Thermal Storage Tank Diffuser for Temperature Stratification Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Thermal storage tanks experience undesirable mixing of hot and cold water due to traditional pipe connections, leading to reduced temperature delivery efficiency during sustained draws, which affects volume usage efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A diffuser system with sequentially arranged flow sections of increasing cross-sectional areas is used to minimize mixing by reducing kinetic energy and promoting laminar flow, ensuring temperature stratification within the tank.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional pipe connections are used to discharge cold water into the lower portion and hot water into the upper portion, then the structure is simple, but mixing of cold and hot water occurs leading to reduced temperature delivery efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser divides the water discharge process into multiple sequential flow sections (first, second, third, and additional flow sections) with progressively increasing cross-sectional areas. Each section reduces the kinetic energy of the water flow, transforming the single discharge point into a multi-stage process that prevents mixing while maintaining structural organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser transitions the water flow from a one-dimensional vertical discharge to a multi-dimensional flow pattern by alternating flow directions (first flow direction, second flow direction, third flow direction) across different flow sections. This dimensional transformation allows the water to expand and decelerate gradually, reducing mixing effects.
2Stability of the object's composition
If cold water is discharged into the lower portion and hot water into the upper portion using known techniques, then installation is simple, but mixing occurs before water can stratify
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser performs preliminary action by reducing the kinetic energy of incoming water flows and establishing laminar flow patterns before the water enters the tank. The sequentially arranged flow sections with increasing cross-sectional areas prepare the water for gentle discharge, ensuring temperature stratification occurs naturally without subsequent mixing.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the cross-sectional flow area increases in downstream flow sections, then mixing is minimized and stratification is maintained, but the diffuser length and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser systematically changes the cross-sectional flow area parameter across different flow sections, with each downstream section having a greater area than its upstream counterpart. This parameter progression gradually reduces water velocity and kinetic energy while maintaining a manageable overall length through efficient spatial arrangement of the flow sections.
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
The diffuser system maintains temperature stratification, allowing for efficient heating and sustained delivery of hot water by minimizing mixing, thus maximizing heat engine efficiency and temperature consistency.
Implementation Method 1
A new water diffuser is provided to minimize mixing in the thermal storage tank of cold water entering the lower portion or hot water returned from the heat engine. The cross-sectional flow area within any one of the plurality of flow sections is greater than the cross-sectional flow area within any of the plurality of flow sections arranged upstream of said one of the plurality of flow sections.
Implementation Method 2
With minimum mixing, water is significantly stratified between the upper portion and the lower portion of the storage tank. Water within the upper portion of the tank has a temperature that is uniform and very close to that of water leaving the heat engine; and water within the lower portion has a temperature that is also uniform but much lower than that of water leaving the heat engine.
Data Source
AI summary
A diffuser is provided for use in a thermal storage tank. The diffuser includes a fluid inlet to receive a flow of liquid into the diffuser, and a fluid outlet to discharge the flow of liquid out of the diffuser into an internal volume of the thermal storage tank. A flow circuit extends between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. A plurality of flow sections are sequentially arranged along the flow circuit. Each one of the plurality of flow sections defines a cross-sectional flow area for the flow of liquid. The cross-sectional flow area within any one of the plurality of flow sections is greater than the cross-sectional flow area within any of the plurality of flow sections arranged upstream of said one of the plurality of flow sections.