Circulative Cooling System with Dynamic Temperature Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current closed circulative cooling systems for power generation and transmission facilities face challenges in reducing water and power consumption, with air coolers performing poorly at high ambient temperatures and closed cooling towers requiring continuous water replenishment, leading to higher operational costs.

Innovation Solution

A circulative cooling system comprising an internal cooling device, a plate heat exchanger, and an external cooling device, with a temperature sensor-controlled system that adjusts the operation of pumps, air coolers, and valves to optimize cooling based on ambient temperature, utilizing a combination of internal and external cooling methods to minimize water and power usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If air coolers are used for outdoor cooling, then cooling function is provided, but power consumption increases and cooling performance drops at high ambient temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling performanceVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between air cooler mode and water tank cooling mode based on ambient temperature conditions. When ambient temperature is low, the air cooler operates; when ambient temperature rises, the system transitions to using pre-cooled water from the water tank, thereby adapting to changing environmental conditions and optimizing power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary cooling of water during nighttime or low-temperature periods and stores it in the water tank. This pre-cooled water is then used during high-temperature periods when the air cooler would be less efficient, reducing the need for high-power cooling operation during peak demand

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Temperature

If closed cooling towers are used for outdoor cooling, then cooling function is provided, but water loss due to vaporization increases requiring continuous water replenishment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling functionVSAvoidwater loss
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-cools water during periods when cooling demand is low and stores it in the water tank. This eliminates the need for continuous evaporative cooling during high-demand periods, thereby preventing water loss through vaporization while maintaining effective cooling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The water tank serves as an intermediary thermal storage device between the cooling source and the heat-generating equipment. It stores cooling capacity in the form of pre-cooled water, allowing the system to deliver cooling without continuous evaporative loss from cooling towers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If conventional outdoor cooling apparatus are used, then cooling is provided, but operational costs increase due to higher water and power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling requirementVSAvoidoperational cost
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts its cooling strategy based on ambient temperature, switching between air cooler operation and pre-cooled water utilization. This dynamic adaptation optimizes the balance between cooling effectiveness and operational costs by using the most efficient cooling method available at each moment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs cooling operations periodically during low-demand or low-temperature periods to pre-chill water storage tanks. This periodic pre-cooling reduces the need for continuous high-power operation during peak demand periods, thereby lowering overall operational costs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 effectively reduces water and power consumption while maintaining efficient cooling of heat-generating devices by strategically using internal and external cooling methods in response to ambient temperature variations, thereby lowering operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

The plate heat exchanger is adapted to perform heat exchange between external cooling water from the external cooling circulative device and internal cooling water from the internal cooling circulative device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

The water-air plate-wing heat exchanger is adapted to cool the external cooling water from the cold accumulation water pool and supply the external cooling water to the cold accumulation air cooler

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 3

The cold accumulation air cooler is adapted to cool the external cooling water from the water-air plate-wing heat exchanger

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS9756762B2Circulative cooling system and method for controlling circulation in the cooling system
Publication Date: 2017.09.05 XUCHANG XUJI JINGRUI TECH
  • US9756762B2 patent drawing
  • US9756762B2 patent drawing
  • US9756762B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A circulative cooling system and a method for controlling the circulative cooling system are disclosed. The circulative cooling system is divided into three parts: an internal cooling circulation device, a plate heat exchanger and an external cooling circulation device. The internal cooling circulation device is adapted to perform circulation cooling on a heat-generating device; the plate heat exchanger is adapted to perform heat exchange between external cooling water in the external cooling circulation device and the internal cooling water in the internal cooling circulation device. The external cooling circulation device is adapted to cool the external cooling water. The external cooling primary circulation pump, the cold accumulation water pool, the water-air plate-wing heat exchanger, the cold accumulation air cooler, and the first valve and the second valve may be controlled.