Cryogenic Liquid Sampling System with Vacuum Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an efficient system to sample and store cryogenic liquids in their liquid state for accurate analysis, particularly for custody transfer, while preventing phase changes and ensuring portability for later laboratory analysis.
Innovation Solution
A cryogenic liquid sampling system comprising a chamber with a sample pump and an enclosure that includes a vacuum device and processing circuitry to extract and store the liquid sample in a constant pressure container, maintaining the sample in a liquid state through controlled backpressure and vacuum generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the cryogenic liquid is sampled and stored without maintaining constant pressure, then the sampling and storage process is simpler, but the sample undergoes phase change from liquid to gas
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains constant pressure within the sampling chamber and storage container to prevent phase change of the cryogenic liquid sample. By controlling the pressure parameter to match the saturation pressure at the sample temperature, the liquid state is preserved during sampling, transfer, and storage operations.
Solution Approach 2:
A constant pressure container acts as an intermediary device between the sampling chamber and the storage container. This intermediary maintains pressure equilibrium and enables safe transfer of the cryogenic liquid sample without phase change, isolating the sample from atmospheric pressure variations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cryogenic liquid sample is converted to gaseous form for analysis, then the analysis can be performed using standard gas chromatograph equipment, but the sample undergoes phase change and may not represent the original liquid composition
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a faithful copy of the original liquid sample by maintaining it in liquid state throughout sampling, transfer, and storage. This liquid copy preserves the exact composition and phase characteristics of the original cryogenic liquid, enabling accurate representation for subsequent analysis without phase-induced composition changes.
3Measurement precision
If the sample is stored in a constant pressure container, then the sample remains in liquid state for accurate analysis, but the device complexity and operational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The constant pressure container is designed to self-regulate pressure through its specialized valve system. The valve automatically adjusts to maintain constant pressure without requiring external control systems, allowing the container to self-maintain the pressure conditions necessary for preserving the liquid state of the cryogenic sample.
4Temperature
If vacuum insulation is used to maintain sample temperature, then heat transfer to the sample is reduced, but the system complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs vacuum insulation chambers with flexible sealing mechanisms and thin-walled construction to achieve thermal isolation. The vacuum-sealed enclosure provides effective thermal insulation while maintaining a compact, manufacturable design that can be assembled using standard fabrication techniques.
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 captures and stores cryogenic liquid samples in their liquid state, enabling accurate analysis and ensuring portability for custody transfer, while preventing phase changes and maintaining sample integrity for off-site analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum device connected to the input port and configured to generate a vacuum within the chamber by pulling air from the vacuum line
Implementation Method 2
a sample pump configured to pull a cryogenic liquid sample from an external source
Implementation Method 3
storing the sample in its liquid state in a constant pressure container
Data Source
AI summary
A cryogenic liquid sampling system including a chamber having affixed therein a sample pump to pull a cryogenic liquid sample from an external source and an enclosure. The enclosure includes a supply port to receive an input stream of a gas, an input port connected to the chamber via a vacuum line, a sample pump port connected to the chamber via a pump line and configured to feed therethrough gas received at the supply port to the sample pump, a vacuum device connected to the input port and configured to generate a vacuum within the chamber by pulling air from the vacuum line, and processing circuitry to control the vacuum device and the sample pump to perform transfer of a cryogenic liquid sample from the external source to an external device.