Refrigerant Heating Assembly for Pumped Cold-Start Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pumped refrigerant systems face challenges in cold start-up due to fluid condensation in long, low-temperature pipes, leading to trapped refrigerant and inefficient energy consumption with existing heating methods like pipe heat trace.
Innovation Solution
A refrigerant heating assembly with a tank and heating element, including input and output valves, is integrated into the system to selectively heat and inject refrigerant, improving the cold start efficiency by warming the refrigerant and plumbing between the evaporator and condenser.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If pipe heat trace is used to warm the pipes, then the pipes can be warmed, but the heating time is long and energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by heating the refrigerant in the accumulator before it is needed in the pipes. The refrigerant is pre-heated to a temperature sufficient to warm the pipes when it flows through them, eliminating the need for continuous pipe heating and significantly reducing the overall heating time required for system startup.
Solution Approach 2:
The accumulator serves as an intermediary device between the refrigerant source and the pipes. Instead of directly heating the pipes (which takes long), the system heats the refrigerant in the accumulator, which then acts as a mobile heat carrier to warm the pipes as it flows through, dramatically reducing heating time and energy consumption.
2Temperature
If pipe heat trace is used to warm the pipes, then the pipes can be warmed, but significant energy input is required
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant in the accumulator serves as a mobile intermediary heat carrier. By heating the refrigerant in the accumulator and having it flow through the pipes, the system efficiently transfers heat without requiring continuous energy input to pipe heating elements. This reduces total energy consumption compared to direct pipe heat tracing.
Solution Approach 2:
The refrigerant itself serves the dual purpose of both the working fluid and the heat transfer medium. The refrigerant is heated in the accumulator and then uses its own thermal energy to warm the pipes as it flows through, essentially self-heating the system components without requiring separate heating energy sources.
3Loss of time
If refrigerant is heated in the accumulator, then the heating time is reduced, but additional system components are required
Solution Approach 1:
The accumulator is given multiple functions: it serves as both the refrigerant storage/accumulation device and the heating chamber for cold start. By making the accumulator multi-functional, the system reduces heating time without adding separate dedicated heating components, thus minimizing the increase in system complexity.
4Use of energy by moving object
If refrigerant is heated in the accumulator, then energy efficiency is improved, but valve control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-heating the refrigerant in the accumulator before system startup. This preliminary heating action improves energy efficiency by ensuring the refrigerant is already warm when needed, reducing the overall energy required for system warm-up, while the valve control complexity is managed through automated sequencing.
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 solution enables quicker and more energy-efficient warming of refrigerant and plumbing, reducing the need for extra refrigerant charge and minimizing heating time, thus ensuring reliable system operation.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element coupled to the tank for heating refrigerant within the tank
Data Source
AI summary
A pumped refrigerant system can include a condenser, a pump coupled downstream of the condenser, an evaporator assembly coupled downstream of the pump, the condenser being coupled downstream of the evaporator assembly, and a refrigerant heating assembly coupled downstream of the pump, the condenser being coupled downstream of the refrigerant heating assembly. The refrigerant heating assembly can include a tank and a heating element coupled to the tank and configured to heat refrigerant within the tank. An input valve can be configured to selectively allow the pump to push refrigerant into the tank. An output valve can be configured to selectively inject heated refrigerant from the tank into plumbing upstream of the condenser.