Dual Adsorption Pump Refrigeration for Continuous Cryogenic Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigeration systems for cryogenic temperatures are costly, energy-intensive, and require significant maintenance, with adsorption pumps being limited by the finite adsorption capacity of adsorbents, leading to inefficient operation and heat management issues when desorbing gas, which disrupts continuous cooling applications.
Innovation Solution
A refrigeration system utilizing a pair of independently operable and thermally isolated adsorption pumps, where desorbed gas is isolated and cooled before reintegration, allowing for continuous operation without external gas handling, and optimized for use with closed-cycle cryocoolers to minimize energy consumption and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If adsorption pumps are used for cryogenic cooling, then cost and maintenance are reduced, but continuous operation is limited due to finite adsorption capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the single adsorption pump into two separate adsorption pumps operating in parallel. Each pump can independently adsorb and desorb, allowing one pump to maintain cooling while the other is being regenerated, thereby achieving continuous operation without compromising the cost and maintenance advantages of adsorption technology
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-pump configuration enables continuous cooling by alternating between the two pumps. While one pump is adsorbing to provide cooling, the other is desorbing to regenerate its capacity. This continuous cycling ensures uninterrupted cooling operation while maintaining the inherent cost-effectiveness of adsorption-based systems
2Productivity
If adsorbent is heated for desorption, then gas is released, but the entire refrigeration system is heated to higher temperatures for several hours
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the desorption process from the cooling chamber by providing independent desorption pathways for each adsorption pump. This allows localized heating of only the adsorbent material needed for regeneration, rather than heating the entire refrigeration system, thus maintaining productivity while controlling temperature rise
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces separate desorption chambers or pathways that act as intermediaries between the adsorbent and the cooling chamber. These intermediaries allow the desorption process to occur in isolation, preventing heat transfer to the refrigeration system and enabling efficient gas release without compromising the temperature stability of the cooling environment
3Duration of action of moving object
If two separate refrigeration systems are used for continuous cooling, then continuous operation is achieved, but heat switches become less effective at lower temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces isolation valves as intermediaries to control the connection between the adsorption pumps and the cooling chamber. These valves provide reliable thermal isolation without relying on heat switches, enabling continuous cooling operation while maintaining effectiveness at cryogenic temperatures through direct mechanical isolation rather than thermal switching
4Reliability
If mechanical compressors are used for cryogenic refrigeration, then cooling performance is effective, but the systems are costly and energy intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical compressor system with an adsorption-based refrigeration system. Instead of using mechanical compression to achieve cooling, the system utilizes the adsorption and desorption processes of adsorbent materials to drive the refrigeration cycle, thereby eliminating the need for energy-intensive mechanical compressors while maintaining effective cooling performance at cryogenic temperatures
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 provides energy-efficient, continuous cooling at cryogenic temperatures with reduced maintenance and higher performance compared to conventional mechanical and adsorption systems, eliminating the need for external gas handling and minimizing heat load at low temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
an adsorbent that captures gas from the liquid and gaseous coolant
Implementation Method 2
a heater configured to heat the adsorbent
Implementation Method 3
a condenser configured to condense the desorbed gas
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of continuous cooling at cryogenic temperatures. One exemplary aspect involves a refrigeration system that includes: a chamber adapted to hold liquid and gaseous coolant received from a cooling pot; a first adsorption pump having an inlet end in fluid communication with the chamber, the first adsorption pump configured to capture gas from the liquid and gaseous coolant when the first adsorption pump is enabled; a second adsorption pump having an inlet end in fluid communication with the chamber, the second adsorption pump configured to capture gas from the liquid and gaseous coolant when the second adsorption pump is enabled; a first heater or heat switch for desorbing the gas captured by the first adsorption pump; and a second heater or heat switch for desorbing the gas captured by the second adsorption pump.