Dual-Chamber Plasma Cooling Using Natural Convection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plasma cooling devices are inefficient due to high energy consumption, bulkiness, and the need for forced convection, which limits rapid cooling to -30 °C within 60 minutes as required by international standards, and do not allow for simultaneous cooling of multiple batches or flexible donation schedules.
Innovation Solution
A device with two separate cooling chambers that utilize natural convection for rapid cooling to -30 °C within 60 minutes, allowing simultaneous and phased cooling of plasma bottles, and can operate with smaller quantities, reducing energy consumption and enabling flexible donation schedules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If forced convection is used for plasma cooling, then cooling speed is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the forced convection mechanism (fans, blowers) from the cooling system and replaces it with natural convection. The cooling chamber is designed to allow air to circulate naturally through strategic placement of inlet and outlet openings, eliminating complex mechanical components while maintaining effective heat transfer from plasma containers to cooling plates.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system utilizes natural convection currents where warm air rises and cool air sinks, creating self-sustaining air circulation patterns. The chamber geometry and opening placement are designed to harness these natural buoyancy-driven flows, allowing the system to cool plasma without external mechanical assistance, thereby reducing device complexity and energy consumption.
2Productivity
If a single cooling chamber is used, then device simplicity is maintained, but productivity decreases due to sequential batch processing
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling device is segmented into multiple independent cooling chambers, each capable of operating autonomously. This allows simultaneous processing of multiple plasma batches in parallel, significantly increasing productivity. Each chamber functions as an independent unit with its own cooling plates and air circulation paths, enabling continuous operation without waiting for sequential batch completion.
3Temperature
If plasma is cooled slowly over extended periods, then energy consumption is reduced, but protein degradation increases and standards are not met
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling actions by pre-chilling the air in the cooling chamber before plasma containers are placed. The cooling plates are pre-cooled to low temperatures, and the chamber atmosphere is conditioned in advance. This preliminary preparation enables the plasma to undergo rapid temperature reduction immediately upon placement, achieving fast cooling without excessive energy consumption during the actual cooling phase.
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 device efficiently cools plasma to -30 °C within 60 minutes, supports flexible donation schedules, and reduces energy consumption by using natural convection, enabling continuous operation even with fewer donors and minimizing protein degradation.
Implementation Method 1
utilize natural convection for rapid cooling to -30 °C within 60 minutes
Implementation Method 2
A device with two separate cooling chambers that utilize natural convection for rapid cooling
Data Source
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AI summary
Device for cooling plasma for a centre for collecting plasma by plasmapheresis, said device comprising a casing with at least one cooling chamber in the interior thereof, the chamber comprising housings for cooling containers; the device also comprising a refrigeration system arranged to refrigerate said chamber, and a control system for the refrigeration system, the refrigeration system and the control system being configured to control the temperature inside the device so as to allow the containers to be cooled to at least -30 ºC in 60 minutes or less, characterized in that the device comprises at least two separate chambers contained in said casing, each of the chambers comprising housings for bottles of plasma, the refrigeration system being arranged to refrigerate both chambers independently and the control system being configured to control the refrigeration of both chambers separately.