Multi-Cascade Heat-Pump System Using Residual Heat Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercially available cascade heating systems suffer from efficiency reduction due to structural and operational constraints, leading to waste of energy.
Innovation Solution
A multi-cascade heating system is designed with a plurality of heat-pump circuits connected successionally through a heat-exchanger, allowing residual heat from one circuit to be exploited by the next, thereby improving energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If separate cascade cycles are used with sealed loops, then system structure is simplified and refrigerant separation is achieved, but energy efficiency is reduced due to wasted residual heat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges separate cascade cycles into an integrated multi-cascade system where residual heat from one cycle is transferred to serve as input for the next cycle through heat exchangers. This combining of previously separate thermal loops eliminates energy waste while maintaining functional independence of each refrigerant cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the previously wasted residual heat (a harmful energy loss) into a useful resource by transferring it to preheat refrigerant or fluid in subsequent cascade cycles. This transforms the thermal energy that would have been discarded into a beneficial contribution to the overall heating process.
2Temperature
If high ΔT is overcome between desired fluid temperature and outdoor temperature, then heating capability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using residual heat from upper cascade cycles to preheat the refrigerant or fluid entering lower cascade cycles. This preheating reduces the temperature lift required from compressors, thereby decreasing energy consumption while maintaining the ability to achieve high temperature differences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by creating a cascading thermal energy flow where heat extracted at one temperature level is continuously transferred to the next level. This continuous utilization of thermal energy across multiple stages maximizes heating capability while minimizing the total work input required from compressors.
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 multi-cascade heating system achieves a higher coefficient of performance (COP) by utilizing residual heat, resulting in improved energy efficiency and reduced compressor size and power requirements.
Implementation Method 1
heat not utilized by the condenser for heating the fluid is exploited for heating the refrigerant of a succeeding heat-pump circuit by the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
a first heat-pump circuit of the plurality of the heat-pump circuits further comprises an evaporator adapted to collect outdoor thermal energy
Implementation Method 3
a condenser; and a refrigerant circulating in the heat-pump circuit for heating a fluid flowing through the condenser
Data Source
AI summary
A multi cascade heating system that comprises a plurality of heat-pump circuits successionally connected. The heat pump circuits are connected to one another by a common heat exchanger. Each of the heat pump circuits comprises a condenser and a refrigerant circulating in the heat pump circuit for heating a fluid flowing through the condenser. The fluid is successionally passing through the condenser of each heat pump circuit so that the temperature of the fluid is higher in each succeeding condenser as it passes towards an outlet of the multi cascade heating system while heat not utilized by the condenser for heating the fluid is exploited for heating the refrigerant of a succeeding heat pump circuit by the heat exchanger.