Cryogenic Injection Valve Layout to Prevent Nozzle Clogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for injecting cryogenic fluids into chambers are prone to clogging due to the solidification of cryogenic fluids within the pipes, especially when the pressure falls below a certain threshold, leading to operational interruptions and limitations in cooling various product states.
Innovation Solution
A spring-loaded valve system within a hollow cylindrical body ensures that the valve only slides under a minimum cryogenic fluid pressure threshold, preventing material entry and clogging, and includes a thermal bridge to prevent icing, with flexible connections for easy dismantling and cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a common control valve is used for all injection devices, then the device complexity is reduced, but clogging occurs in the pipes when pressure falls below 5.18 bar
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into multiple independent injection devices, each with its own control valve and piping. This segmentation prevents clogging from affecting the entire system - if one device clogs, others remain operational. The modular design allows individual devices to be maintained or replaced without shutting down the entire cooling system.
Solution Approach 2:
The injection devices are designed to expel slugs formed in the connection and nozzle following valve closure by using pressurized liquid to force the slug into the chamber when the valve is reopened. This preliminary action prevents clogging from stopping operation, as the slug is cleared before it can block the system.
2Ease of operation
If flexible pipes are used to connect valve to injection devices, then dismantling is facilitated for restart, but the operation is lengthy and arduous
Solution Approach 1:
Each injection device is a self-contained module with its own valve and piping, allowing individual removal and replacement. This modular segmentation enables quick swapping of problematic devices without affecting the entire system, significantly reducing maintenance time compared to dismantling a unified system.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows for rapid replacement of injection devices or piping components that become clogged or degraded. Rather than attempting to clean or repair the entire system, individual components can be quickly discarded and replaced, minimizing operational interruption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If independent valves with separate flexible pipes are provided for each injection device, then control is improved, but clogging occurs in the flexible pipe
Solution Approach 1:
The injection devices are designed to extract and expel slugs formed in the connection and nozzle by using pressurized liquid to force the slug into the chamber. This extraction mechanism removes the harmful clogging element before it can block the flexible pipe, maintaining reliability while preserving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by designing the injection device to prevent slug formation from causing clogging. The geometry and pressure dynamics are configured to expel potential blockages before they can obstruct the flexible piping, proactively preventing the reliability issue.
4Loss of energy
If storage containers are used to limit heat losses, then energy efficiency is improved, but pressure falls below 14 bar frequently causing clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple independent injection devices instead of a single centralized system. This segmentation allows each device to operate independently at optimal pressure levels, preventing the pressure drop issues that cause clogging in centralized systems while maintaining energy efficiency through localized super-insulated containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The injection devices are designed to expel slugs formed in the connection and nozzle following valve closure by using pressurized liquid to force the slug into the chamber when the valve is reopened. This preliminary action prevents clogging from occurring even when pressure fluctuations happen due to energy-efficient insulation.
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 allows for continuous injection of cryogenic fluids without clogging, enabling effective cooling of products in any state (liquid, pasty, solid, or granular) and facilitates easy maintenance, enhancing cooling efficiency by ensuring cryogenic solid formation before contact with the product.
Implementation Method 1
The spring is loaded in such a way that the valve cannot slide without being subjected to a cryogenic fluid pressure at least equal to a threshold pressure
Implementation Method 2
The liquid CO2, introduced under pressure via an injection nozzle, is converted, upon its expansion, in the nozzle, to a solid (dry ice), and to a cold gas
Implementation Method 3
with flexible connections for easy dismantling and cleaning
Data Source
AI summary
The injection device according to the invention, intended to be attached to the wall of the bottom of a container containing a product to be cooled in bulk, includes a hollow cylindrical body in which a valve forced by a spring is inserted, a throughchannel appreciably parallel to said valve intended to be fed by pressurized cryogenic fluid, one end of said through-channel being connected to the cryogenic fluid feed system and the opposite end opening into the seat of the valve.