Low-Temperature Heat Pump Using Liquid-Solid Phase Refrigerants
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat pumps rely on vapor-phase refrigerants and require significant energy to reverse the natural heat flow from cold to hot, which is inefficient and limited in application.
Innovation Solution
A low-temperature driven heat pump system that utilizes liquid/solid phase refrigerants, precipitating and dissolving them in a solvent to absorb and release heat, without relying on vapor-phase refrigerants, using processes like precipitation, thermal regeneration, solvation, and separation stages with various equipment such as thermoclines, prillers, and heat exchangers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If vapor-phase refrigerants are used in conventional heat pumps, then heat transfer can be achieved, but energy consumption is high and efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the refrigerant from vapor-phase to liquid/solid phase. This parameter change enables the use of phase change processes (freezing and melting) that occur at lower temperatures, allowing heat pump operation with low-temperature heat sources while maintaining efficient heat transfer through latent heat of fusion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions (freezing and melting) of liquid/solid refrigerants as the core mechanism for heat transfer. During freezing, the refrigerant releases latent heat to the hot reservoir, and during melting, it absorbs latent heat from the cold reservoir, enabling efficient heat pump operation with minimal energy input
2Reliability
If conventional heat pumps reverse natural heat flow from cold to hot, then heating function is achieved, but significant energy input is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the temperature difference between the cold and hot reservoirs itself to drive the phase change process. The cold reservoir temperature is sufficient to melt the frozen refrigerant, and the hot reservoir temperature is sufficient to freeze the liquid refrigerant, eliminating the need for external energy input to drive the cycle
Solution Approach 2:
The phase transitions (freezing and melting) occur passively when the refrigerant comes into contact with the hot and cold reservoirs respectively. The latent heat released during freezing in the hot reservoir and absorbed during melting in the cold reservoir provides the heating and cooling functions without requiring significant energy input
3Adaptability or versatility
If vapor-phase refrigerants are used, then heat pump operation is possible, but application possibilities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the refrigerant phase from vapor to liquid/solid, the operating temperature range is extended to include low-temperature applications. The phase change process can occur at temperatures where vapor-phase refrigerants would be ineffective, enabling applications in cold environments and with low-temperature heat sources
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 enables efficient heat transfer from a cold reservoir to a hot reservoir using low-temperature heat, reducing energy consumption and expanding application possibilities by leveraging the enthalpy of fusion and dilution of refrigerant materials.
Implementation Method 1
Heat may be released from the precipitated first material
Implementation Method 2
Heat may be absorbed into the mixture when the cooled precipitated first material is dissolved into a second material
Implementation Method 3
The precipitating may utilize at least a liquid thermocline, a priller, or a heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and/or devices are provided for producing a heat pump. In some embodiments, the heat pump may be driven by low temperature heat. The methods, systems, and devices may include tools and techniques for: precipitating a first material, where heat may be released from the precipitated first material; cooling the precipitated first material; dissolving the cooled precipitated first material into a second material to create a dissolved mixture, where heat may be absorbed into the mixture; and/or separating the first material and the second material from the dissolved mixture.