Vapor heat pump and method for utilizing low pressure vapor through supplementing enthalpy and pressure boost

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Solution Overview

Problem

The temperature of secondary vapor generated during evaporation is consistently lower than the liquid temperature due to rising boiling point, posing technical difficulties for energy-saving utilization in vapor heat pumps.

Innovation Solution

A vapor heat pump method that heats low-pressure vapor into superheated vapor and uses an artificial tornado method to enhance suction force, converting it into pressure-boosted and quantity-increased saturated vapor for efficient utilization and recycling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If low pressure vapor is directly utilized for heating, then the system structure is simple, but the temperature is insufficient due to rising boiling point

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevapor temperatureVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter of low pressure vapor by heating it to superheated vapor state, enabling it to reach temperatures sufficient for effective heating applications despite its low initial pressure and temperature

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a heat exchanger as an intermediary device to transfer heat from high temperature heat source to the low pressure vapor, raising its temperature without directly complicating the core vapor utilization system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by moving object

If conventional vapor heating methods are used, then the system is simple, but energy consumption is high and thermal efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidthermal efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the heating process itself generates vapor that is fed back into the system to continue heating low pressure vapor, creating a self-sustaining cycle that reduces external energy input and improves thermal efficiency to over 90%

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent recovers energy from the heating process by capturing the vapor generated during heating of low pressure vapor and reusing it within the system, preventing energy waste and significantly reducing overall energy consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Loss of energy

If low pressure vapor temperature is increased through heating, then thermal efficiency improves, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes a continuous cycle where low pressure vapor is heated, generates vapor during the process, and that vapor is immediately reused to heat more low pressure vapor, ensuring continuous useful action that minimizes energy loss and maintains high thermal efficiency without requiring continuous external energy input

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 method significantly reduces energy consumption and increases thermal efficiency, achieving a theoretical thermal efficiency of over 90% while minimizing carbon emissions and environmental impact, with a simpler and cost-effective system design.

Implementation Method 1

the low pressure vapor is heated into superheated vapor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

the superheated vapor shall be at a temperature higher than that of the high temperature and rich in thermal energy saturated vapor at the target pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuperheating: Superheating

Implementation Method 3

the saturated vapor will be condensed and sharply shrink in volume to generate a strong suction force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 4

spraying liquid boost pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpray: Spray

Implementation Method 5

converted into the pressure boosted and quantity increased saturated vapor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure increase: Pressurisation

Data Source

PatentEP3546826B1Vapor heat pump and method for utilizing low pressure vapor through supplementing enthalpy and pressure boost
Publication Date: 2021.04.28 SICHUAN UNIV
  • EP3546826B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3546826B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3546826B1 patent drawingFigure 4~8

AI summary

The invention discloses an efficient vapor heat pump (VHP) and a method for utilizing low pressure vapor through enthalpy supplement and pressure boost, comprising the following steps: the low pressure vapor is heated into superheated vapor for enthalpy supplement; when a material is heated on a material heater, the pressure boosted and quantity increased saturated vapor will be condensed and sharply shrink in volume to generate a strong suction force so that the superheated vapor is sucked for spraying liquid boost pressure(SLBP), so as to utilize the pressure boosted and quantity increased saturated vapor; further, an artificial tornado is generated from vapor in relevant equipment by reference to the formation theory of tornado in nature and the strong suction force thereof, so as to enhance the suction force and improve thermal efficiency and compression ratio. The vapor heat pump, especially the tornado vapor heat pump(TVHP), has the advantages of high efficiency, low energy consumption, low cost and environmental protection due to small enthalpy difference between low pressure vapor and pressure boosted and quantity increased saturated vapor, less enthalpy supplement of superheated vapor ,and high pressure ratio for spraying liquid boost pressure(SLBP). Besides, the low carbon technology is used as a green energy source and thus the TVHP is widely applied to many fields.