Refrigeration device comprising multiple storage chambers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigeration devices with multiple storage chambers face inefficiencies when trying to operate one chamber at a high temperature and another at a low temperature, as the inner heat exchanger becomes ineffective, leading to reduced energy efficiency in cooling the second storage chamber.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration device with a controllable throttle point and heat exchangers in series, featuring a hot line section upstream of the second heat exchanger and a cold line section downstream, forming an inner heat exchanger that bypasses the hot line section, allowing for energy-efficient cooling of the second storage chamber while preventing heat loss from the refrigerant before it reaches the first heat exchanger.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an evaporator of the storage chamber located in the refrigerant circuit downstream of the high pressure line section of the inner heat exchanger is operated as a condenser, then the first storage chamber can be heated, but the energy efficiency for cooling the second storage chamber is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
A bypass line with a third controllable throttle point and third heat exchanger is introduced as an intermediary element. This bypass line allows the refrigerant to take an alternative path that prevents unwanted heat draw-off in the inner heat exchanger while maintaining the ability to heat the first storage chamber, thus resolving the energy efficiency issue
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multiple controllable throttle points (first, second, and third) that can dynamically adjust refrigerant flow distribution. By controlling these throttle points, the system can adaptively switch between different operating modes to optimize energy efficiency based on the required temperatures for both storage chambers
2Loss of energy
If the hot line section and cold line section are routed in thermal contact to form an inner heat exchanger, then energy efficiency is improved, but heat that could be used for heating the first storage chamber is drawn off from the refrigerant before reaching the first heat exchanger
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant circuit is segmented into multiple paths: the main path through the inner heat exchanger for energy-efficient cooling, and a bypass path with the third heat exchanger for heating the first storage chamber. This segmentation allows independent control of heat exchange processes
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the refrigerant circuit are given different thermal characteristics. The inner heat exchanger section provides efficient heat recovery, while the bypass section with the third heat exchanger provides localized heating capability for the first storage chamber when needed
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
Ensures energy-efficient operation by maintaining a low temperature in the second storage chamber while preventing unwanted heat draw-off, allowing for efficient heating of the first storage chamber, thereby optimizing energy use across both chambers.
Implementation Method 1
at least a hot line section located upstream of the second heat exchanger and a cold line section located downstream of the second heat exchanger being routed in thermal contact with respect to one another in order to form an inner heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
a first heat exchanger for controlling the temperature of the first storage chamber
Implementation Method 3
a second heat exchanger for cooling the second storage chamber
Implementation Method 4
The pressure loss at the second throttle point causes a pressure difference between the two heat exchangers
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigeration device has a first storage chamber, a second storage chamber and a refrigerant circuit, in which a first controllable throttle point, a first heat exchanger for controlling the temperature of the first storage chamber, a second controllable throttle point and a second heat exchanger for cooling the second storage chamber are connected in series between a pressure connection and a suction connection. A hot line section, located upstream of the second heat exchanger, and a cold line section, located downstream of the second heat exchanger, are routed in thermal contact with respect to one another in order to form an internal heat exchanger. The first heat exchanger is connected to the pressure connection bypassing the hot line section.