Multi-Tank Cold Water Chilling System for On-Demand Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water chilling systems face challenges in efficiently chilling water from neutral water lines to desired temperatures on-demand while ensuring timely availability, requiring significant time and energy.
Innovation Solution
A cold water chilling system comprising insulated tanks and a heat exchanger, with a three-way valve to switch between tanks for on-demand chilled water delivery, temperature sensors for control, and a pump system to maintain tank temperatures, allowing efficient chilling and distribution of chilled water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If water is chilled from neutral water lines to desired temperature using conventional systems, then chilled water is produced, but significant time and energy are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the water storage into multiple separate tanks (first tank, second tank, third tank) with distinct functions: one tank for chilling water, one for storing chilled water, and one for neutral water. This segmentation allows the chilling process to occur in one tank while other tanks provide immediate chilled water supply, reducing the energy and time required to chill water on-demand.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-chills water in the first tank using the heat exchanger before it is needed. The controller monitors temperatures and proactively chills water when conditions are favorable, so that chilled water is already available in the second tank when required. This eliminates the need for rapid on-demand chilling, significantly reducing energy consumption and time delays.
2Temperature
If water is chilled from neutral water lines to desired temperature, then chilled water is produced, but the process takes significant time
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the water storage into multiple separate tanks (first tank, second tank, third tank) with distinct functions: one tank for chilling water, one for storing chilled water, and one for neutral water. This segmentation allows the chilling process to occur in one tank while other tanks provide immediate chilled water supply, reducing the energy and time required to chill water on-demand.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-chills water in the first tank using the heat exchanger before it is needed. The controller monitors temperatures and proactively chills water when conditions are favorable, so that chilled water is already available in the second tank when required. This eliminates the need for rapid on-demand chilling, significantly reducing energy consumption and time delays.
3Device complexity
If a single tank is used for chilled water storage, then the system is simpler, but chilled water availability is insufficient for sufficient quantity and on-demand requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the water storage into multiple separate tanks (first tank, second tank, third tank) with distinct functions: one tank for chilling water, one for storing chilled water, and one for neutral water. This segmentation allows the chilling process to occur in one tank while other tanks provide immediate chilled water supply, reducing the energy and time required to chill water on-demand.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller intelligently manages multiple tanks to provide universal chilled water supply capability. The system can draw chilled water from either the second or third tank depending on which has the appropriate temperature, ensuring sufficient quantity and consistent temperature delivery to meet on-demand requirements while maintaining manageable system complexity.
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 efficiently delivers chilled water at a rate of at least 40 gallons per hour, maintaining temperature consistency and reducing energy consumption by optimizing tank usage and switching mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the first insulated tank and the second insulated tank, the heat exchanger configured to chill water to form the first chilled water and/or the second chilled water
Implementation Method 2
a first insulated tank configured to contain first chilled water; a second insulated tank configured to contain second chilled water
Data Source
AI summary
A cold water chilling system includes: a first insulated tank configured to contain first chilled water; a second insulated tank configured to contain second chilled water; and a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the first insulated tank and the second insulated tank, the heat exchanger configured to chill water to form the first chilled water and/or the second chilled water; the first insulated tank and/or the second insulated tank simultaneously or alternatively in fluid communication with the user station, the first insulated tank and/or the second insulated tank configured to dispense the first chilled water and/or the second chilled water to the user station for use by a user.