Pressure-Regulating Subcooling in Transport Refrigeration
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Solution Overview
Problem
In transport refrigeration systems, the cooling of fuels through pressure-regulating devices can lead to freezing and clogging, reducing the efficiency of the refrigeration process and potentially increasing engine runtime and fuel consumption.
Innovation Solution
A heat transfer circuit is thermally communicated with a pressure-regulating device, allowing the heat transfer fluid to reject heat to the device, thereby subcooling the fluid and preventing freezing, while also heating the fuel to prevent obstruction and enhancing the refrigeration system's efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the heat transfer fluid is cooled through the pressure-regulating device, then the refrigeration effect is enhanced, but the fuel may freeze and clog the device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the fuel pressure-regulating device with the heat transfer fluid circuit, allowing the same device to perform both fuel pressure regulation and heat exchange functions. The heat transfer fluid flows through the pressure-regulating device, utilizing the device structure itself as a heat exchange medium, thereby integrating two functions into one component.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat transfer fluid is pre-heated by the engine exhaust before entering the pressure-regulating device. This preliminary heating action ensures that the fluid temperature is sufficiently elevated before contact with the fuel, preventing fuel freezing and clogging while still achieving the desired subcooling effect.
2Productivity
If the heat transfer fluid is subcooled to increase efficiency, then the refrigeration performance improves, but the fuel temperature may drop causing gelling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fuel pressure regulation function with the heat exchange function in a single integrated device. The heat transfer fluid flows through the pressure-regulating device, allowing simultaneous fuel pressure control and heat transfer, thereby achieving subcooling without separate heating components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the engine exhaust as a free heat source to pre-heat the heat transfer fluid before it enters the pressure-regulating device. This self-service approach utilizes waste heat from the engine to prevent fuel gelling, eliminating the need for additional heating energy input.
3Temperature
If the heat transfer fluid rejects heat to the pressure-regulating device, then subcooling is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the heat exchange function directly into the fuel pressure-regulating device by routing the heat transfer fluid through the device housing or internal passages. This merging eliminates the need for separate heat exchangers, thermostats, and control valves, thereby reducing overall system complexity while achieving subcooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure-regulating device is designed to perform multiple functions: fuel pressure regulation, heat exchange with the heat transfer fluid, and fuel heating. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in the system, simplifying the overall design and reducing complexity.
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 increases the efficiency of the heat transfer circuit, reduces engine runtime, and improves fuel efficiency by preventing fuel gelling and maintaining smooth flow through pressure-regulating devices.
Implementation Method 1
the heat transfer circuit can reject heat to the pressure-regulating device thereby heating the fuel
Data Source
AI summary
A transport refrigeration system (TRS) and method of subcooling a heat transfer fluid in a heat transfer circuit of a TRS are disclosed. The TRS includes a heat transfer circuit. The heat transfer circuit includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. The compressor, the condenser, the expansion device, and the evaporator are in fluid communication such that a heat transfer fluid can flow therethrough. The heat transfer circuit is configured to be in thermal communication with a pressure-regulating device of a system separate from the heat transfer circuit.