Added value determining method for circulation cooling type initial cooling of superconducting device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Circulation cooling type initial cooling for superconducting devices has not gained widespread adoption due to the high cost of the circulation cooling device, which makes it difficult to find a commensurate value for the investment, especially since the frequency of initial cooling is low during the lifetime of the magnet.
Innovation Solution
A method that calculates the added value of circulation cooling type initial cooling by comparing the liquid helium consumed amount in immersion cooling and circulation cooling, including the use of a circulation cooling device that circulates a cooled gas to a liquid refrigerant tank and then immerses the superconducting coil in liquid helium, to determine the financial benefits and reduce the initial cooling cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If circulation cooling type initial cooling is used, then liquid helium consumption is reduced, but the cost of the circulation cooling device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a circulation cooling device as an intermediary system between the ambient environment and the superconducting coil. This device uses a refrigerant circulation system with heat exchangers to transfer heat away from the superconducting coil, replacing the direct immersion cooling method. The circulation cooling device acts as a mediator that achieves cooling without requiring large amounts of liquid helium, thus resolving the contradiction between reduced substance loss and increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a hydraulic circulation system using liquid refrigerant (such as liquid nitrogen or helium) that circulates through closed loops with heat exchangers. This hydraulic system replaces the direct liquid helium immersion method by using a controlled circulation process to remove heat from the superconducting coil. The pneumatic and hydraulic principles enable efficient heat transfer with minimal refrigerant consumption, addressing the contradiction between substance loss and device complexity.
2Loss of substance
If circulation cooling device is introduced, then initial cooling cost is reduced, but investment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary cooling action by using the circulation cooling device to pre-cool the superconducting coil before final immersion in liquid helium. The circulation cooling system performs the initial heat removal from ambient temperature to a lower temperature range, preparing the system for the final cooling stage. This preliminary action reduces the total liquid helium consumption and associated costs, while the circulation device investment is offset by the significant savings in consumable refrigerant.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the cooling parameters by transitioning from direct liquid helium immersion to a two-stage process using circulation cooling. The system modifies the temperature progression and heat transfer rates by using a circulation system with controlled flow rates and heat exchanger surface areas. This parameter change enables more efficient cooling with reduced liquid helium consumption, balancing the investment cost against operational savings.
3Temperature
If immersion cooling is used, then cooling effectiveness is high, but liquid helium consumption is very large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cooling process into multiple stages: first using a circulation cooling system to remove the majority of heat from ambient temperature to an intermediate temperature, then using a smaller amount of liquid helium for final cooling to the superconducting temperature. This segmentation of the cooling process into distinct phases with different refrigerants and methods achieves effective cooling while dramatically reducing liquid helium consumption compared to single-stage immersion cooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The circulation cooling system serves as an intermediary cooling stage between ambient temperature and the final liquid helium cooling stage. This intermediary system uses a refrigerant circulation loop with heat exchangers to perform the bulk of the heat removal work, allowing the subsequent liquid helium immersion to start from a lower temperature and require significantly less helium to achieve the final superconducting temperature.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method helps popularize circulation cooling type initial cooling by financially recognizing the technical value through reduced liquid helium consumption and a fair usage fee for the circulation cooling device, making it more economically viable compared to conventional immersion cooling.
Implementation Method 1
cooling the superconducting coil from an ambient temperature of the superconducting device to a predetermined cryogenic temperature by using a circulation cooling device that circulates a cooled gas to the liquid refrigerant tank
Implementation Method 2
cooling the superconducting coil from the predetermined cryogenic temperature to a target cryogenic temperature at which the superconducting coil is operated, by immersing the superconducting coil in liquid helium in the liquid refrigerant tank
Data Source
AI summary
An added value determining method for circulation cooling type initial cooling of a superconducting device that includes a liquid refrigerant tank accommodating a superconducting coil inside, the method including: acquiring a liquid helium consumed amount in a case of cooling the superconducting coil from an ambient temperature to a target cryogenic temperature by immersion cooling using liquid helium or liquid helium and another liquid refrigerant; acquiring a liquid helium consumed amount in the circulation cooling type initial cooling; and presenting an added value of the circulation cooling type initial cooling with respect to the immersion cooling, based on a comparison between the liquid helium consumed amount in the immersion cooling and the liquid helium consumed amount in the circulation cooling type initial cooling.