Air-liquid cooperation cooling energy storage converter

Abstract

The invention discloses an air-liquid cooperation cooling energy storage converter which comprises a converter body, an air cooling mechanism and a liquid cooling mechanism. An air duct is arranged in the converter main body; the air cooling mechanism comprises an air blower for blowing air to the air duct; the liquid cooling mechanism comprises a liquid cooling plate, an ice storage bin, a coil pipe and a reversing valve, the liquid cooling plate is installed in the converter body, the liquid inlet end of the liquid cooling plate is connected with the reversing valve through a first pipeline, the liquid outlet end of the liquid cooling plate is connected with the reversing valve through a second pipeline, cold storage liquid is arranged in the ice storage bin, the coil pipe is immersed in the cold storage liquid, and the two ends of the coil pipe are connected to the reversing valve; according to the wind-liquid matched cooling energy storage converter, ice is stored through valley electricity, ice melting and cold releasing are conducted during peak electricity, electricity consumption during peak electricity is reduced, and therefore the electricity consumption cost is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of energy storage converter technology, and in particular to an air-liquid combined cooling energy storage converter. Background Technology

[0002] Energy storage converters can achieve bidirectional conversion between AC and DC power. When the energy storage system is charging, they convert the AC power from the grid into DC power to charge the energy storage battery. When the energy storage system is discharging, they convert the DC power from the energy storage battery back into AC power to feed back to the grid or supply power to the load.

[0003] When an energy storage converter is operating, its internal electrical components generate significant heat, requiring a cooling system to lower their temperature and ensure safe operation. Some existing energy storage converters, such as the one in application number CN201220643935.8, employ a combination of air cooling and liquid cooling. While this method provides good cooling, it consumes a large amount of electricity, resulting in high electricity costs. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the drawback of high electricity costs in existing energy storage converters, this invention proposes a wind-liquid combined cooling energy storage converter that can utilize off-peak electricity for cold storage and release the cold liquid during peak electricity hours to reduce electricity consumption during peak hours and thus lower electricity costs.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution: A combined air-cooling and liquid-cooling energy storage converter includes a converter body, an air-cooling mechanism, and a liquid-cooling mechanism. An air duct is provided within the converter body. The air-cooling mechanism includes a blower for blowing air into the air duct. The liquid-cooling mechanism includes a liquid-cooled plate, an ice storage chamber, a coil, and a reversing valve. The liquid-cooled plate is installed inside the converter body. The liquid inlet end of the liquid-cooled plate is connected to the reversing valve via a first pipe, and the liquid outlet end of the liquid-cooled plate is connected to the reversing valve via a second pipe. The ice storage chamber contains cold storage liquid, and the coil is immersed in the cold storage liquid. Both ends of the coil are connected to the reversing valve. The reversing valve has a first state and a second state. In the first state, the liquid-cooled plate, the first pipe, the coil, and the second pipe form a first loop. In the second state, the liquid-cooled plate, the first pipe, and the second pipe form a second loop. Both the first and second loops are filled with a cooling medium. The liquid-cooling mechanism also includes a coolant pump and a chiller, used to drive the cooling medium and cool it, respectively.

[0006] With the above settings, firstly, the combination of air cooling and liquid cooling is used to cool the main body of the converter, resulting in better cooling effect; secondly, the converter can utilize off-peak electricity to cool the main body of the converter while simultaneously using cold storage liquid to store cold, and release the cold storage liquid during peak electricity hours to reduce the operation of the chiller and thus reduce electricity costs.

[0007] Furthermore, the liquid cooling mechanism also includes a temperature sensor, which is installed on the first pipeline.

[0008] With the above settings, the temperature of the cooling medium in the first pipeline can be detected by a temperature sensor to ensure normal cold storage and liquid cooling.

[0009] Furthermore, the refrigeration unit and coolant pump are installed on the second pipeline.

[0010] Furthermore, the coolant is water, and the cooling medium is ethylene glycol.

[0011] Furthermore, the air-cooling mechanism also includes an air distribution pipe immersed in the cold storage liquid. The air outlet of the air duct is connected to the air distribution pipe through a third pipe, and the air inlet of the air duct is connected to the ice storage chamber through a fourth pipe. An air-cooling circuit is formed between the air duct, the third pipe, the air distribution pipe, the ice storage chamber, and the fourth pipe, and a blower is installed on the air-cooling circuit.

[0012] With the above settings, on the one hand, when the air-cooled mechanism is running, the air distribution pipe generates bubbles in the cold storage liquid, increasing the disturbance of the cold storage liquid and making the cold storage liquid freeze more evenly; on the other hand, during peak power, the air-cooled circuit passes through the ice storage chamber, which can bring some of the cold energy in the cold storage liquid to the main body of the converter through the air, maximizing the utilization rate of the cold energy of the cold storage liquid.

[0013] Furthermore, the air-cooling mechanism also includes a filter installed at the air inlet of the air duct.

[0014] The above settings prevent water vapor from entering the converter body.

[0015] Furthermore, the air distribution pipe is installed horizontally at the bottom of the ice storage tank.

[0016] Furthermore, during inverter operation, the blower operates. During off-peak hours, the reversing valve is in its first state, and the chiller lowers the temperature of the cooling medium. The cooling medium circulates in the first circuit under the action of the coolant pump. When the cooling medium flows through the coil, it absorbs heat from the cold storage liquid, causing the cold storage liquid to freeze. When the cooling medium flows through the liquid cooling plate, it absorbs heat from the inverter body. After peak power begins, the chiller is in standby mode, and the cooling medium circulates in the first circuit. The cooling medium absorbs the cooling capacity of the cold storage liquid and transfers the cooling capacity to the liquid cooling plate to absorb heat from the inverter body. The temperature sensor monitors the temperature of the cooling medium in real time. When the temperature of the cooling medium exceeds a preset value, the reversing valve switches to the second state, the chiller operates, and the cooling medium circulates in the second circuit to continue absorbing heat from the inverter body.

[0017] Furthermore, the preset value is set to 2 degrees Celsius. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a converter for an embodiment.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a converter operating during off-peak hours, as shown in the example.

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the converter operation in the second state of the directional valve in an embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The technical solution of the present invention will be further described in detail below through embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0022] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, a combined air-cooling and liquid-cooling energy storage converter includes a converter body 3, an air-cooling mechanism, and a liquid-cooling mechanism. An air duct 4 is provided inside the converter body 3. The air-cooling mechanism includes a blower for blowing air into the air duct 4. The liquid-cooling mechanism includes a liquid-cooling plate 5, an ice storage chamber 6, a coil 7, and a reversing valve. The liquid-cooling plate 5 is installed inside the converter body 3. The liquid inlet end of the liquid-cooling plate 5 is connected to the reversing valve through a first pipe 8, and the liquid outlet end of the liquid-cooling plate 5 is connected to the reversing valve through a second pipe 9. The ice storage chamber 6 contains cold storage liquid. The coil 7 is immersed in the cold storage liquid, and both ends of the coil 7 are connected to the reversing valve. The reversing valve has a first state and a second state. In the first state, the liquid cooling plate 5, the first pipe 8, the coil 7, and the second pipe 9 form a first loop. In the second state, the liquid cooling plate 5, the first pipe 8, and the second pipe 9 form a second loop. Both the first loop and the second loop are filled with the cooling medium. The liquid cooling mechanism also includes a coolant pump and a refrigerator, which are used to drive the cooling medium and cool the cooling medium, respectively.

[0023] With the above settings, firstly, the combination of air cooling and liquid cooling is used to cool the main body 3 of the converter, resulting in a better cooling effect; secondly, the converter can utilize off-peak electricity to cool the main body 3 while simultaneously using cold storage liquid to store cold, and release the cold storage liquid during peak electricity hours to reduce the operation of the chiller and thus reduce electricity costs.

[0024] The converter body 3 of this application can refer to existing converters, which include components such as housing, filter unit, power unit, and control unit, used to convert AC power to DC power or DC power to AC power. Some components generate heat during operation. The liquid cooling plate 5 supports the heat-generating components inside the converter body 3. The liquid cooling plate 5 is provided with a flow channel, and the two ends of the flow channel are the liquid inlet and liquid outlet of the liquid cooling plate 5, respectively. When the converter body 3 is working, the blower blows air into the air duct 4. When the air passes through the air duct 4, it carries away some of the heat inside the converter body 3. The cooling medium flows through the liquid cooling plate 5 under the action of the coolant pump, which helps to cool the converter body 3.

[0025] The reversing valve of this application is a four-way reversing valve with four ports, which are respectively connected to the first pipeline 8, the second pipeline 9, and both ends of the coil 7. In the first state, the first pipeline 8 is connected to one end of the coil 7 through the reversing valve, and the second pipeline 9 is connected to the other end of the coil 7 through the reversing valve. When the cooling medium circulates, it flows through the coil 7. In the second state, the first pipeline 8 is connected to the second pipeline 9 through the reversing valve, and when the cooling medium circulates, it does not flow through the coil 7.

[0026] The converter cooling strategy of this application is as follows: Figure 2 As shown, when the converter is running, the blower operates to cool the converter body 3 using air cooling in conjunction with the liquid cooling mechanism. During off-peak hours, the converter of this application utilizes the low-priced off-peak electricity for cold storage and liquid cooling. The reversing valve is in the first state, and the chiller lowers the temperature of the cooling medium. The cooling medium circulates in the first circuit under the action of the coolant pump. When the cooling medium flows through the coil 7, it absorbs heat from the cold storage liquid, and the cold storage liquid freezes to form an ice-water mixture for cold storage. After passing through the coil 7, the temperature of the cooling medium is basically maintained at -2 degrees Celsius. When the cooling medium flows through the liquid cooling plate 5, it absorbs heat from the converter body 3 and continues to cool the converter body 3.

[0027] During peak power periods, the converter in this application prioritizes utilizing the cooling capacity of the cold storage liquid for cooling, thereby reducing the consumption of high-priced electricity during peak periods and lowering electricity costs. After the start of peak power, the chiller is in standby mode to reduce power consumption. The cooling medium does not exchange heat as it flows through the chiller; instead, it circulates in the first circuit under the action of the coolant pump. When the cooling medium flows through coil 7, it exchanges heat with the cold storage liquid, absorbing the cooling capacity of the cold storage liquid and transferring it to the liquid cooling plate 5 to absorb heat from the converter body 3. Figure 3 As shown, after the cooling capacity of the cold storage liquid decreases to a certain level, the reversing valve switches to the second state, the refrigerator starts to run, and the cooling medium circulates in the second circuit. When the cooling medium flows through the refrigerator, it undergoes heat exchange to reduce its temperature. The cooling medium leaving the refrigerator flows through the reversing valve to the liquid cooling plate 5 to continue absorbing heat from the main body of the converter 3.

[0028] As one implementation, the liquid cooling mechanism also includes a temperature sensor, which is installed on the first pipe 8.

[0029] With the above settings, the temperature of the cooling medium in the first pipeline 8 can be detected by a temperature sensor to ensure normal cold storage and liquid cooling.

[0030] A temperature sensor monitors the temperature of the cooling medium in real time. During off-peak hours, since the cooling medium is used for both cold storage and liquid cooling, the refrigerator needs to operate at high power. The temperature of the cooling medium leaving coil 7 and entering the first pipe 8 is maintained at approximately -2 degrees Celsius to ensure that the cold storage liquid can freeze and store cold properly, and to ensure good liquid cooling effect when the cooling medium flows through the liquid cooling plate 5. At the start of peak hours, the refrigerator is in standby mode, and the cooling medium flows through coil 7 to absorb cold energy. When the cold storage liquid has sufficient cooling capacity, the temperature of the cooling medium leaving coil 7 and entering the first pipe 8 does not exceed the preset value. To ensure good cooling effect of the cooling medium flowing to the liquid cooling plate 5, when the temperature of the cooling medium in the first pipeline 8 exceeds a preset value, it indicates that the cold storage liquid cooling capacity is insufficient. The reversing valve switches to the second state, and the refrigerator starts to operate. The cooling medium circulates in the second loop. The cooling medium undergoes heat exchange as it flows through the refrigerator, ensuring that the temperature of the cooling medium does not exceed the preset value. The cooling medium leaving the refrigerator flows to the liquid cooling plate 5 through the reversing valve to continue absorbing heat from the converter body 3. At this time, the cooling medium does not need to pass through the cold storage liquid, and the refrigerator does not need to operate at high power. In this application, the preset value is set to 2 degrees Celsius.

[0031] As one implementation, the chiller and coolant pump are mounted on the second pipeline 9.

[0032] As one implementation method, the coolant is water, and the cooling medium is ethylene glycol.

[0033] Water is a common cold storage fluid, which is easy to replenish and replace; ethylene glycol has advantages such as antifreeze and excellent heat conduction.

[0034] As one implementation method, the air-cooling mechanism also includes an air distribution pipe 10 immersed in the cold storage liquid. The air outlet of the air duct 4 is connected to the air distribution pipe 10 through the third pipe 11, and the air inlet of the air duct 4 is connected to the ice storage chamber 6 through the fourth pipe 12. An air-cooling circuit is formed between the air duct 4, the third pipe 11, the air distribution pipe 10, the ice storage chamber 6, and the fourth pipe 12, and a blower is installed on the air-cooling circuit.

[0035] With the above settings, on the one hand, when the air-cooling mechanism is running, the air distribution pipe 10 generates bubbles in the cold storage liquid, increasing the disturbance of the cold storage liquid and making the cold storage liquid freeze more evenly; on the other hand, during peak power, the air-cooling circuit passes through the ice storage chamber 6, which can bring part of the cold energy in the cold storage liquid to the main body of the converter 3 through the air, maximizing the utilization rate of the cold energy of the cold storage liquid.

[0036] Specifically, during off-peak hours, after the blower starts running, the airflow circulates in the air-cooling circuit, absorbing the cold energy of the cold storage liquid for air cooling, resulting in better air cooling effect. In addition, the airflow enters the ice storage chamber 6 through the air distribution pipe 10, forming dense bubbles in the cold storage liquid to promote cold storage liquid disturbance, thereby reducing temperature stratification in the cold storage liquid and making the ice formation of the cold storage liquid on the coil 7 more uniform. During peak hours, when the outlet temperature of the cooling medium is higher than the preset value, the reversing valve switches to the second state, and the refrigerator starts to intervene to cool the cooling medium. The cooling medium no longer passes through the cold storage liquid, but at this time the temperature of the cold storage liquid is still low. When the airflow in the air-cooling circuit passes through the cold storage liquid, it can still extract residual cold energy to cool the main body of the converter 3, improving the utilization rate of the cold storage liquid and ensuring the air cooling effect. Because the airflow in the air-cooling circuit continuously absorbs the cold energy of the cold storage liquid during peak hours, the temperature of the cold storage liquid is higher after the peak hours, and the cold energy is released more thoroughly.

[0037] As one implementation method, the air-cooling mechanism also includes a filter installed at the air inlet of the air duct 4.

[0038] The above settings prevent water vapor from entering the main body 3 of the converter.

[0039] The filter in this application is used to absorb water vapor in the airflow of the air-cooled circuit and prevent water vapor from entering the converter body 3, thereby improving the safety of converter operation.

[0040] As one implementation method, the air distribution pipe 10 is horizontally installed at the bottom of the ice storage chamber 6.

[0041] It should be understood that those skilled in the art can make improvements or modifications based on the above description, and all such improvements and modifications should fall within the protection scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A wind-liquid combined cooling energy storage converter, characterized in that, The system includes a converter body, an air-cooling mechanism, and a liquid-cooling mechanism. The converter body contains an air duct, and the air-cooling mechanism includes a blower for blowing air into the air duct. The liquid-cooling mechanism includes a liquid-cooled plate, an ice storage chamber, a coil, and a reversing valve. The liquid-cooled plate is installed inside the converter body. The liquid inlet of the liquid-cooled plate is connected to the reversing valve via a first pipe, and the liquid outlet of the liquid-cooled plate is connected to the reversing valve via a second pipe. The ice storage chamber contains cold storage liquid, and the coil is immersed in the cold storage liquid. Both ends of the coil are connected to the reversing valve. The reversing valve has a first state and a second state. In the first state, the liquid-cooled plate, the first pipe, the coil, and the second pipe form a first loop. In the second state, the liquid-cooled plate, the first pipe, and the second pipe form a second loop. Both the first and second loops are filled with a cooling medium. The liquid-cooling mechanism also includes a coolant pump and a chiller, used to drive the cooling medium and cool it, respectively.

2. The air-hydraulic combined cooling energy storage converter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid cooling mechanism also includes a temperature sensor, which is installed on the first pipeline.

3. The air-hydraulic combined cooling energy storage converter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The refrigeration unit and the coolant pump are installed on the second pipeline.

4. The air-hydraulic combined cooling energy storage converter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cold storage liquid is water, and the cooling medium is ethylene glycol.

5. The air-hydraulic combined cooling energy storage converter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air-cooling mechanism also includes an air distribution pipe immersed in a cold storage liquid. The air outlet of the air duct is connected to the air distribution pipe through a third pipe, and the air inlet of the air duct is connected to the ice storage chamber through a fourth pipe. An air-cooling circuit is formed between the air duct, the third pipe, the air distribution pipe, the ice storage chamber, and the fourth pipe, and the blower is installed on the air-cooling circuit.

6. The air-hydraulic combined cooling energy storage converter according to claim 5, characterized in that, The air-cooling mechanism also includes a filter installed at the air inlet of the air duct.

7. The air-hydraulic combined cooling energy storage converter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air distribution pipe is installed horizontally at the bottom of the ice storage chamber.

8. A wind-liquid combined cooling energy storage converter according to claim 2, characterized in that, When the converter is running, the blower is running. During off-peak hours, the reversing valve is in the first state. The refrigerator lowers the temperature of the cooling medium. The cooling medium circulates in the first circuit under the action of the coolant pump. When the cooling medium flows through the coil, it absorbs heat from the cold storage liquid, causing the cold storage liquid to freeze. When the cooling medium flows through the liquid cooling plate, it absorbs heat from the main body of the converter. After peak power is started, the chiller is in standby mode. The cooling medium circulates in the first loop, absorbing the cooling capacity of the cold storage liquid and transferring it to the liquid cooling plate to absorb heat from the main body of the converter. The temperature sensor monitors the temperature of the cooling medium in real time. When the temperature of the cooling medium is higher than the preset value, the reversing valve switches to the second state, the chiller starts running, and the cooling medium circulates in the second loop to continue absorbing heat from the main body of the converter.

9. A wind-liquid combined cooling energy storage converter according to claim 8, characterized in that, The preset value is set to 2 degrees Celsius.

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