Hybrid Heating Bypass Control for Heat Pump-Boiler Load Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hybrid heating systems face inefficiencies and high operating costs due to the alternating operation of heat pumps and fuel-fired boilers, with heat pumps often operating at low coefficients of performance (COP) even at low outdoor temperatures, leading to increased costs and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid heating system that operates both the heat pump and fuel-fired boiler simultaneously to meet the required heat load, with a control mechanism to determine the most cost-effective source based on COP calculations and price comparisons, allowing for a proportion of the heat load to be provided by the heat pump, thereby optimizing cost-effectiveness and environmental friendliness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the heat pump operates alternatively with the fuel-fired boiler, then the system can meet the heat load requirement, but the operating costs increase and environmental friendliness deteriorates due to heat pump operation at low COP
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heat pump and fuel-fired boiler into a unified hybrid heating system that operates simultaneously rather than alternatively. The control unit coordinates both heat sources to work together, with the heat pump providing base load heating and the boiler supplementing when additional heat is needed, thereby maintaining heat pump operation at higher COP while ensuring complete heat load satisfaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation of both heat sources based on real-time conditions including outdoor temperature, heat load requirements, and COP calculations. The control unit continuously monitors and modifies the contribution of each heat source, enabling the heat pump to operate in its efficient range while the boiler provides flexible supplementation when needed.
2Reliability
If the heat pump operates alternatively with the fuel-fired boiler, then the system can meet the heat load requirement, but the environmental impact worsens due to increased fossil fuel consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines heat pump and boiler operations into a coordinated hybrid system that prioritizes heat pump usage. By merging the operations rather than alternating them, the system maximizes the proportion of heat provided by the environmentally friendly heat pump while using the boiler only when necessary to meet total heat demand, thereby reducing overall fossil fuel consumption and environmental impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor outdoor temperature, heat load requirements, and heat pump COP. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts the operation mix to maximize heat pump contribution, ensuring environmental friendliness while meeting heating demands. The feedback loop allows the system to adapt to changing conditions and maintain optimal environmental performance.
3Reliability
If the heat pump operates at low COP to meet heat load at low outdoor temperatures, then the heat load is satisfied, but the system efficiency deteriorates and operating costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by having the heat pump operate only at the level where it maintains high COP efficiency, rather than attempting to meet the entire heat load when outdoor temperatures are low. The heat pump provides its efficient partial contribution, and the boiler supplies the remaining heat portion, avoiding the energy waste of forcing the heat pump to operate inefficiently at full capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit acts as an intermediary that coordinates between the heat pump and boiler. It calculates the optimal operating point for the heat pump based on COP considerations and intermediates the heat transfer by directing the heat pump to operate efficiently while the boiler supplements the remaining heat requirement, thereby preventing energy loss from inefficient heat pump operation.
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 approach reduces operating costs and environmental impact by maximizing the heat load provided by the heat pump when it is more cost-effective, while ensuring efficient heating and flexibility in temperature adjustments to maintain comfort and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
heat is extracted from the outdoor air and transferred to the refrigerant by means of the fourth heat exchanger. The heat is subsequently transferred by means of the first heat exchanger from the refrigerant to the working fluid in order to heat the working fluid
Implementation Method 2
a fuel fired boiler, preferably a conventional gas boiler, even more preferred a gas condensing boiler. Such a boiler transfers heat from combustion and condensation (condensed flue gases from the exhaust) via a second heat exchanger to the working fluid in order to heat the working fluid
Implementation Method 3
an electricity driven heat pump (variable frequency, particularly inverter controlled compressor), a fourth heat exchanger (in a heating mode functioning as an evaporator), an expansion mechanism and the first heat exchanger (functioning in the heating mode as a condenser)
Data Source
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AI summary
Heating comprising a flow circuit for flowing a working fluid at a set flow temperature to a heat emitting section (30) for space heating, an electricity driven heat pump (20) having a first heat exchanger (22) connected to the flow circuit for transfer of heat to the working fluid, a fuel fired boiler (10) having a second heat exchanger connected to the flow circuit for transfer of heat to the working fluid downstream of the first heat exchanger (22) and a control configured to in a hybrid mode operate both the heat pump (20) and the boiler (10) at the same time both heating the working fluid to the set flow temperature together, characterized by a bypass line (50) configured to bypass the boiler (10).