Buffer tank for cold storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current freeze-drying systems face inefficiencies due to high energy consumption during the freezing phase, which results in over-dimensioning of cooling capacity, leading to increased system and operating costs, as the cooling load required for freezing is significantly higher than for the subsequent drying phase.
Innovation Solution
A buffer storage system that utilizes a container with an elevator channel to stratify storage medium by temperature, allowing for efficient distribution of cold to consumers at different temperature ranges, reducing peak loads and energy consumption by storing cold generated during the freezing phase for use during the drying phase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the refrigeration machine is dimensioned to provide sufficient cooling capacity for the freezing phase, then the freezing phase can be handled effectively, but the system becomes over-dimensioned for the drying phase leading to increased energy consumption and system costs
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer storage accumulates cold energy in advance during periods when cooling demand is low (drying phase), so that this stored cold can be utilized during periods of high demand (freezing phase). This preliminary accumulation action allows the refrigeration machine to operate at lower capacity continuously, avoiding the need for high power dimensioning while still meeting peak demands.
Solution Approach 2:
The buffer storage acts as an intermediary between the refrigeration machine and the consumers. It decouples the direct connection, allowing the refrigeration machine to operate independently at optimal capacity while the buffer mediates the demand fluctuations, storing excess cold energy and releasing it when needed.
2Loss of energy
If a buffer tank is used to store cold energy, then peak loads are reduced and energy saving potential is realized, but system complexity increases due to additional components and stratification management
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer storage utilizes natural convection and density differences to achieve automatic stratification without requiring external power or complex control systems. The system serves itself by leveraging physical principles inherent to the storage medium, eliminating the need for active mixing or heating mechanisms that would increase complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system exploits changes in physical parameters (density, temperature) of the storage medium to achieve functional separation. By allowing temperature and density parameters to vary naturally, the system creates distinct thermal layers that can be accessed at different heights, reducing the need for mechanical intervention.
3Loss of energy
If the buffer storage uses natural stratification without active mixing, then energy losses are reduced, but the risk of complete mixing occurs during high inflow rates compromising temperature layers
Solution Approach 1:
The buffer storage is divided into multiple thermal zones or layers through strategic inlet and outlet positioning. By segmenting the access points to different temperature zones, the system prevents complete mixing even during high inflow rates, as each zone can be managed independently through its dedicated connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed with pre-positioned inlet and outlet connections at specific heights to establish and maintain stratification before operational disturbances occur. This preliminary configuration of flow paths ensures that even during high inflow, the thermal layers are preserved through proper flow distribution.
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 approach enables energy-optimized operation by reducing energy losses and system costs, as the buffer storage system provides cold at the required temperature ranges, minimizing the need for high power during the freezing phase and optimizing the performance of cold generators.
Implementation Method 1
an elevator channel for fluidly connecting a lower region of the container to an upper region of the container with connection openings between the elevator channel and an interior of the container at different heights
Implementation Method 2
The buffer storage system provides cold at the required temperature ranges, minimizing the need for high power during the freezing phase
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
Buffer storage tank (14) for cold storage, comprising: a container (28) for receiving a storage medium; a first supply inlet (VLE1) for receiving storage medium from a first chiller (16) and a first return outlet (RLA1) for supplying storage medium to the first chiller; a first supply outlet (VLA1) for supplying storage medium to a first consumer (22) and a first return inlet (RLE1) for receiving storage medium from the first consumer; a second supply outlet (VLA2) for supplying storage medium to a second consumer (24) and a second return inlet (RLE2) for receiving storage medium from the second consumer;a lift channel (32) for fluidically connecting a lower region of the container to an upper region of the container, with connecting openings (34) between the lift channel and an interior (36) of the container at different heights, wherein the first supply outlet is connected to the interior of the container above the second supply outlet; the first return inlet is connected to the lift channel above the second return inlet; and a connection of the first supply outlet is arranged below a connection of the first return inlet, and a connection of the second supply outlet is arranged below a connection of the second return inlet. Cooling system and freeze-drying system.