Hybrid Solar Heat Exchange With Ejector for Reliable Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cooling systems rely heavily on fossil fuels for electrical energy, emitting pollutants and greenhouse gases, and solar energy systems face challenges in providing consistent heating and cooling due to variable solar energy availability.
Innovation Solution
A solar energy system incorporating a solar collector, a first heat exchange system with an ejector, and a second heat exchange system powered by a non-solar energy source, allowing for controlled thermal energy transfer and energy storage to ensure consistent heating or cooling, with a control system to optimize the contribution of each system based on solar energy availability and demand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If solar energy is used to operate cooling systems, then reliance on fossil fuels is reduced, but the efficiency and reliability are relatively low due to variable solar energy availability
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into two independent heat exchange systems: a first heat exchange system powered by solar energy and a second heat exchange system powered by non-solar energy sources. Each system operates independently but can supplement the other, ensuring continuous cooling reliability while maximizing solar energy utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The solar energy system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate the first heat exchange system for cooling, charge the energy storage arrangement, and supplement the second heat exchange system when solar energy is insufficient. This multi-functionality ensures both fossil fuel reduction and operational reliability.
2Reliability
If solar energy systems are designed to cater for heating and cooling requirements during low solar availability, then system reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges a solar-powered first heat exchange system with a non-solar-powered second heat exchange system into a unified cooling system. Both systems share common components such as the energy storage arrangement and control system, reducing overall complexity while ensuring reliable operation during low solar availability.
Solution Approach 2:
An energy storage arrangement acts as an intermediary between the two heat exchange systems and the solar collector. It stores thermal energy or electrical energy and releases it when needed, mediating the interaction between solar and non-solar energy sources to ensure continuous operation without requiring complex real-time coordination.
3Loss of energy
If thermal energy transfer is optimized to maximize solar energy use, then energy efficiency improves, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors solar energy availability, cooling load requirements, and energy storage status. Based on this feedback, it automatically adjusts the operation of the two heat exchange systems and the energy storage arrangement to maximize solar energy utilization while maintaining cooling reliability, without requiring complex manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is designed to autonomously manage thermal energy transfer between the two heat exchange systems and the energy storage arrangement. It automatically determines when to charge or discharge the energy storage, when to operate each heat exchange system, and how to optimize solar energy utilization, reducing the need for external control complexity.
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
Maximizes the use of renewable energy for heating and cooling while ensuring consistent performance by supplementing solar energy with non-solar energy when necessary, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and enhancing energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a solar collector for providing energy generated from incident solar radiation
Implementation Method 2
a first heat exchange system comprising an ejector that is arranged to operate using at least a portion of the energy provided by the solar energy collector; wherein the solar energy system is arranged for direct or indirect transfer of thermal energy between the first heat exchange system and a region
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a solar energy system that comprises a solar collector for providing energy generated from incident solar radiation. The solar energy system also comprises a first heat exchange system that has an ejector that is arranged to operate using at least a portion of the energy provided by the solar energy collector. Further, the solar energy system comprises a second heat exchange system arranged to operate using energy from an energy source other than a solar energy source. The solar energy system is arranged for transfer of thermal energy between the first heat exchange system and a region, and between the second heat exchange system and the region. The solar energy system is arranged to control a relative contribution of the first and second heat exchange systems to the transfer of the thermal energy.