Vertical Thawing Vessel With Zoned Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thawing methods for frozen biological products, such as proteins and cells, often result in overheating and denaturation due to inefficient temperature control, leading to degradation of sensitive components during the thawing process.
Innovation Solution
A vertical thawing vessel equipped with multiple independent thermal transfer devices and temperature control systems, including thermocouples and a controller, allows for precise temperature modulation at different levels within the vessel to prevent overheating and ensure efficient thawing without denaturing sensitive components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single thermal transfer system is used to thaw frozen biological products, then the thawing process is simplified, but the temperature control precision deteriorates leading to overheating and denaturation
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal transfer system is divided into multiple independent thermal transfer devices, each capable of controlling temperature at different locations within the vessel. This segmentation allows precise temperature control at each zone while maintaining an overall simple system architecture, resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and temperature control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the vessel are equipped with thermal transfer devices that can be independently controlled to provide locally optimized temperature conditions. This ensures that each area maintains appropriate temperature for its specific thawing needs, preventing overheating and denaturation while keeping the overall system manageable.
2Ease of operation
If frozen biological products are thawed using conventional vertical vessels, then the thawing process is straightforward, but the temperature distribution becomes non-uniform causing overheating of liquid portions
Solution Approach 1:
The vessel is divided into multiple thermal zones with independent thermal transfer devices, allowing each zone to be controlled separately. This segmentation enables uniform temperature distribution throughout the vessel while maintaining operational simplicity, as each zone can be independently managed to prevent hot spots.
Solution Approach 2:
Each thermal zone is equipped with its own thermal transfer device that can be controlled to provide locally appropriate temperature conditions. This ensures uniform temperature distribution across different regions of the vessel, preventing overheating of liquid portions while keeping the overall process straightforward.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple independent thermal transfer devices are used to control temperature precisely, then temperature control precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into modular thermal transfer devices, each handling a specific zone. This modular approach allows precise temperature control in each segment while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through standardized, independent units that can be controlled separately.
4Use of energy by moving object
If conventional thawing methods are used, then energy consumption is low, but thawing time increases and product degradation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Energy is applied locally at different thermal zones based on their specific thawing needs, rather than uniformly throughout the vessel. This localized energy application improves thawing efficiency and reduces product degradation while maintaining reasonable energy consumption, as each zone receives appropriate thermal energy only when needed.
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 approach enables rapid and efficient thawing of biological products while maintaining the integrity of heat-sensitive components, reducing energy consumption and minimizing degradation, thereby improving the yield of valuable proteins and cells.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of thermal transfer devices operatively associated with the vessel for transferring heat between the vessel and the thermal transfer device
Implementation Method 2
thermocouples extending into the interior space of the vessel, wherein: the thermocouples are operatively associated with the at least one controller; and the at least one controller is operative for controlling the first and second thermal transfer devices at least partially in response to signals from the thermocouples
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are devices and methods for thawing frozen biological products efficiently without harming the products.