Hydronic Air Conditioning Load Matching via Return-Line Heat Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioning systems that control temperature by adjusting the opening degree of a control valve to regulate the amount of cold/hot water supplied to a load apparatus often result in excessive cooling capacity, leading to increased energy consumption and discomfort due to dryness, and a low coefficient of performance (COP) when the load is low.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning system with a heat source apparatus, indoor heat exchangers, and temperature adjustment apparatuses that vary the temperature of the liquid medium supplied to indoor heat exchangers, reducing heat exchanging capacity by adjusting the amount of heat exchange between inflow and outflow media, and adjusting the heating or cooling capacity of the heat source apparatus based on the load, to maintain optimal temperature and energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the opening degree of a control valve is adjusted to regulate the amount of cold/hot water supplied to the load apparatus, then the temperature control is achieved, but the cooling capacity becomes excessive and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the liquid medium supplied to the load apparatus based on the detected load. Instead of using a fixed temperature (5-7°C), the system dynamically adjusts the temperature according to the actual load conditions, thereby matching the cooling capacity to the load and reducing excessive cooling and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a load detection mechanism that provides feedback to the temperature adjustment apparatus. The detected load information is used to adjust the liquid medium temperature in real-time, creating a closed-loop control system that prevents excessive cooling capacity and reduces energy waste.
2Ease of operation
If the temperature of the heating medium is controlled constant, then the control simplicity is maintained, but the coefficient of performance (COP) becomes low when the load is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static constant temperature control system to a dynamic temperature adjustment system. The temperature of the liquid medium is no longer fixed but varies dynamically based on the detected load conditions, allowing the system to adapt to changing requirements and improve COP when the load is low.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the liquid medium from a constant value to a variable value that depends on the load. This parameter change enables the system to optimize its performance by matching the cooling capacity to the actual load, thereby reducing energy waste while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control.
3Power
If the opening degree of a control valve is adjusted to regulate the amount of cold/hot water, then the cooling capacity is controlled, but the ratio of latent heat treatment to cooling capacity increases causing dryness and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the temperature parameter of the liquid medium based on the detected load to optimize the ratio of latent heat treatment to cooling capacity. By dynamically changing the temperature, the system reduces excessive latent heat treatment that causes dryness and discomfort, thereby improving indoor environmental quality while maintaining effective cooling capacity control.
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 allows for precise temperature adjustment, reducing energy consumption and improving comfort by matching the air conditioning capacity with the load, thereby enhancing the coefficient of performance (COP) and achieving energy savings.
Implementation Method 1
a heat source apparatus 201 configured to heat or cool a liquid medium
Implementation Method 2
Each of the plurality of indoor heat exchangers is supplied with the liquid medium from the heat source apparatus and configured to exchange heat between the liquid medium and air
Implementation Method 3
Each of the plurality of temperature adjustment apparatuses is configured to adjust the temperature of the liquid medium supplied to a respective one of the plurality of indoor heat exchangers
Data Source
AI summary
Each of plural temperature adjustment apparatuses variably adjusts the amount of heat exchange between an inflow medium, which is a liquid medium supplied to a corresponding indoor heat exchanger, and an outflow medium, which is a liquid medium discharged from the corresponding indoor heat exchanger. Each of the plural temperature adjustment apparatuses reduces the heat exchanging capacity of the corresponding indoor heat exchanger by increasing the amount of heat exchange between the inflow medium and the outflow medium when the heat exchanging capacity of the corresponding indoor heat exchanger is larger than the indoor load. When there is no temperature adjustment apparatus in which the amount of heat exchange between the inflow medium and the outflow medium is set to the minimum, the heat source apparatus reduces the heating capacity or the cooling capacity for changing the temperature of the liquid medium.