage refrigerant flow in the GHP compressors
Implementation Method 3
an engine which is driven by a combustion of gas and a GHP compressor which is driven by receiving a driving force from the engine
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioner and a method for controlling an air conditioner are provided. The air conditioner may include at least one indoor device, an electric heat pump (EHP) outdoor device connected to the at least one indoor device and having an EHP compressor driven using an applied current, and a gas heat pump (GHP) outdoor device connected to the at least one indoor device having an engine driven using a combustion of gas and a GHP compressor driven by receiving a driving force from the engine. The EHP compressor may include an inverter that controls a frequency of the current applied to the EHP compressor. The GHP compressor may include a first compressor that receives a driving force from the engine to compress a refrigerant; and a second compressor that is connected to the first compressor in parallel and receives the driving force from the engine to compress the refrigerant.