Heat storage apparatus, method for storing heat, and method for producing heat storage apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current heat storage materials that form clathrate hydrates by cooling exhibit high degrees of supercooling, requiring them to be cooled to low temperatures for crystallization, which increases energy consumption and reduces the effectiveness of heat storage in refrigerated air-conditioning systems.
Innovation Solution
A heat storage apparatus featuring a heat storage material that forms a clathrate hydrate by cooling, with a member having a surface comprising a plurality of holes spaced at intervals of 1L to 10L and each hole having a diameter of 1D to 20D, which acts as a scaffold to promote the formation of the clathrate hydrate, reducing the degree of supercooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by stationary object
If heat storage material is cooled to form clathrate hydrate, then heat storage function is achieved, but high degree of supercooling occurs requiring cooling to low temperatures which increases energy consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a porous solid material as an intermediary substance that interacts with the heat storage material. This porous material provides nucleation sites and surface area that promote crystallization at higher temperatures, thereby reducing supercooling and the energy required for cooling without compromising the heat storage function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes a porous solid material with specific pore size and surface area characteristics. The porous structure provides extensive surface area for nucleation and crystal growth, enabling the heat storage material to crystallize at higher temperatures with reduced supercooling, thus lowering energy consumption while maintaining heat storage capability
2Reliability
If heat storage material is cooled to low temperatures for crystallization, then crystallization is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The porous solid material acts as a mediator that facilitates reliable crystallization at higher temperatures. By providing numerous nucleation sites and a large surface area, it ensures consistent and reliable crystal formation without requiring excessive cooling, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the system by introducing a porous material with specific surface area and pore size characteristics. This parameter change enables crystallization to occur at higher temperatures with greater reliability, eliminating the need for deep cooling and reducing energy consumption while maintaining or improving crystallization reliability
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 proposed solution effectively reduces the degree of supercooling of the heat storage material, enhancing the coefficient of performance (COP) of refrigeration machines and reducing energy consumption in refrigerated air-conditioning systems by promoting the crystallization of the heat storage material at higher temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a heat storage material that forms a clathrate hydrate by cooling
Implementation Method 2
heat storage materials that store cold heat using latent heat
Implementation Method 3
a member having a surface with a plurality of holes... which acts as a scaffold to promote the formation of the clathrate hydrate
Implementation Method 4
heat storage materials that store cold heat using latent heat have been known. Techniques for suppressing supercooling have also been reported
Data Source
AI summary
A heat storage apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a heat storage material and a member. The heat storage material forms a clathrate hydrate by cooling. The member has a surface with a plurality of holes. In the case that the lattice constant of the clathrate hydrate is denoted by L and the outside diameter of a cage included in the clathrate hydrate is denoted by D, the plurality of holes are spaced at intervals of 1L to 10L, and each of the plurality of holes has a hole diameter of 1D to 20D.