System for adjusting the temperature of a cryogenic fluid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for regulating the temperature of cryogenic fluids suffer from significant energy losses and complexity due to the need for multiple valves and large diameters in the main branch, especially when trying to achieve temperatures far from the initial cryogenic fluid temperature.
Innovation Solution
A system with a cryogenic fluid circulation pipe featuring a main branch and a bypass branch, where the bypass branch includes a convergent and divergent section to create a Venturi effect, reducing the need for valves by using the pressure drop to control the flow rate, and optionally incorporating a heat exchanger or cryogenic cold source for cooling, while heating the mixture to the desired application temperature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a bypass branch with two cryogenic valves is used to cool only part of the flow, then energy losses are reduced, but device complexity and cost increase due to requiring two controlled valves
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the flow control function from the valve and relocates it to the bypass branch geometry itself. The bypass branch is designed with a specific cross-sectional area that naturally creates the required pressure drop to control the cooled flow rate, eliminating the need for a control valve in the bypass branch while maintaining energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass branch geometry serves itself to control the flow distribution. The specific cross-sectional area of the bypass branch automatically regulates the flow rate through pressure drop effects, making the system self-regulating without requiring external control valves for flow management.
2Device complexity
If a single valve is used on the main branch, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing and control become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the valve from the main branch entirely and transfers the flow control function to the bypass branch geometry. This eliminates the complexity of coordinating two valves while maintaining ease of manufacture, as the bypass branch is simply a geometric feature of the piping system.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass branch geometry acts as an intermediary element that mediates the flow distribution between the main branch and the cooling path. By designing the bypass branch with a specific cross-sectional area, it automatically balances the flow without requiring active control mechanisms.
3Temperature
If the entire mass flow is cooled to temperature Tf and then heated to Tapp, then temperature regulation is achieved, but energy losses become very significant for high mass flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of cooling the entire mass flow to the low temperature Tf, the invention applies partial cooling by directing only a portion of the flow through the bypass branch to the heat exchanger. The mixed flow then requires less heating to reach the application temperature Tapp, significantly reducing energy losses while maintaining effective temperature regulation.
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 minimizes energy losses and simplifies the system by reducing the number of valves required, allowing precise temperature regulation with reduced space and cost, while decoupling the cold source from the fluid circulation loop to prevent vibrations and enable quick heating.
Implementation Method 1
the main branch comprises a pipe successively comprising a convergent part, a neck of section smaller than that of the pipe and a divergent part... by Venturi effect, a depression adapted to generate a determined flow rate of the part of the fluid in the bypass branch
Implementation Method 2
Part A1 circulating in bypass branch 11 is cooled to temperature Tf by passing through an exchanger 3 bathed in fluid B
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a temperature control system for a cryogenic fluid, comprising a cryogenic fluid circulation line (1) (A), including a main branch (12) in which a portion (A2) of the cryogenic fluid circulates at an initial temperature (Ti) and a bypass branch (11) in which another portion (A1) of the cryogenic fluid is cooled to a final temperature (Tf) lower than the initial temperature (Ti), so as to form a mixture of said portions (A1, A2) of the cryogenic fluid at a temperature (Tm) between the final temperature (Tf) and the initial temperature (Ti), said system being characterized in that the main branch (12) includes a conduit (8) successively comprising a converging portion (8a),a collar (8b) with a cross-section smaller than that of the pipe (1) and a diverging section (8c), and in that the branch (11) is connected to said pipe (8) by an upstream fitting (80) located upstream of the converging section (8a) and by a downstream fitting (81) located at the level of the collar (8b).