Integrated Heat Exchanger with Phase-Change Thermal Storage
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat exchanger technologies fail to effectively manage thermal energy across circuits with fluids at different temperatures, leading to unnecessary energy loss and inefficient thermal management, particularly in applications like turbochargers and vehicle oil circuits, where temperature differences result in suboptimal performance and increased fuel consumption or pollutant emission.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a thermal energy storage device with phase-change materials (PCMs) that accumulates and stores thermal energy, discharging it to a first fluid at one time and then using the heated fluid to transfer energy back to a second fluid at a later time, optimizing heat exchange and storage within a compact, easily controlled structure, often integrated with a heat exchanger and insulating jacket.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a conventional heat exchanger is used to manage thermal energy in circuits with fluids at different temperatures, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but thermal energy is lost unnecessarily and thermal management efficiency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a heat exchanger and a thermal energy storage device into a single integrated unit. The heat exchanger includes first and second heat exchange chambers separated by a partition wall, with the thermal energy storage device positioned between them. This merging allows the system to simultaneously perform heat exchange and thermal energy storage functions, recovering thermal energy that would otherwise be lost while maintaining a compact structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated heat exchanger and thermal energy storage device serves multiple functions: it acts as a heat exchange interface between two fluid circuits, a thermal energy storage medium for recovering waste heat, and a thermal management system for optimizing fluid temperatures. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components, reducing system complexity while improving thermal energy utilization.
2Productivity
If thermal energy storage is implemented using phase-change materials in an integrated heat exchanger, then thermal management efficiency is improved and energy loss is reduced, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchanger is segmented into distinct functional chambers: a first heat exchange chamber for receiving hot fluid, a second heat exchange chamber for receiving cold fluid, and a thermal energy storage chamber containing phase-change material. The partition walls separate these chambers while allowing thermal energy transfer. This segmentation enables independent optimization of each function while maintaining overall system integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The phase-change material acts as an intermediary thermal energy storage medium between the hot and cold fluid circuits. It absorbs excess thermal energy from the hot fluid during phase transition and releases it to the cold fluid when needed, mediating the thermal energy transfer and improving overall thermal management efficiency.
3Volume of stationary object
If the heat exchanger and thermal energy storage device are integrated into a single compact structure, then volume is reduced and control is simplified, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal energy storage device is nested within the heat exchanger structure, with the storage chamber positioned between the first and second heat exchange chambers. The partition walls of the heat exchanger also serve as boundaries for the thermal energy storage chamber. This nesting arrangement maximizes space utilization, reducing overall volume while maintaining functional independence of each component.
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 enhances thermal management by minimizing energy loss, optimizing fluid temperatures, and improving the efficiency of heat exchange and storage, reducing fuel consumption and pollutant emissions while maintaining thermal performance across various engine operations.
Implementation Method 1
the thermal energy storing device comprising at least one phase-change material (PCM) which, at said first point in time (T1), will contains the at least partly previously accumulated thermal energy which is discharged to the first fluid
Implementation Method 2
a thermal energy storing device with phase-change materials (PCMs) that accumulates and stores thermal energy
Implementation Method 3
the second fluid (5) receives heat energy by heat exchange with said first fluid (3) which then circulates on an other side of a first wall (11)
Implementation Method 4
heat exchange between the first and second fluids (3,5) through said at least one phase-change material (PCM) equipped first wall (11)
Implementation Method 5
often integrated with a heat exchanger and insulating jacket
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for heat exchange. At a first point in time, in a thermal energy storing device, at least part of the previously accumulated thermal energy is discharged to a first fluid by heat exchange, and subsequently, at a second later point in time, when the first fluid has been heated to a temperature higher than the temperature of a second fluid, the second fluid receives heat energy by heat exchange with said first fluid which then circulates on the other side of a first wall that prevents the first and second fluids from mixing.