Pipe collector for heat pump systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional single pipe collectors for heat pump systems, including geothermal and sea heat systems, suffer from suboptimal energy absorption due to laminar flow, which limits their efficiency in extracting heat from the surrounding environment.
Innovation Solution
A single pipe collector with an uneven inward surface structure featuring indentations and/or elevations, such as a grooved or helical pattern, is introduced to create turbulent flow, enhancing heat absorption compared to conventional collectors with smooth surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a smooth inner surface pipe is used, then the manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but the heat absorption efficiency is low due to laminar flow
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe inner surface is designed with localized uneven structures (ridges, grooves, or protrusions) at specific positions rather than changing the entire pipe structure. This allows maintaining simple manufacturing processes while creating turbulent flow zones that enhance heat transfer efficiency between the heat transfer liquid and pipe wall.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the surface geometry parameters of the pipe inner wall by introducing uneven structures with specific dimensions, shapes, and distributions. These parameter modifications transform the flow regime from laminar to turbulent, significantly improving heat absorption efficiency without complicating the overall manufacturing process.
2Device complexity
If a smooth inner surface pipe is used, then the device complexity is low, but the thermal resistance is high limiting heat extraction
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than redesigning the entire pipe system, the invention applies localized uneven surface structures within the pipe. This maintains low device complexity while creating specific zones that reduce thermal resistance and enhance heat transfer between the heat transfer liquid and the surrounding ground or water.
Solution Approach 2:
The uneven surface structures include curved features such as ridges, grooves, or protrusions that create flow separation and turbulence. These curved geometries disrupt the boundary layer and reduce thermal resistance, improving heat extraction efficiency without significantly increasing structural complexity.
3Power
If a smooth inner surface pipe is used, then the pumping power requirements are low, but the heat transfer performance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the parameters of the uneven surface structures (height, width, spacing, shape) to achieve an balance between heat transfer enhancement and pressure drop. By carefully selecting these parameters, the heat transfer performance is significantly improved while the increase in pumping power requirements remains acceptable.
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 uneven surface structure improves energy absorption efficiency, reducing thermal resistance and pumping power requirements, as demonstrated by experimental results showing better heat extraction performance and lower thermal resistance compared to conventional U-pipe collectors.
Implementation Method 1
The inward surface of the pipe has an uneven surface structure that comprises indentations and/or elevations... create turbulent flow, enhancing heat absorption
Implementation Method 2
a heat transfer liquid circulates in a closed cycle for conveyance of heat that is absorbed from a heat source... heat absorption efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A collector for a heat pump installation includes a pipe to circulate a heat transfer liquid between a heat source and a heat pump. An inner surface of the pipe has an uneven surface structure that includes at least one of indentations or elevations extending helically in a longitudinal direction. The indentations or elevations are arranged to create a turbulent flow of the heat transfer liquid in the pipe.