Improvements in refrigeration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle transport refrigeration systems are inefficient, leading to high greenhouse gas emissions and excessive hydrocarbon fuel consumption due to over-specification of power take-off and refrigeration units, which results in low coefficients of performance and significant energy wastage.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic engine system is coupled with a refrigeration system, allowing for downsizing of the refrigeration system and utilizing cryogenic fluids directly for fast temperature control, while utilizing heat from the refrigeration compartment to enhance the efficiency of the cryogenic engine through heat exchange, potentially using a vapour compression or air cycle refrigeration system driven by the cryogenic engine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a cryogenic engine system is coupled with a refrigeration system to utilize cryogenic fluids directly for cooling, then refrigeration efficiency is improved and energy consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cryogenic engine system with the refrigeration system into an integrated unit where the cryogenic engine serves dual purposes: generating power and providing refrigeration through its exhaust cold stream. This merging eliminates the need for separate refrigeration equipment, reducing overall system complexity while improving energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The cryogenic engine is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it generates mechanical power for vehicle propulsion and produces cold exhaust gas that serves as the refrigeration source. This multi-functionality allows a single device to replace what would traditionally require separate power generation and refrigeration systems.
2Device complexity
If the refrigeration system is downsized to maintain temperature only, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to cool down the container after door openings is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-cools the container during normal operation using the cryogenic engine's cold exhaust, maintaining the container at the target temperature. When doors are opened and heat ingress occurs, the system can rapidly re-cool because the cryogenic engine continuously provides cold energy, ready to compensate for temperature rises without requiring an oversized refrigeration system.
Solution Approach 2:
The cryogenic engine operates continuously, providing a continuous supply of cold exhaust gas to the refrigeration system. This continuous cooling action maintains the container temperature steadily and allows for rapid response to temperature disturbances from door openings, eliminating the need for periodic or intermittent cooling cycles.
3Loss of energy
If heat from the refrigeration compartment is used to warm the cryogenic fluid before expansion, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the heating function into the existing refrigeration system by using the cold exhaust stream from the cryogenic engine to pre-cool the refrigerant before it enters the expansion device. This integration allows heat exchange between the exhaust stream and refrigerant without requiring separate heating equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own cold exhaust stream to pre-cool the refrigerant, making the system self-sufficient. The cold energy that would otherwise be wasted is captured and used to improve the efficiency of the refrigeration cycle, reducing the work required by the compressor and expanding device.
4Use of energy by moving object
If cryogenic fluid is sprayed directly into the cold compartment, then refrigeration efficiency is improved, but safety hazards increase due to asphyxiation risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the cold exhaust gas from the cryogenic engine as an intermediary medium to transfer cold energy into the refrigeration compartment. Instead of spraying liquid cryogenic fluid directly into the compartment (which creates asphyxiation hazards), the system channels the already-vaporized cold exhaust gas through a heat exchanger or directly into the compartment, providing cooling without the dangers of direct cryogenic fluid contact.
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 configuration reduces energy consumption, enhances refrigeration efficiency, and minimizes emissions by optimizing the use of cryogenic fluids, achieving improved performance and reduced fuel usage in refrigerated transport units.
Implementation Method 1
a cryogenic engine system for converting the thermal energy potential between a reservoir of a cryogenic fluid and an ambient environment
Implementation Method 2
utilizing heat from the refrigeration compartment to enhance the efficiency of the cryogenic engine through heat exchange
Implementation Method 3
a refrigeration system which is used to refrigerate a refrigeration compartment
Data Source
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AI summary
A system comprising a cryogenic engine system and a refrigeration system, wherein the cryogenic engine system and the refrigeration system are mechanically and/or thermally coupled with each other. The refrigeration system is driven by the cryogenic engine system and the cryogenic engine system enhances cooling of the refrigeration system.