Refrigerator Thermal Storage Control for Peak-Hour Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Refrigerators face challenges in reducing electric power consumption during peak energy hours and efficiently storing and transmitting cold air, leading to increased energy costs and inefficient cooling performance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a thermal storage device using phase change materials, combined with a smart grid technology-enabled controller, allows for the storage and efficient transmission of cold air through conduction or convection, optimizing energy use by adjusting the refrigeration cycle based on energy rates and using a separate heat exchanger or thermosyphon for enhanced cooling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the refrigerator operates continuously during peak energy hours, then cooling performance is maintained, but electric power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerator performs preliminary cooling action by storing cold air in the thermal storage device during off-peak hours before peak energy hours arrive. This allows the system to maintain cooling performance during peak hours without continuous compressor operation, thereby reducing electric power consumption while preserving temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal storage device acts as an intermediary between the compressor and the refrigeration chamber. It stores thermal energy when the compressor runs and releases it when the compressor stops, enabling the system to maintain cooling performance during peak hours without continuous energy input, thus resolving the contradiction between temperature maintenance and energy consumption reduction.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the refrigerator stops operation during peak energy hours to reduce power consumption, then electric power consumption decreases, but cooling performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling and stores cold air in the thermal storage device before peak energy hours. This advance preparation enables the refrigerator to stop operation during peak hours without compromising cooling performance, as the stored cold air continues to maintain the required temperature in the refrigeration chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters by switching from continuous compressor operation to intermittent operation based on energy pricing. The thermal storage device enables this parameter change by providing thermal buffer capacity, allowing the compressor to stop during peak hours while maintaining temperature through stored cold air, thus reducing power consumption without deteriorating cooling performance.
3Loss of energy
If a thermal storage device is added to store cold air, then energy efficiency improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal storage device is designed to perform multiple functions: it stores cold air during off-peak hours, releases cold air during peak hours, and can be integrated with the existing evaporator and refrigeration cycle. This multi-functionality improves energy efficiency by enabling load shifting while adding minimal complexity, as the same component serves multiple purposes in the refrigeration system.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal storage device is nested within the existing refrigeration system architecture, integrating with the evaporator, compressor, and refrigeration chamber. This nesting approach allows the thermal storage functionality to be incorporated without creating a completely separate system, thereby improving energy efficiency while minimizing the increase in device complexity through shared components and integrated design.
4Temperature
If cold air is transmitted through forced convection using a fan, then cooling efficiency improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fan operates periodically rather than continuously - it runs during off-peak hours to circulate cold air and charge the thermal storage device, then operates during peak hours to distribute stored cold air. This periodic operation improves cooling efficiency by ensuring adequate air circulation when needed while reducing overall energy consumption by allowing the fan to rest during periods when thermal storage handles the load.
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 solution reduces electric power consumption during peak hours, effectively stores and transmits cold air, and improves cooling performance by utilizing phase change materials and smart grid integration, thereby minimizing energy costs and enhancing refrigeration efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a thermal storage device for auxiliary cooling that undergoes heat exchange with the refrigerant to store thermal energy
Implementation Method 2
a thermal storage device for auxiliary cooling that undergoes heat exchange with the refrigerant to store thermal energy
Implementation Method 3
efficient transmission of cold air through conduction or convection
Implementation Method 4
using a separate heat exchanger or thermosyphon for enhanced cooling efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A refrigerator is disclosed herein. The refrigerator may include a compressor to compress a refrigerant, a condenser to condense the refrigerant passed through the compressor, a capillary tube that lowers a temperature and pressure of the refrigerant passed through the condenser, an evaporator to evaporate the refrigerant passed through the capillary tube, a thermal storage device for auxiliary cooling that undergoes heat exchange with the refrigerant to store thermal energy, an energy management device that receives electric rate information, and a controller configured to control the compressor based on the electric rate information received at the energy management device. The controller may control an operation of the thermal storage device to provide auxiliary cooling for the refrigerator when the compressor is not operational or when electric rates are relatively high.