Cooling systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooling systems for industrial equipment rely on halogenated fluids that are expensive, toxic, and lack adequate anti-freeze properties, necessitating a more cost-effective, low-toxicity, and environmentally friendly alternative with good thermal and dielectric performance.
Innovation Solution
A closed-loop cooling system utilizing a mixture of deionized water and anti-freeze compounds, such as propylene glycol, with a secondary circuit to manage phase change and pressure to enhance cooling efficiency and safety, incorporating components like two-phase heat exchangers, condensers, separators, and restrictors to regulate fluid phase and pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If halogenated fluids are used as cooling fluid, then good thermal performance and dielectric properties are achieved, but high cost and high toxicity occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the cooling fluid by using alternative substances such as glycols, alcohols, or hydrocarbons instead of halogenated fluids. This parameter change maintains adequate thermal performance while significantly reducing toxicity and cost, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and harmful factors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adopts inexpensive cooling fluids like water-based solutions or simple hydrocarbons that can be easily replaced if needed. These cheap alternatives eliminate the high cost and toxicity issues of halogenated fluids while providing sufficient cooling performance for the application
2Reliability
If halogenated fluids are used as cooling fluid, then good thermal performance is achieved, but high cost occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the cooling fluid composition to use common, inexpensive substances such as glycols, alcohols, or hydrocarbons. This parameter change achieves adequate thermal performance at a fraction of the cost of halogenated fluids, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs low-cost cooling fluids that can be easily sourced and replaced. These inexpensive alternatives eliminate the high cost barrier of halogenated fluids while maintaining sufficient cooling effectiveness for industrial applications
3Object-affected harmful factors
If water-based cooling fluid is used, then low cost and low toxicity are achieved, but poor anti-freeze properties occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite cooling fluid by mixing water with anti-freeze additives such as glycols or alcohols. This composite formulation combines the low cost and low toxicity of water with the excellent anti-freeze properties of the additives, resolving the contradiction between toxicity and anti-freeze properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts the composition parameters of the cooling fluid by incorporating specific ratios of anti-freeze agents. This parameter modification enables the fluid to maintain liquid state at lower temperatures while preserving the low cost and low toxicity characteristics of water-based solutions
4Productivity
If pressure is reduced to lower boiling point, then cooling efficiency is improved, but risk of cavitation and pump damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a vapor separator positioned between the heat exchanger and pump to intercept and remove vapor bubbles before they reach the pump. This beforehand cushioning prevents cavitation damage to the pump while allowing the system to operate at reduced pressures for improved cooling efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vapor separator as an intermediary component in the cooling circuit. This mediator captures vapor phases that would otherwise cause cavitation, protecting the pump from damage while enabling the system to benefit from reduced pressure operation and improved cooling performance
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 provides effective cooling with reduced toxicity and cost, maintaining dielectric properties and enabling operation in low-temperature environments by adjusting the boiling point of the cooling fluid, enhancing thermal management.
Implementation Method 1
a two-phase heat exchanger having an inlet and an outlet
Implementation Method 2
the outlet of the primary condenser is in fluid communication with the inlet of the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
a primary condenser having an inlet and an outlet
Implementation Method 4
a secondary pump for moving a proportion of the cooling fluid at the outlet of the heat exchanger through the secondary circuit
Implementation Method 5
a separator, e.g., a separator and reservoir tank, for separating the cooling fluid into liquid and gaseous components
Implementation Method 6
a restrictor having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the outlet of the separator is in fluid communication with the inlet of the restrictor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A cooling system (1A) for cooling an item of industrial equipment is described. The cooling system (1A) includes a primary circuit (2) around which a cooling fluid is circulated, and which includes a two-phase heat exchanger (10). A secondary circuit (12) is fluidly connected to the primary circuit (2) in parallel with the heat exchanger (10). The secondary circuit (12) includes a condenser (14), a pump (20), a separator and reservoir tank (22) and a restrictor (28). The boiling point of the cooling fluid at the inlet (10A) of the heat exchanger (10) is reduced by the action of the secondary circuit (10), thereby improving the cooling performance of the cooling system (1A).