Water-Cooled Split AC Heat Exchange for Higher COP
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air-cooled split air conditioning and heat pump systems have a relatively low coefficient of performance (C.O.P.), which is unsatisfactory for meeting the increasing global energy demand.
Innovation Solution
A water-cooled split air conditioning system is introduced, utilizing water as a cooling agent to enhance the C.O.P. by employing a water cooling unit with a pumping device, top and bottom water collection basins, and heat exchanging pipes for efficient heat exchange between refrigerant and cooling water, allowing for both air conditioning and heat pumping functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If air-cooled split air conditioning system is used, then the system structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the coefficient of performance (C.O.P.) is relatively low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces water as an intermediary cooling medium between the refrigerant and the ambient environment. The water cooling unit uses water to absorb heat from the refrigerant more efficiently than air cooling, thereby improving the C.O.P. while maintaining a relatively simple system structure through the addition of a water tank and heat exchanging pipes.
2Loss of energy
If water cooling unit is added to improve C.O.P., then the coefficient of performance increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water cooling unit is designed to serve multiple functions: it cools the refrigerant during air conditioning mode and can potentially serve as a heat source during heating mode. The water tank and heat exchanging pipes are integrated into the existing outdoor unit structure, allowing the same components to function in different operating modes, thereby reducing the overall system complexity despite the addition of water cooling functionality.
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 water-cooled system achieves a higher coefficient of performance compared to conventional systems, enabling more efficient cooling and heating, with the refrigerant temperature being cooled by up to 10° C to 14° C more than conventional systems.
Implementation Method 1
a predetermined amount of refrigerant being arranged to flow through the heat exchanging pipe in such a manner that the refrigerant is arranged to perform highly efficient heat exchanging process with the cooling water for lowering a temperature of the refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
a predetermined amount of air being drawn from the air inlet for performing heat exchange with the cooling water flowing through the fill material unit for lowering a temperature of the cooling water
Implementation Method 3
a pumping device provided in the water tank for pumping the cooling water
Data Source
AI summary
A water-cooled split air conditioning system includes an indoor unit, an outdoor unit, and a plurality of connecting hoses. The outdoor unit includes an outdoor housing and a water cooling unit. The water cooling unit includes a pumping device, a top water collection basin, a fill material unit provided underneath the top water collection basin, a bottom water collection basin provided underneath the fill material unit, and a plurality of heat exchanging pipes provided in the bottom water collection basin and immersed in the cooling water. The cooling water collected in the bottom water collection tank is arranged to be guided to flow back into the top water collection basin. A predetermined amount of refrigerant is arranged to flow through the heat exchanging pipes to perform highly efficient heat exchanging process with the cooling water for lowering a temperature of the refrigerant.