Moving Adsorbent Heat Pump for Faster Heat Transfer Cycles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Adsorption-based heat pumps face challenges in heat transfer during desorption and adsorption cycles, primarily relying on conduction, which limits efficiency and practicality.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a mechanism that utilizes convection and radiation in addition to conduction for heat transfer by transporting and mixing adsorbent powder or granules between evaporator, desorber, and cooling apparatus, facilitated by screw conveyors or equivalent mechanisms, enhancing heat and mass transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If adsorbent is fixed in a bed for heat transfer, then system structure is simple, but heat transfer efficiency is limited due to reliance on conduction only
Solution Approach 1:
The adsorbent is transformed from a static fixed bed to a dynamic moving powder that circulates through the system. The screw conveyor mechanism continuously transports adsorbent powder between the evaporator, desorber, and condenser, enabling dynamic heat and mass transfer processes that significantly improve thermal efficiency while maintaining manageable system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
A fluid medium (water or air) is introduced to facilitate heat transfer to and from the moving adsorbent powder. The fluid circulates through heat exchangers that contact the moving adsorbent, enabling convective and radiative heat transfer modes in addition to conduction, thereby breaking the limitation of conduction-only heat transfer in fixed bed systems
2Productivity
If multiple adsorbent beds are used for continuous operation, then productivity increases, but device complexity and heat recovery difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the adsorbent handling into distinct functional zones: evaporator for adsorption, desorber for heating/desorption, and condenser for condensation. The screw conveyor divides the adsorbent transport path into manageable sections, allowing continuous operation through coordinated operation of these segmented components rather than requiring multiple complete beds
Solution Approach 2:
The screw conveyor acts as an intermediary mechanism that continuously transports adsorbent powder between the evaporator, desorber, and condenser. This intermediary transport system enables continuous operation by constantly replenishing adsorbent in each zone, eliminating the need for multiple static beds and their associated complexity
3Use of energy by moving object
If forced convection of refrigerant is used for heating and cooling adsorbent, then heat transfer efficiency improves, but implementation difficulty under vacuum increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex mechanical forced convection system (requiring pumps and valves to circulate refrigerant under vacuum) with a simpler mechanical agitation system using screw conveyors. The screw conveyor mechanically stirs and transports the adsorbent powder, creating natural convection currents and exposing fresh surfaces to the refrigerant vapor, achieving effective heat transfer without complex vacuum-compatible forced convection equipment
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 improves heat transfer efficiency, allowing for continuous operation and enhanced heat recovery, applicable to various adsorbent types and adsorption mechanisms, including physical and chemical adsorption.
Implementation Method 1
primarily relying on conduction
Implementation Method 2
utilizes convection and radiation in addition to conduction for heat transfer by transporting and mixing adsorbent powder or granules
Implementation Method 3
utilizes convection and radiation in addition to conduction for heat transfer
Implementation Method 4
the solid adsorbent in the adsorption bed attracts the refrigerant vapour from the evaporator, thus helping to reduce the pressure and the temperature of the refrigerant
Implementation Method 5
heating the adsorbent bed increases the pressure and temperature of the working pair
Implementation Method 6
further heating the adsorbent results in desorption. The desorbed refrigerant vapour conveyed to the condenser
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is an adsorption-based heat pump useful for refrigeration and cooling/heating for applications such as HVACs and chillers. Adsorption is a surface phenomenon where a solid substance (adsorbent) attracts molecules of a gas or solution (refrigerant or adsorbate) on its surface. The latent heat of the adsorbate provides the heating/cooling effect. The novel adsorption heat pump enhances heat and/or mass transfer to and from the adsorbate. One embodiment comprises at least one evaporator, at least one desorber (adsorbent heating apparatus), at least one adsorbent cooling apparatus and at least one condenser. The embodiment employs different techniques to enhance heat and/or mass transfer.