Method for adjusting a Cryogenic refrigeration apparatus and corresponding apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large-scale cryogenic refrigeration systems with multiple refrigerators/liquefiers in parallel face challenges in adjusting valve positions due to fluctuating thermal loads, leading to inconsistent flow and pressure distributions, causing some units to operate at limits while others are underutilized, resulting in reduced overall cold power and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method involving simultaneous measurement and real-time calculation of operating parameters such as flow rates and temperature differentials across all refrigerators, with dynamic control of valves to converge these parameters towards a mean value, ensuring optimal operation and balancing the load across all units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual positioning of control valves is used for adjustment, then the system structure remains simple, but the system cannot adapt to fluctuating thermal loads and flow rate variations, leading to unstable operation and reduced efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where sensors continuously measure operating parameters (flow rates, temperatures, pressures) of each refrigerator/liquefier, and a control unit automatically adjusts valve positions based on deviations from target values. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to adapt to fluctuating thermal loads dynamically, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity by using automated control to replace manual adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from static manual valve positioning to dynamic automated control. The control system continuously monitors operating conditions and adjusts valve positions in real-time according to actual load variations. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to maintain optimal performance across varying operating conditions, achieving adaptability without requiring overly complex control architecture.
2Productivity
If static valve adjustment is used, then the control system remains simple, but certain refrigerators/liquefiers operate at their limits while others are underutilized, reducing overall cold power and efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The control system uses feedback from sensors measuring flow rates, temperatures, and pressures of each refrigerator/liquefier to automatically adjust valve positions. This ensures balanced operation where all units contribute optimally to the total cold power, preventing some units from operating at limits while others are underutilized. The feedback mechanism maintains equitable load distribution without requiring complex manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service control where each refrigerator/liquefier's control unit autonomously adjusts its own valve positions based on real-time operating parameters and target values. This decentralized self-adjustment capability enables the system to automatically optimize overall cold power output without requiring complex centralized control, improving productivity while maintaining operational simplicity.
3Reliability
If no real-time control is implemented, then the system structure remains simple, but imbalances between refrigerators are amplified due to helium's density variations, leading to unstable operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control where sensors continuously monitor operating parameters (flow rates, temperatures, pressures) of each refrigerator/liquefier, and the control unit automatically adjusts valve positions to correct imbalances. This feedback mechanism counteracts the amplifying effect of helium's density variations, maintaining stable operation. The system achieves reliability by using automated feedback control to detect and correct deviations in real-time, preventing instability without requiring overly complex control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical valve adjustment with automated electronic control. Sensors and control units use electronic signals to adjust valve positions based on real-time measurements, eliminating the need for manual intervention. This substitution of mechanical control with automated electronic systems improves reliability by providing consistent, precise control while managing system complexity through integrated control architecture.
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 allows for dynamic adjustment and stabilization of the refrigeration system, ensuring that all refrigerators operate identically, maintaining optimal flow rates, pressures, and temperatures, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency and stability of the system.
Implementation Method 1
each refrigerator/liquefier comprising a working gas compression station
Implementation Method 2
a cold box intended to cool a flow of working gas leaving the compression station to a cryogenic temperature at least close to its liquefaction temperature
Implementation Method 3
said flows of working gas cooled by each of the respective cold boxes of the refrigerators/liquefiers being mixed and then placed in a heat exchange relationship with the application in order to give up frigories thereto
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for adjusting a cryogenic refrigeration apparatus including a plurality of liquefiers/refrigerators arranged in parallel in order to cool a single device. The method includes a step of calculating in real time the dynamic mean value of at least one operating parameter for all the liquefiers/refrigerators. The apparatus controlling in real time the at least one valve for controlling the stream of working gas of at least one liquefier/refrigerator in accordance with the difference between the instantaneous values of the parameter relative to said dynamic converge toward said dynamic mean value.