Devices with hybrid vapour compression-adsorption cycle and method for implementation thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigeration and heat pump systems lack efficient integration of mechanical vapor compression and adsorption cycles, leading to suboptimal performance and reliance on external heating or cooling sources, particularly in devices used for moisture or temperature control applications.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid vapor compression-adsorption cycle, known as the Saha-Thu Cycle, combines a conventional mechanical vapor compression cycle with an adsorption cycle, where heat from the adsorption or condensation process is pumped to the desorption process, eliminating the need for external heating or cooling sources and enhancing performance by recirculating heat internally.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional mechanical vapor compression cycle is used, then the system structure is simple and reliable, but the cooling performance is limited and cannot meet high-performance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a mechanical vapor compression cycle with an adsorption cycle into a hybrid system. The mechanical compressor handles high-load cooling demands while the adsorption cycle provides supplemental cooling and recovers waste heat, achieving enhanced cooling performance through the synergistic integration of two different refrigeration mechanisms.
2Use of energy by moving object
If an adsorption cycle is added to enhance cooling performance, then the coefficient of performance improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid system implements self-service through internal heat recirculation. The condenser from the mechanical vapor compression cycle automatically provides heat to the desorber in the adsorption cycle, and the evaporator cools the adsorber, eliminating the need for external heating and cooling sources and reducing overall system complexity despite the dual-cycle configuration.
3Reliability
If external heating or cooling sources are used for the adsorption cycle, then the desorption and adsorption processes can be maintained, but the system requires additional external sources which increases complexity and reduces portability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the mechanical vapor compression cycle as an intermediary to provide the heat required for the adsorption cycle's desorption process. The condenser of the mechanical cycle acts as the heat source for the desorber, while the evaporator provides cooling for the adsorber, creating a self-contained thermal exchange system that eliminates external heating or cooling requirements.
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 hybrid cycle achieves improved cooling performance, increased efficiency, and reduced complexity, making the system portable and environmentally friendly, with superior coefficient of performance (COP) compared to conventional systems, suitable for a wide range of applications including HVAC and desalination.
Implementation Method 1
an adsorption cycle having at least a pair of adsorbers for adsorbing refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
other desorbing adsorbed refrigerant simultaneously
Implementation Method 3
a vapour compression unit to compress a second working fluid
Implementation Method 4
the condenser providing the regeneration heat to the desorber bed
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a device with a combined hybrid mechanical vapour compression-adsorption cycle, particularly to devices used in moisture or temperature control applications which incorporate or embody refrigeration or heat pump cycles, such as for example HVAC applications. In this invention, heat from the adsorption process and/or condensation process of the adsorption cycle is pumped to the desorption process. Thus, this new hybrid combined cycle becomes a partially or fully electricity driven heat pump cycle.