Mixed CO₂-Solvent Refrigerant Cooling System to Prevent Dry Ice Clog
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Solution Overview
Problem
Carbon dioxide refrigerants can form dry ice at low temperatures, causing piping clogs and operational issues in cooling systems, and existing systems lack energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A cooling system design that includes a compressor, mixer, depressurization apparatus, separator, heat exchanger, and second heat exchanger to efficiently mix and depressurize carbon dioxide with a solvent, reducing dry ice formation and enhancing energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If carbon dioxide is used as a refrigerant and temperature is decreased to -56.6°C or less, then cooling performance is improved, but piping may be clogged due to dry ice formation
Solution Approach 1:
A solvent is introduced as an intermediary substance mixed with carbon dioxide to form a mixed refrigerant. This solvent acts as a mediator that prevents carbon dioxide from forming dry ice at low temperatures, thereby eliminating piping clogs while maintaining the ability to achieve low cooling temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The composition parameters of the refrigerant are changed by mixing carbon dioxide with a solvent in specific proportions. This parameter change modifies the phase behavior of the refrigerant mixture, preventing dry ice formation at temperatures below -56.6°C while preserving cooling effectiveness.
2Loss of energy
If conventional cooling systems use carbon dioxide, then refrigeration function is achieved, but energy efficiency is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the mixing ratio of carbon dioxide and solvent based on operating conditions. By optimizing the composition of the mixed refrigerant in real-time, the system achieves both high energy efficiency and excellent cooling performance, resolving the contradiction between energy loss and productivity.
3Productivity
If flammable fluids are used as refrigerants, then cooling capability is improved, but safety measures against leakage become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses non-flammable carbon dioxide mixed with a solvent as a refrigerant replacement for flammable alternatives. This choice of refrigerant eliminates fire hazards while maintaining cooling capability, thereby reducing safety system complexity without sacrificing productivity.
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 system improves energy efficiency by cooling pressurized carbon dioxide and solvent, reduces dry ice formation, and simplifies operation by using a mixed refrigerant, thereby enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the cooling apparatus.
Implementation Method 1
a compressor configured to pressurize carbon dioxide to form pressurized carbon dioxide
Implementation Method 2
a depressurization apparatus provided downstream from the mixer and configured to depressurize the mixed refrigerant
Implementation Method 3
a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the mixed refrigerant cooled through depressurization and the fluid to be cooled
Implementation Method 4
a second heat exchanger configured to cool the pressurized carbon dioxide or the mixed refrigerant using a vaporized carbon dioxide or the mixed refrigerant
Implementation Method 5
the depressurization apparatus may include a power recovery turbine, and a power recovery apparatus configured to collect kinetic energy of the mixed refrigerant from the power recovery turbine
Data Source
AI summary
A cooling system includes a compressor configured to pressurize carbon dioxide to form pressurized carbon dioxide, a mixer configured to generate mixed refrigerant in which the pressurized carbon dioxide and solvent in a liquid state, a depressurization apparatus provided downstream from the mixer and configured to depressurize the mixed refrigerant, a separator configured to separate carbon dioxide in a gas state from the mixed refrigerant, a heat exchanger configured to exchange heat between the mixed refrigerant cooled through depressurization and a fluid to be cooled, and a second heat exchanger configured to cool the carbon dioxide or the mixed refrigerant using vaporized carbon dioxide or the mixed refrigerant.