Refrigeration – Reversible – i.e. – heat pump
Reexamination Certificate
2002-02-27
2004-03-23
Jones, Melvin (Department: 3744)
Refrigeration
Reversible, i.e., heat pump
Reexamination Certificate
active
06708517
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a heat pump utilizing the heat of condensation of water vapor as hot heat.
BACKGROUND ART
Heat pumps of the type in which water serves as a refrigerant have been known in the past (for example, see Japanese Patent Kokoku Publication No. H05-6105). More specifically, in such a type of heat pump system, water is caused to evaporate in the evaporator; water vapor as a result of the evaporation is compressed; and then the compressed water vapor is directed to the condenser where it is caused to condense, wherein heat of condensation liberated during the condensation is utilized.
Problems that the Invention Intends to Solve
As stated above, there exists, in such a conventional heat pump, a process for evaporating water in the evaporator. However, heat pumps require only utilization of the heat of condensation of water vapor, in other words they can operate as a heat pump without a process for evaporating water. Stated another way, conventional heat pumps include a process which is essentially unnecessary to carry out.
Bearing in mind the above-described problem, the present invention was made. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a heat pump utilizing the heat of condensation of water vapor of a simplified structure by eliminating a process for evaporating water.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a first solving means which is directed to a heat pump. The heat pump of the first solving means comprises: a separating means (
20
) for separating water vapor from a water vapor containing heat source fluid; a pressure increasing means (
30
,
90
) for increasing the pressure of the water vapor separated by the separating means (
20
); and a hot heat generating means (
40
,
45
) for generating hot heat by causing the water vapor, the pressure of which has been increased by the pressure increasing means (
30
,
90
), to condense.
The present invention provides a second solving means according to the first solving means. In the second solving means, the separating means (
20
) includes a water vapor permeable membrane (
21
), whereby water vapor contained in a heat source fluid will pass through the water vapor permeable membrane (
21
), thereby being separated from the heat source fluid.
The present invention provides a third solving means according to either the first solving means or the second solving means. In the third solving means, the heat source fluid comprises a combustion exhaust gas discharged after utilizing combustion energy of a fuel.
The present invention provides a fourth solving means according to either the first solving means or the second solving means. In the fourth solving means, the heat source fluid comprises moist air.
The present invention provides a fifth solving means according to the fourth solving means. In the fifth solving means, the heat pump further comprises a pre-humidifying means (
75
) for humidifying a heat source fluid by supplying condensation water produced in the hot heat generating means (
40
,
45
) to the heat source fluid and for delivering the humidified heat source fluid to the separating means (
20
).
The present invention provides a sixth solving means according to the fourth solving means. In the sixth solving means, the heat pump further comprises a preheating means (
70
) for heating a heat source fluid by causing condensation water produced in the hot heat generating means (
40
,
45
) to exchange heat with the heat source fluid, and for delivering the heated heat source fluid to the separating means (
20
).
The present invention provides a seventh solving means according to any one of the first to sixth solving means. In the seventh solving means, the hot heat generating means (
45
) is so constructed as to heat water by hot heat generated therein.
The present invention provides an eighth solving means according to any one of the first to sixth solving means. In the eighth solving means, the hot heat generating means (
40
) is so constructed as to heat to-be-heated air by hot heat generated therein.
The present invention provides a ninth solving means according to the eighth solving means. In the ninth solving means, the heat pump further comprises an air humidifying means (
55
) for humidifying to-be-heated air by supplying condensation water produced in the hot heat generating means (
40
) to the to-be-heated air.
The present invention provides a tenth solving means according to the eighth solving means. In the tenth solving means, the heat pump further comprises an air humidifying means (
50
) for humidifying to-be-heated air by supplying a part of the water vapor whose pressure has been increased in the pressure increasing means (
30
,
90
) to the to-be-heated air.
The present invention provides an eleventh solving means according to the tenth solving means. In the eleventh solving means, the air humidifying means (
50
) includes a water vapor permeable membrane (
51
), whereby water vapor will pass through the water vapor permeable membrane (
51
), thereby being supplied to to-be-heated air.
The present invention provides a twelfth solving means according to either the first solving means or the second solving means. In the twelfth solving means, the pressure increasing means is formed by an ejector (
90
) for drawing in the water vapor separated in the separating means (
20
) by jetting water vapor supplied from a water vapor supplying means (
94
).
The present invention provides a thirteenth solving means according to either the first solving means or the second solving means. In the thirteenth solving means, the pressure increasing means is formed by a compressor (
30
) for compressing water vapor to an increased pressure.
The present invention provides a fourteenth solving means according to the thirteenth solving means. In the fourteenth solving means, the compressor (
30
) is driven by a steam turbine (
60
) capable of generating driving force upon receipt of water vapor supplied from water vapor supplying means (
61
).
The present invention provides a fifteenth solving means according to the thirteenth solving means. In the fifteenth solving means, the compressor (
30
) is driven both by a steam turbine (
60
) capable of producing driving force upon receipt of water vapor supplied from water vapor supplying means (
61
) and by an electric motor (
32
).
The present invention provides a sixteenth solving means according to either the fourteenth solving means or the fifteenth solving means. In the sixteenth solving means, the water vapor supplying means (
61
) is formed by a boiler (
61
) capable of generating superheated water vapor by heating water.
The present invention provides a seventeenth solving means according to the sixteenth solving means. In the seventeenth solving means, the boiler (
61
) comprises a latent heat section (
62
) for evaporating water by making utilization of waste heat, and a sensible heat section (
63
) for generating superheated water vapor by heating water vapor generated by the latent heat section (
62
).
The present invention provides an eighteenth solving means according to either the sixteenth solving means or the seventeenth solving means. In the eighteenth solving means, the internal pressure of the boiler (
61
) is set below atmospheric pressure.
The present invention provides a nineteenth solving means according to any one of the fourteenth to eighteenth solving means. In the nineteenth solving means, the hot heat generating means (
40
,
45
) is so constructed as to be fed water vapor expanded in the steam turbine (
60
) and to generate hot heat by causing the water vapor to condense.
The present invention provides a twentieth solving means according to either the first solving means or the second solving means. In the twentieth solving means, the heat pump further comprises a humidification cooling means (
89
) for cooling a heat source fluid by humidification and thereafter delivering the cooled heat source fluid to the separating means (
20
), wherein the heat pump is so constructe
Piao Chun-cheng
Sakamoto Ryuichi
Watanabe Yuji
Yonemoto Kazuo
Yoshimi Manabu
Daikin Industries Ltd.
Jones Melvin
Nixon & Peabody LLP
Studebaker Donald R.
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