Hybrid Compression–Absorption Heat Pump for Partial-Load COP
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat pump systems face inefficiencies and bulkiness due to the combination of compression and absorption heat pumps, which limits their ability to meet diverse heat consumer demands and operate effectively at partial loads with high coefficients of performance (COP).
Innovation Solution
A hybrid heat pump system that thermally couples a combined heat pump cycle with a compression heat pump cycle, utilizing a regenerative heat exchanger to pre-heat the solution rich in operating fluid, allowing the heat released by the compression cycle to be used for separating the operating fluid from the material system, thereby enhancing energy efficiency and compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If absorption heat pumps are used to achieve low energy consumption and high reliability, then the coefficient of performance (COP) is improved, but the system becomes bulkier and less efficient at partial loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a compression heat pump unit and an absorption heat pump unit into a single integrated system with shared hydraulic circuits. The compression unit handles high-temperature heat transfer while the absorption unit handles low-temperature heat transfer, allowing the system to meet diverse heat consumer demands without requiring separate standalone units, thereby reducing overall system volume while maintaining energy efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a combination of compression and absorption heat pumps is used to meet diverse heat consumer demands, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a hybrid heat pump system where a single integrated apparatus performs multiple functions: the compression unit provides high-temperature heating, the absorption unit provides low-temperature heating and cooling, and both units share common hydraulic circuits. This multi-functional design allows the system to serve diverse heat consumers (domestic hot water, space heating, space cooling) without requiring separate dedicated systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the heat pump system into distinct functional modules: a compression heat pump unit for high-temperature applications and an absorption heat pump unit for low-temperature applications. Each unit operates independently within its optimal temperature range, allowing the system to adapt to varying heat consumer demands while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture.
3Productivity
If traditional hybrid systems are used to handle partial load conditions, then the COP is maintained, but the system requires larger size and more components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hydraulic circuits of the compression and absorption units, allowing them to operate as an integrated system. The compression unit's condenser and the absorption unit's generator are thermally coupled through shared refrigerant circuits, enabling efficient heat transfer between units. This integration allows the system to maintain high COP at partial loads by optimizing the operation of each unit according to actual demand without requiring additional components or complex control mechanisms.
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 achieves higher COP values (3 to 15) and effectively manages partial load conditions, enabling simultaneous handling of multiple heat consumers with varying demands while reducing system bulkiness and increasing efficiency compared to traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
said first hydraulic circuit (1) comprises a regenerative heat exchanger (17) arranged between said recirculation line (15) and said pump (16) so as to pre-heat said solution rich in operating fluid as it enters the generator (10) by recovering heat from said solution poor in said first operating fluid discharged from said generator (10)
Implementation Method 2
wherein said second condenser is thermally coupled with said first treatment device so as to transfer the heat released from said second operating fluid in correspondence of said second condenser to said first treatment device for separating said at least one fraction of the first operating fluid from said material system
Implementation Method 3
a first condenser, in correspondence of which the first operating fluid which has been separated at least partially condenses by releasing heat
Implementation Method 4
a first evaporator, in correspondence of which the first operating fluid which has been condensed at least partially evaporates, by absorbing heat
Implementation Method 5
wherein said first hydraulic circuit comprises a pump (16) to deliver said solution rich in operating fluid from said treatment device (14) to said first treatment device (10)
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
A heat pump system (100) comprising a first hydraulic circuit (1 ) suitable to carry out a heat pump cycle in solution with a first operating fluid which, during part of said cycle, is combined with at least one auxiliary substance so as to form a material system therewith, and a second hydraulic circuit (2) adapted to carry out a compression heat pump cycle with a second operating fluid. The first hydraulic circuit (1 ) comprises a first treatment device (10) for the material system for separating from the material system at least a fraction of the first operating fluid; a first condenser (11) for at least partially condensing the first operating fluid which has been separated; a first evaporator (13) for at least partially evaporating the first operating fluid which has been condensed, and a second treatment device (14) for the material system for again incorporating in the material system the first operating fluid which has been evaporated. The second hydraulic circuit (2) comprises a second condenser (21 ) for at least partially condensing the second operating fluid and an evaporator (23) for evaporating the second operating fluid which has been condensed. The second condenser (21 ) is thermally coupled with the first treatment device (10) of the material system for transferring heat released from the second operating fluid at the second condenser (23) to the first treatment device (21 ) to separate said at least a fraction of the first operating fluid from said material system. A method of cooling and/or heating implementable by means of said heat pump system (100) is also described.