Improved heat pump and process of heat pumping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat pumps are not suitable for achieving output temperatures in the range of 100-150°C, which is essential for industrial applications, and often require high-energy inputs and result in inefficient waste heat management.
Innovation Solution
A closed circuit heat pump system with an evaporator and absorber configured for countercurrent flow, using a compressor and expansion device, and employing carbon dioxide and ammonia as refrigerants to achieve efficient heat transfer and high Coefficient of Performance (COP) through absorption and reaction heat processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional heat pumps are used to achieve high output temperatures (100-150°C), then the output temperature requirement is met, but the energy input becomes excessively high and efficiency drops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using absorption heat pump technology instead of conventional compression-based heat pumps. This allows achieving high output temperatures (100-150°C) with lower energy input by utilizing the absorption process and reaction heat between ammonia and water, rather than relying solely on mechanical compression which consumes excessive energy at high temperature differentials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of the refrigerant (ammonia) between liquid and vapor states during evaporation and condensation processes. The evaporator converts liquid refrigerant to vapor by absorbing heat from the input stream, and the condenser converts vapor back to liquid by releasing heat to the output stream, enabling efficient heat transfer at high temperatures without excessive energy input.
2Device complexity
If conventional heat pumps are used, then the system structure is simple, but waste heat management becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing the heat pump system to simultaneously perform heat pumping, waste heat recovery, and process heating. The absorption chiller and heat pump share common components and can operate in different modes, allowing efficient utilization of waste heat from industrial processes while maintaining relatively simple system structure. The system can function as both a cooling and heating device depending on operational requirements.
3Temperature
If high energy input is used to achieve high output temperatures, then the temperature requirement is met, but the Coefficient of Performance (COP) decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical compression system with an absorption-based system. Instead of using a compressor to raise the refrigerant pressure and temperature, the system uses the absorption process where ammonia vapor is absorbed by water in the absorber, releasing heat and enabling the refrigerant cycle to continue. This substitution of mechanical compression with chemical absorption significantly improves COP while maintaining high output temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the evaporator, absorber, condenser, and generator into an integrated absorption heat pump system. The evaporator and absorber are connected such that the ammonia vapor generated in the evaporator is directly absorbed in the absorber, and the enriched ammonia-water solution is heated in the generator to release pure ammonia vapor which is then condensed. This merging of functions reduces energy losses and improves overall system efficiency and COP.
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 effectively upgrades heat from input temperatures of 60-100°C to output temperatures of 100-150°C, achieving a COP of 2-4, which is higher than traditional heat pumps, and reduces total heat demand while using environmentally friendly working fluids.
Implementation Method 1
By lowering the pressure, a medium can be evaporated at low temperatures
Implementation Method 2
By lowering the pressure, a medium can be evaporated at low temperatures
Implementation Method 3
The absorption process releases useful heat
Implementation Method 4
an increase of pressure will lead to a high boiling point
Implementation Method 5
evaporator and an absorber, which are mutually interconnected... evaporator is typically in heat communication with an input stream for transmission of heat into the evaporator
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The heat pump comprises a closed circuit configured for flow of a solvent and a refrigerant, which closed circuit comprises an evaporator and an absorber, which are mutually interconnected with a first line configured for the transport of vapour from the evaporator to the absorber, a second line configured for the transport of a primarily liquid stream from the evaporator to the absorber, and a third line configured for transport of an enriched liquid from the absorber towards the evaporator, wherein said evaporator is typically in heat communication with an input stream for transmission of heat into the evaporator and wherein said enriched liquid being brought in heat communication with a output stream for transmission of heat thereto, particularly at high pressure, wherein a compressor is arranged in the first line and an expansion device is arranged in the third line. Herein, a first refrigerant inlet and a second refrigerant inlet are present and are configured for supply of a first and a second refrigerant. This is configured such that the first refrigerant and the second refrigerant react with each other in the absorber, leading overall to liberation of condensation heat and reaction heat.