Heat storage device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solar heating systems are expensive due to high transportation and manufacturing costs, and they do not effectively address the issue of hazardous substances in heat storage materials, leading to environmental pollution.
Innovation Solution
A heat storage device using local waste materials for the heat storage tank and heat storage material, combined with a solar-powered system that includes a heat conduction unit, condensing unit, and ventilation system to recycle and separate hazardous substances, reducing environmental impact and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional solar heating systems are used, then heating function is achieved, but manufacturing and transportation costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses local waste materials (brick clay, cement, cinder, sand, gravel) as heat storage media, eliminating the need to transport specialized heat storage materials. The heat storage tank can be constructed from locally available materials, making the system self-sufficient and reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining heating functionality
Solution Approach 2:
A heat exchange unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the heat source and the heat storage tank. This heat exchange unit efficiently transfers heat from the heat source to the locally available waste materials, ensuring heating efficiency is maintained despite using non-traditional heat storage materials
2Object-affected harmful factors
If heat storage material is used, then heat storage function is achieved, but hazardous substances cause environmental pollution
Solution Approach 1:
A ventilation unit is installed to extract and remove hazardous substances (such as heavy metals and organic pollutants) that are released when heat storage materials are heated. The ventilation unit draws air from the heat storage tank and passes it through a condensing unit to separate and collect hazardous substances, preventing environmental pollution while maintaining heat storage functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful effect of hazardous substances released during heating into a beneficial process by using the condensing unit to capture and recycle these substances. The ventilation and condensing system transforms potential pollution into a controlled recovery process, allowing the hazardous materials to be collected and disposed of properly while the heat storage function continues
3Use of energy by moving object
If electricity is used for heating, then heating function is achieved, but energy cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes phase transition of water (liquid to vapor and back) in the heat exchange unit to transfer heat efficiently. Water absorbs heat from the heat source, vaporizes, condenses in the heat exchange unit, and releases heat to the heat storage tank, providing a passive and efficient heat transfer mechanism that reduces energy consumption compared to direct electric heating
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces electric heating (mechanical/electrical energy conversion) with a thermal-based heat storage system that uses phase change and thermal conduction. This substitution eliminates the need for continuous electricity consumption during heat storage, reducing energy costs while the added complexity of heat exchange and ventilation components is offset by the elimination of electrical infrastructure
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 manufacturing and transportation costs, recycles hazardous materials, and minimizes environmental pollution by using local waste materials and solar energy to convert solar energy into heat efficiently, lowering energy consumption and carbon emissions.
Implementation Method 1
a heat conduction unit (3), wherein a part of the heat conduction unit (3) is disposed in a receiving space (13) of the heat storage tank (1)
Implementation Method 2
a condensing unit (4), wherein one side of the condensing unit (4) is connected to a first end of a first pipeline (41)
Implementation Method 3
The wall of the heat storage tank (1) includes an inner wall and an outer wall so that a sandwich space is formed therebetween. The space is filled with thermal insulation material.
Implementation Method 4
The heat conduction unit includes a heat conductor and a heat exchanger. A part of the heat conductor and a part of the heat exchanger are mounted in the receiving space and contacted with each other
Data Source
AI summary
A heat storage device is revealed. The heat storage device mainly includes a heat storage tank and a heat conduction unit. A part of the heat conduction unit is arranged in a receiving space of the heat storage tank that is filled with heat storage material. The heat storage material can be material or waste easily gotten from local sources for saving transportation and manufacturing costs. The heat storage material over both the heat conductor and the heat exchanger is heated by conduction. Thus heavy metals and hazardous chemicals in the heat storage material are evaporated and separated from the heat storage material and then are cooled down and collected in solid/liquid form in a condensing unit. The residual air is flowing back of the heat storage tank along pipelines. Thereby the heat storage material is cleaned up, the waste material can be recycled and environmental pollution is reduced.