Temperature-control device for controlling the temperature of a fluid and a method for controlling the temperature of a fluid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigeration systems for liquefying gases like hydrogen are energy-intensive and inefficient, and magnetic cooling systems face challenges with high operating frequencies and the handling of strong permanent magnets, limiting their scalability and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A temperature-control device utilizing a magnetocaloric effect with a coil arrangement and movable magnetocaloric components, allowing for efficient temperature control and liquefaction of gases by generating a magnetic field between coaxially aligned coils, enabling higher operating frequencies and reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional refrigeration systems are used for gas liquefaction, then liquefaction can be achieved, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical compression-based refrigeration system with a magnetic field-based cooling system. The coil arrangement generates magnetic fields that interact with magnetocaloric materials to produce cooling effects, eliminating the need for mechanical compressors and reducing energy consumption associated with gas compression and expansion cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the magnetocaloric effect where magnetic field strength parameters are varied to control temperature changes in magnetocaloric materials. By changing the magnetic field parameters (strength, duration, frequency), the system achieves efficient cooling and liquefaction without the energy-intensive mechanical compression processes.
2Productivity
If linear magnetic cooling systems with high operating frequencies are used, then cooling capacity increases, but the mass of magnetocaloric components increases limiting maximum operating frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the magnetocaloric component into multiple smaller units or segments that can be independently moved or activated. This segmentation reduces the effective mass that needs to be accelerated during each cooling cycle, enabling higher operating frequencies while maintaining or increasing overall cooling capacity through the combined effect of multiple segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from linear back-and-forth movement of magnetocaloric components to rotational movement in a circular path. This dimensional change from linear to rotational motion allows continuous operation at high frequencies without the inertial limitations of linear reciprocating systems, as the rotational mechanism better handles the mass and momentum of magnetocaloric materials.
3Productivity
If strong permanent magnets are used to achieve high magnetic field strengths, then cooling capacity increases, but handling becomes complicated and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces permanent magnets with electromagnetic coils that generate magnetic fields. This substitution eliminates the need to handle, position, and secure strong permanent magnets, while providing controllable magnetic field strengths that can be adjusted electronically. The coils can be precisely positioned and controlled without the mechanical handling complexities associated with strong permanent magnets.
4Productivity
If large-scale hydrogen liquefiers are used, then liquefaction efficiency improves, but the system size prevents decentralized and mobile use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs modular coil arrangements and magnetocaloric component units that can be configured in different sizes and capacities. This segmentation allows the system to be scaled down for decentralized and mobile applications while maintaining the efficient magnetocaloric liquefaction mechanism, unlike conventional large-scale systems that cannot be easily downsized.
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing mechanical compressors with magnetic field-based cooling, the patent eliminates bulky mechanical components and reduces overall system size. The electromagnetic and magnetocaloric components are more compact and suitable for decentralized and mobile applications while maintaining high liquefaction efficiency.
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 device achieves more efficient and cost-effective temperature control, enabling the liquefaction of hydrogen with reduced energy consumption and allowing for a more compact, transportable, and scalable solution.
Implementation Method 1
a coil arrangement comprising a first coil and a second coil aligned along a coaxial direction and spaced apart from each other so that a magnetic field can be generated within a magnetic field extension range between the first coil and the second coil
Implementation Method 2
moving the magnetocaloric component and the coil arrangement relative to each other in the magnetic field extension region for generating magnetocaloric temperature control of the magnetocaloric component based on a magnetic field change
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a temperature-control device for controlling the temperature a fluid and method thereof. The temperature-control device includes a coil with first and second coils aligned along a coaxial direction and spaced apart from each other so that a magnetic field can be generated within a region between them. The temperature-control device includes a magnetocaloric member attached movably relative to the coil such that the magnetocaloric member and the coil can be moved relative to each other along a direction at an angle to the coaxial direction in the region to generate a magnetocaloric temperature control of the magnetocaloric member based on a magnetic field change during the movement of the coil arrangement and the magnetocaloric member relative to each other. The temperature-control device includes a heat transfer system thermally contacting the magnetocaloric component for providing heat transfer toward and/or away from the magnetocaloric component.