EP3403037B1 - System allowing automatic extraction of cold gases in a freezer cabinet operating with a cryogenic fluid - Google Patents

System allowing automatic extraction of cold gases in a freezer cabinet operating with a cryogenic fluid Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP3403037B1
EP3403037B1 EP17702424.7A EP17702424A EP3403037B1 EP 3403037 B1 EP3403037 B1 EP 3403037B1 EP 17702424 A EP17702424 A EP 17702424A EP 3403037 B1 EP3403037 B1 EP 3403037B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cabinet
extraction
tube
enclosure
cryogenic fluid
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.)
Active
Application number
EP17702424.7A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3403037A1 (en
Inventor
Didier Pathier
Christian Reymond
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.)
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
Original Assignee
Air Liquide SA
LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
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 Air Liquide SA, LAir Liquide SA pour lEtude et lExploitation des Procedes Georges Claude filed Critical Air Liquide SA
Publication of EP3403037A1 publication Critical patent/EP3403037A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3403037B1 publication Critical patent/EP3403037B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Images

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
    • F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
    • F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
    • F25D17/042—Air treating means within refrigerated spaces
    • F25D17/045—Air flow control arrangements
    • 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
    • F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
    • F25D17/005—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces in cold rooms
    • 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
    • F25D3/102—Stationary cabinets
    • 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
    • F25D3/12—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies using solidified gases, e.g. carbon-dioxide snow
    • F25D3/122—Stationary cabinets

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of cabinets used for freezing or storing food, medical or biological products, using a cryogenic gas as a cooling fluid, and it is more particularly interested in the gas extraction system equipping such cabinets. and which is an important element.
  • the gases are actively circulated.
  • an active extraction (fan, turbine, etc.) which allows the gases to be sucked outwards.
  • an active extraction is installed.
  • the latter consists of a fan installed in the tube extraction, a power supply and a control system which triggers its operation when necessary. All of this has a significant cost in the total cost of the freezing installation and when possible, an installation without active extraction will always be preferred by the production site.
  • a cabinet according to the preamble of claim 1 attached is known from the document US4344291A .
  • the document FR2979697A1 describes a cryogenic fluid refrigeration tunnel comprising inlet and outlet shutters.
  • the present invention seeks to propose a technical solution which aims to overcome the problem of cryogenic cabinet door seals, at a negligible cost.
  • the proposed solution includes a shutter (shutter whose cost is negligible), located at the entrance to the extraction tube in the freezing cabinet, flap extending towards the inside of the cabinet, and whose shape, the position and orientation make it possible to take advantage of the turbulence created by the fans.
  • a shutter shutter whose cost is negligible
  • flap extending towards the inside of the cabinet, and whose shape, the position and orientation make it possible to take advantage of the turbulence created by the fans.
  • the turbulence created is partly deflected by the shutter towards the extraction tube, thus pushing the gases towards the outside of the enclosure and thus creating a depression inside the freezing enclosure.
  • This shutter will be chosen according to the type of fans used in the cabinet and their direction (clockwise or counterclockwise) of operation.
  • this shutter must be studied to disrupt the freezing process of the cabinet as little as possible (studied for example by modeling or quite simply by tests on a real cabinet), in particular to check that the shutter provides the desired effect. which is to create a depression inside the cabinet, so that the shutter does not disturb the air circulation too much in the cell and that it does not degrade the heat transfer coefficient in the freezing cabinet.

Landscapes

  • 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)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
  • Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)

Description

La présente invention concerne le domaine des armoires utilisées pour la surgélation ou le stockage de produits alimentaires, médicaux ou biologiques, utilisant un gaz cryogénique comme fluide de refroidissement, et elle s'intéresse plus particulièrement au système d'extraction des gaz équipant de telles armoires et qui en est un élément important.The present invention relates to the field of cabinets used for freezing or storing food, medical or biological products, using a cryogenic gas as a cooling fluid, and it is more particularly interested in the gas extraction system equipping such cabinets. and which is an important element.

En effet, on peut rappeler que lorsque l'armoire fonctionne, elle est refroidie grâce à l'injection d'un fluide cryogénique tel l'azote liquide ou le CO2 liquide à l'intérieur de l'enceinte fermée de l'appareil, ce fluide est la source de froid et son passage de l'état liquide à l'état gazeux s'accompagne d'un phénomène d'expansion du gaz. Ce gaz liquéfié se vaporise dans l'enceinte et doit ensuite être évacué de la machine vers l'extérieur du local de production.Indeed, we can recall that when the cabinet is operating, it is cooled by the injection of a cryogenic fluid such as liquid nitrogen or liquid CO 2 inside the closed enclosure of the device, this fluid is the source of cold and its transition from the liquid state to the gaseous state is accompanied by a gas expansion phenomenon. This liquefied gas vaporizes in the enclosure and must then be evacuated from the machine to the outside of the production room.

Pour ce faire, on utilise souvent un tube d'extraction (sorte de cheminée) qui relie l'enceinte à l'extérieur du bâtiment. Le gaz s'échappe alors naturellement de l'enceinte vers l'extérieur. La légère surpression créée dans l'enceinte permet de faire circuler le gaz vers l'extérieur de l'enceinte.To do this, we often use an extraction tube (a sort of chimney) which connects the enclosure to the exterior of the building. The gas then escapes naturally from the enclosure to the outside. The slight overpressure created in the enclosure allows the gas to circulate towards the outside of the enclosure.

Dans d'autres cas, les gaz sont mis en circulation de manière active. Sur ce tube est alors implantée une extraction active (ventilateur, turbine...) qui permet d'aspirer les gaz vers l'extérieur.In other cases, the gases are actively circulated. On this tube is then installed an active extraction (fan, turbine, etc.) which allows the gases to be sucked outwards.

Lorsque l'armoire est neuve et qu'elle fonctionne correctement, le système énoncé ci-dessus fonctionne très bien.When the cabinet is new and working properly, the system stated above works very well.

En revanche, après un certain temps, les conditions de fonctionnement dérivent légèrement d'un fonctionnement idéal. En effet, on constate qu'avec le temps, les joints de la ou les porte(s) des armoires cryogéniques deviennent moins étanches car aucun matériau ne supporte les températures très basses des surgélateurs cryogéniques sans devenir à terme rigide ou cassant. Ils laissent alors passer une quantité plus ou moins grande de gaz ce qui peut dans les cas les plus extrêmes mener à une anoxie (manque d'oxygène) ou à une intoxication (gaz carbonique) des personnels présents dans le local de production.On the other hand, after a certain time, the operating conditions drift slightly from ideal operation. Indeed, we see that over time, the seals of the door(s) of cryogenic cabinets become less watertight because no material withstands the very low temperatures of cryogenic freezers without eventually becoming rigid or brittle. They then let a more or less large quantity of gas pass, which can in the most extreme cases lead to anoxia (lack of oxygen) or poisoning (carbon dioxide) of personnel present in the production premises.

Pour éviter cela, les sites sont contraints de changer les joints très souvent, ce qu'en pratique, avouons le, ils ne font pas, et les armoires de surgélation cryogéniques fonctionnent alors avec des joints imparfaits.To avoid this, sites are forced to change the seals very often, which in practice, let's face it, they do not do, and the cryogenic freezing cabinets then operate with imperfect seals.

Lorsque les locaux de production sont convenablement ventilés on peut considérer que cette petite fuite de gaz causée par des joints imparfaits ne pose pas de problème critique, les fuites de gaz sont ventilées grâce à la ventilation du local et l'installation peut fonctionner sans risque.When the production premises are suitably ventilated, we can consider that this small gas leak caused by imperfect joints does not pose a critical problem, the gas leaks are ventilated thanks to the ventilation of the premises and the installation can operate without risk.

En revanche, lorsque la ventilation du local de production ne permet pas d'évacuer cette fuite de gaz vers l'extérieur, alors deux solutions sont utilisées de manière courante :

  • La première solution consiste à installer un système de chauffage permanent des joints de manière à éviter qu'ils ne descendent trop bas en température et qu'ils perdent leurs propriétés élastiques. Les joints restent alors flexibles et étanches plus longtemps que lorsqu'ils sont soumis aux basses températures. Le problème de fuite est alors retardé sans être supprimé, ce qui peut parfois convenir. Cependant cette technique a un cout non négligeable.
  • La deuxième solution consiste à installer une extraction active (ventilateur dans le tube d'extraction, voir plus haut), qui va permettre de créer une dépression à l'intérieur de l'enceinte cryogénique. Ainsi, les fuites constatées au niveau des joints de portes ne vont plus se traduire par une sortie de gaz dans le local de production mais par une entrée d'air dans l'enceinte de surgélation. Le surgélateur ne laisse alors plus sortir de gaz dans le local de production et la petite entrée d'air dans l'appareil ne perturbe en rien le procédé de surgélation dans la mesure où cette entrée d'air reste à un niveau limité.
On the other hand, when the ventilation of the production room does not allow this gas leak to be evacuated to the outside, then two solutions are commonly used:
  • The first solution consists of installing a permanent heating system for the joints so as to prevent them from dropping too low in temperature and losing their elastic properties. The joints then remain flexible and waterproof for longer than when they are subjected to low temperatures. The leak problem is then delayed without being eliminated, which can sometimes be suitable. However, this technique has a significant cost.
  • The second solution consists of installing an active extraction (fan in the extraction tube, see above), which will create a depression inside the cryogenic enclosure. Thus, the leaks observed at the door seals will no longer result in a gas outlet in the production room but in an air entry into the freezing chamber. The freezer then no longer lets gas escape into the production room and the small air inlet into the device does not disrupt the freezing process in any way as this air inlet remains at a limited level.

Ainsi, pour compenser l'imperfection d'étanchéité des joints de portes et supprimer le problème de fuite de gaz qui est lié, on installe une extraction active. Cette dernière se compose d'un ventilateur installé dans le tube d'extraction, d'une alimentation électrique et d'un système de commande qui déclenche son fonctionnement lorsque cela est nécessaire. Tout cet ensemble à un coût non négligeable dans le coût total de l'installation de surgélation et lorsque cela est possible, une installation sans extraction active sera toujours préférée par le site de production.Thus, to compensate for the imperfect sealing of the door seals and eliminate the related gas leak problem, an active extraction is installed. The latter consists of a fan installed in the tube extraction, a power supply and a control system which triggers its operation when necessary. All of this has a significant cost in the total cost of the freezing installation and when possible, an installation without active extraction will always be preferred by the production site.

Une armoire suivant le préambule de la revendication 1 ci-jointe est connue du document US4344291A . Le document FR2979697A1 décrit un tunnel de réfrigération par fluide cryogénique comportant des volets en entrée et en sortie.A cabinet according to the preamble of claim 1 attached is known from the document US4344291A . The document FR2979697A1 describes a cryogenic fluid refrigeration tunnel comprising inlet and outlet shutters.

Comme on le verra plus en détails dans ce qui suit, la présente invention s'attache à proposer une solution technique qui a pour objectif de s'affranchir du problème des joints de portes des armoires cryogéniques, à un coût négligeable.As will be seen in more detail in the following, the present invention seeks to propose a technical solution which aims to overcome the problem of cryogenic cabinet door seals, at a negligible cost.

Pour cela, on propose d'utiliser les ventilateurs naturellement présents dans les armoires de surgélation (la fonction première de ces ventilateurs est de brasser l'air dans l'armoire et ainsi contribuer à l'échange thermique s'y produisant) de telle sorte qu'ils continuent à réaliser cette fonction première mais qu'ils réalisent en plus une fonction d'extraction active des gaz vers l'extérieur.For this, we propose to use the fans naturally present in the freezing cabinets (the primary function of these fans is to circulate the air in the cabinet and thus contribute to the heat exchange occurring there) in such a way. that they continue to carry out this primary function but that they also carry out a function of active extraction of gases to the outside.

La solution proposée comporte un volet (volet dont le coût est négligeable), situé à l'entrée du tube d'extraction dans l'armoire de surgélation, volet s'étendant vers l'intérieur de l'armoire, et dont la forme, la position et l'orientation permettent de tirer partie des turbulences créées par les ventilateurs. Lorsque les ventilateurs fonctionnent, les turbulences créées sont en partie déviées par le volet vers le tube d'extraction, poussant ainsi les gaz vers l'extérieur de l'enceinte et créant ainsi une dépression à l'intérieur de l'enceinte de surgélation.The proposed solution includes a shutter (shutter whose cost is negligible), located at the entrance to the extraction tube in the freezing cabinet, flap extending towards the inside of the cabinet, and whose shape, the position and orientation make it possible to take advantage of the turbulence created by the fans. When the fans operate, the turbulence created is partly deflected by the shutter towards the extraction tube, thus pushing the gases towards the outside of the enclosure and thus creating a depression inside the freezing enclosure.

La forme et l'orientation de ce volet vont être choisis en fonction du type de ventilateurs utilisés dans l'armoire et de leur sens (horaire ou antihoraire) de fonctionnement.The shape and orientation of this shutter will be chosen according to the type of fans used in the cabinet and their direction (clockwise or counterclockwise) of operation.

Par ailleurs, ce volet doit être étudié pour perturber le moins possible le processus de surgélation de l'armoire (étudié par exemple par modélisation ou encore tout simplement par des essais sur armoire réelle), notamment pour vérifier que le volet apporte l'effet recherché qui est de créer une dépression à l'intérieur de l'armoire, que le volet ne perturbe par trop la circulation de l'air dans la cellule et qu'il ne dégrade pas le coefficient de transfert thermique dans l'armoire de surgélation.Furthermore, this shutter must be studied to disrupt the freezing process of the cabinet as little as possible (studied for example by modeling or quite simply by tests on a real cabinet), in particular to check that the shutter provides the desired effect. which is to create a depression inside the cabinet, so that the shutter does not disturb the air circulation too much in the cell and that it does not degrade the heat transfer coefficient in the freezing cabinet.

Les figures annexées illustrent quatre exemples de réalisation de ces volets, suivant que l'extraction est située en bas ou en haut de l'armoire de surgélation et suivant que les ventilateurs tournent dans le sens horaire ou antihoraire.

  • en figure 1 annexée on constate (sur la vue de gauche , tube d'extraction non équipé d'un volet), que les turbulences créées par les ventilateurs passent devant l'entrée du tube d'extraction (situé en partie basse de l'armoire), tandis qu'alors à l'aide du volet positionné à l'entrée du tube d'extraction vers l'intérieur de l'armoire de surgélation (vue du milieu), au moins une partie des turbulences s'engouffrent dans l'entrée du tube d'extraction (vue de droite). Le volet a ici une forme de « classeur » ou « d'écope ».
  • en figure 2 annexée on constate (sur la vue de gauche , tube d'extraction non équipé d'un volet), qu'ici encore les turbulences créées par les ventilateurs passent devant l'entrée du tube d'extraction, et qu'alors à l'aide du volet positionné à l'entrée du tube d'extraction vers l'intérieur de l'armoire de surgélation (vue du milieu), au moins une partie des turbulences s'engouffrent dans l'entrée du tube d'extraction (vue de droite). Ici encore le volet a une forme de « classeur » ou « d'écope ».
  • la figure 3 annexée illustre une situation de fonctionnement horaire des ventilateurs, et où l'extraction est située en haut de l'armoire de surgélation. Ici encore grâce au volet positionné au niveau de l'entrée du tube d'extraction vers l'intérieur de l'armoire de surgélation (vue du milieu), au moins une partie des turbulences s'engouffrent dans l'entrée du tube d'extraction (vue de droite). Le volet a ici une forme de cylindre tronqué.
  • et la figure 4 annexée illustre une situation de fonctionnement antihoraire des ventilateurs, et où l'extraction est située à nouveau en haut de l'armoire de surgélation. Ici encore grâce au volet positionné au niveau de l'entrée du tube d'extraction vers l'intérieur de l'armoire de surgélation (vue du milieu), au moins une partie des turbulences s'engouffrent dans l'entrée du tube d'extraction (vue de droite). Le volet a ici une forme de « tube coudé ».
The appended figures illustrate four examples of production of these shutters, depending on whether the extraction is located at the bottom or at the top of the freezing cabinet and depending on whether the fans rotate clockwise or counterclockwise.
  • in figure 1 attached we see (on the left view, extraction tube not equipped with a shutter), that the turbulence created by the fans passes in front of the entrance to the extraction tube (located in the lower part of the cabinet), while then with the help of the flap positioned at the entrance of the extraction tube towards the inside of the freezing cabinet (view from the middle), at least part of the turbulence rushes into the entrance of the extraction tube (right view). The flap here has a “binder” or “scoop” shape.
  • in figure 2 appended we see (on the left view, extraction tube not equipped with a shutter), that here again the turbulence created by the fans passes in front of the entrance of the extraction tube, and that then at the using the shutter positioned at the entrance of the extraction tube towards the inside of the freezing cabinet (view from the middle), at least part of the turbulence rushes into the entrance of the extraction tube (view from RIGHT). Here again the flap has a “binder” or “scoop” shape.
  • there Figure 3 appended illustrates a situation of hourly operation of the fans, and where the extraction is located at the top of the freezing cabinet. Here again, thanks to the flap positioned at the entrance of the extraction tube towards the inside of the freezing cabinet (view from the middle), at least part of the turbulence rushes into the entrance of the extraction tube. extraction (right view). The shutter here has the shape of a truncated cylinder.
  • and the Figure 4 appended illustrates a situation of counterclockwise operation of the fans, and where the extraction is again located at the top of the freezing cabinet. Here again, thanks to the flap positioned at the entrance of the extraction tube towards the inside of the freezing cabinet (view from the middle), at least part of the turbulence rushes into the entrance of the extraction tube. extraction (right view). The shutter here has a “bent tube” shape.

On aura bien compris que les formes des volets illustrées ici ne sont que des exemples illustratifs de l'invention, et on pourra dès lors utiliser d'autres formes, mais aussi intervertir les formes dans les cas énoncés ci-dessus (on pourra par exemple utiliser un tube coudé dans la configuration de la figure 1).It will be understood that the shapes of the shutters illustrated here are only illustrative examples of the invention, and we can therefore use other shapes, but also invert the shapes in the cases stated above (we can for example use an elbow tube in the configuration of the figure 1 ).

L'invention concerne alors une armoire utilisée pour la surgélation ou le stockage de produits alimentaires, médicaux ou biologiques, utilisant un fluide cryogénique comme fluide de refroidissement, armoire du type :

  • munie d'un ou de plusieurs ventilateurs de convection situé(s) dans l'enceinte de l'armoire et apte(s) à brasser l'air interne à l'armoire et ainsi à contribuer à l'échange thermique s'y produisant ;
  • et munie d'un système d'extraction des gaz formés dans l'enceinte de l'armoire du fait de la vaporisation dudit fluide cryogénique, système d'extraction comportant un tube d'extraction se raccordant à une paroi de l'armoire et reliant l'enceinte à l'extérieur ;
se caractérisant en ce qu'elle comporte un volet, situé sur ladite paroi, à l'entrée du tube d'extraction dans l'armoire, et s'étendant vers l'intérieur de l'armoire, volet dont la forme, la position et l'orientation permettent de dévier vers le tube d'extraction tout ou partie des turbulences crées par le ou lesdits ventilateurs de convection.The invention then relates to a cabinet used for freezing or storing food, medical or biological products, using a cryogenic fluid as a cooling fluid, cabinet of the type:
  • equipped with one or more convection fans located within the enclosure of the cabinet and capable of stirring the air inside the cabinet and thus contributing to the heat exchange occurring there ;
  • and provided with a system for extracting the gases formed in the enclosure of the cabinet due to the vaporization of said cryogenic fluid, extraction system comprising an extraction tube connecting to a wall of the cabinet and connecting the enclosure outside;
characterized in that it comprises a flap, located on said wall, at the entrance of the extraction tube into the cabinet, and extending towards the inside of the cabinet, flap whose shape, position and the orientation make it possible to deflect towards the extraction tube all or part of the turbulence created by said convection fan(s).

Les essais menés avec un système conforme à l'un des exemples évoqués ci-dessus ont montré d'excellents résultats :

  • la dépression créée dans l'enceinte est ajustable en modifiant la vitesse des ventilateurs et peut aller jusqu'à 200Pa (2mbar).
  • ce dispositif réalise une action comparable à celle d'un extracteur actif (ventilateur installé dans la conduite d'extraction) tel que pratiqué selon l'art antérieur, mais sans ventilateur actif et sans ses coûts associés (le cout du volet mis en oeuvre ici est tout simplement dérisoire).
  • en pratique, cela permet de fonctionner en toute sécurité et quelles que soient les situations, avec des joints de porte imparfaits et sans fuite de gaz dans le local de production.
  • le procédé de surgélation n'est pas perturbé.
  • ce système est adapté aux armoires de surgélation fonctionnant à l'azote liquide ou au CO2 liquide. Il se révèlera particulièrement utile pour les applications fonctionnant au CO2 car dans ce cas, les fuites de gaz même minimes ont souvent un impact fort dans l'atelier de production et elles sont rarement tolérables.
Tests carried out with a system conforming to one of the examples mentioned above have shown excellent results:
  • the depression created in the enclosure is adjustable by modifying the speed of the fans and can go up to 200Pa (2mbar).
  • this device performs an action comparable to that of an active extractor (fan installed in the extraction pipe) as practiced according to the prior art, but without active fan and without its associated costs (the cost of the shutter implemented here is simply ridiculous).
  • in practice, this allows operation in complete safety and whatever the situations, with imperfect door seals and without gas leaks in the production room.
  • the freezing process is not disturbed.
  • this system is suitable for freezing cabinets operating with liquid nitrogen or liquid CO 2 . It will prove particularly useful for applications operating on CO 2 because in this case, even minimal gas leaks often have a strong impact in the production workshop and are rarely tolerable.

Claims (1)

  1. Cabinet for deep-freezing or storing food, medical or biological products, using a cryogenic fluid that vaporises in the closed enclosure of the cabinet as cooling fluid, said cabinet being of the type that is:
    - provided with one or more convection fans located in the enclosure of the cabinet and capable of agitating the air inside the cabinet and thus of contributing to the thermal exchange that occurs therein;
    - and provided with a system for extracting the gases formed in the enclosure of the cabinet due to the vaporization of said cryogenic fluid, said extraction system including an extraction tube (1) that is connected to one wall of the cabinet and links the enclosure to the outside;
    characterized in that it includes a flap (2), located on said wall, at the point where the extraction tube enters the cabinet, and extending into the cabinet, the shape, position and orientation of said flap making it possible to divert, toward the extraction tube, all or part of the turbulence (3) created by said one or more convection fans.
EP17702424.7A 2016-01-13 2017-01-10 System allowing automatic extraction of cold gases in a freezer cabinet operating with a cryogenic fluid Active EP3403037B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1650248A FR3046668B1 (en) 2016-01-13 2016-01-13 SYSTEM FOR THE AUTOMATIC EXTRACTION OF COLD GASES IN A FROZEN CONTROL CABIN OPERATING WITH A CRYOGENIC FLUID
PCT/FR2017/050050 WO2017121951A1 (en) 2016-01-13 2017-01-10 System allowing automatic extraction of cold gases in a freezer cabinet operating with a cryogenic fluid

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3403037A1 EP3403037A1 (en) 2018-11-21
EP3403037B1 true EP3403037B1 (en) 2023-10-18

Family

ID=55806530

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP17702424.7A Active EP3403037B1 (en) 2016-01-13 2017-01-10 System allowing automatic extraction of cold gases in a freezer cabinet operating with a cryogenic fluid

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US20190017738A1 (en)
EP (1) EP3403037B1 (en)
ES (1) ES2965038T3 (en)
FR (1) FR3046668B1 (en)
PT (1) PT3403037T (en)
WO (1) WO2017121951A1 (en)

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4344291A (en) * 1980-04-28 1982-08-17 Liquid Carbonic Corporation Cryogenic cabinet freezer
US4759198A (en) * 1985-11-06 1988-07-26 Takigen Manufacturing Co. Ltd. Ventilator for refrigerator

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1654343A (en) * 1924-11-24 1927-12-27 Charles A Moore Precooling structure
US1832874A (en) * 1930-03-19 1931-11-24 Charles A Moore Air conditioning device for cold storage rooms
FR2979697B1 (en) * 2011-09-07 2013-09-27 Air Liquide SYSTEM FOR ENHANCING THE BALANCING OF COLD GASES IN A FREEZING TUNNEL BY IMPLEMENTING BUFFER ZONES AND INTERNAL SHUTTERS

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4344291A (en) * 1980-04-28 1982-08-17 Liquid Carbonic Corporation Cryogenic cabinet freezer
US4759198A (en) * 1985-11-06 1988-07-26 Takigen Manufacturing Co. Ltd. Ventilator for refrigerator

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES2965038T3 (en) 2024-04-10
WO2017121951A1 (en) 2017-07-20
EP3403037A1 (en) 2018-11-21
FR3046668B1 (en) 2018-02-16
PT3403037T (en) 2023-12-07
FR3046668A1 (en) 2017-07-14
US20190017738A1 (en) 2019-01-17

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
FR2960622A1 (en) HEATING SYSTEM WITH EXTERNAL HEAT PUMP WITH EVAPORATOR SENSOR
CA3006214A1 (en) Method and apparatus for avoiding frost or ice build-up on exhaust vents and air intakes of condensing appliances
CN104567192A (en) Refrigerator
EP3184930B1 (en) Arrangement made up of a refrigerating system and a building
JP2018054201A (en) Duct fan module and cooling unit using the same
EP3403037B1 (en) System allowing automatic extraction of cold gases in a freezer cabinet operating with a cryogenic fluid
KR101697551B1 (en) Cooler for refrigerator and damper installed at the same
US10718543B2 (en) Method and apparatus for avoiding frost or ice build-up on vent pipes
FR2982936A1 (en) Cooling device i.e. dry cooler for use in air conditioning system of e.g. building, has parallelepiped panel configured to be moved in translation and/or rotation to vary section of application surface applying gas flow on panel
FR2796136A1 (en) Plant, such as heat pump or air conditioning system, for heating individual houses, includes impervious tank, buried in ground, and cover guiding air flux and absorbing noises from compressor and fan
FR2927162A1 (en) Refrigeration apparatus e.g. domestic refrigerator, has water supplying tube crown-molded at interior of sheath, and space containing air handled between tube and sheath, where air is maintained at temperature higher than specific Celsius
CN112805503B (en) Assembly comprising a pressure transfer line with a pressure measuring device and flow measuring point comprising an assembly of this type
CN105466107A (en) Freezing and cold storage device and control method
KR101539920B1 (en) Oil gas liquefing member and oil gas liquefing apparatus comprising the oil gas liquefing member
NO165207B (en) CIRCULATION DEVICE.
FR2493972A1 (en) METHOD FOR DEFROSTING HEAT PUMP AIR PROCESSING APPARATUS AND DEVICE FOR PERFORMING THE PROCESS
FR3048477A1 (en) SAFETY VALVE
EP3943856B1 (en) Dry or adiabatic evaporative condenser comprising a system for neutralisation of coolant leaks
FR2672114A1 (en) Refrigeration units for refrigerated chambers and refrigeration installation using such units
EP3943857B1 (en) Cooling installation with an evaporative condenser comprising a system for containment of coolant leaks
DK2735815T3 (en) solar power systems
EP2743601B1 (en) Compact inner module for thermal control facility with heat pump
FR3010506A1 (en) DEVICE FOR COOLING SPEAKERS, REFRIGERATORS, FREEZERS, WITHOUT REJECTING HEAT IN THE ROOM OR LOCATED IN THE ENCLOSURE
KR200468855Y1 (en) Water valve with freeze protection-pipe
FR3109209A3 (en) Cryogenic freezing plant

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: UNKNOWN

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE

PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20180813

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

DAV Request for validation of the european patent (deleted)
DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20211115

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20211122

RAP3 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: L'AIR LIQUIDE, SOCIETE ANONYME POUR L'ETUDE ET L'EXPLOITATION DES PROCEDES GEORGES CLAUDE

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20230614

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: FRENCH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602017075412

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: PT

Ref legal event code: SC4A

Ref document number: 3403037

Country of ref document: PT

Date of ref document: 20231207

Kind code of ref document: T

Free format text: AVAILABILITY OF NATIONAL TRANSLATION

Effective date: 20231129

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: FP

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PT

Payment date: 20231221

Year of fee payment: 8

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG9D

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 20240119

Year of fee payment: 8

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: UEP

Ref document number: 1622799

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20231018

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240119

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240218

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2965038

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

Effective date: 20240410

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231018

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20240227

Year of fee payment: 8

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Payment date: 20240122

Year of fee payment: 8

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231018

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240218

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240119

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240118

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20240119

Year of fee payment: 8

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20240202

Year of fee payment: 8

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231018

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231018

Ref country code: PL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231018

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20240118

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231018

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231018

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20240124

Year of fee payment: 8

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 20240119

Year of fee payment: 8

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20240130

Year of fee payment: 8

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231018

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602017075412

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231018

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231018

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231018

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231018

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231018

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231018

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231018

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231018

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231018

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20231018

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20240110