Flash Tank Phase Separation Matrix for Transient Heat Load Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vapor cycle cooling systems face challenges in efficiently managing transient or cyclical heat loads, requiring substantial subcooling and superheating to prevent cavitation and maintain efficiency, which increases system size and weight.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a flash tank with a phase separation matrix that separates vapor and liquid phases of both superheated vapor and two-phase refrigerants, allowing for thermal storage and reducing downstream subcooling and superheating requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If substantial subcooling and superheating are applied to prevent cavitation and maintain efficiency, then system reliability is improved, but system size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flash tank performs preliminary phase separation of refrigerant into vapor and liquid phases before the refrigerant enters the evaporator and compressor. By pre-separating the phases and storing thermal energy, the system reduces the need for substantial subcooling and superheating, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing system size and weight
Solution Approach 2:
The flash tank acts as an intermediary component between the condenser and evaporator/compressor. It receives high-pressure refrigerant from the condenser, performs phase separation, and delivers separated phases to downstream components. This intermediary function enables thermal storage and phase balancing, reducing the need for excessive subcooling and superheating
2Reliability
If substantial subcooling and superheating are applied to prevent cavitation and maintain efficiency, then system reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flash tank performs preliminary phase separation and thermal storage before refrigerant enters downstream components. By pre-processing the refrigerant to establish proper phase balance, the system simplifies downstream operations and reduces the need for complex control mechanisms for subcooling and superheating
Solution Approach 2:
The flash tank serves as an intermediary that simplifies the overall system architecture by handling phase separation and thermal management in one dedicated component, rather than requiring complex integrated systems to manage subcooling and superheating across multiple components
3Device complexity
If conventional vapor cycle cooling systems are used without flash tank, then system structure is simpler, but start-up time is longer
Solution Approach 1:
The flash tank performs preliminary thermal storage and phase separation during system operation, building up thermal energy reserves that enable faster response during start-up or transient conditions. The pre-stored thermal energy allows the system to quickly meet cooling demands without waiting for gradual thermal buildup
Solution Approach 2:
The flash tank acts as a thermal buffer and intermediary that decouples the thermal response time from the mechanical operation. By storing thermal energy in the liquid refrigerant phase, it enables the system to respond quickly to start-up conditions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
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
This configuration enables a more compact and lighter vapor cycle cooling system with faster start-up times, capable of efficiently managing transient or cyclical heat loads by storing heat and balancing refrigerant phases.
Implementation Method 1
the phase separation matrix is configured to separate a vapor phase and a liquid phase of both the superheated vapor refrigerant and the two-phase refrigerant
Implementation Method 2
the phase separation matrix is configured to radially distribute thermal mixing of a refrigerant flowing within the first, second, and third fluid paths
Implementation Method 3
allowing for thermal storage and reducing downstream subcooling and superheating requirements
Implementation Method 4
A vapor cooling system compresses and condenses a refrigerant from a relatively low-pressure vapor to a relatively high-pressure liquid
Implementation Method 5
which then expands and evaporates to remove heat from a target fluid stream
Implementation Method 6
evaporates to remove heat from a target fluid stream
Data Source
AI summary
An example flash tank includes a first inlet configured to receive a superheated vapor refrigerant, a second inlet configured to receive a two-phase refrigerant, a vapor outlet, a liquid collection volume, and a phase separation matrix including a first fluid path fluidically coupled between the first inlet and the liquid collection volume, a second fluid path fluidically coupled between the second inlet and the liquid collection volume, and a third fluid path fluidically coupled between the vapor outlet and the liquid collection volume. The phase separation matrix is configured to radially distribute thermal mixing of a refrigerant flowing within the first, second, and third fluid paths.