Systems and adjustable and high energy density thermal storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current processes for heating, cooling, heat transfer, refrigeration, and thermal storage are often energy-intensive, inefficient, and environmentally harmful, requiring expensive chemicals or equipment, and have limitations such as ice-water slurries that are ineffective at temperatures other than 0°C and can cause organ damage or clumping.
Innovation Solution
The development of high enthalpy liquid-liquid phase transition liquids and combinations with solid-liquid phase change materials that allow for efficient heat transfer and storage across broader temperature ranges, enabling enhanced heat capacity and flexibility without the need for ice, using liquid-liquid phase transitions to absorb or release heat while remaining in a liquid phase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If ice-water slurries are used for cooling, then cooling capacity is provided at 0°C, but the system is ineffective at temperatures other than 0°C and can cause organ damage or clumping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the cooling medium by using liquid-liquid phase transition liquids with可调 phase transition temperatures instead of fixed 0°C ice-water slurries. This allows the cooling system to operate effectively across different temperature ranges (e.g., 10°C, 20°C, 30°C) by selecting or formulating liquids with appropriate phase transition points, thereby expanding the effective temperature range while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs liquid-liquid phase transitions instead of solid-liquid phase transitions. The heat transfer liquid undergoes phase transition between two liquid states at a specific temperature, absorbing or releasing latent heat without freezing. This eliminates the clumping and organ damage issues associated with ice crystals while providing effective cooling at temperatures above 0°C through controlled liquid-liquid phase change.
2Use of energy by moving object
If traditional heat transfer processes are used, then simplicity is maintained, but energy efficiency is poor and environmental impact is negative
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes liquid-liquid phase transitions to enable highly efficient heat transfer. During phase transition, the heat transfer liquid absorbs or releases large amounts of latent heat at constant temperature, significantly improving energy efficiency compared to conventional sensible heat transfer. This phase transition mechanism allows for effective heat pumping and thermal energy storage with reduced energy consumption and lower environmental impact.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite heat transfer systems combining heat transfer liquids with specific phase transition properties, optionally combined with phase change materials. These composite systems enhance thermal energy storage capacity and heat transfer efficiency while using environmentally friendly formulations, reducing reliance on harmful chemicals and improving overall energy efficiency.
3Quantity of substance
If high energy density thermal storage is implemented, then energy capacity is increased, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves high energy density thermal storage by utilizing the latent heat associated with liquid-liquid phase transitions. The heat transfer liquid stores large amounts of thermal energy during phase transition without requiring complex storage mechanisms. The system maintains relative simplicity by using the phase transition property of the liquid itself as the storage mechanism, avoiding the need for complex phase change material containment structures while achieving high energy density.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat transfer liquid serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the heat transfer medium and the thermal energy storage medium through its phase transition properties. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate storage systems, reducing overall system complexity while achieving high energy density. The liquid can be pumped and circulated like conventional fluids while also providing latent heat storage during phase transition.
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 approach provides greater energy efficiency, reduced costs, and broader temperature range capabilities for cooling and heating applications, minimizing environmental impact and overcoming limitations of traditional ice-water slurries by achieving higher heat capacities and improved flow characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
cooling a liquid-liquid phase transition liquid comprising two liquid phases below an exothermic liquid-liquid phase transition temperature range to form a liquid-liquid phase transition liquid comprising one liquid phase
Implementation Method 2
The one liquid phase may be cooled below a temperature of a solid-liquid phase change to form a composition comprising a solid-liquid slurry
Implementation Method 3
mixing one liquid phase of a liquid-liquid phase transition liquid with another liquid phase of a liquid-liquid phase transition liquid to form an exothermic liquid-liquid phase transition. Heat is removed and the liquid-liquid phase transition liquid is mixed with a phase transition temperature adjustment reagent to form an endothermic liquid-liquid phase transition
Data Source
AI summary
The application pertains to, for example, novel processes and systems for heat transfer, refrigeration, energy storage, and various cooling and heating processes. Such processes may include cooling or mixing various liquid-liquid phase transition liquids to release and/or energy. Additionally or alternatively, such processes may include charging and/or discharging thermal storage reservoirs with layered liquids of various temperatures.