Method to change fluid temperature using a thermally driven control unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermally driven cooling and heating systems are large, bulky, and energy-intensive due to their complex hydraulic designs and high electrical demands, limiting their efficiency and thermal coefficient of performance.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing liquid binary mixtures with solutes and solvents that undergo endothermic or exothermic reactions to change temperature, featuring a simple hydraulic design and low electrical demand, with a mixing heat exchanger, fractionator/evaporator column, condenser, and heat recovery units, allowing for continuous operation without replacing the solute or solvent.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If absorption refrigeration systems are used, then cooling function is achieved, but system size and complexity increase due to multiple auxiliary components and hydraulic loops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex hydraulic loops, pressure-relief valves, and auxiliary components from traditional absorption systems. The invention uses a single-chamber design where the refrigerant circulates directly through evaporation and condensation phases without requiring separate high-pressure and low-pressure zones, thereby achieving cooling while dramatically reducing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the generator, condenser, evaporator, and absorber functions into a single integrated chamber. The refrigerant undergoes phase changes and heat exchange within one continuous space, eliminating the need for multiple separate components and complex interconnections, thus resolving the contradiction between cooling capability and system complexity
2Temperature
If adsorption systems are used, then cooling function is achieved, but thermal efficiency decreases due to low thermal conductivity of adsorbent materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the adsorption mechanism (which relies on low-conductivity porous materials like activated carbon or zeolite) with a direct liquid-vapor phase change mechanism. The refrigerant circulates as a liquid-gas mixture, undergoing evaporation and condensation without requiring adsorbent beds, thereby achieving cooling while maintaining high thermal efficiency through direct thermal contact
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameter from adsorption-based mass transfer to phase-change-based heat transfer. By utilizing the latent heat of vaporization and condensation of a refrigerant liquid-gas mixture, the system achieves superior thermal conductivity and efficiency compared to solid adsorbent materials, resolving the energy loss issue
3Temperature
If ejector-compressor systems are used, then cooling function is achieved, but electrical energy consumption increases due to high auxiliary electricity loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service system where the refrigerant's own phase changes provide the necessary work for circulation. The evaporation process creates pressure differential that drives the refrigerant through the system, and condensation releases heat to the environment, eliminating the need for external compressors, ejectors, or electrical actuators, thereby achieving cooling with minimal electrical energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes all high-electrical-consumption components such as compressors, ejectors, and electronic control systems. The system relies solely on passive thermodynamic processes of the refrigerant itself, taking out the active mechanical and electrical subsystems that consume energy, thus resolving the contradiction between cooling capability and electrical energy use
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
The system achieves efficient and continuous cooling or heating with reduced energy consumption and simpler design, enabling effective temperature modification of environments using selected solutes and solvents with significant enthalpy changes.
Implementation Method 1
when a solute is mixed in a solvent resulting in a positive enthalpy change, the mixing process is described as endothermic
Implementation Method 2
a negative enthalpy change signifies an exothermic process
Implementation Method 3
the solute is then separated from the solvent using thermal energy
Implementation Method 4
a fractionator/evaporator column for separating the mixing solute and the solvent
Implementation Method 5
a condenser
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for changing the temperature of an environment using a thermally driven system. At least one solute and a solvent are selected such that the mixture of each solute and the solvent produce a negative enthalpy change for heating and a positive enthalpy change for cooling. In some embodiments, a plurality of pumps move the solute and the solvent, and a mixture thereof, among the various components of the present invention. A liquid loop may be coupled with a mixing heat exchanger and an air handler to provide a warm or cool supply air. Further, a process for cooling or heating air using enthalpy change of a solution associated with the dissolution of a solute in a solvent at relatively constant atmospheric pressure, and separation of the solute from the solvent for re-use in the process is disclosed.