Snow-Layer Thermal Storage for Continuous Cold Energy Accumulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power-to-cold energy storage systems face inefficiencies due to cyclic ice generation and removal processes, which lead to thermal losses and wear, and are limited by low volumetric refrigeration capacity and the need for large turbo compressors.
Innovation Solution
A temporary energy storage system that uses a thermal storage tank with a chiller and a snow generator to create snow particles in a cooled airstream, which settle on water to form a snow layer, allowing for efficient storage of latent heat in a spatially disconnected manner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If ice is generated on heat exchanger surfaces, then energy storage is achieved, but thermal losses increase and wear occurs due to cyclic generation and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful cyclic ice removal process from the system by directly generating ice slurry in the storage tank without forming ice layers on heat exchanger surfaces. The ice is generated in-situ where it is needed, eliminating the need for periodic removal and associated thermal losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary mechanism (direct ice generation in storage tank) between the cooling system and energy storage, allowing ice to be formed directly in the storage medium without adhering to heat exchanger surfaces, thus preventing thermal loss cycles.
2Quantity of substance
If ice layers are removed from heat exchangers, then ice slurry is formed, but additional mechanical energy is required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the need for mechanical ice removal processes by directly generating ice slurry in the storage tank. No mechanical energy is required for ice layer removal since ice is formed directly in the desired location and form.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically generating ice slurry in the storage tank through direct cooling, eliminating the need for external mechanical intervention to create the ice slurry mixture.
3Quantity of substance
If ice generation is performed cyclically, then energy storage is achieved, but refrigeration capacity fluctuates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables continuous ice slurry generation in the storage tank rather than cyclic operation. The cooling system continuously produces and stores ice slurry, maintaining stable refrigeration capacity without the fluctuations inherent in cyclic generation and removal processes.
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 system operates at constant refrigeration capacity, reduces thermal losses, and increases storage density, enabling scalable energy storage in the MW range while maintaining simplicity and robustness.
Implementation Method 1
a chiller (16) comprising a heat exchanger configured for generating cooled air in the thermal storage tank (12)
Implementation Method 2
generating snow particles suspended in the cooled air... by injecting water into the stream of cooled air
Implementation Method 3
such that the snow particles settle on the water stored in the thermal storage tank (12) for forming a snow layer on the water
Implementation Method 4
storing power through the refrigeration of carrier liquids can be efficient and compact, such as by converting water to ice and temporarily storing the resulting ice or ice-water slurry with high energy density due to the high latent heat of ice
Data Source
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AI summary
A temporary energy storage system (10), the system (10) comprising a thermal storage tank (12) for storing water (14); a chiller (16) for generating cooled air (18) in the thermal storage tank (12); and a snow generator (22) for generating snow particles (24) suspended in the cooled air (18), such that the snow particles (24) settle on the water (14) stored in the thermal storage tank (12) for forming a snow layer (26) on the water (14).