U.S. patent application number 16/808045 was filed with the patent office on 2020-09-10 for sorption heat exchanger module.
The applicant listed for this patent is Mahle International GmbH. Invention is credited to Roland Burk, Barbara Mette.
Application Number | 20200284487 16/808045 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004719011 |
Filed Date | 2020-09-10 |
![](/patent/app/20200284487/US20200284487A1-20200910-D00000.png)
![](/patent/app/20200284487/US20200284487A1-20200910-D00001.png)
![](/patent/app/20200284487/US20200284487A1-20200910-D00002.png)
United States Patent
Application |
20200284487 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Burk; Roland ; et
al. |
September 10, 2020 |
SORPTION HEAT EXCHANGER MODULE
Abstract
A sorption heat exchanger module may include a liquid and
gas-tight housing with a sorption zone and with a receiving zone,
through which a working fluid may flow. The working fluid may be
able to be sorped or desorped in the sorption zone in a sorbent and
evaporated or condensed in the receiving zone on a receiver. An
outlet path with a displacement space and with an outlet passage
leading out of the displacement space may be connected to the
receiving zone downstream, so that a gas separated from the working
fluid may be able to be collected in the displacement space and via
the outlet passage conducted out of the displacement space.
Inventors: |
Burk; Roland; (Stuttgart,
DE) ; Mette; Barbara; (Stuttgart, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Mahle International GmbH |
Stuttgart |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004719011 |
Appl. No.: |
16/808045 |
Filed: |
March 3, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25B 43/046
20130101 |
International
Class: |
F25B 43/04 20060101
F25B043/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 4, 2019 |
DE |
102019105387.0 |
Claims
1. A sorption heat exchanger module, comprising: a liquid and
gas-tight housing with a sorption zone and with a receiving zone,
through which a working fluid is flowable; wherein the working
fluid is able to be sorped or desorped in the sorption zone in a
sorbent and evaporated or condensed in the receiving zone on a
receiver; and wherein an outlet path with a displacement space and
with an outlet passage leading out of the displacement space is
connected to the receiving zone downstream, so that a gas separated
from the working fluid is able to be collected in the displacement
space and via the outlet passage conducted out of the displacement
space.
2. The sorption heat exchanger module according to claim 1, wherein
the receiver of the receiving zone is formed through a condensation
structure or through a sorption material.
3. The sorption heat exchanger module according to claim 1, wherein
a free-standing outer surface of the receiver for the condensing is
orientated in a flow passage parallel to a flow direction of the
working fluid, so that during the condensing of the working fluid
on the receiver, no gas cushion is able to be formed on the outer
surface of the receiver.
4. The sorption heat exchanger module according to claim 1, wherein
the displacement space is separated from the receiving zone by a
convection barrier wall, so that the separated gas in the
displacement space is not convectively influenced through the
flowing of the working fluid on the convection barrier wall outside
the displacement space.
5. The sorption heat exchanger module according to claim 1, wherein
at least one of: in the outlet path, a non-return valve is arranged
last downstream, so that with a pressure differential on the
non-return valve the separated gas is able to be conducted out of
the outlet path to the outside and no ambient gas is able to enter
the outlet path; and the outlet path is closed off to the outside
in a liquid and gas-tight manner by a closure, so that the outlet
path is only able to be opened towards the outside as part of the
service and the separated gas drained.
6. The sorption heat exchanger module according to claim 1, wherein
in the outlet path a temperature sensor is arranged, so that during
the draining of the separated gas a temperature change between the
through-flowing gas and the through-flowing working fluid is able
to be detected and the draining of the separated gas
interrupted.
7. The sorption heat exchanger module according to claim 1, wherein
the outlet passage out of the displacement space leads directly to
the outside and with an orientation of the sorption heat exchanger
module suitable for the operation upwards from the displacement
space.
8. The sorption heat exchanger module according to claim 1, wherein
in the outlet path the displacement space forms a primary gas
collection space for storing the separated gas.
9. The sorption heat exchanger module according to claim 1, wherein
in the outlet path a secondary gas collection space for storing the
separated gas is connected to the outlet passage downstream,
wherein with an orientation of the sorption heat exchanger module
to suit the operation, the outlet passage fluidically leads at the
lowermost point of the secondary gas collection space into the gas
collection space.
10. The sorption heat exchanger module according to claim 9,
characterized wherein: the outlet passage is a throttling tube, so
that the flow rate of the separated gas out of the displacement
space into the secondary gas collection space is able to be
limited; or in the outlet passage a non-return valve is arranged,
so that a return flow of the separated gas out of the secondary gas
collection space into the displacement space is able to be
limited.
11. The sorption heat exchanger module according to claim 9,
wherein in the outlet path an outer passage is provided, which
leads out of the secondary gas collection space to the outside,
wherein with the orientation of the sorption heat exchanger module
suitable for the operation, the outer passage fluidically leads in
the uppermost point of the secondary gas collection space into the
same and out of the secondary gas collection space upwards.
12. The sorption heat exchanger module according to claim 1,
wherein in the outlet path a cooler is provided, so that portions
of the working fluid contained in the separated gas are able to be
condensed in the outlet path and separated from the separated
gas.
13. The sorption heat exchanger module according to claim 1,
characterized wherein at least one of: in the outlet path a thermal
or catalytic converter is arranged, so that portions of the working
fluid contained in the separated gas are able to be chemically
converted into decomposition products; and in the outlet path an
exchangeable adsorbent cartridge is arranged, so that portions of
the working fluid contained in the separated gas are able to be
collected.
14. A method for draining a gas admixed to a working fluid in a
sorption heat exchanger module according to claim 1, wherein:
determining, via a control unit of the sorption heat exchanger
module, check values, which are connected to a performance of the
sorption heat exchanger module; determining, via the control unit,
by way of the determined check values, through at least one of a
calculation and a comparison, a performance loss or no performance
loss of the sorption heat exchanger module; following the
determination of the performance loss, starting, via the control
unit, a venting cycle for draining the gas admixed to the working
fluid; wherein in the venting cycle in a first part process the
working fluid out of the receiver of the receiving zone is
evaporated and sorped in the sorbent of the sorption zone; wherein
in the venting cycle in a second part process, the working fluid is
desorped out of the sorbent of the sorption zone received in the
receiving zone by condensing and the admixed gas separated in the
outlet path; and wherein in the venting cycle in the second part
process, the internal pressure in the sorption heat exchanger
module is simultaneously increased and the separated gas drained
out of the sorption heat exchanger module via the outlet path.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein: in the first part
process the receiving zone of the sorption heat exchanger module is
irregularly supplied with a heat exchanger of a re-cooling circuit;
and in the second part process a circulating of a heat exchanger of
a re-cooling circuit in the receiving zone is stopped so that the
discharge of the condensation heat out of the receiving zone is
prevented, thereby bringing the internal pressure in the sorption
heat exchanger module above the ambient pressure.
16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the second part
process is conducted exactly just as long as a regular sorption or
condensation process in the sorption heat exchanger module.
17. The method according to claim 14, wherein: the second part
process is stopped as soon as the control unit determines a
temperature increase in the outlet path by way of a temperature
sensor arranged in the outlet path; or the second part process is
stopped in a time-controlled manner.
18. The sorption heat exchanger module according to claim 4,
wherein the convection barrier wall is a perforated grid, a
perforated plate, a sinter plate or a membrane.
19. The sorption heat exchanger module according to claim 5,
wherein the closure is a cap or a plug arranged last downstream in
the outlet path.
20. A sorption heat exchanger module, comprising: a liquid and
gas-tight housing with a sorption zone and with a receiving zone,
through which a working fluid is flowable; wherein the working
fluid is able to be sorped or desorped in the sorption zone in a
sorbent and evaporated or condensed in the receiving zone on a
receiver; and wherein an outlet path with a displacement space and
with an outlet passage leading out of the displacement space is
connected to the receiving zone downstream, so that a gas separated
from the working fluid is able to be collected in the displacement
space and via the outlet passage conducted out of the displacement
space; wherein one of: in the outlet path the displacement space
forms a primary gas collection space for storing the separated gas;
or in the outlet path a secondary gas collection space for storing
the separated gas is connected to the outlet passage downstream,
wherein with an orientation of the sorption heat exchanger module
to suit the operation, the outlet passage fluidically leads at the
lowermost point of the secondary gas collection space into the gas
collection space.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to German Patent
Application No. DE 10 2019 105 387.0, filed on Mar. 4, 2019, the
contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their
entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention relates to a sorption heat exchanger module.
The invention also relates to a method for training a gas admixed
to a working fluid from the sorption heat exchanger module.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Thermally driven sorption heat exchanger modules as
refrigeration systems have a high energy savings potential. In
particular, cost-effective waste or excess heat can be utilised as
drive energy for these and because of this electric networks
relieved of load particularly in warm climate zones with a high
refrigeration demand in peak load times. In the cold season, the
sorption heat exchanger modules can be utilised as heat pumps which
by means of burner heat raise additional environmental heat to an
adequate temperature level for heating purposes. Particularly
interesting are sorption heat exchanger modules which utilise
porous solid materials and do not have any moving and thus
interference-prone wear parts. For a successful marketing the
service requirement over the entire envisaged lifespan of sorption
heat exchanger modules both in stationary and also in mobile
applications is decisive.
[0004] Disadvantageously, the performance of sorption heat
exchanger modules with a low-pressure working fluid of
non-condensing gases is negatively affected. In order to keep the
partial pressures of these admixed gases as low as possible, a high
degree of tightness has to be achieved during the manufacture of
the components. Furthermore, during the evacuation and the
conditioning of the working fluid and of the desorption of the
sorbent major expenditure is required. This has a negative effect
on the manufacturing costs. Furthermore it has to be ensured that
the materials that are installed within the sorption heat exchanger
modules are chemically compatible with the working fluid.
Accordingly, the materials must not be chemically attackable by the
working fluid and no chemical degradation reactions of the working
fluid subject to forming non-condensing gases must occur at the
working temperatures.
[0005] However it is extremely difficult in practice to adequately
satisfy all described requirements and avoid over the lifespan of
sorption heat exchanger modules of 15 to 20 years an accumulation
of the non-condensing gases. This is difficult in particular with
metastable working fluids such as for example alcohols. In the case
of these it can happen that over extended operating periods in
hermetically sealed hollow elements of sorption heat exchanger
modules, undesirable reformed gases accumulate. These downgrade the
kinetic of the substance transfer of the working fluid during
cyclical phase changes, in particular during the condensation and
during the sorption.
[0006] WO 2007/068481 A1, WO 2010/112433 A2 and WO 2009/103325 A1
describe differently designed sorption heat exchanger modules. In
DE 103 10 748 B3, a device and a method for draining a gas admixed
to a working fluid in the sorption heat exchanger module is
described. Here, the working fluid is completely evaporated in the
sorption heat exchanger module and the admixed gases, together with
the evaporated working fluid, released. Here, the working fluid
together with the admixed gases is disadvantageously drained, which
results in an increased loss of the working fluid.
SUMMARY
[0007] The object of the invention therefore is to state an
improved or at least alternative embodiment for a sorption heat
exchanger module of the generic type, with which the described
disadvantages are overcome. In particular, a draining of a gas
admixed to a working fluid in the sorption heat exchanger module is
to be made possible. Furthermore, the object of the invention is to
provide a corresponding method. In particular, it is to be possible
to maintain the performance in the sorption heat exchanger module
throughout the lifespan with an acceptable service expenditure.
[0008] According to the invention, these objects are solved through
the subject of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are
subject of the dependent claims.
[0009] A generic sorption heat exchanger module comprises a liquid
and gas-tight housing with a sorption zone and with a receiving
zone, through which a working fluid can flow. Here, the working
fluid can be sorped or desorped in the sorption zone in a sorbent
and evaporated or condensed in the receiving zone on a receiving
means. According to the invention, an outlet path with a
displacement space and with an outlet passage leading out of the
displacement space is connected to the receiving zone downstream,
so that the gas separated from the working fluid can be collected
in the displacement space and via the outlet passage conducted out
of the same.
[0010] The sorption heat exchanger module can be an adsorption or
an absorption module. The working fluid can be for example
alcohol--for example methanol or ethanol--or water. The admixed gas
can be for example carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide or molecular
nitrogen or molecular oxygen. Accordingly, the term "gas-tight"
primarily relates to the gases mentioned here. The term "the
admixed gas" used here and further on is merely chosen to simplify
the description. In the sorption heat exchanger module according to
the invention, it can also be a gas mixture of multiple
abovementioned and further gases. In the sorption heat exchanger
module according to the invention, the admixed gas is separated
from the working fluid in the receiving zone and collected in the
displacement space. Because of this, the receiving zone forms a
substance sink for the working fluid. Because of this, the working
fluid is extracted from the circuit of the working fluid and no
longer affects the performance of the sorption heat exchanger
module negatively. The volume of the displacement space can be
configured in such a manner that the complete quantity of the
admixed gas can be received in the same. Because of this, the
sorption heat exchanger module can be kept largely free of the
admixed gas for a defined operating period. Because of this, the
displacement space forms an intermediate storage unit for the gas
separated from the working fluid, until the same is conducted out
of the displacement space to the outside. Advantageously, the
receiving means of the receiving zone can be formed through a
condensation structure or through a sorption material. By way of
the outlet passage, the already separated gas can be conducted out
of the displacement space and out of the sorption heat exchanger
module to the outside if required. The term "conducted to the
outside" in this connection does not mean that the potentially
environmentally-harmful separated gas is liberated from the
sorption heat exchanger module into the surroundings. In
particular, the possibly environmentally-harmful gas can be
collected during the conducting out of the sorption heat exchanger
module and disposed of in an environmentally appropriate
manner.
[0011] Advantageously it can be provided that an outer surface of
the receiving means standing free for the condensing is orientated
in a flow passage parallel to the flow direction of the working
fluid. During the condensing of the working fluid on the receiving
means, no gas cushion can be formed on the outer surface of the
receiving means because of this. In other words, the admixed gas
cannot settle on the outer surface of the receiving means. Through
the parallel or tangential flow direction of the working fluids on
the receiving zone, the admixed gas is taken away from the outer
surface of the receiving means so that the working fluid can be
condensed unhindered in the receiving zone. Because of this, the
concentration of the admixed gas along the receiving zone in the
flow direction of the working fluid increases continuously so that
the admixed gas can enter the displacement space connected
downstream almost free of working fluid.
[0012] In order to keep the already separated gas in the
displacement space, the displacement space can be separated from
the receiving zone through a convection barrier wall. In this way
the gas separated in the displacement space cannot be convectively
influenced by the flowing of the working fluid on the convection
barrier wall outside the displacement space. In other words, the
separated gas cannot be dragged along out of the displacement space
and not be diluted in the displacement space. Preferably, the
convection barrier wall is a perforated grid, a perforated plate, a
sinter plate or a membrane. Then, the convection barrier wall
comprises multiple openings which are so small that exclusively a
slow and laminar transport of the admixed gas through the
convection barrier wall is possible. The term "slow" in this
connection means that a laminar compression of the separated gas in
the displacement space is possible but a convective escape of the
separated gas out of the displacement space is prevented. The
receiving zone forms a substance sink for the working fluid and the
admixed gas is concentrated in the flow direction along the
receiving zone and enters the displacement space through the
convection barrier wall. During the subsequent evaporation of the
working fluid out of the receiving means, the collected gas cannot
escape from the displacement space. Because of this, the
concentration of the admixed gas in the displacement space during
many alternating condensation and evaporation cycles can increase
through the periodic pressure changes.
[0013] In a further development of the sorption heat exchanger
module it is provided that in the outlet path a non-return valve is
arranged last downstream. With a pressure differential on the
non-return valve, the separated gas can be discharged from the
outlet path and an ambient gas cannot enter the outlet path.
Practically, the non-return valve opens only when the pressure
within the sorption heat exchanger module exceeds the pressure in
the surroundings by a predetermined value. Alternatively or
additionally it can be provided that the outlet path is kept liquid
and gas-tight towards the outside by way of a closure unit arranged
last downstream in the discharge path. The closure unit can
preferentially be a closure cap or a closure plug. With this
solution, the outlet path can only be opened as part of the service
and the separated gas drained. Advantageously, for the liquid and
gas-tight closing, highly vacuum-tight or firmly bonded closure
techniques--for example metal seals or sealing varnishes--can be
employed. The term "arranged last downstream" in this connection
means that regardless of the number and the configuration of
further components of the outlet path, the non-return valve and/or
the closure unit are flowed through last during the draining of the
admixed gas. When in the outlet path both the non-return valve and
also the closure unit are provided, the closure unit is arranged
downstream of the non-return valve.
[0014] The outlet passage can lead out of the displacement space
directly to the outside and with the orientation of the sorption
heat exchanger module suitable for the operation, from the
displacement space upwards. The outlet passage orientated upwards
causes, in a non-return valve fixed to the same, that the condensed
working fluid that has escaped to the outside with the separated
gas is present at the non-return valve and upon an unintentional
minor leakage of the non-return valve only the pure working fluid
that is largely free of ambient gases can flow back into the
displacement space. The term "upwards" in this connection refers to
the effect of the earth gravity which is directed from the "top" to
the "the bottom".
[0015] Advantageously it can be provided that in the outlet path a
temperature sensor is arranged. When draining the separated gas, a
temperature change between the through-flowing gas and the
through-flowing working fluid can thus be determined and the
draining of the separated gas can be timely interrupted.
Surprisingly it has been shown that the temperature sensor reacts
hardly noticeably to an escaping of the admixed non-condensing gas.
By contrast, the temperature sensor shows a steep temperature
increase as soon as the escaping gas contains high vapour portions
of the working fluid. This can be explained in that the vapour of
the working fluid condenses on the temperature sensor and heats the
same by liberating the condensation heat. Because of this, the
determined temperature increase on the temperature sensor is highly
suitable for detecting the optimum end of the draining and thereby
minimise the loss of the working fluid.
[0016] In an advantageous configuration of the sorption heat
exchanger module it is provided that in the outlet path the
displacement space forms a primary gas collection space for storing
the separated gas. The primary gas collection space is then
designed as an enlargement of the displacement space. By way of the
pressure change in the receiving zone, the admixed gas can be
exchanged between the receiving zone and the displacement space, so
that the separated gas is concentrated in the displacement space.
In the process, the function of the sorption heat exchanger module
is not negatively affected. Alternatively to this it can be
provided that in the outlet path a secondary gas collection space
for storing the separated gas is connected to the outlet passage
downstream. Here, the outlet passage during the orientation of the
sorption heat exchanger module to suit the operation fluidically
opens in the lowermost point of the gas collection space. Then, the
outlet passage directly connects the displacement space with the
gas collection space. The term "bottom" in this connection refers
to the effect of the earth gravity which is directed from "top" to
"bottom".
[0017] With the secondary gas collection space it can be
additionally provided that the outlet passage is a throttling tube,
so that the flow rate of the separated gas out of the displacement
space into the secondary gas collection space can be limited.
Furthermore, convective return flow of the working fluid into the
displacement space and further into the receiving zone can also be
reduced by way of this. Preferentially, the cross section and the
length of the throttling tube are selected so that the working
fluid condensed in the secondary gas collection space can be
returned with a corresponding pressure gradient. Alternatively, a
non-return valve can be arranged in the outlet passage so that a
return flow of the separated gas from the secondary gas collection
space into the displacement space can be prevented. Because of
this, the secondary gas collection space forms a pressure storage
unit. In this advantageous embodiment of the secondary gas
collection space, the separated gas can be transferred step-by-step
from the displacement space into the secondary collection space, as
a result of which the pressure in the secondary collection space is
then correspondingly increased step-by-step. The working fluid
admixed to the separated gas can condense in the secondary gas
collection space and returned into the receiving zone. This can be
realised for example through a provided minimum leakage of the
non-return valve in the outlet passage. The secondary collection
space can be subjected to extraction or disposal within the scope
of a service process.
[0018] With the secondary gas collection space, an outer passage
can be practically provided in the outlet path which leads out of
the secondary gas collection space to the outside. With the
orientation of the sorption heat exchanger module suitable for the
operation, the outer passage fluidically opens on the uppermost
point of the secondary gas collection space into the same. The
outer passage furthermore leads out of the secondary gas collection
space upwards. The last downstream non-return valve and/or the last
downstream closure unit are then practically arranged in the outer
passage.
[0019] In addition it can be provided that in the outlet path a
thermal or catalytic conversation device is arranged. The
conversion device can then chemically convert the separated gas
and/or portions of the working fluid contained in the separated gas
into harmless decomposition products. By way of this, neither the
environmentally harmful separated gas and/or portions of the
environmentally harmful working fluid contained in the separated
gas can then be decomposed and liberated into the environment. The
conversion device can comprise various known technical solution
components. For example, the separated gas and/or portions or the
working fluid contained in the separating gas can be fed to an
already existing combustion device, a fuel heater or a combustion
engine. Alternatively, the separated gas and/or portions of the
working fluid contained in the separated gas can be fed to an
optionally heated decomposition catalytic converter. The
decomposition catalytic converter can be for example an existing
oxidation catalytic converter of an internal combustion engine.
Alternatively or additionally it can be provided that in the outlet
path an exchangeable adsorbent can be arranged. Portions of the
working fluid contained in the separated gas can then be collected
in the adsorbent cartridge and retained. The adsorbent cartridge
can then be designed for example as a replacement cartridge which
can be replaced if required as part of the service. Because of the
fact that the adsorbent cartridge retains the working fluid, the
same cannot enter the environment during the draining of the
separated gas.
[0020] The invention also relates to a method for draining a gas
admixed to a working fluid from the sorption heat exchanger module
described above. There, a control unit of the sorption heat
exchanger module determines check values which are connected to the
performance of the sorption heat exchanger module. The check values
can be determined for example through temperature sensors installed
in the sorption heat exchanger module. Following this, the control
unit determines by way of the determined check values a performance
loss or no performance loss of the sorption heat exchanger module
by calculation or by a comparison. Thus, the control unit can for
example offset the determined check values against one another and
subsequently compare the check values offset against one another
with expectation values. For example minimum temperature
differentials to be achieved through a fluid inlet and a fluid
outlet of the sorption heat exchanger module as a function of the
re-cooling and evaporation temperature can serve as expectation
values for example. If the check values offset against one another
do not correspond to the expectation values, the control unit
determines a performance loss in the sorption heat exchanger
module.
[0021] Following the determination of the performance loss, the
control unit starts in the sorption heat exchanger module a venting
cycle for draining the gas admixed to the working fluid. In the
venting cycle, the working fluid in a first part process is
evaporated out of the receiving means of the receiving zone and
sorped in the sorbent of the sorption zone. Then, the working
fluid, in a second part process of the venting cycle, is desorbed
out of the sorbent of the sorption zone, received in a receiving
zone of the sorption heat exchanger module through condensing; and
the admixed gas separated in the outlet path. In the second part
process of the venting cycle, the internal pressure in the sorption
heat exchanger module is additionally increased at the same time
and the separated gas drained out of the sorption heat exchanger
module via the outlet path. It can be provided that the second part
process is conducted exactly as long as a regular sorption or
condensation process in the sorption heat exchanger module. Because
of this, the influence of the venting cycle in the sorption heat
exchanger module on neighbouring sorption heat exchanger modules
can be minimised.
[0022] In the first part process, the working fluid is evaporated
in the receiving zone and sorped in the sorbent, for the purpose of
which the receiving zone of the sorption heat exchanger module is
irregularly supplied with a heat exchanger fluid of a re-cooling
circuit. Through the first part process, a large quantity of the
working fluid can be sorped in the sorbent of the sorption zone so
that in the second part process an adequate quantity of the working
fluid can be desorbed in the sorption zone and condensed in the
receiving zone. Because of this, the condensation heat can be
increased, which is liberated in the receiving zone in the second
part process.
[0023] In the second part process, the working fluid now condenses
in the receiving zone and the admixed gas is separated from the
working fluid. There, the working fluid can be conducted parallel
in a flow passage on a free-standing outer surface of the receiving
means for condensing. Through the parallel or tangential conducting
of the working fluid on the receiving zone, the concentration of
the admixed gas along the receiving zone continuously increases in
the flow direction of the working fluid so that the admixed gas can
enter into the displacement space connected downstream almost free
of working fluid.
[0024] In the second part process, the internal pressure in the
sorption heat exchanger module is increased at the same time. For
this purpose, a circulating of a heat exchanger fluid of a
re-cooling circuit in the receiving zone can be stopped so that the
discharge of the condensation heat out of the receiving zone is
prevented. Because of this, the temperature in the receiving zone
and the internal pressure in the sorption heat exchanger module
increase. The temperatures range between 60.degree. C. and
125.degree. C. depending on the working fluid and the internal
pressure in the sorption heat exchanger module is between 1 bar and
2 bar. The separated gas is now discharged from the sorption heat
exchanger module, for the purpose of which for example a non-return
valve is opened by way of the generated pressure differential and
the separated gas discharged for example into a secondary gas
convection space.
[0025] Advantageously, the second part process can be stopped as
soon as the control unit determines a temperature change in the
outlet path through a temperature sensor arranged in the same.
Alternatively, the second part process can be stopped in a
time-controlled manner. As already explained above, the loss of the
working fluid in the sorption heat exchanger module can thereby be
advantageously reduced. For stopping the second part process, the
circulating of a heat exchanger fluid of a re-cooling circuit in
the receiving zone is restarted and the condensation heat is now
discharged. Because of this, the temperature in the receiving zone
and the internal pressure in the sorption heat exchanger module
drop. The opened non-return valve is closed and the separated gas
remains for example in the secondary gas collection space.
[0026] Further important features and advantages of the invention
are obtained from the subclaims, from the drawings and from the
associated figure description by way of the drawings.
[0027] It is to be understood that the features mentioned above and
still to be explained in the following cannot only be used in the
respective combination stated but also in other combinations or by
themselves without leaving the scope of the present invention.
[0028] Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown
in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following
description, wherein same reference numbers relate to same or
similar or functionally same components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] It shows, in each case schematically
[0030] FIG. 1 is a part view of a sorption heat exchanger module
according to the invention in a first embodiment;
[0031] FIG. 2 is a part view of the sorption heat exchanger module
according to the invention in a second embodiment;
[0032] FIG. 3 is a part view of the sorption heat exchanger module
according to the invention in a third embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] FIG. 1 shows a part view of a sorption heat exchanger module
1 according to the invention in a first embodiment. The sorption
heat exchanger module 1 comprises a liquid and gas-tight housing 2
having a receiving zone 3 having a receiving means 4 and having a
sorption zone--not shown here. The sorption zone and the receiving
zone 3 can be flowed through by a working fluid 5. The working
fluid 5 can be sorped or desorped in the sorption zone and
evaporated or condensed in the receiving zone 3 on the receiving
means 4. In the sorption heat exchanger module 1 according to the
invention, an outlet path 8 with a displacement space 9 and with an
outlet passage 10 leading out of the displacement space 9 is
connected to the receiving zone 3 downstream. In the first
embodiment of the sorption heat exchanger module 1, the outlet
passage 10 leads directly to the outside. A free-standing outer
surface 11 of the receiving means 4 for the condensing or
evaporating is orientated in a flow passage 12 parallel to the flow
direction 22 of the working fluid 5.
[0034] During the condensing of the working fluid 5 in the
receiving means 4, the working fluid 5 flows past the outer surface
11 parallel or tangentially. Because of this, the gas admixed to
the working fluid 5 cannot settle on the outer surface 11 of the
receiving means 4. Because of this, the working fluid during the
condensing can be received unhindered in the receiving means 4 and
retained as indicated by arrows. Consequently, the receiving zone 3
forms a substance sink for the working fluid 5. In the process, a
separating of the admixed gas from the working fluid 5 occurs on
the receiving means 4, which is then removed from the outer surface
11 of the receiving means 4 in the flow direction 22 of the working
fluid 5. Through the condensing of the working fluid 5, the admixed
gas is concentrated along the receiving zone 3 in the flow
direction 22 of the working fluid 5 and enters the displacement
space 9 downstream of the receiving zone 3 almost free of working
fluid. Because of this, the admixed gas is extracted from the
circuit of the working fluid 5 and no longer negatively affects the
performance of the sorption heat exchanger module 1.
[0035] In order to hold the already separated gas in the
displacement space 9, the same is separated from the receiving zone
3 and from the flow passage 12 by a convection barrier wall 13. The
convection barrier wall 13 can be a perforated grid, a perforated
plate, a sinter plate or a membrane and comprises multiple openings
14. The openings 14 are so small that exclusively a slow and
laminar transport of the admixed gas through the convection barrier
wall 13 is possible. Because of this, the already separated gas in
the displacement space 9 is not convectively influenced by the
working fluid 5 flowing into the flow passage 12 and remains
securely retained in the displacement space 9 over multiple phase
changes of the working fluid 5. Here, the displacement space 9
consequently forms a primary gas collection space. Here, the volume
of the displacement space 9 is designed in such a manner that the
complete quantity of the admixed gas can be received in the
same.
[0036] By way of the outlet passage 10, the already separated gas
can be conducted out of the displacement space 9 to the outside
when required. In order to reduce the loss of the working fluid 5
during the draining out of the sorption heat exchanger module 1, a
non-return valve 15 is arranged last downstream in the outlet
passage 10. At a pressure differential in the outlet path 8 the
non-return valve 15 opens and the admixed gas can be conducted out
of the displacement space 9. Furthermore, a cooling device 16--here
a blower--is arranged in the outlet passage 10. Through the cooling
device 16, portions of the working fluid 5 contained in the
separated gas can be condensed in the outlet passage 10 and
separated from the separated gas. Following this, the same can be
returned into the flow passage 12. A temperature sensor 17,
furthermore, monitors the temperature change in the outlet path 8
during the draining of the admixed gas. At a temperature increase,
which correlates to a high vapour portion of the working fluid 5,
the outlet path 8 can be closed. Because of this, the loss of the
working fluid 5 can be reduced. Draining the admixed gas can take
place as part of the service during which the outlet path 8 is
opened to the outside. When the separated gas is not
environmentally harmful, the same can be conducted to the outside
if required even outside the service.
[0037] FIG. 2 shows a part view of the sorption heat exchanger
module 1 according to the invention in a second embodiment. Here, a
secondary gas collection space 18 for storing the separated gas is
connected to the outlet passage 10 downstream. Here, the outlet
passage 10 fluidically opens at the lowermost point of the
secondary gas collection space 18 into the same. Here, the outlet
passage 10 is a throttling tube 19 which limits the flow rate of
the separated gas out of the displacement space 9 into the
secondary gas collection space 18. The gas collected in the
secondary gas collection space 18 can be conducted to the outside
as part of the service via an outer passage 20, which at an
uppermost point of the gas collection space 18 fluidically opens
into the same and leads to the outside. In the outer passage 20,
the non-return valve 15 is arranged and the outer passage 20 is
closed in a liquid and gas-tight manner through a closure unit 21
arranged downstream after the non-return valve 15. As part of the
service, the closure unit 21 can then be opened and the gas stored
in the secondary gas collection space 18 conducted out of the
sorption heat exchanger module to the outside. In principle, the
non-return valve 15 is not necessarily required with the second
embodiment of the sorption heat exchanger module 1.
[0038] FIG. 3 now shows a part view of the sorption heat exchanger
module 1 according to the invention in a third embodiment. Here,
the secondary gas collection space 18 is designed in the form of a
pressure storage unit. In the outlet passage 10, a further
non-return valve 23 is arranged for this purpose, which separates
the displacement space 9 from the secondary gas collection space
18. Otherwise, the sorption heat exchanger module 1 here
corresponds to the sorption heat exchanger module 1 in the second
embodiment.
[0039] It is to be understood that the first embodiment, the second
embodiment and the third embodiment of the sorption heat exchanger
module 1 are only exemplary and that further forms of the sorption
heat exchanger module 1 are also conceivable. Both in FIG. 1 and
also in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 the sorption heat exchanger module 1 is
located in an orientation to suit the operation.
* * * * *