Heat Load Control Using Ice Thermal Storage for LNG Cold-Heat
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current heat exchange systems fail to effectively manage the mismatch in heat loads between cold-heat generated during LNG vaporization and waste heat from factories or data centers, and they lack the capability to operate during emergencies like power interruptions.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchange system that includes first and second adjustment means, heat absorption means, and a heat load control system using heat dissipation, supply, ice thermal storage, and a heater to adjust the temperature and pressure of a working fluid, allowing for efficient heat exchange between LNG and internal air of data centers or other mediums.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If heat exchange is performed between cold-heat from LNG vaporization and waste heat from factories or data centers, then energy utilization is improved, but load mismatch occurs due to difference in calorific value between the two heat sources
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by storing excess cold-heat in the ice thermal storage system during periods when cold-heat supply exceeds waste heat demand. This allows the system to balance loads in advance and ensures reliable operation even when there is a mismatch between cold-heat generation and waste heat absorption capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters by adjusting the temperature and pressure of the working fluid through expansion valves and compressors. This enables flexible control of heat exchange parameters to match the varying calorific values between LNG cold-heat and factory waste heat, resolving the load mismatch problem while maintaining energy utilization efficiency.
2Device complexity
If a simple heat exchange system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but the system cannot operate during emergencies such as power interruption
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by storing thermal energy in the form of ice during normal operation. This advance preparation ensures that the system can continue to provide cooling during emergencies such as power interruptions, as the stored ice can absorb heat without requiring active compression or circulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the typically wasted cold-heat from LNG vaporization into a beneficial resource by storing it as ice. This transforms what would otherwise be lost energy into a reliable backup cooling source that activates during emergencies, improving system reliability without significantly increasing complexity.
3Reliability
If ice thermal storage system is added to balance heat loads, then load mismatch is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the ice thermal storage function with the existing heat exchange components by integrating the evaporator of the absorption chiller as the ice-making device. This combination allows the system to balance heat loads through ice storage without adding completely separate equipment, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving reliable load balancing.
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 controls heat exchange by adjusting the temperature and pressure of the working fluid, preventing load mismatches and ensuring continuous operation during emergencies by utilizing ice thermal storage to supply or absorb heat as needed.
Implementation Method 1
a pump or a compressor (100, 110) that pressurizes a working fluid
Implementation Method 2
a first heat exchanger (200) that receives the working fluid from the pump or the compressor (100, 110) and decreases a temperature of the working fluid by heat-changing the working fluid with a first medium
Implementation Method 3
the first adjustment means (300) includes a first expansion valve (310) that receives the working fluid from the first heat exchanger (200) and decreases the pressure of the working fluid
Implementation Method 4
a first capillary tube (320) that receives the working fluid from the first expansion valve (310) and decreases a temperature and a pressure of the working fluid
Implementation Method 5
heat absorption means (400) for receiving the working fluid from the first adjustment means (300) and absorbing heat to supply the heat to the working fluid
Implementation Method 6
the second adjustment means (500) includes a second capillary tube (520) that receives the working fluid from the heat absorption means (400) and decreases a temperature and a pressure of the working fluid
Implementation Method 7
a second expansion valve (510) that receives the working fluid from the second capillary tube (520) and decreases the pressure of the working fluid
Implementation Method 8
a second heat exchanger (600) that receives the working fluid from the second adjustment means (500) and increases a temperature of the working fluid by heat-changing the working fluid with a second medium
Implementation Method 9
an ice thermal storage system (700) provided between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger to supply cold-heat to the working fluid or to absorb the cold-heat from the working fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchange system includes a pump or compressor 100 that pressurizes a working fluid, a first heat exchanger 200 that receives the working fluid from the pump or compressor 100 and causes the working fluid to exchange heat with a first medium to decrease a temperature of the working fluid, first adjustment means 300 for receiving the working fluid from the first heat exchanger 200 and decreasing the temperature and a pressure of the working fluid, heat absorption means 400 for receiving the working fluid from the first adjustment means 300, second adjustment means 500 for receiving the working fluid from the heat absorption means 400, and a second heat exchanger 600 that receives the working fluid from the second adjustment means 500.