Below-Freezing Water Tank for Solar Air Conditioning Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioning systems face high electricity bills, pollution from power plant emissions, and limited electricity availability in remote areas, leading to challenges in refrigeration and air conditioning storage, especially with the degradation of solar photovoltaic devices and batteries over time.
Innovation Solution
A solar air conditioning system utilizing a novel water tank as both an energy storage medium and transfer medium, combined with concentrated solar heat and solar electric cells, allows for efficient storage and retrieval of cold energy using a refrigerant cycle, with a circulating refrigerant like Freon or ammonia, and supplemental compressors driven by solar electric cells or the grid, enabling refrigeration even in areas without electricity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If solar photovoltaic devices and batteries are used for energy storage, then air conditioning capability during nighttime or grid outage is improved, but device reliability deteriorates over time due to wear and capacity loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the storage medium from degradable chemical energy storage (batteries) to non-degradable thermal energy storage (water). By storing cooling capacity as cold water at below-freezing temperatures instead of relying on battery-powered compressors, the system eliminates wear and capacity degradation while maintaining extended air conditioning operation during nighttime or grid outages
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical battery-compressor system with a thermal storage system using cold water. Instead of using batteries to power compressors for refrigerant circulation, the system uses pre-cooled water as the direct cooling medium, eliminating moving parts and mechanical wear while achieving the same air conditioning duration extension
2Temperature
If conventional air conditioning systems are used, then cooling performance is maintained, but energy cost increases due to high electricity bills
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-cooling large volumes of water during daytime when electricity rates are lower or solar energy is available. This stored cold energy is then used during nighttime or peak demand periods, shifting energy consumption to more economical times and reducing overall electricity costs while maintaining consistent cooling performance
Solution Approach 2:
The water tank serves multiple functions: it acts as both the cooling medium reservoir and the thermal energy storage device. The same body of water provides cooling during both daytime and nighttime operations, eliminating the need for separate storage systems and reducing overall energy requirements by leveraging thermal mass
3Ease of operation
If electricity is used for refrigeration, then cooling capability is provided, but accessibility deteriorates in remote areas with limited or no electricity availability
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service refrigeration by using the thermal mass of water to maintain below-freezing temperatures without continuous external energy input. Once the water is initially cooled, it autonomously provides refrigeration during nighttime or in remote areas without electricity, as the cold water directly cools the refrigeration space through heat exchange, eliminating dependency on continuous power supply
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
The system provides extended refrigeration capabilities during periods of limited or no solar energy, maintaining temperatures below freezing without mechanical degradation, offering a sustainable and cost-effective solution for air conditioning and refrigeration needs.
Implementation Method 1
Heat can be added to or extracted from the storage medium by the evaporator coil
Implementation Method 2
The refrigerant proceeds to the evaporator coil. The evaporator can be located within a water tank containing an anti-freeze water solution
Implementation Method 3
The raised temperature can be dissipated to the atmosphere by passing through a condenser coil
Implementation Method 4
Solar concentrators can raise temperature and pressure of the refrigerant
Implementation Method 5
a water tank containing an anti-freeze water solution
Data Source
AI summary
A water tank that is used with a solar air conditioning system and provides a supply of cold water for in-dwellings radiators of the system. In one embodiment, the tank application can begin at 32 F degrees and drop down to many degrees colder, such as, but not limited to, minus 100 F degrees. In one non-limiting embodiment, the tank can hold 2000 gallons of water.