Refrigeration system using separate subcooling loop with heat-carrying refrigerant
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional refrigeration systems face inefficiencies in subcooling processes due to the high cost and complexity of equipment required for further cooling refrigerant, which affects compressor performance and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration system with a separate subcooling loop using a heat-carrying refrigerant, such as glycol water, that transfers heat to an air circulation unit to dehumidify air and reduce compressor work, featuring a main loop and a subcooling loop with selective heat exchanger connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a separate subcooling loop with heat-carrying refrigerant is implemented, then evaporator efficiency is improved and compressor load is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigeration system is divided into two independent loops: a main refrigeration loop and a separate subcooling loop. The subcooling loop contains a heat-carrying refrigerant (such as glycol water) that circulates through a small quantity in a dedicated circuit, separating the subcooling function from the main refrigeration cycle to enable independent optimization of each loop.
Solution Approach 2:
A heat-carrying refrigerant (heat carrier) is introduced as an intermediary substance in the subcooling loop. This heat carrier absorbs heat from the main refrigerant through a heat exchanger and transports it to the air circulation unit, mediating the heat transfer process and enabling efficient subcooling while protecting the main refrigeration system.
2Productivity
If subcooling process is implemented using main refrigerant, then evaporator efficiency is improved, but equipment cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The subcooling loop uses a simple, inexpensive heat-carrying refrigerant (such as glycol water solution) instead of expensive specialized subcooling equipment. The heat carrier circulates in a relatively small quantity through a compact loop, providing effective subcooling at lower equipment cost compared to traditional methods using the main refrigerant.
3Loss of energy
If heat is reclaimed from main refrigerant to heat-up building air, then energy efficiency is improved, but compressor work increases
Solution Approach 1:
The subcooling loop extracts heat from the main refrigerant at the heat exchanger, removing this thermal energy from the main refrigeration cycle before it reaches the condenser. This extracted heat is then used to warm the air in the air circulation unit, achieving heat reclaim without increasing compressor work since the heat is taken from the refrigerant's thermal energy rather than requiring additional compression.
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
Enhances evaporator efficiency, reduces compressor load, extends compressor life, and lowers energy consumption by utilizing a separate subcooling loop with a heat-carrying refrigerant to manage humidity and dehumidify air effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a (separate) subcooling loop having a second (heat-carrying) refrigerant circulating therein using a pump unit and connecting to the first heat exchanger unit to heat-up the second refrigerant, the subcooling loop running to an air circulation unit located downstream the first heat exchanger unit to cool down the second refrigerant and warm-up air flowing into the air circulation unit
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigeration system, having a main loop operating with a first refrigerant and including a first heat exchanger unit connected between a compressor unit and an expansion unit upstream of an evaporation unit, includes a subcooling loop. The subcooling loop has a second refrigerant circulating therein via a pump unit and connects to the first heat exchanger unit to heat-up the second refrigerant. The subcooling loop runs to an air circulation unit located downstream the first heat exchanger unit to cool down the second refrigerant and warm-up air flowing into the air circulation unit.