A liquid-cooled unit for thermal management of energy storage

Abstract

This utility model provides a liquid-cooled unit for energy storage with thermal management. The condenser is equipped with a condensing fan. The battery module output is connected to the circulation pump input, the circulation pump output is connected to the battery module input, the circulation pump output is connected to the evaporator liquid input, and the evaporator gas output is connected to the air-float centrifugal compressor input via a copper pipe. Gaseous refrigerant flows into the air-float centrifugal compressor, and the air-float centrifugal compressor output is connected to the condenser input. The condenser output is connected to the evaporator gas-liquid mixing input, which is equipped with an expansion valve. The evaporator liquid output is connected to the battery module input. The use of an air-float centrifugal compressor in the liquid-cooled unit results in a small overall size. This utility model combines a heat exchange system and a refrigeration cycle system, employing the circulating flow of a liquid cooling medium to precisely control the battery operating temperature, ensuring battery safety and performance, and extending battery life.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of liquid cooling technology, and in particular to a liquid cooling unit for heat management in energy storage. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the maximum size that container system solution manufacturers have reserved for liquid chiller units is only 1200*2400*500mm. With this size, the maximum cooling capacity of liquid chiller units manufactured by domestic and foreign companies can only reach 60kW (@45℃ ambient temperature, 18℃ outlet water).

[0003] The reason for the limited cooling capacity is that the larger the cooling capacity, the larger the internal components of the liquid cooling unit, such as the compressor, condenser, evaporator, and condenser fan, need to be. The components occupy more space. However, the compressors used by manufacturers on the market are generally scroll or rotary compressors. If the external frame of the unit remains unchanged, the increased size of the selected components will make it impossible to install them into the frame, resulting in insufficient installation space. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this utility model is to provide a liquid-cooled unit for thermal management of energy storage, which is designed based on an air-float centrifugal compressor, reducing the volume occupied by the components of the liquid-cooled unit under the same power conditions, and can provide 80kW liquid-cooled units for container manufacturers with a capacity of 20 feet 6MWH and above.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution of this utility model is as follows: A liquid-cooled unit for thermal management in energy storage is characterized by comprising an outer frame, an electrical control cabinet, an evaporator, a circulating pump, an air-float centrifugal compressor, and a condenser. The outer frame has mesh-type air inlets on its left, right, rear, and top sides. A panel is vertically arranged on the front side of the outer frame. The electrical control cabinet is installed at the lower part of the front end of the panel. A groove is provided at the upper part of the front end of the panel. The condenser has several condensing fans installed within the groove. The circulating pump is fixed to the bottom of the outer frame. The evaporator, circulating pump, air-float centrifugal compressor, and condenser are installed at the rear end of the panel. The air-float centrifugal compressor is located on one side above the circulating pump, the evaporator is located on the other side above the circulating pump, and the condenser is located above the evaporator. The evaporator is equipped with a gas output terminal, a gas-liquid mixing input terminal, a liquid output terminal, and a liquid input terminal. The battery module output terminal is connected to the circulation pump input terminal via a stainless steel pipe. The circulation pump output terminal is also connected to the battery module input terminal via a stainless steel pipe. The circulation pump output terminal is connected to the evaporator's liquid input terminal via a stainless steel pipe. The evaporator's gas output terminal is connected to the air-float centrifugal compressor input terminal via a copper pipe. Gaseous refrigerant flows into the air-float centrifugal compressor. The air-float centrifugal compressor output terminal is connected to the condenser input terminal via a copper pipe. The condenser output terminal is connected to the evaporator's gas-liquid mixing input terminal via a copper pipe. The evaporator's gas-liquid mixing input terminal is equipped with an expansion valve. The evaporator's liquid output terminal is connected to the battery module input terminal via a stainless steel pipe.

[0006] Furthermore, a liquid filter is provided at the inlet of the circulation pump.

[0007] Furthermore, it also includes a liquid storage tank, the output end of the condenser is connected to the input end of the liquid storage tank through a copper pipe, and the output end of the liquid storage tank is connected to the gas-liquid mixing input end of the evaporator through a pipeline.

[0008] Furthermore, a copper filter is provided at the output end of the liquid storage tank.

[0009] Furthermore, the air flotation centrifugal compressor is equipped with a compressor electrical control, the output end of the liquid storage tank is connected to the input end of the compressor electrical control cooling pipeline through a copper pipe, and the output end of the compressor electrical control cooling pipeline is connected to the evaporator gas-liquid mixing input end through a copper pipe.

[0010] Furthermore, it also includes a replenishment tank. The stainless steel pipe at the liquid output end of the evaporator is connected to the input end of the replenishment tank via a hose. The output end of the replenishment tank is connected to the input end of the replenishment pump via a hose. The output end of the replenishment pump is connected to the stainless steel pipe at the input end of the circulation pump via a hose. A one-way valve is provided at the connection between the hose and the stainless steel pipe at the input end of the circulation pump.

[0011] Furthermore, an expansion tank is connected to the stainless steel pipeline between the output end of the battery module and the input end of the circulation pump.

[0012] Furthermore, a PTC electric heater is provided in the stainless steel pipeline between the output end of the circulation pump and the input end of the battery module.

[0013] This invention applies an air-float centrifugal compressor to a liquid-cooled unit. Compared with traditional compressors, it has a smaller overall size, can compress without oil, and has high working efficiency. This invention combines a heat exchange system and a refrigeration cycle system, using the circulating flow of a liquid cooling medium to precisely control the battery operating temperature, ensuring battery safety and performance, extending battery life, reducing unit operating pressure, and lowering unit failure rate. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 This is a front structural view of the outer frame of this utility model; Figure 2 A front structural view of the outer frame of this utility model with the fan mounted on it; Figure 3 This is a structural view of the back of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a side view of the present invention. Figure 5 This is a top view of the structure of this utility model; Figure 6 This is a structural diagram of the thermal management system of this utility model.

[0015] Figure label: 1. Outer frame, 2. Panel, 3. Recess, 4. Condenser fan, 5. Condenser, 6. Evaporator 7. Circulating pump, 8. Air flotation centrifugal compressor, 9. Battery module, 10. Air inlet. 11 Expansion valve, 12 Liquid storage tank, 13 Liquid filter, 14 Copper filter, 15. Replenishment tank, 16. Replenishment pump, 17. Check valve, 18. Dynamic flow balancing valve. 19 Expansion tank, 20 PTC electric heater, 21 Electrical control cabinet 61 Gas output terminal, 62 Gas-liquid mixing input terminal, 63 Liquid output terminal, 64 Liquid Input Terminal 81 Compressor electrical control. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The technical solution of the present invention will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. 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.

[0017] This embodiment discloses a liquid-cooled unit for energy storage with thermal management, including an outer frame 1, an evaporator 6, a circulating pump 7, an air-float centrifugal compressor 8, a condenser 5, and an electrical control cabinet 21. Figures 1-5 As shown, the outer frame 1 has mesh-type air inlets 10 on the left, right, rear and top sides, which helps to dissipate heat from the internal equipment.

[0018] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the front side of the outer frame 1 has a panel 2 along the vertical direction, the electrical control cabinet 21 is installed at the lower part of the front end of the panel, the front end of the panel 2 has a groove 3, the condenser 5 has five condensing fans 4, and the five condensing fans 4 are installed in the groove 3 in an X-shaped structure.

[0019] The circulating pump 7 is fixed to the bottom of the outer frame 1. The evaporator 6, the circulating pump 7, the air-float centrifugal compressor 8 and the condenser 5 are installed at the rear end of the panel 2. The air-float centrifugal compressor 8 is located on one side above the circulating pump 7, the evaporator 6 is located on the other side above the circulating pump 7, and the condenser 5 is located above the evaporator 6.

[0020] like Figure 6 As shown, the evaporator 6 is provided with a gas output end 61, a gas-liquid mixing input end 62, a liquid output end 63, and a liquid input end 64. The output end of the battery module 9 is connected to the input end of the circulation pump 7 through a stainless steel pipe. The input end of the circulation pump 7 is provided with a liquid filter 13 with a 20-mesh screen. The output end of the circulation pump 7 is connected to the input end of the battery module 9 through a stainless steel pipe. The output end of the circulation pump 7 is connected to the liquid input end 64 of the evaporator 6 through a stainless steel pipe. The circulation pump 7 drives the coolant to circulate between the battery module 9 and the liquid cooling unit of this embodiment.

[0021] In this embodiment, the refrigerant used is R134a. The refrigerant is circulated by the air-float centrifugal compressor 8, which increases the refrigerant pressure and temperature. The air-float centrifugal compressor 8 is powered by a high-voltage DC power supply after AC-DC conversion. The gas output end 61 of the evaporator 6 is connected to the input end of the air-float centrifugal compressor 8 through a copper pipe. Gaseous refrigerant flows into the air-float centrifugal compressor 8. The output end of the air-float centrifugal compressor 8 is connected to the input end of the condenser 5 through a copper pipe. The output end of the condenser 5 is connected to the gas-liquid mixing input end 62 of the evaporator 6 through a copper pipe. The condenser 5 uses a combination structure of condenser fan 4 fins and fan to dissipate the refrigerant heat to the external environment.

[0022] The gas-liquid mixing input end 62 of the evaporator 6 is equipped with an expansion valve 11. The expansion valve 11 is an electronic expansion valve that can adjust the refrigerant flow and pressure and control the refrigeration state inside the evaporator 6. The liquid output end 63 of the evaporator 6 is connected to the input end of the battery module 9 through a stainless steel pipe.

[0023] The liquid cooling unit is equipped with a liquid storage tank 12. The output end of the condenser 5 is connected to the input end of the liquid storage tank 12 through a copper pipe. The output end of the liquid storage tank 12 is connected to the gas-liquid mixing input end 62 of the evaporator 6 through a pipeline. The output end of the liquid storage tank 12 is equipped with a copper filter 14.

[0024] like Figure 6As shown, the air-float centrifugal compressor 8 is equipped with a bypass valve structure at the input and output ends for energy regulation and pressure balance. The air-float centrifugal compressor 8 is equipped with a compressor electronic control 81. The output end of the liquid storage tank 12 is connected to the input end of the cooling pipe of the compressor electronic control 81 through a copper pipe. The output end of the cooling pipe of the compressor electronic control 81 is connected to the gas-liquid mixing input end 62 of the evaporator 6 through a copper pipe.

[0025] like Figure 6 As shown, the liquid cooling unit is equipped with a replenishing water tank 15. The stainless steel pipe of the liquid output end 63 of the evaporator 6 is connected to the input end of the replenishing water tank 15 through a hose. The water inlet of the replenishing water tank 15 is automatically controlled by a dynamic flow balancing valve 18. The output end of the replenishing water tank 15 is connected to the input end of the replenishing pump 16 through a hose. The output end of the replenishing pump 16 is connected to the stainless steel pipe of the input end of the circulating pump 7 through a hose. A one-way valve 17 is provided at the connection between the hose and the stainless steel pipe of the input end of the circulating pump 7.

[0026] An expansion tank 19 is connected to the stainless steel pipe between the output end of the battery module 9 and the input end of the circulation pump 7. The expansion tank 19 provides the initial pre-charge pressure for the water circuit of the circulation pump 7, ensuring the stability of the working pressure of the water circuit system and preventing water hammer effect.

[0027] A PTC electric heater 20 is installed in the stainless steel pipeline between the output end of the circulation pump 7 and the input end of the battery module 9. The high-temperature coolant at the output end of the circulation pump 7 is reheated by the PTC electric heater 20 and merges with the low-temperature coolant flowing out of the liquid output end of the evaporator 6, returning to the battery module 9.

[0028] The electrical control section of this embodiment adopts BMS closed-loop control. Temperature sensors monitor the battery temperature of battery module 9 and the temperature difference of coolant at the inlet and outlet of each component in real time, and pressure sensors monitor the pressure of refrigerant at the inlet and outlet of each component to prevent overload of the liquid cooling unit.

[0029] The electrical control cabinet 21 is equipped with a PLC control system, a communication module, a frequency converter, and a power distribution protection system. Based on the set threshold, it dynamically adjusts the speed and power of the air-float centrifugal compressor 8, the opening degree of the electronic expansion valve 11, and the real-time speed of the condenser fan 4 to achieve precise temperature control (±1℃ accuracy).

[0030] The communication module interacts with the BMS, receiving temperature data and control commands from the temperature sensor. The communication module supports remote monitoring and fault diagnosis, and its structure reserves communication interfaces (such as RS485 and CAN bus) to facilitate integration with the smart energy management system.

[0031] The frequency converter adjusts the speed of the air-float centrifugal compressor 8 and the circulating pump 7 to achieve energy-saving operation. The power distribution protection system is equipped with overcurrent, overvoltage and short-circuit protection devices to ensure the safety of the electrical control equipment.

[0032] In this embodiment, the 80kW liquid cooling unit is mainly responsible for temperature control during the charging and discharging of the 6.28MWH container battery. Heat transfer is achieved through a mechanical structure, and precise control and energy management are performed by a PLC control system. The mechanical structure and PLC work together to ensure the thermal safety and efficient operation of the battery under complex operating conditions. The precise control strategy and algorithm keep the temperature of the battery pack cells within the customer's required range (±1℃), ensuring that the battery is in a healthy operating state, improving the battery cycle life and the long-term benefits of the energy storage power station.

[0033] An operation control method for a liquid chiller unit with thermal management for energy storage, based on the liquid chiller unit with thermal management for energy storage, includes a heat exchange process and a refrigeration cycle process, such as... Figure 6 As shown, the heat exchange process includes: 1) The coolant absorbs the heat generated by the charging and discharging of the battery through the liquid cooling plate or pipe inside the battery module 9 and becomes a high-temperature coolant, controlling the battery temperature at 25~35℃. 2) The high-temperature coolant is transported to the evaporator 6 via the circulating pump 7, transferring heat to the refrigerant; The refrigeration cycle process includes: 1) The refrigerant, such as R134a or R410A, is compressed into a high-temperature, high-pressure gas in the air-float centrifugal compressor 8; 2) The high-temperature gaseous refrigerant enters the condenser 5 and dissipates heat through air cooling or water cooling. The gaseous refrigerant releases heat and liquefies. 3) The liquid refrigerant is throttled and depressurized by expansion valve 11, becoming a low-temperature, low-pressure gas-liquid mixture; 4) The low-temperature refrigerant absorbs heat from the coolant in the evaporator 6 and evaporates into gaseous refrigerant, thus completing the refrigeration cycle.

[0034] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An energy storage thermal management liquid chiller unit, characterized by, The device includes an outer frame, an electrical control cabinet, an evaporator, a circulating pump, an air-float centrifugal compressor, and a condenser. The outer frame has mesh-type air inlets on its left, right, rear, and top sides. A vertical panel is located on the front side of the outer frame. The electrical control cabinet is mounted on the lower part of the front end of the panel. A groove is located on the upper part of the front end of the panel. The condenser has several condensing fans installed within the groove. The circulating pump is fixed to the bottom of the outer frame. The evaporator, circulating pump, air-float centrifugal compressor, and condenser are mounted on the rear end of the panel. The air-float centrifugal compressor is located on one side above the circulating pump, the evaporator is located on the other side above the circulating pump, and the condenser is located above the evaporator. The evaporator is equipped with a gas output terminal, a gas-liquid mixing input terminal, a liquid output terminal, and a liquid input terminal. The battery module output terminal is connected to the circulation pump input terminal via a stainless steel pipe. The circulation pump output terminal is also connected to the battery module input terminal via a stainless steel pipe. The circulation pump output terminal is connected to the evaporator's liquid input terminal via a stainless steel pipe. The evaporator's gas output terminal is connected to the air-float centrifugal compressor input terminal via a copper pipe. Gaseous refrigerant flows into the air-float centrifugal compressor. The air-float centrifugal compressor output terminal is connected to the condenser input terminal via a copper pipe. The condenser output terminal is connected to the evaporator's gas-liquid mixing input terminal via a copper pipe. The evaporator's gas-liquid mixing input terminal is equipped with an expansion valve. The evaporator's liquid output terminal is connected to the battery module input terminal via a stainless steel pipe.

2. The energy storage thermal management liquid chiller unit of claim 1, wherein, The circulation pump inlet is equipped with a liquid filter.

3. The energy storage thermal management liquid cooling unit of claim 1, wherein, It also includes a liquid storage tank, the output end of the condenser is connected to the input end of the liquid storage tank through a copper pipe, and the output end of the liquid storage tank is connected to the gas-liquid mixing input end of the evaporator through a pipeline.

4. The energy storage thermal management liquid cooling unit of claim 3, wherein, The liquid storage tank is equipped with a copper filter at its output end.

5. The energy storage thermal management liquid chiller unit of claim 3, wherein, The air flotation centrifugal compressor is equipped with compressor electrical control. The output end of the liquid storage tank is connected to the input end of the compressor electrical control cooling pipeline through a copper pipe. The output end of the compressor electrical control cooling pipeline is connected to the input end of the evaporator gas-liquid mixing pipeline through a copper pipe.

6. The energy storage thermal management liquid cooling unit of claim 1, wherein, It also includes a replenishing water tank. The stainless steel pipe at the liquid output end of the evaporator is connected to the input end of the replenishing water tank via a hose. The output end of the replenishing water tank is connected to the input end of the replenishing pump via a hose. The output end of the replenishing pump is connected to the stainless steel pipe at the input end of the circulation pump via a hose. A one-way valve is provided at the connection between the hose and the stainless steel pipe at the input end of the circulation pump.

7. The energy storage thermal management liquid cooling unit of claim 1, wherein, An expansion tank is connected to the stainless steel pipe between the output end of the battery module and the input end of the circulation pump.

8. The energy storage thermal management liquid cooling unit of claim 1, wherein, A PTC electric heater is installed in the stainless steel pipeline between the output end of the circulating pump and the input end of the battery module.

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