Heat Sink Vessel Using Refractory Lining for Cost Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pressure vessel designs for thermal energy storage are costly due to the use of high alloy steels or Inconel materials, making thermal batteries uncompetitive with other energy storage methods.
Innovation Solution
The use of magnesium alumina silica as a refractory material, which can be easily shaped and insulated, combined with low carbon steel and Inconel liners, to create a cost-effective and efficient heat sink vessel with improved aerodynamic flow and thermal insulation properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional pressure vessel designs use high alloy steels or Inconel materials, then strength and heat retention are improved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining refractory material (for heat retention) with low carbon steel shell (for structural strength) and Inconel liner (for thermal barrier and corrosion resistance). This composite approach achieves the heat retention properties of expensive alloys while using cost-effective materials for the main structure, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The refractory material lining is designed as a replaceable component that can be renewed when worn or damaged. This allows the use of cheaper refractory materials instead of expensive high-alloy steels for the entire vessel, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining heat retention functionality through periodic replacement rather than replacing the entire expensive vessel.
2Ease of manufacture
If refractory material is used for the vessel body, then cost is reduced and insulation is improved, but structural strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The vessel employs a composite structure where the refractory material forms the inner lining for heat retention, while an outer low carbon steel shell provides the necessary structural strength and pressure containment. This composite design allows each material to perform its optimal function, resolving the contradiction between cost/insulation and structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the vessel use different materials optimized for their specific functions: refractory material where heat retention is critical, Inconel liner where thermal and chemical resistance is needed, and low carbon steel for structural components. This localized material selection achieves overall system performance without paying for expensive materials throughout the entire structure.
3Reliability
If Inconel liner is added for thermal barrier, then heat retention is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The Inconel liner is integrated as part of the composite vessel structure, providing thermal barrier properties between the refractory lining and the steel shell. This multi-layer composite approach improves heat retention and protects the structural components from thermal damage, while the modular nature of the composite structure actually simplifies manufacturing and maintenance compared to monolithic designs.
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 significantly reduces the cost of thermal energy storage systems while maintaining effective heat retention and flow management, enhancing the competitiveness of thermal batteries.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more heating media is configured to store heat during processing
Implementation Method 2
The use of magnesium alumina silica as a refractory material, which can be easily shaped and insulated
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2~3B
AI summary
A heat sink vessel is disclosed herein. The heat sink vessel includes a body and one or more heating media. The body defines an inner volume. The body includes an upper portion, a middle portion, and a lower portion. The upper portion has a conical entrance for incoming flow of fluid. The middle portion has a first side and a second side. The middle portion interfaces with the upper portion of the first side. The lower portion interfaces with the middle portion on the second side. The lower portion includes an inverted perforated conical liner and a perforated plate. The inverted perforated conical liner and the perforated plate control the flow of fluid exiting the vessel. The one or more heating media is disposed in the inner volume. The one or more heating media is configured to store heat during processing.