Reversible heat pump assembly and district thermal energy distribution system comprising such a reversible heat pump assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional building heating and cooling systems rely on primary high-grade energy sources like electricity and fossil fuels, converting them into low-grade waste heat that is often returned to the environment, necessitating more efficient methods for energy utilization and distribution.
Innovation Solution
A reversible heat pump assembly connected to a district thermal energy distribution system, capable of operating in both heating and cooling modes, utilizing a thermal energy grid with hot and cold conduits to efficiently transfer heat, and a flow controller to manage pressure differences, allowing for scalable and energy-efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional separate heating and cooling systems are used, then heating and cooling functions are provided, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat pump assembly is designed to perform both heating and cooling functions through a single multi-functional unit. The system can operate in heating mode by transferring heat from the thermal energy grid to the building, and in cooling mode by reversing the heat transfer direction. This eliminates the need for separate heating and cooling systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Productivity
If primary high-grade energy sources are converted to low-grade waste heat, then heating and cooling needs are met, but energy utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts waste heat that would otherwise be discarded into a useful resource. By capturing low-grade waste heat from the thermal energy grid and using the heat pump to upgrade it to higher temperature levels, the system transforms energy that would be lost into valuable heating or cooling capacity for buildings, improving overall energy utilization efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple heat pumps are installed for heating and cooling, then functional requirements are met, but installation cost and maintenance complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges separate heating and cooling heat pump systems into a single integrated assembly. The heat pump unit incorporates both heating and cooling circuits with shared components such as the compressor, condenser, and evaporator, allowing both functions to be provided by one installation. This reduces installation costs, simplifies maintenance, and decreases the physical space required compared to separate systems.
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 reversible heat pump assembly enhances energy utilization by allowing a single system to provide both heating and cooling, reducing the need for multiple heat pumps and energy sources, minimizing waste heat return, and promoting the reuse of thermal energy within cities.
Implementation Method 1
the heat pump being configured to transfer heat from the first side to the second side or vice versa
Implementation Method 2
a thermal energy circuit which circulates and stores thermal energy in water
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A reversible heat pump assembly (100) is disclosed. The heat pump assembly (100) comprises a heat pump (110) having a first side (120) and a second side (130), the heat pump (110) being configured to transfer heat from the first side (120) to the second side (130) or vice versa; a first side inlet valve assembly (126) having a heat pump connection (126a) connected to the first side (120), and hot and cold conduit connections (126b; 126c) arranged to be connected to a thermal energy grid (10) comprising hot and cold conduits (12; 14); a second side outlet valve assembly (136) having a heat pump connection (136a) connected to the second side (130), and heating and cooling circuit connections (136b; 136c) arranged to be connected to heating and cooling circuits (130; 140), respectively. The reversible heat pump assembly (100) is configured to be selectively set in either a heating mode or a cooling mode. In the heating mode the heat pump (110) is configured to transfer heat from the first side (120) to the second side (130), the first side inlet valve assembly (126) is configured to fluidly connect the hot conduit connection (126b) and the heat pump connection (126a), and the second side outlet valve assembly (136) is configured to fluidly connect the heat pump connection (136a) and the heating circuit connection (136b). In the cooling mode the heat pump (110) is configured to transfer heat from the second side (130) to the first side (120), the first side inlet valve assembly (126) is configured to fluidly connect the cold conduit connection (126c) and the heat pump connection (126a), and the second side outlet valve assembly (136) is configured to fluidly connect the heat pump connection (136a) and the cooling circuit connection (136c). Also a district thermal energy distribution system comprising a plurality of reversible heat pump assemblies (100) is disclosed.