Air conditioning with thermal storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioning systems face inefficiencies in energy consumption due to peak electricity rates and varying ambient temperatures, as they require the compressor to operate during peak hours to access stored cold heat, which is not practical and increases energy costs.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning system with thermal storage using thermal plates that allows for efficient storage and retrieval of cold heat, where the compressor operates during off-peak hours to cool a material, and a pump is used during peak hours to circulate refrigerant through the thermal plates for cooling, reducing the need for compressor operation during high-energy demand periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the compressor operates during peak hours to cool the air conditioned area, then the cooling demand is met, but the energy cost increases due to higher electricity rates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling action by operating the compressor during off-peak hours when electricity rates are lower, storing the generated cold heat in a thermal storage unit. This allows the air conditioned area to be cooled in advance, and the stored cold heat is then utilized during peak hours to meet cooling demand without running the compressor during expensive periods.
Solution Approach 2:
A thermal storage unit acts as an intermediary between the compressor and the air conditioned area. The compressor transfers cold heat to the thermal storage unit during off-peak hours, and then the thermal storage unit releases the stored cold heat to the air conditioned area during peak hours, decoupling the compressor operation from peak demand periods.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the compressor operates during off-peak hours to store cold heat, then energy cost is reduced, but the air conditioned area becomes too cold during evening hours
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a controller that continuously monitors the temperature of the air conditioned area and the state of the thermal storage unit. Based on this feedback, the controller intelligently determines when to operate the compressor and when to release stored cold heat, ensuring that the air conditioned area maintains an appropriate temperature range without becoming too cold during evening hours.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its operation between two modes: charging mode (storing cold heat in the thermal storage unit when compressor operates) and discharging mode (releasing stored cold heat to the air conditioned area). This dynamic switching allows the system to meet varying cooling demands while optimizing energy cost.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional thermal storage systems are used, then cold heat can be stored, but the compressor must operate to access the stored cold heat, defeating the purpose of off-peak operation
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal storage unit serves as an intermediary that stores cold heat in a form that can be directly utilized without requiring compressor operation. The system stores cold heat by cooling a material (such as water or ice) in the thermal storage unit during off-peak hours, and then this stored cold material directly cools the air conditioned area during peak hours through heat exchange, eliminating the need for compressor operation during discharge.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables efficient storage and retrieval of cold heat, reducing energy consumption by allowing the compressor to operate during low-energy hours and utilizing stored heat during peak hours, thus lowering operational costs and improving energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The first refrigerant extracts heat from the material as the first refrigerant changes state from the liquid into a gas
Implementation Method 2
the refrigerant in liquid form extracts heat from air flowing through the inside air handler as the second refrigerant changes into a gaseous state
Implementation Method 3
the refrigerant in gaseous form returns to the thermal storage where the refrigerant condenses back into a cold liquid
Implementation Method 4
a first cover sheet separated from a separation sheet and a second cover sheet at an opposing side of the separation sheet and separated from the separation sheet (separated by a thermally conductive plate)
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An air conditioning system has an air conditioning thermal storage that includes one or more thermal plates. The one or more thermal plates have a first side and a second side separated by a thermally conductive plate (e.g. metal such as aluminum or copper). The first side of each of the one or more thermal plates has a primary input orifice and a primary output orifice. The second side of each of the one or more thermal plates has a secondary input orifice and a secondary output orifice. The first side of each of the one or more thermal plates is fluidly isolated from the second side of each of the one or more thermal plates providing for thermal conduction between such. The thermal plates are at least partially immersed in a material (e.g. antifreeze, vegetable beetroot) for storing cold heat.