Closed Circulating Water Cooling With Ice Storage for Hot Dry Regions
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Solution Overview
Problem
In dry and water-shortage regions, traditional air coolers fail to cool equipment to environment temperature, leading to reduced power generation and transmission capabilities, causing economic losses and water wastage in power stations and transmission stations.
Innovation Solution
A closed circulating water cooling apparatus incorporating a plate heat exchanger and ice thermal-storage auxiliary cooling system, which adjusts circulation loops and operational modes based on temperature thresholds to enhance cooling capacity and conserve water, using a primary-auxiliary redundancy configuration for pumps and sensors to control valve operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If air coolers are used to cool equipment in high temperature regions, then water consumption is reduced, but cooling capability becomes insufficient when environment temperature exceeds equipment temperature requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into multiple independent cooling circuits (first cooling circuit with first cooling pump, second cooling circuit with second cooling pump, third cooling circuit with third cooling pump) that can operate independently or in combination. This segmentation allows the system to provide sufficient cooling capability through multiple parallel pathways while maintaining water conservation by selecting appropriate circuits based on environmental conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system incorporates multiple cooling pumps and circulation circuits that can serve different functions: the first pump handles normal cooling operations, the second pump provides auxiliary cooling when needed, and the third pump enables thermal energy storage operations. This multi-functionality ensures reliable cooling capability across various operating conditions while maintaining water efficiency.
2Loss of substance
If air coolers are used in high temperature regions, then water resources are conserved, but equipment cannot be cooled to required temperature levels during peak heat conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling actions by using the third cooling pump to circulate cooling water through the thermal energy storage tank during off-peak hours or when cooling demand is low, storing thermal energy in advance. This preliminary action ensures that cooling capacity is available when needed without requiring excessive water consumption during peak temperature conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by switching between different cooling pump configurations and circulation modes based on environmental temperature and cooling demand. By adjusting which pumps operate and how cooling water circulates through different circuits, the system maintains equipment at required temperature levels while optimizing water resource usage.
3Reliability
If multiple cooling pumps and circulation circuits are added to improve cooling capability, then cooling reliability increases, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs dynamic control through a control device that automatically adjusts pump operations and circulation patterns based on real-time temperature sensors and cooling demand. This dynamic operation allows multiple pumps and circuits to coordinate efficiently, maintaining high cooling reliability while managing system complexity through automated control rather than manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates temperature sensors and control devices that provide continuous feedback on cooling effectiveness and equipment temperature. This feedback mechanism allows the control device to optimize pump operations and circulation patterns, ensuring reliable cooling while simplifying system management through automated adjustments based on actual operating conditions.
4Reliability
If thermal energy storage is implemented to improve cooling capability during peak hours, then cooling performance improves, but energy consumption distribution becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic action by using the third cooling pump to circulate cooling water through the thermal energy storage tank during off-peak hours or when cooling demand is low, storing thermal energy for later use. This periodic operation distributes energy consumption evenly between day and night, improving cooling performance during peak hours while managing energy consumption patterns in a systematic way.
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 improves cooling capability, maintains equipment operation within permissible temperature limits, and achieves water conservation by recycling cooling water, distributing energy consumption evenly between day and night, thus minimizing economic losses and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
heat is exchanged between internal cooling water in the internal cooling apparatus flowing through the plate heat exchanger 7 and external cooling water in the ice thermal-storage auxiliary cooling apparatus flowing through the plate heat exchanger 7
Implementation Method 2
the internal cooling water is cooled when passing through the air cooler 3
Implementation Method 3
the ice thermal-storage apparatus 9 operates and makes cooling-storage at night
Data Source
AI summary
A closed circulating water cooling apparatus and method. The cooling apparatus comprises: an internal cooling apparatus, a plate heat exchanger, an ice thermal-storage auxiliary cooling apparatus. The internal cooling apparatus comprises an air cooler. The ice thermal-storage auxiliary cooling apparatus comprises an ice thermal-storage apparatus.