Method and apparatus for generating process cold and process steam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial and commercial settings require simultaneous generation of steam and cold for various processes, but existing systems often necessitate separate optimization and energy sources, lacking efficiency in balancing energy supply and demand across different industries.
Innovation Solution
A method combining a compression refrigeration machine with a high-temperature heat pump, utilizing a heat transfer device to decouple thermal energy from the refrigerant circuit and couple it into the heat transfer fluid circuit, allowing for the generation of both steam and cold using electrical energy, without the need for fuel, achieving an overall coefficient of performance > 2.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate systems are used for steam generation and refrigeration, then each system can be optimized independently, but the overall energy efficiency and space utilization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a refrigeration machine and a heat pump into a single integrated system where the refrigeration machine generates cold (2/3 of heat output) and the heat pump generates steam (1/3 of heat output). Both systems share common components including compressors, heat exchangers, and control mechanisms, enabling simultaneous production of steam and cold from a single energy input source, thereby improving overall energy efficiency and space utilization while maintaining independent optimization capabilities for each function
2Temperature
If fuel is used for steam generation, then high temperature steam can be produced, but environmental pollution and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional fuel-based thermal steam generation with an electrically-driven heat pump system. The heat pump uses electrical energy to compress a refrigerant, creating a mechanical/thermodynamic process that generates steam without combustion. This substitution eliminates harmful emissions associated with fuel burning while achieving the required steam temperatures through refrigerant compression and heat exchange processes
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the energy input parameter from chemical energy (fuel) to electrical energy, and controls steam temperature through refrigerant pressure and temperature parameters rather than combustion intensity. The heat pump achieves steam generation by adjusting refrigerant compression ratios and heat exchanger conditions, providing precise temperature control without the pollution inherent in fuel-based systems
3Productivity
If a single system generates both steam and cold, then space and equipment costs are reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a refrigeration machine section for cold generation (2/3 output) and a heat pump section for steam generation (1/3 output). Each module has its own refrigerant circuit, heat exchangers, and control mechanisms, allowing independent optimization and maintenance while sharing common infrastructure such as the compressor housing and control system, thereby reducing space requirements without excessive complexity increase
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 generation of both steam and cold, with a heat output divided into approximately 2/3 'cold' and 1/3 'steam', using only electricity as an energy source, suitable for applications in chemical, food, and other industrial processes, optimizing energy use and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
from one with a temperature of from a supplied fluid to generate and make available for further use in connected processes
Implementation Method 2
the compression refrigeration machine and the high-temperature heat pump, in addition to the inflowing cold fluid, from which heat energy, in particular cold heat energy, can be extracted
Implementation Method 3
the heat transfer fluid is compressed in the heat transfer fluid circuit and heated to a higher temperature before thermal energy is then decoupled from the heat transfer fluid
Implementation Method 4
thermal energy is then decoupled from the heat transfer fluid by means of a further heat exchanger and water flowing into this further heat exchanger is coupled in such a way that the water evaporates
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
In the context of a method for generating steam and cold by supplying electrical energy to a compression refrigeration machine (2) and a high-temperature heat pump (3), it is intended to provide a solution by which it is possible to simultaneously provide steam and cold for application in industrial processes. This is achieved by, in at least one heat exchanger (6) arranged in the refrigerant circuit (4) in the compression refrigeration machine (2), cold being extracted from an inflowing refrigerant (11), preferably at a temperature of < 0°C, this cold being supplied to refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit (4) and entering the at least one heat exchanger (6), the refrigerant in the refrigerant circuit (4) is then compressed and thus heated, and is fed, heated in this manner, in the refrigerant circuit (4) to the heat exchanger apparatus (8), where heat energy is extracted from the inflowing refrigerant and is supplied to the heat-transfer fluid circulating in the heat-transfer fluid circuit (13) of the high-temperature heat pump (3) so as to heat the heat-transfer fluid, this heated heat-transfer fluid then being heated in the heat-transfer fluid circuit (13) by compression such that the heat energy content of the compressed heat-transfer fluid is sufficient to then, in at least one further heat exchanger (17) arranged in the heat-transfer fluid circuit (13), using heat energy extracted from heat-transfer fluid fed to this further heat exchanger (17) and supplied to water (25), in particular feedwater, flowing through this at least one further heat exchanger (17), boil the water (25), in particular feedwater.