Groundwater circulation-based seasonal cold energy storage system for mines.

Abstract

This invention proposes a groundwater circulation-based seasonal cold energy storage system for mines based on phase change cold storage. The system includes a cold storage regulating tank, a phase change ice storage device, and an air cooler. The phase change ice storage device includes an insulated box with a sliding pressure plate inside. The upper and lower spaces of the insulated box on the pressure plate are a deformation buffer chamber and an ice storage chamber, respectively. The pressure plate is connected to the insulated box via an elastic structure. An air duct runs through the insulated box but is not connected to the ice storage chamber. The insulated box has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is connected to the ice storage chamber via a spiral hose, and the outlet is also connected to the ice storage chamber. The cold storage regulating tank is connected to groundwater and the inlet via a first and second water pump. The outlet is connected to the inlet of the air cooler via a third water pump, and the outlet of the air cooler is connected to the groundwater. This invention enables rapid ice formation, high-density ice storage, long-term stable ice storage, and efficient cold release and utilization, making it suitable for cooling needs in mine environments.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of mine heat hazard prevention and control technology, specifically to a groundwater circulation-type seasonal cold energy storage system for mines based on phase change cold storage. Background Technology

[0002] As mining depths increase, the combined effects of geothermal gradients and heat dissipation from underground equipment exacerbate mine heat hazards. Currently, widely used mine heat hazard control technologies primarily rely on active cooling equipment, with air cooling and water cooling being typical examples. Air cooling technology uses compressed air cooling units or blowers to force-cool the air, achieving precise temperature control at the working face. However, its core cooling units consume significant amounts of electricity, are bulky, complex to install and maintain, and prone to failure under complex deep-well conditions. Water cooling systems, particularly spray systems, utilize the latent heat of water evaporation for rapid cooling, but face risks of increased underground humidity leading to equipment corrosion and rock instability. Cooling water circulation systems require multi-stage heat exchangers and circulating pumps, resulting in high cooling loss rates during transport and limitations imposed by surface cooling tower efficiency.

[0003] To balance equipment construction costs and heat dissipation efficiency, ice storage technology has already been applied in the field of building air conditioning. For example, patent CN202411933953.3 proposes a multi-path cooling system for cross-seasonal natural ice storage, which uses low-temperature winter air to freeze and store water, thus providing cooling for building spaces in summer. However, under the special conditions of mines, this technology still faces technical bottlenecks: First, the cooling load in underground spaces is high, requiring the construction of large-scale ice storage bodies. The volume expansion stress generated during the water-ice phase change process can easily lead to structural failure of the ice storage device. Second, the mine environment places complex functional demands on ice storage devices, including rapid ice formation, high-density ice storage, long-term stable storage, and efficient cold release and utilization. Therefore, developing phase change ice storage devices adapted to the special conditions of mines has become an urgent technical challenge. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the problems in the background technology, this utility model proposes a groundwater circulation-type seasonal cold energy storage system for mines based on phase change cold storage, including a cold storage regulating box, a phase change ice storage device, and an air cooler. The phase change ice storage device includes an insulated box, in which a pressure plate is slidably installed. The space below the pressure plate is an ice storage cavity, and the space above the pressure plate is a deformation buffer cavity. The top of the pressure plate is connected to the top wall of the insulated box through an elastic structure. An air duct runs through the insulated box and is not connected to the ice storage cavity. The insulated box has an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is connected to the ice storage cavity through a spiral hose, and the outlet is connected to the ice storage cavity. The cold storage regulating tank is connected to groundwater and the inlet via a first water pump and a second water pump, respectively. The outlet is connected to the inlet of the air cooler via a third water pump. The outlet of the air cooler is connected to groundwater. The air cooler is located on one side of the mining face. Preferably, the input end of the first water pump is connected to groundwater through a water intake pipe, and the output end of the first water pump is connected to the cold storage regulating tank through another water intake pipe. The input end of the second water pump is connected to the cold storage regulating tank through a section of ice-making pipe, and the output end of the second water pump is connected to the water inlet through another section of ice-making pipe. The input end of the third water pump is connected to the outlet through a section of chilled water pipe, the output end of the third water pump is connected to the inlet end of the air cooler through another section of chilled water pipe, and the outlet end of the air cooler is connected to the groundwater through a return water pipe.

[0005] Preferably, the ice-making pipe is equipped with a first valve, and the chilled water pipe is equipped with a second valve.

[0006] Preferably, a first fan for ventilating the air duct is provided on one side of the air duct.

[0007] Preferably, the air duct port is provided with an electric damper for opening / closing the air duct.

[0008] Preferably, there are multiple air ducts, which are arranged at intervals along the height direction of the insulation box.

[0009] Preferably, the air duct has staggered ribs arranged along its length.

[0010] Preferably, a second fan is provided on the side of the air cooler away from the mining face, and the second fan blows air from the side of the air cooler away from the mining face toward the mining face.

[0011] Preferably, the insulated box includes a steel structure layer arranged from the inside out, at least one heat insulation covering layer, and at least one reinforced heat insulation layer.

[0012] Preferably, the thermal insulation covering layer includes a rigid polyurethane foam layer, and the reinforced insulation layer includes an aerogel felt, an aluminum foil reflective layer, and a sunshade net arranged sequentially from the inside out.

[0013] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows: 1. This utility model utilizes the high latent heat characteristic of water's phase change process to store natural cold sources in the form of ice during winter, for use in cooling needs during high-temperature periods in mines. Compared to traditional electric refrigeration systems, this application releases cooling capacity through the phase change of natural cold sources, exhibiting significant energy efficiency advantages.

[0014] 2. This utility model includes a cold storage regulating tank and a phase change ice storage device. The cold storage regulating tank is used to store groundwater and to pre-cool the groundwater, avoiding the low efficiency of directly making ice from groundwater when the groundwater temperature is higher than the surface temperature.

[0015] The phase change ice storage device includes an insulated box with an air duct inside. Cold air can be introduced into the air duct to accelerate the freezing efficiency of the water inside the insulated box. The insulated box can also reduce the heat exchange between the inside of the ice storage box and the external environment, prevent the loss of cold air, and ensure the ice making and ice storage effect.

[0016] This invention realizes a two-stage cold storage system of pre-cooling and ice making through a cold storage regulating box and a phase change ice storage device. At the same time, combined with the design of air duct and insulation box, it realizes efficient phase change energy storage in a wide temperature range environment, ensuring that areas with short winter low temperature periods can still effectively store cold energy.

[0017] 3. The pressure plate that slides inside the insulated box of this utility model can provide space for the volume expansion of ice during the freezing process. The pressure plate and the elastic structure work together to form an elastic ice storage chamber structure, which effectively eliminates the risk of damage to the container structure caused by ice expansion and ensures the long-term stable operation of the system.

[0018] 4. This utility model establishes a closed-loop water circulation system of water intake-storage-release-recirculation, where the melted water replenishes the original aquifer, achieving the dual goals of mine cold damage control and hydrological and ecological protection. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the phase change ice storage device of this utility model.

[0020] Numbered in the diagram: 1. Groundwater; 2. First water pump; 3. Water intake pipe; 4. Cold storage regulating tank; 5. First valve; 6. Second water pump; 7. Ice-making pipe; 8. First fan; 9. Phase change ice storage device; 10. Second valve; 11. Chilled water pipe; 12. Roadway; 13. Third water pump; 14. Second fan; 15. Air cooler; 16. Mining face; 17. Return water pipe; 901. Electric air damper; 902. Insulation box; 903. Water inlet; 904. Spiral hose; 905. Deformation buffer chamber; 906. Pressure plate; 907. Air duct; 908. Rib; 909. Water outlet. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To make this utility model clearer and more understandable, the technical solution of this utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the given embodiments are only one of the implementation methods and do not represent all embodiments.

[0022] In this article, terms such as "inner," "outer," "upper," and "lower" are established based on the positional relationships shown in the attached drawings. Depending on the attached drawings, the corresponding positional relationships may also change. Therefore, they should not be interpreted as an absolute limitation on the scope of protection.

[0023] Combined with appendix Figure 1 - Appendix Figure 2 A groundwater circulation-type seasonal cold energy storage system for mines based on phase change cold storage includes a cold storage regulating box 4, a phase change ice storage device 9, and an air cooler 15. The phase change ice storage device 9 includes an insulation box 902, a pressure plate 906 slidingly disposed inside the insulation box 902, an ice storage cavity in the space below the pressure plate 906, and a deformation buffer cavity 905 in the insulation space above the pressure plate 906. The top of the pressure plate 906 is connected to the top wall of the insulation box 902 through an elastic structure. An air duct 907 penetrating the insulation box 902 is provided inside the ice storage cavity. The interior of the air duct 907 is not connected to the ice storage cavity. The insulation box 902 is provided with an inlet 903 and an outlet 909. The inlet 903 is connected to the ice storage cavity through a spiral hose 904, and the outlet 909 is connected to the ice storage cavity. The cold storage regulating tank 4 is connected to the groundwater 1 and the inlet 903 via the first water pump 2 and the second water pump 6 respectively. The outlet 909 is connected to the inlet of the air cooler 15 via the third water pump 13. The outlet of the air cooler 15 is connected to the groundwater 1. The air cooler 15 is located on one side of the mining face 16. Specifically, the cold storage regulating box 4 is a box structure made of steel with good thermal conductivity, which can accelerate heat dissipation. The elastic structure is a spring or an elastic material, and the elastic material can be sponge. When using a spring, both ends of the spring are fixedly connected to the top of the pressure plate 906 and the top wall of the insulation box 902, respectively, and multiple springs can be evenly arranged in a rectangular array; when using sponge, the deformation buffer cavity 905 is filled with sponge.

[0024] Water introduced into the inlet 903 is injected into the ice storage chamber through the spiral hose 904. The spiral hose 904 can extend and retract with the movement of the pressure plate 906, so as to avoid the pressure plate 906 putting pressure on the pipeline and causing the pipeline to rupture when it moves upward.

[0025] Specifically, the input end of the first water pump 2 is connected to the groundwater 1 through a section of water intake pipe 3, and the output end of the first water pump 2 is connected to the cold storage regulating box 4 through another section of water intake pipe 3. The input end of the second water pump 6 is connected to the cold storage regulating tank 4 through a section of ice-making pipe 7, and the output end of the second water pump 6 is connected to the water inlet 903 through another section of ice-making pipe 7. The input end of the third water pump 13 is connected to the outlet 909 through a section of chilled water pipe 11, and the output end of the third water pump 13 is connected to the inlet end of the air cooler 15 through another section of chilled water pipe 11. The chilled water pipe 11 enters the underground space through the tunnel 12 and reaches the location of the air cooler 15, connecting the air cooler 15 and the insulation box 902. The outlet end of the air cooler 15 is connected to the groundwater 1 through the return water pipe 17.

[0026] Specifically, the ice-making pipe 7 is equipped with a first valve 5, and the chilled water pipe 11 is equipped with a second valve 10. The first valve 5 is used to open or close the ice-making pipe 7, and the second valve 10 is used to open or close the chilled water pipe 11.

[0027] Specifically, a first fan 8 is provided on one side of the air duct 907 for ventilating the air duct 907. When cooling is required, the first fan 8 blows air into the air duct 907, which can bring cold air from the outside into the air duct 907, accelerate the heat dissipation of water in the ice storage cavity, and improve ice-making efficiency.

[0028] Specifically, an electric damper 901 for opening / closing the air duct 907 is provided at the port of the air duct 907. When ice making is required, the electric damper 901 is opened; during the ice storage stage and when the ambient temperature is high, closing the electric damper 901 can prevent high-temperature air from entering the air duct 907 and accelerate the melting of ice in the insulation box 902. More specifically, the electric damper 901 may include a door panel and an electric push rod. The door panel is located at the port of the air duct 907 and one end of the door panel is hinged to the outer wall of the insulation box 902. The base of the electric push rod is fixedly connected to the insulation box 902, and the output end of the electric push rod is hinged to the door panel. The door panel is opened and closed by extending and retracting the output end of the electric push rod.

[0029] More specifically, there are multiple air ducts 907, which are arranged at intervals along the height of the insulation box 902. Providing multiple air ducts 907 increases the heat exchange area and further improves ice-making efficiency.

[0030] Specifically, the air duct 907 is provided with staggered ribs 908 along its length. The staggered ribs 908 enable the airflow entering the air duct 907 to form a turbulence-enhanced airflow field, thereby improving the cooling effect. More specifically, the ribs 908 can be arranged vertically in a staggered manner.

[0031] Specifically, a second fan 14 is provided on the side of the air cooler 15 away from the mining face 16. The second fan 14 blows air from the side of the air cooler 15 away from the mining face 16 toward the mining face 16. The second fan 14 blows the cold source in the air cooler 15 toward the mining face 16 to achieve cooling.

[0032] Specifically, the insulated box 902 includes a steel structure layer arranged from the inside out, at least one heat-insulating covering layer, and at least one reinforced heat-insulating layer. More specifically, the heat-insulating covering layer includes a rigid polyurethane foam layer, and the reinforced heat-insulating layer includes an aerogel felt, an aluminum foil reflective layer, and a sunshade net arranged from the inside out.

[0033] The cold storage regulating tank 4 and the phase change ice storage device 9 are located on the ground. Groundwater 1 is pumped into the cold storage regulating tank 4 by the first water pump 2, and the cold storage regulating tank 4 pre-cools the groundwater 1. Depending on the local climate and ambient temperature differences, the pre-cooling stage can be initiated when the air temperature begins to drop, by filling the cold storage regulating tank 4 with water. Once the cold storage regulating tank 4 is full, the first water pump 2 is turned off. As the ambient temperature continues to decrease, the water temperature in the cold storage regulating tank 4 will gradually decrease to synchronize with the ambient temperature.

[0034] When the ambient temperature drops below 0℃, the ice-making stage can be started. During ice making, the first valve 5, the second water pump 6, and the first fan 8 are opened, the electric damper 901 of the phase change ice storage device 9 is opened, and the second valve 10 is closed. Driven by the second water pump 6, the pre-cooled water in the cold storage regulating tank 4 flows into the ice storage chamber of the insulation box 902. Driven by the first fan 8, outside cold air continuously flows into the air duct 907 of the phase change ice storage device 9. Since the water has already dropped to near the ambient temperature during the pre-cooling stage, it easily drops below the freezing point and begins to freeze during heat exchange with the cold air. During the freezing process, the volume expands, and the ice blocks push the pressure plate 906 upwards. After the phase change ice storage device 9 is full of water or all the water has frozen, the second water pump 6 and the first valve 5 are closed, but ventilation is maintained for a period of time to minimize the temperature of the ice blocks. After the air temperature rises, the second fan 14 and the electric damper 901 are closed.

[0035] During the ice storage stage, the insulation box 902 can isolate the ice from heat exchange with the external environment. To further increase ice storage efficiency, in some cases (such as areas with long summers and short winters), aerogel felt, aluminum foil reflective layer, and shading net can be added to the outside of the phase change ice storage device 9 to enhance insulation. This is cost-effective and has a good insulation effect. Alternatively, the number of phase change ice storage devices 9 can be increased to expand the cold storage capacity, depending on the climate characteristics of the mine area and the cooling needs of the mine. During expansion, multiple phase change ice storage devices 9 can be arranged in a three-dimensional matrix to construct a composite cold storage body, achieving a linear expansion of ice storage capacity. At the same time, by utilizing the low thermal conductivity of ice, the cold energy loss of ice during storage can be effectively suppressed, which can both improve the overall cold storage capacity and reduce the risk of cold energy loss.

[0036] When cooling is required underground during the summer, the system switches to the cooling release phase. First valve 5, second valve 10, first water pump 2, second water pump 6, third water pump 13, and second blower 14 are opened. Groundwater 1 is drawn by first water pump 2 into the cold storage regulating tank 4, and then by second water pump 6 into the phase change ice storage device 9. The water injected into the ice storage device undergoes thorough heat exchange with the ice, and the resulting low-temperature chilled water flows out from the outlet of the phase change ice storage device 9. It is then transported by third water pump 13 along the chilled water pipeline 11 to the air cooler 15. Driven by the second blower 14, underground air passes through the air cooler 15, exchanging heat with the chilled water and cooling down. The cooled air is then sent to the mining face 16, achieving effective cooling of the working face. The chilled water, having completed heat exchange, returns to the groundwater layer 1 along the return water pipeline 17, completing the water recycling process.

[0037] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will be able to make various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A groundwater circulation-based seasonal cold energy storage system for mines based on phase change cold storage, characterized in that: The device includes a cold storage regulating box (4), a phase change ice storage device (9), and an air cooler (15). The phase change ice storage device (9) includes an insulation box (902). A pressure plate (906) is slidably provided inside the insulation box (902). The space of the insulation box (902) below the pressure plate (906) is an ice storage cavity, and the insulation space above the pressure plate (906) is a deformation buffer cavity (905). The top of the pressure plate (906) is connected to the top wall of the insulation box (902) through an elastic structure. An air duct (907) is provided inside the ice storage cavity, and the inside of the air duct (907) is not connected to the ice storage cavity. The insulation box (902) is provided with an inlet (903) and an outlet (909). The inlet (903) is connected to the ice storage cavity through a spiral hose (904), and the outlet (909) is connected to the ice storage cavity. The cold storage regulating tank (4) is connected to the groundwater (1) and the inlet (903) through the first water pump (2) and the second water pump (6), respectively. The outlet (909) is connected to the inlet of the air cooler (15) through the third water pump (13). The outlet of the air cooler (15) is connected to the groundwater (1). The air cooler (15) is located on one side of the mining face (16).

2. The groundwater circulation-based seasonal cold energy storage system for mines based on phase change cold storage according to claim 1, characterized in that: The input end of the first water pump (2) is connected to the groundwater (1) through a section of water intake pipe (3), and the output end of the first water pump (2) is connected to the cold storage regulating box (4) through another section of water intake pipe (3); The input end of the second water pump (6) is connected to the cold storage regulating tank (4) through a section of ice-making pipe (7), and the output end of the second water pump (6) is connected to the water inlet (903) through another section of ice-making pipe (7); The input end of the third water pump (13) is connected to the outlet (909) through a section of chilled water pipe (11), the output end of the third water pump (13) is connected to the inlet end of the air cooler (15) through another section of chilled water pipe (11), and the outlet end of the air cooler (15) is connected to the groundwater (1) through a return water pipe (17).

3. The groundwater circulation-based seasonal cold energy storage system for mines based on phase change cold storage according to claim 2, characterized in that: The ice-making pipe (7) is equipped with a first valve (5), and the chilled water pipe (11) is equipped with a second valve (10).

4. The groundwater circulation-based seasonal cold energy storage system for mines based on phase change cold storage according to claim 1, characterized in that: A first fan (8) for ventilating the air duct (907) is provided on one side of the air duct (907).

5. The groundwater circulation-based seasonal cold energy storage system for mines based on phase change cold storage according to claim 1, characterized in that: An electric damper (901) for opening / closing the air duct (907) is provided at the port of the air duct (907).

6. The groundwater circulation-based seasonal cold energy storage system for mines based on phase change cold storage according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are multiple air ducts (907), and the multiple air ducts (907) are arranged at intervals along the height direction of the insulation box (902).

7. The groundwater circulation-based seasonal cold energy storage system for mines based on phase change cold storage according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air duct (907) is provided with staggered ribs (908) along the length of the air duct (907).

8. The groundwater circulation-based seasonal cold energy storage system for mines based on phase change cold storage according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air cooler (15) is provided with a second fan (14) on the side away from the mining face (16). The second fan (14) blows air from the side of the air cooler (15) away from the mining face (16) toward the mining face (16).

9. The groundwater circulation-based seasonal cold energy storage system for mines based on phase change cold storage according to claim 1, characterized in that: The insulated box (902) includes a steel structure layer arranged from the inside out, at least one heat insulation covering layer and at least one reinforced heat insulation layer.

10. The groundwater circulation-based seasonal cold energy storage system for mines based on phase change cold storage according to claim 9, characterized in that: The thermal insulation covering layer includes a rigid polyurethane foam layer, and the reinforced insulation layer includes an aerogel felt, an aluminum foil reflective layer, and a sunshade net arranged sequentially from the inside out.

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