Method and apparatus for thermal exchange with two-phase media

摘要

In a temperature control system using a controlled mix of high temperature pressurized gas and a cooled vapor/liquid flow of the same medium to cool a thermal load to a target temperature in a high energy environment, particular advantages are obtained in precision and efficiency by passing at least a substantial percentage of the cooled vapor/liquid flow through the thermal load directly, and thereafter mixing the output with a portion of the pressurized gas flow. This “post load mixing” approach increases the thermal transfer coefficient, improves control and facilities target temperature change. Ad added mixing between the cooled expanded flow and a lesser flow of pressurized gas also is used prior to the input to the thermal load. A further feature, termed a remote “Line Box”, enables transport of the separate flows of the two phase medium through a substantial spacing from pressurizing and condensing units without undesired liquefaction in the transport lines.

主权项

1. In a system which generates, from a medium, divided separate flows of high pressure gaseous phase of the medium, and a differential flow of the medium in liquid phase and the system requires thermal control of a thermal load at an operative site that is physically displaced from the location at which separate gaseous and liquid flows are generated and divided, a temperature control unit for disposition at the operative site in proximity to the thermal load comprising:
a thermo-expansion device receiving the liquid phase of the medium and providing a cooled expanded flow of the gaseous phase of the medium proximate the thermal load, the cooled expanded flow determined by a differential temperature between a superheated gas and a temperature of an output fluid from a second mixer; a solenoid valve positioned between a proportional valve and the second mixer, the solenoid valve controlled to be shut off whenever the system is programmed to make a change in a target temperature; a first mixer receiving the high pressure gaseous phase of the medium at one input and providing an output to the thermal load, the first mixer having a second input receiving a pressurized gaseous phase of the medium; and the second mixer having two inputs and receiving a controlled fraction of the high pressure gaseous phase of the medium at one input from the solenoid valve and the output from the load at a second input, and providing a return output to the system.