Cold-storage agent, refrigerated container, and method for refrigerated transportation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cold-storage agents and refrigerated containers face challenges in maintaining a temperature range of −22 to −18°C for extended periods, with issues of supercooling, inefficient use of space, high energy consumption, and limitations in transporting refrigerated goods at different temperature ranges without specialized facilities or cooling devices.
Innovation Solution
A cold-storage agent comprising water, ammonium chloride, potassium chloride, and sodium sulfate, with specific mass percentage ratios, is used within a refrigerated container equipped with heat-insulating properties and a refrigerant holding system, allowing for efficient refrigeration and transportation of goods at various temperature ranges without the need for continuous cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a cold-storage agent using metal salt aqueous solution is used, then the refrigeration temperature can be achieved, but supercooling occurs and facility limitations arise for freezing the cold-storage agent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the cold-storage agent by adding sodium sulfate to the traditional metal salt aqueous solution formulation. This compositional parameter change modifies the freezing characteristics of the solution, enabling it to freeze at relatively high temperatures (within -3°C of the targeted temperature range) without supercooling, thus resolving the reliability issue while maintaining the desired refrigeration temperature
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite cold-storage agent by combining multiple substances (metal salts, aqueous solution, and sodium sulfate) into a unified formulation. This composite material approach integrates the cooling capability of metal salts with the supercooling prevention properties of sodium sulfate, achieving both temperature control and reliable freezing behavior
2Temperature
If a pump for refrigeration is installed in the refrigerated container, then active cooling can be provided, but space for the cooling device is required and electric power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service refrigeration system where the cold-storage agent autonomously provides cooling through its phase change from solid to liquid. The agent freezes in advance and then melts, absorbing heat and maintaining refrigeration temperature without requiring external power sources, pumps, or complex cooling devices, thereby eliminating space requirements and electric power consumption
3Temperature
If the entirety inside the truck is cooled for transporting refrigerated goods, then all goods are kept at refrigeration temperature, but transportation efficiency decreases and environmental impact increases when only partial capacity is utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the refrigeration system into independent, modular cold-storage units that can be selectively deployed. Each unit contains its own cold-storage agent and operates independently, allowing refrigeration to be applied only to the specific compartments containing temperature-sensitive goods rather than cooling the entire truck space, thus improving transportation efficiency and reducing environmental impact
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 solution extends refrigeration time to several hours, reduces energy consumption, and enables long-distance transportation of refrigerated goods at different temperature ranges, improving operational efficiency and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
A cold-storage agent including: water; ammonium chloride; potassium chloride; and sodium sulfate
Implementation Method 2
a refrigerated container equipped with heat-insulating properties
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a cold-storage agent freezing at a temperature range of a freezer in a household refrigerator and excellent in cooling retaining performance.In a cold-storage agent including: water; ammonium chloride; potassium chloride; and sodium sulfate, content of the ammonium chloride, the potassium chloride, and the sodium sulfate satisfies the following Formula (1):1.0<ammonium chloride/(potassium chloride+sodium sulfate)<5.0 Formula (1)