Reversible Heat Pump Circuit Configuration for CO2 Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat pumps with a configuration that feeds a utility liquid through a condenser and then a cooling device suffer reduced efficiency when the temperature difference between the inlet and outlet is small, as the utility liquid passes through the cooling device at a temperature close to the inlet temperature, limiting the cooling of carbon dioxide and overall system efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an ejector device and a second separator device in the refrigeration circuit to manage pressure and separate carbon dioxide from lubrication oil, and configuring the hydraulic circuits to feed the utility liquid first through a cooling device and then a condenser, ensuring the carbon dioxide is cooled by a utility liquid at a lower temperature, thereby enhancing the cooling process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the utility liquid is fed through the condenser first and then the cooling device, then the heating function is achieved, but the cooling efficiency of carbon dioxide is reduced when the temperature difference is small
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a reversible heat pump system where the hydraulic circuit configuration can be dynamically changed between heating mode (condenser first, then cooling device) and cooling mode (cooling device first, then condenser) through four-way valves. This dynamic reconfiguration allows the system to optimize performance for different operational requirements, resolving the contradiction between heating function and cooling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat pump system is designed with multi-functionality to perform both heating and cooling operations using the same components. By making the hydraulic circuit reversible and allowing the utility liquid to flow through components in different sequences depending on the mode, the system achieves universal applicability for both heating and cooling functions, eliminating the need for separate systems.
2Temperature
If the utility liquid temperature at the cooling device inlet is close to the outlet temperature, then the temperature difference is small, but the carbon dioxide cooling is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
In cooling mode, the utility liquid is pre-cooled by first passing through the cooling device before the condenser. This preliminary cooling action ensures that the utility liquid enters the cooling device at a lower temperature, creating a larger temperature difference with the carbon dioxide and thereby improving the cooling performance. The system performs the cooling action in advance rather than after heating.
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 configuration increases the cooling efficiency of the carbon dioxide, even when the temperature difference between the utility liquid inlet and outlet is small, resulting in a more efficient heat pump operation.
Implementation Method 1
incorporating an ejector device and a second separator device in the refrigeration circuit to manage pressure
Implementation Method 2
separate carbon dioxide from lubrication oil
Implementation Method 3
configuring the hydraulic circuits to feed the utility liquid first through a cooling device and then a condenser, ensuring the carbon dioxide is cooled by a utility liquid at a lower temperature
Implementation Method 4
a condenser device designed to receive the incoming refrigerating fluid from the second compressor device and to feed the outgoing refrigerating fluid to the second expansion device
Implementation Method 5
a second expansion device to reduce the pressure and temperature of the refrigerating fluid
Implementation Method 6
a first compressor device designed to receive the incoming carbon dioxide from the first evaporator device
Data Source
AI summary
A reversible heat pump has a first refrigeration circuit (2) flown through by carbon dioxide, a first hydraulic circuit (21) to feed a source liquid through an evaporator device (4) of the first refrigeration circuit (2) and to cause the evaporation of the carbon dioxide, a second refrigeration circuit (15) flown through by a refrigerating fluid, and a second hydraulic circuit (27) to heat a utility liquid feeding it in succession and in order first through a cooling device (6) of the first refrigeration circuit (2) and, thus, through a condenser device (18) of the second refrigeration circuit (15).