Method and apparatus for controlling the cleaning and cooling process of heat exchangers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for controlling the cleaning and cooling of heat exchangers in refrigeration systems lack continuous metrological recording and adaptive control based on real-time technical parameters, leading to suboptimal operational efficiency and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that continuously measure refrigerant pressure and condensation/ambient temperatures, using AI-driven control to adjust cooling and cleaning processes in response to recorded values, optimizing water usage and energy efficiency by evaluating temperature and pressure trends over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous measurement and AI-driven control are implemented, then operational efficiency and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous measurement of refrigerant pressure and temperature parameters with feedback to a control unit. The control unit compares measured values with predefined ranges and automatically adjusts cooling and cleaning processes, creating a closed-loop feedback system that improves reliability while managing complexity through automated decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-diagnosis and self-adjustment by continuously monitoring its own operational parameters. The control unit automatically determines when cleaning or cooling processes are needed based on measured temperature and pressure values, enabling the system to service itself without external intervention and improving operational reliability.
2Loss of substance
If cleaning and cooling processes are continuously optimized based on real-time data, then water consumption and energy use are reduced, but measurement and control infrastructure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit receives continuous feedback from temperature and pressure sensors, comparing measured values against predefined ranges. This feedback mechanism enables optimized control of water spray duration and cooling intensity, reducing water consumption and energy use while managing infrastructure complexity through automated decision algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters (water flow rate, spray duration, cooling intensity) based on real-time temperature and pressure measurements. By adjusting these parameters according to actual condenser conditions rather than fixed schedules, the system reduces resource consumption while the measurement infrastructure remains manageable through focused sensing of critical parameters.
3Reliability
If cleaning processes are triggered by temperature and pressure thresholds, then heat exchanger performance is maintained, but energy consumption increases due to frequent cleaning cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit monitors temperature and pressure parameters and only triggers cleaning processes when measured values exceed predefined thresholds indicating actual contamination. This parameter-based triggering avoids unnecessary cleaning cycles, maintaining heat exchanger performance while reducing energy consumption compared to fixed-schedule cleaning approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from continuous parameter measurement to determine when cleaning is actually needed. By comparing real-time temperature and pressure data against performance thresholds, the control unit triggers cleaning only when contamination affects heat exchanger performance, avoiding unnecessary energy expenditure while maintaining reliability.
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 ensures reliable and efficient control of heat exchanger processes, optimizing water consumption and energy use while maintaining safety standards by adapting cooling and cleaning actions based on real-time data analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a temperature sensor (1, 2) for detecting the outside temperature and the condensation temperature
Implementation Method 2
a pressure sensor (3) for detecting the refrigerant pressure
Implementation Method 3
the heated or hot refrigerant is pumped to the condenser... As the refrigerant flows through the refrigerant tube, it is cooled and thus liquefied
Implementation Method 4
The fins of the condenser, which are constantly exposed to contamination, are cleaned by the application of a controlled water jet
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a device for carrying out the method for controlling the cleaning and cooling process of heat exchangers, in particular condensers in refrigeration systems. Based on the prior art, the object of the invention is to provide a method for controlling the cleaning and cooling process of the heat exchanger, with which the necessary cleaning and cooling processes of the condenser fins can be optimally controlled based on the acquisition and evaluation of the continuously available, influencing technical parameters. Furthermore, the object of the invention is to provide a device for carrying out the method to be provided.The problem is solved by continuously measuring the refrigerant pressure and the outside and condensation temperatures of the heat exchanger during cooling operation, transmitting the measured pressure and temperature values to a downstream control unit, comparing them with predefined stored values, and, if a predefined difference between the measured outside and condensation temperatures and/or a predefined pressure range is exceeded, the cleaning and cooling process is carried out until the measured pressure and/or condensation temperature values are within the predefined difference ranges.