Three-dimensionally distributed liquid atomization heat exchanger, control method thereof, refrigeration system, and air conditioner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional air conditioning systems face high energy consumption, environmental impact, and inefficiency due to the use of Freon and ammonia refrigerants, and carbon dioxide refrigeration systems struggle with liquefaction and condensation issues, while traditional heat exchangers are affected by external temperature and humidity, leading to poor refrigeration performance.

Innovation Solution

A three-dimensional distributed liquid atomization heat exchanger with a control method that uses a shell, air extraction device, heat exchange device, and liquid atomization device, featuring a control center to manage atomization heads for uniform liquid distribution, enabling efficient heat transfer and condensation of carbon dioxide under negative pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional heat exchangers are used with external air intake, then heat exchange function is provided, but heat transfer effect is influenced by external temperature and humidity leading to poor refrigeration performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefrigeration effectVSAvoidexternal temperature and humidity influence
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a closed shell environment that isolates the heat exchange process from external atmospheric conditions. By forming a controlled internal environment, the system eliminates the harmful influence of external temperature and humidity on heat transfer efficiency, allowing consistent refrigeration performance regardless of outdoor conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces water atomization devices at specific locations within the shell to create localized cooling zones. The atomized water evaporates in targeted areas to absorb heat from the refrigerant, providing enhanced cooling effect precisely where needed without being affected by external environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-generated harmful factors

If carbon dioxide refrigeration system is used, then environmental friendliness is improved, but liquefaction and condensation become difficult when operating temperature is higher than critical temperature

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidliquefaction and condensation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes phase transition of water (liquid to vapor) through atomization and evaporation to facilitate heat exchange. The evaporating water absorbs latent heat from the carbon dioxide refrigerant, enabling effective heat transfer and phase change of the refrigerant even when operating above carbon dioxide's critical temperature, thus solving the liquefaction difficulty.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces water as an intermediary substance in the form of atomized mist. This water intermediary absorbs heat from the carbon dioxide refrigerant through evaporation, enabling indirect heat exchange that facilitates refrigerant condensation without requiring direct contact or extreme pressure conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If traditional water source or air source heat pump units are used, then refrigeration function is provided, but system structure becomes complex requiring large equipment rooms and water circulation systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling or heating provisionVSAvoidsystem structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the heat exchange device, water atomization device, and air extraction device into a single integrated shell structure. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate water circulation systems and large equipment rooms, significantly simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining refrigeration functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The shell structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it contains the heat exchange device, holds the atomized water for evaporative cooling, provides the sealed environment for negative pressure operation, and facilitates refrigerant circulation. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed in traditional systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If conventional heat exchangers are turned on or off together, then system control is simplified, but energy utilization becomes inefficient when full capacity is not needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol simplicityVSAvoidenergy utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the heat exchanger into multiple independently controllable modules, each equipped with its own water atomization device and control system. This segmentation allows selective operation of individual modules based on actual cooling demand, enabling precise energy utilization without the need to operate all components at full capacity or shut them down completely.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 high heat exchange efficiency, energy savings, and environmental friendliness by uniformly distributing atomized liquid for efficient heat transfer and condensation, suitable for high-rise buildings and reducing energy consumption by over 50% compared to traditional systems.

Implementation Method 1

an air extraction device arranged outside the shell and used for forming negative pressure in the shell

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

the atomized water can be evaporated into steam in the negative pressure environment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

evaporation of the atomized water is promoted in the closed negative pressure environment, the integral temperature in the closed environment is reduced

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLatent heat: Latent Heat

Implementation Method 4

the multiple atomization exhaust pipe are arranged in the shell in a three-dimensional distributed manner, the multiple atomization heads are provided with a control device to control the opening or closing of each atomization head

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Heat Exchanger

Data Source

PatentEP4220058B1Three-dimensionally distributed liquid atomization heat exchanger, control method thereof, refrigeration system, and air conditioner
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 BEIJING JINGKELUN ENG DESIGN & RES INST CO LTD
  • EP4220058B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4220058B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4220058B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A three-dimensionally distributed liquid atomization heat exchanger, comprising a housing (1), an air extraction device (2), a heat exchange device (3) and a liquid atomization device. The air extraction device (2) is used for forming negative pressure in the housing (1). The liquid atomization device comprises a liquid supply pipe, atomization discharge pipes (4) and atomization heads (5). The atomization discharge pipes (4) are connected to the liquid supply pipe. The atomization heads (5) are arranged on the atomization discharge pipes (4). The atomization discharge pipes (4) are three-dimensionally distributed in the housing (1). Control devices are arranged on the atomization heads (5) to control the atomization heads (5) to be opened or closed. The control devices are connected to a control center which can, according to a preset time, a preset percentage of the atomization heads (5) which are open and a randomization function, select randomly the atomization heads (5) to be opened or closed. Each of the atomization heads (5) is opened or closed randomly such as atomized liquid is uniformly distributed in the housing.