Thawing Device Gas Flow and Oscillating Carrier
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for thawing frozen biopharmaceutical liquids are inefficient, leading to prolonged thawing times which can be a bottleneck in pharmaceutical manufacturing and storage processes, and may affect the integrity and efficacy of the thawed medical liquids.
Innovation Solution
A device that utilizes a gas flow generation unit to enhance convection and a container unit that moves back and forth to agitate the containers, accelerating the thawing process by improving heat exchange and distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional thawing methods are used, then the thawing process is simple and requires minimal equipment, but the thawing time is excessively long and becomes a bottleneck in manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The container carrier is made movable, oscillating back and forth to dynamically change the position of containers relative to the gas flow path. This dynamic movement enhances convection and heat distribution throughout the frozen liquid, significantly accelerating the thawing process while maintaining simplicity of the overall system
Solution Approach 2:
A gas flow generation unit is introduced to create forced convection of gas (air) through the container region. The gas flow dynamically interacts with the moving containers to enhance heat transfer efficiency, reducing thawing time from days to hours without requiring complex heating equipment
2Productivity
If the gas flow rate is increased to accelerate thawing, then the thawing speed improves, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The oscillating movement of the container carrier enhances natural convection and heat distribution, allowing the system to achieve effective thawing at lower gas flow rates. This dynamic mechanical action complements the gas flow, reducing the energy required for gas generation while maintaining high thawing speed
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes the kinetic energy of the oscillating container carrier to enhance heat transfer through movement-induced convection. This self-enhancing mechanism reduces reliance on high-energy gas flow alone, optimizing the balance between thawing speed and energy consumption
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 solution significantly reduces thawing time for large volumes of frozen biopharmaceutical liquids, such as Comirnaty BDP, from -60°C to 15°C within 9-13 hours, maintaining the integrity and efficacy of the medical liquids.
Implementation Method 1
a gas flow generation unit, that may force or enhance convection at the containers in the container receptacles of the container carrier. This may improve heat exchange between the gas, e.g. air, such as ambient air, in the gas flow path and the substance in the container
Implementation Method 2
improve heat exchange between the gas, e.g. air, such as ambient air, in the gas flow path and the substance in the container and, hence, accelerate thawing
Data Source
AI summary
A device (100) for accelerating thawing of a content of one or a plurality of containers (160) is provided and an associated method.