Refrigeration cycle device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigeration systems do not effectively utilize changes in refrigerant pressure to control adsorption and desorption in adsorption refrigeration cycles, leading to inefficiencies and higher operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid refrigeration system that incorporates a vapor compression refrigeration cycle and an adsorption refrigeration cycle, where the adsorbent adsorbs and desorbs refrigerant based on changes in refrigerant pressure, allowing for the use of adsorption and desorption heat to enhance efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a vapor compression refrigeration cycle is used without an adsorbent, then the refrigeration effect is achieved through compression and expansion, but the operating pressure is high and energy efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
An adsorbent is introduced as an intermediary substance that mediates between the high-pressure and low-pressure regions. The adsorbent absorbs refrigerant vapor in the high-pressure region and releases it in the low-pressure region, enabling pressure reduction while maintaining the refrigeration cycle's effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes changes in the adsorbent's adsorption characteristics in response to pressure and temperature variations. By leveraging these parameter changes, the system achieves efficient refrigeration at lower operating pressures compared to conventional vapor compression systems.
2Productivity
If an adsorbent is added to the vapor compression refrigeration cycle, then energy efficiency improves and operating pressure reduces, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adsorption process is merged with the vapor compression cycle by integrating the adsorbent directly into the refrigerant circulation path. This combination allows the adsorbent to function as part of the refrigeration system without requiring completely separate adsorption and desorption chambers, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adsorbent performs multiple functions within the system: it acts as a refrigerant carrier, a pressure-regulating medium, and a heat transfer facilitator. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
3Reliability
If the adsorbent adsorbs refrigerant in the high-pressure region and desorbs in the low-pressure region, then the refrigeration cycle is optimized, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into distinct high-pressure and low-pressure regions with the adsorbent selectively operating in each. This segmentation allows the adsorbent to perform optimized adsorption in the high-pressure region and desorption in the low-pressure region, improving cycle reliability while maintaining manageable system complexity through functional zoning.
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 system achieves lower operating pressures, reduced costs, and improved efficiency by leveraging the pressure-induced adsorption and desorption processes, thereby optimizing the refrigeration cycle.
Implementation Method 1
The adsorbent adsorbs and desorbs the refrigerant circulating in the first unit. The adsorbent adsorbs and desorbs the refrigerant in accordance with a change in a pressure of the refrigerant circulating in the first unit.
Implementation Method 2
The first unit includes a compressor that compresses a refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
the first unit further includes an expansion mechanism that decompresses the refrigerant
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A refrigeration cycle apparatus (1, 101, 201, 301, 401, 501) includes a refrigerant circuit (11, 111, 211, 311, 411, 511) and an adsorbent. The refrigerant circuit includes a compressor (31, 131, 231, 331, 431, 531) that compresses a refrigerant. The refrigerant circuit constitutes a vapor compression refrigeration cycle in which the refrigerant circulates. The adsorbent adsorbs and desorbs the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit. The adsorbent adsorbs and desorbs the refrigerant in accordance with a change in a pressure of the refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant circuit.