A MODULAR FLUID-FLUID HEAT TRANSFER ARRANGEMENT AND A METHOD THEREOF

Abstract

A modular fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement is disclosed. The arrangement comprising first inlet and outlet junction pipes, second inlet and outlet junction pipes; and a plurality of heat pump modules, each comprises: first inlet and outlet ports; second inlet and outlet ports; control means; and a refrigerant circulation path including: a first heat exchanger unit fluidly connected to said first inlet and outlet ports; a compressor; a second heat exchanger unit fluidly connected to said second inlet and outlet ports; and an expander; wherein, when in use, said plurality of heat pump modules are connected in parallel to each other, by their respective first inlet and outlet ports being connected to said first inlet and outlet junction pipes, respectively, and by their respective second inlet and outlet ports being connected to said second inlet and outlet junction pipes, respectively. The disclosure further relates to a method for controlling the arrangement.

Claims

1. A modular fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement comprising: first inlet and outlet junction pipes for connecting the modular fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement to a cold fluid side to form a cold side fluid recirculation path; second inlet and outlet junction pipes for connecting the modular fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement to a hot fluid side to form a hot side fluid recirculation path; and a plurality of heat pump modules, wherein each heat pump module comprises: first inlet and outlet ports; second inlet and outlet ports; control means for controlling the heat pump module; and a refrigerant circulation path which includes the following entities connected to one another in sequence: a first heat exchanger unit fluidly connected to said first inlet and outlet ports; a compressor; a second heat exchanger unit fluidly connected to said second inlet and outlet ports; and an expander; wherein, when in use, said plurality of heat pump modules are connected in parallel to each other, by their respective first inlet and outlet ports being connected to said first inlet and outlet junction pipes, respectively, and by their respective second inlet and outlet ports being connected to said second inlet and outlet junction pipes, respectively.

2. The modular fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement according to claim 1, wherein at least one heat pump module of the plurality of heat pump modules is removably arranged in the arrangement in a manner which allows to remove and/or replace the heat pump module within the arrangement.

3. The modular fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said at least one heat pump module of the plurality of heat pump modules is structured and arranged to be portable.

4. The modular fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said at least one heat pump module of the plurality of heat pump modules have a height between 25-45 cm, a width between 15-35 cm, and a depth between 45-65 cm.

5. The modular fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement according to claim 1, wherein each heat pump module of the plurality of heat pump modules comprises a cold side fluid flow control device configured to control a flow rate of cold side fluid being supplied to each heat pump module from said cold side fluid recirculation path.

6. The modular fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement according to claim 5, wherein the cold side fluid flow control device comprises a pump configured to be variably adjustable.

7. The modular fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a main controller being configured to control an operation of each heat pump module of the plurality of heat pump modules.

8. The modular fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the main controller is configured to control the operation of each heat pump module of the plurality of heat pump modules to operate in an operational mode being common for all heat pump modules.

9. The modular fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement according to claim 8, wherein the operational mode is defined by an input power being common for all heat pump modules.

10. The modular fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement according to claim 1, wherein each heat pump module of the plurality of heat pump modules comprises a hot side fluid flow control device configured to control a flow rate of hot side fluid being supplied to the hot fluid side from each heat pump module.

11. The modular fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement according to claim 10, wherein the main controller is configured to individually control the operation of each heat pump module of the plurality of heat pump modules to allow operating each heat pump module at a respective operational mode.

12. The modular fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement according to claim 11, wherein said respective operational mode of each heat pump module is based on a predetermined fraction of a maximum input power of that heat pump module, wherein the predetermined fraction is common for all heat pump modules.

13. The modular fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement according to claim 11, wherein said respective predefined operational mode of each heat pump module is based on a predetermined time sequence alternating between a first state, where the heat pump module is not in operation, and a second state, where the heat pump module is operated at a predetermined input power.

14. The modular fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the control means of each heat pump module of the plurality of heat pump modules is in communication with the control means of the other heat pump modules of the plurality of heat pump modules and/or with the main controller.

15. The modular fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement according to claim 1, wherein each heat pump module of the plurality of heat pump modules comprises a refrigerant, wherein an amount of the refrigerant in each heat pump module is below a predetermined threshold-value.

16. The modular fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement according to claim 15, wherein a total volume of refrigerant contained in each of the at least one modular liquid-liquid heat pump is below 400 g, or below 300 g, or below 200 g.

17. The modular fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement according to claim 15, wherein the predetermined threshold value is 334 g.

18. The modular fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement according to claim 15, wherein the refrigerant is R290.

19. A method for controlling a modular fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement comprising a plurality of heat pump modules, each comprising first inlet and outlet ports and second inlet and outlet ports, the method comprising: connecting the modular fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement to a cold fluid side thereby forming a cold side fluid recirculation path; connecting the modular fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement to a hot fluid side thereby forming a hot side fluid recirculation path; connecting each heat pump module of the plurality of heat pump modules in parallel to each other by connecting their respective first inlet and outlet ports to first inlet and outlet junction pipes of the modular fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement, respectively, and by connecting their respective second inlet and outlet ports to second inlet and outlet junction pipes of the modular fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement, respectively; and controlling each heat pump module of the plurality of heat pump modules to operate in a respective operational mode.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein said operational mode is common for all heat pump modules of the plurality of heat pump modules or wherein said operational mode is individually defined for each heat pump module of the plurality of heat pump modules.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0116] The invention will by way of example be described in more detail with reference to the appended schematic drawings, which shows a presently preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0117] FIG. 1 illustrates a modular fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement.

[0118] FIG. 2 illustrates a variant of the modular fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement as illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0119] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a modular fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0120] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which currently preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and to fully convey the scope of the invention to the skilled addressee. Like reference characters refer to like elements throughout.

[0121] FIG. 1 illustrates a modular fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement 100 for heating and/or cooling and/or providing tap water to buildings or the like by way of example. Here after, the modular fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement 100 may also be referred to as heat transfer arrangement 100 or arrangement 100.

[0122] The heat transfer arrangement 100 comprises a cold side and a hot side. The cold side comprises first inlet and outlet junction pipes 111, 112. The cold side is connected to a cold fluid side 101 via the first inlet and outlet junction pipes 111, 112 thereby forming a cold side fluid recirculation path 103. The hot side comprises second inlet and outlet junction pipes 122, 121. The hot side is connected to a hot fluid side 102 via the second inlet and outlet junction pipes 122, 121 thereby forming a hot side fluid recirculation path 104.

[0123] The first inlet junction pipe 111 is configured to supply a cold side first fluid from the cold fluid side 101 to the heat transfer arrangement 100. The first outlet junction pipe 112 is configured to supply a cold side second fluid from the heat transfer arrangement 100 to the cold fluid side 101. Thereby the cold side fluid recirculation path 103 is formed. The cold side first fluid is preferably warmer than the cold side second fluid.

[0124] The second outlet junction pipe 121 is configured to supply a hot side first fluid from the heat transfer arrangement 100 to the hot fluid side 102. The second inlet junction pipe 122 is configured to supply a hot side second fluid from the hot fluid side 102 to the heat transfer arrangement 100. Thereby the hot side recirculation path 104 is formed. The hot side first fluid is preferably warmer than the hot side second fluid.

[0125] The fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement 100 may be a fluid-fluid heat pump arrangement configured to provide heat to the hot side fluid for heating the same. The fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement 100 may be a fluid-fluid cool pump arrangement configured to remove heat from the cold side fluid for cooling the same.

[0126] For typical heating applications of the arrangement 100, the cold fluid side 101 may be an evolution of district heating and district cooling systems, where combined district heating and district cooling system with aid of using heat pumps for heating and cooling can provide both cooling, heating and tap water preparation to buildings. The cold fluid side 101 may be coupled to a downhole heat exchanger, or borehole heat exchanger. For typical heating applications of the arrangement 100, the hot fluid side 102 may be a heating system, such as radiators or tap water systems, in the building.

[0127] For typical cooling applications of the arrangement 100, the cold fluid side 101 may be a cooling system in the building. For typical cooling applications of the arrangement 100, the hot fluid side 102 may be an evolution of district heating and district cooling systems, where combined district heating and district cooling system with aid of using heat pumps for heating and cooling can provide both cooling, heating and tap water preparation to buildings. The hot fluid side 102 may be coupled to a downhole heat exchanger, or borehole heat exchanger.

[0128] The heat transfer arrangement 100 further comprises three heat pump modules 130a, 130b, 130c. It should however be noted that, although not illustrated, the heat transfer arrangement 100 may comprise less than three heat pump modules 130a, 130b, 130c or more than three heat pump modules 130a, 130b, 130c. Each heat pump module 130a, 130b, 130c comprises first inlet and outlet ports 131a, 131b and second inlet and outlet ports 132b, 132a. The first inlet and outlet ports 131a, 131b are connected to the first inlet and outlet junction pipes 111, 112, respectively. The second inlet and outlet ports 132b, 132a are connected to the second inlet and outlet junction pipes 122, 121, respectively.

[0129] When the heat transfer arrangement 100 is in use, the three heat pump modules 130a, 130b, 130c are connected in parallel to each other. This is achieved by their respective first inlet and outlet ports 131a, 131b which are connected to the first inlet and outlet junction pipes 111, 112, respectively, and by their respective second inlet and outlet ports 132b, 132a which are connected to the second inlet and outlet junction pipes 122, 121, respectively.

[0130] Each heat pump module 130a, 130b, 130c further comprises a refrigerant recirculation loop 134. The refrigerant recirculation loop 134 comprises a first heat exchanger unit 135 and a second heat exchanger unit 137 as well as a compressor 136, an expander 138 and a cold side fluid flow control device 139. The first heat exchanger unit 135 is fluidly connected to the first inlet and outlet ports 131a, 131b. Thus, the first heat exchanger 135 is connected to the first inlet and outlet junction pipes 111, 112 via the first inlet and outlet ports 131a, 131b, respectively. The second heat exchanger unit 137 is fluidly connected to the second inlet and outlet ports 132b, 132a, Thus, the second heat exchanger unit 137 is connected to the second inlet and outlet junction pipes 122, 121 via the second inlet and outlet ports 132b, 132a, respectively.

[0131] The refrigerant circulation loop 134 preferably circulates a refrigerant through the first heat exchanger unit 135, the compressor 136, the second heat exchanger unit 137 and the expander 138. In the first heat exchanger unit 135, the refrigerant and the cold side first fluid are configured to exchange thermal energy between each other such that a temperature of the refrigerant increases and a temperature of the cold side first fluid decreases thereby forming the cold side second fluid. Thus, the cold side first fluid and the cold side second fluid is typically the same fluid which has been supplied through the first heat exchanger unit 135 of the heat transfer arrangement 100, in which an exchange of thermal energy occurs between the cold side first fluid and the refrigerant.

[0132] The cold side second fluid is circulated in the cold side recirculation path 103 to the cold fluid side 102. The refrigerant is circulated from the first heat exchanger unit 135 to the compressor 136 which is configured to increase the temperature and pressure of the refrigerant even further before supping the refrigerant to the second heat exchanger unit 137.

[0133] In the second heat exchanger unit 137, the refrigerant and the hot side first fluid is configured to exchange thermal energy between each other such that a temperature of the refrigerant decreases and a temperature of the hot side first fluid increases thereby forming the hot side second fluid. Thus, the hot side first fluid and the hot side second fluid is typically the same fluid which has been supplied through a second heat exchanger unit 137 of the heat transfer arrangement 100, in which an exchange of thermal energy occurs between the hot side fluid and the refrigerant.

[0134] The hot side first fluid is circulated in the hot side recirculation path 104 to the hot fluid side 102. The refrigerant is circulated from the second heat exchanger unit 137 to the expander 138 which is configured to control an amount of refrigerant released into the first heat exchanger unit 135.

[0135] Each heat pump module 130a, 130b, 130c further comprises control means 133 for controlling the heat pump module 130a, 130b, 130c. Each control means 133 may be in communication with the control means 133 of the other heat pump modules 130a, 130b, 130c. Thus, the control means 133 may be wired or wireless connected to each other.

[0136] The heat transfer arrangement 100 further comprises a main controller 133, 143. The main controller 133, 143 is configured to control an operation of each heat pump module 130a, 130b, 130c of the plurality of heat pump modules 130a, 130b, 130c. The main controller 133, 143 may be configured to control each heat pump module 130a, 130b, 130c of the plurality of heat pump modules 130a, 130b, 130c to operate in an operational mode which is common for all heat pump modules 130a, 130b, 130c. The main controller 133, 143 may be configured to control each heat pump module 130a, 130b, 130c of the plurality of heat pump modules 130a, 130b, 130c to operate in a respective operational mode. The respective operational mode may be common for one or more heat pump modules 130a, 130b, 130c or may be different for all heat pump modules 130a, 130b, 130c.

[0137] The main controller 133, 143 may be one of the control means 133 comprised in one of the heat pump modules 130a, 130b, 130c. The main controller 133, 143 may be an external control unit 143. The main controller 133, 143 may be wired or wireless connected to the control means 133 of the respective heat pump module 130a, 130b, 130c.

[0138] When the main controller 133, 143 is configured to control each heat pump module 130a, 130b, 130c to operate in the common operational mode, the operational mode is defined by an input power of respective heat pump module 130a, 130b, 130c which is common for all heat pump modules 130a, 130b, 130c.

[0139] When the main controller 133, 143 is configured to control each heat pump module 130a, 130b, 130c to operate in the respective operational mode, the main controller 133, 143 is configured to individually control the operation of each heat pump module 130a, 130b, 130c. The respective operational mode may be based on a predetermined fraction of a maximum input power of that heat pump module 130a, 130b, 130c, wherein the predetermined fraction is common for all heat pump modules 130a, 130b, 130c. The respective operational mode may be based on a predetermined time sequence alternating between a first state and a second state. When in the first state, the heat pump module 130a, 130b, 130c is not in operation, and when in the second state, the heat pump module 130a, 130b, 130c is operated at a predetermined input power.

[0140] As said above, and as depicted in FIG. 1, each heat exchanger module 130a, 130b, 130c comprises the cold side fluid flow control device 139. In the referred figure, the cold side fluid flow control device 139 is illustrated as a pump. The pump may be variably adjustable. The cold side fluid flow control device 139 is configured to control a flow rate of the cold side fluid, which is supplied to the heat pump module 130a, 130b, 130c from the cold side recirculation path 103. Although it is illustrated that each heat pump module 130a, 130b, 130c comprises one cold side fluid flow control device 139 the cold side fluid flow control device 139 may be omitted. The cold side fluid flow control device 139 may also be arranged in either one or both of the first inlet and outlet junction pipes 111, 112. Thus, the arrangement 100 has to comprise at least one cold side fluid flow control device 139.

[0141] As further depicted, each heat pump module 130a, 130b, 130c comprises a hot side fluid flow control device 150 which is arranged at the second outlet junction pipe 121. Each heat pump module 130a, 130b, 130c may comprise a further hot side fluid flow control device 150 which may be arranged at the first inlet junction pipe 122. The hot side fluid control device 150 and, if present, the further hot side fluid control device, may be a check valve. Although it is illustrated that each heat pump module 130a, 130b, 130c comprises one hot side fluid flow control device 150, the hot side fluid flow control device 150 may be omitted. Preferably, this is the case when the main controller 133, 143 is configured to control the operation of each heat pump module 130a, 130b, 130c to operate in the operational mode which is common for all heat pump modules 130a, 130b, 130c.

[0142] Although not illustrated, it should be noted that the arrangement 100 may comprise one or more sensors, such as temperature sensors and/or pressure sensors. This is however well known in the art and is therefore excluded from the figures in this context.

[0143] In addition to what have been discussed in connection with FIG. 1, and as best illustrated in FIG. 2, the heat pump module 130c is configured to be removably arranged in the arrangement 100, or put differently, may be detachable from the arrangement 100. Thus, it is possible to disconnect the heat pump module 130c from the first inlet and outlet junction pipes 111, 112 and from the second inlet and outlet junction pipes 122, 121 such that the heat pump module 130c may be removed from the arrangement 100. In this way, it is possible to remove or replace the heat pump module 130c if needed. Although not illustrated, all heat pump modules 130a, 130b, 130c of the arrangement may be removably arranged in the arrangement 100, or detachable from the arrangement 100.

[0144] In FIG. 2, the heat pump modules 130a, 130b are arranged in their operating position, which, when the arrangement 100 is in use, all heat pump modules 130a, 130b, 130c are. Thus, each heat pump modules 130a, 130b, 130c is detachable from its respective operating position.

[0145] Further, FIG. 2 illustrates that each heat pump module 130a, 130b, 130c may alternatively comprises a further cold side fluid flow device 140 instead of the cold side fluid flow control device 139 depicted in FIG. 1. The cold side fluid flow control device 140 of FIG. 2 is a valve configured to be variably adjusted.

[0146] Although not illustrated, the heat transfer arrangement 100 as depicted in FIG. 2, may comprise the same features as the heat transfer arrangement 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 and vice versa.

[0147] With reference to FIG. 3, a flowchart illustrating a method 300 for controlling the modular fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement 100 which was introduced in connected with FIGS. 1 and 2 by way of example.

[0148] The method 300 comprises a first step S302 in which the modular fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement 100 is connected to the cold fluid side 101 thereby forming a cold side fluid recirculation path 103.

[0149] Thereafter, in a second step S304, the modular fluid-fluid heat transfer arrangement 100 is connected to the hot fluid side 102 thereby forming a hot side fluid recirculation path 104.

[0150] In a third step S306, each heat pump module 130a, 130b, 130c of the plurality of heat pump modules 130a, 130b, 130c is connected in parallel to each other. The plurality of heat pump modules 130a, 130b, 130c are connected in parallel to each other by connecting their respective first inlet and outlet ports 131a, 131b to said first inlet and outlet junction pipes 111, 112, respectively, and by connecting their respective second inlet and outlet ports 132a, 132b to said second inlet and outlet junction pipes 121, 122, respectively.

[0151] Thereafter, in a fourth step S308, each heat pump module 130a, 130b, 130c of the plurality of heat pump modules 130a, 130b, 130c being controlled to operate in a respective operational mode.

[0152] Even though illustrated and described in a certain order, other order may also be used.

[0153] The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. Additionally, variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by the skilled person in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.