Method and installation for cooling air-conditioning water by heat exchange with cryogenic liquid

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hospital air conditioning systems consume excessive electricity due to inefficient cooling methods, resulting in high energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

The process involves using liquid nitrogen and oxygen in a closed-loop system with thermal exchangers to cool air conditioning water, producing medical air and reducing energy consumption by reversing the flow direction in thermal exchanges and utilizing additional vaporizers for backup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If conventional air conditioning compressors are used to cool water, then the cooling function is achieved, but electrical energy consumption is excessive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecooling water temperatureVSAvoidelectrical energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical compression system (compressors) with a thermal exchange system using liquid nitrogen and liquid oxygen. Instead of using electrical compressors to cool the water, the system uses cryogenic liquids that naturally absorb heat from the water through thermal exchange, eliminating the need for high-power electrical compressors and dramatically reducing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the phase transition properties of nitrogen and oxygen. Liquid nitrogen and liquid oxygen are introduced in liquid form, absorb heat from the cooling water during thermal exchange, and vaporize into gaseous form. This phase transition process (liquid to gas) provides efficient cooling without requiring electrical compressors, as the phase change itself absorbs the necessary heat.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #36Phase transitions

2Use of energy by moving object

If liquid nitrogen and oxygen are used for thermal exchange, then energy consumption is reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical energy consumptionVSAvoidsystem structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The thermal exchange system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it cools the air conditioning water, produces medical air (oxygen and nitrogen gases), and provides a backup cooling mechanism. By introducing both liquid nitrogen and liquid oxygen, the system not only achieves cooling but also generates medical gases that can be used for hospital oxygen supply, making the system multi-functional and justifying the added complexity through additional utility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces thermal exchange chambers as intermediary components between the cryogenic liquid storage and the air conditioning water system. These chambers facilitate the heat transfer process without direct contact between the liquids and water, managing complexity through structured intermediate components that simplify the overall system architecture and operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 approach significantly reduces the electrical consumption of the air conditioning system in hospital buildings by efficiently cooling the water and producing medical air while maintaining system reliability.

Implementation Method 1

operate thermal exchange between air conditioning water to cool and oxygen in liquid form so as to cool air conditioning water and spray the 'Oxygen and obtain oxygen in gaseous form

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

transfer of calories from water to cool to linen and lox so as to warm the linen and lox and form gan and gox

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

vaporize liquid oxygen and obtain from the Oxygen in gaseous form

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Implementation Method 4

operate a thermal exchange by transfer of calories from water to cool to linen and lox so as to warm the linen and lox and form gan and gox

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentEP3726154B1Method and installation for cooling air-conditioning water by heat exchange with cryogenic liquid
Publication Date: 2022.10.12 AIR LIQUIDE MEDICAL SA
  • EP3726154B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3726154B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for cooling air conditioning water used to air condition a hospital building, comprising the steps of: (a) supplying liquid nitrogen (LIN); (b) supplying liquid oxygen (LOX); (c) supplying the air conditioning water to be cooled; and (d) carrying out a heat exchange (4) between the air conditioning water to be cooled and liquid nitrogen (LIN) and/or oxygen so as to cool the air conditioning water and vaporize the nitrogen and/or oxygen to obtain nitrogen in gaseous form (GAN) and/or oxygen in gaseous form (GOX). Implementation installation.