Temperature-Controlled Cold Gas Stream Apparatus

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for generating a cold gas stream from cryogenic liquefied gases face challenges in maintaining temperature stability due to irregular heat input from heat transfer fluids, which is critical in applications like carbonation where temperature fluctuations affect the degree of carbonization.

Innovation Solution

A device with a temperature control mechanism that regulates the entry of liquefied gas into the evaporator unit using a measuring device and control valve, ensuring precise temperature control by adjusting the amount of liquefied gas based on temperature readings, and incorporating a heat exchanger and air evaporator for stable evaporation, with a sintered body for efficient mixing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If heat transfer fluid is used for evaporating cryogenic medium, then the evaporator can operate without ice formation, but the temperature of the evaporated gas fluctuates due to irregular heat content and flow rate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveevaporator functionalityVSAvoidtemperature stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system where a temperature sensor measures the temperature of the evaporated gas, and a control valve adjusts the flow rate of liquefied gas based on the temperature deviation. This closed-loop feedback mechanism compensates for fluctuations in heat transfer fluid conditions, maintaining stable gas temperature despite variations in heat content and flow rate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the flow rate parameter of the liquefied gas through the control valve in response to temperature measurements. By adjusting this parameter in real-time based on feedback, the system compensates for irregular heat input and maintains consistent evaporation temperature.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If additional temperature control system is added to compensate for fluctuations, then temperature stability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature stabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback control mechanism uses existing components (temperature sensor, control valve) to achieve temperature stabilization without requiring a completely separate control system. The system leverages the natural evaporation process combined with feedback adjustment, avoiding the need for additional heating or cooling equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the evaporated gas itself as the reference for temperature control, with the control valve adjusting liquefied gas flow based on temperature measurements from the gas stream. This self-regulating approach eliminates the need for external temperature control systems.

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

This solution provides a cold gas stream with high temperature stability, eliminating the need for additional cooling or heating, ensuring precise temperature control for applications like beverage carbonation.

Implementation Method 1

an evaporator unit integrated in the withdrawal line, which is equipped with a heat exchanger surface for indirect thermal contact of the liquefied gas with a heat transfer fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

The injection device includes an end section of the liquid line, equipped with a spray nozzle or a sintered body, which projects into the interior of the extraction line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDispersion: Dispersion (of waves)

Implementation Method 3

the injection device is equipped with a measuring device for detecting the temperature in the extraction line downstream to the evaporator unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature measurement: Thermocouple

Data Source

PatentEP4107422B1Apparatus and method for generating a temperature-controlled cold gas stream
Publication Date: 2024.11.27 MESSER SE & CO KGAA
  • EP4107422B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4107422B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

An apparatus for generating a temperature-controlled cold gas stream, having a storage tank and an extraction line which is connected to the storage tank and which serves for the extraction of liquefied gas from the storage tank, and having an evaporator unit which is integrated in the extraction line and which is equipped with a heat exchanger surface for the indirect thermal contact of the liquefied gas with a heat carrier fluid, is characterized according to the invention in that a liquid line branches off from the extraction line downstream of the storage tank and upstream of the evaporator unit, which liquid line opens into the extraction line downstream of the evaporator unit at an introduction device, wherein the introduction device is equipped with a sensor for detecting the temperature in the extraction line and with a control valve which is operatively connected to the sensor and which serves for controlling the introduction of liquefied gas into the extraction line.