Development of 400-μW cryogen-free dilution refrigerators for quantum experiments

We have successfully developed cryogen-free dilution refrigerators with medium cooling power that can be applied to quantum experiments. Breakthroughs have been made in some key technologies and components of heat switches and dilution units. Our prototype has been running continuously and stably for more than 100 hours below 10 m K, with a minimum temperature of 7.6 m K and a cooling power of 450 μW at 100 m K. At the same time, we have also made progress in the application of dilution refrigerators, such as quantum computing, low-temperature detector, and magnet integration. These indicators and test results indicate good prospects for application in physics, astronomy, and quantum information.

Performance optimization on finite-time quantum Carnot engines and refrigerators based on spin-1/2 systems driven by a squeezed reservoir

We investigate the finite-time performance of a quantum endoreversible Carnot engine cycle and its inverse operation-Carnot refrigeration cycle,employing a spin-1/2 system as the working substance.The thermal machine is alternatively driven by a hot boson bath of inverse temperatureβ_(h)and a cold boson bath at inverse temperatureβ_(c)(>βh).While for the engine model the hot bath is constructed to be squeezed,in the refrigeration cycle the cold bath is established to be squeezed,with squeezing parameter r.We obtain the analytical expressions for both efficiency and power in heat engines and for coefficient of performance and cooling rate in refrigerators.We find that,in the high-temperature limit,the efficiency at maximum power is bounded by the analytical valueη_(+)=√sech(2r)(1-η_(C)),and the coefficient of performance at the maximum figure of merit is limited byε_(+)=√sech(2r)(1+ε_(C))/sech(2r)(1+ε_(C))-εC)-1,whereη_(C)=1-β_(h)/β_(c)andε_(C)=β_(h)/(β_(c)-β_(h))are the respective Carnot values of the engines and refrigerators.These analytical results are identical to those obtained from the Carnot engines based on harmonic systems,indicating that the efficiency at maximum power and coefficient at maximum figure of merit are independent of the working substance.

Exergy Analysis of a Solar Vapor Compression Refrigeration System Using R1234ze(E)as an Environmentally Friendly Replacement of R134a

Refrigeration plays a significant role across various aspects of human life and consumes substantial amounts of electrical energy.The rapid advancement of green cooling technology presents numerous solar-powered refrigeration systems as viable alternatives to traditional refrigeration equipment.Exergy analysis is a key in identifying actual thermodynamic losses and improving the environmental and economic efficiency of refrigeration systems.In this study exergy analyze has been conducted for a solar-powered vapor compression refrigeration(SP-VCR)system in the region of Gharda颽(Southern Algeria)utilizing R1234ze(E)fluid as an eco-friendly substitute for R134a refrigerant.A MATLAB-based numerical model was developed to evaluate losses in different system components and the exergy efficiency of the SP-VCR system.Furthermore,a parametric study was carriedout to analyze the impact of various operating conditions on the system’s exergy destruction and efficiency.The obtained results revealed that,for both refrigerants,the compressor exhibited the highest exergy destruction,followed by the condenser,expansion valve,and evaporator.However,the system using R1234ze(E)demonstrated lower irreversibility compared to that using R134a refrigerant.The improvements made with R1234ze are 71.95%for the compressor,39.13%for the condenser,15.38%for the expansion valve,5%for the evaporator,and 54.76%for the overall system,which confirm the potential of R1234ze(E)as a promising alternative to R134a for cooling applications.

A Review on Technologies for the Use of CO2 as a Working Fluid in Refrigeration and Power Cycles

The use of carbon dioxide as a working fluid has been the subject of extensive studies in recent years, particularly in the field of refrigeration where it is at the heart of research to replace CFC and HCFC. Its thermodynamic properties make it a fluid of choice in the efficient use of energy at low and medium temperatures in engine cycles. However, the performance of transcritical CO2 cycles weakens under high temperature and pressure conditions, especially in refrigeration systems;On the other hand, this disadvantage becomes rather interesting in engine cycles where CO2 can be used as an alternative to the organic working fluid in small and medium-sized electrical systems for low quality or waste heat sources. In order to improve the performance of systems operating with CO2 in the field of refrigeration and electricity production, research has made it possible to develop several concepts, of which this article deals with a review of the state of the art, followed by analyzes in-depth and critical of the various developments to the most recent modifications in these fields. Detailed discussions on the performance and technical characteristics of the different evolutions are also highlighted as well as the factors affecting the overall performance of the systems studied. Finally, perspectives on the future development of the use of CO2 in these different cycles are presented.

Cooling High Power Dissipating Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips Using Refrigerant

High power dissipating artificial intelligence (AI) chips require significant cooling to operate at maximum performance. Current trends regarding the integration of AI, as well as the power/cooling demands of high-performing server systems pose an immense thermal challenge for cooling. The use of refrigerants as a direct-to-chip cooling method is investigated as a potential cooling solution for cooling AI chips. Using a vapor compression refrigeration system (VCRS), the coolant temperature will be sub-ambient thereby increasing the total cooling capacity. Coupled with the implementation of a direct-to-chip boiler, using refrigerants to cool AI server systems can materialize as a potential solution for current AI server cooling demands. In this study, a comparison of 8 different refrigerants: R-134a, R-153a, R-717, R-508B, R-22, R-12, R-410a, and R-1234yf is analyzed for optimal performance. A control theoretical VCRS model is created to assess variable refrigerants under the same operational conditions. From this model, the coefficient of performance (COP), required mass flow rate of refrigerant, work required by the compressor, and overall heat transfer coefficient is determined for all 8 refrigerants. Lastly, a comprehensive analysis is provided to determine the most optimal refrigerants for cooling applications. R-717, commonly known as Ammonia, was found to have the highest COP value thus proving to be the optimal refrigerant for cooling AI chips and high-performing server applications.

Application of Prochloraz-nano-titanium Dioxide Complex Fresh-keeping Agent in Refrigeration of Dioscorea alata Lirm. sp.

Prochloraz diluents( 450 ×,475 ×,500 ×) were added with different concentrations of nano-titanium dioxide( Ti O2)( 0. 8%,1. 0%) respectively to prepare complex fresh-keeping agents,which were applied in the refrigeration of Dioscorea alata Lirm. sp. With rot index,weight loss rate,browning degree( BD),total soluble solids( TSS) content,malondialdehyde( MDA) content,polyphenol oxidase( PPO) activity and peroxidase( POD) activity,DPPH· scavenging rate as evaluation indexes,the preservation effect of the prepared freshkeeping agents on D. alata during the cold storage period was analyzed. The results showed that prochloraz added with nano-titanium dioxide significantly prolonged the storage life,reduced the rot rate and weight loss rate,and slowed the loss of pulp of D. alata. The preservation effect of complex fresh-keeping agent of prochloraz diluent( 475 ×) and nano-titanium dioxide( 1. 0%) was better than that of other treatments.

Antisepsis and Fresh-keeping Effects of Natamycin Coating Compounds Treatment on Red Global Grape

The aim was to research fresh-keeping effects of natamycin on cold-pre- served grape. Red globe grapes were processed with compound coating liquid of chitosan with mass fraction at 1% and natamycin with mass fractions at 0.20% （T1）, 0.40% （T2） and 0.60% （T3）, respectively. Grapes processed with water （CK3） and 1% chitosan （CK2） were taken as control groups. Rotten rate, seed shattering rate, mass loss rate, respiratory intensity and related physiological quality in test and control groups were compared. The results indicated that respiratory intensity, mass loss rate, rotten rate and seed shattering rate in CK1 were all higher than those in CK2. In addition, T1, T2 and T3 were lower in the indices than CK1 and CK2, but still kept at a high level in fruit hardness. Furthermore, mass fractions of Vc and titratable acid declined more slowly in T1, T2 and T3, compared with CK1 and CK2. Natamycin better preserved grapes and prolonged storage period. In general, natamycin with mass fraction at 0.4% proved best in fresh-keeping.

Evaluating the treatment of E-waste──a case study of discarded refrigerators

Disassembly and recycling of E-waste creates a series of environmental problems. The selection of a technologically reliable, environmentally friendly, economically affordable and socially acceptable recycling technology for E-waste is a significant question. This study establishes a Monte-Carlo mathematical model of cost minimization, given the constraints of environmentally sound handling of the e-waste, in the context of Crystal Ball risk assessment and evaluation software. By following the streams of the different treatment processes, which consist of various technologies including disassembly, recycling and disposal, the econom-ics of various possibilities were identified and the optimal recycling technology proposed. The key factors of the proposed scenarios were determined by using sensitivity analysis. The results of this study show that, for discarded refrigerators, the operating life span plays the key role. The model supports maintenance and resale of the short lived refrigerators. For the longer lived refrigerators material recycling is recommended by the model. Sensitivity analysis shows that purchase cost, plastic sale price, condenser sale price and disassembly costs are the main effects. This study provides a significant technical support for policy making in E-waste management.

Effects of Nine Kinds of Household Vase Solutions on Fresh-keeping Effect of Lilium Cut Flowers

[Objective]The paper was to study the effects of nine kinds of household vase solutions on fresh-keeping effect of Lilium cut flowers.[Method]Using Lilium"Sorbonne"as the material,nine kinds of household vase solutions were prepared by edible white granulated sugar,white vinegar,akafen powder and vitamin C tablets,respectively.The morphological and physiological indexes of Lilium cut flowers,including vase life,ornamental grade,flower diameter,fresh weight of flower branches,water balance value,soluble protein content and MDA content of petals,were observed,and the effects of nine kinds of household vase solutions on fresh-keeping effect of Lilium cut flowers were studied.[Result]The household vase solution F8(20 g/L white granated sugar+1 packet/L acafen powder+2 tablets/L vitamin C tablets)had the best fresh-keeping effect on Lilium cut flowers,which was beneficial to prolong the vase life and improve the ornamental value of Lilium cut flowers.[Conclusion]The household vase solution of Lilium cut flowers is optimized,which is not only environmentally friendly but also convenient for ordinary families.

Fresh-keeping Effects of Different Concentrations of 6-BA and B9 on Carnation Cut Flower

Using sucrose, citric acid and vitamin C as the basic liquid, different concentrations of 6-BA and B9 preservatives were added, and the carnation variety ＇ Master＇ was treated. The results showed that the formula of 3% sucrose ＋ 50 mg/L citric acid ＋ 600 mg/L vitamin C ＋ 20 mg/L 6-BA could effectively maintain the water balance of the cut flower, prolong the vase life of the cut flower to 16.4 d, and maximize the flower diameter and the crown height.

Global Stability Characteristics of Irreversible Refrigerators

The dynamic stability analysis of an irreversible refrigerator working at the minimum power input P for given cooling load R was investigated.An irreversible refrigerator model was established based on coupled differential equations.The global asymptotic stability characteristics were proved by constructing Lyapunov function based on Lyapunov stability theory and analyzed by sketching global phase portraits.The influence of parameters such as initial and operating parameters were studied for different values.It was found that an equilibrium point of nonlinear system was the global stability point,and the temperature of the working fluids converged to the stability value as time t approximated to positive infinite.Besides,numerical integrations were carried out to corroborate the global asymptotic stability properties of the system.Finally,the dynamic stability and the thermodynamic properties of the system were analyzed.It was found that the energetic characteristics and the dynamic stability properties were deteriorated as the dimensionless cooling load R~* and the thermal conductance ratio b increased.

Kiwi Fruit Fresh-keeping Technology

The vitamin C rich-kiwi fruit-the king of fruits-is good to taste but hard to store. Only a few countries can prevent mildew on the fruit stalk during the storage process. The fresh-keeping technology developed by the Shaanxi Teachers University has enabled China to catch up with the advanced countries in this field.

Magnetocaloric properties of phenolic resin bonded La(Fe,Si)13-based plates and its use in a hybrid magnetic refrigerator

We present a simple hot press-based method for processing La(Fe,Si)13-based compounds consisting of La–Fe–Co–Si–C particles and phenolic resin. The magnetic entropy change △S per unit mass for the La Fe_(10.87)Co_(0.63)Si_(1.5)C_(0.2)/phenolic resin compounds have nearly the same magnitude with the base materials. With the content of phenolic resin of 5.0 wt%, the compound conductivity is 3.13 W·m^(-1)·K^(-1). In order to measure the cooling performance of La(Fe,Si)13-based compounds,the La(Fe_(11.6-x)Co_(x))Si_(1.4)C_(0.15)(x =0.60, 0.65, 0.75, 0.80, 0.85)/phenolic resin compounds were pressed into thin plates and tested in a hybrid refrigerator that combines the active magnetic refrigeration effect with the Stirling cycle refrigeration effect. The test results showed that a maximum cooling power of 41 W was achieved over a temperature span of 30 K.

Effect of Refrigerant on the Performance of a C3/MRC Liquefaction Process

The Mixed Refrigerant(MR)component is an important factor influencing the performances of natural gas lique-faction processes.However,there is a lack of systematic research about the utilization of propane pre-cooled(C3/MRC).In this paper,this mixed refrigerant cycle liquefaction process is simulated using the HYSYS software and the main influential parameters involved in the process are varied to analyze their influence on the liquefaction rate and power consumption.The results show that an effective way for lowering the power consumption of the compressor consists of reducing the flow through the compressor through optimization of the percentage of mixed refrigerant.The power consumption of the compressor in the hybrid refrigeration process is affected by both flow and pressure ratios.Its specific power consumption can be reduced by increasing the flow and decreasing the pressure ratio at the same time.The increase in refrigerant pressure at the high-pressure end can significantly mitigate the energy loss of the heat exchanger and compressor.

Effect of an Internal Heat Exchanger on the Performances of a Double Evaporator Ejector Refrigeration Cycle

A theoretical investigation is presented about a double evaporator ejector refrigeration cycle(DEERC).Special attention is paid to take into account the influence of the sub-cooling and superheating effects induced by an internal heat exchanger(IHX).The ejector is introduced into the baseline cycle in order to mitigate the throttling process losses and increase the compressor suction pressure.Moreover,the IHX has the structure of a concentric counter-flow type heat exchanger and is intentionally used to ensure that the fluid at the compressor inlet is vapor.To assess accurately the influence of the IHX on the DEERC performance,a mathematical model is derived in the frame of the dominant one-dimensional theory for ejectors.The model also accounts for the friction effect in the ejector mixing section.The equations of this model are solved using an Engineering Equation Solver(EES)for different fluids.These are:R134a as baseline fluid and other environment friendly refrigerants used for comparison,namely,R1234yf,R1234ze,R600,R600a,R290,R717 and R1270.The simulation results show that the DEERC with an IHX can achieve COP(the coefficient of performance)improvements from 5.2 until 10%.

Refrigerators Enter a New Era of Health Preservation Frestech initiates the establishment of China's first standard for household sterilization refrigerators

On November 30, 2007, the China Association for Standardization (CAS) held a press conference at Beijing Diaoyutai State Guest House. Leaders from the China Household Electric Appliance Research Institute, the China Household Electric Appliance Association, and the China Consumers' Association attended and made speeches.……

Performance Analysis of a Solar Continuous Adsorption Refrigeration System

A study is conducted on the performances of a solar powered continuous-adsorption refrigerator considering two particular days as references cases,namely,the summer solstice(June 21st)and the autumn equinox(September 21st).The cooling capacity,system performance coefficient and the daily rate of available cooling energy are assessed.The main goal is to compare the performances of a solar adsorption chiller equipped with a hot water tank(HWT)with an equivalent system relying on solar collectors with no heat storage module.The daily cooling rates for the solar refrigerator are found to be 102.4 kWh and 74.3 kWh,respectively,on June 21st and on September 21st,using a total collector’s area of 43.47 m2.The corresponding values for the adsorption chiller equipped with a hot water tank of 2 m3(and using a total collector’s area of 72.45 m2),are 127.1 kWh and 106.13 kWh,respectively.

Establishment of a Model for the Calculation of the COP of a Solar Adsorption Refrigerator

This paper deals with the evaluation of the Coefficient of Performance (COP) of solar adsorption refrigeration. In the literature, simulation models to predict the thermal behaviour and the coefficient of performance of these systems are uncommon. This is why we suggest a model to simulate the operation of the machine in a typical hot and dry climate of the city of Ouagadougou. The objective is to provide a model for calculating the COP from the measurement of the ambient temperature and the irradiation of a given site. Starting from mathematical modelling, a resolution and simulation were made with COMSOL software based on the Dubinin-Astakhov adsorption model, the heat transfer balance equations, and the Linear Driving Force (LDF) model to describe the thermal behaviour of the system. A one-week measurement sequence on the adsorption solar refrigerator at the Albert Schweitzer Ecological Centre (CEAS) validated the numerical results. The measurement shows that for the days with high sunshine, the temperature of the reaction medium reaches 110°C, and the pressure reaches 500 mbar. This leads to a production of cold that allows it to reach the temperature of -5°C at the evaporator. Under these conditions, the COP is worth 14%. These results are obtained both by numerical simulation using the COMSOL 5.1 software and after a measurement session on the solar refrigerator available to the CEAS. We obtained an experimental and theoretical coefficient of performance varying between 9% and 14% with a difference of between 0% and 3%. We conclude that our model is suitable to estimate the COP of any device based on its thermal properties, the ambient temperature and the irradiation of a given site.

欧盟PFAS限制提案解读及其对制冷空调行业影响与应对

在《〈关于消耗臭氧层物质的蒙特利尔议定书〉基加利修正案》的履约和“双碳”目标的双重驱动下,制冷剂替代是制冷空调领域最为关注的热点之一。采用热物性相近的低GWP的HFOs制冷剂和天然制冷剂作为替代品,实现HFCs的削减被认为是较为合适的替代技术路线;但随着2023年2月欧盟出台的PFAS限制提案,引发了对HFOs制冷剂替代前景的担忧,这可能影响全球制冷剂替代发展。因此,首先对PFAS物质进行了介绍,分析了含氟制冷剂与PFASs的关系,并对PFAS法案的形成脉络和关键内容进行了解读,总结了不同领域对此的观点,希望对未来制冷剂替代方案的制定提供一定思辨意义和参考价值。

氦低温透平膨胀机热力性能数值模拟与实验测试

为了深入研究氦透平膨胀机在降温过程及低温条件下的热力学特性,依托ADS 500 W/4.5 K低温制冷机建设了80 K温区的实验系统,进行了氦透平膨胀机的低温变工况测试。测试的氦透平膨胀机主轴轴径为12.00 mm,采用动压氦气体轴承支承,最高转速可以达到252130 r·min^(-1)。在膨胀比为1.88时,膨胀机最大出口温降达到8.1 K;在膨胀比为2.07时,等熵效率达到最高值71.2%。以实验用氦透平膨胀机尺寸及测试工况为基础,建立了透平的数值模型。采用商业软件ANSYS CFX对透平的热力性能及降温特性进行了数值模拟,得到了相应的理论温降曲线。研究结果表明:所建数值模型能够较好地预测该氦透平膨胀机的温降过程,膨胀机出口温度的实验值和计算值结果最大相对偏差为0.45%;所测试的低温氦透平具有优良的热力性能和降温特性,测试的动压氦气体轴承表现出良好的支承稳定性,数值计算和实验结果可为后续相关研究和大科学装置的应用提供参考。