Air or water extracted fluid split cycle heat pump

Abstract

The invention described herein represents a significant improvement in the efficiency of heating and cooling applications such as buildings. An air or water sourced fluid extraction process on the front end of an open loop heat pump system is provided. The extracted fluid is compressed in a heat pump compressor to achieve a heating function but no expansion of the compressed fluid is performed. The compressed fluid is instead stored for a subsequent cooling process or transported to a different location. After storage or transport, the compressed fluid is expanded to achieve a cooling function which requires no energy input other than the transport or storage. Once the fluid is expanded, it can be released back to the environment, can be converted to electricity in the case of hydrogen, or can be transported or stored for a heating application at a different place or time. The decision whether to release the fluid back to the environment is based upon the cheaper of the cost of air extraction compared to the cost of storage and transport.

1 . A heat transfer process comprising the steps of,
 Capturing a working fluid from one selected from the group consisting of; air and water,   Compressing said working fluid to emit heat to perform a heating function in a first confined space and at a first time,   Transporting or storing the compressed working fluid to one selected from the group consisting of; to a second confined space, and to a second time,   Expanding said working fluid to absorb heat to perform a cooling function in the selected second confined space or the selected second time,   And wherein the expanded working fluid proceeds to a step selected from the group consisting of; the working fluid is exhausted into the environment, the working fluid is stored as a low pressure working fluid for use in a heating application at a third time, the working fluid is transported as a low pressure working fluid for use in a heating application in a third space, and the working fluid is utilized in a process that generates electricity.   
   
   
       2 . The heat transfer process of  claim 1  wherein said working fluid comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of; air, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, CO2, argon, H2O, and neon. 
   
   
       3 . The heat transfer process of  claim 1  wherein said working fluid is subjected to a pressure change powered by one selected from the group consisting of; electricity, mechanical energy, energy from wind, and energy from water movement. 
   
   
       4 . The heat transfer process of  claim 1  wherein said working fluid undergoes a phase change selected from the group consisting of; from gas to liquid during the heating function, and from liquid to gas during the cooling function. 
   
   
       5 . The heat transfer process of  claim 1  wherein said working fluid capture process includes a heat output that contributes to the heating function of the first confined space at the first time. 
   
   
       6 . The heat transfer process of  claim 1  wherein said working fluid capture process comprises a step selected from the group consisting of; providing a filter means, electrolysis process, providing a desiccant, exhaust gas elimination, providing a motor, providing a process sensor, providing a compression means, and providing a working fluid storage means. 
   
   
       7 . The heat transfer process of  claim 1  wherein a single apparatus is provided that integrates the working fluid capture process together with the working fluid compression process such that both processes are performed by the single apparatus. 
   
   
       8 . The heat transfer process of  claim 7  wherein said single apparatus also integrates the working fluid expansion process together with said working fluid capture process and said working fluid compression process such that all three processes can selectively be performed by the single apparatus. 
   
   
       9 . An energy conversion process comprising;
 a working fluid capture process for collecting a working fluid from one selected from the group consisting of; air, and water,   providing an energy input process selected from the group consisting of; electrical energy input to compress the working fluid, wind energy capture and input to compress the working fluid,   and water movement energy capture and input to compress a working fluid,   wherein the compressed working fluid is expanded to absorb heat in a confined space.   
   
   
       10 . The energy conversion process of  claim 9  wherein the compressing of the working fluid emits heat that is used to heat a confined space. 
   
   
       11 . The energy conversion process of  claim 9  wherein the expanded working fluid proceeds to a step selected from the group consisting of; the working fluid is exhausted into the environment, the working fluid is stored as a low pressure working fluid for use in a subsequent heating application at a third time, the working fluid is transported as a low pressure working fluid for use in a heating application in a third space, and the working fluid is utilized in a process that generates electricity. 
   
   
       12 . The energy conversion process of  claim 9  wherein said working fluid comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of; air, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, CO2, argon, H2O, and neon. 
   
   
       13 . The energy conversion process of  claim 9  wherein said working fluid undergoes a phase change selected from the group consisting of; from gas to liquid during the compression, and from liquid to gas during the expansion. 
   
   
       14 . The energy conversion process of  claim 9  wherein said working fluid capture process includes a heat output that contributes to the heating of a confined space. 
   
   
       15 . The energy conversion process of  claim 9  wherein said working fluid capture process comprises a step selected from the group consisting of; providing a filter means, electrolysis process, providing a desiccant, exhaust gas elimination, providing a motor, providing a process sensor, providing a compression means, and providing a working fluid storage means. 
   
   
       16 . The energy conversion process of  claim 9  wherein a single apparatus is provided that integrates the working fluid capture process together with the working fluid compression process such that both processes are performed by the single apparatus. 
   
   
       17 . The energy conversion process of  claim 16  wherein said single apparatus also integrates the working fluid expansion process together with said working fluid capture process and said working fluid compression process such that all three processes can selectively be performed by the single apparatus. 
   
   
       18 . A heat absorption process
 wherein a compressed working fluid is sourced from a supply pipeline,   the working fluid is expanded and thereby absorbs heat to cool a confined space,   the expanded working fluid is then subject to a process step selected from the group consisting of; subsequently compressed to perform a heating function, expelled into the environment, and converted to electricity.   
   
   
       19 . The heat absorption process of  claim 18  wherein said working fluid comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of; air, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, CO2, argon, H2O, and neon.