Hot Isostatic Pressing Outer Cooling Loop Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hot isostatic pressing arrangements face challenges in achieving controlled and rapid cooling of articles and pressure medium without increasing complexity or maintenance requirements, and often risk overheating the pressure vessel.

Innovation Solution

A pressing arrangement with an outer cooling loop that utilizes guiding passages and channels with constant cross-sectional areas to enhance heat transfer, combined with heat exchanging elements in unused spaces, allowing for efficient cooling without additional equipment like fans or pumps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the cooling capability of the heat exchanger is increased by allowing the circulating gas to pass the heat exchanger via a pump or fan, then the cooling rate is improved, but the device complexity and maintenance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling rateVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure medium itself serves as the driving force for circulation through the heat exchanger. The system utilizes the natural pressure and flow characteristics of the pressure medium to achieve cooling without requiring external pumps or fans, thereby reducing device complexity and maintenance requirements while maintaining effective cooling capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Speed

If the heat exchanger is located close to the top closure of the pressure vessel to enhance cooling capability, then the cooling rate is improved, but the heat exchanger risks overheating due to ascending thermal energy within the pressure vessel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling rateVSAvoidheat exchanger temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The pressure medium acts as an intermediary that transfers thermal energy from the articles to the heat exchanger in a controlled manner. By utilizing the pressure medium's flow characteristics and thermal properties, the system achieves efficient heat transfer while protecting the heat exchanger from direct exposure to excessive thermal energy and ascending heat currents

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Speed

If the flow rate of the pressure medium is increased to enhance cooling through increased heat transfer coefficient, then the cooling capability is improved, but the energy consumption and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system optimizes the flow rate parameters of the pressure medium to achieve effective cooling without excessive energy consumption. By carefully controlling the pressure medium's flow characteristics and utilizing natural convection patterns, the system maintains high cooling capability while minimizing energy requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution enables controlled rapid cooling of articles and pressure medium, maintaining high temperature uniformity and reducing the risk of overheating the pressure vessel, while minimizing maintenance and construction complexity.

Implementation Method 1

a heat exchanger, which is located above the hot zone. Thereby, the pressure medium will be cooled by the heat exchanger before it makes contact with the pressure vessel wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

the pressure medium will be cooled by the heat exchanger before it makes contact with the pressure vessel wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

The temperature increase of the pressure medium, and thereby of the articles, is provided by means of a heating element or furnace arranged in a furnace chamber of the pressure vessel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 4

The temperature increase of the pressure medium, and thereby of the articles, is provided by means of a heating element or furnace arranged in a furnace chamber of the pressure vessel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP2661365B1Pressing arrangement with improved outer cooling loop
Publication Date: 2018.10.17 QUINTUS TECH
  • EP2661365B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2661365B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2661365B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to an arrangement for treatment of articles by hot pressing and in particular by hot isostatic pressing. The pressing arrangement includes a pressure vessel and a furnace chamber adapted to hold articles, which furnace chamber is provided inside the pressure vessel. At least one guiding passage communicating with the furnace chamber forms an outer cooling loop, wherein the pressure medium in a part of the outer cooling loop is guided in proximity to pressure vessel walls and the top end closure before it re-enters into the furnace chamber. Further, a guiding channel element is located in the at least one guiding passage forming the outer cooling loop is arranged with at least one pressure medium channel for guiding the pressure medium from a central opening of the heat insulated casing radially and circumferentially towards a lateral wall of the pressure cylinder. The at least one pressure medium channel has a substantially constant cross-sectional area in a flow direction of the pressure medium.