Solid Refrigerant Cold Storage via Martensitic Phase Change
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vapor compression-based cooling technologies are approaching efficiency limits, contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, and require environmentally harmful refrigerants, necessitating the development of more efficient and environmentally friendly cooling solutions.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a solid-state refrigerant undergoing reversible martensitic transformation to store and release cold energy through deformation-induced phase changes, eliminating the need for HCFC/HFC refrigerants and utilizing a regenerator and heat exchange system to manage energy storage and release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If vapor compression systems are used for space cooling and refrigeration, then cooling capacity is achieved, but greenhouse gas emissions increase and energy efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental operating parameters of cooling systems by transitioning from vapor compression with HCFC/HFC refrigerants to elastocaloric cooling with solid refrigerants. This parameter change eliminates greenhouse gas emissions while achieving high energy efficiency through reversible martensitic transformation in the solid refrigerant material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of solid refrigerant materials, specifically the reversible martensitic transformation between austenite and martensite phases. This phase transition enables the elastocaloric effect, where mechanical deformation induces phase change and latent heat absorption/release, providing efficient cooling without harmful refrigerants.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If elastocaloric cooling is implemented, then environmental friendliness and cost-effectiveness are improved, but system design complexity increases due to new physics characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the elastocaloric cooling system into distinct functional modules: a regenerator system for storing and releasing cold energy, and a heat exchange system for moving energy. This segmentation simplifies the overall system design by breaking down the complex elastocaloric process into manageable, independently optimized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a regenerator system as an intermediary component that mediates between the elastocaloric solid refrigerant and the heat exchange system. The regenerator stores and releases cold energy, acting as a buffer that simplifies the coupling between the deformation-driven phase transformation and the thermal management requirements.
3Quantity of substance
If cold energy is stored using traditional methods, then energy storage is achieved, but storage density and footprint are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the high latent heat of the martensitic phase transition in solid refrigerants to achieve high cold energy storage density. The phase transition occurs at constant temperature and absorbs/releases large amounts of latent heat, enabling compact storage of cold energy with high quantity of substance in a small volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures combining the elastocaloric solid refrigerant with the regenerator system and heat exchange media. This composite approach optimizes both the storage capacity and the thermal transfer efficiency, achieving high cold energy density while maintaining practical system performance.
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 provides high efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and reduced environmental impact by storing and generating cold energy through latent heat absorption and release, offering a more efficient alternative to traditional vapor compression systems with improved energy density and reduced footprint.
Implementation Method 1
deforming (stressing) a preselected solid state material (referred hereafter as 'solid refrigerant') at a given temperature (T0) from a first phase (referred as the high temperature phase) that is thermodynamically stable without the applied stress at (T0) to a second phase (referred as the low temperature phase) that is thermodynamically stable without the applied stress at a temperature lower than (T0) and is thermodynamically stable with the applied stress at (T0). Transformation of the solid refrigerant from the first phase to the second phase results in the release of a preselected quantity of latent heat
Implementation Method 2
Transformation of the solid refrigerant from the first phase to the second phase results in the release of a preselected quantity of latent heat due to the difference between the total free energy (ΔG°) of the first phase and the second phase of the solid refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
undeforming the solid refrigerant by unloading the stress previously applied to the solid refrigerant to transform the second phase to the first phase. Transformation of the solid refrigerant from the second phase to the first phase results in the absorption of latent heat that was previously released
Implementation Method 4
a heat exchange system for moving the energy in and out of the system
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for storing cold energy are detailed. The system includes a solid refrigerant in a structured form that stores cold energy. Upon deformation, the solid refrigerant transforms into a high energy deformed state from a low energy non-deformed state. In the deformed state, the solid refrigerant stores cold energy that can be released to a desired location upon demand.