Steam Compression Drive Unit Cooling and De-superheating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing steam compression apparatuses are inefficient in utilizing thermal energy, as the thermal energy produced by the drive unit is typically wasted to the ambient air, and there is a need to improve the efficiency of steam compression processes.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize a liquid cooling medium to recover thermal energy from the drive unit and transfer it to the steam flow for de-superheating, allowing for heat recovery and optimizing the steam conditions by controlling the injection of the cooling medium based on thermodynamic properties of both the steam and cooling medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the drive unit is cooled with a liquid cooling medium, then thermal energy is recovered from the drive unit, but the cooling medium temperature increases requiring additional cooling capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers thermal energy from the drive unit by cooling it with a liquid cooling medium, capturing the waste heat that would otherwise be discarded to the ambient air. This recovered thermal energy is then utilized in the de-superheating process, transforming a waste product into a useful resource.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of thermal energy waste (heat dissipation to ambient air) into a beneficial effect by using the recovered thermal energy to de-superheat the steam. The cooling medium that absorbs heat from the drive unit is then directed to the de-superheater where it serves as the cooling source, turning what would be a loss into a useful function.
2Productivity
If thermal energy is recovered from the drive unit and used for de-superheating, then de-superheating efficiency is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the drive unit cooling function with the steam de-superheating function by using the same liquid cooling medium for both purposes. The cooling medium circulates through the drive unit to absorb thermal energy, then flows to the de-superheater to provide cooling for the steam, combining two separate thermal management functions into one integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid cooling medium serves multiple functions: it cools the drive unit to recover thermal energy and then cools the superheated steam in the de-superheater. This multi-functional use of the cooling medium eliminates the need for separate cooling systems, reducing overall system complexity while improving efficiency.
3Device complexity
If the cooling medium is used directly from the cooling apparatus, then the apparatus complexity is reduced, but the steam flow rate is insufficient for effective de-superheating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a pre-cooler that pre-cools the liquid cooling medium before it enters the de-superheater. This preliminary cooling action increases the cooling capacity of the medium, enabling it to effectively de-superheat larger steam flows without requiring additional cooling apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter of the cooling medium by pre-cooling it before it reaches the de-superheater. This parameter change increases the temperature differential between the cooling medium and the steam, enhancing the heat transfer efficiency and enabling effective de-superheating of higher steam flow rates.
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 approach enhances the efficiency of the steam compression process by reducing the demand on upstream steam generation, increasing the output, and achieving the desired steam conditions such as substantially dry saturated steam, while effectively utilizing recovered thermal energy.
Implementation Method 1
cooling the drive unit with a liquid cooling medium, so that the cooling medium recovers thermal energy from the drive unit
Implementation Method 2
de-superheating the steam flow by heat transfer between the steam flow and the cooling medium downstream of the drive unit
Data Source
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AI summary
There is disclosed a method of operating a steam compression apparatus 10 comprising a compressor 12 and a drive unit 14, the method comprising: operating the drive unit 14 to drive the compressor 12 so as to provide a superheated steam flow; cooling the drive unit 14 with a liquid cooling medium, so that the cooling medium recovers thermal energy from the drive unit 14; and de-superheating the steam flow from the compressor by injecting the cooling medium into the steam flow downstream of the drive unit. An alternative method of operating a steam compression apparatus is also disclosed in which the steam flow from the compressor is de-superheated by indirect heat transfer between the steam flow and the cooling medium downstream of the drive unit 14, thereby vaporising a portion of the cooling medium to provide a vaporised flow which combines with the steam flow. Corresponding steam compression apparatus 10 is disclosed comprising a compressor 12, drive unit 14 and de-superheater 16, 16'.