Multi-Stacked Heat Exchanger for Counterflow Thermal Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat pumps, particularly those with single-coil heat exchangers, face inefficiencies in temperature control and thermal efficiency due to large temperature differentials between refrigerant and airflow, limiting their ability to reach desired temperatures and operate effectively across a range of conditions.
Innovation Solution
A stacked heat exchanger arrangement where refrigerant and airflow flow in counterflow through multiple exchangers, optimizing temperature differentials and compressor pressures to enhance heat transfer and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-coil heat exchanger is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the thermal efficiency decreases due to large temperature differentials
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is divided into multiple coils arranged in series, where each coil handles a specific temperature range. This segmentation allows the refrigerant to undergo progressive heat exchange at optimized temperature differentials, improving thermal efficiency while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular construction
2Device complexity
If a single-coil heat exchanger is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to reach desired temperatures is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple coils are arranged in series to create distinct temperature zones, allowing the system to achieve higher or lower temperatures by progressing through each coil stage, thereby expanding the temperature range capability without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchange process is extended from a single spatial location to multiple sequential locations along the refrigerant flow path, enabling the system to achieve a broader temperature range by utilizing the dimensional extension of the heat exchange pathway
3Productivity
If large temperature differentials are used in heat exchange, then the heat transfer rate increases, but the compressor pressures become suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchange process is divided into multiple stages across separate coils, with each stage operating at optimized temperature differentials. This maintains adequate heat transfer rates while distributing the thermal load to achieve optimal compressor pressures, avoiding the extremes caused by single-stage large differentials
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 stacked arrangement increases thermal efficiency and allows heat pumps to achieve higher and lower temperatures, improving overall performance by minimizing temperature differentials and optimizing compressor pressures.
Implementation Method 1
A stacked heat exchanger arrangement where refrigerant and airflow flow in counterflow through multiple exchangers, optimizing temperature differentials and compressor pressures to enhance heat transfer and efficiency
Implementation Method 2
refrigerant and airflow flow in counterflow through multiple exchangers, optimizing temperature differentials
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-stacked heat exchanger comprises a first heat exchanger and a second heat exchanger. A first end of the first heat exchanger receives a first fluid in a first conduit flowing in a first direction within a plane. A first end of the second heat exchanger receives the first fluid from the first heat exchanger in a second direction flowing opposite to the first direction within the plane. A flow of a second fluid is communicated through the second heat exchanger and then through the first heat exchanger, in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The second fluid is in thermal communication with the first fluid in the second heat exchanger and then in the first heat exchanger. By doubling the flowed first fluid back upon itself, embodiments achieve counterflow between the first fluid and second fluid within a compact space.