Vacuum-Based Refrigeration System to Reduce Compressor Energy Use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refrigeration systems face inefficiencies and environmental concerns due to their reliance on vapor compression cycles, which require compression, expansion, and phase changes, leading to high energy consumption and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
A low-pressure refrigeration system utilizing a thermo-vessel coil within a vacuum enclosure, eliminating the need for compression and phase changes, and incorporating a closed loop fluid circuit with a coolant pump, heat exchanger, and vacuum system to maintain desired temperatures with minimal energy usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If vapor compression cycle is used, then refrigeration function is achieved, but energy consumption increases and environmental impact worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the compressor and expansion valve from the traditional vapor compression cycle, extracting the harmful phase change process and high-energy compression components. The system uses a liquid-to-liquid heat exchange process in a vacuum environment, eliminating the need for refrigerant phase changes and high-power compression, thereby reducing energy consumption and environmental impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters from high-pressure vapor compression to low-pressure liquid heat exchange. By operating in a vacuum environment and maintaining liquid phase throughout the cycle, the system achieves refrigeration without the high energy consumption and environmental harm associated with traditional compression and phase change processes.
2Temperature
If compression and phase change are used, then cooling effect is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the compressor, expansion valve, and phase change processes from the system. By using direct liquid-to-liquid heat exchange in a vacuum environment, the system achieves cooling without the complex mechanical components and phase change mechanisms required in traditional vapor compression systems.
3Loss of energy
If vacuum enclosure is used, then heat transfer efficiency improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a vacuum environment as an inert atmosphere to eliminate heat transfer losses through conduction and convection. The vacuum enclosure prevents unwanted heat exchange with the surrounding atmosphere, improving the efficiency of the liquid-to-liquid heat transfer process while the simplicity of the liquid-phase system offsets the added vacuum containment requirement.
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 system achieves efficient cooling with reduced energy consumption and environmental impact by maintaining coolant temperatures within a vacuum enclosure, allowing for continuous operation without the need for frequent compressor use, and enabling new heat exchanger designs that exceed traditional evaporator efficiencies.
Implementation Method 1
A vacuum supply circuit comprised of a vacuum reservoir (a deep vacuum reservoir), a vacuum pump, a moisture separator and a vacuum regulator valve, is used to keep the chiller in deep vacuum and devoid of heat
Implementation Method 2
chilled coolant flows from the thermo-vessel coil (enclosed within chiller) through the coolant pump and into the heat exchanger within the space to be cooled
Implementation Method 3
which is typically an assembly of tubes and fins. The resulting vapor refrigerant returns to the compressor inlet to repeat the thermodynamic cycle
Data Source
AI summary
A method is disclosed for cooling a heat transfer fluid circulating in a cooling circuit including a chiller. The method includes installing on the circuit a vacuum housing having a heat exchange conduit extending therethrough and partially filled with a coolant and an atmosphere and pre-cooling the atmosphere and coolant within the vacuum housing to a pre-cooling temperature of between 35 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit using a conventional cooling system. Thereafter the pressure in the vacuum housing is reduced to between 1 and 500 millitorr until an initial cooling temperature in the range of of −50 to 35 degrees Fahrenheit is reached and the heat transfer fluid is then circulated through the heat exchange conduit and to the chiller and back. The pressure reduction in is obtained by selectively connecting the vacuum housing to a larger vacuum reservoir which is connected to a vacuum pump.