A cryogenic cooling system and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard cryogenic cooling systems for superconducting cables become uneconomical over extended distances due to high costs and low efficiency, primarily because they rely on sensible heat transfer and require increased flow rates and system pressures, which are inefficient for heat removal.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic cooling system that utilizes both sensible and evaporative heat transfer by incorporating a liquid channel, a vapour channel, and spray generators to effect evaporation of liquid cryogen, with a pressure differential to drive the liquid cryogen through nozzles into the vapour channel, allowing for latent heat of vaporization to be harnessed, combined with sensible heat transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If standard forced flow systems are used to cool superconducting cables over extended distances, then cooling capability is maintained, but system costs and energy consumption increase significantly due to high flow rates and pressures required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies phase transition by allowing the cryogen to evaporate from liquid to vapor state within the cable conduit. This evaporation process absorbs latent heat of vaporization, providing intense cooling without requiring high flow rates or pressures. The phase change occurs naturally as the liquid cryogen is introduced into the confined space, creating a self-regulating cooling mechanism that dramatically reduces energy consumption compared to forced flow systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the cooling function from an active forced flow system and replaces it with a passive evaporative cooling mechanism. By removing the need for pumps and high-pressure circulation systems, the patent eliminates the energy-intensive components while maintaining effective cooling through the inherent thermodynamic properties of the cryogen's phase transition.
2Length of stationary object
If increased flow rates and system pressures are used to convey cryogen over extended distances, then cooling coverage is extended, but heat load increases due to frictional heating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the phase transition from liquid to vapor to extend cooling distance without increasing flow rates or pressures. The evaporating cryogen absorbs heat along the entire length of the conduit where phase change occurs, providing distributed cooling over extended distances. This eliminates frictional heating losses associated with high-velocity liquid flow while maintaining effective cooling coverage.
3Device complexity
If single-phase liquid cryogen is used for cooling, then system simplicity is maintained, but heat removal capability is limited to sensible heating only
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from single-phase liquid cooling to two-phase evaporative cooling while maintaining system simplicity. By allowing the cryogen to evaporate within the conduit, the system accesses the latent heat of vaporization, increasing heat removal capability by up to twenty times compared to sensible heating alone. This phase change approach enhances cooling power without adding complex multi-stage cooling equipment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves up to twenty times more heat removal per unit of cryogen than standard solutions, reducing mass flow rates and pressure requirements, enabling longer distances and more efficient cooling with improved thermal stability.
Implementation Method 1
spray generators communicating between the liquid channel and the vapour channel and operable to effect cooling of the medium by effecting evaporation of the liquid cryogen
Implementation Method 2
achieves heat transfer by means of the latent heat of vaporisation
Implementation Method 3
achieves heat transfer by means of the latent heat of vaporisation, preferably in combination with sensible heat transfer
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cryogenic cooling system and method for particular use in cooling superconducting cables over extended distances, the system and method involving the evaporation of liquid cryogen though an array of spray generators thereby effecting heat transfer utilising the latent heat of vaporisation and optionally through sensible heat transfer in order to provide improved cryogenic cooling over extended distances.