A sea area cooling device and control method for alleviating coral heat stress

Abstract

The present invention discloses a marine cooling device and control method for alleviating coral heat stress. The device comprises an artificial upwelling system, a semiconductor refrigeration system, an intelligent temperature control system, and a solar power supply system. The device is characterized in that a submersible pump is used to extract deep seawater to generate a low-temperature, nutrient-rich artificial upwelling, which is then injected into a double-layer water tank via an injection pipe. Because the temperature difference of seawater within a depth of 100 meters is small under natural conditions, a semiconductor refrigeration system is used to assist in cooling the water. The cold end of the refrigeration plate is connected to the inner wall of the double-layer water tank, and the hot end is connected to the outer wall. A seepage pipe connected to the water outlet of the tank evenly distributes the nutrient-rich, low-temperature seawater to the coral bleaching sea area. The double-layer water tank is made of a heat-conducting material to promote heat exchange. The intelligent control system is used to monitor and feedback the ambient temperature of the coral area and control the operating mode of the semiconductor refrigeration plate and the submersible pump. The present invention provides a new approach to helping coral reef ecosystems survive the high temperatures of summer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of coral ecological restoration, and in particular to a sea area cooling device and a control method for alleviating coral heat stress. Background Art

[0002] Affected by human activities, coral reefs in the coral reef areas have experienced varying degrees of bleaching due to the increasing sea temperature year by year. Global coral reef resources are increasingly degrading, threatening the ecological balance of the ocean.

[0003] Heat stress refers to the sensitivity of corals to high temperatures, which can lead to coral bleaching and death. Studies have found that the recurring bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef is determined by the spatial pattern of annual ocean temperatures, with sharp declines in coral cover invariably coinciding with rapid increases in sea surface temperatures. This suggests that coral reefs are highly sensitive to rising temperatures and are vulnerable to marine heatwaves. The optimal survival temperature range for most coral species is between 23°C and 29°C. When water temperatures exceed the tolerance range of a coral species, corals experience heat stress. Generally, the temperature range for heat stress is between 30°C and 32°C. When water temperatures exceed this range for a sustained period, corals can be severely damaged. As the Earth continues to warm, this phenomenon is likely to occur more frequently, so taking action to regulate water temperatures in coral reef areas to alleviate heat stress is crucial for the healthy growth of corals.

[0004] Furthermore, studies have shown that a deficiency of nutrients (such as phosphorus) can increase corals' sensitivity to heat stress. Supplementing nutrients within an appropriate range and removing nutrient limitations can enhance the stability of coral reef ecosystems. Therefore, regulating local water balances is also a key issue for marine ranches designed to conserve tropical coral reefs.

[0005] To prevent and control the continued bleaching of coral reefs, from a macro perspective, measures such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing marine carbon sinks need to be taken to slow down the rise in sea temperature. At the same time, timely cooling measures and the removal of nutrient restrictions are also needed to improve the living environment temperature of coral reefs in real time, reduce the sensitivity of corals to heat stress, and help coral reef ecosystems survive the high temperatures in summer. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To solve the above problems, the present application provides a sea area cooling device for alleviating coral heat stress.

[0007] In a first aspect, the present application provides a marine cooling device for alleviating coral heat stress, comprising an artificial upwelling module, a semiconductor refrigeration module, an intelligent control module, and a solar power supply module, wherein:

[0008] The solar power supply module is respectively connected to the artificial upflow module, the semiconductor refrigeration module and the intelligent control module to provide working voltage for these modules;

[0009] The intelligent control module is connected to the artificial upflow module and the semiconductor refrigeration module respectively, and is used to control the working mode and duration of these modules;

[0010] The artificial upwelling module includes a seabed anchoring device, a vertical submersible pump, a water injection pipe, a double-layer water storage tank and a seepage pipe. The seabed anchoring device is a ring-shaped device cast with cement. The vertical submersible pump is fixed in the middle of the ring to resist the horizontal cross-current of the seabed. The water injection pipe is a flexible pipe adapted to the seabed topography and is connected to the water outlet of the submersible pump. In order to improve the heat transfer efficiency and the cooling efficiency of the semiconductor system, the double-layer water storage tank adopts a heat-conducting material to promote heat exchange. The water inlet is connected to the water injection pipe and is placed at the lower bottom, and the water outlet is placed at the upper bottom on the opposite side, so as to sacrifice part of the water pressure in exchange for a longer cooling time. The seepage pipe is a PVC pipe with a wall densely covered with small holes, which is connected to the water outlet of the tank, and the sum of the unit flow of the outlet pipe is less than the unit flow of the inlet pipe.

[0011] The semiconductor refrigeration module includes a semiconductor refrigeration sheet and a cooling block. The semiconductor refrigeration module is placed in the middle sealing layer of the box to achieve structural waterproofing. The cold end of the semiconductor refrigeration sheet is connected to the inner wall of the box through the cooling block to cool the water inside the box. The hot end is connected to the outer wall, and heat is transferred between the outer wall and the seawater to achieve a water cooling cycle to remove heat.

[0012] The intelligent control module includes a thermostat, a thermocouple and a main controller. The thermocouple is placed in the coral sea area to measure the water temperature and is connected to the thermostat through a long wire. The control signal of the thermostat is transmitted to the main controller; the main controller controls the on and off of the submersible pump and the semiconductor refrigeration plate.

[0013] Optionally, the solar power supply module includes a solar panel, a photovoltaic converter, a battery and an inverter connected in series in sequence. The solar panel stores electrical energy in the battery through the photovoltaic converter. The battery is connected to the main controller, the temperature controller, the thermocouple and the semiconductor refrigeration plate and provides direct current; the battery is connected to the submersible pump via the inverter and provides alternating current.

[0014] Optionally, the solar power supply module and the temperature controller and main controller in the intelligent control module are all arranged on a constructed offshore floating platform, and the floating platform is fixed by an anchor chain.

[0015] Optionally, the thermocouples in the artificial upwelling module, the semiconductor refrigeration module and the intelligent control module are all placed at the bottom of the water.

[0016] In a second aspect, the present application provides a method for cooling a sea area for alleviating coral heat stress. This method is implemented in the sea area cooling device for alleviating coral heat stress described in the first aspect, utilizing graded temperature control to achieve low energy consumption and high efficiency for the coral sea area cooling device. The method comprises the following steps:

[0017] S1: Obtain the real-time water temperature of the coral sea area through thermocouples and transmit the signal to the thermostat; the thermostat compares the real-time temperature with the set temperatures T1 and T2;

[0018] S2: If the real-time temperature is greater than the set temperature T1 but less than the set temperature T2, the signal is transmitted to the main controller; the main controller obtains the remaining battery power through the power sensor. If the remaining battery power is greater than the minimum power threshold, the main controller connects the power supply of the artificial upwelling module;

[0019] S3: If the real-time temperature is greater than the set temperature T1 and greater than the set temperature T2, the signal is transmitted to the main controller; the main controller obtains the remaining battery power through the power sensor. If the remaining battery power is greater than the minimum power threshold, the main controller simultaneously connects the power supply of the artificial upflow module and the semiconductor refrigeration module;

[0020] S4: On the contrary, if the real-time temperature is lower than the set temperature T1 or the remaining battery power is lower than the minimum power threshold, the main controller disconnects the power supply of the semiconductor refrigeration module and the artificial upflow module.

[0021] The beneficial effects of the present invention are: using artificial upwelling and semiconductor refrigeration technology to achieve the purpose of cooling the coral ecosystem in real time and regulating the balance of nutrients in the water body, thereby reducing the sensitivity of corals to heat stress. Using a submersible pump to extract low-temperature nutrient-rich seawater achieves the dual effects of cooling and regulating nutrients in the coral area, and using solar energy to power the pump body, achieving low cost and pollution-free; using semiconductor refrigeration chips to assist refrigeration instead of conventional mechanical refrigeration, which is more suitable for submarine use and achieves stable operation and low failure rate; using a double-layer water storage tank with thermally conductive material to extend the refrigeration time and improve the refrigeration effect, combined with the flow of seawater outside the box, to take away the heat generated by the hot end of the semiconductor refrigeration chip; low-temperature nutrient-rich seawater flows to the leakage pipe through the water outlet of the box, achieving a wide coverage area, bringing water cooling circulation to the coral ecological module, thereby achieving a uniform cooling effect; selecting a temperature grading control method to reduce the power consumption of the coral sea area cooling device and improve energy efficiency. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the deployment of the sea area cooling device in the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the anchoring device in the present invention;

[0024] Figure 3It is a structural schematic diagram of the double-layer water storage tank in the present invention;

[0025] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the semiconductor refrigeration module of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 5 It is a front view of the seepage pipe in the present invention;

[0027] Figure 6 This is the control principle diagram of the intelligent control module in the invention;

[0028] The reference numerals in the figure are: 1. offshore floating platform; 2. anchoring device; 3. vertical submersible pump; 4. water injection pipe; 5. double-layer water tank: 501 outer wall of the tank; 502 inner wall of the tank; 503 water outlet; 6. seepage pipe; 7. semiconductor refrigeration module: 701, semiconductor refrigeration plate; 702, cooling block; 8. thermocouple; 9. temperature controller; 10. main controller; 11. solar power supply module: 111 solar panel; 112 photovoltaic converter, 113 battery, 114 inverter; 12. power sensor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0030] refer to Figures 1-6The present application provides a marine cooling device for alleviating coral heat stress, comprising an artificial upwelling module, a semiconductor refrigeration module 7, an intelligent control module and a solar power supply module 11, wherein: the solar power supply module 11 is respectively connected to the artificial upwelling module, the semiconductor refrigeration module 7 and the intelligent control module to provide working voltage for these modules; the intelligent control module is respectively connected to the artificial upwelling module and the semiconductor refrigeration module 7 to control the working mode and duration of these modules; the artificial upwelling module comprises a seabed anchoring device 2, a vertical submersible pump 3, a water injection pipe 4, a double-layer water storage tank 5 and a seepage pipe 6, the seabed anchoring device 2 is an annular device cast with cement, and the vertical submersible pump 3 is fixed in the middle of the ring to resist the horizontal cross flow of the seabed; the water injection pipe 4 is a flexible pipe adapted to the seabed topography and is connected to the water outlet of the submersible pump 3; in order to improve the heat transfer efficiency and the cooling efficiency of the semiconductor system, the double-layer water storage tank 5 adopts a heat-conducting The material promotes heat exchange, the water inlet is connected to the water injection pipe 4 and is placed at the bottom, and the water outlet 503 is placed at the bottom on the opposite side, in order to sacrifice part of the water pressure in exchange for a longer cooling time; the seepage pipe 6 is a PVC pipe, the pipe wall is densely covered with small holes, and is connected to the water outlet 503 of the box; the semiconductor refrigeration module 7 includes a semiconductor refrigeration plate 701 and a cooling block 702, the semiconductor refrigeration module 7 is placed in the middle sealing layer of the box 5 to achieve structural waterproofing, the cold end of the semiconductor refrigeration plate 701 is connected to the cooling block 702 is connected to the inner wall 502 of the box, and is used to cool the water inside the box 5. The hot end is connected to the outer wall 501, and heat is transferred between the outer wall and the seawater to realize a water cooling cycle to take away heat; the intelligent control module includes a thermocouple 8, a thermostat 9 and a main controller 10. The thermocouple 8 is placed in the coral sea area to measure the water temperature and is connected to the thermostat 9 through a long wire. The control signal of the thermostat 9 is transmitted to the main controller 10; the main controller 10 controls the on and off of the submersible pump 3 and the semiconductor refrigeration plate 701.

[0031] Submersible pump 3 draws low-temperature, nutrient-rich seawater from deep layers, which is then led to double-layer water storage tank 5 via water injection pipe 4. Seepage pipe 6, connected to tank outlet 503, evenly distributes the low-temperature, nutrient-rich seawater to the coral bleaching area. Under natural conditions, the temperature difference of seawater within 100 meters below sea level is small, so the drawn seawater needs to be cooled by semiconductor refrigeration module 7 to further reduce the temperature of the seawater flowing through it. An intelligent control module monitors the seawater temperature in the coral area in real time and controls the on / off of refrigeration module 7 according to the set temperature. A solar power supply module 11 is installed on the offshore floating platform 1 to provide clean energy for the above modules.

[0032] In one embodiment, the solar power supply module 11, the temperature controller 9, and the main controller 10 in the intelligent control module are all installed on the constructed offshore platform 1. The artificial upwelling module, the semiconductor refrigeration module 7, and the thermocouple 8 in the intelligent control module are all placed underwater.

[0033] According to the background survey information of the sea area, before installation, it is necessary to determine the installation location of the offshore floating platform 1, the vertical distance between the coral reef and the water intake and the sea level, the horizontal distance between the water intake and the coral reef sea area, and the nutrient salt content of the surface and bottom layers of the coral area and the water intake, estimate the head and power required by the submersible pump 3, and select the submersible pump 3 and solar power supply module 11 with appropriate parameters.

[0034] The submersible pump 3 draws deep, relatively low-temperature, nutrient-rich seawater from the water intake, and passes it through the water injection pipe 4 to the double-layer water storage tank 5. The seepage pipe 6 connected to the tank 5 evenly distributes the low-temperature, nutrient-rich seawater to the coral bleaching sea area; the cold end of the semiconductor refrigeration plate 701 is connected to the inner wall 502 of the double-layer water storage tank 5 through the cooling block 702, further reducing the temperature of the seawater flowing through it; the hot end of the refrigeration plate is connected to the outer wall 501 of the double-layer water storage tank 5. To prevent heat dissipation from the hot end from affecting the cooling effect, the double-layer water storage tank 5 is placed as close to the water outlet of the submersible pump 3 as possible and away from the coral area.

[0035] Thermocouple 8 is placed in the coral sea area to measure the water temperature and is connected to thermostat 9 through a long wire. The control signal of thermostat 9 is transmitted to main controller 10, which controls the on and off of submersible pump 3 and semiconductor refrigeration plate 701. Both thermostat 9 and main controller 10 are placed on solar-powered offshore floating platform 1.

[0036] The solar power supply module 11 includes a solar panel 111, a photovoltaic converter 112, a battery 113 and an inverter 114 connected in series. The solar panel 111 stores electrical energy in the battery 113 through the photovoltaic converter 112. The battery 113 is connected to the main controller 10, the temperature controller 9, the thermocouple 8 and the semiconductor refrigeration plate 701 and provides direct current; the battery 112 is connected to the submersible pump 3 via the inverter 114 and provides alternating current.

[0037] This application also provides a method for cooling the ocean for alleviating coral heat stress. This method is implemented in the aforementioned ocean cooling device for alleviating coral heat stress, and utilizes temperature grading control to achieve low energy consumption and high efficiency for the coral ocean cooling device. The method comprises the following steps:

[0038] S1: The real-time water temperature of the coral sea area is obtained through the thermocouple 8, and the signal is transmitted to the thermostat 9; the thermostat 9 compares the real-time temperature with the set temperatures T1 and T2;

[0039] S2: If the real-time temperature is greater than the set temperature T1 but less than the set temperature T2, a signal is transmitted to the main controller 10; the main controller 10 obtains the remaining power of the battery 113 through the power sensor 12. If the remaining power of the battery 113 is greater than the minimum power threshold, the main controller 10 turns on the power supply of the artificial upwelling module;

[0040] S3: If the real-time temperature is greater than the set temperature T1 and greater than the set temperature T2, a signal is transmitted to the main controller 10; the main controller 10 obtains the remaining power of the battery 113 through the power sensor 12. If the remaining power of the battery 113 is greater than the minimum power threshold, the main controller 10 simultaneously connects the power supply of the artificial upflow module and the semiconductor refrigeration module 7;

[0041] S4: On the contrary, if the real-time temperature is lower than the set temperature T1 or the remaining battery power is lower than the minimum power threshold, the main controller 10 disconnects the power supply of the semiconductor refrigeration module 7 and the artificial upflow module.

[0042] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate other embodiments of the present application after considering the specification and practicing the contents disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present application that follow the general principles of the present application and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The description and examples are to be considered merely as exemplary, and the true scope and spirit of the present application are indicated by the claims.

[0043] It should be understood that the present application is not limited to the exact structures described above and shown in the drawings, and that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope thereof. The scope of the present application is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A marine cooling device for alleviating coral heat stress, characterized by: It includes artificial upwelling module, semiconductor refrigeration module, intelligent control module and solar power supply module, among which: The solar power supply module is respectively connected to the artificial upflow module, the semiconductor refrigeration module and the intelligent control module to provide working voltage for these modules; The intelligent control module is connected to the artificial upflow module and the semiconductor refrigeration module respectively, and is used to control the working mode and duration of these modules; The artificial upwelling module includes a seabed anchoring device, a vertical submersible pump, a water injection pipe, a double-layer water storage tank and a seepage pipe. The seabed anchoring device is an annular device cast with cement. The vertical submersible pump is fixed in the middle of the ring to resist horizontal cross-currents on the seabed. The water injection pipe is a flexible pipe adapted to the seabed topography and is connected to the water outlet of the submersible pump. To improve the heat transfer efficiency and the cooling efficiency of the semiconductor system, the double-layer water storage tank adopts a heat-conducting material to promote heat exchange. The water inlet is connected to the water injection pipe and is placed at the lower bottom, and the water outlet is placed at the upper bottom on the opposite side, sacrificing part of the water pressure in exchange for a longer cooling time. The seepage pipe is a PVC pipe with a wall densely covered with small holes and is connected to the water outlet of the tank. The semiconductor refrigeration module includes a semiconductor refrigeration sheet and a cooling block. The semiconductor refrigeration module is placed in the middle sealing layer of the box to achieve structural waterproofing. The cold end of the semiconductor refrigeration sheet is connected to the inner wall of the box through the cooling block to cool the water inside the box. The hot end is connected to the outer wall, and heat is transferred between the outer wall and the seawater to achieve a water cooling cycle to remove heat. The intelligent control module includes a thermostat, a thermocouple and a main controller. The thermocouple is placed in the coral sea area to measure the water temperature and is connected to the thermostat through a long wire. The control signal of the thermostat is transmitted to the main controller; the main controller controls the working mode and duration of the submersible pump and the semiconductor refrigeration plate; the solar power supply module includes a solar panel, a photovoltaic converter, a battery and an inverter connected in series in sequence. The solar panel stores electrical energy in the battery through the photovoltaic converter. The battery is connected to the main controller, thermostat, thermocouple and semiconductor refrigeration plate and provides direct current; the battery is connected to the submersible pump via the inverter and provides alternating current.

2. The marine cooling device for alleviating coral heat stress according to claim 1, characterized in that: The solar power supply module and the temperature controller and main controller in the intelligent control module are all arranged on the constructed offshore floating platform.

3. The marine cooling device for alleviating coral heat stress according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thermocouples in the artificial upwelling module, the semiconductor refrigeration module and the intelligent control module are all placed at the bottom of the water.

4. A method for cooling sea areas for alleviating coral heat stress, characterized in that The method is implemented in the sea cooling device for alleviating coral heat stress as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, and uses temperature graded control to achieve low energy consumption and high efficiency of the coral sea cooling device. The method comprises the following steps: S1: Obtain the real-time water temperature of the coral sea area through thermocouples and transmit the signal to the thermostat; the thermostat compares the real-time temperature with the set temperatures T1 and T2; S2: If the real-time temperature is greater than the set temperature T1 but less than the set temperature T2, the signal is transmitted to the main controller; the main controller obtains the remaining battery power through the power sensor. If the remaining battery power is greater than the minimum power threshold, the main controller connects the power supply of the artificial upwelling module; S3: If the real-time temperature is greater than the set temperature T1 and greater than the set temperature T2, the signal is transmitted to the main controller; the main controller obtains the remaining battery power through the power sensor. If the remaining battery power is greater than the minimum power threshold, the main controller simultaneously connects the power supply of the artificial upflow module and the semiconductor refrigeration module; S4: On the contrary, if the real-time temperature is lower than the set temperature T1 Or if the remaining battery power is less than the minimum power threshold, the main controller disconnects the power supply to the semiconductor refrigeration module and the artificial upflow module.

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