Cold Accumulator Cooling for Energy-Independent Refuge Chambers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refuge chambers in high-risk environments, such as mining and tunnel construction, face challenges in maintaining safe temperature and humidity levels during emergency situations due to the need for expensive, space-consuming, and potentially hazardous air conditioning systems that require external energy and explosion-proofing.
Innovation Solution
A method and emergency cooler system that pre-cools a refrigerating agent in a cold accumulator during normal conditions, allowing for independent cooling and separate heat transfer to the refuge chamber during emergencies, eliminating the need for expensive explosion-proofing and external energy sources, and utilizing various refrigerating agents and cooling devices to maintain safe temperatures and dehumidify the air.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If air conditioners are used for cooling the refuge chamber, then cooling function is provided, but explosion-proofing requirements increase cost and device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful function of the air conditioner (potential explosion hazard) is extracted and removed from the refuge chamber system. Instead of using an air conditioner that requires explosion-proofing, the patent uses a passive cold storage system that eliminates the need for electrical cooling equipment within the refuge chamber, thereby removing the explosion risk while maintaining cooling functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Cooling is performed in advance during normal operations before the emergency situation occurs. The cold accumulator is pre-charged with cold energy using standard cooling equipment during non-emergency periods, so that when an emergency occurs, the pre-stored cold energy can be released without requiring active cooling equipment to operate during the emergency, eliminating the need for explosion-proofing during critical periods.
2Temperature
If air conditioners with external energy supply are used, then cooling is provided, but energy supply interruption in emergencies reduces reliability
Solution Approach 1:
Cold energy is accumulated in advance during normal operations when energy supply is available. The cold accumulator stores thermal energy in the form of cold, which can be released during emergencies without requiring external energy supply. This preliminary charging of cold energy ensures that cooling reliability is maintained even when energy supply is interrupted during emergency situations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cold accumulator serves itself by storing cold energy and releasing it autonomously during emergencies without requiring external energy input. The system uses the temperature difference between the cold accumulator and the refuge chamber to drive heat transfer naturally, eliminating dependence on external power sources during critical periods.
3Reliability
If emergency power supply is provided for air conditioners, then cooling during emergencies is possible, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The need for emergency power supply systems is extracted and removed from the refuge chamber configuration. By using a passive cold storage system that releases pre-stored cold energy through natural heat transfer, the patent eliminates the requirement for batteries or other emergency power sources, thereby reducing both cost and device complexity while maintaining cooling reliability during emergencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The cold accumulator system operates autonomously during emergencies, releasing stored cold energy without requiring external power input. The system uses passive heat transfer mechanisms driven by temperature differences, eliminating the need for motors, compressors, or control systems that would require power during emergencies, thus reducing overall system complexity and cost.
4Temperature
If air conditioners are installed in refuge chambers, then cooling function is provided, but space requirements and construction cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The active air conditioner unit is extracted and removed from the refuge chamber. The cooling function is replaced by a passive cold storage system that requires minimal space. The cold accumulator can be integrated into the refuge chamber structure or placed in adjacent spaces, significantly reducing the volume dedicated to cooling equipment compared to traditional air conditioner installations.
Solution Approach 2:
Cooling capacity is prepared in advance and stored in a compact cold accumulator system. By pre-charging the cold storage system during normal operations, the refuge chamber does not need to accommodate large active cooling equipment during emergencies, reducing space requirements while ensuring cooling availability when needed most.
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
Enables cost-effective and efficient cooling of refuge chambers in emergency situations without the need for external energy or explosion-proofing, prolonging the cooling duration and reducing space requirements, while also providing dehumidification and potential drinking water through condensation, thus ensuring life-preserving conditions.
Implementation Method 1
cooling of a refrigerating agent in a cold accumulator with a cooling device
Implementation Method 2
release of the cold being stored in the refrigerating agent of the cold accumulator in the refuge chamber (the cold mass—the refrigerating agent—is exposed for heat transfer with the the refuge chamber)
Implementation Method 3
a condenser, especially in the form of at least one condensation plate, being provided for condensing moisture from the air in the refuge chamber by means of the cold being stored in the refrigerating agent of the cold accumulator
Data Source
AI summary
A method for cooling a refuge chamber (100) with an emergency cooler (10) in an emergency situation includes cooling of a refrigerating agent (22) in a cold accumulator (20) with a cooling device (30) and detecting an emergency situation. Cold being stored in the refrigerating agent (22) of the cold accumulator (20) is released into the refuge chamber (100)—the refrigerating agent (22) of the cold accumulator (20) is exposed for heat transfer with the refuge chamber (100).