Process for heat integration by means of a refrigeration system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heat integration technologies in process engineering are limited in their ability to effectively utilize small temperature differences between process streams, leading to inefficiencies and restricted application scope.
Innovation Solution
A method where a heat transfer medium absorbs heat from a first process stream, transfers it to a refrigeration system, and then cools a second process stream by increasing the temperature of the heat transfer medium between the first heat exchanger and the refrigeration system, allowing for efficient heat transfer across streams with small temperature differences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If direct heat exchange is used between process streams, then heat transfer efficiency is high, but it is limited to cases where temperature differences are sufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a refrigeration system as an intermediary between hot and cold process streams. The refrigeration system includes an evaporator that absorbs heat from hot streams and a condenser that rejects heat to cold streams, enabling heat transfer when direct exchange is not feasible due to insufficient temperature differences
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the heat transfer medium by heating it in a heater before it enters the evaporator. This temperature adjustment allows the refrigeration system to effectively utilize small temperature differences between process streams, expanding the applicability to cases where traditional direct heat exchange would fail
2Adaptability or versatility
If refrigeration systems are used to bridge temperature differences, then heat can be transferred between streams with small temperature differences, but additional energy input is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the additional energy input required by the refrigeration system into a beneficial effect by using a heater to heat the heat transfer medium. This additional heating enables the system to operate effectively with small temperature differences, turning what would be a disadvantage (small ΔT) into an opportunity for heat recovery that would otherwise be unavailable
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses available heat sources within the process to provide the additional heating required for the heat transfer medium, reducing the need for external energy input. The heater can be integrated with existing process heat, allowing the system to serve itself and minimizing additional energy expenditure
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 method enhances the utilization of small temperature differences, increasing the refrigeration system's output and heat extraction from the second process stream, while minimizing additional energy expenditure by utilizing available heat sources, thus improving energy efficiency and broadening application possibilities.
Implementation Method 1
a heat transfer medium in a first heat exchanger absorbs heat from a first process stream
Implementation Method 2
transfers it to a refrigeration system in a heat transfer circuit
Implementation Method 3
A cooling medium in the refrigeration system is cooled in a cooling medium circuit
Implementation Method 4
the cooling medium absorbs heat from a second process stream in a second heat exchanger
Implementation Method 5
the temperature of the heat transfer medium between the outlet from the first heat exchanger and the inlet into the refrigeration system is increased by supplying heat
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
The heat from process stream (14) is transferred by a heat exchanger (12) through a heat transfer medium circuit (10) to a refrigeration system (30). The cooling medium in the refrigeration system is cooled in a cooling medium circuit (20) and the cooling medium is sent to a heat exchanger (22). The process stream (24) received by the refrigeration system is cooled by the cooling medium. The temperature of the heat transfer medium between outlet from the heat exchanger (12) and inlet to the refrigeration system is increased by supplying heat.