Cryogenic Shipping Container Refrigeration for Helium Loss Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for transporting cryogenically cooled superconducting magnets result in significant cryogen loss during transit due to heating and pressure increases, leading to costly replacement of lost helium, especially in areas where cryogen supply is limited.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a self-contained cryogenic refrigeration system within an ISO shipping container that utilizes existing power supplies and actively maintains cryogenic temperatures, using a refrigerant to re-condense boiled-off cryogen and manage pressure, reducing helium loss and enabling indefinite storage with minimal cryogen loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a self-contained cryogenic refrigeration system is integrated into the shipping container, then cryogen loss during transport is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the cryogenic refrigeration system, thermal shields, and cryogen storage into a single unified shipping container assembly. The refrigeration unit is mounted within the container and thermally coupled to the thermal shields that surround the cryogen-filled dewar, creating a combined system that actively maintains cryogenic temperatures during transport without requiring separate independent systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automatic temperature monitoring and control mechanisms where sensors detect temperature changes in the cryogen and automatically activate the refrigeration unit when temperatures rise above the superconducting threshold. The thermal shields passively intercept heat from the external environment, and the system self-regulates to maintain superconducting conditions without continuous manual intervention.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the cryogenic refrigeration system remains inactive during transport, then energy consumption is reduced, but temperature control capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system is pre-configured with thermal insulation layers and passive thermal shields that are already in place before transport begins. These preliminary protective measures reduce the immediate heat ingress, allowing the active refrigeration system to operate at lower power levels or in intermittent modes rather than requiring full continuous operation, thus balancing energy consumption with temperature control effectiveness.
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 solution significantly reduces cryogen loss during transport and storage, allowing for efficient and cost-effective handling of cryogenically cooled devices, including superconducting magnets, by using existing power sources and minimizing the need for onboard generators.
Implementation Method 1
a cryogenic refrigeration system is used to cool one or more conductive thermal shields to temperatures between 10K and 100K. These shields intercept heat from the environment and reduce the amount of heat reaching the coil windings
Implementation Method 2
The recondensed liquid helium collects in the existing liquid helium bath
Implementation Method 3
capable of attaining temperatures low enough to re-condense the gaseous helium to a liquid state
Implementation Method 4
Superconductivity occurs in certain materials at very low temperatures where the material exhibits an electrical resistance of approximately zero
Implementation Method 5
encompassed by a vacuum chamber to inhibit heating from internal convection of the cryogen
Implementation Method 6
both the cryostat and the thermal conductors are surrounded by a thermal shield to prevent heating from external infrared radiation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An International Organization for Standardization (ISO) shipping container 10 includes a cryogenic refrigeration system 14 for cryogenically cooling superconducting magnet(s) 12A, 12B during transit. The cryogenic refrigeration system 14 monitors the temperature and/or pressure of the superconducting magnet(s) and circulates a refrigerant to the superconducting magnet(s) to maintain cryogenic temperatures in superconducting coils. A power supply 16, provided by a transportation vehicle, connects to the cryogenic refrigeration system via a power inlet 20 which is accessible from the exterior of the shipping container. The superconducting magnet(s) are suspended within the shipping container which is then loaded onto the transportation vehicle. The external power supply is connected to the cryogenic refrigeration system such that refrigerant is circulated to a cold head 22A, 22B of each superconducting magnet. Maintaining cryogenic temperatures during transit minimizes losses to any liquid cryogen or gaseous cryogen installed in the superconducting prior to transit.