EP0826937B1 - Kühlaggregat - Google Patents

Kühlaggregat Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0826937B1
EP0826937B1 EP97114434A EP97114434A EP0826937B1 EP 0826937 B1 EP0826937 B1 EP 0826937B1 EP 97114434 A EP97114434 A EP 97114434A EP 97114434 A EP97114434 A EP 97114434A EP 0826937 B1 EP0826937 B1 EP 0826937B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
storage space
ambient air
cryogenic coolant
venturi
evaporated
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP97114434A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0826937A1 (de
Inventor
Franz Dr Lürken
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Messer Griesheim GmbH
Original Assignee
Messer Griesheim GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Messer Griesheim GmbH filed Critical Messer Griesheim GmbH
Publication of EP0826937A1 publication Critical patent/EP0826937A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0826937B1 publication Critical patent/EP0826937B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D3/00—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies
    • F25D3/10—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies using liquefied gases, e.g. liquid air
    • F25D3/105—Movable containers

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a cooling unit for cooling a storage space.
  • Such cooling units are familiar and are used in particular for cooling frozen foods during transport and distribution.
  • the familiar cooling units contain a container for a coolant, e.g. liquid nitrogen or carbon dioxide in the solid or fluid state. Heat is exchanged because of the evaporation of the coolant and the storage space is cooled.
  • a cryogenic control system for cooling a storage space within a road truck where liquid nitrogen, stored in a tank, is evaporated by heat exchange with the air inside the storage space.
  • the evaporated gas is conducted to a venturi where, due to the increase of pressure during evaporation, ambient air is sucked in, thus creating an air circulation in the storage space.
  • the storage space will be cooled with high efficiency.
  • moisture contained in the ambient air sucked into the venturi will freeze out and finally block the venturi.
  • New EU-directives on the storage and transport of frozen foods prescribe a temperature of -18°C during the entire process of storage and transport.
  • the familiar cooling units are unable to ensure such a stable cooling temperature.
  • the invention envisages overcoming these objections and to this, provides a cooling unit for cooling a storage space comprising a container for a cryogenic coolant, a first heat exchanger fluidly connected with said container for cooling said storage space by evaporating said cryogenic coolant, a moisture trap having an inlet and an outlet for cryogenic coolant and an inlet and an outlet for ambient air, for freezing moisture out of an airflow of air of said storage space by the means of thermal contact with said cryogenic fluidic, a venturi connected to said outlet for cryogenic coolant and to said outlet for ambient air of said moisture trap, for creating an air circulation in said storage space using the increase in pressure caused by said evaporation of the cryogenic coolant fluidly, by that a second heat exchanger for heating cryogenic coolant is located between the freezing element and the venturi.
  • the cooling fulfils three functions:
  • temperature measurements make it possible to cause an additional direct influx of evaporated coolant by way of pressure-regulating elements and pipes.
  • This provides thermally controlled cooling.
  • the cooling unit provides thermally controlled cooling and the temperature in the storage space will remain constant independent of the external ambient temperature.
  • the influx of this additional flow of evaporated coolant will cause a better mix with the cooled ambient air which is drawn in and returns to the storage space.
  • the invention also relates to a storage space fitted with a mobile or stationary cooling unit according to the invention.
  • a storage unit is suitable for the transport of frozen food.
  • the invention also relates to a process for cooling a storage space according to claim 7.
  • FIG. 1 shows the cooling unit 1 in which a container 2 for a coolant 3 is connected to a number of pipes.
  • the container 2 is filled with a coolant by way of a filling tube 4. Since the wall 5 of the container 2 is largely insulated by a vacuum sheath 6, the base 7 of the container 2 functions as a heat exchanger. This base 7 of the container 2 is not insulated, so that evaporation of the coolant is caused by way of the difference in temperature, so that pressure is built up. This overpressure is caused by the evaporation of the liquid nitrogen 8.
  • the venturi 13 is protected against freezing by the moisture trap 10.
  • the ambient air which is drawn in is collected in the moisture trap and the moisture in the ambient air is frozen solid by the evaporated coolant.
  • the moisture trap may be regarded as a heat exchanger, by means of which moisture in the ambient air is temporarily frozen solid so that the operation of the venturi is not impaired.
  • the most important function of the evaporated coolant 3 is to cool the storage space 9 by ensuring the air flow which is drawn in, together with the nitrogen gas 8 which is accelerated by the venturi 13, is forced into the storage space.
  • the nitrogen gas 8 is compelled to exchange heat by way of a heat exchanger 14: cooling the storage space on the one hand and heating the nitrogen gas on the other hand.
  • Another heat exchanger 15 is connected to the container at the base and provides additional cooling, e.g., if this is necessary in warmer periods.
  • the design according to the embodiment of the invention has the same cooling power because of an adaptation of the pressure-regulating elements, irrespective of the level of the coolant in the container 2.
  • venturi 13 causes the ambient air to be drawn in, circulation is caused as long as evaporation takes place, so that the temperature in the storage space is homogeneous.
  • Figure 2 shows a lateral cross-section view of the preferred design of the cooling unit shown in Figure 1.
  • the uppermost 14 and the lowest 15 heat exchangers can be clearly seen; the latter is an additional heat exchanger.
  • the uppermost one reaches to the ceiling of the storage space 9. Cooling is obtained in the heat exchangers by the transfer of heat by way of the evaporated nitrogen.
  • the level in the container 2 can be determined by a probe.
  • Figure 3 contains a flow diagram of the preferred design of Figures 1 and 2.
  • the liquid nitrogen 3 in the container 2 evaporates and provides cooling of the storage space by way of the first heat exchanger 7.
  • the ambient air is drawn in through a venturi 13, so that circulation is created in the storage space, with the ambient air mixing with the evaporated coolant which has passed through the moisture trap. This mixture is returned to the environment.
  • a third heat exchanger 20 is fitted to the base of the container 2.
  • Figure 4 contains a flow diagram comparable to that of Figure 3.
  • a different pressure-regulating system is used in this design, in which pressure-regulating elements 21 and a cut-off valve 22 are switched in series or in parallel.
  • a further flow of liquid nitrogen is introduced into the storage space by other pressure-regulating elements 24 and temperature measurements 23 by way of pipe 25. Thermally controlled cooling of the storage space is caused in this way. The additional flow may cause additional mixing with the output flow - ambient air - of the evaporated nitrogen.
  • FIG. 5 contains a diagram of the moisture trap and the venturi according to the invention.
  • the moisture trap 27 consists of a pipe 30 for the ambient air; the low temperature T V dominates the moisture trap 27 is caused by the presence in direct or counter-flow of evaporated coolant, through which the moisture in the ambient air is frozen solid to the wall of the pipe 30. In this way ice 29 is formed on this wall 30.
  • the flow of evaporated coolant is then led to the input of the venturi 28 by way of heat exchangers.
  • the temperature T W is the temperature of the coolant after exchanging heat with the storage space and for preference is higher than the temperature T L of the ambient air from the moisture trap in order to exclude all phenomena of freezing from the venturi.
  • Ambient air is drawn in through the constriction and mixing with the evaporated coolant and the ambient air which has been drawn in takes place; this is released into the storage space at point 31.
  • a cooling unit according to the invention is used for preference in a storage space, e.g., a container or the body of a lorry used for the transport and distribution of foods.
  • a calculation using the logistical data, such as transport time and ambient temperature and the volume of the storage space will enable the coolant level in the container to be adjusted. This level can be read off by means of a probe determining the level, for example. In this way regular cooling over time and in the storage space which satisfies all European standards for the transport of cooled and frozen foods.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Inorganic Insulating Materials (AREA)
  • Crystals, And After-Treatments Of Crystals (AREA)
  • Polarising Elements (AREA)

Claims (9)

  1. Kühlaggregat zum Kühlen eines Lagerraums (9), der mit Umgebungsluft gefüllt ist, umfassend:
    einen Behälter (2) für ein kryogenes Kühlmittel,
    einen ersten Wärmetauscher (7) zum Kühlen des Lagerraums (9) durch Verdampfen des kryogenen Kühlmittels,
    eine Trockeneinrichtung (10, 18, 27) zum Gefrieren von Feuchtigkeit in der Umgebungsluft,
       wobei die Trockeneinrichtung
    einen ersten Eingang und einen ersten Ausgang für kryogenes Kühlmittel, wobei der erste Eingang mit dem Behälter (2) verbunden ist, und
    einen zweiten Eingang und einen zweiten Ausgang für die Umgebungsluft aufweist,
    eine Venturi-Düse (13, 28) zur Schaffung einer Luftzirkulation in dem Lagerraum (9) mit Hilfe des Druckanstiegs aufgrund der Verdampfung des kryogenen Kühlmittels,
       wobei die Venturi-Düse (13, 28)
    einen dritten Eingang für die Umgebungsluft, der mit dem zweiten Ausgang der Trockeneinrichtung (10, 18, 27) verbunden ist,
    einen vierten Eingang für das verdampfte kryogene Kühlmittel, der mit dem ersten Ausgang der Trockeneinrichtung in Verbindung steht, und
    einen dritten Ausgang für die Mischung aus der Umgebungsluft und dem verdampften kryogenen Fluid aufweist,
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass
    der erste Wärmetauscher durch den Boden des Behälters gebildet wird und dass zwischen der Trockeneinrichtung (10, 18, 27) und der Venturi-Düse (13, 28) ein zweiter Wärmetauscher (14, 19) zum Austausch von Wärme zwischen dem verdampften kryogenen Kühlmittel und dem Lagerraum (9) angeordnet ist.
  2. Kühlaggregat nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Eingang der Trockeneinrichtung für kryogenes Kühlmittel fluidisch mit dem ersten Wärmetauscher verbunden ist, so dass verdampftes Kühlmittel durch die Trockeneinrichtung geleitet wird.
  3. Kühlaggregat nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass Druckregelmittel (21) zur Steuerung der Verdampfung kryogenen Kühlmittels vorgesehen sind.
  4. Kühlaggregat nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass Temperaturfühler vorgesehen sind.
  5. Kühlaggregat nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Kühlaggregat mit Mitteln zum Bewegen des Kühlaggregats von einem Lagerraum zu einem anderen versehen ist.
  6. Lagerraum, ausgerüstet mit einem Kühlaggregat nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche.
  7. Verfahren zum Kühlen eines Lagerraums (9), die folgenden Schritte umfassend:
    ein kryogenes Kühlmittel, das in einem Behälter (2) gelagert ist, wird in einem ersten Wärmetauscher (7), der durch den Boden des Behälters gebildet wird, verdampft, so dass der Lagerraum (9) gekühlt wird,
    das verdampfte kryogene Kühlmittel strömt aufgrund von Überdruck von dem Behälter (2) in
    eine Trockeneinrichtung (10, 18, 27), wonach das verdampfte kryogene Kühlmittel durch
    einen zweiten Wärmetauscher (14, 19) zum Austausch von Wärme zwischen dem verdampften kryogenen Kühlmittel und dem Lagerraum (9) und
    eine Venturi-Düse (13, 28) strömt,
    das verdampfte kryogene Kühlmittel wird in der Venturi-Düse (13, 28) beschleunigt, so dass in der Venturi-Düse (13, 28) ein Unterdruck entsteht, aufgrund dessen die Umgebungsluft aus dem Lagerraum (9) angesaugt wird,
    die Umgebungsluft, die in die Venturi-Düse (13, 28) angesaugt wird, wird zusammen mit dem verdampften kryogenen Kühlmittel, das durch die Venturi-Düse (13, 28) beschleunigt wird, in den Lagerraum (9) gezwungen, so dass die Umgebungsluft in dem Lagerraum (9) zum Zirkulieren gebracht wird,
    die Umgebungsluft strömt vor dem Ansaugen in die Venturi-Düse (13, 28) durch die Trockeneinrichtung (10, 18, 27), so dass die Feuchtigkeit in der Umgebungsluft durch das verdampfte kryogene Kühlmittel festgefroren wird.
  8. Verfahren nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass flüssiger Stickstoff und/oder festes oder flüssiges Kohlendioxid als kryogenes Kühlmittel benutzt werden.
  9. Verfahren nach Anspruch 7 oder 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass durch die Regelung des Drucks und/oder die Regelung der Temperatur eine thermisch gesteuerte Kühlung geschaffen wird.
EP97114434A 1996-08-29 1997-08-21 Kühlaggregat Expired - Lifetime EP0826937B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL1003915 1996-08-29
NL1003915A NL1003915C2 (nl) 1996-08-29 1996-08-29 Koelinrichting.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0826937A1 EP0826937A1 (de) 1998-03-04
EP0826937B1 true EP0826937B1 (de) 2003-07-16

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ID=19763434

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97114434A Expired - Lifetime EP0826937B1 (de) 1996-08-29 1997-08-21 Kühlaggregat

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EP (1) EP0826937B1 (de)
AT (1) ATE245270T1 (de)
DE (1) DE69723515D1 (de)
NL (1) NL1003915C2 (de)
ZA (1) ZA977372B (de)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1593918A2 (de) 2004-05-06 2005-11-09 Air Liquide Deutschland GmbH Indirekte Kühlung bei Kühlfahrzeugen
EP1659355A2 (de) 2004-11-17 2006-05-24 Air Liquide Deutschland GmbH Kühlverfahren und Kühlvorrichtung für Kühlfahrzeuge

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102006016555A1 (de) * 2006-04-07 2007-10-11 Air Liquide Deutschland Gmbh Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Aufbauen eines Überdrucks in einem Tank für verflüssigtes Gas eines Kühlfahrzeugs sowie Kühlsystem für ein Kühlfahrzeug und Kühlfahrzeug
DE102006016557A1 (de) * 2006-04-07 2007-10-11 Air Liquide Deutschland Gmbh Kühlfahrzeug mit externem Kühlmodul und Kühlverfahren
DE102006016559A1 (de) * 2006-04-07 2007-10-11 Air Liquide Deutschland Gmbh Wärmetauscher für ein mobiles Kühlfahrzeug

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3271970A (en) * 1962-10-29 1966-09-13 Pennsylvania Wmb Inc Insulated cold storage rooms or similar enclosures
US3163022A (en) * 1963-01-21 1964-12-29 Z Z Corp Refrigeration system employing expendable refrigerant
US3447336A (en) * 1967-09-22 1969-06-03 Pullman Inc Refrigeration arrangement
US3447334A (en) * 1967-12-07 1969-06-03 Garrett Corp Environmental system for preservation of perishables
GB1594576A (en) * 1976-11-16 1981-07-30 Boc Ltd Refrigeration apparatus
US4576010A (en) * 1983-10-18 1986-03-18 Nhy-Temp, Inc. Cryogenic refrigeration control system
CA2095494C (en) * 1992-06-10 1998-08-11 Ron C. Lee Cooling method and apparatus

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1593918A2 (de) 2004-05-06 2005-11-09 Air Liquide Deutschland GmbH Indirekte Kühlung bei Kühlfahrzeugen
EP1659355A2 (de) 2004-11-17 2006-05-24 Air Liquide Deutschland GmbH Kühlverfahren und Kühlvorrichtung für Kühlfahrzeuge

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NL1003915C2 (nl) 1998-03-04
DE69723515D1 (de) 2003-08-21
ZA977372B (en) 1998-02-19
ATE245270T1 (de) 2003-08-15
EP0826937A1 (de) 1998-03-04

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