Heat storage apparatus and method of completing crystallization of heat storage material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat storage materials take a long time to crystallize, making them unsuitable for applications where rapid heat storage and release are required, such as in automobiles with short travel times between traffic lights.
Innovation Solution
A heat storage apparatus with a casing partitioned into multiple spaces, where movable components generate multiple crystal nuclei simultaneously, facilitating rapid diffusion and complete crystallization of the heat storage material through convection and movement within the spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a latent heat cold storage material is cooled to a hydrate generation temperature or less, then the thermal storage density is improved, but the material tends to be in a supercooled state making it difficult to stably use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a crystal nucleus generation catalyst that is pre-positioned in the heat storage material before cooling. This catalyst serves as a preliminary action to provide nucleation sites, preventing the material from entering a supercooled state and enabling reliable phase change at the desired temperature.
2Use of energy by moving object
If existing heat storage materials are used, then the material can store heat, but it takes a long time to crystallize the entire heat storage material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the heat storage material into multiple regions with distributed crystal nucleus generation catalysts. This segmentation allows simultaneous nucleation throughout the material, transforming the crystallization process from a single-point initiation to multi-point parallel development, thereby dramatically reducing total crystallization time.
Solution Approach 2:
Crystal nuclei are pre-generated through the catalyst before the actual heat storage operation begins. This preliminary action eliminates the induction period required for spontaneous nucleation, allowing immediate crystallization when cooling occurs, thus improving productivity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the heat storage material is used in applications with short travel times, then the adaptability is improved, but the crystallization time requirement cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the material and distributing catalysts throughout, the patent enables rapid simultaneous crystallization across all regions. This allows the system to meet the tight time constraints of short-travel applications while maintaining adaptability to various usage scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical-chemical parameters of the heat storage material by incorporating crystal nucleus generation catalysts. This parameter change fundamentally alters the crystallization kinetics, reducing crystallization time to levels compatible with short-travel applications and expanding the material's adaptability.
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
Enables the rapid crystallization of heat storage materials within a short time, such as one minute, allowing for efficient heat storage and release, even in applications with limited travel times.
Implementation Method 1
a movable component 13 that is disposed in contact with the heat storage material 16 in each of the plurality of spaces 15, and that is capable of changing a position thereof relative to a position of the casing 11 as time proceeds
Implementation Method 2
A heat storage material that is capable of storing hot heat or cold heat primarily by making use of exothermic reaction or endothermic reaction occurring due to a phase change of a substance
Implementation Method 3
a latent heat storage material that is capable of storing cold heat and dissipating the cold heat as demanded
Implementation Method 4
capable of storing hot heat or cold heat primarily by making use of exothermic reaction or endothermic reaction occurring due to a phase change
Implementation Method 5
capable of storing hot heat or cold heat primarily by making use of exothermic reaction or endothermic reaction occurring due to a phase change
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A heat storage apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a casing, a heat storage material, and movable components. An internal space in the casing is partitioned into a plurality of spaces. The heat storage material is located in each of the plurality of spaces. At least one movable component is disposed in contact with the heat storage material in each of the plurality of spaces, and is capable of changing a position thereof relative to a position of the casing as time proceeds.