Trans-critical thermodynamic system and method for removing solutes from fluid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for removing solutes from trans-critical thermodynamic systems, such as those using carbon dioxide as a working fluid, often require complete purging and filtration, which disrupt normal operation and incur energy losses and equipment damage.
Innovation Solution
A trans-critical thermodynamic system incorporating an expansion device and a separator that extracts a portion of the supercritical fluid to produce a sub-critical gas, allowing for periodic removal of solutes without complete system purging, using a fluid extraction point and heat exchangers to control thermodynamic states and minimize energy loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional filtration systems are used to remove solutes, then solute removal is achieved, but system operation is disrupted and energy losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes phase transition of the working fluid from supercritical state to subcritical state through expansion. This phase change causes solutes to precipitate out of the fluid, enabling their removal without disrupting system operation. The expanded fluid is diverted to a separator where precipitated solutes are removed, and the purified fluid is returned to the cycle, maintaining continuous operation while effectively removing solutes.
2Reliability
If complete purging of the system is performed to remove solutes, then solute removal is achieved, but energy losses increase and equipment may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the portion of working fluid containing solutes from the main system cycle and directs it to a separator. This selective extraction allows solute removal without requiring complete system purging. The majority of the working fluid continues circulating in the main cycle without interruption, minimizing energy losses while effectively removing solutes from the extracted portion.
3Reliability
If additional separating components like filters are added, then solute removal capability is improved, but device complexity increases and pressure drop occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses phase transition to naturally separate solutes from the working fluid without requiring additional filtering components. By expanding the supercritical fluid to subcritical state, solutes automatically precipitate and can be separated through simple gravity settling or centrifugation in the separator. This approach eliminates the need for complex filter systems while maintaining effective solute removal capability.
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
Enables continuous operation with reduced energy losses and prevention of equipment damage by periodically removing solutes from the working fluid, eliminating the need for additional separating components like filters, thus maintaining system efficiency and preventing fouling.
Implementation Method 1
The expansion device is operable to expand the supercritical fluid to produce a sub-critical gas by reducing a temperature and/or a pressure of the supercritical fluid
Implementation Method 2
The first heat exchanger is configured to cool the supercritical fluid to a thermodynamic state such that the reduction in the temperature and/or the pressure when the portion of the supercritical fluid is passed through the expansion device produces the sub-critical gas
Data Source
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AI summary
A trans-critical thermodynamic system (100) includes an expansion device (102) and a separator (104). The expansion device (102) receives a supercritical fluid (128) containing solutes (134). The expansion device (102) is operable to expand the supercritical fluid (128) to produce a sub-critical gas (132) by reducing a temperature and/or a pressure of the supercritical fluid (128). The separator (104) removes the solutes (134) from the sub-critical gas (132).