System and method for managing heat source by using cold energy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to efficiently match the generation and demand of cold energy from liquefied gases, resulting in significant waste due to mismatches between energy generation and demand.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a liquefied gas storage unit, a heat exchange unit, and an intermediate medium storage unit that allows for the transfer and storage of cold energy, enabling efficient supply to demand sources by switching between closed and open states to synchronize energy supply with demand.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If cold energy from liquefied gas is directly supplied to demand sources, then the cold energy transfer is simple, but the mismatch between energy generation and demand time results in significant waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by storing cold energy in the intermediate medium (e.g., cooling it below its freezing point to create a solid-liquid mixture) before it is actually needed by the demand source. This allows the cold energy to be prepared in advance during periods when liquefied gas is available, and then released later when demand occurs, eliminating the time mismatch without requiring complex real-time coordination systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate medium as a mediator between the liquefied gas and the demand source. This intermediate medium acts as a buffer that decouples the generation and consumption of cold energy, allowing them to occur at different times. The intermediate medium absorbs cold energy when liquefied gas is available and releases it when demanded, resolving the contradiction by adding a mediating component rather than directly connecting generation and demand
2Duration of action of moving object
If cold energy is stored using conventional methods, then storage capacity is limited, but the time mismatch between generation and demand cannot be resolved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of the intermediate medium to achieve high-density cold energy storage. By cooling the intermediate medium below its freezing point to create a solid-liquid mixture state, the system can store large amounts of cold energy in a compact form. When needed, the phase transition from solid-liquid mixture to liquid releases the stored cold energy. This phase transition mechanism allows extended storage duration without requiring proportionally large quantities of the intermediate medium
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the temperature of the intermediate medium to extend below its freezing point, creating a solid-liquid mixture state with different thermal properties. This parameter change (temperature below freezing point) enables the intermediate medium to store cold energy more efficiently and for longer durations. The system can adjust the degree of sub-cooling to match different storage duration requirements and demand patterns
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 effectively eliminates the mismatch between cold energy generation and demand, ensuring efficient utilization of cold energy from liquefied gases, thereby reducing waste and optimizing energy supply to heat sources like data centers.
Implementation Method 1
a heat exchange unit configured to cause cold energy of the liquefied gas to be transferred to an intermediate medium so that a first heat exchange occurs between the liquefied gas and the intermediate medium
Data Source
AI summary
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for managing a heat source using cold energy, the system comprising: a liquefied gas storage unit configured to store a liquefied gas; a heat exchange unit configured to cause cold energy of the liquefied gas to be transferred to an intermediate medium so that a first heat exchange occurs between the liquefied gas and the intermediate medium; and a first intermediate medium storage unit configured to store the intermediate medium for which the first heat exchange has occurred, and capable of being switched from a closed state to an open state or from an open state to a closed state.