Substation for heat source and operating method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for producing domestic hot water, heating, and cold using absorption machines face limitations in generating low or medium temperature heating, achieving a thermal performance coefficient greater than 1, distributing heat and cold through a network of four pipes or less, and smoothing power demands for heating and cold production.
Innovation Solution
A substation for a heat source that includes an absorption machine thermally coupled with a cooling or cold source circuit, a thermal storage device, and a mechanical vapor compression machine, along with a fluid management controller, allowing for the generation of cold, low or medium temperature heating, and domestic hot water heating, while distributing heat and cold through a network of four pipes or less and smoothing power demands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If an absorption chiller is used for cooling when heat is very inexpensive, then cooling service is provided, but the cost constraint of less than $20/MWth limits wider adoption
Solution Approach 1:
The absorption chiller is integrated into the district heating network to perform multiple functions: it provides cooling during summer months and can operate in heating mode during winter months, allowing the same equipment to serve different seasonal needs and justify broader deployment beyond cost constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters seasonally, switching between cooling mode and heating mode based on ambient temperature and demand conditions, enabling the absorption chiller to remain economically viable across different operating conditions and geographic locations
2Loss of energy
If an absorption chiller is used for medium-temperature hot water production, then heat is saved from the primary network with COP greater than 1, but the system cannot simultaneously generate cold for air conditioning and heat for DHW through a four-pipe network
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different operational configurations using valve arrangements, allowing the absorption chiller to operate in cooling mode, heating mode, or domestic hot water production mode based on real-time demand, thereby achieving simultaneous or alternating provision of multiple services through the same four-pipe network
Solution Approach 2:
The four-pipe network is segmented into distinct circuits for heating, cooling, and domestic hot water, with control valves that can isolate or connect different portions of the system to enable flexible operation modes and simultaneous delivery of multiple thermal services
3Use of energy by moving object
If a heat source substation generates low or medium temperature heating with COPth greater than 1, then thermal efficiency is improved, but the system complexity increases with multiple machines and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The absorption machine and mechanical vapor compression machine are merged into a single integrated substation unit with shared components such as the heat exchanger and four-pipe network connection points, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to achieve COPth greater than 1 through coordinated operation of both machines
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
Enables efficient generation and distribution of heating and cold for domestic hot water and heating, achieving a thermal performance coefficient greater than 1, and effectively manages power demands, overcoming the limitations of prior art systems.
Implementation Method 1
a thermodynamic machine operating in absorption mode, known as an absorption chiller when it is used for the production of cold
Implementation Method 2
at least one thermodynamic machine operating in vapor compression mode, known as a compression chiller when it is used for the production of cold
Implementation Method 3
The substation also includes a thermal storage device whose supply inlet is in fluidic connection with the first discharge outlet of the absorption machine and whose discharge outlet is in fluidic connection with the supply inlet of the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 4
a heat exchanger whose supply inlet is in fluidic connection with the first supply inlet of the absorption machine, whose exhaust outlet is in fluidic connection with the return pipe of the heat source and whose thermic outlet is in fluidic connection with a domestic hot water distribution circuit
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a substation 2 for a heat source 1 and its method of operation, designed to: - generate cold for air conditioning or cooling, particularly in summer, - generate heating at low or medium temperature (for example between 40 and 65°C), particularly in winter, - generate heating to produce domestic hot water, and - distribute fluids enabling the production of DHW and heating or cooling and by a network of four pipes or less.