Vapor-Driven Absorption Heat Pump With Falling Film Heat Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional absorption heat pumps and desalination processes face inefficiencies due to the high energy consumption required to generate mid to low temperature vapor, with significant thermal energy wasted through cooling methods, and the need for high temperature heat sources to produce higher temperature vapor, which is not feasible with all heat sources like solar thermal collectors or waste heat.
Innovation Solution
The development of all vapor driven absorption heat pumps and transformers that utilize falling film heat exchangers to recycle low temperature vapor without condensation, allowing for the reuse of latent heat and reducing thermal energy consumption by integrating high and low temperature vapors to produce mid-temperature vapor for desalination and water purification processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional wet-cooling or dry-cooling methods are used to dissipate low temperature vapor, then the latent heat is removed, but a large amount of thermal energy is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful waste heat (low temperature vapor with latent heat) into a useful resource by using it as input for the absorption heat pump system. The low temperature vapor that would normally be discarded through cooling towers or air coolers is instead fed into the absorber, where its latent heat drives the absorption cycle to produce higher temperature vapor for productive use.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes phase transitions of the working fluid (absorbent solution) to convert thermal energy at different temperatures. The low temperature vapor causes phase change in the absorbent solution within the absorber, and subsequent heating in the generator causes another phase change, effectively transforming the thermal energy from low temperature vapor into higher temperature vapor through controlled phase transitions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If high temperature heat sources are used to generate higher temperature vapor in first type heat pumps, then mid to low temperature latent heat can be converted, but the system is not feasible with all heat sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (absorbent solution) that mediates between the low temperature vapor input and the higher temperature vapor output. The absorbent solution absorbs the low temperature vapor in the absorber and is then heated in the generator to release high temperature vapor, effectively bridging the temperature gap without requiring a high temperature heat source.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical and chemical parameters of the working fluid (absorbent solution concentration, temperature, pressure) to enable temperature transformation. By controlling the concentration and temperature of the absorbent solution during absorption and desorption processes, the system can transform low temperature vapor into higher temperature vapor using only low temperature heat sources.
3Use of energy by moving object
If mechanical vapor recompression is used to compress and heat waste vapor, then higher temperature vapor can be produced, but electrical energy is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical compression system (compressor) with a thermal system (absorption heat pump). Instead of using mechanical work to compress and heat the vapor, the system uses thermal energy from low temperature vapor to drive the absorption cycle, which then produces higher temperature vapor through thermal processes in the generator.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the waste heat from low temperature vapor to power itself. The low temperature vapor provides the driving energy for the absorption process in the absorber, and the same system then produces higher temperature vapor in the generator, effectively using its own waste heat resource to achieve the temperature elevation without external energy input.
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 significantly reduces energy consumption and associated costs by efficiently recycling latent heat, enabling the use of lower quality energy sources and increasing the efficiency of thermal energy utilization in desalination and water purification systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first generator comprising a falling film heat exchanger and configured to receive a dilute working medium from a heat pump absorber and utilize heat from high temperature vapor to evaporate heat transport material from said dilute working medium delivered through said falling film heat exchanger and thereby provide a mid-temperature vapor output
Implementation Method 2
an absorber configured to receive a heat transport material in a low temperature vapor form from a low temperature source and is configured to receive said concentrated working medium from said first heat pump generator and to utilize heat produced by absorption of said low temperature vapor in said concentrated working medium to produce a mid-temperature vapor output
Implementation Method 3
a second falling film heat exchanger, where said second heat pump generator is configured to receive said concentrated working medium produced in said first heat pump generator and said output vapor produced in said first heat pump
Data Source
AI summary
In certain embodiments an all vapor driven absorption heat pump is provided comprising a first heat pump generator comprising a falling film heat exchanger and configured to receive a high temperature vapor and a dilute working medium and to evaporate heat transport material from the dilute working medium; optionally, a second heat pump generator comprising a second falling film heat exchanger configured to receive concentrated working medium and output vapor produced in the first heat pump and to further evaporate the working medium and provide a mid-temperature vapor output and a concentrated working medium; and a heat pump absorber configured to receive a low temperature vapor and the concentrated working medium from the first heat pump generator when the second heat pump generator is absent and to receive said concentrated working medium from the second heat pump generator when the second heat pump generator is present.