Ground Freezing Probe With Lateral Gas Spraying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional systems for freezing ground suffer from inefficient heat exchange between cryogenic liquefied gas and the surrounding ground, leading to suboptimal freezing performance.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a modified probe design with a dispensing device that sprays cryogenic liquefied gas onto the lateral wall of the probe, combined with a suction pipe for gas extraction, and incorporates insulating material and strategically positioned valves to enhance heat exchange, allowing for improved temperature distribution and maintenance of the frozen state.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If conventional pipe configurations are used for introducing and extracting cryogenic gas, then the system structure is simple, but heat exchange efficiency between the cryogenic liquefied gas and the ground is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat exchange efficiencyVSAvoidpipe configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The probe is divided into multiple heating zones with separate introduction and extraction pipes for each zone. This segmentation allows independent control of cryogenic gas flow in different sections, improving heat exchange efficiency with the ground while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the probe are equipped with dedicated pipes for introducing and extracting cryogenic gas, allowing localized optimization of heat exchange. Each zone can be independently controlled to match the specific thermal requirements of different ground sections, enhancing overall heat transfer efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of energy

If the cryogenic liquefied gas is introduced from the bottom zone of the sleeve, then the gas fills the sleeve from bottom to top, but the heat exchange efficiency with the surrounding ground remains insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat exchange efficiencyVSAvoidgas filling operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The single bottom-introduction system is replaced with multiple introduction pipes distributed along the sleeve, each serving specific zones. This allows cryogenic gas to be introduced at multiple points simultaneously, dramatically improving heat exchange efficiency while maintaining operational simplicity through standardized pipe connections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The gas introduction transitions from a single-point bottom injection (vertical dimension only) to multi-point distributed injection along the sleeve length. This dimensional expansion of gas distribution creates multiple heat exchange pathways, significantly enhancing thermal transfer efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 significantly improves heat exchange efficiency, enabling more effective freezing of the ground and maintaining the frozen state for construction purposes like well construction and tunnel building without water infiltration.

Implementation Method 1

The cryogenic liquefied gas, after evaporating and absorbing heat from the ground surrounding the probe

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat absorption: Heat Sink

Implementation Method 2

by means of the evaporation of a cryogenic liquefied gas contained inside them

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

freezing of the water present in the ground so as to compact the latter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFreezing: Freezing

Implementation Method 4

incorporates insulating material and strategically positioned valves to enhance heat exchange

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP2690222B2Method and system for freezing a portion of ground
Publication Date: 2020.12.30 LAIR LIQUIDE SA POUR LETUDE & LEXPLOITATION DES PROCEDES GEORGES CLAUDE
  • EP2690222B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2690222B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2690222B2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system for freezing a portion of ground comprises at least one probe having at least one end insertable in the ground to be frozen and having at least one lateral wall, and means for supplying a cryogenic liquefied gas connected to the probe so as to supply the cryogenic liquefied gas to the same probe, said supply means comprising a device for dispensing said cryogenic liquefied gas placed on the inside of the probe, the dispensing device being spaced from said end insertable in the ground in such a manner as to spray said gas directly onto said lateral wall of said probe.