Freezing temperature controllable spray freezing tower for preparing micron-sized spherical ice particles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spray drying is limited by its inability to handle thermosensitive materials, and conventional spray freeze drying faces issues like bumping of liquid droplets, waste from low-boiling refrigeration mediums, and uncontrollable temperature, affecting the shape, appearance, and performance of particles, as well as being resource-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A freezing temperature controllable spray freezing tower is designed with a tower body, atomization system, material feeding system, circulatory air supplying system, refrigeration system, and tower wall cooling and thermal insulation system, allowing for precise control of temperature and reducing coolant consumption, thereby preventing droplet bumping and enhancing particle quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional spray freeze drying uses low-boiling refrigeration medium, then freezing effect is achieved, but volatilization waste occurs and temperature control becomes uncontrollable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the refrigeration medium from low-boiling point substances to liquid carbon dioxide with a higher boiling point, fundamentally altering the temperature parameter at which phase change occurs. This eliminates volatilization waste while maintaining effective freezing through controlled temperature parameters in the freezing chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of liquid carbon dioxide to solid carbon dioxide (deposition) on the freezing chamber wall, creating a controllable cold surface for freezing droplets. This phase transition mechanism provides precise temperature control without the uncontrollable volatilization issues of low-boiling refrigerants.
2Temperature
If liquid droplets contact with refrigeration medium directly, then freezing occurs, but bumping phenomenon damages particle shape and appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary cooling mechanism where liquid carbon dioxide deposits as solid CO2 on the freezing chamber wall, creating a cold surface intermediary between the refrigeration medium and the liquid droplets. This indirect cooling through the chamber wall prevents direct contact bumping while achieving effective freezing of the droplets.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional spray freeze drying is used, then particle preparation is achieved, but resource waste and high cost occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the sublimation heat of solid carbon dioxide directly provides the freezing energy needed for droplet solidification. The system uses its own phase change materials to provide the necessary cooling, eliminating the need for external refrigeration energy input and reducing overall resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent exploits the phase transition of carbon dioxide from liquid to solid, utilizing the sublimation heat (enthalpy of sublimation) as the freezing energy source. This self-contained phase change energy cycle eliminates waste of refrigeration energy and reduces operational costs while maintaining effective particle preparation.
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 solution enables convenient and accurate operation, reducing coolant consumption and preventing droplet bumping, making it suitable for laboratory and industrial applications and improving the spray freeze drying process.
Implementation Method 1
the refrigeration system is connected to the air storage cavity and a tower wall of the tower body
Implementation Method 2
the atomization system is in communication with the air storage cavity
Implementation Method 3
the circulatory air supplying system is in communication with the bottom of the freezing chamber and the refrigeration system respectively via a circulating air return pipe and an air pipe
Implementation Method 4
the tower wall cooling and thermal insulation system is wrapped around the tower wall
Implementation Method 5
a freezing chamber is formed inside the tower body... to prepare micron-sized spherical ice particles
Data Source
AI summary
A freezing temperature controllable spray freezing tower for preparing micron-sized spherical ice particles includes a tower body, an atomization system, a material feeding system, a circulatory air supplying system, a refrigeration system and a tower wall cooling and thermal insulation system. An air storage cavity is formed at a top of the tower body, a freezing chamber is formed inside the tower body, a material collecting chamber is formed at a bottom of the tower body. The atomization system is in communication with the air storage cavity, the material feeding system is in communication with the atomization system, the circulatory air supplying system is in communication with the bottom of the freezing chamber and the refrigeration system respectively, the refrigeration system is connected to the air storage cavity and a tower wall of the tower body. Thus the operation is convenient and simple.