Cold storage system
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional storage and delivery systems for dry ice are inefficient, leading to significant sublimation loss, quality degradation, and logistical challenges, including the need for immediate large-scale production and frequent replenishment, which increases costs and reduces availability for emergency and industrial applications.
Innovation Solution
A cold solid storage system utilizing a cryogenic tank with a vacuum layer and a mixture of dry ice pellets and liquid nitrogen to minimize heat exchange, prevent sublimation, and facilitate efficient storage and delivery, allowing for long-term storage and on-demand use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If traditional storage systems (insulated cooler wrapped in cellophane) are used, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but dry ice sublimation loss is high (5-10% per day)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing dry ice pellets inside an inner container, which is then placed within an outer container with insulation material, creating a nested multi-layer storage system. This nested structure provides enhanced thermal insulation while maintaining a compact form factor, reducing dry ice sublimation loss to 1% per day or less without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal insulation parameters by using vacuum insulation or advanced insulation materials with specific thermal conductivity values, and optimizes the container wall thickness and air gap dimensions. These parameter changes significantly reduce heat transfer into the dry ice storage space, minimizing sublimation loss while keeping the system practical
2Loss of substance
If dry ice is stored in large blocks to reduce sublimation loss, then sublimation loss rate decreases, but the ability to rapidly transfer cold temperature to surrounding environment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments dry ice into pellets or smaller units rather than storing large blocks. The container is designed with compartments or packaging structures that maintain these smaller units separately, preventing them from fusing into large masses. This segmentation increases surface area for rapid heat transfer during use while the insulated container minimizes sublimation loss during storage
3Quantity of substance
If dry ice is manufactured and stored long term at manufacturer hubs, then large quantity is available, but storage duration is insufficient and frequent replenishment is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-cooling the container and packaging materials before introducing dry ice, and by pre-positioning the insulated containers at distribution points or customer locations. This preliminary preparation ensures that when dry ice is stored, the thermal gradient is minimized from the start, extending storage duration significantly and reducing the frequency of replenishment trips
4Speed
If dry ice is broken up into smaller sizes for rapid cooling, then cold temperature transfer to surrounding environment improves, but additional processing time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-breaking dry ice into pellets or desired sizes during the manufacturing or initial storage phase, before the customer receives it. The insulated container maintains these pre-processed smaller units in a separated state, preventing fusion. This eliminates the need for customers to perform additional breaking operations, saving time and labor while maintaining rapid heat transfer capability
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 effectively reduces dry ice loss to 1% per day or less, maintains quality, and enables reliable, efficient storage and delivery, making dry ice more available for emergency and industrial uses by preserving the material's volume and quality.
Implementation Method 1
A cold solid storage system utilizing a cryogenic tank with a vacuum layer and a mixture of dry ice pellets and liquid nitrogen to minimize heat exchange
Implementation Method 2
A cold solid storage system utilizing a cryogenic tank with a vacuum layer and a mixture of dry ice pellets and liquid nitrogen to minimize heat exchange
Implementation Method 3
as dry ice absorbs heat from the environment, it sublimates into gaseous carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 4
as dry ice absorbs heat from the environment, it sublimates into gaseous carbon dioxide
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and apparatus for providing long-term cold storage of solid materials such as dry ice are disclosed. The solid materials are stored in a tank configured to maintain the materials in their solid state. The tank is designed with a port sufficiently large to facilitate ingress and egress of the solid materials. A cryogenic liquid is used within the tank to substantially prevent the solid materials from sticking to each other, and to maintain the solid materials at a low temperature.