Multicomponent Eutectic Cold Storage Material for Low-Temperature Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cold storage material compositions struggle to maintain controlled temperatures below -75°C, particularly in transportation, due to limitations such as hazardous handling and volume expansion issues with dry ice, and lack of stability in maintaining temperature ranges for pharmaceutical and food products.
Innovation Solution
A cold storage material composition utilizing a multicomponent eutectic mixture of water, calcium ions, chloride ions, and bromide ions, with specific molar ratios, which solidifies below -75°C and maintains temperature control between -75°C and -30°C, allowing for stable and efficient temperature management without significant volume expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If dry ice is used as a cold storage material to achieve temperatures of -30°C or lower, then the controlled temperature can be maintained, but the material expands in volume when sublimating and is treated as a hazardous material
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters by using an aqueous inorganic salt solution (containing calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, and/or sodium chloride) instead of dry ice (solid carbon dioxide). This parameter change allows the cold storage material to achieve the same low temperature range (-30°C or lower) without the harmful sublimation expansion and hazardous material classification associated with dry ice.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs a disposable cold storage material composition that can be used once and then discarded or replaced. The aqueous inorganic salt solution is contained in a breakable container (such as a glass vial or ampoule) that is designed to break upon contact with the target object, releasing the cold storage material. This approach eliminates the need for complex recovery and reuse processes, making the system simpler and safer while maintaining effective temperature control.
2Duration of action of moving object
If a cold storage material composition is used to maintain temperature for a long period, then temperature control is improved, but the composition may not maintain stability in the desired temperature range
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes the phase transition (melting) of the aqueous inorganic salt solution to maintain a stable temperature. The cold storage material is prepared by freezing the solution, and during use, it melts at a specific temperature point within the desired range (-30°C or lower). This phase transition absorbs latent heat and maintains a constant temperature for an extended period, ensuring both long duration and temperature stability. The eutectic composition of the salt solution is specifically selected to achieve the desired melting point and temperature maintenance characteristics.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If inorganic salt solutions are used as cold storage material to avoid phase transition to gas, then safety is improved, but the melting temperature may not reach the required low temperature range
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite cold storage material composition consisting of multiple inorganic salts (calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, and/or sodium chloride) dissolved in water. By combining different inorganic salts in specific proportions, the eutectic melting point of the solution is lowered to -30°C or below. This composite approach allows the material to avoid gas phase transition (unlike dry ice) while achieving the required low temperature range through the synergistic effect of multiple salts.
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 composition effectively maintains temperature control within the desired range, offering a safer and more stable alternative to dry ice, with improved handling and reduced risk of contamination, suitable for transporting sensitive items like pharmaceuticals and food products.
Implementation Method 1
a cold storage material composition which includes a multicomponent eutectic composed of water and two or more kinds of compounds and has a melting temperature in a range of -75°C. to -30°C.
Implementation Method 2
an article housed in the temperature keeping container is transported or stored in a state in which the temperature of the article is maintained by using latent heat of melting of the cold storage material
Implementation Method 3
the cold storage material composition effectively maintains temperature control within the desired range
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel cold storage material composition allowing for temperature maintenance of a temperature control target article in various controlled temperature ranges in a range of -75°C to -30°C, a method of using the cold storage material composition, a cold storage material including the cold storage material composition, and a transport container including the cold storage material. Provided is a cold storage material composition including a multicomponent eutectic which is composed of water and two or more kinds of compounds and having a melting temperature in a range of -75°C to -30°C.