ULT Freezer Cryogenic Evaporator Layout for Faster Plasma Freezing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Blast Freezers are limited in freezing speed due to the boiling point of their refrigerants, typically requiring over 2 hours to freeze 100 bags to −40 C, which is insufficient for rapid freezing of plasma or blood products.
Innovation Solution
A high-speed cooling system with liquid Nitrogen at 100 psi, multiple evaporators, and fans for enhanced convective cooling, along with cryogenic heat exchangers and Vacuum Insulated Panels for efficient thermal management, allowing for rapid freezing and subsequent heating capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If conventional refrigerants with boiling point of approximately -100 C are used in mechanical freezers, then the freezing capability is limited, but the device complexity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical refrigeration system (compressor, condenser, expansion valve, evaporator) with a cryogenic liquid nitrogen-based direct cooling system. Liquid nitrogen at -196 C is pumped directly through heat exchangers in the payload bay, eliminating the need for complex mechanical refrigeration components while achieving much lower temperatures and faster freezing rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental thermal parameter by introducing liquid nitrogen with a boiling point of -196 C, which is 96 degrees Celsius colder than conventional refrigerants. This parameter change enables the system to achieve -40 C freezing temperature much faster, reducing freeze time from over 2 hours to approximately 1 hour for 100 bags.
2Productivity
If conventional mechanical freezers with refrigerants are used, then the device complexity is lower, but the freezing speed is insufficient (over 2 hours for 100 bags)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical refrigeration system with a cryogenic liquid nitrogen-based direct cooling system. Liquid nitrogen at -196 C is pumped directly through heat exchangers in the payload bay, eliminating the need for complex mechanical refrigeration components while achieving much lower temperatures and faster freezing rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental thermal parameter by introducing liquid nitrogen with a boiling point of -196 C, which is 96 degrees Celsius colder than conventional refrigerants. This parameter change enables the system to achieve -40 C freezing temperature much faster, reducing freeze time from over 2 hours to approximately 1 hour for 100 bags.
3Productivity
If liquid nitrogen at high pressure (100 psi) is used for rapid freezing, then the freezing speed increases (to about 1 hour), but the energy consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the phase transition of liquid nitrogen evaporating from liquid to gas at -196 C, absorbing large amounts of latent heat in the process. This phase change provides intense cooling capability that rapidly freezes products, and the resulting nitrogen gas is vented or recaptured, eliminating the need for continuous energy-intensive compression cycles.
4Adaptability or versatility
If conventional refrigeration systems are used, then the heating capability is limited, but the system complexity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a multi-functional system where the same liquid nitrogen infrastructure serves both cooling and heating functions. For heating, the system captures the cold nitrogen gas after it has cooled the payload, passes it through a heat exchanger to heat water or other fluids, and then recycles the warmed nitrogen back into the system, enabling the freezer to function as both a freezer and water heater.
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 can freeze 100 bags in about 1 hour, reducing freeze time by half and enabling efficient long-term storage and rapid heating to 100 C, while maintaining temperature accuracy and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of evaporators coupled to the payload bay with a multiplicity of coolant tubes in each evaporator
Implementation Method 2
The system can freeze 100 bags in about 1 hour
Implementation Method 3
Vacuum Insulated Panels for efficient thermal management
Implementation Method 4
A high-speed cooling system with liquid Nitrogen at 100 psi, multiple evaporators, and fans for enhanced convective cooling
Implementation Method 5
fans for enhanced convective cooling
Implementation Method 6
enabling efficient long-term storage and rapid heating to 100 C
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a plurality of evaporators coupled to a payload bay with a multiplicity of coolant tubes in each evaporator, wherein each tube enters and then exits the payload bay, further comprising one or more cryogenic valves coupled to the coolant tubes; a pump to force coolant flowing through the evaporators; and a thermal box immediately outside the evaporators and payload bay to thermally seal the payload bay from the outside environment and reduce heat gain, the thermal box including high strength open cell panels and a vacuum or Vacuum Insulated Panels (VIPs) with polyurethane foam to fill the voids.