CO2 Vaporizer Outlet Injection for Precise Gas Temperature Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing CO2 vaporization systems fail to adjust and regulate the temperature of gaseous CO2 effectively, leading to overheating and application issues due to energy inefficiencies and temperature mismatches with user site requirements.

Innovation Solution

A system is introduced that includes a hairpin-shaped outlet pipe for the heat exchanger, where liquid CO2 is injected at the beginning to ensure complete vaporization and temperature control, combined with a bypass circuit for liquid CO2 injection using pressure differences, and a temperature probe for detection of unvaporized droplets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If heat exchange between liquid CO2 and hot water is used for vaporization, then vaporization efficiency is improved, but CO2 temperature control deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevaporization efficiencyVSAvoidCO2 temperature control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the temperature control function into two independent stages: primary vaporization through heat exchange with process water, and secondary temperature adjustment through injection of liquid CO2. This segmentation allows each stage to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Liquid CO2 serves as an intermediary substance to transfer cooling effect from the heat exchanger to the vaporized CO2 stream. By injecting liquid CO2 into the hot vapor, it acts as a mediator that gradually cools the gas through evaporation, preventing direct thermal shock while achieving temperature control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If water temperature is increased above 30°C for heat exchange, then risk of exchanger blocking is reduced, but CO2 outlet temperature increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexchanger blocking riskVSAvoidCO2 outlet temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses temperature sensors to monitor CO2 outlet temperature and provides feedback to the control system. Based on this feedback, the injection rate of liquid CO2 is automatically adjusted to maintain the desired temperature, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to varying process water temperatures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the injection rate parameter of liquid CO2 based on the temperature of process water and desired CO2 outlet temperature. By adjusting this parameter in real-time, the system compensates for variations in heat exchange conditions and maintains consistent CO2 temperature output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If automatic control with progressive valve is used for liquid CO2 injection, then temperature regulation precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature regulation precisionVSAvoidcontrol mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is designed to be self-regulating through the natural evaporation cooling effect of injected liquid CO2. The injected liquid CO2 automatically absorbs heat from the vaporized CO2 stream during phase change, providing self-cooling without requiring external power or complex control mechanisms for the cooling action itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

Ensures precise temperature regulation of gaseous CO2, preventing overheating and ensuring consistent quality for downstream applications by maintaining optimal CO2 temperature and safety through automatic adjustment.

Implementation Method 1

heat exchange between liquid CO2 and hot water (or any other hot fluid such as oil, steam, etc.)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

vaporization of liquid CO2... liquid CO2 into the gaseous CO2 outlet for a liquid CO2 vaporizer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3882506B1System for controlling co2 temperature in steam outlet
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 LAIR LIQUIDE SA POUR LETUDE & LEXPLOITATION DES PROCEDES GEORGES CLAUDE
  • EP3882506B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3882506B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention proposes a liquid cryogenic fluid vaporization equipment, comprising a heat exchanger (4), suitable for enabling heat exchange between the liquid cryogenic fluid (1, 2) and water (or any other exchange fluid such as oil, glycol water, etc.), in order to carry out said vaporization, characterized in that it comprises a means for injecting (5) a liquid gas into the gas produced at the outlet of the vaporization exchanger, in order to lower the temperature of this produced gas into a given range.