Warm-water generating apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional warm-water generating apparatuses using heat pump units with carbon dioxide as a refrigerant are inefficient in generating warm water.
Innovation Solution
A warm-water generating apparatus that uses a mixed refrigerant containing at least 1,2-difluoroethylene (HFO-1132(E)) instead of carbon dioxide, with a configuration including a compressor, heat exchangers, and an expansion mechanism to efficiently heat water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If carbon dioxide is used as a refrigerant in a heat pump unit, then the system structure is simple and reliable, but the warm water generation efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the refrigerant by replacing carbon dioxide with a mixed refrigerant containing HFO-1132(E). This substitution fundamentally alters the thermodynamic properties including boiling point, heat capacity, and thermal conductivity, thereby improving the coefficient of performance (COP) and warm water generation efficiency without requiring structural modifications to the heat pump system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite refrigerant formulation consisting of HFO-1132(E) combined with other refrigerant components. This composite approach leverages the superior thermal properties of HFO-1132(E) while maintaining system compatibility and optimizing overall performance through synergistic interactions among the refrigerant mixture components.
2Productivity
If a mixed refrigerant containing HFO-1132(E) is used, then warm water generation efficiency is improved, but the refrigerant composition becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the compositional parameters of the mixed refrigerant by specifying precise concentration ranges for HFO-1132(E) and other components. This parameter optimization achieves the best balance between warm water generation efficiency and system compatibility, ensuring high productivity while maintaining manageable complexity through defined compositional specifications.
3Power
If conventional heat pump systems with carbon dioxide are used, then the system design is straightforward, but the coefficient of performance is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermodynamic parameters of the refrigerant cycle by introducing HFO-1132(E) with its distinct phase change characteristics and thermal properties. This results in improved heat transfer coefficients and higher coefficient of performance, reducing the energy input required for the same water heating output.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition properties of HFO-1132(E) during evaporation and condensation cycles. The refrigerant's phase changes occur at optimized temperature and pressure conditions, maximizing heat absorption from the environment and heat release to the water, thereby improving overall system power efficiency and reducing energy consumption.
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 apparatus efficiently generates warm water by utilizing the mixed refrigerant, which offers improved performance compared to conventional systems using carbon dioxide.
Implementation Method 1
a use-side second heat exchanger (22), in which the mixed refrigerant flowing and first water to exchange heat with each other to heat the first water
Data Source
AI summary
A warm-water generating apparatus (1) uses, as a refrigerant, a mixed refrigerant containing at least 1,2-difluoroethylene (HFO-1132(E)). The warm-water generating apparatus (1) includes a compressor (21), a heat-source-side air heat exchanger (24), an expansion valve (23), and a use-side water heat exchanger (22). The water heat exchanger (22) causes the mixed refrigerant flowing therein and first water to exchange heat with each other to heat the first water.