System and method of energy efficient operation of a transport climate control system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Transport climate control systems face inefficiencies in energy usage due to mixing of working fluids from different temperature zones, leading to reduced cooling capacity and increased energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The system dynamically controls the flow of refrigerant from evaporators to either an auxiliary suction port or a main suction port of a compressor, allowing each evaporator to operate at or near saturation, preventing fluid mixing and optimizing energy efficiency without additional valves or complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If working fluid gas from multiple evaporators is returned to the main suction port, then the system structure is simple, but energy efficiency decreases and cooling capacity is reduced due to fluid mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The suction port of the compressor is segmented into multiple independent ports (first suction port, second suction port, third suction port), each receiving working fluid from specific evaporators. This segmentation prevents mixing of working fluids from different temperature zones, allowing each evaporator to operate at optimal saturation conditions, thereby improving energy efficiency by 10-20% without adding complex control valves
2Power
If working fluid from different temperature zones is mixed in the main suction port, then the system layout is simple, but cooling capacity is reduced due to loss of temperature-specific optimization
Solution Approach 1:
The compressor suction port is divided into multiple independent ports that receive working fluid from evaporators serving different temperature zones (e.g., frozen zone evaporators, fresh zone evaporators). This segmentation preserves the temperature-specific properties of the working fluid, allowing each evaporator to operate at its optimal saturation point, thereby maximizing total cooling capacity without requiring additional valves or complex control mechanisms
3Use of energy by moving object
If evaporators operate without saturation control, then the system operation is simple, but energy efficiency decreases due to suboptimal evaporator performance
Solution Approach 1:
The compressor is equipped with multiple suction ports that independently receive working fluid from different evaporators, enabling each evaporator to operate at saturation conditions. This segmentation eliminates the need for additional control valves or complex control systems, as the physical separation of suction ports automatically maintains optimal evaporator performance, reducing energy consumption by 10-20% while keeping operation simple
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 results in 10-20% energy/fuel savings and improved cooling capacity by preventing fluid mixing and ensuring each evaporator operates within its optimal temperature range, maintaining zone flexibility and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor for compressing working fluid
Implementation Method 2
a condenser, downstream of the compressor, that releases heat from the working fluid into ambient air outside of the transport unit to cool and condense the working fluid
Implementation Method 3
each of the plurality of evaporators absorbs heat from a different area of the climate controlled space to heat and evaporate the working fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A climate control circuit for a transport climate control system is provided. The circuit includes a compressor, a plurality of evaporators, a suction flow control device, and a controller. The suction flow control device is downstream of the plurality of evaporators and directs the working fluid from each of the evaporators to one of a main suction port and an auxiliary port of the compressor. The controller determines whether each of the evaporators is operating in a fresh temperature range or in a frozen temperature range. For each of the evaporators operating in the fresh temperature range, the controller instructs the suction flow control device to direct the working fluid from the corresponding evaporator to the auxiliary suction port. For each of the plurality of evaporators operating in the frozen temperature range, the controller instructs the suction flow control device to direct the working fluid to the main suction port.