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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 in surroundings, leading to significant energy losses and increased costs.
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 independent of ambient conditions through the use of UCST and LCST phase change liquids with liquid-liquid separation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If specific heat coolant or refrigerant is used for heat transfer, then cooling or heating can be achieved, but the system becomes costly and inefficient over long distances due to temperature changes in surroundings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of heat transfer from specific heat capacity to phase change enthalpy. The working fluid undergoes phase transitions (evaporation and condensation) at constant temperatures, allowing heat transfer independent of ambient temperature changes during transport. This resolves the energy loss problem by maintaining thermal capacity over long distances without degradation from surrounding temperature variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs phase transitions of the working fluid as the core mechanism for heat transfer. The fluid evaporates at the heat source absorbing latent heat, transports in gaseous phase, then condenses at the heat sink releasing latent heat. This phase change mechanism enables efficient long-distance heat transfer without the energy losses associated with temperature-driven convection in liquid systems.
2Length of moving object
If specific heat coolant is used, then cooling transfer is possible, but the system requires progressively larger liquid volumes and insulated piping increasing CAPEX and OPEX with distance
Solution Approach 1:
By utilizing phase transitions, the system achieves high-density energy transport in a compact gaseous form during transport. The working fluid occupies minimal volume as gas during transit, then condenses to liquid at the destination for heat release. This eliminates the need for progressively larger liquid volumes and expensive insulated piping that would be required for liquid-based specific heat systems over long distances.
3Temperature
If refrigerant is used for cooling transfer, then cooling can be achieved, but the system becomes cost prohibitive and requires expensive refrigerant handling systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the working fluid parameters to use environmentally benign substances with appropriate phase change characteristics, eliminating the need for complex refrigerant handling systems. The system operates with simple evaporation and condensation processes using non-toxic, non-flammable fluids, removing the need for specialized containment, leak detection, and safety systems required by traditional refrigerants.
4Temperature
If working fluid is heated by surroundings during transport, then the fluid gains heat, but this causes evaporation or volatilization reducing cooling capacity upon arrival
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed so that the working fluid intentionally undergoes phase transition during transport - evaporating at the heat source and remaining in gaseous phase during transport. Any heat gain from surroundings during transport simply maintains the fluid in its transport phase rather than causing unwanted evaporation. The fluid then condenses at the destination, ensuring full cooling capacity is delivered regardless of ambient temperature variations 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
This approach enhances the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of cooling and heating transfer by maintaining thermal capacity over distance, reducing energy losses, and minimizing the need for expensive refrigerant handling systems.
Implementation Method 1
evaporation of a liquid phase comprising substantially volatile reagent
Implementation Method 2
condensation of the volatile reagent
Implementation Method 3
membrane-based process for concentrating one or more reagents in a liquid system
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.