Heat-Storage Unit with Segmented Flow Pipes for Sodium Acetate
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat-storage units face issues with efficiently storing and retrieving heat due to clogged discharge holes caused by the solidification of heat-storage materials, leading to increased flow path resistance and reduced heat exchange efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A heat-storage unit design featuring a first flow pipe with discharge holes for direct contact with a heat-storage material, a second flow pipe for external discharge, and a shutoff section that adjusts based on the heat-storage material's state change, allowing for efficient storage and retrieval of heat by controlling the flow path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If discharge holes are provided in the flow pipe for direct contact with heat-storage material, then heat exchange efficiency is improved, but discharge holes become clogged when heat-storage material solidifies
Solution Approach 1:
The flow pipe system is segmented into multiple pathways: a first flow pipe with discharge holes for direct contact heat exchange, and a second flow pipe for alternative discharge. This segmentation allows the system to switch between direct contact mode (when holes are open) and alternative discharge mode (when holes are clogged), resolving the contradiction between heat exchange efficiency and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow path parameter dynamically based on the state of discharge holes. When discharge holes are open, the system uses direct contact heat exchange; when they become clogged, the system switches to the second flow pipe pathway. This parameter change allows the system to maintain reliability while preserving heat exchange efficiency.
2Reliability
If another pipe is provided for discharging oil when heat-storage material is solid, then pipe bursting is prevented, but flow path resistance increases and direct contact heat exchange becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two operational modes: using the first flow pipe with discharge holes for direct contact heat exchange when the heat-storage material is liquid, and switching to the second flow pipe when the material solidifies and clogs the discharge holes. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between preventing pipe bursting and maintaining heat exchange efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The second flow pipe acts as an intermediary pathway that becomes active when the primary heat exchange pathway (first flow pipe with discharge holes) is blocked by solidified material. This intermediary provides an alternative route for oil discharge, preventing pipe bursting while allowing the system to maintain operational capability.
3Productivity
If heat-storage material changes from solid to liquid for heat storage, then heat can be stored efficiently, but discharge holes become clogged requiring additional pipes
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the first flow pipe (with discharge holes for direct contact) and the second flow pipe (for alternative discharge) into a unified dual-pathway system. This merging allows the system to handle both liquid and solid states of heat-storage material efficiently, achieving heat storage efficiency while managing the complexity through an integrated design.
4Productivity
If discharge holes are used for direct contact heat exchange, then heat retrieval efficiency is improved, but flow path resistance increases as material solidifies
Solution Approach 1:
The flow pipe system is segmented into multiple pathways: a first flow pipe with discharge holes for direct contact heat exchange, and a second flow pipe for alternative discharge. This segmentation allows the system to switch between direct contact mode (when holes are open) and alternative discharge mode (when holes are clogged), resolving the contradiction between heat exchange efficiency and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow path parameter dynamically based on the state of discharge holes. When discharge holes are open, the system uses direct contact heat exchange; when they become clogged, the system switches to the second flow pipe pathway. This parameter change allows the system to maintain reliability while preserving heat exchange efficiency.
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
This design ensures efficient heat storage and retrieval by preventing clogging and maintaining direct contact between the heat exchange medium and heat-storage material, thereby enhancing heat exchange efficiency and preventing pipe bursting.
Implementation Method 1
Heat is exchanged by the direct contact between the heat-storage material and the oil as the oil goes up
Implementation Method 2
Heat is exchanged by the direct contact between the heat-storage material and the oil
Implementation Method 3
A heat-storage material such as sodium acetate that stores heat utilizes latent heat of fusion, its state changes from solid to liquid as heat is added
Implementation Method 4
its state changes from solid to liquid as heat is added and heat is stored in the heat-storage material
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a heat-storage unit capable of efficiently storing heat in a heat-storage material and sufficiently taking out the stored heat.The heat-storage unit capable of exchanging heat by direct contact between sodium acetate and oil, storing heat in the sodium acetate, and radiating heat from the sodium acetate by supplying the oil, which has a smaller specific gravity than the sodium acetate and is separated from the sodium acetate, into a heat-storage tank housing the sodium acetate, which stores heat depending on a state change between solid and liquid, in an internal space, in which the unit includes: a third flow pipe of a supply pipe, at least a part of which is provided in a lower portion of the internal space and in which the oil flows; a plurality of discharge holes which are provided for the third flow pipe and discharge the oil flowing through the third flow pipe into the sodium acetate; a fourth flow pipe of the supply pipe, which is connected to the third flow pipe and discharges the oil flowing through the third flow pipe to the outside of the sodium acetate; and a valve that shuts off the fourth flow pipe corresponding to the state change of the sodium acetate.