Thermal Plate Cold Storage for Off-Peak Air Conditioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air conditioning systems face inefficiencies in energy consumption due to peak electricity rates and varying ambient temperatures, as they require the compressor to operate during peak hours to access stored cold heat, which is not practical and increases energy costs.
Innovation Solution
An air conditioning system with thermal storage using thermal plates, where a first refrigerant is compressed and cooled by outside air, evaporating to extract heat from a material within the storage, and a second refrigerant circulates through the inside air handler to utilize stored cold heat without running the compressor during peak hours.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the compressor operates during peak hours to provide cooling, then the air conditioned area can be cooled, but energy consumption and operating cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-cools the thermal storage medium during off-peak hours when electricity rates are lower, storing cold thermal energy in the form of ice or chilled water. This preliminary action allows the compressor to operate during cheaper off-peak periods rather than during expensive peak periods, directly reducing energy costs while maintaining cooling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal storage medium (ice or chilled water) acts as an intermediary between the compressor and the air conditioned space. Instead of directly cooling the space during peak hours, the system stores cooling energy in the thermal medium during off-peak hours, which then releases this stored cooling during peak hours when cooling is needed but compressor operation would be expensive.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the compressor operates during off-peak hours to store cold heat, then energy cost is reduced, but the air conditioned area becomes too cold during evening and too warm during day
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation of the compressor and thermal storage based on real-time conditions including outdoor temperature, humidity, and cooling load requirements. The control system monitors these parameters and adjusts compressor runtime and thermal storage charging/discharging rates to maintain optimal indoor temperature while maximizing energy cost savings, preventing the space from becoming too cold or too warm.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback control through temperature sensors and humidity sensors that continuously monitor the air conditioned space conditions. This feedback information is used by the control system to adjust compressor operation and thermal storage utilization, ensuring that indoor temperature and humidity remain within comfortable ranges while still achieving energy cost savings through off-peak operation.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional thermal storage systems are used, then cold heat can be stored, but the compressor must operate to access stored cold heat and efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes phase transitions of water (freezing and melting) to store and release large quantities of thermal energy. When water freezes during off-peak hours, it stores latent heat in the ice formation process. During peak hours, the ice melts, releasing this stored latent heat to provide cooling. This phase change mechanism allows for high-density thermal energy storage and efficient retrieval without requiring compressor operation, significantly improving productivity compared to conventional thermal storage systems.
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 efficiently stores and retrieves cold heat, reducing energy consumption by operating the compressor during off-peak hours and utilizing stored heat during peak demand, thus optimizing energy usage and cost savings.
Implementation Method 1
the first refrigerant evaporates, extracting heat from a material within the thermal storage
Implementation Method 2
extracting heat from a material within the thermal storage
Implementation Method 3
the refrigerant in gaseous form returns to the thermal storage where the refrigerant condenses back into a cold liquid
Implementation Method 4
the refrigerant extracts heat as it evaporates into a gas
Data Source
AI summary
An air conditioning system has an air conditioning thermal storage that includes one or more thermal plates. The one or more thermal plates have a first side and a second side separated by a thermally conductive plate (e.g. metal such as aluminum or copper). The first side of each of the one or more thermal plates has a primary input orifice and a primary output orifice. The second side of each of the one or more thermal plates has a secondary input orifice and a secondary output orifice. The first side of each of the one or more thermal plates is fluidly isolated from the second side of each of the one or more thermal plates providing for thermal conduction between such. The thermal plates are at least partially immersed in a material (e.g. antifreeze, vegetable beetroot) for storing cold heat.