A cross-seasonal natural ice-making winter cold storage mine cooling system

Abstract

This invention provides a cross-seasonal natural ice-making winter cold storage energy storage mine cooling system, belonging to the field of mine heat hazard control technology. It includes a cold storage subsystem and an underground cooling subsystem, coupled via a four-way reversing valve. The cold storage subsystem includes an ice storage tank, a water supply assembly, and a spray enhancement module. The outlet of the ice storage tank is connected to the inlet of the water supply assembly, and the outlet of the water supply assembly is connected to the first interface of the four-way reversing valve. The spray enhancement module is connected to the second interface of the four-way reversing valve. The underground cooling subsystem includes an air cooler, a second fan, a chilled water pipe, and a return water pipe. One end of the chilled water pipe is connected to the third interface of the four-way reversing valve, and the other end is connected to the inlet of the air cooler. The outlet of the air cooler is connected to the return water pipe, and the end of the return water pipe furthest from the air cooler is connected to the fourth interface of the four-way reversing valve. This mine cooling system has a simple structure, low energy consumption, low cost, and high energy storage efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of mine heat hazard control technology, specifically to a cross-seasonal natural ice-making winter cold energy storage mine cooling system. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasing demand for mineral resources worldwide and the continuous increase in mining depth, deep mining faces severe heat hazards, and high-temperature environments seriously threaten operational safety and production efficiency.

[0003] Currently, mechanical refrigeration cooling technology has achieved good results in the prevention and control of heat hazards in high-temperature mines. However, mechanical refrigeration ice making requires a compression refrigeration system composed of precision components such as compressors and cooling towers. It consumes a lot of energy, has complex equipment, and has high maintenance costs. In addition, there are problems such as slow freezing speed and uneven ice layer, resulting in low ice storage efficiency and insufficient system stability, making it difficult to meet the large-scale cooling needs of mines.

[0004] Northwest my country's coal reserves account for 60.82% of the country's total reserves. Most areas in the Northwest have average winter temperatures below 0°C, making them rich in natural resources. However, the utilization of these abundant natural cold sources in winter is currently minimal. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a cross-seasonal natural ice-making winter cold storage mine cooling system that does not require complex refrigeration units, can maximize the use of natural cold air in winter, and has a fast freezing rate. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a cross-seasonal natural ice-making winter cold storage mine cooling system to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

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

[0007] This utility model provides a cross-seasonal natural ice-making winter cold energy storage mine cooling system, including a cold storage subsystem and an underground cooling subsystem. The cold storage subsystem and the underground cooling subsystem are coupled through a four-way reversing valve. The cold storage subsystem includes an ice storage tank, a water supply component, and a spray enhancement module. The outlet of the ice storage tank is connected to the inlet of the water supply component, the outlet of the water supply component is connected to the second interface of the four-way reversing valve, and the spray enhancement module is connected to the first interface of the four-way reversing valve.

[0008] The downhole cooling subsystem includes an air cooler, a second fan, a chilled water pipe, and a return water pipe. One end of the chilled water pipe is connected to the third port of a four-way reversing valve, and the other end of the chilled water pipe is connected to the inlet of the air cooler. The outlet of the air cooler is connected to the return water pipe, and the end of the return water pipe away from the air cooler is connected to the fourth port of the four-way reversing valve.

[0009] Furthermore, the mine cooling system also includes a control subsystem, and the cold storage subsystem and the underground cooling subsystem are both electrically connected to the control subsystem.

[0010] Furthermore, the ice storage tank is equipped with an insulation layer inside, and an insulation cover is provided on the top of the ice storage tank.

[0011] Furthermore, the water supply assembly includes a high-pressure water pump, the inlet of which is connected to the outlet of the ice storage tank via a pipe, and the outlet of which is connected to the second port of a four-way reversing valve via a pipe.

[0012] Furthermore, the spray enhancement module includes a first fan, a water spray pipe, and several atomizing nozzles. One end of the water spray pipe is connected to the first interface of a four-way reversing valve, and the end of the water spray pipe away from the four-way reversing valve is connected to the nozzle inlet of the atomizing nozzle. The atomizing nozzle is located above the ice storage tank, and the nozzle outlet of the atomizing nozzle faces the inside of the ice storage tank.

[0013] Furthermore, the first fan is installed on the ground, and a guide plate and a flow equalization plate are provided at the outlet of the first fan, with the flow equalization plate located on the side of the guide plate away from the outlet.

[0014] Furthermore, the air cooler adopts a plate-fin water-air heat exchanger.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following technical effects:

[0016] 1. This mine cooling system utilizes the high latent heat characteristics of the water phase change process to store natural cold sources in the form of ice during winter, which is used to meet the cooling needs of the mine during high-temperature periods. Compared with traditional electric cooling systems, it releases cold energy through the phase change of natural cold sources, which has a significant energy efficiency advantage.

[0017] 2. The cooling system of this mine utilizes efficient spray freezing to reduce the initial temperature of the water through pre-cooling treatment. Combined with high-pressure atomization and wind field control technology, the droplet group can quickly complete the phase change in a uniform low-temperature airflow, which greatly improves the cold storage density and seasonal energy storage efficiency.

[0018] 3. The cooling system of this mine eliminates complex refrigeration components such as compressors and evaporators, and only automatically regulates the operation of water pumps and fans by ambient temperature, which greatly reduces the mechanical failure rate and lowers construction costs and daily operating expenses.

[0019] 4. The spray enhancement module and ice storage tank of this mine cooling system can be expanded. The scale can be dynamically adjusted according to the mining progress and changes in cooling load. It can not only meet the local cooling needs of shallow mines, but also adapt to deep mining or high-temperature environment mining areas by expansion to meet the large-scale cooling needs of mines. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the mine cooling system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the pre-cooling mode of the mine cooling system according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the ice-making mode of the mine cooling system according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the ice storage mode of the mine cooling system according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the ice mode of the mine cooling system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] In the diagram: 1. First fan, 2. Guide plate, 3. Flow equalization plate, 4. Atomizing nozzle, 5. Ice storage tank, 6. Insulation layer, 7. High-pressure water pump, 8. Four-way reversing valve, 9. Cold water pipe, 10. Second fan, 11. Air cooler, 12. Mining face, 13. Return water pipe, 14. Spray water pipe. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0027] Please see Figures 1 to 5 This embodiment provides a cross-seasonal natural ice-making winter cold storage mine cooling system, including a cold storage subsystem and an underground cooling subsystem. The cold storage subsystem and the underground cooling subsystem are coupled through a four-way reversing valve 8. The four-way reversing valve 8 has four ports: a first port (i.e., port A), a second port (i.e., port B), a third port (i.e., port C), and a fourth port (i.e., port D). The four-way reversing valve 8 has two operating states: the first operating state is that port A and port B are connected, and port C and port D are connected; the second operating state is that port A and port D are connected, and port B and port C are connected.

[0028] Specifically, the cold storage subsystem is located on the ground and stores natural cold sources in the form of ice during winter to meet the cooling needs of the mine during high-temperature periods. The cold storage subsystem includes an ice storage tank 5, a water supply assembly, and a spray enhancement module. The outlet of the ice storage tank 5 is connected to the inlet of the water supply assembly, the outlet of the water supply assembly is connected to the second port (B port) of the four-way reversing valve 8, and the spray enhancement module is connected to the first port (A port) of the four-way reversing valve 8.

[0029] Specifically, the ice storage tank 5 is a cubic cavity excavated below ground level. The outer wall of the ice storage tank 5 is made of waterproof concrete and is used to hold water. The ice storage tank 5 is equipped with an insulation layer 6 inside, and an openable and closable insulation cover is installed on the top of the ice storage tank 5. The insulation layer 6 and the insulation cover can effectively block the external heat conduction, convection and radiation paths.

[0030] Specifically, the water supply assembly includes a high-pressure water pump 7. The inlet of the high-pressure water pump 7 is connected to the outlet of the ice storage tank 5 via a pipeline, and the outlet of the high-pressure water pump 7 is connected to the second port (B port) of the four-way reversing valve 8 via a pipeline. The high-pressure water pump 7 can draw water from the ice storage tank 5. In ice-making mode, the high-pressure water pump 7 draws water from the ice storage tank 5 and transmits it to the spray enhancement module via the four-way reversing valve 8 for ice making. In ice-using mode, the high-pressure water pump 7 draws melted low-temperature cold water from the ice storage tank 5 and transmits it to the downhole cooling subsystem via the four-way reversing valve 8 for cooling.

[0031] Specifically, the spray enhancement module includes a first fan 1, a water spray pipe 14, and several atomizing nozzles 4, which can be existing nozzles. The first fan 1 is installed on the ground. A guide plate 2 and a honeycomb-shaped flow equalization plate 3 are installed at the outlet of the first fan 1. The flow equalization plate 3 is located on the side of the guide plate 2 away from the outlet. The cold air output by the first fan 1 is integrated by the guide plate 2 and the flow equalization plate 3 to form a stable cold air flow field. The cold air flow makes full contact with the falling droplets to increase the spray freezing speed. One end of the water spray pipe 14 is connected to the first interface (port A) of the low-cylinder reversing valve 8, and the end of the water spray pipe 14 away from the four-way reversing valve 8 is connected to the nozzle inlet of the atomizing nozzle 4. The atomizing nozzle 4 is installed above the ice storage tank 5, and the nozzle outlet of the atomizing nozzle 4 faces the inside of the ice storage tank 5.

[0032] Specifically, the underground cooling subsystem is installed at the underground mining face 12 to reduce the temperature inside the mine during high-temperature periods. The underground cooling subsystem includes an air cooler 11, a second fan 10, a chilled water pipe 9, and a return water pipe 13. One end of the chilled water pipe 9 is connected to the third port (C port) of the four-way reversing valve 8, and the other end is connected to the inlet of the air cooler 11. The outlet of the air cooler 11 is connected to the return water pipe 13, and the end of the return water pipe 13 away from the air cooler 11 is connected to the fourth port (D port) of the four-way reversing valve 8. Both the second fan 10 and the air cooler 11 are installed underground. The second fan 10 guides underground air to flow through the air cooler 11 to complete heat exchange. In this embodiment, the air cooler 11 uses a plate-fin water-air heat exchanger, introducing chilled water into the mine through the chilled water pipe 9 for heat exchange between the chilled water and the air.

[0033] Specifically, the mine cooling system also includes a control subsystem, which can utilize existing control technology and will not be detailed here. The cold storage subsystem and the underground cooling subsystem are both electrically connected to the control subsystem; that is, the first fan 1, the second fan 10, the high-pressure water pump 7, and the four-way reversing valve 8 are all electrically connected to the control subsystem. This mine cooling system has four operating modes: pre-cooling, ice making, ice storage, and ice use. By setting up the control subsystem, it collects real-time temperature data from the ground and underground, automatically switches operating modes using a PID algorithm, and dynamically adjusts the speed of the high-pressure water pump 7 and the airflow of the first fan 1 and the second fan 10 according to demand.

[0034] Specifically, the working process of this mine's cooling system is divided into four modes: pre-cooling, ice making, ice storage, and ice use. The working process of these four modes is described below.

[0035] Specifically, such as Figure 2 As shown, the pre-cooling mode involves injecting pre-cooled water into ice storage tank 5 during the initial stage of natural cooling in autumn. The water is injected until the tank reaches 80% of its volume, at which point the injection is stopped, leaving space for phase change expansion. The insulation cover on ice storage tank 5 is then removed, exposing the water directly to the low-temperature environment. Natural convection and radiative heat dissipation work together to gradually lower the water temperature to near ambient temperature, laying the foundation for subsequent rapid phase change energy storage.

[0036] Specifically, such as Figure 3As shown, in the ice-making mode: the control subsystem monitors the ambient temperature in real time. When the temperature drops below freezing, the high-pressure water pump 7 and the first fan 1 are activated, and the four-way reversing valve 8 is switched to the first working state. The high-pressure water pump 7 pumps the pre-cooled water into the spray enhancement module through the AB channel of the four-way reversing valve 8, forming a uniform and fine low-temperature droplet group through the atomizing nozzle 4. The cold air output by the first fan 1 is rectified by the guide plate 2 and the flow equalization plate 3 to form a stable airflow field, which fully contacts the falling droplet group. The water, which is close to the ambient temperature, has a significantly increased heat exchange area due to atomization, and rapidly completes phase change and condenses into ice crystals under the action of the cold air. The generated ice crystals sink to the bottom of the ice storage tank 5 under the action of gravity. The unfrozen residual water continues to participate in the circulating spray until the water in the ice storage tank 5 completes the solid-phase transformation. After ice making is completed, the high-pressure water pump 7 is turned off, and the first fan 1 is kept running to enhance the uniform cooling of the ice, ultimately forming a high-density energy storage ice layer.

[0037] Specifically, such as Figure 4 As shown, the ice storage mode works as follows: When the control subsystem detects that the temperature begins to rise, it shuts down the high-pressure water pump 7 and the first fan 1, and then initiates the ice storage and insulation program: layer by layer, a straw-based insulation layer, a metallized high-reflectivity film, and a shading-reinforced fabric are applied to the surface of the ice, and then an insulation cover is placed on top to construct a gradient composite insulation barrier to suppress solar radiation heat flow. The ice storage tank 5, through the synergistic effect of the insulation layer 6, the bottom soil thermal inertia buffer zone, and the top composite insulation barrier, forms a multi-dimensional insulation system, effectively blocking external heat conduction, convection, and radiation paths, ensuring that the ice can be stored across seasons with an extremely low heat loss rate until the summer cooling cycle.

[0038] Specifically, such as Figure 5 As shown, in ice-cooling mode: when the control subsystem detects excessively high underground temperature, it enters ice-cooling mode. The insulation cover is opened, and the high-pressure water pump 7 and the second blower 10 are started. Simultaneously, the four-way reversing valve 8 is switched to the second operating state. The high-pressure water pump 7 draws melted, low-temperature cold water from the ice storage tank 5, which is then transported to the air cooler 11 via the BC channel of the four-way reversing valve 8 through the cold water pipe 9. The water then exchanges heat with the high-temperature underground air. The heated water is then transported to the spray pipe 14 via the AD channel of the four-way reversing valve 8, where it is evenly sprayed onto the ice surface by the atomizing nozzle 4 for secondary cooling. The water then re-enters the circulation along with the melted ice. The second blower 10 guides the underground air flow through the air cooler 11 to complete heat exchange. The cooled air is then directionally transported to the mining face 12. The system continues to operate until the ice completely melts. The melted water is stored in the ice storage tank 5 as a pre-cooling medium for the following year. The ice-making-ice-storage cycle is restarted during the low-temperature winter, ultimately forming a cross-seasonal cold energy supply system.

[0039] Specifically, this mine cooling system utilizes the high latent heat characteristic of water's phase change process to store natural cold sources in the form of ice during winter, meeting the cooling needs during high-temperature periods in the mine. Compared to traditional electric cooling systems, releasing cold energy through the phase change of natural cold sources offers significant energy efficiency advantages. This mine cooling system employs efficient spray freezing, lowering the initial temperature of the water through pre-cooling treatment. Combined with high-pressure atomization and wind field control technology, the droplet clusters rapidly complete phase change in a uniform low-temperature airflow, greatly improving the cold energy storage density and seasonal energy storage efficiency. This mine cooling system eliminates complex refrigeration components such as compressors and evaporators, automatically controlling the operation of the high-pressure water pump 7, the first fan 1, and the second fan 10 based solely on ambient temperature. This significantly reduces the mechanical failure rate, lowering construction costs and daily operating expenses. The spray enhancement module and ice storage tank 5 of this mine cooling system can be expanded. The scale can be dynamically adjusted according to the mining progress and changes in cooling load. It can not only meet the local cooling needs of shallow mines, but also adapt to deep mining or high-temperature environment mining areas by expansion to meet the large-scale cooling needs of mines.

[0040] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that it can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of this invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered illustrative and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of this invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, it is intended that all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims be included within this invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A cross-season natural ice-making winter cooling energy storage mine cooling system, characterized in that, It includes a cold storage subsystem and a downhole cooling subsystem. The cold storage subsystem and the downhole cooling subsystem are coupled through a four-way reversing valve (8). The cold storage subsystem includes an ice storage tank (5), a water conveying assembly, and a spray enhancement module. The outlet of the ice storage tank (5) is connected to the inlet of the water conveying assembly. The outlet of the water conveying assembly is connected to the second interface of the four-way reversing valve (8). The spray enhancement module is connected to the first interface of the four-way reversing valve (8). The downhole cooling subsystem includes an air cooler (11), a second fan (10), a cold water pipe (9), and a return water pipe (13). One end of the cold water pipe (9) is connected to the third port of a four-way reversing valve (8), and the other end of the cold water pipe (9) is connected to the inlet of the air cooler (11). The outlet of the air cooler (11) is connected to the return water pipe (13), and the end of the return water pipe (13) away from the air cooler (11) is connected to the fourth port of the four-way reversing valve (8).

2. The cross-season natural ice-making winter cooling energy storage mine cooling system of claim 1, wherein, The mine cooling system also includes a control subsystem, and the cold storage subsystem and the underground cooling subsystem are both electrically connected to the control subsystem.

3. The cross-season natural ice-making winter cooling energy storage mine cooling system of claim 1, wherein, The ice storage tank (5) is provided with an insulation layer (6) inside, and an insulation cover is provided on the top of the ice storage tank (5).

4. The cross-seasonal natural ice-making winter cold storage mine cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water supply assembly includes a high-pressure water pump (7), the inlet of which is connected to the outlet of the ice storage tank (5) via a pipe, and the outlet of which is connected to the second port of the four-way reversing valve (8) via a pipe.

5. The cross-seasonal natural ice-making winter cold storage mine cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The spray enhancement module includes a first fan (1), a water spray pipe (14) and several atomizing nozzles (4). One end of the water spray pipe (14) is connected to the first interface of the four-way reversing valve (8), and the end of the water spray pipe (14) away from the four-way reversing valve (8) is connected to the nozzle inlet of the atomizing nozzle (4). The atomizing nozzle (4) is located above the ice storage tank (5), and the nozzle outlet of the atomizing nozzle (4) faces the inside of the ice storage tank (5).

6. The cross-seasonal natural ice-making winter cold storage mine cooling system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first fan (1) is set on the ground. A guide plate (2) and a flow equalization plate (3) are provided at the outlet of the first fan (1). The flow equalization plate (3) is located on the side of the guide plate (2) away from the outlet.

7. The cross-seasonal natural ice-making winter cold storage mine cooling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air cooler (11) adopts a plate-fin water-air heat exchanger.

Images