Packaged multi-functional air source heat pump integrated with a hydronic loop for cooling/heating energy storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) suffer from inefficient thermal storage processes that cause discomfort due to overheating or overcooling during pre-heating or pre-cooling, and lack responsiveness to electrical grid demands, leading to high utility costs.
Innovation Solution
An air-source heat pump integrated with a hydronic loop that includes a phase change material (PCM) storage module, two series-connected four-way reversing valves, and three electronic expansion valves to manage refrigerant flow, enabling six operational modes for efficient thermal energy storage and release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If pre-heating or pre-cooling is used to shift load from peak hours, then utility costs are reduced, but comfort deteriorates due to overheating or overcooling of living spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hydronic loop with phase change material (PCM) as an intermediary thermal storage medium between the heat pump and the living space. The PCM absorbs or releases heat during phase transition, providing thermal energy storage without directly affecting the zone air temperature, thus avoiding discomfort while enabling load shifting
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase change material (PCM) that undergoes phase transition (solid-liquid) at a specific temperature range. During charging, PCM absorbs heat during melting; during discharging, PCM releases heat during solidification. This phase transition mechanism enables efficient thermal energy storage and release without temperature fluctuations in the living space
2Loss of energy
If thermal energy storage is implemented using zone air, then energy can be stored, but the storage process is slow and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs phase change material (PCM) with high latent heat of fusion, enabling rapid and efficient thermal energy storage. The phase transition process occurs at constant temperature, allowing fast charging and discharging rates compared to sensible heat storage in zone air, thereby improving both storage efficiency and speed
3Loss of energy
If a hydronic loop with phase change material is integrated, then thermal energy storage efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pump system is designed with multi-functionality, capable of operating in heating mode, cooling mode, defrost mode, and thermal energy storage mode. The same heat pump unit and hydronic loop serve multiple purposes: providing space conditioning and storing thermal energy, thereby reducing the need for separate dedicated equipment and minimizing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the thermal energy storage function with the existing heat pump system by integrating a hydronic loop containing phase change material. This combination consolidates multiple functions (heating, cooling, and energy storage) into a single integrated system, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying system architecture
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 integrated system optimizes thermal energy storage and release, reducing utility costs and discomfort by efficiently managing thermal loads across various modes, utilizing phase change materials to absorb or release significant heat during phase transitions.
Implementation Method 1
the PCM absorbs or releases heat during its phase transition, helping to store or release energy
Implementation Method 2
water within the hydronic loop transfers heat to and from the PCM (contained within the PCM storage module) to absorb or release significant amounts of heat during a phase transition of the PCM
Implementation Method 3
The ASHP includes an indoor air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger, an outdoor air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger, a refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
An improved ASHP having an integrated hydronic loop for thermal energy storage is provided. The hydronic loop includes a phase change material storage module to release energy capacity during peak electricity hours. The ASHP further includes an indoor air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger, an outdoor air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger. a refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger, three electronic expansion valves to control refrigerant flow, and a multi-capacity compressor with a suction line accumulator to store excess refrigerant charge. The ASHP includes at least six working modes of operation, including: (1) space cooling mode: (2) cooling energy charge/simultaneous space cooling and cooling energy charge/defrost mode: (3) cooling storage discharge mode: (4) space heating mode: (5) heating energy charge mode: and (6) heating storage discharge mode. This and other embodiments are uniquely suited for residential space cooling, space heating, water heating, and commercial applications with high water heating and space cooling demands.