Hybrid heating system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hybrid heating systems face challenges in performing defrosting operations without interrupting heating, as existing systems require changing the refrigerant flow direction, leading to intermittent heating and inefficiencies, especially when using both heat pumps and boilers.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid heating system design that includes a defrosting valve and a second boiler heat exchanger allows the refrigerant to flow through the second boiler heat exchanger during defrosting, maintaining continuous heating by using exhaust gas heat without altering the refrigerant flow direction, and a controller adjusts this flow based on exterior temperature to prevent frosting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the flow direction of the refrigerant is changed to perform defrosting in a heat pump, then the second heat exchanger can be defrosted, but heating has to be stopped causing intermittent heating
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the defrosting function from the main heating cycle by introducing a separate defrosting valve and dedicated defrosting heat exchanger. This allows the refrigerant to be diverted through a separate path for defrosting without disrupting the main heating flow direction, enabling continuous heating operation while performing defrosting.
Solution Approach 2:
The defrosting valve acts as an intermediary component that selectively directs refrigerant flow. It mediates between the need for defrosting and continuous heating by allowing refrigerant to be routed through the defrosting heat exchanger while maintaining the primary heating cycle integrity, thus preventing interruption of heating.
2Reliability
If a separate defrosting process is introduced to remove frost from the second heat exchanger, then defrosting capability is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The defrosting valve is designed as a multi-functional component that integrates defrosting control within the existing refrigerant circulation system. It serves both the normal heating cycle and the defrosting operation, reducing the need for entirely separate systems and thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The defrosting function is merged with the existing heat pump system by utilizing the refrigerant circulation infrastructure. The defrosting heat exchanger is integrated into the refrigerant path, and the defrosting valve combines defrosting control with the existing expansion valve functions, reducing the need for completely separate defrosting equipment.
3Reliability
If the refrigerant flow direction is changed for defrosting, then the second heat exchanger can be defrosted, but heating efficiency decreases due to intermittent operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous useful action by enabling simultaneous heating and defrosting operations. The defrosting valve allows refrigerant to be diverted to the defrosting heat exchanger while the main heating cycle continues uninterrupted, ensuring that heating efficiency is maintained without the losses associated with intermittent operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary defrosting action through a dedicated defrosting heat exchanger that can be activated independently. This allows frost to be removed in advance or concurrently with heating operations, preventing the need to interrupt heating for defrosting and thereby maintaining continuous heating efficiency.
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
Enables continuous heating operations during defrosting, maintains hybrid heating efficiency, and reduces costs by utilizing existing boiler heat without an additional heat source, ensuring user comfort and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
an first heat exchanger that heats heating water through heat exchange with the refrigerant compressed through the compressor
Implementation Method 2
an second heat exchanger that evaporates the refrigerant through heat exchange with exterior air
Implementation Method 3
a first boiler heat exchanger that heats the heating water using combustion heat
Implementation Method 4
a second boiler heat exchanger that allows for heat exchange between an exhaust gas discharged from the first boiler heat exchanger and the refrigerant flowing into the second heat exchanger, thereby being able to perform defrosting by heating the refrigerant flowing into the second heat exchanger
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a hybrid heating system. A hybrid heating system according to the present disclosure includes: a compressor (10) that compresses a refrigerant; an first heat exchanger (14) that heats heating water through heat exchange with the refrigerant compressed through the compressor; an second heat exchanger (12) that evaporates the refrigerant through heat exchange with exterior air; a first boiler heat exchanger (22) that heats the heating water using combustion heat; and a second boiler heat exchanger (24) that allows for heat exchange between an exhaust gas discharged from the first boiler heat exchanger and the refrigerant flowing into the second heat exchanger.