Sorption pump arrangement comprising a sorption pump with a magnetocaloric unit and a method for operating a sorption pump of a sorption pump arrangement
The sorption pump arrangement addresses inefficiencies in conventional sorption pumps by using a magnetocaloric unit to thermodynamically optimize cooling and heating, achieving high energy efficiency and reduced energy consumption.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE102023205834
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-06-21
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-30
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-06-21
AI Technical Summary
Conventional sorption pumps are thermodynamically inefficient due to repeated warming and cooling of the adsorber material, requiring high cooling capacity and inefficient energy use.
A sorption pump arrangement utilizing a magnetocaloric unit thermally coupled to the adsorber material, where the temperature of the adsorber material is adjusted via a switchable magnetic field, optimizing the cooling and heating processes to minimize energy consumption.
The sorption pump achieves high energy efficiency by optimizing the cooling capacity to the current temperature of the adsorber material, reducing the need for external heating and minimizing energy requirements.
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Abstract
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a sorption pump arrangement comprising at least one sorption pump and an application structure, with the sorption pump comprising - at least one adsorber unit made of an adsorber material, and - a container in which at least one adsorber unit is arranged, wherein at least one adsorber unit in the container is operated at a cryogenic temperature T for pump operation cryo is coolable and for regeneration operation to a regeneration temperature T reg is heatable with T reg >T cryo , - at least one magnetocaloric unit made of a magnetocaloric material, wherein the at least one magnetocaloric unit is thermally coupled to the at least one adsorber unit, in particular wherein the at least one magnetocaloric unit is also arranged in the container, and - a switchable magnetic system with which at least one magnetocaloric unit can be exposed to a switchable magnetic field, where a capacitor device is still present, and wherein the application structure is connected to the container of the sorption pump via an inlet connection line of the at least one sorption pump.
[0002] Such a sorption pump arrangement is known from JP S61 234 282 A2.
[0003] In engineering, a vacuum is required for various applications. This vacuum is typically created by connecting one or more pumps to a space where the vacuum is to be generated or maintained. Several different types of pumps are known.
[0004] An important type of pump for conveying gaseous substances is the so-called sorption pump. It typically consists of a vessel in which one or more structures made of an adsorbent material ("adsorber units") are arranged. The adsorbent material has a large specific surface area (typically at least 400 m²). 2 / g); for example, activated carbon or zeolites are used as adsorbent material. The adsorbent material is cooled to a low temperature. Atoms and molecules of the gaseous substance that come into contact with the cold adsorbent material are adsorbed, i.e., they adhere to the surface.
[0005] As the adsorbent material becomes increasingly saturated with the substance being pumped, the pumping capacity decreases. When the pumping capacity falls below an acceptable level, the adsorbent material is heated in a controlled manner ("regeneration"). Since the adsorbent material's ability to bind adsorbed substance to its surface decreases with increasing temperature, the previously pumped substance then desorbs; see, for example, I. Vasquez et al., "Helium adsorption on activated carbons at temperatures between 4 and 76 K," Advances in Cryogenic Engineering, Vol. 33 (1988), pages 1013–1021, especially the section therein. Fig. 3.
[0006] The adsorber material of sorption pumps is typically cooled with cryogenic fluids (e.g., liquid helium) or cryocoolers (e.g., pulse tube coolers or Gifford-McMahon coolers). To temporarily warm the adsorber material, it can be heated, for example, with an electric heater. It is also known to temporarily decouple the adsorber material from a cooling heat sink using thermal switches to allow warming.
[0007] WO 2008 / 115615 A1 describes a sorption pump system for hyperpolarizing a contrast agent sample for use in MRI. Adsorbent material is arranged in an inner container surrounded by an outer container. The space between the two containers can be evacuated or filled with gas to open or close a thermal switch, thus connecting to a refrigerator. The sorption pump, operating on the principle of a "one-shot" sorption cooler, is coupled to a container of liquid helium, within which the samples to be polarized are arranged in a holding container.
[0008] Sorption pumps for cryogenic applications are also described in F. Pobell, “Matter and Methods at Low Temperatures”, 2nd edition, 1995, chapter 6.2.
[0009] A disadvantage of known sorption pumps is the repeated heating and cooling of the adsorber material using a heat sink, which is thermodynamically inefficient and requires high cooling power.
[0010] The magnetocaloric effect describes the phenomenon that suitable magnetizable materials ("magnetocaloric materials") exhibit a temperature increase in an adiabatic process when exposed to a strong magnetic field. Conversely, the temperature can be lowered by reducing the magnetic field to which such materials are exposed.
[0011] CN 211316637 U describes an adiabatic demagnetizing refrigerator system for providing extremely low temperatures. A magnetocaloric module is coupled to a heat sink in its magnetized state with the thermal switch closed. When the thermal switch is opened and the magnetocaloric module is demagnetized, the magnetocaloric module cools below the temperature of the previously connected heat sink. A superconducting thermal switch is specifically proposed.
[0012] US Patent 6,959,554 B1 describes a passive gas-gap thermal switch. The use of this thermal switch in a continuously operating adiabatic demagnetizing refrigerant is also described. The continuously operating adiabatic demagnetizing refrigerant consists of several cooling stages connected in series via thermal switches. Each cooling stage contains paramagnetic salt and a magnet.
[0013] To generate extremely low temperatures in the sub-Kelvin range, 3 He / 4 He-dilution refrigerators have become well-known, also referred to as "dilution refrigerators". These systems, in which 3 Products that are conveyed using a sorption pump are offered, for example, by Chase Research Cryogenics Ltd., Sheffield, UK; see the website https: / / www.chasecryogenics.com / products, accessed on 27.4.2023.
[0014] JP S61 234 282 A describes a cryopump comprising a magnetocaloric working substance, which can be magnetized by a coil and to which an adsorption surface is thermally coupled. A gas space surrounds the working substance and can be filled and evacuated with helium via a connection. Thermal coupling to liquid helium in a tank is possible via this gas space. A condenser for reliquefying the helium is provided in the tank.
[0015] JP H08 4652 A describes a cryopump with a magnetic cooling mechanism. A magnetic body is arranged in a container and can be subjected to a field via a small superconducting magnet. Additionally, a thermal switch allows coupling to a heating station that can be cooled to 4 K. A cooling surface is integrated into the container. Object of the invention
[0016] The object of the invention is to provide a sorption pump arrangement with particularly high energy efficiency. Description of the invention
[0017] This problem is solved according to the invention by a sorption pump arrangement of the type mentioned above, which is characterized in that that the container of at least one sorption pump is connected to the condenser device via an outlet connection line of the sorption pump, that a feedback line is present, via which the capacitor device is connected to the application structure, that the application structure is designed as 3 He / 4 The mixing cooler comprises a stilling chamber, a mixing chamber, and a chamber connecting line, wherein in the mixing chamber in an upper part a 3 He-rich liquid phase and in a lower part a 4 He-rich liquid phase is arranged where in the breastfeeding chamber, in an upper part, a 3 He-rich gas phase and in a lower part a 4 He-rich liquid phase is arranged the chamber connecting line connects the lower part of the mixing chamber to the lower part of the stilling chamber, in particular where the chamber connecting line terminates at a floor of the stilling chamber, that the inlet connection line of at least one sorption pump is connected to the upper part of the stilling chamber, and that the return line connects the capacitor assembly to the upper part of the mixing chamber.
[0018] The invention proposes to use a temperature difference between T for the heating and cooling of the adsorber material required for regeneration. reg (Temperature during regeneration / desorption of the deposited pumped substance) and T cryo(desired temperature during pump operation) at least one magnetocaloric unit made of a magnetocaloric material is used. By switching the magnetic field to which the magnetocaloric unit is exposed (corresponding to adiabatic and isentropic magnetization and demagnetization), the temperature of the magnetocaloric unit and the thermally coupled at least one adsorber unit made of the adsorber material can be changed (increased and decreased) very efficiently.
[0019] In a conventional sorption pump, the heat sink used for cooling (such as a pulse tube cooler) typically has a substantially constant low temperature, corresponding to the temperature T desired for pump operation. cryo of the adsorber material, and during the cooling of the adsorber material from T reg on T cryo Its heat energy is essentially completely absorbed at this low temperature T cryoThe heat is transferred to the heat sink. This is thermodynamically relatively inefficient and requires a high cooling capacity at the heat sink.
[0020] Within the scope of the invention, during magnetocaloric cooling of the adsorber material of T reg on T cryo The cooling power (provided via changes in the switchable magnetic field) is applied at the "current" temperature of the adsorber material, which is thermodynamically optimal. Accordingly, a large portion of the total required cooling power can be applied at temperatures higher than T. cryo be applied.
[0021] Insofar as external heat inputs – such as heat of adsorption or incomplete thermal decoupling – prevent the original or desired low temperature T from being fully maintained after a ramp-up and ramp-down of the magnetic field, cryo the temperature of the adsorber material can be reached at an intermediate temperature T achieved through magnetic coolingzwischen , which is much lower than the regeneration temperature T reg , coupling to the heat sink takes place or begins in order to provide the remaining necessary cooling capacity. This is thermodynamically significantly more efficient than coupling to the heat sink at T reg .
[0022] Magnetocaloric materials that can be used for the invention are characterized by the fact that their entropy is strongly dependent on an external magnetic field. Generally, paramagnetic substances and paramagnetic salts, for example, are suitable magnetocaloric materials for the invention. In particular, gadolinium or a gadolinium compound, or dysprosium or a dysprosium compound, can be used as a magnetocaloric material, especially gadolinium gallium garnet (GGG), dysprosium gallium garnet (DGG), or gadolinium lithium fluoride. Suitable magnetocaloric materials can be selected according to the desired temperature range of the application. Note that typically 20 K ≤ T reg ≤ 50 K, preferably 25 K ≤ T reg ≤ 35 K, and often approx. T reg = 30 K, and typically 1.5 K ≤ T cry , ≤ 15 K, preferably 4 K ≤ T cryo ≤ 6 K, and often approx. T cryo= 4 K. Note that the temperature ranges for T reg and T cryo The pumping capacity depends on the gas being pumped, the flow rate, the operating pressure, and the absorber material. The gas being pumped is usually helium ( 3 He and / or 4 He).
[0023] The sorption pump is used in the generation and maintenance of low temperatures (especially 90 K and below) and extremely low temperatures (especially below 1 K), namely at a 3 He / 4The dilution refrigerator. Low or extremely low temperatures can be used for cooling samples or contrast agents for NMR or MRI. Furthermore, these low or extreme temperatures can be used for operating quantum computers or quantum sensors (for example, highly sensitive particle sensors on satellites). The sorption pump can also be used in semiconductor manufacturing facilities, particle accelerators, or nuclear fusion plants. The sorption pump can operate with low vibration and at high pumping speeds and is well-suited for use in cold environments. Because the sorption pump operates with optimized entropy, significant savings in energy consumption and operating costs can be achieved.
[0024] The application structure is connected to the reservoir of the sorption pump via an inlet connection line of at least one sorption pump. The application structure can be pumped with particular thermodynamic efficiency via the sorption pump.
[0025] The condenser unit allows the pumped substance, desorbed from the adsorbent material during regeneration, to be recondensed and returned to the application structure via the return line. The pumped substance can therefore be used in a closed loop and is not lost. In this case, the pumped substance serves, for example, as a coolant that is evaporated by the sorption pump, thus cooling the application structure (or a structure thermally connected to the application structure). The condenser unit typically comprises a condenser and an expansion valve.
[0026] The invention provides for a3 He / 4 The mixing cooler (also called a dilution refrigerator) is operated with the sorption pump or sorption pump assembly. The Still tank can be connected to the sorption pump, whose absorption material is kept at the cryogenic temperature T. cryo is pumped, and room temperature components are avoided. High energy efficiency is achieved, and no vibrations are generated (as in conventional designs with a turbo, Roots, diaphragm, or rotary vane pump). Extremely low temperatures (less than 1 K) can be provided at the mixing chamber with this arrangement. The transfer of 3 He from the upper, 3 He-rich liquid phase into the 4 The helium-rich liquid phase in the mixing chamber, due to osmotic pressure, is an endothermic process that cools the mixing chamber significantly. In the Still chamber, the lower boiling point / higher vapor pressure of 3 He opposite4 He, which is primarily gaseous 3 It is pumped out by at least one sorption pump and then fed back into the upper part of the mixing chamber via the return line. The concentration gradient of 3 He in the 4 He-rich liquid phase through evaporation and pumping out of 3 He in the still-chamber then causes the passage of the 3 He from the (subsequently delivered) 3 He-rich liquid phase into the 4 He-rich liquid phase in the mixing chamber. Preferably, the sorption pump arrangement comprises N sorption pumps with N ≥ 2, wherein the sorption pumps are arranged in parallel (see below) to ensure continuous operation. Preferred embodiments of the invention
[0027] A preferred embodiment of a sorption pump arrangement according to the invention provides that the container is vacuum-insulated, in particular that the container is arranged within an evacuated chamber of a cryostat. This simplifies the maintenance of low temperatures such as T reg and T cryo at least one adsorber unit and at least one magnetocaloric unit.
[0028] A preferred embodiment involves arranging the magnetic system outside the container. This allows the container to be kept small, increasing the efficiency of the sorption pump's operation. Typically, the adsorbent material and the magnetocaloric material together occupy at least 50%, preferably at least 75%, of the container's volume.
[0029] A preferred embodiment includes at least one superconducting magnet coil. The superconducting magnet coil can generate particularly strong, switchable magnetic fields and correspondingly strong temperature changes in the magnetocaloric material. The superconducting magnet coil can be based on NbTi, Nb3Sn, HTS materials, or a combination of these materials. Typically, the magnetic field strength in the magnetocaloric material (during desorption) is 2.5 Tesla or more, preferably 5 Tesla or more.
[0030] A preferred embodiment includes a thermal switch that allows the at least one adsorber unit to be temporarily thermally coupled to a heat sink. This enables temporary additional cooling of the adsorber unit via the heat sink, particularly to compensate for residual heat input (due to incomplete insulation). The thermal coupling of the adsorber unit to the heat sink can be achieved via components thermally coupled to the adsorber unit, for example, the magnetocaloric unit and / or a wall of the container.
[0031] A preferred embodiment includes at least one coupling device with which the magnetic system can be permanently thermally coupled to a heat sink. This allows the superconductivity of a superconducting magnetic coil in the magnetic system to be maintained permanently in a simple manner.
[0032] In an advantageous embodiment, an inlet line comprising an inlet valve leads to the container, and an outlet line comprising an outlet valve leads away from the container. The inlet line generally leads to the application structure being pumped, and the inlet valve is open during pumping. The inlet valve allows this application structure to be temporarily disconnected from the sorption pump, particularly during regeneration of the sorption pump. The outlet line typically leads to a collection or condensation unit for the pumped substance. During pumping, the outlet valve is closed. During regeneration, the outlet valve is opened, and the desorbed substance can flow out of the container via the outlet line, particularly to the collection or condensation unit.
[0033] A preferred further development of this embodiment provides that the inlet valve and / or the outlet valve is configured to operate at a valve temperature T. vent can be operated with T vent > T reg , in particular wherein a first section of the inlet connection line upstream of the inlet valve and a second section of the inlet connection line downstream of the inlet valve are coupled to each other by a counterflow heat exchanger and / or a first section of the outlet connection line upstream of the outlet valve and a second section of the outlet connection line downstream of the outlet valve are coupled to each other by a counterflow heat exchanger. Due to the higher temperature T vent compared to T reg (and especially compared to T cryo The reliability of the valves can be increased. Preferably, T ventat room temperature. The counterflow heat exchanger allows the heat input into the sorption pump or a condensation unit to be kept low.
[0034] A preferred embodiment provides that that the sorption pump arrangement comprises a number N of sorption pumps, with N ≥ 2, that the inlet connection lines of the sorption pumps each include an inlet valve, and the outlet connection lines of the sorption pumps each include an outlet valve, and that the N sorption pumps are arranged in parallel. This makes it possible to keep at least some of the sorption pumps in pumping mode at all times, while others are being regenerated. Each sorption pump can be individually assigned to pumping or regeneration mode via its inlet and outlet valves (and, if necessary, by switching a corresponding thermal switch).
[0035] In an advantageous embodiment, the return line is coupled to the chamber connecting line via a counterflow heat exchanger, in particular wherein the return line runs through the chamber connecting line. This in turn reduces heat input into the mixing chamber from recycled material. 3 He. Operating methods according to the invention
[0036] The present invention also includes a method for operating a sorption pump, comprising a sorption pump - at least one adsorber unit made of an adsorber material, and - a container in which at least one adsorber unit is arranged, wherein at least one adsorber unit in the container is operated at a cryogenic temperature T for pump operation cryo is coolable and for regeneration operation to a regeneration temperature T reg is heatable with T reg > Tcryo , - at least one magnetocaloric unit made of a magnetocaloric material, wherein the at least one magnetocaloric unit is thermally coupled to the at least one adsorber unit, in particular wherein the at least one magnetocaloric unit is also arranged in the container, and - a switchable magnetic system with which at least one magnetocaloric unit can be exposed to a switchable magnetic field, wherein the sorption pump is included in a sorption pump arrangement comprising at least one sorption pump and an application structure, wherein the application structure is connected to the container of the sorption pump via an inlet connection line of the at least one sorption pump, in particular wherein the sorption pump arrangement is designed according to the invention as described above, The process comprises the following phases: Phase 1, called the pump phase: At least one adsorber unit is at the cryogenic temperature T cryo , the magnetic system generates no or only a small magnetic field at the location of the at least one magnetocaloric unit, and the sorption pump draws in air from an inlet connection line of the container and adsorbs gas at the at least one adsorber unit; Phase 2, called the first switching phase: The magnetic field generated by the magnet system at the location of the at least one magnetocaloric unit is increased, thereby increasing the temperature of the at least one magnetocaloric unit and the at least one adsorber unit; Phase 3, called regeneration phase: At least one adsorber unit is at the regeneration temperature T reg , the magnetic system generates a strong magnetic field at the location of the at least one magnetocaloric unit, and the sorption pump desorbs the previously adsorbed gas at the at least one adsorber unit; Phase 4, called the second switching phase: the magnetic field generated by the magnetic system at the location of the at least one magnetocaloric unit is reduced, thereby reducing the temperature of the at least one magnetocaloric unit and the at least one adsorber unit, in particular wherein phases 1 to 4 are repeated cyclically, characterized in that during the process, outside of phase 3, a thermal switch is temporarily held closed, which, in the closed state, thermally couples the at least one adsorber unit to a heat sink, and that in phase 4 - during an earlier part, the heat switch is initially kept open and the magnetic field generated by the magnetic system is reduced at the location of the at least one magnetocaloric unit, thereby bringing the at least one magnetocaloric unit and the at least one adsorber unit to a temperature T zwischen be cooled down with T reg > T zwischen> T cryo , and - during a later part of the thermal switch is kept closed, thereby keeping the at least one magnetocaloric unit and the at least one adsorber unit at temperature T cryo be cooled down.
[0037] Within the framework of the inventive method, the regeneration of the sorption pump can be carried out with high thermodynamic efficiency. The cooling power required for heating and cooling, and the associated energy consumption, are minimized. Note that T reg > T cryo , usually with 25 K ≤ T reg ≤ 45 K and 2.5 K ≤ T cryo ≤ 10 K. The magnetocaloric material or at least one magnetocaloric unit and the switchable magnetic system are used to start from the operating temperature T. cryo During regeneration, the temperature of the adsorber material is raised to the regeneration temperature T during pump operation. regto increase, and after completion of the regeneration, at least largely back to the temperature T cryo to lower. Unless already reduced by magnetic cooling T cryo Once this is fully achieved, the adsorber material can be (temporarily) coupled to a heat sink. If two or more sorption pumps are arranged in parallel, their phases can be offset from each other so that at least some of the sorption pumps are always in phase 1, thus maintaining an uninterrupted pumping function. Note that T cryo (i.e., the temperature of the adsorber material) during phase 1 is usually constant, but can also vary to some extent.
[0038] By coupling to the heat sink with the heat switch, which is temporarily closed outside of phase 3, any heat input remaining in the adsorber material over a pump cycle (phases 1 to 4) can be compensated for, and the desired temperature T can be achieved. cryo The temperature can be reached (or maintained) again, even if the magnetic cooling of phase 4 alone is insufficient. The thermal switch remains open during phases 2 and 3.
[0039] By handling the heat switch in phase 4 in the earlier part and in the later part, the cooling of T is achieved. reg on T zwischen This is achieved through the magnetocaloric effect with optimized thermodynamic efficiency, and the cooling capacity is always provided at the current temperature. The remaining cooling capacity required to reach T zwischen on T cryo to come, is from the heat sink (usually at T cryo ) provided, where T zwischenalready close to T cryo lies, so that the thermodynamic efficiency here is at least significantly better than when using the heat sink of T reg out on T cryo It would need to be cooled down.
[0040] A preferred variant of the method according to the invention is in which, during phase 1, a small magnetic field generated by the magnetic system is gradually reduced at the location of the at least one magnetocaloric unit, in particular so that during phase 1 an at least approximately constant suction pressure of the sorption pump is maintained and / or an at least approximately constant cryogenic temperature T is maintained. cryowhich contains at least one magnetocaloric unit and at least one adsorber unit. By gradually reducing the magnetic field in phase 1, the adsorber material of the sorption pump can be cooled in a controlled manner during phase 1. This allows a gradually decreasing suction performance of the sorption pump to be fully or partially compensated for by the increasing coverage of the adsorber material with the adsorbed substance / gas. In particular, a constant suction pressure can be maintained, which simplifies or stabilizes the operation of a connected application structure (for example, to generate a particularly stable, extremely low temperature at the application structure); in this case, the temperature of the adsorber material T decreases. cryo during phase 1, the temperature gradually decreases. Alternatively, an approximately constant cryogenic temperature T can be maintained at the sorption pump. cryocan be maintained, if desired, to compensate for any remaining heat input into the sorption pump.
[0041] A further advantage is a variant in which, during the first part of phase 2, an inlet valve is closed and an outlet valve is opened during the last part, and in phase 4, the outlet valve is closed during the first part and the inlet valve is opened during the last part. This allows gas desorbed from the adsorber volume to be reliably and easily kept away from the application structure at the inlet port during regeneration and fed to the outlet port. Conversely, the pumped volume can be minimized during pumping operation, thus maintaining high pumping efficiency.
[0042] Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description and the drawing. Likewise, the features mentioned above and those described in more detail below can each be used individually or in any combination according to the invention. The embodiments shown and described are not to be understood as an exhaustive list, but rather serve as examples for illustrating the invention. Detailed description of the invention and drawing Fig. Figure 1 schematically shows a first design of a sorption pump, with inlet valve and outlet valve, in a cryostat; Fig. Figure 2 schematically shows a first operating procedure for a sorption pump over one pumping cycle for general explanation; Fig. Figure 3 schematically shows a second operating procedure for a sorption pump over a pumping cycle for general explanation, with a changing magnetic field during the pumping phase; Fig. Figure 4 schematically shows a first design of a sorption pump arrangement for general explanation, in the design corresponding to a “one shot” sorption cooler; Fig. Figure 5 schematically shows a second design of a sorption pump arrangement for general explanation, with a sorption pump and a counterflow heat exchanger in an inlet connection line; Fig. Figure 6 schematically shows a second design of a sorption pump, with a heat switch and a coupling device to a heat sink; Fig. Figure 7 schematically shows a variant of an operating method according to the invention for a sorption pump over a pumping cycle, with closing of a heat switch in a late part of the second switching phase; Fig. Figure 8 schematically shows a third design of a sorption pump arrangement for general explanation, with two sorption pumps connected in parallel and a capacitor device; Fig. Figure 9 schematically shows an embodiment of a sorption pump arrangement according to the invention, in a design corresponding to a 3 He / 4 The mixing cooler.
[0043] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a sorption pump 100 according to the invention. The sorption pump 100 can be installed in a sorption pump arrangement according to the invention (see Figure 1). Fig. 9) and / or are used in an operating process according to the invention (see below). Fig. 7).
[0044] The sorption pump 100 comprises a container 1 in which a magnetocaloric unit 2 made of a magnetocaloric material 2a (for example, a paramagnetic salt) is arranged. Also arranged within the container 1 is an adsorber unit 3 made of an adsorber material 3a (for example, activated carbon). The adsorber unit 3 is thermally coupled to the magnetocaloric unit by the cylindrical shell of the adsorber unit 3 resting against the outside of the cylindrical magnetocaloric unit 2. The container 1 is vacuum-insulated by being located inside an evacuated cryostat 20 (indicated by dashed lines).
[0045] The container 1 is arranged within a switchable magnetic system 4, which here comprises a superconducting magnetic coil 4a in the form of a solenoid coil. A switchable magnetic field can be generated in the region of the magnetocaloric unit 2 using the magnetic system 4. In the illustrated configuration, the magnetic field is continuously adjustable by means of the switchable magnetic arrangement.
[0046] During pump operation, the magnetocaloric unit 2 is exposed to no or a low magnetic field (for example, with a magnetic field B). pump ≤ 1.5 Tesla), and has a cryogenic temperature T cryo (for example, with T) cryo ≤ 6 K), as well as adsorber unit 3. At temperature T cryoThe adsorber material 3a of the adsorber unit 3 can bind a large quantity of a gaseous substance to be pumped (also referred to simply as gas) by adsorption. During pumping operation, an inlet valve 5 is located in an inlet connection line 5a, which leads to an application structure (not shown, but see e.g. Fig. 5) leads to, opened. The application structure is thereby drawn in (pumped). The outlet valve 6 in the outlet connection line 6a is closed.
[0047] For regeneration operation, a strong magnetic field is generated in the area of the magnetocaloric unit 2 using the switchable magnetic system 4 (for example, with a magnetic field B). reg ≥ 5 Tesla), and the magnetocaloric material 2a is thereby exposed to the higher temperature T reg (also regeneration temperature), as well as the adsorber unit 3 (T reg > T cryo , for example with T reg ≥ 20 K). At the higher temperature T regThe adsorber material 2a can then only bind a small amount of gas, meaning that previously absorbed gas is desorbed. The desorbed gas can flow out through the outlet connection line 6a when the outlet valve 6 is open. The inlet valve 5 remains closed during this process.
[0048] It should be noted that a sorption pump 100 can also have several magnetocaloric units 2 and / or several adsorber units 3 in the container 1; in this case, these are typically all thermally coupled (not shown in detail). It should also be noted that the volume of the container 1, including the volume of the connecting pipe sections up to the valves 5, 6, is typically filled to at least 50%, preferably at least 75%, and particularly preferably at least 90% by the (at least one) adsorber unit 3 and the (at least one) magnetocaloric unit 2. For this purpose, the container 1 can be tightly fitted around the outside of the adsorber unit 3. It should also be noted that active and / or passive shielding can be provided for the magnet system 4 to minimize stray fields in the vicinity of the magnet system 4 (not shown in detail).
[0049] The Fig. Figure 2 illustrates, in a first step, an operating procedure for a sorption pump, such as in Fig. Figure 1 illustrates a pump cycle for general explanation. Various parameters / states are plotted upwards, and the time progressing through the pump cycle is plotted on the right.
[0050] During phase 1 PH1 (pump phase, pump operation), the sorption pump draws suction from the inlet connection line or from the application structure connected to it; for this purpose, the inlet valve 5 is open. The outlet valve 6 is closed. The temperature T of the magnetocaloric unit and the adsorber unit is at the cryogenic temperature T during phase 1 PH1. cryo , which in the illustrated example is approximately 4 K, and the magnetic field B at the location of the magnetocaloric unit is switched off, i.e., it is zero Tesla.
[0051] The pumping operation alternates with a regeneration operation, which includes phases 2, 3 and 4.
[0052] In phase 2 PH2 (first switching phase), the inlet valve 5 is initially closed in a first part 41; note that the time required to switch a valve is comparatively short, and in the schematic Fig. Figure 2 is somewhat exaggerated for clarity (this also applies to further valve switching processes, including those in the following figures). Then, in a central section 42, the magnetic field B is ramped up, here with a linear ramp to a strength of 6 Tesla. This increases the temperature T of the magnetocaloric unit and the thermally coupled adsorber unit to the value T intended for regeneration. reg, which here is approximately 30 K. Note that the change in the magnetic field B occurs over a certain period of time to allow for continuous temperature equalization between the magnetocaloric unit and the adsorber unit. In the final part 43 of phase 2 PH2, the outlet valve 6 is opened (which only takes a short time).
[0053] In phase 3 PH3 (regeneration phase in the true sense, desorption phase) the adsorber unit has a temperature T reg Assuming a temperature of approximately 30 K from this point, the gas adsorbed onto the adsorbent material desorbs. With the outlet valve 6 open, the desorbed gas can flow out through the outlet connection line. As soon as essentially all desorbable gas has been removed (corresponding to the equilibrium at temperature T), the gas can be removed. reg Once the adsorber material has been desorbed, the regeneration phase PH3 can be terminated.
[0054] Phase 4 PH4 (second switching phase) then follows. In the first part 44, the outlet valve 6 is closed again, which only takes a short time. In the middle part 45 of the second switching phase PH4, the magnetic field B is then reduced again, here from 6 Tesla to 0 Tesla, and again in a linear ramp. As a result, the temperature T of the magnetocaloric unit and the adsorber unit drops again from T reg at approximately 30 K on T cryo at approximately 4 K (adiabatic and isentropic conditions of the magnetocaloric unit and the adsorber unit are assumed; if necessary, temporary recooling can be carried out, cf. Fig. 7 for this purpose). Then, in a final part 46 of the second switching phase PH4, the inlet valve 5 is opened again.
[0055] This completes the pump cycle (with phases 1 to 4, PH1-PH4), and the next pump phase (phase 1, PH1) follows, and so on.
[0056] The Fig. Figure 3 illustrates a second operating procedure for a sorption pump, similar to the procedure of Fig. 2. For general explanation. Only the main differences are presented below.
[0057] In the course of Fig. At the beginning of phase 1 (pumping phase) PH1, the magnetic field B in the area of the magnetocaloric unit is not completely switched off, but has a small value B', here approximately 1.2 Tesla. Over the course of phase 1 PH1, from its beginning 21 to its end 22, the strength of the magnetic field B is gradually (here linearly) reduced to the value B'' by means of the switchable magnetic system, with B' > B'', here with B'' = 0. This provides the magnetocaloric unit and the adsorber unit with a continuous magnetocaloric ("magnetic") cooling capacity throughout phase 1 PH1.
[0058] This cooling capacity can be dimensioned such that, despite a certain remaining heat input, the temperature T of the magnetocaloric unit and the adsorber unit remains constant at the desired cryogenic temperature T throughout phase 1 PH1. cryo Alternatively, this cooling capacity can be dimensioned such that the temperature T of the magnetocaloric unit and the adsorber unit gradually decreases slightly via phase 1 PH1, in order to maintain a constant pumping capacity of the sorption pump via phase 1 PH1 despite increasing coverage of the adsorber material with adsorbed gas (not shown in detail).
[0059] The Fig. Figure 4 shows, for general explanation, a sorption pump arrangement 200 comprising a sorption pump 100, similar to that in Fig. Figure 1 is shown. Therefore, only the essential differences to the sorption pump 100 are presented. Fig. 1 explained.
[0060] The sorption pump arrangement 200 is designed as a "one-shot" sorption cooler. The vessel 1 of the sorption pump 100 is connected to an application structure 23 via the inlet connection line 5a. The application structure 23 is formed by a sorption cooler vessel 24, which is partially filled with a liquid evaporation medium 25, here liquid helium (preferably 3 He), is filled.
[0061] Furthermore, container 1 has no other connecting lines, in particular no outlet connecting line (without prejudice to any assembly or maintenance access points). The inlet connecting line 5a leads directly from container 1 to the application structure 23, without an intermediate inlet valve.
[0062] A capacitor section 27 is formed approximately in the center of the inlet connection line 5a, in which a heat conduction structure 28 (for example, a copper jacket) is coupled to the inlet connection line 5a. This heat conduction structure 28 is connected to a capacitor heat sink 30 (for example, formed by a pulse tube cooler) via a heat switch 29 (also called a capacitor switching device).
[0063] During pump operation, with the magnetocaloric unit 2 and the adsorber unit 3 at a cold temperature and the switchable magnet system 4 switched off or at a low magnetic field, the sorption pump 100 draws fluid from the application structure 23, causing continuous evaporation of the evaporation medium 25, thereby cooling the application structure 23. The condenser section 27 is not cooled when the thermal switch 29 is open.
[0064] As soon as the sorption pump 100 is saturated (or when the sorption cooler tank 24 no longer contains any liquid evaporating medium 25), the magnetic field is increased for regeneration operation using the switchable magnetic system 4, and the magnetocaloric unit 2 and the adsorber unit 3 are heated slightly. The adsorbed evaporating medium desorbs from the adsorber material 3a and is released in gaseous form into the tank 1. With the thermal switch 29 closed, the condenser section 27 is now cooled, and the gaseous evaporating medium from the tank 1 recondenses on the cold condenser section 27 and drips back into the sorption cooler tank 24.
[0065] To return to pump operation, the magnetic field is reduced again using the switchable magnetic system 4, and the heat switch 29 is opened again.
[0066] The Fig. Figure 5 shows, for general explanation, a second design of a sorption pump arrangement 200, similar to the sorption pump arrangement of Fig. 4, with a sorption pump 100 according to the embodiment of Fig. 1, so that only the essential differences will be explained below.
[0067] The inlet connection line 5a, which leads from the tank 1 to the application structure 23, is equipped with a counterflow heat exchanger 31. This heat exchanger thermally couples a first line section 32a of the inlet connection line 5a upstream of the inlet valve 5 with a second line section 32b of the inlet connection line 5a downstream of the inlet valve 5 (viewed from the front and rear of the sorption pump 100). The inlet valve 5 is set to a valve temperature T vent , while in (pump operation) the pipe sections 32a, 32b are close to the cryogenic temperature T cryo the adsorber unit 3 and the magnetocaloric unit 2 are, with Tvent > T cryo T is preferred. vent at room temperature (20°C); in this case, the inlet valve 5 can operate particularly reliably.
[0068] The outlet connection line 6a contains an outlet valve 6, which is closed during pump operation. The outlet valve 6 can also be set to a specific valve temperature T, if desired. vent , especially at room temperature, wherein a counterflow heat exchanger thermally couples pipe sections in front of and behind the outlet valve 6 in an analogous manner (not shown in detail).
[0069] In the Fig. Figure 6 shows a second design of a sorption pump 100, which is similar to the sorption pump of Fig. 1 is structured so that only the essential differences will be explained here. The sorption pump 100 can be installed in a sorption pump arrangement according to the invention (see Figure 1). Fig. 9) and / or are used in an operating process according to the invention (see below). Fig. 7).
[0070] The container 1, in which the magnetocaloric unit 2 and the adsorber unit 3 are arranged, is positioned here with a (in Fig. The inner side of wall 33 (on the right side) is connected to the magnetocaloric unit 2 and the adsorber unit 3. Wall 33 is also connected on its outer side via a thermal switch 8 to a heat sink 9 (e.g., a pulse tube cooler). The heat sink 9 is maintained at a temperature of approximately 4 K, corresponding to the desired cryogenic temperature T. cryo Furthermore, the switchable magnetic system 4 with its superconducting magnetic coil 4a is permanently thermally coupled to the heat sink 9 via a static coupling device 7 (here comprising several solid-state bridges, for example made of copper).
[0071] With the thermal switch 8 open, the magnetocaloric unit 2 and the adsorber unit 3 are thermally decoupled from the heat sink 9 (as shown). In this state, the regeneration / desorption phase can take place, and the magnetocaloric unit 2 can be magnetically heated and then magnetically cooled again using the switchable magnetic system 4 (thermodynamically and entropically optimal). With the thermal switch 8 closed (not shown), additional cooling power can be temporarily introduced into the interior of the container 1 (i.e., into the magnetocaloric unit 2 and the adsorber unit 3).
[0072] A corresponding operating method according to the invention for a sorption pump according to the invention is described in the variant of Fig. 7 shown schematically and by way of example. The variant of Fig. 7 resembles the process of Fig. 2, so that only the essential differences are presented here.
[0073] Phase 1 PH1, phase 2 PH2 and phase 3 PH3 are traversed as previously described, with the heat switch 8 (also called heat switch) always remaining open.
[0074] At the beginning of phase 4 PH4, the outlet valve 6 is closed in the first part 44 of phase 4 PH4, a process that requires very little time. In the middle part 45, which also corresponds to an early part 51 of phase 4 PH4, the magnetic field B is reduced, from the strong magnetic field of 6 Tesla to no magnetic field at all, i.e., to zero Tesla. While the magnetocaloric unit and the adsorber unit are insulated from the heat sink when the heat switch 8 is open, their temperature T decreases, here from T reg to an intermediate temperature T zwischen , with T reg > T zwischen > T cryo The magnetic cooling process does not yet fully restore the previous and desired value of T. cryoFrom here, the temperature difference reaches approximately 4 K, which is typically due to a non-zero heat input during the pumping cycle. In the illustrated example, T is... zwischen approximately 10,000.
[0075] To further reduce the temperature T of the adsorber unit for the next pumping phase PH1 from T zwischen on T cryo To cool down, the thermal switch 8 is closed in part 52 of phase 4 PH4, which usually only takes a short time. In the next part of phase 4 PH4, which represents a later part 53 of phase 4 PH4, the thermal switch 8 is kept closed. According to the heat conduction now present between the heat sink, which is at temperature T, the thermal switch 8 is closed. cryo On the one hand, and on the other hand, the magnetocaloric unit and the adsorber unit, the temperature T of the magnetocaloric unit and the adsorber unit then gradually decreases to T cryo off. If T cryoOnce the required temperature is reached, the heat switch 8 is closed in a further section 54 of phase 4 PH4, which usually takes only a short time. This section 54 coincides here with the last section 46 of phase 4 PH4, in which the inlet valve 5 is reopened.
[0076] This concludes the second switching phase PH4, and the pumping phase PH1 of the next pumping cycle can begin, with the adsorber unit initially operating at a temperature T of T cryo from here it shows approximately 4 K.
[0077] Alternatively, it is also possible to place the temporary closing of the thermal switch in the middle of the demagnetization phase (see middle section 45 of phase 4 PH4). This means that in the first step, demagnetization is carried out to a temperature above the temperature of the heat sink, without completely reducing the magnetic field to zero. Then, in the second step, the thermal switch is closed, and the magnetocaloric material assumes the temperature of the heat sink. In the third step, the thermal switch is opened again, and demagnetization continues. In this way, the adsorber material can be brought to a temperature below the heat sink if necessary (not shown in detail).
[0078] The Fig. Figure 8 schematically illustrates a third design of a sorption pump arrangement 200, comprising two sorption pumps 100 and 101. The sorption pumps 100 and 101 are essentially the same as in the previously described embodiments, for example, as in Fig. 1 shown, designed. The sorption pumps 100, 101 each have in particular a container 1, at least one magnetocaloric unit 2, at least one adsorber unit 3, and a switchable magnet system 4.
[0079] The two sorption pumps 100 and 101 are connected in parallel. Accordingly, their inlet lines 5a are connected in parallel to a common inlet line 5b, which leads to the application structure 23. Similarly, their outlet lines 6a are connected in parallel to a common outlet line 6b, which leads to a condenser unit 10. The condenser unit 10 is connected to the application structure 23 via a return line 34. The application structure 23 is formed by a sorption cooler 24, which is partially filled with a liquid evaporating medium 25, in this case helium 26. By pumping (suction) at the sorption cooler 24, small quantities of the liquid evaporating medium 25 are evaporated, thereby cooling the sorption cooler 24.
[0080] Each of the inlet connection lines 5a of the sorption pumps 100, 101 has its own inlet valve 5, and each outlet connection line 6a of the sorption pumps 100, 101 has its own outlet valve 6. The valves 5, 6 are preferably actuated by motors and remotely controllable (not shown in detail).
[0081] The application structure 23 can be continuously drawn in by means of the multiple sorption pumps 100, 101 connected in parallel, and the sorption cooler tank 24 can be continuously cooled accordingly, even though the sorption pumps 100, 101 occasionally regenerate. At any given time, at least one of the sorption pumps 100, 101 is in pumping mode and draws in material from the application structure 23 with the inlet valve 5 open (and the outlet valve 6 closed). If necessary, one of the sorption pumps 100, 101 can temporarily enter regeneration mode, for which the inlet valve 5 of the affected sorption pump 100, 101 is temporarily closed, the outlet valve 6 is opened, and the adsorber unit 3 is magnetically heated and then magnetically cooled again. During this time, the other sorption pump 100, 101 remains in pumping mode.
[0082] During regeneration, gas desorbed from an adsorber unit 3 (i.e., gaseous evaporation medium) enters the cooled condenser unit 10 via the relevant outlet connection line 6a and the common outlet connection line 6b, where the gas is recondensed into a liquid evaporation medium. The condenser unit 10 is connected to a condenser heat sink and contains a throttle (neither of which are shown in detail). The recondensed, liquid evaporation medium flows back into the application structure 23 via the return line 34.
[0083] Sorption pumps can be used particularly in the field of quantum technology, for example in devices for cooling superconducting qubits. According to the invention, such a device is a 3 He / 4 The mixing cooler, which, for example, uses sorption pumps as in Fig. 9 is shown being pumped.
[0084] The Fig. Figure 9 shows in one embodiment a sorption pump arrangement 200 according to the invention, similar to the design of Fig. 8. Therefore, only the essential differences will be explained.
[0085] The sorption pump arrangement 200 of Fig. 9 sets up a 3 He / 4 The mixing cooler (also called dilution refrigerator) is used. For this purpose, the application structure 23 is specially designed.
[0086] The application structure 23 comprises a stilling chamber 11, a mixing chamber 12, and a chamber connecting line 13. The cooling function uses a coolant based on 3 He and 4 He. During operation, both the stilling chamber 11 and the mixing chamber 12 are cooled, with extremely low temperatures being achievable at the mixing chamber 12 (below 1 K, and in particular below 50 mK, and in particular significantly lower than the temperature of the stilling chamber).
[0087] In the mixing chamber 12, in an upper part 61, there is a 3 He-rich liquid phase arranged (shown dotted), and in a lower part 62 a 4 He-rich liquid phase arranged (shown as wavy lines).
[0088] In the breastfeeding room 11, in an upper part 63, there is a 3 He-rich gas phase (represented in white), and in a lower part 64 a 4 He-rich liquid phase arranged (again shown as wavy).
[0089] The chamber connecting line 13 connects the lower part 64 of the breastfeeding chamber 11 with the lower part 62 of the mixing chamber 12. The chamber connecting line 13 is equipped with 4 filled with helium-rich liquid phase (again shown as wavy).
[0090] In the embodiment shown, the chamber connecting line 13 terminates at a bottom of the stilling chamber 11 and projects from above into the mixing chamber 12; note that in practice the routing of the line can also be carried out in a different way, particularly to take local convection currents into account.
[0091] The return line 34 leads from the capacitor assembly 10 to the upper part 61 of the mixing chamber 12.
[0092] A counterflow heat exchanger 65 is arranged between the return line 34 and the chamber connecting line 13. In the illustrated embodiment, the return line 34 runs in a section inside the chamber connecting line 13.
[0093] Liquid mixtures of 3 He and 4 They separate into two phases at temperatures below 0.87 K, namely a 3 He-rich liquid phase (which consists of almost 100% helium) 3 He consists) and a4 He-rich liquid phase (which consists of approximately 93.4 wt% of) 4 He and approximately 6.6 wt% from 3 It consists, also called 4 He-rich mixed phase). 3 The helium-rich liquid phase has a lower density than the 4 He-rich liquid phase, and therefore floats in a container, such as mixing chamber 12 here, above the 4 He-rich liquid phase. If 3 He atoms from the 3 He-rich liquid phase into the 4 When the helium-rich liquid phase is crossed, energy is required, which causes the container, here the mixing chamber 12, to cool down.
[0094] Distillation takes place in still chamber 11. Helium is evaporated by the pumping of sorption pumps 100 and 101 at still chamber 11. 3 He has a higher vapor pressure than 4 He, the gas phase in the upper part 63 of the Still chamber 11 consists mainly of 3He. Accordingly, pumping primarily results in 3 It evaporates or is pumped out as a gas, and the 4 The helium-rich liquid phase in the lower part 64 of the stilling chamber 11 is removed accordingly by evaporation or pumping. 3 He was withdrawn.
[0095] This creates in the 4 He-rich liquid phase a concentration gradient from the lower part of the stilling chamber 11 via the chamber connecting line 13 to the lower part 62 of the mixing chamber. 3 He will be from the 4 The helium-rich liquid phase (mixing phase) from the mixing chamber is drawn into the stilling chamber. Subsequently, this also 3 He from the 3 He-rich liquid phase in the upper part 61 of the mixing chamber 12 into the 4 The helium-rich liquid phase is drawn out of the mixing chamber 12. This latter process causes the mixing chamber 12 to cool to an extremely cold temperature.
[0096] Within the scope of the present invention, the 3 He / 4 The dilution refrigerator is designed to be particularly compact and, in particular, does not require a separate pump station at room temperature. The sorption pumps 100 and 101 operate at cryogenic temperatures and have high thermodynamic efficiency. Furthermore, they are low-vibration and, due to their parallel arrangement, can continuously (without interruption) provide the required cooling capacity.
[0097] The 3 He / 4 The mixing cooler can be used in particular to cool chips with superconducting qubits to their operating temperature of approximately 10-20 mK by thermally coupling the chips to the mixing chamber 12. Likewise, components required for manipulating qubits (for example, traveling wave parametric amplifiers) can be cooled by coupling them to the mixing chamber 12. Reference symbol list 1 container 2 magnetocaloric units 2a magnetocaloric material 3 Adsorber Unit 3a Adsorber material 4 switchable magnetic system 4a superconducting magnetic coil 5 Inlet valve 5a Inlet connection line 5b common inlet connection line 6 exhaust valve 6a Outlet connection line 6b common outlet connection line 7 Coupling device 8 heat switches 9 Heat sink 10 Capacitor setup 11 Breast-feeding chamber 12 Mixing chamber 13 Chamber connection line 20 Cryostat 21 Beginning (Pumping phase) 22 End (Pumping phase) 23 Application structure 24 sorption cooler containers 25 liquid evaporation medium 26 Helium 27 Condensation section 28 Thermal conductivity structure 29 Heat switch / capacitor switching device (for capacitor section) 30 Heat sink (for condenser section) 31 Counterflow heat exchangers (for inlet connection line) 32a first section of the line (inlet connection line) 32b second line section (inlet connection line) 33 Wall of the container 34 Return line 41 first part (first switching phase) 42 middle section (first switching phase) 43 last part (first switching phase) 44 first part (second switching phase) 45 middle section (second switching phase) 46 last part (second switching phase) 51 earlier part (second switching phase) Part 52 (second switching phase) 53 later part (second switching phase) Part 54 (second switching phase) 61 upper part of the mixing chamber 62 lower part of the mixing chamber 63 upper part of the breastfeeding chamber 64 lower part of the breastfeeding room 65 Counterflow heat exchangers (return line) 100 sorption pump 101 Sorption pump 200 sorption pump arrangement B Magnetic field in the area of the (at least one) magnetocaloric unit B' Magnetic field at the beginning of the pumping phase B'' Magnetic field at the end of the pumping phase PH1 Phase 1 / Pump phase PH2 Phase 2 / first switching phase PH3 phase 3 / regeneration phase / desorption phase PH4 Phase 4 / second switching phase T Temperature of the (at least one) magnetocaloric unit and the (at least one) adsorber unit T cryo cryogenic temperature T reg Regeneration temperature T vent Valve temperature T zwischenIntermediate temperature after magnetic cooling and before cooling via the heat sink
Claims
[1] Sorption pump arrangement (200), comprising at least one sorption pump (100, 101) and an application structure (23), with the sorption pump (100, 101) comprising - at least one adsorber unit (3) made of an adsorber material (3a), and - a container (1) in which the at least one adsorber unit (3) is arranged, wherein the at least one adsorber unit (3) in the container (1) is heated to a cryogenic temperature T cryo can be cooled and heated to a regeneration temperature T reg can be heated, with T reg > T cryo , - at least one magnetocaloric unit (2) made of a magnetocaloric material (2a), wherein the at least one magnetocaloric unit (2) is thermally coupled to the at least one adsorber unit (3), in particular wherein the at least one magnetocaloric unit (2) is also arranged in the container (1), and - a switchable magnet system (4) with which the at least one magnetocaloric unit (2) can be exposed to a switchable magnetic field (B), wherein a capacitor device (10) is further provided, and wherein the application structure (23) is connected to the container (1) of the sorption pump (100, 101) via an inlet connection line (5a) of the at least one sorption pump (100, 101), characterized by , that the container (1) of the at least one sorption pump (100, 101) is connected to the condenser device (10) via an outlet connection line (6a) of the sorption pump (100, 101), that a return line (34) is provided via which the capacitor device (10) is connected to the application structure (23), that the application structure (23) is designed as3 He / 4 The mixing cooler, comprising a still chamber (11), a mixing chamber (12), and a chamber connection line (13), wherein in the mixing chamber (12) in an upper part (61) a 3 He-rich liquid phase and in a lower part (62) a 4 He-rich liquid phase is arranged, wherein in the still chamber (11) in an upper (63) part a 3 He-rich gas phase and in a lower part (64) a 4 He-rich liquid phase is arranged, wherein the chamber connecting line (13) connects the lower part (62) of the mixing chamber (12) with the lower part (64) of the still chamber (11), in particular wherein the chamber connection line (13) opens at a bottom of the still chamber (11), that the inlet connection line (5a) of the at least one sorption pump (100, 101) is connected to the upper part (63) of the still chamber (11), and that the return line (34) connects the condenser device (10) to the upper part (61) of the mixing chamber (12). [2] Sorption pump arrangement (200) according to claim 1, characterized by that the container (1) is vacuum-insulated, in particular wherein the container (1) is arranged within an evacuated space of a cryostat (20). [3] Sorption pump arrangement (200) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the magnet system (4) is arranged outside the container (1). [4] Sorption pump arrangement (200) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the magnet system (4) comprises at least one superconducting magnet coil (4a). [5] Sorption pump arrangement (200) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a heat switch (8) is also provided, with which the at least one adsorber unit (3) can be temporarily thermally coupled to a heat sink (9). [6] Sorption pump arrangement (200) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one coupling device (7) is provided with which the magnet system (4) can be permanently thermally coupled to a heat sink (9). [7] Sorption pump arrangement (200) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that an inlet connection line (5a) comprising an inlet valve (5) leads to the container and an outlet connection line (6a) comprising an outlet valve (6) leads away from the container (1). [8] Sorption pump arrangement (200) according to claim 7, characterized by , that the inlet valve (5) and / or the outlet valve (6) is arranged such that it is at a valve temperature T vent can be operated with T vent > T reg , in particular wherein a first line section (32a) of the inlet connection line (5a) upstream of the inlet valve (5) and a second line section (32b) of the inlet connection line (5a) downstream of the inlet valve (5) are coupled to one another by a counterflow heat exchanger (31) and / or a first line section (32a) of the outlet connection line (6a) upstream of the outlet valve (6) and a second line section (32b) of the outlet connection line (6a) downstream of the outlet valve (6) are coupled to one another by a counterflow heat exchanger (31). [9] Sorption pump arrangement (200) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the sorption pump arrangement (200) comprises a number N of sorption pumps (100, 101), with N ≥ 2, that the inlet connection lines (5a) of the sorption pumps (100, 101) each comprise an inlet valve (5), and the outlet connection lines (6a) of the sorption pumps (100, 101) each comprise an outlet valve (6), and that the N sorption pumps (100, 101) are arranged in parallel. [10] Sorption pump arrangement (200) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the return line (34) is coupled to the chamber connecting line (13) via a countercurrent heat exchanger (65), in particular wherein the return line (34) runs through the chamber connecting line (13). [11] Method for operating a sorption pump (100, 101), with the sorption pump (100, 101) comprising - at least one adsorber unit (3) made of an adsorber material (3a), and - a container (1) in which the at least one adsorber unit (3) is arranged, wherein the at least one adsorber unit (3) in the container (1) is heated to a cryogenic temperature T cryo can be cooled and heated to a regeneration temperature T reg can be heated, with T reg > T cryo , - at least one magnetocaloric unit (2) made of a magnetocaloric material (2a), wherein the at least one magnetocaloric unit (2) is thermally coupled to the at least one adsorber unit (3), in particular wherein the at least one magnetocaloric unit (2) is also arranged in the container (1), and - a switchable magnet system (4) with which the at least one magnetocaloric unit (2) can be exposed to a switchable magnetic field (B), wherein the sorption pump (100, 101) is contained in a sorption pump arrangement (200) comprising at least one sorption pump (100, 101) and an application structure (23), wherein the application structure (23) is connected to the container (1) of the sorption pump (100, 101) via an inlet connection line (5a) of the at least one sorption pump (100, 101), in particular wherein the sorption pump arrangement (200) is designed according to one of the preceding claims, with the procedure comprising the following phases: Phase 1 (PH1), called pumping phase: The at least one adsorber unit (3) is at the cryogenic temperature T cryo , the magnet system (4) generates no or only a slight magnetic field (B) at the location of the at least one magnetocaloric unit (2), and the sorption pump (100, 101) sucks at the inlet connection line (5a) of the container (1) and adsorbs gas at the at least one adsorber unit (3); Phase 2 (PH2), called first switching phase: the magnetic field (B) generated by the magnet system (4) at the location of the at least one magnetocaloric unit (2) is increased, whereby the temperature (T) of the at least one magnetocaloric unit (2) and the at least one adsorber unit (3) is increased; Phase 3 (PH3), called regeneration phase: The at least one adsorber unit (3) is at the regeneration temperature T reg , the magnet system (4) generates a strong magnetic field (B) at the location of the at least one magnetocaloric unit (2), and the sorption pump (100, 101) desorbs the previously adsorbed gas at the at least one adsorber unit (3); Phase 4 (PH4), called second switching phase: the magnetic field (B) generated by the magnet system (4) at the location of the at least one magnetocaloric unit (2) is reduced, whereby the temperature (T) of the at least one magnetocaloric unit (2) and the at least one adsorber unit (3) is reduced, in particular wherein phases 1 to 4 (PH1-PH4) are repeated cyclically, characterized by , that during the process outside phase 3 (PH3) a heat switch (8) is temporarily kept closed, which in the closed state thermally couples the at least one adsorber unit (3) to a heat sink (9), and that in Phase 4 (PH4) - during an earlier part (51), the heat switch (8) is initially kept open and the magnetic field (B) generated by the magnet system (4) at the location of the at least one magnetocaloric unit (2) is reduced, whereby the at least one magnetocaloric unit (2) and the at least one adsorber unit (3) are heated to a temperature T zwischen be cooled, with T reg > T zwischen > T cryo , and - during a later part (53) the thermal switch (8) is kept closed, whereby the at least one magnetocaloric unit (2) and the at least one adsorber unit (3) are heated to the temperature T cryo be cooled. [12] Method according to claim 11, characterized bythat during phase 1 (PH1) a small magnetic field (B) generated by the magnet system (4) at the location of the at least one magnetocaloric unit (2) is gradually reduced, in particular so that during phase 1 (PH1) an at least approximately constant suction pressure of the sorption pump (100, 101) is maintained and / or an at least approximately constant cryogenic temperature T cryo the at least one magnetocaloric unit (2) and the at least one adsorber unit (3). [13] Method according to one of claims 11 or 12, characterized by that in phase 2 (PH2) during a first part (41) an inlet valve (5) is closed and during a last part (43) an outlet valve (6) is opened, and that in phase 4 (PH4) during a first part (44) the outlet valve (6) is closed and during a last part (46) the inlet valve (5) is opened.
Citation Information
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