Vortex Ring Diffuser for Heat Storage Tank Stratification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat storage tank systems face challenges in achieving high heat storage efficiency while minimizing production costs and installation time, particularly as larger cooling plants require increased instantaneous heat dissipation, leading to higher production costs and longer installation times.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a diffuser design that utilizes the collision of vortex rings to stratify hot and cold water efficiently within the heat storage tank, featuring a configuration of nozzles and discharge ports arranged to create uniform vortex rings for effective water stratification, thereby minimizing the thermocline layer and enhancing heat storage efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the diffuser diameter is increased to handle larger instantaneous heat dissipation amounts, then heat storage efficiency is improved, but production costs and installation time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser is divided into multiple nozzle units (first nozzle, second nozzle, third nozzle, fourth nozzle) arranged in a specific pattern. Each nozzle has discharge ports that generate vortex rings, and the segmented structure allows the system to achieve high heat dissipation capacity without requiring a single large-diameter diffuser, thereby reducing production costs while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing heat dissipation capacity solely through diameter expansion, the invention utilizes vertical arrangement of nozzles at different heights and positions within the tank. The nozzles are configured to generate vortex rings that rise or fall to specific water layers, adding a vertical dimension to heat dissipation distribution and enabling high capacity with a compact, cost-effective structure.
2Productivity
If the diffuser diameter is increased to handle larger instantaneous heat dissipation amounts, then heat storage efficiency is improved, but installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser system is segmented into multiple independent nozzle units that can be manufactured separately and installed in a modular fashion. This segmentation reduces installation time compared to installing a single large-diameter diffuser, while the coordinated arrangement of nozzles ensures high heat dissipation capacity is achieved through the combined effect of multiple smaller units.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle configuration allows for flexible installation at different heights and positions within the tank based on specific application requirements. The dynamic adaptability of the nozzle arrangement enables optimized heat dissipation performance without requiring a fixed large-diameter structure, reducing both installation time and complexity.
3Productivity
If vortex rings collide to stratify hot and cold water, then heat storage efficiency is improved, but diffuser design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzles are positioned asymmetrically at different heights and lateral positions within the tank. The first and second nozzles are arranged at different heights with their discharge ports facing each other, while the third and fourth nozzles are positioned laterally. This asymmetric arrangement creates controlled vortex ring collisions that effectively stratify hot and cold water layers, achieving high heat storage efficiency through a relatively simple diffuser design.
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 approach allows for stable and rapid stratification of hot and cold water, increasing heat storage efficiency, reducing production and installation costs, and achieving a high instantaneous heat dissipation amount with a miniaturized diffuser design.
Implementation Method 1
a first nozzle formed on one side thereof with a first discharge port for discharging the water; and a second nozzle spaced apart at a predetermined distance from the first nozzle and having a second discharge port formed on one side thereof opposite to the one side of the first nozzle formed with the first discharge port
Implementation Method 2
as hot water and cold water in the heat storage tank quickly is stratified and a thinner thermocline layer is formed, losses in cooling storage and air-cooling are minimized and heat storage efficiency becomes high
Data Source
AI summary
A diffuser and a heat storage tank system including the same includes: a heat storage tank formed therein with an internal space in which hot water and cold water are stratified; an upper diffuser positioned in an upper space of the heat storage tank to supply water; and a lower diffuser positioned in a lower space of the heat storage tank to supply water, wherein each of the upper diffuser and the lower diffuser includes: a first nozzle formed on one side thereof with a first discharge port for discharging the water; and a second nozzle disposed at a predetermined distance from the first nozzle and having a second discharge port formed on one side thereof opposite to the one side of the first nozzle formed with the first discharge port.