Suction Gas Heat Exchanger for High-Temperature Heat Pump Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat pumps are less efficient at higher distribution temperatures, limiting their effectiveness in buildings with heating systems set to higher temperatures.
Innovation Solution
The heat pump design includes a suction gas heat exchanger that transfers heat from the liquid conduit to the gas conduit, increasing the gas temperature exiting the evaporator and enhancing overall efficiency by recovering heat that would otherwise be lost during expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heat pumps are used in high temperature heating systems, then the distribution temperature requirement is met, but the efficiency of the heat pump decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention recovers the heat that is normally lost during expansion in the expander by using a suction gas heat exchanger to transfer this heat to the suction gas. This converts the harmful energy loss into a beneficial preheating effect, increasing the suction gas temperature before compression and thereby improving overall heat pump efficiency even at high distribution temperatures
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the temperature parameter of the suction gas by heating it in the suction gas heat exchanger before compression. This parameter change allows the heat pump to maintain higher efficiency at elevated distribution temperatures by reducing the compression work required through increased suction gas temperature
2Temperature
If the distribution temperature is increased, then high temperature heating systems can be served, but the extractable heat in the condenser is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The suction gas heat exchanger performs a preliminary action by preheating the suction gas before compression. This preliminary heating reduces the temperature difference that the condenser must handle, thereby maximizing the extractable heat in the condenser while still achieving the required high distribution temperature
3Device complexity
If heat is lost during expansion in the expander, then the expansion process is simple, but the overall heat pump efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention takes the heat that is lost during expansion in the expander and converts this energy loss into a beneficial effect by transferring it to the suction gas in the suction gas heat exchanger. This recovered heat preheats the suction gas, reducing compression work and improving overall efficiency without adding complex equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion process itself provides the heat that is needed to preheat the suction gas. The heat generated during expansion is not wasted but is instead utilized to serve the compression process by heating the suction gas, creating a self-service energy recovery system
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 configuration increases the efficiency of the heat pump, allowing it to effectively supply heat to high-temperature heating systems while minimizing energy loss, with potential efficiency increases of up to 10-15%.
Implementation Method 1
The suction gas heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat from the flow medium in the liquid conduit to the flow medium in the gas conduit to increase the temperature of the gas exiting the evaporator
Implementation Method 2
In a second or cooling state, the evaporator is configured to extract heat from a source that is connected to a cooling system of a room or building
Implementation Method 3
The extracted heat may, by means of the condenser, be released to the environment or to a heat sink
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a heat pump comprising: - an evaporator; - at least one compressor that is positioned downstream of the evaporator and is connected to the evaporator by a gas conduit; - a condenser that is positioned downstream of the compressor and is operatively connected thereto; - at least one expander that is positioned downstream of the condenser and is connected thereto by a liquid conduit; and - a suction gas heat exchanger that is operatively connected to the gas conduit and the liquid conduit. The invention further relates to a heating and/or cooling system and to a method for generating heat and/or cold.