EP2187149A2 - Heat pump assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The system (1) has a closed coolant circuit comprising compressor units (8), heat-exchangers, a condenser (3), a collector (10), an expansion body (9) i.e. expansion valve, and an evaporator (5) where the exchangers are designed as a desuperheater-liquefier (2) and a sub-cooler (4). The sub-cooler and the evaporator are arranged in a successive manner in a flow direction of an outer fluid. The sub-cooler and the evaporator are integrated in housing. The sub-cooler and the evaporator are designed so that a heat source medium e.g. water, flows directly via the sub-cooler and the evaporator. The compressor units are connected parallel to each other. An independent claim is also included for a method for operating a heat pump system.

Description

The invention relates to a heat pump system with in the flow direction of the refrigerant and an external fluid sequentially arranged subcooler and evaporator. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating a heat pump system.

Conventional heat pumps, in particular compression heat pumps, are known to have a compressor which is driven electrically or by an internal combustion engine. The compressor compresses a refrigerant to a higher pressure, where it heats up. The energy released during the subsequent dehiscence and liquefaction of the refrigerant is transferred to the medium of the heating circuit in a heat exchanger. The refrigerant is then expanded in an expansion valve, it cools down. The expanded refrigerant is supplied to the evaporator, where it absorbs heat from the environment and evaporates. Subsequently, the vaporous refrigerant is sucked by the compressor. The cycle of the refrigerant is closed.
The heat source used in most cases is air, such as fresh air or ambient air, the soil or water, such as groundwater, which is deprived of heat. Using, for example, electrical power, the heat absorbed by the heat source is raised to a higher temperature level. At the desuperheater or condenser, the heat absorbed plus part of the compressor power is available as heat at a higher level and is used for heating purposes, for example space heating or hot water preparation.
In order to obtain the highest possible coefficient of performance and thus a high energy efficiency, the differences between the temperature of the heat source and the useful temperature should be as low as possible, that is, for example, that the heat exchangers are designed for the lowest possible temperature differences between the primary and secondary side.

A heat pump, which uses the ambient air as a heat source, usually has a much lower evaporation temperature than a system with the ground as a heat source. With decreasing temperature of the ambient air, the heat demand is greater and the coefficient of performance of the system lower. In addition, the heat transfer coefficient of air at the evaporator surfaces is low, the dew point is often below and the forming condensate must be removed. If the evaporating temperature of the refrigerant is below the temperature of the freezing point of the condensate, an ice layer is formed, which significantly reduces the heat transfer and must be defrosted at regular intervals. During the defrosting process no heat can be absorbed and additional energy is needed for defrosting.

In the prior art now heat pump systems in different modes and circuits are known. The systems can be distinguished, for example, by the number of fluid circuits.
The decoupling of the circuits by indirect supply of the heat of vaporization by means of a heat carrier circuit from the environment and the removal of the liquefaction energy, for example via a hot water heating network are advantageous in terms of control technology, the amount of refrigerant and the probabilities of leaks are low. This is to be evaluated in particular with regard to the environmental hazard of the refrigerant and the hazardous properties, such as toxicity or ignitability. The use of heat exchangers in the additional circuits, for example the heat carrier and the heating circuit, proves to be disadvantageous as connections to the refrigerant circuit, whereby an additional temperature difference occurs in each case. This has the consequence that the evaporation temperature at the heat exchanger is lower by a temperature difference than the flow temperature of the heat carrier. Likewise, the must Condensation temperature of the refrigerant to be higher by a difference than the flow temperature in the heating circuit.
In so-called direct systems, a heat transfer circuit is dispensed with, so that the heat transfer from the heat transfer circuit to the working circuit of the heat pump is eliminated. The refrigerant absorbs the heat in direct evaporation. This eliminates the energy disadvantageous temperature difference at the additional heat exchanger. However, the direct systems are not suitable for all applications.

In the EP 0846 923 B1 discloses a system for air conditioning a room, is prepared with the outside air supplied to the room. In this case, the air flowing in from the outside in the flow direction is initially cooled and, depending on the state defined by the temperature and humidity, dehumidified and then reheated. The process of cooling the air is comparable to the absorption of heat in an evaporator of a heat pump system, wherein the air serves as a heat source. The in the EP 0846 923 B1 described refrigeration system for air conditioning has in the flow direction of the refrigerant after the condenser to an additional subcooler, which can be switched on or off as needed via valves. In each case downstream of the condenser or subcooler, the refrigerant is expanded by means of an expansion valve into the evaporator. The air to be treated is cooled in the evaporator. The heat is transferred from the air to the refrigerant. Thereafter, the cooled air in the subcooler is reheated. The term subcooler refers to the subcooling of the refrigerant after condensation. The heat is thus transferred from the refrigerant to the air.

A similar system as in the EP 0846 923 B1 , is also in the US 5,664,425 A described, in which an apparatus and a method for dehumidifying or conditioning of air are disclosed. The system also has, in the flow direction of the refrigerant, a condenser with a downstream subcooler and an expansion element for expanding the refrigerant into an evaporator. The air is cooled as required in the evaporator and dehumidified and then reheated in the heat exchanger to subcool the refrigerant.

From the US 2005/0028545 A1 Go forth an apparatus and method for undercutting and / or pre-cooling of a refrigerant. The device is intended for receiving cold, dry building exhaust air and for storing condensate water provided by an air conditioning, refrigeration or heat pump system or other water supply.

The object of the present invention is to provide a heat pump system and a method for operating a heat pump system that transfers heat from the heat source to the refrigerant circuit according to the principle of the direct or indirect system, wherein the coefficient of performance of the heat pump in comparison to conventional systems be increased and thus increase energy efficiency. In addition, the system is also intended to minimize the time and effort required to operate the system, thus reducing energy consumption and operating costs.

The object is achieved by a heat pump system with a closed refrigerant circuit having a compressor unit in the flow direction of the refrigerant, a heat exchanger as a desuperheater, a condenser, a heat exchanger as a subcooler, a collector, an expansion element and an evaporator. One outer fluid, which is outside the circuit with respect to the refrigerant circuit, flows either as a heat transfer medium or as a medium, which transfers heat to the refrigerant circuit as a heat source, in the flow direction over the outer heat exchanger surfaces of the subcooler and the evaporator. In addition, it absorbs heat from the refrigerant in the subcooler, heats up and then flows with the higher temperature state over the evaporator surfaces, where it gives off heat.
According to the invention, heat is transferred from the liquid refrigerant, the so-called refrigerant condensate, to the outer fluid and from the outer fluid to the evaporating refrigerant. In this case, the temperature difference between the evaporation temperature of the refrigerant and the temperature of the heat source is advantageously reduced.

Compressor unit is to be understood either a single or a composite of a plurality of compressors, which are connected in parallel with each other. Depending on the heat demand, the power of the system is regulated and the parallel operation simplifies the control of compressor performance.
Conceptually, after compression within a desuperheater condenser, the refrigerant is de-oiled and / or liquefied. If vaporous refrigerant is present at the outlet of the desuperheater, the vaporous component in the condenser of the refrigeration system is completely liquefied.
Instead of the two heat exchangers desuperheater and condenser, depending on the application, the use of a single capacitor is possible, in addition to the condensation also takes place the process of desuperheating.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the subcooler and the evaporator are integrated within a common housing and thus formed as an integrated subcooler evaporator. This has the advantage of possible space savings.

According to the concept, a heat carrier circuit is provided which has the subcooler and the evaporator of the refrigerant circuit and a heat source heat exchanger. The heat transfer medium, also referred to as external fluid, which is circulated by means of a heat transfer pump in the heat transfer circuit, successively absorbs heat in the heat source heat exchanger and the subcooler, which is then discharged again when flowing through the evaporator. By absorbing heat in the subcooler, the temperature of the heat transfer medium increases. The evaporation temperature of the refrigerant circuit is in addition to design features of the heat exchanger itself also dependent on the temperature of the heat transfer medium. By increasing the temperature of the heat transfer medium can be raised at the same design features of the evaporator, the evaporation temperature of the refrigerant. The entire heat pump system is therefore more energy efficient to operate. In addition, the liquefied refrigerant is undercooled by the heat transfer to the heat transfer medium in the subcooler. The additional subcooling at condensation pressure, increases the specific cooling capacity after the relaxation. If the mass flow remains constant, more heat can be absorbed in the evaporator due to the larger available enthalpy difference, or the mass flow can advantageously be reduced. The energy efficiency of the heat pump system is increased.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the subcooler and the evaporator are designed such that a heat source medium flows as external fluid directly through the subcooler and the evaporator. In this, also referred to as a direct system, heat pump circuit in which the refrigerant absorbs the heat in direct evaporation, is dispensed with a heat transfer circuit. This eliminates the energy disadvantageous Temperature difference at the additional heat source heat exchanger and the evaporation temperature can be further increased.
The higher the evaporation temperature or the higher the evaporation pressure in the refrigerant circuit, the lower the pressure ratio of the compression and thus the power supplied to the compressor. The coefficient of performance of the system is advantageously larger. The system works more efficiently.

Both the subcooler and the evaporator can be designed, for example, as air-stressed, sole- or wasserbeaufschlagte heat exchanger.
When using air-heated heat exchanger and operating conditions with outside air temperatures around 0 ° C and thus the evaporation temperature below 0 ° C it comes to icing of the heat transfer surface of the evaporator and an increasing deterioration of heat transfer. The surfaces must be defrosted at regular intervals. The concept of the invention raises the evaporation temperature over conventional circuits. Increasing to evaporating temperatures above 0 ° C will prevent icing. At temperatures below 0 ° C, the process of icing is delayed. The higher the evaporation temperature, the slower this process is. The operation of the system causes less costs.

Both the evaporator, as well as the subcooler and the integrated subcooler evaporator can be configured as a composite of a plurality of heat exchangers, which are connected for example in parallel.

In the method according to the invention for operating a heat pump system, the subcooler and the evaporator are successively from an external fluid, that is one Heat source medium or a heat transfer medium flows through. The outer fluid absorbs heat in the subcooler and then releases heat in the evaporator. Examples of heat source media or heat transfer media are sols, water or other media, such as gases, in particular air.
In the process with heat transfer medium as external fluid circulates this fluid within a heat carrier circuit. The heat transfer medium flows through in the flow direction except the subcooler and the evaporator and a heat source heat exchanger. In this case, the heat transfer medium in the heat source heat exchanger absorbs heat from a heat source, which it releases plus the heat then absorbed in the subcooler in the evaporator.
The heat dissipation in the desuperheater and / or condenser of the heat pump system takes place in a temperature range between 50 ° C and 80 ° C.

In summary, it can be stated that the operation of the plant is less expensive than the operation of the plants known in the prior art. On the one hand, the heating of the outer fluid prior to entry into the evaporator advantageously raises the evaporation temperature, so that the pressure ratio at the compressor is reduced. On the other hand, the specific cooling capacity is increased by the supercooling of the refrigerant after the condensation, resulting in the reduction of the mass flow of the refrigerant at the same power at the evaporator. Both criteria lead to the advantageous reduction of the compressor to the refrigerant circuit to be supplied power and to increase the coefficient of performance. The system is energetically more effective to operate.
In addition, by raising the evaporation temperature under certain operating conditions icing on the evaporator can be prevented or at least delayed. This reduces the number of costly defrosts.

Fig. 1:

Fließbild der Wärmepumpenanlage mit indirekter Wärmezufuhr und Wärmeträgerkreislauf,

Fig. 2:

Fließbild der Wärmepumpenanlage mit direkter Wärmezufuhr.

Further details, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1:

Flow chart of the heat pump system with indirect heat supply and heat transfer circuit,

Fig. 2:

Flow diagram of the heat pump system with direct heat supply.

The heat pump system 1 as a closed system essentially consists of the components evaporator 5, compressor 8, desuperheater 2, condenser 3, subcooler 4 and expansion element 9. The refrigerant evaporating in the evaporator 5 absorbs heat at a constant temperature, which is absorbed by the external fluid. that is the heat carrier, is discharged. The heat carrier cools down. After overheating of the vaporized refrigerant this is sucked by a suction line 16 as a connection between the evaporator 5 and compressor 8 from the compressor 8 and compressed to a higher pressure. In addition to the pressure, the temperature of the vaporous refrigerant also increases. The so-called hot gas, also referred to as superheated steam, is supplied to the desuperheater condenser 2 via a pressure line 14, cooled in the desuperheater condenser 2 to condensation temperature and then liquefied at a constant temperature. Depending on the heat output in the desuperheater condenser 2, the refrigerant is already completely de-icing and at least partially already liquefied. In the condenser 3, the refrigerant is further de-hydrated and / or liquefied, depending on the state of entry. The cooling of the refrigerant to condensation temperature is called decarburization. The liquefaction of the refrigerant starts when the dew line is reached.
In the desuperheater condenser 2 and in the condenser 3, the heat is transferred from the refrigerant to the heating system in which water circulates. The connections between desuperheater condenser 2 and capacitor 3, as Heat exchanger of the refrigerant circuit, and the water tank 11 of the heating system is thus realized via circuits in which water is circulated by means of water pumps 13.
The refrigerant releases the heat received in the evaporator 5 and supplied to the heating system during the compression. After exiting the condenser 3, the liquid refrigerant is undercooled at a constant pressure. The thereby extracted heat is supplied to the heat carrier, which heats up. The temperature of the heat carrier is increased in the subcooler 4. Subsequently, the pressure of the liquid, supercooled refrigerant is lowered within an expansion device 9 to evaporating pressure. The connection between subcooler 3 and expansion element 9 is a liquid line 15. The flow of the refrigerant to the evaporator is also controlled by a solenoid valve 7. Following the expansion process, the refrigerant is present as a liquid-vapor mixture and is in turn fed to the evaporator 5. The cycle is closed.

Within such a refrigerant circuit, the arrangement of a refrigerant accumulator 10 is also provided, which compensates for the differences in refrigerant quantity during operation within the heat pump system 1.
The heat transfer pump 12 allows the heat transfer medium to circulate within the heat carrier circuit in the flow direction through the heat source heat exchanger 6, the subcooler 4 and the evaporator 5. The heat transfer medium in the heat source heat exchanger 6 absorbs heat from the environment. The outlet temperature of the heat carrier is dependent on the respective heat source. When using soil or groundwater as a heat source, the heat is transferred at temperatures between 2 ° C to 10 ° C. If the heat is removed from the ambient air, this occurs at temperatures between -20 ° C and +20 ° C depending on the day and season. The heat transfer temperatures depend on the time of day and the season, even when absorbing solar heat.
Since the heat transfer medium in the subcooler 4 absorbs additional heat while its temperature is further increased, the evaporation temperature of the refrigerant can be increased during the subsequent flow through the evaporator 5 and the heat transfer taking place therein. A higher evaporation temperature in the refrigerant circuit leads to a larger coefficient of performance, as otherwise known, since the power to be supplied to the compressor 8 is reduced. On the other hand, the heat absorption of the heat carrier in the subcooler 4 leads to hypothermia of the refrigerant and thus to an increase in the specific cooling capacity after the expansion. Under otherwise constant conditions, in particular the heat to be absorbed in the evaporator 5, the necessary mass flow of the refrigerant and thus also the power to be supplied to the compressor 8 is reduced. The energy efficiency of the heat pump system 1 is increased.

In Fig. 2 the flow diagram of the heat pump system 1 is shown with direct heat. Compared to FIG. 1 In doing so, the additional heat carrier circuit between the heat carrier source and the refrigerant circuit is omitted. This essentially eliminates the heat source heat exchanger 6 and thus the energetically disadvantageous temperature difference at the heat source heat exchanger 6, which adversely affects the energy efficiency of the heat pump system 1.
The subcooler 4 and the evaporator 5 of the refrigerant circuit are integrated in one component, the subcooler evaporator 17. In this case, for example, space can be advantageously saved when setting up the heat pump system.
The medium of the heat source, such as air, in the first part, the actual subcooler 4 according to Fig. 1 , Heated, wherein the condensate of the refrigerant is supercooled. The heat of the now heated medium of Heat source is transmitted in the second part of the subcooler evaporator 17, the actual evaporator 5 of the heat pump system 1 to the refrigerant.
However, this so-called direct system is not suitable for all applications, in particular all heat sources.

The present invention can be used anywhere where heat pump systems are needed for heating. Any conventional, even combustible, refrigerant can be used.

• der drastischen Reduktion des Heizenergiebedarfs sowie des Gesamtenergiebedarfs,
• der Substitution aller Einzelsysteme wie Heizungsanlage, Klimaanlage und Kälteanlage durch ein Integralsystem mit den damit verbundenen Platz- und Kosteneinsparungen,
• der parallelen Beheizbarkeit und Klimatisierbarkeit von Teilflächen eines Gebäudes,
• der platzsparenden Außenaufstellung der Anlage als Kompakteinheit.

The advantages of the invention are in particular at

• the drastic reduction of the heating energy demand as well as the total energy demand,
• the substitution of all individual systems such as heating system, air conditioning and refrigeration system by an integral system with the associated space and cost savings,
• parallel heating and air conditioning of part of a building,
• the space-saving outdoor installation of the system as a compact unit.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

1

heat pump system

2

Desuperheater-condenser

3

Condenser / condenser

4

subcooler

5

Evaporator

6

Heat source heat exchanger

7

magnetic valve

8th

Compressor / compressor unit

9

Expansion device / expansion valve

10

collector

11

water-tank

12

Heat carrier pump

13

water pump

14

pressure line

15

liquid line

16

suction

17

Subcooler evaporator

Claims (11)

Heat pump system (1) with a closed refrigerant circuit, comprising in the flow direction of the refrigerant a compressor unit (8), a heat exchanger as a desuperheater (2), a condenser (3), a heat exchanger as a subcooler (4), a collector (10), an expansion element (9) and an evaporator (5), characterized in that the subcooler (4) and the evaporator (5) are arranged one after the other in the direction of flow of an external fluid. Heat pump system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the subcooler (4) and the evaporator (5) are integrated within a housing and an integrated subcooler evaporator (17) is formed. Heat pump system (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that a heat transfer circuit is provided which comprises the subcooler (4), the evaporator (5) and a heat source heat exchanger (6). Heat pump system (1) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the subcooler (4) and the evaporator (5) are formed such that a heat source medium as fluid flows directly through the subcooler (4) and the evaporator (5) , Heat pump system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the evaporator (5) consists of a combination of a plurality of heat exchangers, which are connected in parallel. Heat pump system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the subcooler (4) consists of a composite of a plurality of heat exchangers, which are connected in parallel. Heat pump system (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the integrated subcooler evaporator (17) consists of a combination of a plurality of heat exchangers, which are connected in parallel. Method for operating a heat pump system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the subcooler (4) and the evaporator (5) are successively flowed through by an external fluid, wherein - The fluid in the subcooler (4) absorbs heat and is heated and then - In the evaporator (5) gives off heat and is cooled. Method for operating a heat pump system (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that circulates in the heat carrier circuit, a heat carrier, wherein - The heat transfer medium in the flow direction of the subcooler (4), the evaporator (5) and the heat source heat exchanger (6) flows through and - The heat transfer medium in the heat source heat exchanger (6) absorbs heat from a heat source. Method for operating a heat pump system (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that a heat source medium flows as fluid directly through the subcooler (4) and the evaporator (5). A method of operating a heat pump system (1) according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the heat output of the heat pump system takes place in a temperature range between 50 ° C and 80 ° C.

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