Water tank heating method and unit, electronic device and SOFC system
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The prolonged starting time of an SOFC system due to the longer time required to heat ice in the water tank to liquid state at low temperatures, which affects the timely supply of deionized water necessary for system operation.
Innovation Solution
A water tank heating method and unit that calculates the actual thawing time needed based on water tank parameters and stack outlet temperature, starting a heater in the water tank thawing system until a pre-set heating stop condition is met, ensuring efficient heating and reducing the starting time of the SOFC system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the heater is operated continuously to heat the ice in the water tank, then the thawing speed is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary heating action by operating the heater during the sleep mode before the SOFC system is fully activated. This preliminary action melts part of the ice in advance, so when the system needs to start, less heating time and energy are required. The control unit calculates the actual thawing time needed and operates the heater accordingly during the sleep period, achieving advance preparation without excessive energy consumption.
2Loss of time
If the heater power is increased to reduce thawing time, then the starting time of SOFC system is reduced, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the sleep mode period to perform preliminary heating at normal power levels, preparing the ice for melting before the system needs to start. This approach reduces the starting time by having head-start heating already in progress, while avoiding the need for high-power heating that would consume excessive energy. The control unit manages the heater operation to achieve optimal balance between time reduction and energy conservation.
3Loss of time
If the heater is operated during sleep mode to preheat the ice, then the starting time is reduced, but the battery power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial heating action during sleep mode rather than complete thawing. The control unit calculates the actual thawing time needed and operates the heater for a controlled duration that provides sufficient preheating to reduce starting time, without completely melting all the ice during sleep mode. This partial action approach achieves the time reduction benefit while limiting battery power consumption to acceptable levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater operation during sleep mode constitutes preliminary action that prepares the system for faster startup. By melting some ice in advance during the sleep period, the system reduces the heating burden when activation is needed, thereby reducing starting time. The control unit carefully manages this preliminary heating to ensure battery power consumption remains within acceptable limits.
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 shortens the heating time of the ice in the water tank, ensuring a quicker startup of the SOFC system by preheating the ice before system activation, thus reducing the overall starting time and energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
starting a heater in the water tank thawing system to heat the target object in the water tank
Implementation Method 2
heating the target object in the water tank from the current temperature to pre-set temperature
Implementation Method 3
heat the ice in the water tank into water
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a water tank heating method and unit, an electronic device and a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system. Before the SOFC system is started, ice in a water tank has been heated up, so after the SOFC system is started, the heating time of the heated ice, i.e., the thawing time of the water tank, will be shortened. Further, in the ice heating process, a pre-set needed SOFC thawing time determined according to current stack outlet temperature is used as a heating control parameter. As the stack outlet temperature is a key factor influencing the starting time of the SOFC system, the heating control will be more accurate if the pre-set needed SOFC thawing time corresponding to the stack outlet temperature is used as a heating control parameter.