CN220914339U

CN220914339U - Energy storage system

Info

Publication number: CN220914339U
Application number: CN202322094769.1U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 代咪咪; 凡元彬; 杨亦航; 王翔; 胡强威; 吴谢辉; 唐春逢
Original assignee: Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2023-08-04
Filing date: 2023-08-04
Publication date: 2024-05-07
Anticipated expiration: 2033-08-04

Abstract

The application provides an energy storage system, and relates to the technical field of energy storage. The energy storage system comprises a battery cabinet, a first spraying device and a storage device for storing a refrigerant; the first spraying device is installed inside the battery cabinet and is connected with the storage device. The first spraying device is used for spraying the refrigerant into the battery cabinet under the condition that the temperature in the battery cabinet is greater than or equal to a first preset temperature. The first spraying equipment can spray the refrigerant into the battery cabinet when the temperature in the battery cabinet is higher to reduce the temperature in the battery cabinet, so that the damage probability of electrical equipment can be reduced, the failure rate of the energy storage system can be reduced, and the reliability of the energy storage system is improved.

Description

Energy storage system

Technical Field

The application relates to the technical field of energy storage, in particular to an energy storage system.

Background

The energy storage system taking the batteries as the energy storage carrier generally comprises one or more battery cabinets, a certain number of batteries are arranged in the battery cabinets, and the batteries in the battery cabinets are connected into a whole in a serial and/or parallel mode so as to realize high-capacity electric energy storage.

In the operation process of the energy storage system, even if a cooling unit for cooling the energy storage system exists, high temperature can occur in the battery cabinet due to the problems of uneven heat generation or uneven heat dissipation and the like, and the high temperature can damage and even damage electrical equipment in the battery cabinet, so that the failure rate of the energy storage system is high, and the reliability of the energy storage system is poor.

Disclosure of utility model

The embodiment of the application provides an energy storage system, which can reduce the failure rate of the energy storage system and improve the reliability of the energy storage system.

In this embodiment, there is provided an energy storage system including a battery cabinet, a first spraying device, and a storage device for storing a refrigerant: the first spraying equipment is arranged in the battery cabinet and connected with the storage equipment, and is used for spraying the refrigerant into the battery cabinet when the temperature in the battery cabinet is greater than or equal to a first preset temperature.

In the embodiment of the application, the first spraying equipment can spray the refrigerant into the battery cabinet when the temperature in the battery cabinet is higher, and the refrigerant can reduce the temperature in the battery cabinet, so that the probability of damaging and damaging the electrical equipment can be reduced, the failure rate of the energy storage system can be reduced, and the reliability of the energy storage system can be improved. Meanwhile, when the temperature in the battery cabinet is reduced, the ignition probability of the battery cabinet can be reduced, and the reliability and safety of the battery cabinet are improved. Moreover, when the probability of fire and the failure rate are reduced, the maintenance cost of the energy storage system can be reduced.

In some embodiments, the energy storage system further comprises a controller, a control valve, and a temperature sensor; the control valve and the temperature sensor are respectively connected with the controller, and the first spraying device is connected with the storage device through the control valve; the controller is used for controlling the control valve to be opened under the condition that the temperature in the battery cabinet detected by the temperature sensor is greater than or equal to the first preset temperature, so that the first spraying equipment sprays the refrigerant into the battery cabinet.

In the embodiment of the application, the energy storage system comprises the controller and the control valve for controlling the action of the first spraying equipment, so that the first spraying equipment can spray the refrigerant into the battery cabinet in a controlled state, and the reliability and the stability of the first spraying equipment can be improved. Meanwhile, when the first spraying equipment is controlled by the controller and the control valve, the first spraying equipment can be reused, and the use and maintenance cost of the energy storage system can be reduced.

In some embodiments, the controller, the control valve, and the temperature sensor are integrated as a temperature controlled valve.

In the embodiment of the application, when the temperature control valve, the control valve and the temperature sensor are integrated into the temperature control valve, the system structure of the first spraying equipment can be simplified, and the independent control of each first spraying equipment can be realized.

In some embodiments, the energy storage system further comprises a cooling unit, and the storage device comprises a device for storing the refrigerant in the cooling unit.

In the embodiment of the application, when the storage device is the device for storing the refrigerant in the cooling unit, the first spraying device can provide the refrigerant for the storage device in the cooling unit, and the storage device does not need to be independently arranged for the first spraying device, so that the number of devices in the energy storage system can be reduced, and the maintenance of the energy storage system is facilitated.

In some embodiments, the energy storage system further comprises a depressurization device through which the storage device is connected to the first spraying device.

In the embodiment of the application, the depressurization equipment can be arranged between the storage equipment and the first spraying equipment, and can reduce the pressure of the refrigerant, so that the cooling effect of the refrigerant can be improved. Meanwhile, when the first spraying device sprays the refrigerant into the battery cabinet, the impact of the refrigerant on the electric equipment can be reduced, and the electric equipment is protected.

In some embodiments, the pressure reducing device comprises at least one of a throttle valve, a pressure reducing valve, an expansion valve, a pressure reducing pump, and a capillary tube.

In some embodiments, the energy storage system further comprises a second spraying device; the second spraying equipment is arranged in the battery cabinet and is used for spraying fire extinguishing agent into the battery cabinet when the temperature in the battery cabinet is greater than or equal to a second preset temperature, and the second preset temperature is greater than the first preset temperature.

In the embodiment of the application, the second preset temperature is higher than the first preset temperature, so that the first spraying equipment can spray the refrigerant into the battery cabinet for cooling before the second spraying equipment is started. The probability of false start of the fire-fighting second spraying equipment can be reduced, and the reliability of the energy storage system can be improved. And moreover, when the high temperature occurs in the battery cabinet, the refrigerant is sprayed to cool, so that the firing probability of the battery cabinet can be reduced, and the safety and reliability of the energy storage system can be improved.

In some embodiments, the first spraying device comprises a spray head.

In the embodiment of the application, the first spraying equipment can be a fire-fighting nozzle with a simple structure, when the first spraying equipment is the fire-fighting nozzle, the control structure of the first spraying equipment can be simplified, and the first spraying equipment has higher reliability, so that the refrigerant can be accurately sprayed into the battery cabinet when the temperature in the battery cabinet reaches the first preset temperature.

In some embodiments, the refrigerant is non-conductive.

According to the embodiment of the application, when the first spraying equipment sprays the non-conductive refrigerant, the safety and reliability of the battery cabinet can be improved. Meanwhile, in the process of spraying the refrigerant into the battery cabinet, the energy storage system can be in an operating state, so that the shutdown probability of the energy storage system can be reduced, and the reliability of the energy storage system can be improved.

In some embodiments, the refrigerant comprises at least one of a hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant, an inorganic compound refrigerant, a hydrocarbon refrigerant, and a chlorofluorocarbon refrigerant.

Drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates a schematic structural diagram of a battery cabinet according to some embodiments of the present application.

Fig. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a battery cabinet according to some embodiments of the present application.

Fig. 3 illustrates a schematic structural diagram of another battery cabinet according to some embodiments of the present application.

Fig. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of another battery cabinet according to some embodiments of the application.

Fig. 5 illustrates a schematic structural diagram of another battery cabinet according to some embodiments of the present application.

Fig. 6 illustrates a schematic structural diagram of another battery cabinet provided by some embodiments of the application.

Fig. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of another battery cabinet according to some embodiments of the application.

Fig. 8 illustrates a schematic structural diagram of another battery cabinet provided by some embodiments of the application.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a cooling method for a battery cabinet according to some embodiments of the present application.

Fig. 10 illustrates a control flow diagram of a fire protection system provided in some embodiments of the application.

Reference numerals:

11. A battery cabinet; 12. a battery box;

21. A first spraying device; 22. a storage device; 23. a pipe; 24. a controller; 25. a control valve; 26. a temperature sensor; 27. a temperature control valve; 28. a depressurization device;

30. A cooling unit; 31. an evaporator; 32. a vapor separator; 33. a compressor; 34. a condenser; 35. an expansion valve; 36. a heater; a 37-cycle pump;

41. A second spraying device.

Detailed Description

The technical scheme of the application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be apparent that the described embodiments are only some, but not all, embodiments of the application.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth such as the particular system architecture, techniques, etc., in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present application. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present application may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known systems, devices, circuits, and methods are omitted so as not to obscure the description of the present application with unnecessary detail.

The term "comprises/comprising" when used herein is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to," unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms "first" and "second" are used below for descriptive purposes only and are not to be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defining "a first" or "a second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more such feature. In the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise indicated, the meaning of "a plurality" is two or more.

The term "and/or" is herein merely an association relationship describing an associated object, meaning that there may be three relationships, e.g., a and/or B, may represent: a exists alone, A and B exist together, and B exists alone. In addition, the character "/" herein generally indicates that the front and rear associated objects are an "or" relationship.

Batteries, also referred to as battery cells or cells, typically include one or more battery cabinets, also referred to as battery bins or energy storage containers, in energy storage systems that use the batteries as energy storage carriers. And a certain number of batteries and other electric equipment for assisting the operation of the batteries are arranged in the battery cabinet, and the batteries in the battery cabinet are connected into a whole in a serial and/or parallel mode so as to realize high-capacity electric energy storage.

As shown in fig. 1, fig. 1 illustrates a schematic structural diagram of a battery cabinet according to some embodiments of the present application, in which a plurality of battery boxes 12 are installed in a battery cabinet 11, a plurality of batteries (not shown in the drawing) are installed in each battery box 12, and the plurality of batteries in the battery boxes 12 may be connected in series and/or in parallel to one battery module (battery module), and the battery modules in the plurality of battery boxes may be connected in series and/or in parallel to form a whole.

It should be noted that, the battery cabinet 11 may not be provided with a battery box, and the batteries in the battery cabinet 11 may be directly connected into a whole in a serial and/or parallel manner. Specific components of the battery compartment may include, but are not limited to, the examples described above.

During operation of the energy storage system, high temperatures may occur within the battery compartment. For example, high temperatures may occur at local locations of the battery case due to heat generation, uneven heat dissipation, thermal management failure, and the like. As another example, when the temperature in the external environment in which the battery cabinet is located is high, the temperature in the entire battery cabinet may be high.

The high temperature that appears in the battery cabinet can damage, even damage all kinds of electrical equipment in the battery cabinet for energy storage system's fault rate is higher, thereby leads to energy storage system's reliability lower. For example, when the temperature of the local position of the battery box is too high, the capacity of the battery in the battery box may be attenuated, the performance may be reduced, and even the battery may be ignited. As another example, high temperatures may increase the aging rate of batteries and other electrical equipment, reduce the insulation of the wires, and may even blow the connection points of the wires, shorting the wires. As another example, high temperatures may cause various electronic components within the battery cabinet to short out, fail, or permanently fail.

In order to solve the technical problems described above, an embodiment of the present application provides an energy storage system, including a battery cabinet, a first spraying device, and a storage device for storing a refrigerant; the first spraying device is installed inside the battery cabinet and is connected with the storage device. The first spraying device sprays the refrigerant into the battery cabinet under the condition that the temperature in the battery cabinet is greater than or equal to a first preset temperature.

The first spraying equipment can spray the refrigerant into the battery cabinet when the temperature in the battery cabinet is higher, the temperature in the battery cabinet can be reduced by the refrigerant, so that the damage probability of electrical equipment can be reduced, the failure rate of the energy storage system can be reduced, and the reliability of the energy storage system is improved.

Meanwhile, when the temperature in the battery cabinet is reduced, the ignition probability of the battery cabinet can be reduced, and the reliability and safety of the battery cabinet are improved. Moreover, when the probability of fire and the failure rate are reduced, the maintenance cost of the energy storage system can be reduced.

Fig. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a battery cabinet according to some embodiments of the present application. As shown in fig. 2, the energy storage system includes a battery cabinet 11, a first spraying device 21, and a storage device 22, with a refrigerant stored in the storage device 22.

Wherein, can set up one or more first sprinkler 21 in the battery cabinet 11, when setting up a plurality of first sprinkler 21, a plurality of first sprinkler 21 can install in the inside of battery cabinet 11 at intervals, also can install the local position of easily appearing high temperature in battery cabinet 11 according to the demand.

In some embodiments, when the energy storage system includes a plurality of battery cabinets, each battery cabinet 11 may be configured with a storage device 22, and the storage devices 22 may be installed inside the battery cabinets 11 or may be installed outside the battery cabinets 11 as shown in fig. 2, and each first spraying device 21 is connected to the storage device 22 through a pipe 23, respectively.

Alternatively, a storage device 22 may be provided for a plurality of battery cabinets 11, and the first spraying device 21 in the plurality of battery cabinets 11 may be connected to the same storage device 22. Alternatively, a separate storage device 22 may be provided for each first spraying device 21.

The storage device 22 is, for example, a liquid tank in which a refrigerant having a certain pressure can be stored. The first spraying device 21 is, for example, a spraying pipe, on which a plurality of spraying holes 211 are arranged at intervals, the spraying holes 211 being sealable by means of a fusible sealing body.

In practical application, the sealing body can be selected according to the first preset temperature, and the sealing body melts when the temperature is greater than or equal to the first preset temperature. In the operation process of the energy storage system, when the temperature in the battery cabinet 11 rises to the first preset temperature, the sealing body on the spraying hole 211 is automatically melted, so that the spraying hole 211 is opened. At this time, the refrigerant is sprayed from the spraying holes 211 by the pressure in the storage device 22, so that the refrigerant can be sprayed into the battery cabinet 11 to cool the battery cabinet 11.

The spraying holes 211 may be opposite to a position (e.g., a local position where the battery box is located) where high temperature is likely to occur in the battery cabinet 11, so that the sealing body is melted when high temperature occurs in the local position, and thus the first spraying device 21 may spray the refrigerant to the local position to cool.

Optionally, the first spraying device 21 comprises a spray head, such as a fire spray head. When the first spraying device 21 is a fire-fighting nozzle, the fire-fighting nozzle may be selected according to the magnitude of the first preset temperature, so that the fire-fighting nozzle is opened at a temperature greater than or equal to the first preset temperature.

The above is merely an illustrative example, and the first spraying device may be other types of spraying devices, which may include, but are not limited to, a shower pipe, a fire nozzle, and the like.

In the embodiment of the application, the first spraying equipment can be a fire-fighting nozzle with a simple structure, when the first spraying equipment is the fire-fighting nozzle, the control of the first spraying equipment can be simplified, and the first spraying equipment has higher reliability, so that the refrigerant can be reliably sprayed into the battery cabinet when the temperature in the battery cabinet reaches the first preset temperature.

Optionally, the energy storage system further comprises a controller 24, a control valve 25 and a temperature sensor 26; the control valve 25 and the temperature sensor 26 are connected to the controller 24, respectively, and the first spraying device 21 is connected to the storage device 22 via the control valve 25. The controller 24 is used for controlling the control valve 25 to be opened to enable the first spraying device 21 to spray the refrigerant into the battery cabinet 11 when the temperature in the battery cabinet 11 detected by the temperature sensor 26 is greater than or equal to a first preset temperature.

Illustratively, fig. 3 shows a schematic structural diagram of another battery cabinet provided by some embodiments of the application. As shown in fig. 3, the energy storage system further comprises a controller 24, a control valve 25 and a temperature sensor 26, wherein the control valve 25 is arranged on the pipeline 23 and can control the on-off of the pipeline 23. The control valve 25 may be installed inside the battery case 11 or may be provided outside the battery case 11.

A plurality of first spraying devices 21 are arranged in the battery cabinet 11, and the first spraying devices 21 are, for example, spraying pipes, and spraying holes (not shown in the figure) are formed in the spraying pipes, wherein the spraying holes are not sealed. When the control valve 25 is open, the conduit 23 is conductive and the storage device 22 can deliver refrigerant to all the first spraying devices 21 simultaneously; and when the control valve 25 is closed, the pipe 23 is shut off and the storage device 22 stops delivering refrigerant to the first spraying device 21.

The temperature sensor 26 is installed inside the battery case 11, and can detect the temperature inside the battery case 11. The temperature sensor 26 is communicatively connected to the controller 24, and the controller 24 may obtain the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 26, i.e., the temperature in the battery cabinet 11, from the temperature sensor 26. A control valve 25, such as a solenoid valve or a pneumatic valve, and a controller 24 is communicatively coupled to the control valve 25 to control the opening or closing of the control valve 25.

The controller 24 may send an opening command to the control valve 25 in the case where the temperature value obtained from the temperature sensor 26 is greater than or equal to the first preset temperature, and the control valve 25 opens after receiving the opening command, so that the first spraying device 21 sprays the refrigerant into the battery cabinet 11. The controller 24 may send a closing command to the control valve 25 in case that the temperature value obtained from the temperature sensor 26 is less than the first preset temperature, and the control valve 25 closes after receiving the closing command, so that the first spraying device 21 stops spraying the refrigerant into the battery cabinet 11.

The controller 24 may be a controller of the energy storage system, such as a Battery MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (BMS) for monitoring, protecting, and managing operation of the energy storage system. Or may be a separate controller for the first spraying device 21.

Illustratively, fig. 4 shows a schematic structural diagram of another battery cabinet provided by some embodiments of the application. As shown in fig. 4, a plurality of first spraying devices 21 are provided in the battery cabinet 11, and a control valve 25 and a temperature sensor 26 are respectively corresponding to each of the first spraying devices 21.

Wherein each first spraying device 21 is connected to the pipe 23 by a corresponding one of the control valves 25, respectively. And, a corresponding one of the temperature sensors 26 is provided at a position (e.g., a local position where the battery box is located) opposite to the first spraying device 21, for detecting a temperature at the local position.

Taking one of the first spraying devices 21 as an example, after acquiring a temperature value from the corresponding temperature sensor 26, if the temperature value is greater than or equal to a first preset temperature, the controller 24 controls the corresponding control valve 25 to open so that the first spraying device 21 sprays the refrigerant to the opposite local position to cool the opposite local position.

As shown in fig. 4, when the plurality of first spraying devices 21 are controlled by one controller 24, the number of controllers 24 can be reduced, and the cost of the energy storage system can be reduced. In practical applications, when a plurality of first spraying devices 21 are disposed in the battery cabinet 11, a controller may be separately disposed for each first spraying device 21.

Meanwhile, a control valve is independently arranged for each first spraying device 21, so that the first spraying devices 21 can be controlled to be independently opened, and when the temperature of the local position in the battery cabinet 11 is too high, the refrigerant is sprayed to the local position, so that the usage amount of the refrigerant can be reduced, and the cooling cost can be reduced.

Optionally, the controller, control valve and temperature sensor are integrated as a thermo valve 27.

Illustratively, fig. 5 shows a schematic structural diagram of another battery cabinet provided by some embodiments of the application. As shown in fig. 5, the controller, the control valve and the temperature sensor are integrated into a thermo valve 27, and each first spraying device 21 is connected to the pipe 23 through a corresponding one of the thermo valves 27, respectively. The temperature sensor is a temperature probe 271 of the thermo valve 27, and the temperature probe 271 may be provided at a corresponding position of the first spraying device 21 to detect a temperature of the corresponding position.

Taking one of the temperature control valves 27 as an example, the temperature control valve 27 is opened when the temperature value detected by the corresponding temperature probe 271 is greater than or equal to the first preset temperature, so that the corresponding first spraying device 21 can spray the refrigerant into the battery cabinet 11. Correspondingly, the temperature control valve 27 is closed when the temperature value detected by the corresponding temperature probe 271 is smaller than the first preset temperature, so that the corresponding first spraying device 21 can stop spraying the refrigerant into the battery cabinet 11.

In the embodiment of the application, when the controller, the control valve and the temperature sensor are integrated into the temperature control valve, the system structure of the first spraying equipment can be simplified, and meanwhile, the independent control of each first spraying equipment can be realized.

Optionally, the energy storage system further comprises a cooling unit 30, and the storage device 22 comprises a device for storing a refrigerant in the cooling unit 30.

Fig. 6 illustrates a schematic structural diagram of another battery cabinet provided by some embodiments of the application. As shown in fig. 6, the energy storage system includes a battery cabinet 11 and a cooling unit 30, and the storage device 22 is a device for storing a refrigerant in the cooling unit 30, for example, a liquid storage tank for storing the refrigerant. That is, the first spraying device 21 may be supplied with refrigerant from a reservoir in the cooling unit 30.

Illustratively, fig. 7 illustrates a schematic structural diagram of another battery cabinet provided by some embodiments of the application. As shown in fig. 7, the cooling unit 30 includes an evaporator 31, a vapor separator 32, a compressor 33, a condenser 34, a storage device 22, an expansion valve 35, a heater 36, and a circulation pump 37, as well as other components not shown.

The cooling unit 30 may be a water cooling unit for cooling the battery box 12 in the battery cabinet 11. A water-cooled heat sink is provided in the battery case 12, and a coolant (for example, water) circulates between the evaporator 31 and the water-cooled heat sink by the circulation pump 37 to cool the battery case 12. Meanwhile, under the action of the compressor 33, the refrigerant circulates among the evaporator 31, the vapor separator 32, the condenser 34, the storage device 22 and the evaporator 31, cooling the cooling liquid entering the evaporator 31.

In some embodiments, the controller 24 may be a controller in the cooling unit 30. During operation of the energy storage system, when the controller 24 detects that the temperature in the battery cabinet 11 is greater than or equal to the first preset temperature, the control valve 25 may be controlled to open, so that the first spraying device 21 sprays the refrigerant into the battery cabinet 11.

Meanwhile, the controller 24 may control the compressor 33 to stop in case of controlling the first spraying device 21 to be turned on, so as to avoid the compressor 33 from operating at a low pressure, thereby reducing damage to the compressor 33 when the refrigerant is sprayed, and protecting the compressor 33.

It should be noted that, even if a cooling unit for cooling the battery cabinet is provided in the energy storage system, the cooling unit may not be capable of solving the high temperature occurring at the local position in the battery cabinet, and when the cooling unit fails or has low efficiency, the cooling unit may not be capable of effectively reducing the overall temperature in the battery cabinet.

Optionally, the energy storage system further comprises a depressurization device 28, the storage device 22 being connected to the first spraying device 21 via the depressurization device 28.

As shown in fig. 6 and 7, a pressure reducing device 28 is provided on the pipe 23, which can reduce the pressure of the refrigerant coming out of the storage device 22. The pressure reducing device 28 may be at least one of a throttle valve, a pressure reducing valve, an expansion valve, a pressure reducing pump, and a capillary tube.

The pressure in the storage device 22 is generally higher, and when the pressure reducing device 28 is disposed between the storage device 22 and the first spraying device 21, the pressure reducing device 28 can throttle and reduce the pressure of the refrigerant, so that the cooling effect of the refrigerant can be improved.

As shown in fig. 7, in the cooling unit 30, the refrigerant in a normally high-pressure state stored in the storage device 22. The storage device 22 may be connected to each of the first spraying devices 21 through a depressurization device 28, respectively, and when the control valve 25 is opened, the depressurization device 28 may throttle and depressurize the refrigerant flowing out of the storage device 22, depressurize the refrigerant in the high-pressure state to the refrigerant in the low-pressure state, and cool the battery cabinet 11 by the refrigerant in the low-pressure state.

It should be understood that pressure reducing devices include, but are not limited to, throttles, pressure reducing valves, pressure reducing pumps, capillaries, and the like.

In some embodiments, the refrigerant may be selected to be non-conductive. Illustratively, the refrigerant may be a hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant (hydro fluoro carbon refrigerants, HFCS), such as a refrigerant having a main component of tetrafluoroethane (CHF ₂CHF₂), also known as R134a refrigerant; a mixed refrigerant comprising difluoromethane (CH ₂F₂) and pentafluoroethane (CF ₃CHF₂) as main components, also referred to as R410a refrigerant, is also possible.

For another example, the refrigerant may be a hydrocarbon refrigerant (hydrocarbon refrigerants), such as a refrigerant whose main component is propane (CH ₃CH₂CH₃) or a refrigerant whose main component is isobutane (C4H 10).

As another example, the refrigerant may be a chlorofluorocarbon refrigerant (chloro fluoro carbon refrigerants, CFCS), such as a refrigerant having a major component of dichlorodifluoromethane (CCl ₂F₂) or a refrigerant having a major component of trichlorofluoromethane (CF ₃ Cl).

As another example, the refrigerant may be an inorganic compound refrigerant, including but not limited to a refrigerant having carbon dioxide (CO ₂) as a major component.

The above are merely exemplary examples, and the refrigerant may include, but is not limited to, hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants, hydrocarbon refrigerants, and fluorochlorohydrocarbon refrigerants in the above examples.

Among them, the refrigerant may be selected from non-conductive, nonflammable, nontoxic refrigerants such as R134a, carbon dioxide, R410a, etc., but is not limited thereto. During operation of the energy storage system, after the refrigerant bursts, if the pressure in the storage device does not drop below a preset pressure (the preset pressure is, for example, a minimum pressure capable of keeping the cooling unit in normal operation), the whole energy storage system can continue to operate. If the pressure of the refrigerant is insufficient due to the burst of the refrigerant, the cooling unit can be stopped briefly, and the refrigerant is supplemented to the storage device from the charging port of the storage device, so that the cooling unit can be quickly restored to operate.

It should be noted that, when the location where the refrigerant is sprayed does not have a conductive device, the refrigerant may also be a conductive refrigerant. For example, if the relative position of the first spraying device is the housing of the battery box, the refrigerant may be water when no electrically charged device is provided on the housing.

Optionally, the energy storage system further comprises a second spraying device 41; the second spraying device 41 is installed inside the battery cabinet 11 for spraying fire extinguishing agent into the battery cabinet 11 in case that the temperature inside the battery cabinet 11 is greater than or equal to a second preset temperature, which is greater than the first preset temperature.

As shown in fig. 8, fig. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of another battery cabinet according to some embodiments of the present application. A plurality of second spraying devices 41 are arranged in the battery cabinet 11, and the plurality of second spraying devices 41 are arranged at the top of the battery cabinet 11 at intervals and can also be arranged at other positions in the battery cabinet 11.

The second spraying device 41 may be a part of a fire protection system equipped for the energy storage system, and the fire protection system may further include other components, not shown, such as a fire protection pipeline and a storage tank, where the second spraying device 41 may be connected to the storage tank through the fire protection pipeline, and the storage tank stores fire extinguishing agent.

The second spraying device 41 may be activated by temperature triggering, and the second spraying device 41 is, for example, a fire-fighting nozzle, and when the temperature in the battery cabinet 11 is greater than or equal to the second preset temperature, the fire-fighting nozzle is opened to activate the spraying of the fire-extinguishing agent into the battery cabinet 11 for fire-extinguishing.

It should be noted that the second spraying device 41 may include, but is not limited to, a fire sprinkler. For example, the second spraying device 42 may be a shower pipe as shown in fig. 2, or the second spraying device 41 may be a spray head controlled by a control valve.

In practical application, when a high temperature occurs in the battery cabinet 11, the temperature in the battery cabinet 11 may trigger the fire-fighting system to be started by mistake, and the fire-fighting system started by mistake releases fire extinguishing agent into the battery cabinet 11 under the condition that no substantial fire occurs in the battery cabinet 11, and the fire extinguishing agent may damage electrical equipment in the battery cabinet 11. For example, when the fire suppressant is an aerosol, the released aerosol may generate high temperatures, which may burn out the housing of the battery box and the wiring harness within the battery cabinet.

In the embodiment of the application, the second preset temperature is higher than the first preset temperature, so that the first spraying equipment can spray the refrigerant into the battery cabinet to cool before the second spraying equipment is started, the probability of false starting of the second spraying equipment can be reduced, and the reliability of the energy storage system can be further improved. And moreover, when the high temperature occurs in the battery cabinet, the refrigerant is sprayed to cool, so that the firing probability of the battery cabinet can be reduced, and the safety and reliability of the energy storage system can be improved.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a cooling method for a battery cabinet according to some embodiments of the present application. As shown in fig. 9, the method may be performed by the controller 24 in the above example, including steps 91 through 93.

And 91, acquiring a temperature value in the battery cabinet.

In this embodiment, the controller may obtain a temperature value in the battery cabinet through the temperature sensor, so as to determine whether to start the first spraying device according to the temperature value. As shown in fig. 8, when a plurality of first spraying devices are provided in the battery cabinet 11, the controller 24 may acquire a temperature value in the battery cabinet 11 through a temperature sensor 26 corresponding to each of the first spraying devices 21, respectively.

Step 92, determining whether the temperature value is greater than or equal to the first preset temperature and less than the second preset temperature.

When the temperature value is smaller than the first preset temperature, the fact that the temperature in the battery cabinet is lower can be determined, and the first spraying equipment does not need to be started. When the temperature value is greater than or equal to the first preset temperature and less than the second preset temperature, it may be determined that the temperature in the battery cabinet is higher, and step 93 is performed.

The controller may also directly execute step 93 when the temperature value is greater than or equal to the first preset temperature.

Step 93, sending an opening command to the control valve.

In this embodiment, when it is determined that the temperature value in the battery cabinet is greater than or equal to the first preset temperature and less than the second preset temperature, the controller sends an opening instruction to the control valve. The control valve is opened after receiving the opening instruction, so that the corresponding first spraying equipment can spray the refrigerant to the corresponding position in the battery cabinet.

When the first spraying device is a fire-fighting nozzle or other types of spraying devices which do not need to be controlled, the first spraying device can start to spray the refrigerant into the battery cabinet when the temperature is greater than or equal to a first preset temperature.

Fig. 10 illustrates a control flow diagram of a fire protection system provided in some embodiments of the application. As shown in fig. 10, the method may be performed by a controller in a fire protection system, including steps 101 through 103.

And 101, acquiring a temperature value in the battery cabinet.

In this embodiment, a corresponding temperature sensor may be set in the battery cabinet for the second spraying device, and a controller in the fire protection system may obtain a temperature value in the battery cabinet through the temperature sensor, so as to determine whether to start the second spraying device according to the temperature value.

Step 102, judging whether the temperature value is greater than or equal to a second preset temperature.

When the temperature value is smaller than the second preset temperature, the fact that the battery cabinet is not on fire can be determined, and the second spraying equipment does not need to be started. When the temperature value is greater than or equal to the second preset temperature, the ignition in the battery cabinet is determined, and step 103 is executed.

Step 103, controlling the second spraying equipment to start.

In this embodiment, when the controller in the fire protection system determines that the temperature value in the battery cabinet is greater than or equal to the second preset temperature, the controller determines that the fire in the battery cabinet is on, and may send an opening instruction to the control valve corresponding to the second spraying device, so that the second spraying device starts to spray the fire extinguishing agent into the battery cabinet.

When the second spraying device is a fire-fighting nozzle or other types of spraying devices which do not need to be controlled, the second spraying device can start to spray the fire extinguishing agent into the battery cabinet when the temperature is greater than or equal to a second preset temperature.

The foregoing is merely illustrative of the present application, and the present application is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art will readily recognize that variations or substitutions are within the scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An energy storage system, characterized by comprising a battery cabinet (11), a first spraying device (21), and a storage device (22) for storing a refrigerant;

the first spraying device (21) is installed inside the battery cabinet (11) and is connected with the storage device (22), and the first spraying device (21) is used for spraying the refrigerant into the battery cabinet (11) under the condition that the temperature in the battery cabinet (11) is greater than or equal to a first preset temperature.

2. The energy storage system of claim 1, further comprising a controller (24), a control valve (25) and a temperature sensor (26);

The control valve (25) and the temperature sensor (26) are respectively connected with the controller (24), and the first spraying device (21) is connected with the storage device (22) through the control valve (25);

The controller (24) is used for controlling the control valve (25) to be opened under the condition that the temperature in the battery cabinet (11) detected by the temperature sensor (26) is greater than or equal to the first preset temperature so as to enable the first spraying equipment (21) to spray the refrigerant into the battery cabinet (11).

3. Energy storage system according to claim 2, characterized in that the controller (24), the control valve (25) and the temperature sensor (26) are integrated as a temperature controlled valve (27).

4. The energy storage system of claim 1, further comprising a cooling unit (30), the storage device (22) comprising a device in the cooling unit (30) for storing the refrigerant.

5. The energy storage system according to claim 1, further comprising a depressurization device (28), wherein the storage device (22) is connected to the first spraying device (21) through the depressurization device (28).

6. The energy storage system of claim 5, wherein the depressurization device (28) comprises at least one of a throttle valve, a depressurization valve, an expansion valve, a depressurization pump, and a capillary tube.

7. The energy storage system according to claim 1, further comprising a second spraying device (41);

The second spraying device (41) is arranged in the battery cabinet (11) and is used for spraying fire extinguishing agent into the battery cabinet (11) under the condition that the temperature in the battery cabinet (11) is greater than or equal to a second preset temperature, and the second preset temperature is greater than the first preset temperature.

8. Energy storage system according to claim 1, wherein the first spraying device (21) comprises a spray head.

9. The energy storage system of any of claims 1-8, wherein the refrigerant is non-conductive.