SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LIQUID-SUCTION HEAT EXCHANGE THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE

• US 20130145780A1
• Filed: 06/15/2012
• Published: 06/13/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Greener-Ice Spv, LLC
• Original Assignee: Ice Energy Inc. (Ice Energy Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Parsonnet, Brian, Willis, Robert R. Jr., Wiersma, Dean L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,212,834 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 62/115
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 1/00 Compression machines, plants or systems with non-reversible cycle F25B3/00, F25B5/00, F25B6/00, F25B7/00, F25B9/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 13/00 Compression machines, plants or systems, with reversible cycle defrosting cycles F25B47/02
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 2400/24 Storage receiver heat
• CPC Class Codes: F25B 40/00 Subcoolers, desuperheaters or superheaters
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 16/00 Devices using a combination of a cooling mode associated with refrigerating machinery with a cooling mode not associated with refrigerating machinery

Abstract

Disclosed is a method and device for a thermal energy storage liquid-suction heat exchanger (TES-LSHX) for air conditioning and refrigeration (AC/R) applications. The disclosed embodiments allow energy to be stored and aggregated over one period of time, and dispatched at a later period of time, to improve AC/R system efficiency during desired conditions. Not only are the benefits of LSHX stored and aggregated for later use, but when dispatched, the discharge rate can exceed the charge rate thereby further enhancing the benefit of demand reduction to utilities. The disclosed embodiments allow great flexibility and can be incorporated into OEM AC/R system designs, and/or bundled with condensing units or evaporator coils. These TES-LSHX systems can be retrofit with existing systems by installing the product at any point along the existing AC/R system'"'"'s line set.

Claims

1. An integrated refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system comprising:

a refrigerant loop containing a refrigerant comprising;

a condensing unit, said condensing unit comprising a compressor and a condenser;

an expansion device connected downstream of said condensing unit;

an evaporator connected downstream of said expansion device;

a thermal energy storage module comprising;

a thermal storage media contained therein;

a liquid heat exchanger between said condenser and said expansion device, that facilitates heat transfer between a refrigerant and said thermal storage media;

a suction heat exchanger between said evaporator and said compressor that facilitates heat transfer between said refrigerant and said thermal storage media; and

,

a first valve that facilitates flow of refrigerant from said condenser to said thermal energy storage module or said expansion device.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a second valve that facilitates flow of refrigerant from said evaporator to said thermal energy storage module or said compressor.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a refrigerant management vessel in fluid communication with, and located downstream of said condenser.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said expansion device is chosen from the group consisting of a thermostatic expansion valve, an electronic expansion valve, a static orifice, a capillary tube, and a mixed-phase regulator.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said thermal storage media changes phase in said charge mode and said discharge mode.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said thermal storage media is a eutectic material.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said thermal storage media is water.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said thermal storage media does not store heat in the form of latent heat.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said evaporator is at least one mini-split evaporator.

10. An integrated refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system comprising:

a refrigerant loop containing a refrigerant comprising;

a condensing unit, said condensing unit comprising a compressor and a condenser;

an expansion device connected downstream of said condensing unit; and

, an evaporator connected downstream of said expansion device;

a thermal energy storage module comprising;

a thermal storage media contained therein;

a liquid heat exchanger; and

,

a suction heat exchanger;

a thermal energy storage discharge loop comprising;

an isolated liquid line heat exchanger in thermal communication with said liquid heat exchanger, said isolated liquid line heat exchanger in thermal communication with said refrigeration loop between said condenser and said expansion device, said discharge loop that facilitates heat transfer between said thermal storage media and said refrigerant;

a first valve that facilitates thermal communication between said liquid heat exchanger and said isolated liquid line heat exchanger;

a thermal energy storage charge loop comprising;

an isolated suction line heat exchanger in thermal communication with said suction heat exchanger, said isolated suction line heat exchanger in thermal communication with said refrigeration loop between said evaporator and said condenser, said charge loop that facilitates heat transfer between said thermal storage media and said refrigerant;

a second valve that facilitates thermal communication between said suction heat exchanger and said isolated liquid suction heat exchanger.

11. The system of claim 10 further comprising:

a refrigerant management vessel in fluid communication with, and located downstream of said condenser.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein said expansion device is chosen from the group consisting of a thermostatic expansion valve, an electronic expansion valve, a static orifice, a capillary tube, and a mixed-phase regulator.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein at least a portion of said thermal storage media changes phase in said charge mode and said discharge mode.

14. The system of claim 10 wherein said thermal storage media is a eutectic material.

15. The system of claim 10 wherein said thermal storage media is water.

16. The system of claim 10 wherein said thermal storage media does not store heat in the form of latent heat.

17. The system of claim 10 wherein said evaporator is at least one mini-split evaporator.

18. The system of claim 10 wherein said thermal energy storage discharge loop transfers thermal capacity utilizing a coolant as a heat transfer medium.

19. The system of claim 10 wherein said thermal energy storage charge loop transfers thermal capacity utilizing a coolant as a heat transfer medium.

20. The system of claim 10 wherein said thermal energy storage discharge loop transfers thermal capacity utilizing a refrigerant as a heat transfer medium.

21. The system of claim 10 wherein said thermal energy storage charge loop transfers thermal capacity utilizing a refrigerant as a heat transfer medium.

22. A method of providing cooling with a thermal energy storage and cooling system comprising:

compressing and condensing a refrigerant with a compressor and a condenser to create a high-pressure refrigerant;

during a first time period;

expanding said high-pressure refrigerant with an expansion device to produce expanded refrigerant and provide load cooling with an evaporator;

transferring cooling from said expanded refrigerant downstream of said evaporator to a thermal energy storage media within a thermal energy storage module via a suction heat exchanger constrained therein; and

,

returning said expanded refrigerant to said compressor;

during a second time period;

subcooling said high-pressure refrigerant downstream of said condenser with said thermal energy storage media within said thermal energy storage module via a liquid heat exchanger constrained therein;

expanding said subcooled refrigerant with said expansion device to produce expanded refrigerant and provide load cooling with said evaporator;

transferring cooling from said expanded refrigerant downstream of said evaporator to said thermal energy storage media via said suction heat exchanger; and

,

returning said expanded refrigerant to said compressor;

during a third time period;

subcooling said high-pressure refrigerant downstream of said condenser with said thermal energy storage media within said thermal energy storage module via said liquid heat exchanger;

expanding said subcooled refrigerant with said expansion device to produce expanded refrigerant and provide load cooling with said evaporator; and

,

returning said expanded refrigerant to said compressor.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising the step:

accumulating, storing and dispensing said high-pressure refrigerant with a refrigerant management vessel in fluid communication with, and located downstream of said condenser.

24. The method of claim 22 further comprising the step:

expanding said high-pressure refrigerant with an expansion device chosen from the group consisting of a thermostatic expansion valve, an electronic expansion valve, a static orifice, a capillary tube, and a mixed-phase regulator.

25. The method of claim 22 further comprising the step:

cooling said thermal storage media to an extent that at least a portion of said thermal storage media undergoes a phase change in said first time period.

26. The method of claim 22 further comprising the step:

subcooling said high-pressure refrigerant with said thermal storage media downstream of said compressor to an extent that at least a portion of said thermal storage media undergoes a phase change in said second time period.

27. A method of providing cooling with a thermal energy storage and cooling system comprising:

compressing and condensing a refrigerant with a compressor and a condenser to create a high-pressure refrigerant;

during a first time period;

expanding said high-pressure refrigerant with an expansion device to produce expanded refrigerant and provide load cooling with an evaporator;

transferring cooling from said expanded refrigerant downstream of said evaporator to a thermal energy storage media within a thermal energy storage module via an isolated suction line heat exchanger; and

,

returning said expanded refrigerant to said compressor;

during a second time period;

subcooling said high-pressure refrigerant downstream of said condenser with said thermal energy storage media via an isolated liquid line heat exchanger;

expanding said subcooled refrigerant with said expansion device to produce expanded refrigerant and provide load cooling with said evaporator;

transferring cooling from said expanded refrigerant downstream of said evaporator to said thermal energy storage media via said isolated suction line heat exchanger; and

,

returning said expanded refrigerant to said compressor;

during a third time period;

subcooling said high-pressure refrigerant downstream of said condenser with said thermal energy storage media via an isolated liquid line heat exchanger;

expanding said subcooled refrigerant with said expansion device to produce expanded refrigerant and provide load cooling with said evaporator; and

,

returning said expanded refrigerant to said compressor.

28. The method of claim 27 further comprising the step:

transferring cooling from said expanded refrigerant downstream of said evaporator to said thermal energy storage media additionally utilizing a suction heat exchanger that is constrained within said thermal energy storage module during said first time period;

subcooling said high-pressure refrigerant downstream of said condenser with said thermal energy storage media additionally utilizing a liquid heat exchanger that is constrained within said thermal energy storage module; and

transferring cooling from said expanded refrigerant downstream of said evaporator to said thermal energy storage media additionally utilizing said suction heat exchanger during said second time period.

subcooling said high-pressure refrigerant downstream of said condenser with said thermal energy storage media additionally utilizing said liquid heat exchanger that is constrained within said thermal energy storage module during said third time period.

29. The method of claim 27 further comprising the step:

accumulating, storing and dispensing said high-pressure refrigerant with a refrigerant management vessel in fluid communication with, and located downstream of said condenser.

30. The method of claim 27 further comprising the step:

expanding said high-pressure refrigerant with an expansion device chosen from the group consisting of a thermostatic expansion valve, an electronic expansion valve, a static orifice, a capillary tube, and a mixed-phase regulator.

31. The method of claim 28 further comprising the step:

cooling said thermal storage media to an extent that at least a portion of said thermal storage media undergoes a phase change in said first time period.

32. The method of claim 28 further comprising the step:

subcooling said high-pressure refrigerant with said thermal storage media downstream of said compressor to an extent that at least a portion of said thermal storage media undergoes a phase change in said second time period.

33. The method of claim 28 further comprising the step:

transferring cooling from said isolated liquid line heat exchanger to said liquid heat exchanger with a first coolant;

transferring cooling from said isolated suction line heat exchanger to said suction heat exchanger with a second coolant.

34. The method of claim 28 further comprising the step:

transferring cooling from said isolated liquid line heat exchanger to said liquid heat exchanger with a first isolated refrigerant;

transferring cooling from said isolated suction line heat exchanger to said suction heat exchanger with a second isolated refrigerant.

35. An integrated refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system comprising:

a refrigerant loop containing a refrigerant comprising;

a condensing unit, said condensing unit comprising a compressor and a condenser;

an expansion device connected downstream of said condensing unit; and

, an evaporator connected downstream of said expansion device;

a thermal energy storage module comprising;

a thermal storage and transfer media contained therein;

a thermal energy storage discharge loop comprising;

an isolated liquid line heat exchanger in thermal communication with said thermal energy storage module, said isolated liquid line heat exchanger in thermal communication with said refrigeration loop between said condenser and said expansion device, said discharge loop that facilitates heat transfer between said thermal storage and transfer media in said thermal energy storage module and said refrigerant;

a first valve that facilitates thermal communication between said thermal energy storage module and said isolated liquid line heat exchanger;

a thermal energy storage charge loop comprising;

an isolated suction line heat exchanger in thermal communication with said thermal energy storage module, said isolated suction line heat exchanger in thermal communication with said refrigeration loop between said evaporator and said condenser, said charge loop that facilitates heat transfer between said thermal storage and transfer media in said thermal energy storage module and said refrigerant;

a second valve that facilitates thermal communication between said thermal energy storage module and said isolated liquid suction heat exchanger.

36. The system of claim 35 further comprising:

a refrigerant management vessel in fluid communication with, and located downstream of said condenser.

37. The system of claim 35 wherein said expansion device is chosen from the group consisting of a thermostatic expansion valve, an electronic expansion valve, a static orifice, a capillary tube, and a mixed-phase regulator.

38. The system of claim 35 wherein said thermal storage and transfer media is glycol.

39. The system of claim 35 wherein said thermal storage and transfer media is brine.

40. The system of claim 35 wherein said evaporator is at least one mini-split evaporator.

41. An integrated refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system comprising:

a refrigerant loop containing a refrigerant comprising;

a means for compressing and condensing a refrigerant with a compressor and a condenser to create a high-pressure refrigerant;

during a first time period;

a means for expanding said high-pressure refrigerant with an expansion device to produce expanded refrigerant and provide load cooling with an evaporator;

a means for transferring cooling from said expanded refrigerant downstream of said evaporator to a thermal energy storage media within a thermal energy storage module via an isolated suction line heat exchanger; and

,

a means for returning said expanded refrigerant to said compressor;

during a second time period;

a means for subcooling said high-pressure refrigerant downstream of said condenser with said thermal energy storage media via an isolated liquid line heat exchanger;

a means for expanding said subcooled refrigerant with said expansion device to produce expanded refrigerant and provide load cooling with said evaporator;

a means for transferring cooling from said expanded refrigerant downstream of said evaporator to said thermal energy storage media via said isolated suction line heat exchanger; and

,

a means for returning said expanded refrigerant to said compressor;

during a third time period;

a means for subcooling said high-pressure refrigerant downstream of said condenser with said thermal energy storage media via an isolated liquid line heat exchanger;

a means for expanding said subcooled refrigerant with said expansion device to produce expanded refrigerant and provide load cooling with said evaporator; and

,

a means for returning said expanded refrigerant to said compressor.