Thermal Energy Storage Loop for Intermittent Fast Transient Heat Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional heat transfer systems face inefficiencies when dealing with intermittent high transient heat loads, as they often require oversized components to handle peak loads and operate the compressor at suboptimal conditions, leading to instability and increased power consumption.
Innovation Solution
A heat transfer system incorporating a primary fluid flow path with a two-phase pump loop and vapor compression system, coupled with a thermal energy storage loop, which allows for efficient heat management by maintaining a constant temperature and using thermal energy storage to dampen peak loads, enabling the compressor to operate more efficiently and reducing the size of heat exchangers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heat rejecting components are sized for maximum design heat load, then the system can handle peak loads, but the components become oversized and operate inefficiently during normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal energy storage medium stores cooling capacity in advance during periods of low heat load, enabling the system to respond quickly to peak heat loads without requiring the compressor to be continuously oversized. This preliminary storage of thermal energy allows efficient operation during normal conditions while maintaining peak load capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of the heat rejecting components by using the thermal energy storage medium to modulate the heat load presented to the compressor and condenser. This allows the components to operate at optimal points during normal conditions while still handling peak loads through the buffer provided by the thermal storage medium.
2Speed
If the compressor accelerates and decelerates quickly to match real-time load demands, then the system responds to load changes, but the compressor becomes unstable and fails to maintain constant temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal energy storage medium acts as a buffer or cushion between the heat load variations and the compressor operation. By storing or releasing thermal energy as needed, it smooths out the heat load presented to the compressor, allowing the compressor to operate more steadily while still responding to overall load changes, thereby maintaining both responsiveness and stability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If heat rejecting components are sized for maximum design rejection temperature, then the system can operate under extreme conditions, but the components are oversized for typical operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal energy storage medium serves as an intermediary between the primary heat load and the heat rejecting components. It buffers the heat load variations, allowing the heat exchangers to be sized for typical operating conditions rather than extreme maximum conditions, while still maintaining the ability to handle varying ambient temperatures through the mediating thermal storage system.
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 configuration allows the compressor to operate at slower ramp rates, reduces power consumption, and enables the system to maintain efficiency during peak loads, while also allowing for compressor shutdown during standby periods, thus optimizing energy usage and component sizing.
Implementation Method 1
The subcooler is configured to dissipate heat in the primary fluid in the TPPL
Implementation Method 2
A heat transfer system incorporating a primary fluid flow path with a two-phase pump loop and vapor compression system, coupled with a thermal energy storage loop
Implementation Method 3
vapor compression system loop configured to transfer heat from the primary fluid in the VCS loop to an ambient environment via a first condenser and to a thermal energy storage (TES) medium via a first heat exchanger
Data Source
AI summary
A heat transfer system for controlling two or more heat loads, including a high transient heat load, is provided. The heat transfer system may include sensible-heat thermal energy storage. A method of transferring heat from two or more heat loads to an ambient environment is further provided.