Solar Turbo Pump HVAC With Refrigerant Phase-Change Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional HVAC systems rely heavily on electrical power for compressors, leading to high energy consumption, especially for heating and cooling, and existing renewable energy solutions fail to effectively address the need for continuous, 24/7 operation without requiring significant system replacements or additional components like batteries or turbochargers.
Innovation Solution
A solar-powered HVAC system using a turbocharged pump and solar collector to heat refrigerant, which changes phase and drives a turbine connected to a compressor and motor/generator, providing an energy-free source for compression and enabling thermal storage for nighttime or cloudy days, allowing for reduced electrical consumption and hybrid operation with a variable speed electric motor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If solar energy is used to power HVAC systems, then electrical consumption is reduced, but continuous 24/7 operation cannot be achieved without additional energy storage components
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-heats a storage medium (water tank or molten salt) during daytime when solar energy is available, storing thermal energy in advance for nighttime use. This preliminary thermal energy storage enables continuous HVAC operation without requiring batteries or other complex energy storage components.
Solution Approach 2:
A thermal storage medium (water or molten salt) acts as an intermediary between solar energy input and HVAC system operation. The storage medium absorbs and releases thermal energy, decoupling the timing of solar energy availability from HVAC system operation, thereby enabling 24/7 continuous operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If renewable energy solutions are implemented, then energy independence is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines solar thermal collection, thermal energy storage, and HVAC operation into a single integrated system. By merging these functions and utilizing existing HVAC infrastructure, the system achieves energy independence without requiring separate battery systems or complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal storage medium serves multiple functions: it stores thermal energy from solar collectors, provides heat for HVAC operation during nighttime, and can potentially serve as a water storage tank for plumbing systems. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed.
3Loss of energy
If solar thermal energy is used to drive HVAC systems, then operational cost is reduced, but initial system cost increases due to solar collector installation
Solution Approach 1:
The system can be implemented in partial configurations, such as using only solar collectors without thermal storage, or using existing water tanks as thermal storage media. This allows customers to start with a smaller investment and expand the system gradually, making the high initial cost more manageable.
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 solution reduces electrical consumption by utilizing solar energy to power HVAC systems, providing continuous heating and cooling without the need for conventional power sources, and can be integrated with existing systems, offering a cost-effective and modular renewable energy alternative.
Implementation Method 1
A liquid pump within a solar turbocharger boosts pressure of the refrigerant into a solar collector, where the refrigerant absorbs heat and changes phase from a liquid to a vapor.
Implementation Method 2
the refrigerant absorbs heat and changes phase from a liquid to a vapor
Implementation Method 3
The vapor is expanded across a turbine causing the turbine to spin. The turbine is connected to both the liquid pump and a compressor and starter motor/generator.
Data Source
AI summary
A closed loop system utilizing a solar refrigerant turbocharger and pump in conjunction with a solar collector to operate a heating and cooling system for a building by utilization of a renewable energy source. The liquid pump within the solar turbocharger is used to boost the refrigerant pressures into the solar collector, the refrigerant absorbs heat inside the solar collector and changes phase from a liquid to a vapor. The vapor is expanded across the turbine causing the turbine to spin. The ability of the refrigerant to change phase or flash from a liquid to a vapor is due to the solar energy that is transferred from evacuated tubes into the solar collector manifold and into the refrigerant. The gas is routed to the solar turbo pump turbine to drive the compressor and liquid pump. The resulting fluid gas leaving the turbine is routed to the condenser for normal operation.