High-Pressure Vessel Segmentation for Thermal Stress Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-pressure vessels face limited operating life due to high thermal stresses and material tensions caused by alternating cooling and heating, leading to inefficient sample processing and reduced throughput.

Innovation Solution

A high-pressure vessel design featuring an insulation lining, circulatory cooling arrangement, and a pretensioned locking mechanism to regulate temperature and pressure, allowing for simultaneous heating and cooling, reducing thermal loads on the vessel and extending its operational life.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the high-pressure vessel is heated to high temperatures to lock the coupling opening securely, then the sample vessel region can expand to come into full abutment with the high-pressure vessel, but the material of the high-pressure vessel experiences high tensions and the operating life is limited due to high thermal stresses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoupling strengthVSAvoidoperating life
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the high-pressure vessel into functionally independent segments: a heating zone for the sample vessel and a cooling zone for the coupling opening region. This segmentation allows different thermal conditions to be applied to different parts of the same vessel, enabling the sample region to expand for secure coupling while the coupling region remains cool to preserve material life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies different thermal qualities to different regions of the high-pressure vessel. The sample vessel region is heated to high temperatures to enable expansion and secure coupling, while the coupling opening region is actively cooled to maintain low temperatures and reduce thermal stress on the material, thereby extending operating life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If rapid heating and cooling of samples is implemented to improve sample throughput, then decomposition quality and processing speed are improved, but the high-pressure vessel experiences high thermal loads and reduced operating life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesample throughputVSAvoidoperating life
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the thermal management system into independent heating and cooling zones. The sample region can undergo rapid temperature changes for improved throughput, while the vessel wall region is actively cooled to dissipate thermal loads, allowing frequent processing cycles without compromising vessel integrity or operating life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies localized thermal control where the sample region experiences rapid heating and cooling cycles to improve productivity, while the coupling and vessel wall regions are maintained at low temperatures through active cooling. This local differentiation allows high sample throughput without subjecting the entire vessel to damaging thermal loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of substance

If cooling is applied to condense gaseous products and feed them back to the reaction, then product recovery is improved, but the high-pressure vessel experiences high thermal tensions due to simultaneous cooling and heating in different regions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct lossVSAvoidthermal stress
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the thermal management into distinct zones: a heating zone for the sample, a cooling zone for the coupling opening, and a separate condensation system for gaseous products. This allows product recovery through condensation while the cooling is localized to specific regions, minimizing overall thermal stress on the vessel structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies localized cooling specifically to the coupling opening region and product condensation pathways, rather than cooling the entire vessel. This targeted approach enables effective product recovery while minimizing the volume of vessel material subjected to thermal stress, thereby reducing overall thermal tension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 design enables rapid and efficient sample processing with reduced thermal stress on the vessel, extending its operational life and allowing for rapid heating and cooling of samples, thereby improving sample throughput and decomposition quality.

Implementation Method 1

an insulation lining (3) enclosing the reaction chamber (2), by means of which the high-pressure vessel (1) can be heated and cooled simultaneously

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

a cooling arrangement (4) which surrounds at least the region of the sample holder of the high-pressure vessel (1) in such a way that the high-pressure vessel (1) can be heated and cooled simultaneously

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat removal: Cooling

Implementation Method 3

The high-pressure vessel has a material that withstands high pressures

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure resistance:

Data Source

PatentEP2371447B1High-pressure vessel for microwave synthesis
Publication Date: 2020.05.06 MLS MIKROWELLEN LAB SYST GMBH
  • EP2371447B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2371447B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2371447B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention describes a high-pressure vessel for holding samples which are to be heated, the high-pressure vessel having: a lower part (5, 104) and a lid part (6, 105) which can be locked together and when closed surround on all sides a reaction chamber for initiating and/or promoting chemical and/or physical high-pressure reactions, it being possible for the lower part (5, 104) and the lid part (6, 105) to be moved relative to each other in an automated fashion between an open access position and a closed microwave processing position, a sample holder (101) and/or a vessel insert (9) being connected to the lid part (6, 105).