MXPA00007928A - Fill and bleed module for a refrigerating module and a method for filling a refrigerating module - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a fill and bleed module (3) for carbon dioxide in a refrigerating module (1) assigned to a refrigerating container (2). Means (5, 9) which are assigned to said fill and bleed module are provided for supplying the solid carbon dioxide into the refrigerating module (1). For this, said means have an end which can be connected to an inlet (4) of the refrigerating module (1). Other means (7, 8) are provided for carrying the essentially gaseous carbon dioxide out of the refrigerating module (1). These means have an end which can be connected to an outlet (6) of the refrigerating module (1). The means (5, 7, 8, 9) for supplying and carrying away the carbon dioxide are assigned to a common housing (33) and are configured in such a way that essentially gaseous carbon dioxide is carried out of the refrigerating module (1), and, to a large extent, does not escape into the medium surrounding the refrigerating container (2).

Description

ARRANGEMENT THAT HAS A FILLING AND EXTRACTION MODULE FOR CARBON DIOXIDE AND METHOD TO FILL A REFRIGERATION MODULE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to an arrangement having a filling and extraction module for carbon dioxide, a refrigerator, and a refrigeration module assigned to the refrigerator and to a method for filling a refrigeration module assigned to a refrigerator, as well as the use of said filling and extraction module. Methods that delay the breakdown of food have always been developed. The refrigeration, possible thanks to the technical development, allows the conservation of most of the foods in processed state. This is because the physical, chemical, microbial and enzi-tic reactions become slower with a drop in temperature. Particularly in the case of food for aircraft passengers, relatively strict requirements are raised to keep prepared foods cold. In order to comply with the required standards of quality and hygiene (for example: Convention on the International Transport of Perishable Foods and on the special equipment to be used for such transport, European Economic Commission, Committee on Internal Transportation, 1991), certain foods already prepared they have to be cooled to a specific temperature during storage and transport. Thus, those responsible for providing food on aircraft deliver food, for example, only when they have a core temperature of 8 ° C maximum. Several methods have been developed to enable compliance with these standards (Gas aktuell, number 44, page 39, Messer Griesheim GmbH, 1993). In the Snow Shooting System of MG Gas Products, each individual part of the transport vessel is automatically cooled by carbon dioxide snow at a temperature of -78.9 ° C (Gas aktuell, Number 44, page 39 , Messer Griesheim GmbH, 1993). GB 9216578.6 presents a system for the refrigeration of foods in which a jet of carbon dioxide gas and snow of carbon dioxide contained therein is directed towards the food. The food is stored in a closed refrigerator after this treatment. GB 9318715.1 discloses a method for cooling food, particularly food for aircraft passengers. Here, the carbon dioxide snow is supplied, through several nozzles, to the individual compartments inside a refrigerator for the storage of the food.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED TECHNIQUE It is known to use dry ice for cooling purposes. DE 29 29 666 A1 describes the design of a drawer for receiving dry ice, which must be placed in a refrigerator equipped for the transport of food and beverages for passengers traveling on aircraft and where at least one drawer is provided in the upper refrigerator compartment. FR 96 09 850 discloses a cooling module designed similarly to a drawer and that can be pushed into a refrigerator, the cooling module has a gas permeable wall, an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice, with the result that the liquid carbon dioxide can be supplied through the inlet hole and the gaseous carbon dioxide can exit through the outlet hole.

US-A 5,657,643 discloses a device and method for refrigerating food in a container. The device can be moved between a rest position and an operating position. In its operating position, the device is coupled to an opening in the container. The device comprises a feed line for liquid C02, the line is connected to a nozzle that projects into the container. The device also includes a return line for gaseous C02, this return line is connected to a blower and leads back to a storage tank. The liquid C02 is fed by nozzle to the container through the feed line, with the result that snow forms C02 and at the same time, C02 gas. The C02 gas is removed by suction and returns to the storage tank through the return line. The object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement having a filling and extraction module for carbon dioxide in a refrigeration module assigned to a refrigerator, as well as a method for filling a refrigeration module assigned to a refrigerator, said module for cooling. Filling and extraction and said method make it possible to introduce carbon dioxide into the cooling module in the most efficient and reliable manner possible. This object is achieved in accordance with the present invention through a filling and extraction module for carbon dioxide in a refrigeration module assigned to a refrigerator, said filling and extraction module receives a device for feeding solid carbon dioxide in the cooling module having an end that can be connected to an inlet of the cooling module, and having a means assigned to discharge the essentially gaseous carbon dioxide from the cooling module, having an end that can be connected to the cooling module. an exit orifice of the cooling module, the means for feeding and discharging the carbon dioxide being assigned to a common envelope and being designed in such a way that the essentially gaseous carbon dioxide is discharged from the cooling module and for the most part part does not escape to ambient air. The phrase "solid carbon dioxide", which is fed to the cooling module, refers here to carbon dioxide in solid form, for example in particulate, granular or snow-like form, which may contain a residual amount of dioxide of carbon in another form, in particular gaseous carbon dioxide. The phrase "essentially gaseous carbon dioxide" refers to gaseous carbon dioxide which may contain small residual amounts of liquid or solid carbon dioxide. The term "refrigerator" refers to all conceivable types of vessels at least partially enclosed, for example containers, cabinets, trolleys or trucks, which, as a rule, have a thermally insulating wall and in which thermally sensitive products can be stored or transported, a specific temperature being maintained for a specific period of time. The filling and extraction module is very easy to operate and is relatively reliable. This is because it can be operated advantageously with only one hand and, at the same time, the supply of carbon dioxide and the discharge of essentially gaseous carbon dioxide are ensured, the essentially gaseous carbon dioxide preferably not being discharged into the air that surrounds the filling and extraction module and the cooling module to be filled. The cooling module can preferably be extracted from the refrigerator, so that carbon dioxide can also be supplied to the cooling module outside the refrigerator with the aid of the filling and extraction module.

If solid granular, particulate or snow-like carbon dioxide is fed to the cooling module, then, in this case, the essentially gaseous carbon dioxide that is entrained or generated can escape via the filling and extraction module, so that essentially the entire amount of solid carbon dioxide supplied remains in the cooling module and is available for cooling purposes. According to the invention, the means for feeding the solid carbon dioxide to the cooling module have at least one injection pipe for liquid carbon dioxide, said injection pipe projecting beyond the end face of the filling and extraction module. , and the means for discharging the essentially gaseous carbon dioxide from the cooling module have at least one discharge orifice. The injection pipe is advantageously produced from a metallic material, for example copper or high grade steel, and the outlet flow hole for the carbon dioxide in the injection pipe is selected according to the volume flow of the pipe. carbon dioxide desired. The phrase "injection pipe" refers, here, to all conceivable types of injection devices, for example nozzles and nozzles, which are suitable for introducing liquid carbon dioxide into the cooling module. Advantageously, the filling and extraction module is designed in such a way that the supply of the solid carbon dioxide to the cooling module and the discharge of the essentially gaseous carbon dioxide from the cooling module take place essentially simultaneously. According to the invention, the means for discharging the essentially gaseous carbon dioxide from the cooling module are connected to a device for sucking essentially gaseous carbon dioxide from the cooling module. For example, a intake fan is used as a suction device. By means of an appropriate design or regulation of the suction device, for example by means of an aperture cross-section adapted from the discharge and / or regulation opening of the intake fan, and by means of a volume of flow, adapted thereto, of carbon dioxide supplied, for example by means of an appropriate design of the injection pipe, the essentially gaseous carbon dioxide can be discharged from the cooling module virtually completely, without thereby passing into the ambient air.

The carbon dioxide aspirated can be directed to an open place or supplied for later use, for example for inactivation or cooling. The gaseous carbon dioxide can be particularly advantageously supplied to a heat exchanger, with the aid of which the preferably liquid carbon dioxide is precooled. The use of gaseous carbon dioxide sucked at a temperature of preferably -50 ° C to -55 ° C advantageously makes it possible to achieve a reduction in temperature of the liquid carbon dioxide from a temperature of about -20 ° C to a temperature of about -27. ° C, thereby increasing the efficiency with which carbon dioxide is introduced. If carbon dioxide is supplied in the form of snow, this leads, for example, to an increase in the rate of snow formation of carbon dioxide of about 5%. The gaseous carbon dioxide generated during the filling of the cooling module can also be collected in an airtight manner and subsequently delivered to a condensation or return system. It is stipulated that the means for feeding the solid carbon dioxide to the cooling module has a supply line that is connected to a source for pressurizing liquid carbon dioxide. According to the invention, the filling and extraction device has a device assigned to control the filling quantity, which has a closing means and a timer that is operatively connected to the closing means and with the aid of which the period of time during which the carbon dioxide is fed to the cooling module is controlled, in order to feed different amounts of solid carbon dioxide to the cooling module and thus set a desired cooling preservation time for the substances inside the refrigerator. For example, a valve or a slide, preferably a slide, is used as a closing means. It is stipulated that the filling and extraction module has a device for coupling the filling and extraction module to the cooling module during operation. Preferably, the means for feeding the solid carbon dioxide to the cooling module have, in the region of its end that can be connected to the inlet of the cooling module, a magnetic or electromagnetic device that, when the filling and extraction module is in operation, is operatively connected to a corresponding magnetic or electromagnetic device in the region of the inlet of the cooling module. For example, an electromagnetic coil is arranged around the injection pipe and the cooling module has a steel disk which is arranged around the filling hole of the cooling module. A magnetic force of attraction acts on the injection pipe with respect to the cooling module, with the result that the filling and extraction module is coupled to the cooling module. This coupling has the advantage that the risk of adhesion or adhesive bonding at the relatively low temperature (about -78 ° C for carbon dioxide snow) is minimized. The steel disc is made from a material that is magnetic or magnetizable, for example a nickel or chromium steel. According to the invention, the filling and extraction module for carbon dioxide is assigned a cooling module which is releasably connected to the refrigerator and which has devices that are operatively connected to corresponding devices of the refrigerator and make it possible for the Refrigeration module is pushed to the refrigerator and stored in it.

The capacity of the cooling module is preferably 1000 g to 3000 g of carbon dioxide snow. Different amounts of carbon dioxide snow can be advantageously introduced to the cooling module. The amount of carbon dioxide snow to be introduced depends on a large number of parameters, for example it depends on the outside temperature, the temperature to be maintained in the refrigerator, the initial temperature of the refrigerator, the type of product located in the refrigerator , the cooling time, the mode of transport and / or the type and size of the refrigerator. For example, very large quantities are required for ship tanks and, in the case of vaccine coolers, or for certain trolleys, only relatively small amounts (up to a few grams) of carbon dioxide snow are necessary. The object on which the invention is based is additionally achieved by means of a method for filling a refrigeration module assigned to a refrigerator, in which a filling and extraction module is coupled to the cooling module and subsequently dioxide is fed. of solid carbon to the cooling module with the help of means assigned to the filling and extraction module, and, simultaneously, essentially gaseous carbon dioxide is discharged from the cooling module and for the most part does not escape the ambient air. According to the invention, by means of the filling and extraction module coupled to the cooling module, solid carbon dioxide is fed to the cooling module as a result of the introduction of liquid carbon dioxide to the latter, the liquid carbon dioxide , due to its expansion and evaporation in the cooling module, changing, at least in large part, to solid carbon dioxide, preferably snow-like carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide snow has a relatively loose arrangement and, consequently, a substantially larger surface, compared to solid plates of solid carbon dioxide (plates of dry ice). The sublimated amount of cold carbon dioxide gas is therefore substantially higher. The carbon dioxide snow is surrounded by atmospheric air. The higher density of the carbon dioxide gas results in a downwardly flowing stream of carbon dioxide gas, which can escape from the cooling module, which consists of a sufficiently porous material, into the interior of the refrigerator, in which they are located. food products to be refrigerated, and thus refrigerate the food products located in it. The fraction of carbon dioxide in the air / carbon dioxide mixture in the refrigerator increases with the progressive sublimation of solid carbon dioxide up to a temperature of about -78.9 ° C, the temperature of the cold, pure carbon dioxide gas . Advantageously, the essentially gaseous carbon dioxide is sucked from the cooling module while the latter is being filled with solid carbon dioxide. According to the invention, the suction of the essentially gaseous carbon dioxide from the cooling module and the carbon dioxide feed are controlled in such a way that the pressure inside the cooling module during the carbon dioxide feed remains essentially the same and corresponds approximately to the atmospheric pressure (approximately 1 bar). According to the invention, the period of time during which the carbon dioxide is fed to the cooling module is controlled by means of the filling and extraction module, in order to feed different amounts of solid carbon dioxide to the cooling module and thus establish a desired cooling preservation time for the substances inside the refrigerator. It is stipulated, according to the invention, that the essentially gaseous carbon dioxide coming from the cooling module is used for the purpose of pre-cooling the liquid carbon dioxide, the essentially gaseous carbon dioxide preferably having a temperature of between -55 and -50 ° C for cooling. The filling and extraction module and the method according to the invention are advantageously used for the preservation by refrigeration of limited time of thermally sensitive substances, preferably for the cooling of food products. Additionally, the products can be pre-cooled and / or frozen by means of the device and method according to the invention. Consequently, it is possible that an advantageous use is the storage of fresh products, for protection against oxidation and to extend the shelf life of fresh products. Carbon dioxide, preferably in the form of carbon dioxide snow, was described as a cooling medium in the above description of the invention. In addition to this cooling medium, other suitable cooling means, in particular other gases liquefied at very low temperature, can be used according to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To give a better understanding of this invention, a description thereof is given below, together with the accompanying drawings, and in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective illustration of a device for filling the cooling module of a refrigerator, Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the filling and extraction module, Figures 3 and 4 show two sections through part of the filling and extraction module, with the cooling module coupled thereto, in a refrigerator, and Figure 5 shows a top view of the filling and extraction module. Figure 1 illustrates a plant for filling a cooling module 1 of a refrigerator 2 with the aid of a filling and extraction module 3. The cooling module 1 has an inlet 4 for liquid carbon dioxide which is fed by the through an injection pipe 5 of the filling and extraction module 3. The generated essentially gaseous carbon dioxide is discharged from the cooling module 1 via an outlet orifice 6 and a discharge orifice 7 of the filling module and extraction 3 and a discharge line 8 connected thereto. The liquid carbon dioxide is fed to the filling and extraction module 3 by way of a supply line 9. The filling and extraction module 3 as well as the discharge line 8 and the supply line 9 are fastened to an arm 10. by way of a connecting element 11, in such a way that it is possible for the filling and extraction module 3 to be operated with one hand by means of the handle 12. The supply of the liquid carbon dioxide is regulated by way of a control unit 13, adjustment devices 14 being arranged on the filling and extraction module 3 in order to adjust the amount of liquid carbon dioxide to be fed. Figure 2 illustrates a fill and extract module 3 in more detail. The filling and extraction module 3 has an injection pipe 5 for liquid carbon dioxide, said injection pipe projecting beyond the end face 17 of the filling and extraction module 3, a discharge hole 7 for carbon dioxide essentially gaseous, a feed line 8 and a discharge line 9, which are all arranged in a common envelope 15. It is possible for the filling and extraction module 3 to be operated with only one hand 16 by means of the handle 12. With the In order to discharge the essentially gaseous carbon dioxide, a section of duct 18 projecting beyond the end face 17 of the filling and extraction module 3 is disposed on the latter and can be connected to the outlet orifice 6 of the cooling module 1. A centering part 19 is disposed inside the pipe section 18. The centering part 19 serves to carry the discharge hole 7 of the filling module. and extraction 3 to coincide with the outlet orifice 6 of the cooling module 1. The injection pipe 5 can be connected to the inlet 4 for liquid carbon dioxide. A coil of an electromagnet 20 is arranged around the injection pipe 5. The coil 20 is hollow inside it. The feeding line 8 is arranged in the cavity. The coil 20 is assigned a detector 21 for detecting the operation of the coil 20. The injection pipe 5 is arranged and clamped on the coil 20. In addition, the filling and extracting module 3 can have an adjustment device 14 arranged so to be integrated into the filling and extraction module 3. With the help of these adjustment devices, for example, the ambient air temperature of the refrigerator or the temperature required in the refrigerator can be adjusted via a measuring and adjusting device of temperature 22 and / or the desired cooling time for the given cooler can be pre-selected by means of a timing and indicator device 23. The appropriate amount of liquid carbon dioxide to be fed is adjusted and regulated based on these values for temperature and time. The feeding of liquid carbon dioxide can be regulated, for example, with the help of a feed pump that can be connected and disconnected and with the help of a solenoid or slide valve for liquid carbon dioxide. Other control possibilities can be similarly considered and are not ruled out by the invention. The carbon dioxide is preferably fed by actuation of an actuator device 24 which is disposed, for example, on a handle 25. Thus, in association with an appropriate design of the injection pipe 5, a particularly desirable amount of carbon dioxide it can be fed from the filling and extraction module 3 to the cooling module 1.

Figure 3 illustrates a section through the injection pipe 5 of the filling and extraction module 3, together with the electromagnetic coil 20, and through the upper part of the cooler 2 together with the cooling module 1. The injection pipe 5 is coupled to a through connection 26 having a magnetizable steel disk 27 of the cooling module 1. The cooling module 1 has a gas permeable wall 28 and is arranged inside a cooler 2 having a thermally insulating wall 29 Figure 4 illustrates a section through the duct section 18 of a filling and extraction module 3 and through the top of the refrigerator 2 together with the cooling module 1, the duct section 18 being coupled to a connection through which has the outlet orifice 6 of the cooling module 1. The essentially gaseous carbon dioxide is led out through the wall perme to the gas 28, the outlet orifice 6, the duct section 18 and via the discharge line 9 (not illustrated here). Figure 5 illustrates a section through the filling and extraction module 3 together with the electromagnetic coil -20. The injection pipe 5 is designed as a nozzle and, here, is attached to the filling and extraction module 3 via a screw connection 31. The closing means 32, for example a closing slide or a valve, is driven by means of the actuating device 24 on the handle 25 (not shown here). The injection pipe 5 together with the supply line 8 and the discharge orifice 7 together with the discharge line 9 are arranged on a common envelope 15. It is stipulated, according to the invention, that the injection is capable of taking place only when a reliable connection is made between the filling and extraction module 3 and the cooling module 1. It is therefore stipulated, for example, that the actuation device 24 be able to open the closing means 32 only when the operation The appropriate electromagnet is indicated by means of a corresponding sensor 21 which, for example, detects the presence of a closed magnetic field. Preferably, additionally, the suction, for example the proper operation of a suction pump is also used as a second additional precondition for the possible actuation of the actuator device 24. As a result of these designs, on the one hand, the safety of the personnel of the operations is increased and, on the other hand, environmental compatibility is ensured.

Claims (9)

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. An arrangement having a filling and extraction module (3) for carbon dioxide, a refrigerator (2) having a cooling module (1) assigned to the refrigerator (2), said filling and extraction module receiving means (5, 9) to feed the solid carbon dioxide in the cooling module (1), having an end that can be connected to an inlet (4) of the cooling module (1), and assigned means (7, 8) to discharge the essentially gaseous carbon dioxide from the cooling module (1), having an end that can be connected to an outlet (6) of the cooling module (1), the means (5, 7, 8, 9) to feed and discharge the carbon dioxide are assigned to a common frame (33).

The arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the devices (5, 9) for feeding the solid carbon dioxide in the cooling module have at least one injection tube (5) for liquid carbon dioxide, said tube for injection is projected beyond the end face of the filling and extraction module, and the devices (7, 8) for discharging the essentially gaseous carbon dioxide from the cooling module have at least one discharge orifice (7).

The arrangement according to claim 1 or according to claim 2, wherein the filling and extraction module (3) is designed in such a way that the supply of the solid carbon dioxide in the cooling module (1) and the discharge of the essentially gaseous carbon dioxide from the cooling module (1) are carried out essentially simultaneously.

The arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the means (7, 8) for discharging the essentially gaseous carbon dioxide from the cooling module (1) are connected to a device for suction extraction of the dioxide essentially gaseous carbon from the cooling module (1).

The arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the means (5, 9) for feeding the solid carbon dioxide in the cooling module (1) have a feed line (9) connected to a source of pressurized liquid carbon dioxide.

The arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the filling and extraction module (3) is assigned a device for controlling the filling quantity (14), which has a cutting means (32) and a timing device operably connected to the cutting means (32) and with the aid of which the period during which the carbon dioxide is fed to the cooling module (1) is controlled, in order to feed different amounts of solid carbon dioxide to the cooling module (1) and thus adjust a desired cooling conservation time for the substances that are inside the refrigerator (2).

The arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the filling and extraction module (3) has a device (20) for connecting the filling and extraction module (3) to the cooling module (1) during the operation.

The arrangement according to claim 7, wherein the means (5, 9) for feeding the solid carbon dioxide to the cooling module (1) have, in the region of its end which can be connected to the inlet (4). ) of the cooling module (1), a magnetic or electromagnetic device (20) which, when the filling and extraction module (3) is in operation, is operatively connected to a corresponding magnetic or electromagnetic device (27). ) in the region of the inlet (4) of the cooling module (1).

9. The arrangement according to any of claims 8, which has a filling and extraction module (3) for carbon dioxide in a cooling module (1) assigned to a refrigerator (2), said filling and extraction module is it is detachably connected to the refrigerator (2) and has devices operatively connected to corresponding devices of the refrigerator (2) and makes it possible to push the cooling module (1) in the refrigerator (2) and store it there.