Large-scale cold storage device and method

Abstract

The invention provides a large-scale cold storage device, and particularly relates to the technical field of energy recovery, the large-scale cold storage device comprises a heat exchanger, a first storage tank and a second storage tank, a plurality of groups of parallel plates are arranged in the heat exchanger, and the parallel plates are divided into medium flow channels and particle flow channels which are arranged alternately; the outer side of the heat exchanger is further provided with a heat transfer inlet and a heat transfer outlet which are communicated with the medium flow channel. High-temperature particles or low-temperature particles in the particle flow channel exchange heat with gas or liquid in the medium flow channel through the parallel plates. A first storage tank is arranged at the top of the heat exchanger, a second storage tank is arranged at the bottom of the heat exchanger, and particles in the first storage tank enter the second storage tank to be stored after passing through the heat exchanger and completing heat exchange with a medium in the heat exchanger; according to the large-scale cold storage device, the conditions of environmental pollution and performance weakening of a thermocline are avoided, and the cost is lower.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of energy recovery, and particularly to a large-scale cold energy storage device and method. Background Art

[0002] Under the background of the energy structure transformation, industrial processes involving low temperatures, such as air separation, consume a large amount of electricity every day. Since natural gas and ethylene release a large amount of cold energy every day, it is easy to waste cold energy. At the same time, there is a large amount of heat energy in graphite and slag in industrial waste.

[0003] In the prior art, traditional liquid-phase cold energy storage is adopted, that is, alkane industrial products are used for the recovery and storage of cold energy or heat energy. Traditional liquid-phase cold energy storage is prone to problems such as the weakening of the system performance by the thermocline, as well as flammable, explosive, potential environmental pollution, and high costs.

[0004] In view of this, the present application provides a large-scale cold energy storage device and method for recovering and storing cold energy through the heat conduction and heat convection of solid-phase particles. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention proposes a large-scale cold energy storage device and method.

[0006] The present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0007] The large-scale cold energy storage device proposed by the present invention includes a heat exchanger, a first storage tank, and a second storage tank, wherein:

[0008] A plurality of parallel plates are provided inside the heat exchanger. The parallel plates divide the heat exchanger into alternately arranged medium flow channels and particle flow channels. A heat transfer inlet and a heat transfer outlet are also provided outside the heat exchanger and are communicated with the medium flow channels. The high-temperature particles or low-temperature particles in the particle flow channels exchange heat with the gas or liquid in the medium flow channels through the parallel plates.

[0009] The first storage tank is provided at the top of the heat exchanger, and the second storage tank is provided at the bottom of the heat exchanger. After the particles in the first storage tank enter the heat exchanger and complete heat exchange with the medium in the heat exchanger, they enter the second storage tank for storage.

[0010] Further, a feeder is also provided at the top of the heat exchanger. The feeder is attached to the top of the heat exchanger and is communicated with the particle flow channel of the heat exchanger. The top of the feeder is communicated with the first storage tank through a pipeline.

[0011] Further, a funnel is also provided at the bottom of the heat exchanger. The funnel is attached to the bottom of the heat exchanger and is communicated with the particle flow channel of the heat exchanger. The bottom of the funnel is communicated with the second storage tank through a pipeline.

[0012] Further, a first valve is provided on the pipeline between the first storage tank and the feeder, and a second valve is provided on the pipeline between the bottom of the funnel and the second storage tank.

[0013] Further, it further includes a lifting mechanism, and the lifting mechanism is used to lift or lower the first storage tank or the second storage tank.

[0014] Further, the width of the particle flow channel is between 1 and 10 particle diameters.

[0015] Further, the particles adopt an inert solid-phase material with a high specific heat capacity and low density.

[0016] Further, a cold storage method for a large-scale cold storage device includes the following steps:

[0017] Cold storage process:

[0018] Open the first valve, so that the high-temperature particles in the first storage tank enter the heat exchanger through the feeder. Subsequently, the heat transfer medium in the heat exchanger exchanges heat with the particles. After the high-temperature particles absorb cold, they become low-temperature particles and enter the second storage tank through the funnel for storage;

[0019] Cold release process:

[0020] Through the lifting mechanism, the positions of the first storage tank and the second storage tank are interchanged. Open the first valve, so that the low-temperature particles in the second storage tank enter the heat exchanger through the feeder. Subsequently, the heat transfer medium in the heat exchanger exchanges heat with the particles. After the low-temperature particles release cold, they become high-temperature particles and enter the first storage tank through the funnel for storage.

[0021] Advantages of the present invention:

[0022] (1) The large-scale cold storage device proposed by the present invention stores particles at different temperatures through the first storage tank and the second storage tank. After the particles exchange heat with the medium through multiple parallel plates of the heat exchanger, they enter the second storage tank for storage. Compared with the prior art that uses alkane industrial products for cold energy or heat energy recovery and storage, it has higher safety and is not easy to cause pollution.

[0023] (2) The large-scale cold storage device proposed by the present invention separates different medium flow channels and particle flow channels through multiple parallel plates. The external medium generates convection with the particle flow channels. Secondly, due to the friction of the parallel plates, the particles fall more slowly in the particle flow channels, which can make the heat exchange more uniform and the efficiency higher. Description of the drawings

[0024] Figure 1 It is the overall structure diagram of the large-scale cold storage device of the present invention;

[0025] In the figure: hoisting mechanism 1, first storage tank 2, first valve 3, feeder 4, heat exchanger 5, parallel plates 51, medium flow channel 52, particle flow channel 53, funnel 6, second valve 7, second storage tank 8;

[0026] The realization, functional features and advantages of the present invention will be further described with reference to the embodiments and the accompanying drawings. Specific embodiments

[0027] In order to more clearly and completely illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, the present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] Please refer to Figure 1 , the present invention provides a large-scale cold storage device including a heat exchanger 5, a first storage tank 2 and a second storage tank 8, wherein:

[0029] The heat exchanger 5 is internally provided with multiple groups of parallel plates 51, and the parallel plates 51 divide the alternately arranged medium flow channels 52 and particle flow channels 53. There are also a heat transfer inlet and a heat transfer outlet on the outside of the heat exchanger 5 that communicate with the medium flow channel 52. The high-temperature particles or low-temperature particles in the particle flow channel 53 exchange heat with the gas or liquid in the medium flow channel 52 through the parallel plates 51;

[0030] The first storage tank 2 is arranged at the top of the heat exchanger 5, and the second storage tank 8 is arranged at the bottom of the heat exchanger 5. After the particles 4 in the first storage tank 2 enter the heat exchanger 5 and complete heat exchange with the medium in the heat exchanger 5, they enter the second storage tank 8 for storage.

[0031] In this embodiment:

[0032] The first storage tank 2 and the second storage tank 8 are used to store particles at different temperatures;

[0033] The heat exchanger 5 is used to provide a heat exchange space for particles and gases;

[0034] Specifically, the first storage tank 2 is used to store high-temperature particles, the second storage tank 8 is used to store low-temperature particles, the heat exchanger 5 is a parallel plate 51 heat exchanger 5, and there are multiple parallel plates 51 inside the heat exchanger 5. The parallel plates 51 are spaced to form multiple vertical particle flow channels 53 and multiple medium flow channels 52. At the same time, the medium flow channels 52 and the particle flow channels 53 do not communicate with each other. The medium flow channels 52 are used to circulate heat exchange media such as gas or liquid, and the particle flow channels 53 are used for particles to pass through. There are a heat transfer inlet and a heat transfer outlet on both sides of the heat exchanger 5. The gas is introduced into the heat exchanger 5 through the heat transfer inlet at the bottom of the heat exchanger 5 and flows out through the heat transfer outlet at the top of the heat exchanger 5. The particles in the first storage tank 2 slide down from the top of the heat exchanger 5, exchange heat with the gas, and finally slide out from the bottom of the heat exchanger 5 and are stored in the second storage tank 8. Through convective heat transfer and heat conduction between the parallel plates 51, friction occurs between the particles and the parallel plates 51, which can reduce the particle flow rate, so that the particles have more residence time in the parallel plate 51 heat exchanger 5, enhance heat transfer, and improve the heat transfer efficiency.

[0035] In one embodiment, the number of parallel plates 51 can be selected according to actual needs. The first storage tank 2 and the second storage tank 8 need to be strictly thermally insulated, and a vacuum interlayer can be used to isolate the inside from the outside. Since the particles are inside the first storage tank 2 and the second storage tank 8, the particle temperatures in the same storage tank are basically the same. Therefore, the axial heat conduction of the thermocline effect can be avoided from weakening the cold storage or heat storage efficiency. A liquid can also be introduced into the medium flow channel 52 for heat exchange.

[0036] Further, a feeder 4 is also provided at the top of the heat exchanger 5. The feeder 4 is attached to the top of the heat exchanger 5 and communicates with the particle flow channel 53 of the heat exchanger 5. The top of the feeder 4 is connected to the first storage tank 2 through a pipeline;

[0037] A funnel 6 is also provided at the bottom of the heat exchanger 5. The funnel 6 is attached to the bottom of the heat exchanger 5 and communicates with the particle flow channel 53 of the heat exchanger 5. The bottom of the funnel 6 is connected to the second storage tank 8 through a pipeline.

[0038] In this embodiment:

[0039] The feeder 4 is used to evenly distribute the particles into the particle flow channel 53;

[0040] The funnel 6 is used to store the particles into the second storage tank 8;

[0041] Specifically, the particles in the first storage tank 2 enter the feeder 4 through a pipeline. Subsequently, the feeder 4 evenly distributes the particles into each flow channel. The particles complete heat exchange in each flow channel. Then, after the heat exchange is completed, they are stored in the second storage tank 8 through the funnel 6 and the pipeline at the bottom of the funnel 6.

[0042] Further, a first valve 3 is provided on the pipeline between the first storage tank 2 and the feeder 4, and a second valve 7 is provided on the pipeline between the bottom of the funnel 6 and the second storage tank 8.

[0043] In this embodiment:

[0044] The first valve 3 and the second valve 7 are used to control the on-off of the pipeline;

[0045] Specifically, the first valve 3 and the second valve 7 control the on-off of the pipeline to respectively control whether the particles enter the heat exchanger 5 and the second storage tank 8, so as to control the start and end of heat exchange. Generally, the second valve 7 is opened during the cold storage process and the cold release process, and closed when the cold storage or cold release process stops. The first valve 3 is closed when the cold storage or cold release process stops.

[0046] Further, a lifting mechanism 1 is further included, and the lifting mechanism 1 is used to lift or lower the first storage tank 2 or the second storage tank 8.

[0047] In this embodiment:

[0048] The lifting mechanism 1 is used to exchange the first storage tank 2 and the second storage tank 8 with each other;

[0049] Specifically, the lifting mechanism 1 adopts a lifting elevator, and the mechanism can lift the first storage tank 2 or the second storage tank 8;

[0050] During cold storage, the first valve 3 is opened, and the high-temperature particles sequentially pass through the pipeline and evenly enter the particle flow channel 53 in the heat exchanger 5 through the feeder 4. At the same time, the low-temperature heat transfer medium enters the medium flow channel 52 through the heat transfer inlet. In the heat exchanger 5, the high-temperature particles are affected by gravity and friction, and fall along the wall surface of the parallel plate 51 at a certain speed. The low-temperature heat transfer medium transfers high-grade cold energy to the parallel plate 51 through heat convection, and then the parallel plate 51 transfers the high-grade cold energy to the high-temperature particles through heat conduction. At this time, the high-temperature particles complete cooling in the heat exchanger 5. Subsequently, the low-temperature particles enter the pipeline at the bottom through the funnel 6, the second valve 7 is opened, and the low-temperature particles enter the second storage tank 8 to store the cold energy. After the cold storage process is completed, the cold energy is stored in the second storage tank 8 by the low-temperature particles;

[0051] Similarly, when releasing cold energy, the hoisting mechanism 1 is used to lift the second storage tank 8 (i.e., the storage tank for storing low-temperature particles) and connect it to the pipeline at the top of the heat exchanger 5, while the first storage tank 2 (i.e., the storage tank for storing high-temperature particles) is connected to the pipeline at the bottom of the heat exchanger 5. Subsequently, the first valve 3 is opened, and the low-temperature particles enter the feeder 4 through the pipeline and evenly enter the particle flow channel 53 in the heat exchanger 5. At the same time, the high-temperature heat transfer medium enters the medium flow channel 52 of the heat exchanger 5. The low-temperature particles first transfer the high-grade cold energy to the parallel plate 51 through heat conduction, and then the parallel plate 51 transfers the low-grade cold energy to the heat transfer medium through heat convection. After the cold release process is completed, the cold energy is taken away by the low-temperature heat transfer medium and applied in other industrial processes.

[0052] In one embodiment, the present application can store and release thermal energy or cold energy, and the working processes of storing and releasing thermal energy are the same as the principles of storing and releasing cold energy.

[0053] Furthermore, the width of the particle flow channel 53 is between 1 and 10 particle diameters.

[0054] Specifically, setting the width of the particle flow channel 53 between 1 and 10 particle diameters can ensure that the particles have a large frictional force in the particle flow channel 53, slow down the falling speed of the particles, extend the residence time of the particles in the heat exchanger 5, and enable the particles to fully exchange heat.

[0055] Furthermore, the particles are made of an inert solid-phase material with a high specific heat capacity and low density.

[0056] Specifically, the particles are made of a material with a high specific heat capacity and low density, generally using inert and common solid-phase particles in nature, such as rocks and slag, or inexpensive industrial products. The shape of the particles can also be selected according to the actual situation.

[0057] Furthermore, a cold storage method for a large-scale cold storage device includes the following steps:

[0058] Cold storage process:

[0059] Open the first valve 3, so that the high-temperature particles in the first storage tank 2 enter the heat exchanger 5 through the feeder 4. Subsequently, the heat transfer medium in the heat exchanger 5 exchanges heat with the particles, and the high-temperature particles absorb cold energy and become low-temperature particles, which enter the second storage tank 8 through the funnel 6 for storage;

[0060] Cold release process:

[0061] The positions of the first storage tank 2 and the second storage tank 8 are interchanged by the lifting mechanism 1. The first valve 3 is opened, so that the low-temperature particles in the second storage tank 8 enter the heat exchanger 5 through the feeder 4. Subsequently, the heat transfer medium in the heat exchanger 5 exchanges heat with the particles. After the low-temperature particles release the cold energy, they become high-temperature particles and enter the first storage tank 2 through the funnel 6 for storage.

[0062] Specifically, during cold storage, the first valve 3 is opened, and the high-temperature particles sequentially enter the particle flow channel 53 in the heat exchanger 5 through the pipeline via the feeder 4 evenly. At the same time, the low-temperature heat transfer medium enters the medium flow channel 52 through the heat transfer inlet. In the heat exchanger 5, the high-temperature particles are affected by gravity and friction, and fall along the wall surface of the parallel plate 51 at a certain speed. The low-temperature heat transfer medium transfers the high-grade cold energy to the parallel plate 51 through heat convection. Subsequently, the parallel plate 51 transfers the high-grade cold energy to the high-temperature particles through heat conduction. At this time, the high-temperature particles complete the temperature reduction in the heat exchanger 5. Then, the low-temperature particles enter the pipeline at the bottom through the funnel 6. The second valve 7 is opened, and the low-temperature particles enter the second storage tank 8 to store the cold energy. After the cold storage process is completed, the cold energy is stored in the second storage tank 8 by the low-temperature particles.

[0063] Similarly, during cold energy release, the lifting mechanism 1 is used to lift the second storage tank 8 (i.e., the storage tank for low-temperature particles) and connect it to the pipeline at the top of the heat exchanger 5, while the first storage tank 2 (i.e., the storage tank for high-temperature particles) is connected to the pipeline at the bottom of the heat exchanger 5. Subsequently, the first valve 3 is opened, and the low-temperature particles enter the feeder 4 through the pipeline and evenly enter the particle flow channel 53 in the heat exchanger 5. At the same time, the high-temperature heat transfer medium enters the medium flow channel 52 of the heat exchanger 5. The low-temperature particles first transfer the high-grade cold energy to the parallel plate 51 through heat conduction. Subsequently, the parallel plate 51 transfers the low-grade cold energy to the heat transfer medium through heat convection. After the cold energy release process is completed, the cold energy is taken away by the low-temperature heat transfer medium and applied to other industrial processes.

[0064] In one embodiment, the present invention can store and release thermal energy, and can also store and release cold energy. The working processes of storing and releasing thermal energy are the same as the principles of the working processes of storing and releasing cold energy.

[0065] Of course, the present invention can also have many other implementation manners. Based on this implementation manner, other implementation manners obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without any creative labor belong to the scope protected by the present invention.

Claims

1. A large-scale cold storage device, characterized in that, It includes a heat exchanger, a first storage tank and a second storage tank, where: Inside the heat exchanger, there are multiple groups of parallel plates. The parallel plates divide the medium flow channels and particle flow channels arranged alternately. On the outside of the heat exchanger, there are also a heat transfer inlet and a heat transfer outlet communicating with the medium flow channels. The high-temperature particles or low-temperature particles in the particle flow channels exchange heat with the gas or liquid in the medium flow channels through the parallel plates. At the top of the heat exchanger, there is a first storage tank. At the bottom of the heat exchanger, there is a second storage tank. After the particles in the first storage tank enter the heat exchanger and complete heat exchange with the medium in the heat exchanger, they enter the second storage tank for storage.

2. The large-scale cold storage device according to claim 1, wherein At the top of the heat exchanger, there is also a feeder. The feeder is located on and attached to the top of the heat exchanger and is connected to the particle flow channel of the heat exchanger. The top of the feeder is connected to the first storage tank through a pipeline.

3. The large-scale cold storage device according to claim 2, characterized in that, At the bottom of the heat exchanger, there is also a funnel. The funnel is located on and attached to the bottom of the heat exchanger and is connected to the particle flow channel of the heat exchanger. The bottom of the funnel is connected to the second storage tank through a pipeline.

4. The large-scale cold storage device according to claim 3, characterized in that, There is a first valve on the pipeline between the first storage tank and the feeder, and a second valve on the pipeline between the bottom of the funnel and the second storage tank.

5. The large-scale cold storage device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It further includes a lifting mechanism, which is used to lift the first storage tank or the second storage tank.

6. The large-scale cold storage device according to claim 1, wherein The width of the particle flow channel is between 1 and 10 particle diameters.

7. The large-scale cold storage device according to claim 6, wherein The particles are made of an inert solid-phase material with a high specific heat capacity and a low density.

8. A cold storage method for a large-scale cold storage device according to claims 1-7, characterized in that, It includes the following steps: Cold storage process: Open the first valve to allow the high-temperature particles in the first storage tank to enter the heat exchanger through the feeder. Subsequently, the heat transfer medium in the heat exchanger exchanges heat with the particles. After the high-temperature particles absorb the cold, they become low-temperature particles and enter the second storage tank through the funnel for storage. Cold release process: Use the lifting mechanism to swap the positions of the first storage tank and the second storage tank. Open the first valve to allow the low-temperature particles in the second storage tank to enter the heat exchanger through the feeder. Subsequently, the heat transfer medium in the heat exchanger exchanges heat with the particles. After the low-temperature particles release the cold, they become high-temperature particles and enter the first storage tank through the funnel for storage.

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