Closed-Loop Water Cooling With Underground Heat Exchange
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional air coolers are inadequate in extremely hot and dry regions, such as Northwest China, where they fail to cool fluids to environment temperature, leading to reduced power generation and transmission capabilities and economic losses, especially in converter stations.
Innovation Solution
A closed circulating water cooling apparatus utilizing a plate heat exchanger connected with an underground water pipe to re-cool internal cooling water passing through an air cooler, forming multiple loops with valves for efficient heat exchange and water management, including a master-slave redundant pump configuration and sensors for temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If air coolers are used to cool converter stations in extremely hot regions, then water consumption is reduced, but cooling capability becomes insufficient when environment temperature exceeds 40°C
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is divided into two independent loops: a first loop with air coolers for water-saving operation, and a second loop with a plate heat exchanger and underground water pipe for enhanced cooling capability. The segmentation allows each loop to operate independently based on environmental conditions, resolving the contradiction between water conservation and cooling reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between the first loop and second loop based on environmental temperature conditions. When temperature exceeds 40°C, the control unit activates the second loop to provide additional cooling capacity, ensuring reliable operation while maintaining water efficiency in normal conditions.
2Loss of substance
If air coolers are used in extremely hot regions, then water resources are conserved, but the cooling water temperature cannot be reduced below environment temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The plate heat exchanger acts as an intermediary device that transfers heat from the cooling water to the underground water pipe system. This intermediary mechanism enables the cooling water to be cooled below ambient temperature by utilizing the cooler underground water, achieving the desired temperature reduction without direct water loss.
3Productivity
If converter stations operate at maximum capacity in hottest days, then power transmission is optimized, but cooling systems become inadequate and force reduced operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares for high-temperature conditions by having the second loop with the plate heat exchanger ready to activate. When environmental temperature exceeds 40°C during maximum power transmission operations, the second loop is automatically activated to provide the additional cooling capacity needed to maintain full productivity without compromising cooling reliability.
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
Enhances cooling capability, conserves water resources, and reduces energy consumption by effectively cooling or heating internal water as needed, ensuring continuous operation of converter stations without water loss, even in extreme temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
heat is exchanged between internal cooling water flowing through the internal cooling apparatus of the plate heat exchanger 6 and external cooling water flowing through the auxiliary cooling apparatus of the plate heat exchanger 6
Implementation Method 2
an air cooler 3... internal cooling water passing through an air cooler
Data Source
AI summary
A closed circulating water cooling apparatus includes an internal cooling apparatus, a plate heat exchanger, and an auxiliary cooling apparatus. The internal cooling apparatus comprises an internal cooling circulator pump and an air cooler. The auxiliary cooling apparatus comprises an external cooling circulator pump and an underground water pipe. Internal cooling water flowing through the plate heat exchanger from the internal cooling apparatus exchanges heat with external cooling water flowing through the plate heat exchanger from the auxiliary cooling apparatus. Utilization of the closed circulating water cooling apparatus and method allows for increased cooling capacity, when the environmental temperature is greater than the maximum inflow water temperature permitted by a piece of technical equipment, for the cooling apparatus to still provide sufficient cooling capacity, and for the equipment to obviate any water loss during operation.