Two-Stage Dry Ice System for Multi-Temperature Perishable Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional refrigeration systems for perishable food transport often require separate containers or compartmentalized containers, which fail to maintain different temperature regimes effectively, leading to inefficient preservation and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A two-stage dry ice system with a transportable container having distinct regions for different perishable items, utilizing phase change materials (PCMs) and dry ice in a stacked arrangement to maintain multiple temperature regimes within a single holding volume, where dry ice serves as the primary refrigerant initially and the PCM takes over upon its sublimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If separate containers with individual coolants are used for different perishable foods requiring different cooling temperatures, then each container can maintain its specific cooling temperature regime, but the device complexity and number of containers increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple temperature zone requirements into a single container by using a unified coolant system. The container includes a coolant chamber with a coolant that can maintain different temperature regimes in different regions through strategic placement of perishable items and use of insulative materials, eliminating the need for separate containers for refrigerated and frozen goods.
Solution Approach 2:
The single container is designed to perform multiple functions by accommodating both refrigerated (above freezing) and frozen (below freezing) perishable items simultaneously. The coolant system serves dual purposes: cooling refrigerated items through direct contact and freezing frozen items through ice formation, making the container universally applicable for mixed temperature requirements.
2Temperature
If compartmentalized containers are used to store perishable foods with different cooling temperature requirements, then different temperature zones can be created, but the desired temperature control and preservation duration are not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating distinct thermal environments within different regions of the same container. The refrigerated region uses direct coolant contact for moderate cooling, while the frozen region uses insulated coolant contact for intense cooling. This localized approach ensures each perishable item receives the appropriate temperature regime for its specific preservation needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses insulative materials as intermediaries to control heat transfer between the coolant and different perishable items. By strategically placing insulative materials in the frozen region, the system mediates the cooling process to maintain sub-freezing temperatures without direct ice contact, achieving reliable temperature control for extended preservation durations.
3Device complexity
If a single container with a unified coolant system is used for different perishable items, then the device complexity is reduced, but maintaining different temperature regimes becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the container into distinct functional regions: a refrigerated region for items requiring cooling above freezing temperature and a frozen region for items requiring sub-freezing temperatures. This spatial segmentation allows the unified coolant system to maintain different temperature regimes by controlling where ice forms and how heat transfer occurs in each region.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal parameters (temperature and heat transfer rate) in different regions of the container by controlling ice formation location and using insulative materials. The coolant temperature and thermal conductivity are effectively varied across regions, enabling the single container to support multiple cooling temperature regimes despite using one unified coolant system.
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 system extends the duration of perishable item preservation by maintaining temperature regimes effectively, reducing the need for separate containers and improving temperature control, thus enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of food transport.
Implementation Method 1
dry ice serves as a first primary refrigerant to maintain the first cooling temperature regime and the second cooling temperature regime during an initial duration of the transport of the transportable container
Implementation Method 2
subsequently followed by the PCM acting as a second primary refrigerant to maintain the first cooling temperature regime and the second cooling temperature regime during a final duration of the transport of the transportable container
Implementation Method 3
insulative material configured to partially encapsulate the second perishable item during transport of the transportable container
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a novel two-stage dry ice system for preserving perishable items during transport and methods thereof. The improved two-stage dry ice system includes dry ice and a phase change material specifically configured within a single and continuous holding volume with perishable items. Preservation of the perishable items for extended durations in comparison to other refrigeration techniques can be achieved as a result of the two-stage dry system having the ability to re-orient itself during transport.