Adsorbent system and cryogenic shipping container including the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dry vapor cryogenic shipping containers with quick charging adsorbent systems face issues with nitrogen desorption, leading to hazardous material regulations and penalties, as they take too long to charge and have slow adsorption rates.
Innovation Solution
An adsorbent system comprising a primary aerogel adsorbent with a high liquid cryogen adsorption rate and a secondary fumed metal oxide adsorbent with a slower adsorption rate, positioned to synergistically ensure fast charging within 2-4 hours while maintaining a 'dry' condition by adsorbing any desorbed nitrogen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a quick charging adsorbent system is used, then the charging speed is improved, but nitrogen desorption occurs leading to hazardous material regulations
Solution Approach 1:
The adsorbent system is segmented into multiple adsorbent materials with different adsorption characteristics. The patent uses a combination of adsorbents including at least one of silica gel, activated alumina, molecular sieve, or carbon, each contributing different adsorption rates and capacities. This segmentation allows the system to rapidly adsorb liquid nitrogen during charging while preventing desorption during storage, resolving the contradiction between charging speed and nitrogen retention.
2Quantity of substance
If liquid nitrogen is contained in the shipping container, then storage capacity is improved, but shipping regulations and restrictions apply
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the physical state parameter of nitrogen from liquid to vapor phase through controlled adsorption. By using the adsorbent system to completely adsorb liquid nitrogen during a charging period, the container transitions from containing liquid nitrogen (hazardous material) to containing only vapor nitrogen (non-hazardous). This parameter change allows storage of nitrogen in quantities that would otherwise require hazardous material regulations.
3Device complexity
If a single adsorbent material is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adsorption rate is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite adsorbent materials combining different types of adsorbents with complementary properties. The system includes combinations such as silica gel with activated alumina, or molecular sieve with carbon, where each material contributes unique adsorption characteristics. This composite approach achieves high adsorption rates necessary for quick charging while maintaining system simplicity through integrated design.
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 allows for rapid charging of liquid cryogens while preventing the accumulation of free liquid nitrogen, thus avoiding hazardous material regulations and ensuring efficient storage.
Implementation Method 1
a primary adsorbent having a first liquid cryogen adsorption rate disposed within the interior volume of the inner vessel
Implementation Method 2
a secondary adsorbent having a second liquid cryogen adsorption rate disposed within the interior volume of the inner vessel
Data Source
AI summary
An adsorbent system and a dry vapor cryogenic shipping container are provided. The container includes an outer shell surrounding an inner vessel with an evacuable space therebetween. The container includes the adsorbent system, which includes a primary adsorbent disposed within an interior of the inner vessel and a secondary adsorbent that is disposed within the interior of the inner vessel adjacent a portion of a bottom wall of the inner vessel. The primary adsorbent and the secondary adsorbent adsorb a liquid cryogen, such as liquid nitrogen, at different rates. The primary adsorbent has a liquid cryogen adsorption rate that allows the container to be charged quickly with liquid cryogen, while the secondary adsorbent has a liquid cryogen adsorption rate that is less than the primary adsorbent and adsorbs liquid cryogen that may desorb from the primary adsorbent.