Circulating Cooling Control Using Cold Storage and Air Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current closed circulating cooling systems for power generation and transmission facilities face challenges in reducing water and power consumption, particularly as ambient temperatures rise, leading to inefficiencies in air coolers and increased water loss in closed cooling towers.
Innovation Solution
A circulating cooling system comprising an internal cooling circulation device, a plate heat exchanger, and an external cooling circulation device, with a temperature sensor and controller to manage the operation of pumps, air coolers, and valves based on ambient temperature, optimizing the use of natural and forced ventilation to minimize energy and water usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering 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
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
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
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
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
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
3Temperature
If conventional outdoor cooling apparatus are used, then cooling is provided, but operational costs increase due to higher water and power consumption
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
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
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 effective cooling of heat-generating devices by dynamically adjusting the operation of cooling components based on ambient temperature, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing running 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
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
Implementation Method 3
The cold accumulation air cooler is adapted to cool the external cooling water from the water-air plate-wing heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A circulating cooling system and a method for controlling the circulating cooling system are disclosed in this disclosure. Wherein, the circulating cooling system is divided into three parts: an internal cooling circulation device, a plate heat exchanger and an external cooling circulation device, wherein the internal cooling circulation device is adapted to perform circulating 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. Also, the external cooling primary circulation pump, the cold accumulation water pool, the water-air plate-wing heat exchanger, the cold accumulation air cooler, the first valve and the second valve may be controlled, respectively. Thus, water consumption and power consumption may be effectively reduced while cooling the heat-generating device.