The working principle of a cryogenic system typically involves the synergy of several key components to achieve cooling and maintain a cryogenic environment. The following are the general steps and principles for the working of a cryogenic system:
Compressor operation:
The compressor is the core component of the cryogenic system, similar to the heart of the refrigeration system. It compresses low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant gas into high-temperature and high-pressure gas by consuming electricity or other forms of energy.
Condensation process:
The refrigerant gas at high temperature and high pressure enters the condenser, and through the heat exchange with the external environment, the heat is released to the outside, and the gas is cooled and condensed into a liquid.
Throttle expansion:
The cooled liquid refrigerant passes through the expansion valve or throttling device, and the pressure and temperature are reduced to form a low-temperature and low-pressure refrigerant.
Evaporative endothermy:
The refrigerant at low temperature and low pressure enters the evaporator and absorbs the heat of the surrounding environment during the evaporation process, thereby cooling the evaporator and its surrounding area.
Circulation:
After evaporation, the refrigerant reverts to gas and is sucked in again by the compressor to start a new cycle of compression, condensation, throttling, and evaporation.
In cryogenic systems, special cooling media, such as liquid nitrogen or liquid helium, may also be used, which have a lower boiling point and can cool the system more efficiently. In addition, the system is equipped with various control elements and sensors to monitor and control temperature, pressure and other parameters to ensure that the system operates stably within the required low temperature range.
For a particular cryogenic reactor or equipment, the cryogenic system may also need to consider other factors, such as thermal isolation of the reactor, vacuum control, material inflow and outlet, etc. These need to be designed and optimized according to the specific application scenario and equipment characteristics.
In general, cryogenic systems achieve refrigerant recycling and effective heat transfer through a series of physical and chemical processes, so as to maintain and control the low temperature environment to meet various scientific experiments, industrial production or storage needs.
