Liquid Phase Change Cooling System Using Tunable Cloud Point Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cooling and heating transfer systems rely on specific heat capacity and refrigerants, which are costly and inefficient, especially over long distances, as they lose effectiveness due to temperature changes and require large volumes of fluid, leading to high CAPEX and OPEX, and are limited by the need for expensive handling systems and insulation.
Innovation Solution
The development of liquid phase change systems using membrane-based processes to adjust the concentration of reagents, allowing for active control of cloud point temperatures, enabling efficient cooling and heating transfer through reversible endothermic and exothermic phase transitions, reducing the need for refrigerants and minimizing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If specific heat coolant systems are used for heat transfer, then cooling capacity is provided, but the coolant loses cooling potential due to temperature changes during transport, especially over long distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs phase change materials that undergo reversible phase transitions (e.g., liquid-solid or liquid-liquid) at specific temperatures. During transport, these materials maintain a constant temperature plateau during phase change, preventing temperature drift and preserving cooling potential even over long distances. The phase transition absorbs or releases latent heat, stabilizing the coolant temperature against ambient temperature variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes materials with可调 (tunable) phase transition temperatures and employs additives or compositional modifications to optimize the thermal properties of the heat transfer medium. By changing the chemical composition or physical state parameters of the coolant, the system maintains stable thermal characteristics during transport, preventing energy loss.
2Productivity
If refrigerant based coolants are used for long distance transport, then cooling capacity is achieved, but condensed refrigerant may evaporate or volatilize due to surrounding heat, resulting in reduced cooling capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses phase change materials designed to undergo controlled phase transitions at temperatures below the ambient environment. The phase transition creates a thermal buffer that prevents the refrigerant from reaching its evaporation point, thereby preventing volatilization losses during long-distance transport while maintaining cooling capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention incorporates thermal insulation and phase change buffers in advance before transport begins. These protective measures create a thermal barrier that cushions the refrigerant against ambient heat, preventing premature evaporation or volatilization during the transport process.
3Length of stationary object
If specific heat coolant systems are used, then cooling transfer is achieved, but progressively larger liquid volumes are required with larger transport distances, increasing CAPEX and OPEX
Solution Approach 1:
By utilizing phase change materials, the system achieves high cooling capacity per unit volume during phase transition due to latent heat effects. This concentrates the cooling capability, allowing smaller volumes of coolant to serve longer transport distances compared to specific heat systems, thereby reducing the progressively larger volumes that would otherwise be needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention modifies the thermal properties of the coolant through compositional changes or phase transition mechanisms, increasing the effective heat transfer capacity per unit volume. This parameter optimization allows the system to maintain adequate cooling capacity over longer distances without proportionally increasing the liquid volume required.
4Productivity
If refrigerant handling systems are used, then cooling transfer is achieved, but expensive handling systems and insulation are required, increasing CAPEX and OPEX
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses passive phase change mechanisms that automatically regulate temperature without requiring complex active handling systems. The phase transition process itself provides temperature stabilization, reducing the need for expensive insulation, heating controls, and monitoring systems that would otherwise be required to maintain refrigerant temperature during transport.
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
These systems enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of cooling and heating transfer by maintaining temperature stability and reducing energy consumption, allowing for longer distance transport with preserved cooling or heating capacity, and lowering infrastructure costs.
Implementation Method 1
reversible endothermic and exothermic phase transitions
Implementation Method 2
endothermic and exothermic phase transitions
Implementation Method 3
membrane-based processes to adjust the concentration of reagents
Implementation Method 4
heat exchangers
Implementation Method 5
heat exchangers
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention pertains to systems, methods, and compositions for liquid phase change, including for active cloud point, e.g., critical solution temperature, adjustment and heating or cooling, e.g., refrigeration, cycles. In some embodiments heat is absorbed, released or both due to phase changes in a liquid system. Advantageously, the phase changes may be controlled by controlling the ingredients or amounts of certain components of the liquid system. Advantages may include lower capital expenditures, lower operating expenses, or both for a diverse and wide range of heating and cooling applications. Such applications include, for example, cooling of data centers, cooled transportation of goods, refrigeration, heat pumps, extractions, ocean thermal energy conversion, and de-icing of roads to name just a few.