Energy-saving system utilizing ice and snow cold resources in alpine region

Abstract

The invention discloses an energy-saving system utilizing ice and snow cold resources in an alpine region, and relates to the technical field of resource utilization, and the energy-saving system comprises a precision equipment room, a personnel operation room and an ice and snow storage tank, and the ice and snow storage tank is used for storing accumulated snow and accumulated ice on roads and factories in winter and maintaining the low temperature; an inlet of the pressurizing fan is connected with cold air in the ice and snow storage tank through a main delivery pipe; an air inlet of the central air conditioner is connected with an outlet of the booster fan through an air inlet pipeline, and the outdoor unit is responsible for heat removal. The cold air main pipe is divided into two cold air branch pipes which are respectively led to a precision equipment room and a personnel operation room to realize directional conveying of cold air; ice and snow resources can be utilized, power consumption is reduced, and the environment-friendly and energy-saving effects are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of resource utilization technology, and in particular to an energy-saving system for utilizing ice and snow cold resources in high-altitude and cold regions. Background Technology

[0002] As a crucial pillar of the national economy, the steel industry's reliance on and consumption of electricity during production is extremely significant, a situation that has long plagued the development of metallurgical enterprises. This is especially true in high-altitude, cold regions where winters are long, lasting up to six months, with temperatures plummeting to -40°C. However, these regions also possess unique natural advantages—abundant low-temperature ice and snow resources. In the current industry context, metallurgical enterprises must rely heavily on air conditioning equipment for cooling to ensure the normal operation of various precision equipment and the health of workers operating in high-temperature environments. With increasingly demanding cooling requirements, the power and electricity consumption of air conditioning equipment have also increased dramatically, directly leading to persistently high production costs and placing immense pressure on the economic efficiency of enterprises.

[0003] In actual production at metallurgical enterprises, existing production processes have numerous limitations. To cool precision equipment (such as PLC rooms and machine rooms) and high-temperature areas like rest and workshops (such as furnace rest rooms, converter operating rooms, and continuous casting operating rooms), a large number of air conditioning units are required. These units consume significant amounts of electricity daily for cooling, and the heat generated during this process is released into the surrounding air, further increasing the ambient temperature, creating a vicious cycle. Furthermore, heavy snowfall in cold regions during winter causes significant inconvenience to production and daily life due to snow and ice accumulation on roads. Currently, there is a lack of effective methods for handling this cleared snow and ice, making its storage a major problem and requiring additional transportation costs. How to organically combine these two seemingly unrelated issues to achieve energy conservation and emission reduction goals has become a critical issue urgently needing to be addressed within the industry.

[0004] In existing production processes, the air conditioning refrigeration and winter snow and ice treatment are independent processes without effective integration and utilization. On the one hand, air conditioning equipment operates at high loads in summer, consuming large amounts of electricity and releasing heat; on the other hand, abundant snow and ice resources are wasted in winter, and snow and ice treatment further increases costs. Therefore, the industry urgently needs an innovative technology and method to fully utilize the snow and ice resources in high-altitude and cold regions, contributing to energy conservation and emission reduction in metallurgical enterprises. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In order to at least solve one of the above-mentioned technical problems, the purpose of this invention is to provide an energy-saving system for utilizing ice and snow cold resources in high-altitude and cold regions, thereby reducing power consumption and improving environmental protection and energy-saving effects.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0007] An energy-saving system utilizing ice and snow cold resources in high-altitude and cold regions includes:

[0008] Precision equipment room;

[0009] Personnel operating room;

[0010] Snow and ice storage tanks are used to store snow and ice on roads and in factory areas during winter and to maintain their temperature.

[0011] A pressurizing fan, the inlet of which is connected to the cold air inside the ice and snow storage tank via an external main pipe;

[0012] The central air conditioning system has an air inlet connected to a pressurized fan outlet via an air inlet duct, an outdoor unit for exhausting heat outdoors, and a cold air outlet connected to a main cold air duct.

[0013] There are two cold air branch pipes, each connected to the main cold air pipe. One of the cold air branch pipes leads to the precision equipment room, and the other cold air branch pipe leads to the personnel operation room.

[0014] Preferably, the ice and snow storage tank is provided with an insulation layer on the outside, and the insulation layer is made of polyurethane foam material.

[0015] Preferably, the pressurizing fan is a variable frequency pressurizing fan, which can adjust the fan speed according to the air intake requirements of the central air conditioning system.

[0016] Preferably, the cold air branch pipe is equipped with a flow regulating valve, and the flow rate of cold air entering the precision equipment room and the personnel operation room is controlled by adjusting the opening of the flow regulating valve.

[0017] Preferably, a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor are installed on the main outlet pipe between the ice and snow storage tank and the pressurizing fan. The temperature sensor is used to monitor the temperature of the cold air being delivered, and the pressure sensor is used to monitor the pressure of the cold air being delivered, and the monitoring data is transmitted to the central control system.

[0018] Preferably, the central control system automatically adjusts the operating parameters of the booster fan and the cooling power of the central air conditioning system based on the data fed back by the temperature sensor and the pressure sensor.

[0019] Preferably, a sunshade is installed above the outdoor unit of the central air conditioner, and the sunshade is made of heat-insulating material.

[0020] Preferably, a drain pipe is connected to one side of the bottom of the ice and snow storage tank, and a control valve is installed on the drain pipe.

[0021] The present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0022] I. Reduced Power Consumption and Lower Production Costs: In metallurgical enterprises in high-altitude and cold regions, traditional cooling methods rely heavily on air conditioning equipment, resulting in enormous power consumption, especially during high-load operation in summer. This invention, a cold-region energy-saving system utilizing ice and snow resources, employs ice and snow storage tanks to store snow and ice accumulated on roads and in the factory area during winter and maintain their temperature. Pressurized fans transport the cold air from the ice and snow storage tanks to the central air conditioning system, which then distributes it to precision equipment rooms and personnel operating rooms for cooling. This method fully utilizes the abundant ice and snow resources in high-altitude and cold regions, reducing reliance on traditional electric refrigeration and air conditioning, thereby significantly reducing power consumption and effectively lowering production costs for enterprises.

[0023] II. Improved Environmental Protection and Energy Conservation: Traditional air conditioning equipment generates a large amount of heat during the cooling process and releases it into the surrounding air, further increasing the ambient temperature and creating a vicious cycle. It also consumes a significant amount of electricity, which is inconsistent with environmental protection and energy conservation principles. This system utilizes the cold resources of snow and ice for cooling, avoiding the heat emission problems of traditional air conditioning and reducing the negative environmental impact of additional heat generated during cooling. Furthermore, it effectively utilizes accumulated snow and ice that would otherwise be wasted and costly to dispose of in winter, achieving resource recycling and improving environmental protection and energy conservation.

[0024] 3. Precise Airflow Adjustment: A flow control valve is installed on the cold air branch pipe. By adjusting the opening of this valve, the airflow entering the precision equipment room and the personnel operating room can be precisely controlled. For the precision equipment room, an appropriate amount of cold air can be provided according to the equipment's operating requirements and environmental needs, ensuring the normal operation of the equipment. For the personnel operating room, it provides a comfortable working environment for operators, avoiding discomfort caused by excessive or insufficient cold airflow.

[0025] IV. Automatic Parameter Adjustment: Temperature and pressure sensors are installed on the main supply pipe between the ice and snow storage tank and the pressurized fan to monitor the temperature and pressure of the supplied cold air and transmit the data to the central control system. Based on the feedback data, the central control system automatically adjusts the operating parameters of the pressurized fan and the cooling capacity of the central air conditioning system. This automatic adjustment mechanism can optimize system operation in real time according to actual conditions, ensuring a stable and demand-compliant supply of cold air, and further guaranteeing the stability of the operating environment for precision equipment and personnel.

[0026] V. Variable Frequency Booster Fan: The booster fan adopts a variable frequency design, which can adjust the fan speed according to the air intake requirements of the central air conditioning system. This design allows the fan to flexibly adjust its operating status according to the actual load, avoiding the energy waste and equipment wear problems that may occur when traditional fans operate at a fixed speed. This reduces the fan's energy consumption and operating losses, and helps to extend the fan's service life.

[0027] VI. Outdoor Unit Protection: The outdoor unit of the central air conditioning system is equipped with a sunshade made of heat-insulating material, which can effectively block direct sunlight, reduce the operating temperature of the outdoor unit, reduce damage to the internal components of the outdoor unit caused by high temperature, extend the service life of the outdoor unit, and ensure the overall stable operation of the central air conditioning system.

[0028] VII. Solving the Problem of Snow and Ice Accumulation and Reducing Additional Costs: High-altitude and cold regions experience heavy snowfall in winter, and the accumulation of snow and ice on roads causes inconvenience to production and daily life. Furthermore, there is a lack of effective methods for handling the cleared snow and ice, making storage difficult and incurring transportation costs. This system's snow and ice storage tanks can store this snow and ice in winter, not only solving the problem of snow and ice accumulation and avoiding the additional costs of storage and transportation, but also transforming it into a usable cold resource. This achieves waste utilization and resource integration, resulting in significant economic and environmental benefits. Attached Figure Description

[0029] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of the present invention and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0030] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the component connection relationship in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] In the diagram: 1. Precision equipment room; 2. Cold air branch pipe; 4. Personnel operating room; 5. Cold air main pipe; 6. Central air conditioning; 7. Air conditioning outdoor unit; 8. Air inlet duct; 9. Pressurized fan; 10. External supply main pipe; 11. Ice and snow storage tank. Detailed Implementation

[0032] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, an energy-saving system utilizing ice and snow cold resources in high-altitude and cold regions includes:

[0034] Precision equipment room 1; personnel operating room 4; ice and snow storage tank 11, used to store snow and ice in roads and factory areas during winter and maintain their temperature; pressurized fan 9, the inlet of pressurized fan 9 is connected to the cold air in ice and snow storage tank 11 through external main pipe 10; central air conditioner 6, the air inlet of central air conditioner 6 is connected to the outlet of pressurized fan 9 through air inlet pipe 8, the outdoor unit of central air conditioner 6 is used to exhaust heat outdoors, the cold air outlet of central air conditioner 6 is connected to cold air main pipe; cold air branch pipe 2, there are two of them and they are connected to cold air main pipe respectively, one cold air branch pipe 2 leads to precision equipment room 1, and the other cold air branch pipe 2 leads to personnel operating room 4.

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, in cold regions during winter, roads and factory areas accumulate large amounts of snow and ice. The snow and ice storage tank 11 is used to collect and store this snow and ice. Its exterior is equipped with an insulation layer (although the material is not explicitly mentioned in the basic design, this is a common way to maintain temperature; materials such as polyurethane foam are generally used), which effectively reduces the inflow of external heat, keeping the snow and ice inside the tank at a low temperature and maintaining their cooling capacity for a longer period. A pressurizing fan 9 is connected to the cold air inside the snow and ice storage tank 11 via an external main pipe 10. When the pressurizing fan 9 is working, it generates negative pressure to draw in the cold air from the snow and ice storage tank 11, then pressurizes it and delivers it to the air inlet of the central air conditioning unit 6 through the air inlet pipe 8. The pressurizing fan 9 can be a variable frequency pressurizing fan 9 (although not explicitly mentioned in the basic design, this is a common design for optimizing system operation), which can adjust the fan speed according to the air intake requirements of the central air conditioning unit 6, thereby precisely controlling the amount of cold air delivered.

[0036] After receiving the cold air from the pressurized fan 9, the central air conditioning system 6 further processes it (such as filtering and humidity adjustment, although not detailed in the basic scheme, these are standard functions of air conditioning). The processed cold air is then sent to the main cold air duct through the cold air inlet. The main cold air duct then distributes the cold air to two branch cold air ducts 2. One branch cold air duct 2 directs the cold air to the precision equipment room 1, providing a suitable low-temperature environment for the precision equipment and ensuring its normal operation; the other branch cold air duct 2 directs the cold air to the personnel control room 4, creating a comfortable working environment for the operators. During operation, the outdoor unit of the central air conditioning system 6 discharges the heat generated during the cooling process outdoors, preventing heat accumulation indoors and maintaining a stable indoor temperature.

[0037] The ice and snow storage tank 11 has an external insulation layer made of polyurethane foam. This polyurethane foam has numerous tiny, closed pores. The air within these pores is a poor conductor of heat, effectively preventing external heat from transferring into the tank. In cold winters in high-altitude regions, when the outside temperature is relatively high, the insulation layer reduces heat conduction into the tank, allowing the stored snow and ice to maintain a low temperature for an extended period, preserving its cooling capacity and preparing for the subsequent supply of cold air for refrigeration.

[0038] The booster fan 9 is a variable frequency booster fan 9, which can adjust its speed according to the air intake demand of the central air conditioning system 6. The variable frequency booster fan 9 can adjust its own speed according to the air intake demand of the central air conditioning system 6. When the central air conditioning system 6 requires more cold air, the control system sends a command to the inverter, causing the inverter to output a higher frequency and voltage, increasing the motor speed of the booster fan 9, thereby increasing the flow rate of cold air intake and delivery; conversely, when the central air conditioning system 6 requires less cold air, the control system reduces the output frequency and voltage of the inverter, slowing down the motor speed, and reducing the amount of cold air delivered. This allows for flexible adjustment of the cold air supply according to actual needs, avoiding energy waste while ensuring the stable operation of the central air conditioning system 6.

[0039] A flow regulating valve is installed on the cold air branch duct 2. By adjusting the opening of the flow regulating valve, the flow rate of cold air entering the precision equipment room 1 and the personnel operating room 4 is controlled. The flow regulating valve on the cold air branch duct 2 can control the flow rate of cold air entering the precision equipment room 1 and the personnel operating room 4 by changing the valve opening. When it is necessary to increase the cold air supply to a certain area, the opening of the flow regulating valve is increased, allowing more cold air to enter the corresponding area through the branch duct; when it is necessary to reduce the cold air supply, the opening of the flow regulating valve is decreased, limiting the flow rate of cold air. In this way, the cold air flow rate can be precisely adjusted according to the actual temperature requirements of the precision equipment room 1 and the personnel operating room 4 and the equipment operating status, providing a suitable ambient temperature for the equipment and personnel.

[0040] Temperature and pressure sensors are installed on the main outlet pipe 10 between the ice and snow storage tank 11 and the pressurizing fan 9. The temperature sensor is used to monitor the temperature of the cold air being delivered, and the pressure sensor is used to monitor the pressure of the cold air being delivered, and the monitoring data is transmitted to the central control system.

[0041] Temperature and pressure sensors are installed on the main outlet pipe 10 between the ice and snow storage tank 11 and the pressurized blower 9. The temperature sensor operates based on principles such as thermoelectric effect and thermistor effect. When the supplied cold air flows through the sensor, its temperature change causes a change in the sensor's internal electrical characteristics (such as resistance and voltage), which the sensor then converts into a measurable temperature value. The pressure sensor utilizes piezoelectric effect and strain effect. The pressure of the cold air acts on the sensor's sensitive element, causing deformation or a change in its electrical characteristics, which is then converted into a corresponding pressure value. These sensors transmit the monitored temperature and pressure data of the supplied cold air to the central control system via wired (e.g., cable) or wireless (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) methods.

[0042] The central control system automatically adjusts the operating parameters of the booster fan 9 and the cooling power of the central air conditioner 6 based on the data fed back from the temperature and pressure sensors.

[0043] After receiving data from the temperature and pressure sensors, the central control system analyzes and judges the data according to preset programs and algorithms. If the temperature of the delivered cold air is too high, it indicates that the cooling capacity inside the ice and snow storage tank 11 may be insufficient or the insulation effect may be poor. The central control system will automatically reduce the speed of the booster fan 9 to reduce the amount of cold air delivered, preventing too much high-temperature air from entering the central air conditioning 6 and affecting the cooling effect. At the same time, it may appropriately increase the cooling power of the central air conditioning 6 to compensate for the impact of the increased cold air temperature. If the pressure of the delivered cold air is too low, it may mean that the booster fan 9 is malfunctioning or there is a leak in the pipeline. The central control system will adjust the operating parameters of the booster fan 9, such as increasing the speed to increase the pressure; if the pressure is too high, it will reduce the speed to prevent pipeline damage. Through this automatic adjustment, the system is kept in a stable and efficient operating state.

[0044] A sunshade made of heat-insulating material is installed above the outdoor unit of the central air conditioning unit 6. The outdoor unit generates heat during operation, and the high temperature of the external environment also affects it. The sunshade, made of heat-insulating material, typically has a low thermal conductivity, effectively preventing heat transfer from the outside to the outdoor unit. When sunlight shines on the sunshade, the insulation material reflects and absorbs most of the solar radiation, reducing the heat absorbed by the outdoor unit, lowering its operating temperature, improving its heat dissipation efficiency, ensuring the cooling effect of the central air conditioning unit 6, and also helping to extend the lifespan of the outdoor unit.

[0045] A drain pipe is connected to one side of the bottom of the ice and snow storage tank 11. A control valve is installed on the drain pipe to facilitate the discharge of melted snow water.

[0046] The above are merely specific embodiments of the present invention, but the technical features of the present invention are not limited thereto. Any simple changes, equivalent substitutions, or modifications made based on the present invention to solve essentially the same technical problems and achieve essentially the same technical effects are all covered within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An energy-saving system utilizing ice and snow cold resources in high-altitude and cold regions, characterized in that, include: Precision Equipment Room (1); Personnel operating room (4); Snow and ice storage tank (11) is used to store snow and ice on roads and in factory areas during winter and to maintain their temperature. A pressurizing fan (9) has its inlet connected to the cold air inside the ice and snow storage tank (11) via an external main pipe (10); The central air conditioning (6) has an air inlet connected to the outlet of a pressurized fan (9) via an air inlet pipe (8). The outdoor unit of the central air conditioning (6) is used to exhaust heat to the outside. The cold air outlet of the central air conditioning (6) is connected to a cold air main pipe. There are two cold air branch pipes (2) connected to the main cold air pipe respectively. One of the cold air branch pipes (2) leads to the precision equipment room (1), and the other cold air branch pipe (2) leads to the personnel operation room (4).

2. The energy-saving system for utilizing ice and snow cold resources in high-altitude and cold regions according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ice and snow storage tank (11) is provided with an insulation layer on the outside, and the insulation layer is made of polyurethane foam material.

3. The energy-saving system for utilizing ice and snow cold resources in high-altitude and cold regions according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressurizing fan (9) is a variable frequency pressurizing fan (9), and the fan speed can be adjusted according to the air intake requirements of the central air conditioning (6).

4. The energy-saving system for utilizing ice and snow cold resources in high-altitude and cold regions according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cold air branch pipe (2) is equipped with a flow regulating valve. By adjusting the opening of the flow regulating valve, the flow rate of cold air entering the precision equipment room (1) and the personnel operation room (4) can be controlled.

5. The energy-saving system for utilizing ice and snow cold resources in high-altitude and cold regions according to claim 1, characterized in that, A temperature sensor and a pressure sensor are installed on the main outlet pipe (10) between the ice and snow storage tank (11) and the pressurizing fan (9). The temperature sensor is used to monitor the temperature of the cold air being delivered, and the pressure sensor is used to monitor the pressure of the cold air being delivered, and the monitoring data is transmitted to the central control system.

6. The energy-saving system for utilizing ice and snow cold resources in high-altitude and cold regions according to claim 5, characterized in that, The central control system automatically adjusts the operating parameters of the booster fan (9) and the cooling power of the central air conditioner (6) based on the data fed back by the temperature sensor and the pressure sensor.

7. The energy-saving system for utilizing ice and snow cold resources in high-altitude and cold regions according to claim 1, characterized in that, A sunshade is installed above the outdoor unit of the central air conditioner (6), and the sunshade is made of heat-insulating material.

8. The energy-saving system for utilizing ice and snow cold resources in high-altitude and cold regions according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom side of the ice and snow storage tank (11) is connected to a drain pipe, and a control valve is installed on the drain pipe.

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