Hot Isostatic Pressing Heat Exchanger Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hot isostatic presses face challenges with slow cooling rates due to the need to carefully control the cooling of the pressure medium to prevent overheating of the pressure vessel walls, leading to increased cycle times and higher costs with the use of multiple heat exchangers.
Innovation Solution
The hot isostatic pressing arrangement features a heat exchanger unit located below the furnace chamber, utilizing colder pressure medium to cool the unit and allowing for thermal energy exchange during both heating and cooling phases, eliminating the need for external cooling and reducing cycle time by enabling continuous operation without heat exchanger replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the pressure medium is cooled rapidly to reduce cycle time, then the cooling rate is improved, but the pressure vessel walls may overheat due to thermal stress
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into two independent circuits: an internal cooling circuit with heat exchangers positioned inside the pressure vessel to cool the pressure medium, and an external cooling circuit to cool the pressure vessel walls. This segmentation allows independent control of medium cooling rate and wall temperature, resolving the contradiction between rapid cooling and wall integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
Heat exchangers serve as intermediary devices positioned within the pressure vessel chamber. These heat exchangers transfer thermal energy from the pressure medium to a cooling fluid, enabling rapid cooling of the medium without direct thermal contact between the medium and the pressure vessel walls, thus protecting the walls from overheating while achieving fast cooling.
2Productivity
If multiple heat exchangers are used to enable rapid cooling, then the cooling capacity is improved, but the device complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The heat exchangers are designed to perform multiple functions: cooling the pressure medium during both heating and cooling phases of the treatment cycle, and serving as thermal energy storage devices. This multi-functionality increases cooling capacity without requiring additional separate cooling devices, thereby improving productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchangers operate continuously throughout the treatment cycle, cooling the pressure medium during both heating and cooling phases. This continuous operation maximizes the utilization of the heat exchangers, improving overall cooling capacity and productivity while justifying the investment in the cooling system infrastructure.
3Reliability
If the pressure medium is cooled from the outside only, then the pressure vessel wall overheating is prevented, but the cycle time increases due to slow cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling approach transitions from a single external cooling dimension to a two-dimensional cooling system: internal cooling through heat exchangers positioned within the pressure vessel chamber to cool the pressure medium, and external cooling of the pressure vessel walls. This dimensional expansion enables simultaneous achievement of rapid cooling and wall temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The heat exchangers are pre-positioned within the pressure vessel chamber and pre-filled with cooling fluid before the treatment cycle begins. During the heating phase, the heat exchangers are already in place to provide continuous cooling, eliminating the need for post-heating cooling setup and reducing overall cycle time while maintaining wall temperature control.
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 reduces cycle time, lowers operational costs by using a single heat exchanger, and facilitates easier access and operation by allowing immediate reuse of the press after cooling, while maintaining effective temperature control.
Implementation Method 1
a unit, which is located below the furnace chamber and is arranged for exchanging thermal energy with the pressure medium
Implementation Method 2
thermal energy is transferred from the articles to the pressure medium. When leaving the hot zone, the relatively hot pressure medium will reach the walls of the pressure vessel
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
Implementation Method 4
which comprises a heat insulated casing
Data Source
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AI summary
In an aspect of the invention, there is provided a hot isostatic pressing arrangement for treatment of articles by hot isostatic pressing. The arrangement comprises a pressure vessel (1) including a furnace chamber (18) comprising a heat insulated casing (3) and a furnace (36) for heating of a pressure medium during pressing, and a 'heat exchanger unit' (33) or heat absorbing material located below said furnace chamber (18). In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for treatment of articles in a hot isostatic press. The press further comprises a pressure vessel enclosing a furnace chamber and a 'heat exchanger unit'. The method comprises the steps of loading the articles into the furnace chamber, performing pressurized and heated treatment of the articles, cooling the articles and unloading of the articles. All said steps are performed while the 'heat exchanger unit' remains located inside the pressure vessel. Heat is transferred to and from the 'heat exchanger unit' at different portions of the hot isostatic pressing cycle.