NL1038701C2

NL1038701C2 - Device for extracting humid from air by using a wind-turbine in combination with a mechanically driven heat-pump system, as well as heat-pump system applicable with such a device.

Info

Publication number: NL1038701C2
Application number: NL1038701A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Karl Hans Vliet
Original assignee: Aqua Gutta B V
Priority date: 2011-03-23
Filing date: 2011-03-23
Publication date: 2012-09-25
Also published as: KR20140022846A; IL228407A0; AU2012231887A1; WO2012128619A3; US20140147295A1; CN103443365A; WO2012128619A2; MX2013010918A; EP2689073A2

Description

Title: Device for extracting humid from air by using a wind-turbine in combination with a mechanically driven heat-pump system, as well as heat-pump system applicable with such a device.

The invention relates to a device for extracting humid from air, comprising a wind-turbine in 5 combination with at least one mechanically driven heat-pump system in accordance with the preamble of claim 1. Such wind-turbine driven heat-pump systems (refrigeration compressors) are known, for instance from WO 2010023142A1. This document shows a wind-turbine driving a compressor for compressing refrigerant. The power and torque produced by the wind-turbine changes continuously and is caused by the continuous variable wind-speed and its effects on the wind-turbines rotor. However, 10 the power and torque load of the refrigeration compressor is depending on the mass flow and the pressure change in the compressed refrigerant and is therefore leading in charging the wind-turbine. In this way the load of the refrigeration compressor should be continuously and infinitely adjustable on the wind-turbine. However, by activating one by one, one or more cylinders, a stepwise load on the windturbine is obtained. This makes the operation of the wind-turbine very difficult and leads to reduced 15 output of compressed refrigerant, which is a disadvantage.

Research for the possibilities of a wind-turbine mechanical driven heat-pump system is done before. The specific problems of the exact charging/loading of the wind-turbine by the heat-pump are not solved yet. The wind-turbine has to be leading and the heat-pump should follow, in a master-slave relation.

20 Current state of technology shows it is impossible to build a well-functioning and profitable combination.

The object of the invention is to provide a device with maximum flexibility of the heat-pump with a direct function to the wind-turbine.

25

The device in accordance with the present invention is characterized by the characterizing portion of claim 1. In this way the refrigeration compressor is capable to load continuously and infinitely adjustable the wind-turbine.

30 According to a preferred embodiment, the device is characterized by the characterizing portion of claim 6. Direct measurement of the pressure of the refrigerant in the suction line results in a direct coupling to the use of the primary air fan and hence on the suction pressure of the reciprocating compressor, with the result that the control loop is not affected to such an extent by the yield of the compressor or the efficiency of the cooler. The passing airflow over the cooler is leading for the heat pump cycle and 35 determines the cooler heat exchange capacity.

According to another preferred embodiment the device is characterized by the characterizing portion of claim 9. Direct measurement of the pressure of the refrigerant in the discharge line results in a direct coupling to the use of the secondary air fan and hence on the discharge pressure of the reciprocating 40 compressor, with the result that the control loop is not affected to such an extent by the yield of the compressor or the efficiency of the condenser. The combined passing airflow over the condenser is leading for the heat pump Coefficient of Performance and determines the heat pump cycle thermal capacity.

45 Embodiments of the invention are described with the aid of the accompanying drawings in which 10387 Of 2

Fig. 1 shows a diagrammatic view of a device for extracting humid from air in accordance with the invention, and

Fig.2 shows a sectional view of a reciprocating compressor, applied in the device of Fig.l, provided with a swash plate in maximum stroke position and control valves, 5 Fig.3 shows a sectional view of a reciprocating compressor, applied in the device of Fig.l, provided with a swash plate in minimum stroke position and control valves.

The device shown in Fig.l for extracting water from air, comprises a wind-turbine(l), a mechanical drive and gear train(2,3), a generator(4) in combination with a battery system(5) with current and voltage 10 control(6), a speed sensor(7) whether or not integrated in the generator(4). The wind-turbine(l) drives at least one heat-pump system, comprising a reciprocating compressor(8), a condenser(9), primary and secondary air fans(10,ll), a thermal expansion valve(12), a capillary tubing(13), a cooler(14), process tubing(15), pressure sensors(16,17) coupled by electrical wiring to the primary and secondary air fan (10,11) respectively and positioned in the suction and discharge line respectively, and further 15 comprising, a water collecting drip-pan(18), a passage(19), a water reservoir(20), a water outlet(21), an air-filter(22) and a rotating air-inlet(23).

The displacement of the reciprocating compressor(8) is a function of the wind-turbine(l) speed and an internal (mechanically or electrically) pressure control device.

20

The capacity of the primary air fan(10) is a function of the suction pressure measured by the pressure sensor(16). The output of the primary air fan(10) can be adjusted continuously, infinitely, 0% up to 100%, using a control loop.

25 The capacity of the secondary air fan(ll) is a function of the discharge pressure measured by the pressure sensor(17). Also the output of the secondary airfan(ll) can be adjusted continuously, infinitely, 0% up to 100%, using a control loop

The variable displacement reciprocating compressor(8) is an axial compressor shown in fig.2 & 3, with 30 pistons(25) arranged around and parallel to a driveshaft(26). One-way reed valves(27,28) in a cylinder head(29) control refrigerant flow into and out of each cylinder.

The pistons(25) are driven by a swash plate(30). In such a swash plate compressor(8), the plate itself rotates with the driveshaft(26). A bearing(31) in the bottom of each piston(25) "clamps" around the edge and rides on either face of the swash plate(30).

35 The swash plate(30) is set at a variable angle Φ to the driveshaft(26), so as it rotates, the pistons(25) are forced back and forth in their bores. The angle Φ of the swash plate(30) determines the length of the piston stroke. Fig.2 shows the compressor in a position of the swash plate with maximum length (A) stroke of the pistons(25) and Fig.3 shows the compressor in a position of the swash plate with minimum length (B) stroke. In the variable displacement compressor(8), the angle Φ can be adjusted continuously 40 and infinitely, which changes the length of the stroke of the pistons(25) and, therefore, the amount of refrigerant displaced on each stroke. The angle Φ is adjusted using springs(32) and linkage that move lengthwise along the driveshaft (26), and it's controlled with refrigerant pressure in the compressor housing.

45 When housing pressure is increased, the pressure exerted on the back side of the pistons(25) keeps them "higher" in their bores and closer to the cylinder head(29). This shortens the stroke, reducing displacement. When housing pressure is reduced, a spring(33) pushes the adjusting linkage away from t

V

3 the cylinder head(29), keeps them "lower" in their bores and lengthening the piston stroke to increase displacement.

Housing pressure is adjusted using a control valve(34,35) with ports and passages that connect it to the suction (low-side)(34) and discharge (high-side)(35) chambers of the cylinder head(29) and thus controls 5 the refrigerant mass flow in accordance with the amplitude of wind-turbine power and torque.

4

In accordance with the invention the adjustable swash plate(30) and the speed sensor(7) are first control means for control continuously and infinitely the load of the reciprocating compressor(8). Preferably the speed sensor(7) of the first control means is a sensor positioned on the drive train(2,3) for measuring the rotation speed of the wind turbine(l) and coupled by 5 electrical wiring to the reciprocating compressor(8).

Second control means are controlling the pistons setting stroke adjustment by mechanically and/or electromagnetic control valves(34,35) in the compressor to a set-point,

Third control means are controlling the primary air fan(10) by the pressure sensor(16) in the suction line to a set-point obtained by changing continuously and infinitely the airflow over the cooler(14), 10 Fourth control means are controlling the secondary air fan(ll) by the pressure sensor(17) in the discharge line to a set-point obtained by changing continuously and infinitely the airflow over the condenser(9).

In a preferred alternative embodiment the air fans are equipped with integrated electronically 15 commutated technology.

Primarily this allows the device to operate brushless and without any control system. The electronically commutated technology provides the motor its own intelligence.

Speed flexibility is required for control the airflow(10,ll) over the condenser(9) and cooler(14). Perfect controllability and wide operation range allows the use of simple sensors/transmitters. 20 Integrated proportional-integral-derivative control makes an external control unit unnecessary.

Integrated 'master slave' option makes it possible to use just one of the fans when installed in pairs. Starting current is equal or smaller than the rated current, gives the opportunity to minimize the wiring/cable sizes. Integrated security engine protects the device against malfunction and defects. Electronically commutated technology constructed on the engine 25 makes any assembly unnecessary. High efficiency allows the device to use the maximum wind turbine energy for the thermal circuit. Proper sound makes any sound insulation unnecessary. Compact construction makes small devices possible and demands lower requirements for the structural device. Maintenance free and long life allows a minimal maintenance schedule and thus cost-effective operation.

30 It is noted that the device illustrated in figures 1, 2a and2b may be configured to be applied with two or more heat-pump systems without departing form the invention.

The description of the embodiments is intended to be illustrative and not to limit the scope of the claims. As such, the present teachings can readily applied to other type of devices and many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent for those skilled in the art.

35 1038701

Claims

Device for extracting moisture from air, comprising a wind turbine (1) for the energy supply, a mechanical drive (2,3) for transferring the energy and increasing the rotation speed to an alternating current dynamo (4) and at least one A heat pump system comprising a piston compressor (25), characterized by: - a first control for continuously and continuously controlling the load generated by the piston compressor (8) using a rotational speed sensor (7) and an adjustable swash plate (30), - a second control for varying the piston stroke length coupled to a set point in a mechanical and / or electromagnetic control valve (34,35) in the piston compressor (8), - a third control for varying the air flow over the cooler ( 14) by continuously and continuously controlling the primary air fan (s) (10) to a set point by measuring a sensor (16) in the suction line, 15. a fourth control for varying and from the air flow over the condenser (9) by continuously and steplessly controlling the secondary air fan (s) (11) to a set point by measuring a sensor (17) pressure in the discharge line.

2. Device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rotational speed sensor (7) of the first control is positioned in the drive (2,3) for measuring the rotational speed of the wind turbine (1).

Device according to claim 2, wherein the rotational speed sensor (7) is coupled to the piston compressor (8) by means of electrical wiring. 25

Device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the piston compressor (8) is equipped with an angle-adjustable swash plate (30), with respect to the drive shaft (26) of the pistons (25) of the compressor, with which the piston displacement of the piston compressor (8) is adjustable, continuous, stepless, 0% to 100%, using the angle adjustment of the swash plate (30). 30

Device according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the internal mechanical and / or electromagnetic control valves (34, 35) vary the mass flow rate of the refrigerant in accordance with the power and torque of the wind turbine (1).

The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor (16) is positioned in the suction line for measuring the suction pressure of the compressor (8).

The device of claim 6, wherein the sensor (16) is coupled by electrical wiring to the primary air fan (s) (10). 40

Device as claimed in claim 6 or 7, with which the flow rate of the primary air fan (s) (10) is adjustable, continuous, continuously and 0% to 100%, with the aid of a controller.

The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor (17) is positioned in the delivery line for measuring the delivery pressure of the compressor (8). 1038701

Device according to claim 9, wherein the sensor (17) is coupled by means of electrical wiring to the secondary air fan (s) (11).

11. Device as claimed in claim 9 or 10, with which the flow rate of the secondary air fan (s) (11) is adjustable, continuous, stepless and 0% to 100%, with the aid of a controller.

12. Heat pump system usable in the device according to claim 1. 1038701