Hybrid heat pump system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid absorption-compression heat pump systems face challenges in performance under lower driving temperatures, lower evaporating temperatures, and higher heat sink temperatures, leading to inefficient operation and potential failure of the absorption sub-cycle.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid absorption-compression heat pump system with a mid-pressure outlet port in the compression sub-cycle, allowing refrigerant vapor to be released from the mid-pressure port to the absorption sub-cycle, boosting the absorbing pressure and strengthening the absorption process, while enabling operation in various modes to maximize energy efficiency and adapt to different thermal energy sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the hybrid absorption-compression heat pump system operates under lower driving temperatures, then the system should maintain efficient operation, but the absorption sub-cycle performance deteriorates and may fail
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate pressure release mechanism where refrigerant vapor is released from the mid-pressure port of the compression sub-cycle to the absorption sub-cycle. This intermediary pressure release acts as a mediator that strengthens the absorption process by providing refrigerant at an optimized pressure level, enabling the absorption sub-cycle to maintain reliable operation even under lower driving temperatures where conventional systems would fail
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts operating parameters by releasing refrigerant vapor at mid-pressure from the compression sub-cycle to the absorption sub-cycle. This parameter change in pressure distribution allows the absorption process to operate effectively under lower driving temperatures, transforming the system's operational characteristics to maintain reliability across varying temperature conditions
2Temperature
If the hybrid absorption-compression heat pump system operates under higher heat sink temperatures, then the system should maintain efficient operation, but the absorption sub-cycle performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mid-pressure refrigerant vapor release from the compression sub-cycle serves as an intermediary that compensates for the adverse effects of higher heat sink temperatures. By introducing refrigerant at an optimized mid-pressure level to the absorption sub-cycle, the system maintains adequate pressure differential and absorption driving force even when heat sink temperatures are elevated, preventing absorption sub-cycle deterioration
3Use of energy by moving object
If the system operates in hybrid modes with refrigerant release, then the primary energy efficiency is enhanced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The compression device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a compression component and as a refrigerant release source for the absorption sub-cycle. The mid-pressure outlet port enables the same compression device to fulfill multiple roles: compressing refrigerant for the compression sub-cycle and simultaneously providing refrigerant vapor at optimized pressure to the absorption sub-cycle. This universal function reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity while achieving enhanced primary energy efficiency through flexible hybrid operation modes
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 can operate efficiently in different modes, utilizing lower-temperature heat sources and higher heat sink temperatures, enhancing primary energy efficiency and allowing for flexible operation, including single compression and absorption modes, and hybrid cycles with or without refrigerant release, thereby improving energy utilization and reducing system complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
first compression means operable to form a refrigerant in vapor form and increases the pressure of the refrigerant vapor
Implementation Method 2
condensing means arranged to receive the pressurized vapor and condenses the vapor under pressure to a liquid
Implementation Method 3
pressure reduction means through which the liquid refrigerant leaving the condensing means passes to reduce the pressure of the liquid
Implementation Method 4
evaporator means arranged to receive the mixture of liquid and vapor refrigerant that passes through the pressure reduction means to evaporate the remaining liquid to form additional refrigerant vapor
Implementation Method 5
second compression means including an inlet port and two, first and second outlet ports and operable to receive the refrigerant vapor from the evaporator means through the inlet port; increase the pressure thereof
Implementation Method 6
an absorber that forms a mixture of a refrigerant and an absorbent
Implementation Method 7
a generator that receives the mixture from the absorber and heats the mixture to separate refrigerant, in vapor form, from the absorbent
Data Source
AI summary
A system and a method for a hybrid heat pump system including first compression means operable to form a refrigerant in vapor form and increases the pressure of the refrigerant vapor; condensing means arranged to receive the pressurized vapor and condenses the vapor under pressure to a liquid; pressure reduction means through which the liquid refrigerant leaving the condensing means passes to reduce the pressure of the liquid to form a mixture of liquid and vapor refrigerant; evaporator means arranged to receive the mixture of liquid and vapor refrigerant that passes through the pressure reduction means to evaporate the remaining liquid to form additional refrigerant vapor; second compression means including an inlet port and two, first and second outlet ports and operable to: receive the refrigerant vapor from the evaporator means through the inlet port; increase the pressure thereof; and pass at least a portion of the refrigerant vapor to at least one of the condensing means and the first compression means through the first and second outlet ports respectively; and a conduit operable to pass at least one of the refrigerant vapor leaving the evaporator means and the refrigerant vapor leaving the second compression means to the first compression means.