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WO2025099733A1 - Unité de stockage à refroidissement évaporatif amélioré - Google Patents

Unité de stockage à refroidissement évaporatif amélioré Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2025099733A1
WO2025099733A1 PCT/IN2024/050146 IN2024050146W WO2025099733A1 WO 2025099733 A1 WO2025099733 A1 WO 2025099733A1 IN 2024050146 W IN2024050146 W IN 2024050146W WO 2025099733 A1 WO2025099733 A1 WO 2025099733A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
storage unit
layer
panel
sheet layer
cooling
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
PCT/IN2024/050146
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Vikash Kumar Jha
Sharayu Sunil Kulkarni
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Rukart Technologies Pvt Ltd
Original Assignee
Rukart Technologies Pvt Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Rukart Technologies Pvt Ltd filed Critical Rukart Technologies Pvt Ltd
Publication of WO2025099733A1 publication Critical patent/WO2025099733A1/fr
Pending legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D7/00—Devices using evaporation effects without recovery of the vapour
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60H—ARRANGEMENTS OF HEATING, COOLING, VENTILATING OR OTHER AIR-TREATING DEVICES SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR PASSENGER OR GOODS SPACES OF VEHICLES
    • B60H1/00—Heating, cooling or ventilating [HVAC] devices
    • B60H1/32—Cooling devices
    • B60H1/3202—Cooling devices using evaporation, i.e. not including a compressor, e.g. involving fuel or water evaporation
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2331/00—Details or arrangements of other cooling or freezing apparatus not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F25D2331/80—Type of cooled receptacles
    • F25D2331/804—Boxes

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a storage unit for perishable products. More specifically, the invention relates to a storage unit with enhanced evaporative cooling that does not require an external power source.
  • Passive coolers aim to capitalize on natural cooling processes, often involving insulation to maintain low temperatures. While they offer certain advantages in terms of energy efficiency and independence from electricity, they are not suitable for all circumstances, and their effectiveness is limited by ambient conditions.
  • a storage unit with evaporative cooling used for storing perishable products comprises a panel on each side. Further, the panel on at least one side includes a metal sheet layer, a cooling pad layer, an insulation balls sheet layer, a cooling pad layer, a wire mesh layer and a polypropylene sheet layer.
  • the polypropylene sheet layer is configured to provide air permeability to the storage unit.
  • the storage unit comprises a top panel, multiple side panels, and a bottom panel interconnected through a frame. Further, each of the multiple side panels comprises a water circulation channel, the polypropylene sheet layer, the metal sheet layer, the cooling pad layer, the insulation balls sheet layer, and the wire mesh layer.
  • the top panel comprises a polypropylene sheet layer to provide air permeability to the storage unit, a metal sheet layer, a cooling pad layer, an insulation balls sheet layer, and a wire mesh layer.
  • the bottom panel includes the metal sheet layer, the foam layer and the Polypropylene (PP) sheet.
  • the metal sheet is the innermost layer
  • the PP sheet is the outermost layer.
  • the metal sheet layer is the innermost layer that is exposed to the perishable products and the polypropylene sheet layer is the outermost layer.
  • the water circulation channel of the side panel includes an aperture to receive water and multiple drippers.
  • the aperture and the multiple drippers are on the opposite surfaces of the water circulation channel.
  • the water circulation channel is positioned such that water from the multiple drippers falls on the cooling pad layer.
  • the insulation balls sheet layer is positioned between two cooling pad layers.
  • the water circulation channel of one side panel is connected to another side panel through an interconnecting pipe.
  • the bottom panel include a drainage hole to drain the excess water from the storage unit.
  • the relative humidity inside the storage unit is higher as compared to ambient humidity.
  • Figure 1A illustrates the isometric view of an open storage unit (100) for storing perishable products, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment
  • Figure IB illustrates the isometric view of a closed storage unit (100) for storing perishable products, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment
  • Figure 1C illustrates the front view of a storage unit (100) for storing perishable products, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment
  • Figure ID illustrates the side view of the storage unit (100), in accordance with an exemplary embodiment
  • Figure IE illustrates the rear view of the storage unit (100), in accordance with an exemplary embodiment
  • Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the storage unit (100) depicting the water circulation channel (202), in accordance with an exemplary embodiment
  • Figure 3 depicts the construction of the side panels (105) of the storage unit (100) and the layers included thereof, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment
  • Figure 4 depicts the construction of the top panel (102) of the storage unit (100) and the layers included thereof, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment
  • Figure 5 depicts the construction of the bottom panel (104) of the storage unit (100) and the layers included thereof, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
  • the present disclosure is related to a storage unit for perishable products.
  • the storage unit can store and maintain the perishable products at low temperatures to improve the shelf life of the perishable products.
  • the storage unit is based on a passive evapouration technique, and it comprises a panel on each side.
  • the storage unit includes a top panel, multiple side panels, and a bottom panel interconnected through a frame.
  • the panel on at least one side of the storage unit includes a polypropylene sheet layer, a metal sheet layer, a cooling pad layer, an insulation balls sheet layer, a cooling pad layer, and a wire mesh layer.
  • the polypropylene sheet layer is configured to provide air permeability to the storage unit.
  • the perishable products that may be stored in the storage unit (100) may include, but are not limited to, food items such as fruits, vegetables, milk products, eggs, and meat, among other perishable products.
  • the storage unit (100) may also be used to store other non-edible perishable products such as, but not limited to, flowers, drugs, and syringes, among others.
  • the present invention relates to a storage unit (100) for perishable products. More specifically, the invention relates to a storage unit (100) with enhanced evaporative cooling that does not require an external power source.
  • the storage unit (100) may be provided with water once a day, therefore there is no need to provide continuous water supply to the storage unit (100).
  • the storage unit (100) may cool the perishable products using the stored water, as a continuous water supply is not needed by the storage unit (100), the evapouration technique used for cooling is enhanced in the storage unit (100).
  • FIGs 1 A and IB illustrate the isometric view of an open and a closed storage unit (100) for storing perishable products respectively, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
  • the storage unit (100) may include a top panel (102), a bottom panel (104), and multiple side panels (105). Further, the multiple side panels (105) may include a left panel (106), a right panel (108), a front panel (110) and a rear panel (112).
  • the system (100) may further include one or more crates (115). The crates (115) may be used to place the perishable products in the system (100).
  • the storage unit (100) may be configured to hold and evapourate water in order to maintain a low temperature inside the storage unit (100).
  • Figures 1C, ID and IE illustrate the front view, side view and rear view of a storage unit (100), respectively, for storing perishable products, in accordance with an embodiment.
  • the storage unit (100) may include atop panel (102), a bottom panel (104), and multiple side panels (105). Furthermore, the multiple side panels (105) may include a left panel (106), a right panel (108), a front panel (110) and a rear panel (112).
  • the storage unit (100) may include the top panel (102), the bottom panel (104), and the multiple side panels (105) interconnected with a frame (114).
  • the storage unit (100) may be configured to hold and evapourate water in order to maintain a low temperature inside the storage unit (100).
  • the panels may be interconnected with the frame (114) using screws, nails, and adhesives depending on the material of the panels.
  • the frame (114) at the interconnection of the top panel (102) and the front panel (110) may include a handle (116) and a lock (118) (referring to Figure 1C).
  • the handle (116) may be used to access the storage unit (100) through the top panel (102).
  • the lock (118) may be configured to secure the storage unit (100) by locking the top panel (102) with the front panel (110).
  • the frame (114) may include a plurality of hinges (120), at the intersection of the top panel (102) and the rear panel (112) (referring to Figure IE). The plurality of hinges (120) facilitates the movement of the top panel (102) such that the top panel (102) is opened and closed using the handle (116).
  • the frame (114) includes a linking means (122), at the intersection of the top panel (102) and the left panel (106) (referring to Figure ID).
  • the linking means (122) may be configured to connect the left panel (106) and the right panel (108) to the top panel (102).
  • the linking means (112) may restrict the movement of the top panel (102) beyond a pre-set angle.
  • the linking means (122) may be provided on both sides of the storage unit for improved stability.
  • the frame (114) includes a drainage hole (124) in the bottom panel (104).
  • the drainage hole (124) may be provided at the intersection of the bottom panel (104) and the rear panel (112) (referring to Figure IE).
  • the drainage hole (124) may be configured to drain out excess water. The excess water that is drained out may be re-used for cooling by evapouration in the storage unit (100).
  • the storage unit (100) may include one or more drainage holes (124).
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the storage unit (100) depicting the water circulation channel (202), in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
  • the left panel (106), right panel (108), front panel (110) and rear panel (112) may include a water circulation channel (202) at the top of each panel. Further, the water circulation channel (202) of each panel is connected to the water circulation channel (202) of the other panel with interconnecting pipes (204), for facilitating water circulation between the left panel (106), right panel (108), front panel (110) and rear panel (112). Furthermore, the water circulation channel (202) may comprise multiple drippers (206).
  • the drippers (206) may be configured to drip water on the left panel (106), right panel (108), front panel (110) and rear panel (112) to further facilitate cooling by evapouration of water.
  • panels (top panel (102), bottom panel (104), left panel (106), right panel (108), front panel (110) and rear panel (112)) of the storage unit (100) may include different layers configured to facilitate cooling by evapouration of water.
  • the left panel (106), right panel (108), front panel (110) and rear panel (112), hereinafter referred to as side panels (105), may have similar layers.
  • FIG. 3 depicts the construction of the side panels (105) of the storage unit (100) and the layers included thereof, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
  • the side panels (105) may comprise include multiple layers configured to facilitate cooling by evapouration of water and improve relative humidity. Further, the multiple layers include a metal sheet (302), a cooling pad (304), an insulation balls sheet (306), a cooling pad (308), a wire mesh (310) and a Polypropylene (PP) sheet (312).
  • the side panels (105) may include the metal sheet (302) as the innermost layer and the PP sheet (312) as the outermost layer.
  • side panels (105) may be enabled with a water circulation channel (202) at the top of each panel.
  • the water circulation channel (202) may comprise multiple drippers (206).
  • the drippers (206) may be configured to drip water on the cooling pad (304), insulation balls sheet (306) and cooling pad (308), to further facilitate cooling by evapouration of water.
  • each panel is connected to the water circulation channel (202) of the other panel with interconnecting pipes (204), for facilitating water circulation to the left panel (106), right panel (108), front panel (110) and rear panel (112).
  • the water circulation channel (202) of the side panels (105) includes an aperture to receive water and multiple drippers (206).
  • the aperture and the multiple drippers (206) are positioned on opposite surfaces of the water circulation channel (202).
  • the water circulation channel (202) is positioned such that water from the multiple drippers (206) falls on the cooling pad layers (304, 308).
  • the insulation balls sheet layer (306) is positioned between two cooling pad layers (304, 308).
  • the aperture may be covered with a plug to ensure zero leakage.
  • FIG. 4 depicts the construction of the top panel (102) of the storage unit (100) and the layers included thereof, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
  • the top panel (102) may include multiple layers configured to facilitate cooling by evapouration of water and improve relative humidity inside the storage unit (100). Further, layers may include a metal sheet (402), a cooling pad (404), an insulation balls sheet (406), a cooling pad (408), a wire mesh (410) and a Polypropylene (PP) sheet (412).
  • the top panel (102) may include the metal sheet (402) as the innermost layer and the PP sheet (412) as the outermost layer.
  • FIG. 5 depicts the construction of the bottom panel (104) of the storage unit (100) and the layers included thereof, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
  • the bottom panel (104) may include multiple layers such as a metal sheet (502), a foam (504) and a Polypropylene (PP) sheet (506).
  • the bottom panel (104) may include the metal sheet (502) as the innermost layer and the PP sheet (506) as the outermost layer.
  • the foam (504) layer of the bottom panel (104) may be configured to hold water, to further facilitate cooling by evapouration of water and increase the relative humidity inside the storage unit (100).
  • the metal sheet layers (302, 402, 502) are the innermost layers that are exposed to the perishable products, and the polypropylene sheet layers (312, 412, 506) are the outermost layers that are exposed to the external environment.
  • the metal sheet (302, 402, 502) transfers heat from the perishable products stored in the storage unit (100) to the layers in the side panels (105) to maintain them at low temperatures. Since the temperature of the panels may be lower than the items inside the storage unit (100), the metal sheet (302, 402, 502) absorbs heat from the items inside the storage unit (100). Additionally, the metal sheet (302, 402, 502) provides a firm structure to the storage unit (100).
  • the cooling pads (304, 308, 404, 408) cools the panels and the storage unit (100) by conduction. Further, the cooling pads (304, 308, 404, 408) may be wet due to the water falling from drippers (206), which transfers heat from the metal sheet layer (302, 402) by conduction and transfers into other layers in the side panels (105). Thus, cooling the storage unit (100) by passing fresh air, from the atmosphere, through the wet and cool surface of the cooling pads (304, 308, 404, 408) to reduce the temperature. Thus, the fresh air from the atmosphere leaving the cooling pads (304, 308, 404, 408) is humidified and cold.
  • cooling pads may be made up of materials such as but not limited to, aspen fibres, khus (Chrysopogon zizanioides) fibres, coconut fibres, palash fibres, wood shavings and synthetic fibres.
  • the insulation balls sheet (306, 406) may be configured to prevent any heat transfer from the atmosphere.
  • the wire mesh (310, 410) of the side panels (105) and the top panel (102) respectively provides a firm structure to the respective panels of the storage unit (100).
  • the PP sheets (312, 412, 506) may be configured to provide air permeability to the storage unit (100).
  • the metal sheet layer (302), the metal sheet layer (402) and the metal sheet layer (502) may be identical in nature and may exhibit similar properties. Additionally, the metal sheet layers in all the panels (top panel (102), bottom panel (104), left panel (106), right panel (108), front panel (110) and rear panel (112)) may be identical.
  • the cooling pads (304), the cooling pads (308), the cooling pads (404) and the cooling pads (408) may be identical in nature and may exhibit similar properties. Additionally, the cooling pad layers in the side panels (105) and in the top panel (102) may be identical. [0056] In an embodiment, the insulation balls sheet layer (306) and the insulation balls sheet layer (406) may be identical in nature and may exhibit similar properties. Additionally, the insulation balls sheet layers in the side panels (105) and in the top panel (102) may be identical.
  • the wire mesh (310) and the wire mesh (410) may be identical in nature and may exhibit similar properties. Additionally, the wire mesh layers in the side panels (105) and in the top panel (102) may be identical.
  • the PP sheets (312), the PP sheets (412) and the PP sheets (506) may be identical in nature and may exhibit similar properties. Additionally, the PP sheet layers in all the panels (top panel (102), bottom panel (104), left panel (106), right panel (108), front panel (110) and rear panel (112)) may be identical.
  • the order of the layers in the side panels (105) is as depicted in Fig. 3
  • the metal sheet layer (302) is the innermost layer that is exposed to the perishable products stored in the storage unit (100).
  • the cooling pad layer (304) is positioned between the metal sheet layer (302) and the insulation balls sheet layer (306).
  • the insulation balls sheet layer (306) is positioned between the cooling pad layer (304) and the cooling pad layer (308).
  • the cooling pad layer (308) is positioned between the insulation balls sheet layer (306) and the wire mesh layer (310).
  • the wire mesh layer (310) is positioned between the cooling pad layer (308) and the PP sheet (312).
  • the PP sheet (312) is the outermost layer that is exposed to the external environment.
  • the side panels (105) include the water circulation channel (202) positioned such that water from the multiple drippers (206) falls on the cooling pad layers (304, 308).
  • the order of the layers in the top panel (102) may be depicted in Fig. 4.
  • the metal sheet layer (402) is the innermost layer that is exposed to the perishable products stored in the storage unit (100).
  • the cooling pad layer (404) is positioned between the metal sheet layer (402) and the insulation balls sheet layer (406).
  • the insulation balls sheet layer (406) is positioned between the cooling pad layer (404) and the cooling pad layer (408).
  • the cooling pad layer (408) is positioned between the insulation balls sheet layer (406) and the wire mesh layer (410).
  • the wire mesh layer (410) is positioned between the cooling pad layer (408) and the PP sheet layer (412).
  • the PP sheet layer (412) is the outermost layer that is exposed to the external environment.
  • the order of the layers in the bottom panel (104) is as depicted in Fig. 5.
  • the metal sheet layer (502) is the innermost layer that is exposed to the perishable products stored in the storage unit (100).
  • the foam layer (504) is positioned between the metal sheet layer (502) and the PP sheet layer (506).
  • the PP sheet layer (506) is the outermost layer that is exposed to the external environment.
  • the storage unit (100) may be used to ripen the fruits or other similar perishable products stored inside the storage unit (100).
  • the storage unit (100) may be designed to hold 15-20 litres of water for cooling by enhanced evapouration.
  • the storage unit (100) provides a higher relative humidity, as compared to a state-of-the-art cold storage unit operating on passive evaporation.
  • the relative humidity is the humidity index of the cold storage unit in relation to the humidity index of the ambient atmosphere. Higher humidity is favourable to maintain the freshness of the items inside the storage unit (100). Furthermore, due to such higher relative humidity, the storage unit (100) may maintain the freshness of the products for a longer duration. The higher relative humidity may further facilitate the ripening of the items stored inside the storage unit (100).
  • the storage unit (100) disclosed herein overcomes the limitations of the prior arts and is advantageous in improving the shelf life of the perishable products by improving the relative humidity. Additionally, the storage unit (100) has the following advantages:
  • the disclosed cooling method is highly energy-efficient since it does not rely on electricity, making it ideal for regions with intermittent or no access to power.
  • the storage unit (100) components are relatively simple and cost-effective to manufacture and maintain, making it accessible to a wide range of users.
  • the present invention reduces the reliance on refrigerants and electricity, contributing to an eco- friendly approach to cold storage.
  • the present invention can be applied not only in traditional cold storage units but also in transportation storage units like refrigerated trucks and containers.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Packages (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une unité de stockage (100) avec refroidissement par évaporation. L'unité de stockage (100) est utilisée pour stocker des produits périssables. L'unité de stockage (100) comprend un panneau de chaque côté, et le panneau sur au moins un côté comprend une couche de feuille de polypropylène (312), une couche de feuille métallique (302), une couche de tampon de refroidissement (304, 308), une couche de feuille de billes d'isolation (306), et une couche de treillis métallique (310, 410). La couche de feuille de polypropylène (312) est conçue pour assurer une perméabilité à l'air à l'unité de stockage (100).
PCT/IN2024/050146 2023-11-09 2024-02-14 Unité de stockage à refroidissement évaporatif amélioré Pending WO2025099733A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IN202323076685 2023-11-09
IN202323076685 2023-11-09

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2025099733A1 true WO2025099733A1 (fr) 2025-05-15

Family

ID=95695462

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IN2024/050146 Pending WO2025099733A1 (fr) 2023-11-09 2024-02-14 Unité de stockage à refroidissement évaporatif amélioré

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2025099733A1 (fr)

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2018057966A1 (fr) * 2016-09-23 2018-03-29 Evaptainers, Llc Dispositif de refroidissement par évaporation portable et sans électricité
JP6869975B2 (ja) * 2015-10-16 2021-05-12 トキタエ エルエルシー 温度制御された携帯型冷却ユニット

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP6869975B2 (ja) * 2015-10-16 2021-05-12 トキタエ エルエルシー 温度制御された携帯型冷却ユニット
WO2018057966A1 (fr) * 2016-09-23 2018-03-29 Evaptainers, Llc Dispositif de refroidissement par évaporation portable et sans électricité

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