Backup cryogenic refrigeration system
AssigneeThe BOC Group, Inc.
InventorRon Lee
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Backup refrigeration is provided to a cryogenic refrigeration system comprising multiple cooling loops using a single backup coolant storage vessel. The backup coolant storage vessel is in fluid communication with at least one of the cooling loops, and the cooling loops are in fluid communication with each other. Each cooling loop, in turn, is in fluid communication with a refrigeration unit. In the event of lost coolant from one of the loops, coolant, e.g., liquid nitrogen, is transferred from the other loops to the loop that lost coolant, and the backup coolant storage vessel releases backup coolant into the system.
Claims26
A backup cryogenic refrigeration system for a high temperature superconducting cable, the system comprising a:
- A. Backup refrigeration vessel;
- B. First heat exchanger comprising a first heat-exchange coil in a cooling relationship with a first refrigeration unit;
- C. First circulation loop in a cooling relationship with both a first segment of the cable and the first heat exchanger;
- D. Second heat exchanger comprising a second heat-exchange coil in a cooling relationship with a second refrigeration unit;
- E. Second circulation loop in a cooling relationship with both a second segment of the cable and the second heat exchanger;
- and
- F. Pipe connecting the first and second circulation systems,
- the backup refrigeration vessel in fluid communication with at least one of the first and second circulation loops.
A method for providing backup cryogenic refrigeration for a high temperature superconducting cable, the method comprising providing a backup coolant storage vessel containing a liquid cryogenic coolant, the backup vessel in fluid communication with at least one segment of a multi-segmented cooling system for the cable, the liquid cryogenic coolant circulating within the individual segments and the individual segments of the cooling system in fluid communication with one another, the backup vessel in fluid communication with at least one of the segments of the cooling system such that upon loss of coolant in any one of the connected segments, coolant is transferred from the backup vessel to the segment that lost the coolant.
A cryogenic refrigeration system comprising:
- A. Two or more cooling loops, each loop in fluid communication with at least one other loop;
- B. A refrigeration unit in fluid communication with each cooling loop;
- and
- C. A backup coolant storage vessel in fluid communication with at least one cooling loop.
A cryogenic refrigeration system for a high temperature superconducting cable, the system comprising a:
- A. Refrigeration vessel;
- B. First heat exchanger comprising a first heat-exchange coil in a cooling relationship with a first subcooler;
- C. First circulation loop in a cooling relationship with both a first segment of the cable and the first heat exchanger;
- D. Second heat exchanger comprising a second heat-exchange coil in a cooling relationship with a second subcooler;
- E. Second circulation loop in a cooling relationship with both a second segment of the cable and the second heat exchanger;
- and
- F. Pipe connecting the first and second circulation systems, the backup refrigeration vessel in fluid communication with at least one of the first and second circulation loops.
A method for providing cryogenic refrigeration for a high temperature superconducting cable, the method comprising providing a coolant storage vessel containing a liquid cryogenic coolant, the storage vessel in fluid communication with at least one segment of a multi-segmented cooling system for the cable, the liquid cryogenic coolant circulating within the individual segments and the individual segments of the cooling system in fluid communication with one another, the storage vessel in fluid communication with at least one of the segments of the cooling system such that upon loss of coolant in any one of the connected segments, coolant is transferred from the storage vessel to the segment that lost the coolant.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.