Split Heat Pump Water Heating for Flexible Cylinder Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat pump systems are inflexible and difficult to install due to their integration with hot water cylinders, limiting their size and installation locations, and typically only provide hot water at a maximum temperature of 55 degrees Celsius.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchange system based on the principles of the heat pump and Carnot Cycle, where the thermodynamic block is separated from the cylinder, allowing for flexible installation and the ability to provide hot water at 65 degrees Celsius, using a compressor, condenser heat exchanger, expansion valve, and thermodynamic panels to transfer heat from environmental sources to a hot water cylinder.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the thermodynamic block is integrated into the hot water cylinder, then the system structure is compact, but the installation flexibility is reduced and the cylinder width must be 900mm which makes it difficult to install in existing airing cupboards
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate modules: the thermodynamic block is separated from the hot water cylinder, allowing independent installation of each component. The thermodynamic block can be installed in suitable locations while the cylinder remains in its existing position, providing installation flexibility without requiring a 900mm wide cylinder.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermodynamic block is extracted from the integrated cylinder design and made into a standalone unit. This allows the thermodynamic functionality to be installed in locations with suitable space and access, while the hot water cylinder can be installed in its traditional location, resolving the space constraint issue.
2Ease of operation
If the thermodynamic block is built into the hot water cylinder, then the system is self-contained, but the installation becomes difficult due to size constraints and existing cylinder dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into separate thermodynamic block and cylinder units, the installation process becomes simpler as each component can be installed independently in locations optimized for its specific requirements, avoiding the need to fit a large integrated unit into constrained spaces.
3Temperature
If existing heat pump systems are used with integrated thermodynamic blocks, then the system provides hot water heating, but the maximum temperature is limited to 55 degrees Celsius
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the thermodynamic heat pump block with a hot water cylinder system, combining the heating capability with enhanced temperature output. This integration allows the system to achieve 65°C hot water output by optimizing the heat exchange process between the refrigerant and water in the cylinder.
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 enables flexible installation in various locations, reduces installation time and cost, and increases the efficiency of heat distribution in domestic, commercial, and industrial systems, while allowing for higher temperature hot water production.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor to compress a gaseous refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a first condenser heat exchanger to which the compressed refrigerant is supplied and at which heat is transferred from the refrigerant to water in a hot water cylinder
Implementation Method 3
an expansion valve that receives cooled liquid refrigerant from the first heat exchanger
Implementation Method 4
a thermodynamic panel including a second heat exchanger that receives cool refrigerant from the expansion valve and is in thermal communication with an environmental heat source
Implementation Method 5
Water may be pumped from the hot water cylinder through the second flow path and back to the cylinder by a circulating pump
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchange system and apparatus comprising: a compressor to compress a refrigerant, a first condenser heat exchanger to which the compressed refrigerant is supplied and at which heat is transferred from the refrigerant to water in a hot water cylinder; an expansion valve that receives cooled liquid refrigerant from the first heat exchanger; a thermodynamic panel including a second heat exchanger heat that receives cool refrigerant from the expansion valve and is in thermal communication with an environmental heat source.