Pressure Exchanger Heat Pump for Low-Energy Fluid Pressurization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat pump systems are inefficient in increasing and decreasing fluid pressure, leading to high energy consumption and environmental impact due to the use of separate pumps or compressors, which also results in increased operational costs and wear on components.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a pressure exchanger system that exchanges pressure between high and low pressure fluids, integrated with a turbine to convert thermal energy into kinetic energy, reducing the need for separate pumps or compressors and enhancing energy efficiency by using the generated power to offset system operation costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If separate pumps or compressors are used to increase fluid pressure, then the fluid pressure is increased, but energy consumption increases and component wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of high-pressure and low-pressure fluid handling into a single pressure exchanger device. The high-pressure fluid stream directly drives the low-pressure fluid stream through hydraulic coupling, eliminating the need for separate pumps or compressors. This merging of functions reduces energy consumption while maintaining the required pressure increase for the low-pressure fluid.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure exchanger acts as an intermediary device that transfers energy from the high-pressure fluid stream to the low-pressure fluid stream. Instead of using external motors or compressors, the high-pressure fluid itself serves as the driving force, mediating the pressure increase for the low-pressure fluid through direct hydraulic interaction within the exchanger chambers.
2Stress or pressure
If separate pumps or compressors are used to increase fluid pressure, then the fluid pressure is increased, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure exchanger merges the high-pressure and low-pressure fluid streams into a single integrated system where energy is recovered and reused. The high-pressure stream that would otherwise require energy-intensive compression is instead used to drive the low-pressure stream, reducing operational energy costs while maintaining required pressure levels.
3Stress or pressure
If separate pumps or compressors are used to increase fluid pressure, then the fluid pressure is increased, but component wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure exchanger combines multiple fluid handling functions into a single wear-free device. By eliminating separate mechanical pumps and compressors, the system removes the associated moving parts that subject to wear, fatigue, and failure. The hydraulic coupling mechanism has no moving parts, significantly improving component life and system reliability.
4Use of energy by moving object
If pressure exchanger with turbine is used, then energy efficiency is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pressure exchange function with turbine-based energy recovery into a single integrated system. The turbine is incorporated within the pressure exchanger structure, allowing it to extract energy from the high-pressure fluid stream while the same device performs the pressure exchange function. This integration reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate pressure exchanger and turbine systems.
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 reduces energy consumption, decreases wear on components, increases system reliability, and allows for longer component life, lower maintenance needs, and reduced downtime, while also enabling the generation of power to partially power the system, thus lowering operational costs and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure exchanger configured to exchange pressure between a first fluid and a second fluid
Implementation Method 2
integrated with a turbine to convert thermal energy into kinetic energy
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a pressure exchanger (PX) to receive a first fluid at a first pressure, second fluid at a second pressure, and exchange pressure between the first fluid and the second fluid. The first fluid is to exit the PX at a third pressure and the second fluid is to exit the PX at a fourth pressure. A first condenser is to receive the first fluid from a compressor and provide thermal energy from the first fluid to a first environment. A second condenser is to receive the second fluid from the PX and provide thermal energy from the second fluid to a second environment. A heat exchanger is to receive the first fluid from the first condenser and the second fluid from the second condenser, provide thermal energy from the first fluid to the second fluid, and provide the first fluid to the PX.