Tank Container Glycol Heating System Viscosity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tank container heating systems face difficulties in circulating glycol at lower temperatures due to its high viscosity, which becomes problematic when the system has been inactive for a while and requires restarting the heating cycle.
Innovation Solution
A secondary heating device in the storage vessel maintains glycol temperature above 25°C, and a thermostat-controlled pump ensures circulation only when the glycol reaches a predetermined temperature, along with a thermostat valve to prevent cold glycol from returning to the storage vessel and a pressure-controlled valve to manage viscosity issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If pure glycol is used as cooling medium to achieve temperatures above 100°C, then the maximum temperature is improved, but the viscosity at lower temperatures increases making pumping difficult or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
A storage vessel is provided that maintains glycol at a temperature of at least 25°C, preferably at least 35°C, using a heating device. This preliminary heating action ensures the glycol has sufficiently low viscosity to be pumped when the system is restarted after being inactive, while allowing the system to achieve temperatures above 100°C when pure glycol is used as the cooling medium.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the heating system has been off for some time, then energy consumption is reduced, but the glycol becomes too viscous to circulate when restarting
Solution Approach 1:
The storage vessel with heating device performs preliminary heating of glycol to maintain it at至少 25°C or 35°C, ensuring circulation reliability when the system is restarted after being inactive for energy conservation. This allows the system to reduce energy consumption during operation while maintaining the ability to circulate glycol reliably when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
A thermostat fitted with a sensor is mounted in or to the storage vessel, which is capable of turning the pump on and off. This feedback mechanism monitors the glycol temperature and automatically controls pump operation, ensuring the pump only operates when glycol temperature exceeds a predetermined limiting value (at least 25°C, preferably at least 35°C), thus maintaining circulation reliability while managing energy consumption.
3Speed
If pump circulates cold glycol, then circulation is maintained, but the pump experiences excessive pressure due to high viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The storage vessel with heating device performs preliminary heating of glycol to at least 25°C or 35°C before circulation, reducing viscosity and thus the pressure experienced by the pump during operation, while maintaining adequate circulation speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermostat with sensor controls the pump operation based on glycol temperature, ensuring the pump only operates when temperature exceeds the limiting value (at least 25°C, preferably at least 35°C), preventing pump operation with cold, high-viscosity glycol that would cause excessive pressure.
4Temperature
If thermostat valve causes glycol to flow back to storage vessel, then cold glycol is prevented from returning, but the system takes longer to reach minimum temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The thermostat valve with bypass line is positioned to control flow locally after the heating device, allowing selective diversion of glycol flow. When glycol temperature is below the limiting value, it diverts cold glycol back to the storage vessel for heating, while allowing warmer glycol to proceed to the heat transfer circuit part, thus maintaining minimum temperature while minimizing time loss.
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 allows for efficient glycol circulation independent of ambient temperature, reducing the need for repeated heating cycles and ensuring the system reaches its minimum temperature faster while preventing pump failure and glycol burning.
Implementation Method 1
a heating device (7) designed for selectively heating the glycol in the pipe circuit
Implementation Method 2
a pump (8) in the pipe circuit for circulating the glycol
Implementation Method 3
a thermostat valve provided with a bypass line is incorporated in the pipe circuit after the aforesaid heating device and before the heat transfer circuit part, which thermostat valve is designed for causing at least part of the glycol to flow back to the storage vessel if the temperature of the glycol in the pipe circuit before the inlet of the storage vessel is lower than a predetermined limiting value
Implementation Method 4
a pressure-controlled valve (for example a spring-loaded valve) provided with a bypass line is installed in the pipe circuit after the first heating device and before the heat transfer circuit part, which valve is designed to cause at least part of the glycol to flow back to the storage vessel when the pressure of the glycol in the pipe circuit exceeds a predetermined limiting value
Implementation Method 5
a pipe circuit comprising a heat transfer circuit part mounted to the wall of the container
Data Source
AI summary
A tank container comprising a container for a liquid to be stored or transported, a pipe circuit comprising a heat transfer circuit part mounted to the wall of the container, which pipe circuit is filled with glycol, a storage vessel connected to the pipe circuit for holding an amount of glycol, a heating device designed for selectively heating the glycol in the pipe circuit, and a pump in the pipe circuit for circulating the glycol, wherein a second heating device is provided in or around the storage vessel, which heating device is designed for maintaining the temperature of the glycol in the storage vessel at at least 25° C., preferably at least 35° c.