Integral Solar Heat Pump Using One Working Fluid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional solar collectors and heat pumps face limitations such as temperature constraints, efficiency degradation, and the need for oil lubrication, which are exacerbated when using the same working fluid for both systems, leading to challenges in high integration and energy efficiency, especially concerning thermal energy harvesting and storage.
Innovation Solution
A highly integrated solar collector and heat pump system that utilizes the same working fluid throughout, incorporating a control system with temperature and pressure sensors, and a supercritical fluid to reduce pressure drop and eliminate hydrogen embrittlement, allowing for efficient energy transfer and regulation of mass flow rate, thereby minimizing operating costs and maximizing energy production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional solar collectors use separate working fluids for solar collection and heat pump, then system reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the solar collector and heat pump into a single integrated system that uses one working fluid for both functions. The solar collector absorbs solar energy to heat the working fluid, which then flows directly into the heat pump cycle, eliminating the need for separate fluid systems and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The working fluid serves multiple functions within the integrated system: it acts as the heat transfer medium in the solar collector during daytime heating, and as the refrigerant in the heat pump cycle for both heating and cooling modes. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed while maintaining system reliability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If solar collectors operate at higher temperatures, then energy efficiency improves, but working fluid degradation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the working fluid by selecting a refrigerant with high thermal stability characteristics. This allows the system to operate at elevated temperatures to improve energy efficiency while the stable working fluid composition prevents degradation that would normally occur at these higher temperature levels.
3Reliability
If heat pumps use oil lubrication, then reliability improves, but temperature range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of lubrication by transitioning from oil-based lubrication to alternative lubrication methods such as grease or solid lubricants that can withstand higher temperatures without oxidative destruction. This allows the heat pump to operate effectively across a wider temperature range while maintaining component reliability.
4Use of energy by moving object
If thermal storage is implemented, then energy efficiency improves, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated system provides self-service thermal management by using the working fluid itself as the thermal storage medium. Excess thermal energy is stored in the working fluid within the closed loop system, which can then be utilized during periods when solar energy is unavailable, eliminating the need for separate expensive thermal storage tanks while maintaining energy efficiency.
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 system achieves enhanced energy efficiency and reduced operating costs by minimizing heat exchanger pressure drop, eliminating the need for secondary heat transfer fluids, and maintaining high working fluid quality, while enabling the system to operate effectively across a wide temperature range without oil lubrication.
Implementation Method 1
at least one solar collector having an inlet and an outlet designed to receive and utilize the at least one working fluid
Implementation Method 2
at least one heat pump having an inlet and an outlet designed to receive and utilize the at least one working fluid
Implementation Method 3
at least one condenser having an inlet and an outlet designed to receive and utilize the at least one working fluid
Implementation Method 4
at least one evaporator having an inlet and an outlet designed to receive and utilize the at least one working fluid
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention generally relates to heat pumps that utilize at least one solar receiver operating with the same working fluids. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a hybrid solar heat pump comprised of at least one microchannel heat exchanger with integral solar absorber, at least one compression device as the heat pump for concurrent compression to a higher pressure and mass flow regulator of the working fluid, and at least one working fluid accumulator with the entire system operating with the same working fluid.